Frontier 02: Rebirthing – Chapter 19: Turning the Tables
Everyone: Happy birthday, Madjack!
madjack89: …Huh?
Kira: We kind of forgot to tell you happy birthday last chapter, so we're telling you now!
madjack89: Aw, thanks guys!
JP: Yeah, and we all pitched in and got you a present! hands over plastic bag
madjack89: You guys have no clue how to wrap a present, do you?
Everyone: …
madjack89: Oh well, let's see what I got! Hm…a piece of string…a Canadian nickel…a slightly melted chocolate bar glances at JP
JP: It's the thought that counts.
madjack89: …three AAA batteries…and…Kouji, why is there a picture of you wearing a sailor hat in here?
Kouji: grabs picture Who the hell put that in there?!
madjack89: I'm guessing what you meant by everyone pitched in is that everyone dug something out of their pockets and you took the best stuff you could find and gave it to me, right?
Takuya: …Sort of.
madjack89: Man, I didn't know you guys were that desperately poor…except Kira…and maybe Kouichi…
Kira: For your information, I provided the Canadian nickel.
Shino: Where did you get a Canadian nickel, anyway?
Kira: I found it…when it dropped out of the pocket of a tourist…that I pick pocketed…
Everyone: stares at Kira
Kira: Oh, like you've never done anything wrong! Especially you, Taru!
Hotaru: sigh I never pick pocketed a Canadian tourist.
madjack89: I'm thinking this'll be a good time to start answering reviews.
Kouji: Yes, please.
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CHIBI-CRAZY: I'll blame L and Light if I want to! (lol) I shall be super careful with those donuts, never fear. I love writing Witchmon's lines, so I'm glad people are really beginning to like her more! Eh, Dragramon's probably seen worse. (Dragramon: What is that supposed to mean?!) Oh nothing. Anyway, I'm well aware that the warrior of fire and warrior of water are going out, and it was intentional. I'm surprised no one's mentioned it until now! Good job! Okay, thanks for reviewing!
GoldenDragon326: Yes, Duskmon shall wreak havoc soon (ominous music plays…) mua ha ha! Okay, anyway, they'll find out about Kouichi's link to Duskmon…soonish! Can't rush things like that! Thanks for reviewing! (I think Dai's a bigger Death Noter than me.)
Aldamonburst: You mean Hotaru? Actually, you sort of hit the nail on the head with that guess! (You'll find out much later what I mean by that.) Oh boy, a special message! Thanks Night! And thanks Burst!
TobiGB: Eventually I'll let Kouichi Fusion Evolve, just not quite yet. Be patient though! Ha, I wonder who Kouji's Yoda would be? And while we're on that subject, if Kouji were Luke, then Kouichi would have to be Leia… (Kouji and Kouichi: Don't even think about it.) Alright, alright…well, thanks for the review and the cookies!
hazeleyedharmony: Thanks!
part 1: I'm glad you think that! It took a while for me to get it right. Tommy's always amazing! (lol)
part 2: (Kouji: Noooooooooooooooo.)
part 3: Yay Crispin! (Kouichi: Obsessed much?) Quiet you. Anyway, you guys are really making me feel bad about all this Shino torture, but I can't stop because it's necessary! Oh, and I'm glad you liked the puppy thing!
part 4: Aw, thank you! And I definitely agree!
part 5: Yeah Kira, we don't need you killing the "leader."
All I can say about this Duskmon thing is…mua ha ha! Alright, thanks!
apapa155: Oh, I'll have to check out your fic sometime! And thanks for all the info on Kokanakluemon! Thanks! (Aw, poor Star Wars.)
Digimon122: Yes, it happened in Frontier 02: Home Frontier. It's all good, I forget things a lot, too! Thanks for reviewing!
DigiBleach: Actually, only Shino knows for sure, Kira suspects something, and Hotaru and Dai are just clueless (lol)! Thanks for reviewing! (You didn't already review, btw.)
AliceCullen: Hey, I'm 17 and I don't do that kind of kissing! But, everybody gets into this kind of stuff at different ages and, for the sake of this story, they're gonna do it now! Sorry if that offends you!
fg1fg: The others haven't been keeping track of the days, either. (For some reason, only Kira was…) Heh, I just felt like messing with Kira and Kouji! Thanks for the review!
garnettfox: Glad you liked it! Just tell your grandparents that Madjack did it (lol)! I'll be waiting for your PM! Thanks for reviewing!
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madjack89: Alright, time to get this chapter under way!
Dai: Wait, we didn't sing the birthday song!
Zoe: The birthday song is apparently copyrighted, so we're not allowed to sing it.
Dai: But isn't Madjack already breaking a bunch of copyrights by using you guys in this story?
madjack89: Fanfiction, Dai, fanfiction!
Dai: Oh, right!
—
"There has to be something we can do, Gotsumon!" Takuya said forcefully, standing in front of the rock Digimon.
Gotsumon just pushed past Takuya and continued down the tunnel. "First of all, there's nothing for anyone to do until that recon team gets back. Second, you guys are our ace in the hole. Ilsemon may not know yet that you've arrived at our base, which gives us an upper hand. You want to blow that all because you're itching to stretch your legs?"
Takuya's shoulders sagged, defeated. "Well, when you put it like that…" he muttered dejectedly.
"But Chief should be back here in no time, so then we'll be able to get this show on the road!" Kira said enthusiastically, leaning casually on Takuya's shoulder.
"Right!" Takuya agreed, smiling at Kira. Then he began to follow after Gotsumon with Kira in tow. "Alright, so we can't do any big fighty, blowing upy things yet, but we could do grunt work to keep us occupied. What do you say?"
Gotsumon glanced back at Takuya, giving him an incredulous look. "You really are bored, aren't you?"
"Yes," Takuya and Kira said, eyes wide and pleading.
"Fine," Gotsumon said, sighing. "You guys can go babysit and give Swanmon a break."
"Swanmon is here?" Takuya asked, cocking his head. "And all the Baby Digimon from the Village of Beginnings?"
"Swanmon no longer thought the village was safe for them, and neither did we," Gotsumon replied. "So, we moved all the Digi-Eggs and Baby Digimon here, where they could be protected."
"Okay, I remember you guys telling us about the whole Village of Beginnings episode you had," Kira began, "but did Gotsumon just say we had to babysit?"
"It's either that or be bored. Your choice." With that, Gotsumon continued to walk down the hall, leaving Takuya and Kira pondering what to do.
"What do you think, Taki?" Kira asked. "You did it before."
Takuya thought for a moment, then said, "We gotta help out in some way. Let's go get the others and…babysit."
—
"Children!" Swanmon ran up to the gang when she saw them, a big grin on her face (or beak or whatever). "I'd heard that you had finally returned!"
"Yeah, we're back," JP said, smirking. "And better yet, we're here to help you on babysitting duty again."
"Oh, really?" Swanmon said, eyes sparkling. "That would be great! And I see that there are four new additions to your group. That should make things much easier!"
"Actually, I tend to…scare children," Kira muttered sheepishly.
"Me too," Hotaru added, looking down.
"I'm okay with them, I guess," Shino said, shrugging.
"I'm great with kids!" Dai exclaimed, grinning giddily. "Everyone says it's because of my cheerful disposition!"
"Or the fact that you act like a kid," Takuya muttered under his breath.
"Oh, I'm sure you'll all do fine!" Swanmon said reassuringly, ushering the gang toward a second tunnel, other than the entrance, jutting from the small cavern they were currently in.
After walking down the tunnel a short way, the gang emerged into another cavern, this one much larger than the first. It was set up like it had been in the Village of Beginnings, with baskets holding sleeping Baby Digimon scattered all around. The addition was the mounds of Digi-Eggs stacked against the far wall instead of hanging on vines as they had been.
"Wow," Kira said, looking around the cavern in awe.
"It isn't much, but it does us fine," Swanmon said, gesturing for the gang to enter the cavern. "As you can see, the babies are napping. When they wake up, they'll probably need a feeding."
"Oh goody, feeding time. Can't wait," Kira muttered sarcastically.
"You really aren't good with kids, are you?" JP asked Kira.
Kira sighed, shaking her head. "I have a bad history with children, dating back to the time I tried babysitting to earn a quick buck. You see, those little bratty four-year-olds were bugging me, and one thing just led to another…I think he's off the crutches by now…"
"Okay, I think that Takuya should partner up with Kira when handling the babies!" Swanmon exclaimed, glancing nervously between Kira and the Baby Digimon.
"Sure," Kira replied nonchalantly, not really getting Swanmon's real intention behind this.
—
After the babies had woken up, the gang was scattered around the large cavern, getting each of the babies fed.
"Aw, maybe kids aren't so bad," Kira cooed, wiggling her finger playfully at one of the Baby Digimon.
Takuya glanced at Kira and smirked, then frowned when he noticed what Digimon she was waggling her finger at. "Kira, I don't think that's a good—"
Before he could finish his sentence, the Tokomon opened its mouth wide, revealing several rows of sharp teeth. Then it clamped its jaw onto Kira's hand.
"Son of a bitch!" Kira cried, shaking her arm rapidly to try to shake the Tokomon off. Thinking this was a game, the Tokomon bit down harder.
"Holy shit, get this freaking thing off me!" Kira exclaimed, running around in a circle while flailing her arms.
"Kira, calm down!" Takuya yelled, trying to grab the Tokomon. "Just stop moving for a second and I'll get it off you!"
Kira continued to run, in too much of a panic to listen to Takuya. "Uh…" Takuya muttered, not knowing what to do. "Guys, I think I need some help over here!"
"We're on it!" JP exclaimed, heading over to Kira with Hotaru in tow. "Think you can grab her arm, Taru?"
Hotaru nodded, eyes narrowing. He raised his arm slowly, waiting for the right moment to strike. Then, in the blink of an eye, he had Kira's arm firmly in his grip, despite Kira's struggling.
The others, who had come to see what all the commotion was about, stared at Hotaru in bewilderment. "Uh…nice job, Taru…" JP said, sweatdropping.
"Did you even see his arm move?" Tommy asked Shino quietly.
"Not really," Shino replied. "Makes you glad he's on our side, huh?"
"Stupid-ass Digimon!" Kira muttered angrily, wiggling around in Hotaru's grip.
"Hang on, I'll get it off," JP said, scratching the Tokomon behind its ear-like protrusions. The Tokomon squealed in delight, releasing Kira's hand and falling into JP's arms, nuzzling against him. "There we go, all better," JP said, smiling at the Tokomon.
Kira wasn't smiling. "I'll kill that little freak of nature!" Kira exclaimed, reaching out to strangle the Tokomon. However, Hotaru still had her in his grip, and he quickly grabbed her other arm and began to drag her away.
"Scratch what I said before; children suck!" Kira cried, struggling against Hotaru to no avail. "Damn it, Taru!"
From the other side of the cavern, Zoe watched the rest of her friends wordlessly. Normally, she would have been one of the first people to help try to calm Kira down, but she just wasn't feeling up to much of anything at the moment.
The Datirimon she was holding seemed to notice her sadness and, in order to cheer her up, puffed up its cheeks, making it bloat to twice its normal size. Zoe chuckled slightly, amused by Datirimon's actions.
"Looks like that thing's good at picking up on emotions." Zoe stopped chuckled, startled by the voice she heard behind her. She turned quickly to see Kouji standing behind her, a bottle in his hand. "If you're going to feed a baby, you typically need one of these," Kouji continued sarcastically, noticing that Zoe lacked a bottle.
Zoe glanced at the Digimon she held, then grinned sheepishly. "I guess that would help," she agreed, taking the bottle from Kouji and feeding it to the Datirimon.
The two stood there in silence for several minutes, Zoe feeding Datirimon, Kouji watching her. When Zoe was finished, she carefully placed Datirimon back in its basket. Then she turned to Kouji and said, "Kouji, I haven't really gotten much time alone with you, but I need to talk to you about what happened…the other day."
"What happened?" Kouji asked, though Zoe could tell he knew what she meant.
"When we first got to the Dark Continent, and Kouichi seemed depressed," Zoe began, feeling nervous about butting in like this, "you looked like you were going to go talk to him, but then you saw that I was too and…you stopped."
"He doesn't need two people talking at him all the time," Kouji said nonchalantly, shrugging. "I figured you could handle it."
"That's not what it seemed like," Zoe said firmly, taking a step toward Kouji. "At the time, you seemed kind of, well, upset."
Kouji didn't answer, staring down at the floor. "Kouji," Zoe said, taking on a more gentle tone of voice. "I just want to know what's going on. You've been acting a little weird lately, and if anything's bugging you, I want to know about it so I can help. Kouichi would want that, too."
"Don't use the past tense when you're talking about Kouichi!" Kouji snapped suddenly, glaring angrily at Zoe.
Zoe took a few steps back, startled by Kouji's sudden anger. "I was just…he's not here, so…I'm sorry, Kouji."
Zoe's flustered reply seemed to defuse Kouji, for he took a deep breath in order to calm down. "No, don't be. I'm just feeling really…off is probably the best word to describe it. Especially with Kouichi wandering around out there by himself."
"He's not by himself," Zoe said. "He's got some other Digimon with him."
"You and I both know that if he's attacked by one of Ilsemon's little cronies, he might as well be by himself," Kouji muttered.
Zoe wanted to disagree with Kouji, but she had to admit that he was right. If Wizardmon, or Ranamon, or Hallucimon, or Duskmon…
She quickly shook her head, not wanting to think of the possibilities. "Well, then we just have to believe that Kouichi will get back here, safe and sound. He did promise me that he'd run if something got too dangerous."
"He promised you that?" Kouji asked, seeming genuinely surprised by Zoe's statement.
"Um, yeah," Zoe replied, confused by Kouji's reaction. "When we talked before he left, he said that if I told him to, he'd run instead of stick around and get hurt or…worse."
Kouji lowered his gaze. "He would never promise me anything like that," he muttered quietly. Zoe noticed then that Kouji looked almost put-out. But put-out by what, she wondered.
"Kouji," Zoe began gently.
"Go away, now," Kouji growled suddenly, not lifting his head.
"What?" Zoe said, shocked. "But Kouji…"
"Just go the hell away," Kouji said, this time more forcefully. "You've done enough to me already."
Zoe's eyes widened, confused beyond belief by Kouji's last statement. What had she done to him? Was she the one making him upset? Feeling upset herself, she turned and walked quickly away from Kouji, not looking back once.
Searching through her memories, she couldn't think of anything she'd done or said that would get Kouji mad at her. But there was still that incident with Kouichi…
Suddenly, Zoe bumped into something, stopping her in her tracks. She looked up and was soon staring right into Shino's light brown eyes. "Hey there, Zoe," Shino greeted her, smiling lopsidedly. "Sorry if I bumped into you a little…"
Shino's sentence trailed off when he noticed how distraught Zoe looked. "Are you okay, Zoe? You look a little upset."
Zoe was about to say that she was fine, but decided honesty would be the best policy. Besides, Shino was always so easy to talk to and confide in. She could always count on him. "Shino, have I, maybe, done anything lately that might have gotten Kouji angry in any way?"
"Not that I know of," Shino replied, giving her a quizzical look. "Why?"
"Because I think he's…mad at me for some reason," Zoe said, looking down. "I was just talking to him, and he seemed so upset, and then he snapped at me and told me I'd done enough already…what did I do?"
"Nothing, as far as I know," Shino muttered, eyes narrowing slowly. "What the hell is Kouji thinking, saying that to you when you didn't do anything?"
Zoe's eyes widened in surprise. Usually, Shino was a pretty calm, friendly kind of guy. He didn't usually get angry like this. At least, not to the best of Zoe's knowledge.
"What he said to me isn't the point, Shino," Zoe said quickly. "I just want to know what's going on with Kouji so we can help him, and maybe even to apologize if I did anything to get him angry."
"That's my point, Zoe," Shino said, staring at Zoe. "You didn't do anything, and Kouji shouldn't just go around snapping at everyone that tries to help him."
"But I really think I might have done something…" Zoe began.
"No, Zoe!" Shino yelled, beginning to get visibly frustrated. "Can't you just except that it's not your fault? Do you really have to blame yourself, just because Kouji snapped at you? God, this is pissing me off!"
"Shino…" Zoe backed up a step, getting a bit scared. She'd never seen Shino act like this before. What was happening with everyone, and why did it all seem to center around her?
Shino's expression softened when he saw Zoe's frightened face. "Zoe…I'm sorry," he said quietly, staring wide-eyed at his hands. "It's happening again? Why…?"
Zoe tensed when Shino gave her a calculating look, as if he were coming to some sort of conclusion in his head. Why is Shino acting like this? she asked herself, getting nervous now.
"Zoe!" Shino suddenly exclaimed, backing up several steps. "You have to get out of here. Now!"
"Shino, what's wrong?" Zoe asked. "Did I do something?"
"Of course, that's the first thing that pops into your head!" Shino snapped, glaring at Zoe. A second later, though, his expression turned to one of horror. "Please, just go, Zoe. I understand now…it happens more when you're around…just get out of here, now!"
Zoe paused, suddenly getting as frustrated as Shino had been a minute ago. "Fine then! It's obvious to me that no one wants me around today, anyway!"
Without waiting to see Shino's response, Zoe turned and ran across the cavern, dodging between baskets as she went. She was almost to the cavern exit when Dai stepped in front of her, holding up a Bommon.
"Hey Zoe, check out this awesome—" Dai began.
"What, Dai? You here to tell me I'm ugly and have no friends?" Zoe snapped, glaring at Dai.
"Um, no," Dai said, confused. "I just wanted to show you—"
"No, no need to tell me to leave, because I'm already gone!" With that, Zoe pushed past Dai and stormed out of the cavern, looking furious.
Dai stared after her for a second, then held the Bommon at eye level and said, "I guess she's having mood swings, huh?"
The Bommon just stared back at Dai, tail/fuse burning.
—
Half an hour later, Zoe had finally found the tunnel that led to the surface. She checked to make sure no one was around, then quickly climbed the ladder that led up into the darkness. After several minutes of climbing, she came to a small ledge jutting out of the wall.
She looked up, trying to figure out where the opening to the tunnels was. It had to be hidden, but she didn't know what it was supposed to look like. Finally, she noticed a barely visible hole in the ceiling of dirt above her. She examined it closer and realized that she could see the swirling darkness of the sky through it.
Now came the tricky part; opening it and closing it back up. She tried pushing up on the ceiling where the hole was and, sure enough, it began to move upward. Bits of dirt fell on Zoe's head as she pushed harder, until she managed to push an entire circular part of the ceiling up and over the opening in the ceiling.
Zoe jumped a few times, finally managing to grab the edge of the opening and haul herself into the open. She looked at the dirt covering to the opening. She wondered why it didn't just crumble like regular dirt, or how when anyone walked on it, they didn't end up falling into the tunnel.
It's probably just more weird Digital World stuff, she thought with a shrug, sliding the cover back into place. Just to test her theory, she jumped on the spot a couple of times, but nothing happened.
"This really is a good hide-out," she said to herself, looking around. She saw that she was standing in the forest, surrounded by tall, foreboding trees. She walked over to one and sat, leaning against its cool bark.
Then she started to cry. She let her tears stream down her face and fall to her lap, vision blurring.
She couldn't be down in those tunnels anymore. All she seemed to be doing was causing Kouji and Shino grief, and she didn't even know what she'd done. There was only one person she needed then. The only one who could comfort her and tell her it was alright. And she'd wrap her arms around him, and feel his arms around her, and feel the warmth he possessed…
But Kouichi wasn't there. He had gone off on a mission, leaving her behind. Just when she needed him the most, he was gone, and she was left alone to cry.
"Kouichi." Zoe whispered his name to herself, as if that would bring him back faster. "I need you…"
Suddenly, Zoe felt the air above her swish by quickly, the way it did when something was flying at high speed through the air. She looked up slowly and saw her face reflected in a crooked, red sword, her hat impaled on the blade.
Her panic increased when, to her right, she heard a voice say, "What's a pretty young thing like you doing out here alone?"
Instinctually, Zoe grabbed her D-Tector and was about to Evolve when a second blade whistled by, this one placed threateningly under her chin, the sharp edge of the blade a bit too close to her neck for her liking.
Defeated, she dropped her D-Tector, holding her hands in the air. "Looks like this will be easier than I anticipated," the same voice said, retracting its blades.
Kouichi…I'm sorry. This was the last thought Zoe had before she was hit over the head with the flat of a blade, knocking her unconscious.
Before she fell over, Duskmon reached out one of his arms and caught her. "It looks as if the tables have turned, Kouichi."
—
"This is not good," Takuya stated, staring at the blackened stump sitting before him.
"We leave her alone for five seconds, and she gets kidnapped," JP added without emotion, feeling a little drained by the situation.
"She seemed kind of mad when she left the cavern with the Baby Digimon," Dai explained, looking a bit ashamed. "I just thought she was having weird mood swings."
"I yelled at her," Kouji and Shino said at the same time, surprising everyone.
Kouji glanced at Shino. "You yelled at her?"
Shino nodded, looking miserable. "She confided in me after you got all mad at her, and she kept blaming herself for getting you upset or something, and it just got me so frustrated. Then I snapped at her, and she got mad at me and left. This is my fault."
"It's no one's fault," Hotaru said solemnly. "Things like this just happen sometimes."
"But why'd it have to happen to Zoe?" Kira growled, pounding her bandaged fist into her other hand. "I'll kill Duskmon for this!"
"We don't know for sure that it was Duskmon," Takuya said numbly, still staring at the stump.
"Who else would leave a gaping slit through Zoe's hat?" Kira retorted, gesturing at the hat they'd found when they'd decided to try searching for Zoe above ground. "It's just big enough for a sword!"
"And he has the motive," Kouji muttered, looking just as miserable as Shino.
"What do think Kouichi's gonna do when he gets back?" Tommy asked suddenly. The others fell silent, not having thought about that yet.
"Hey guys. What are you looking at?" Everyone turned slowly, recognizing the voice they heard behind them.
"Kouichi," Kouji said simply.
"Yeah, I'm back," Kouichi said, smiling. "Told you I'd be okay." When the others didn't reply, Kouichi began to slowly realize something was wrong. Then he noticed something. "Wait, where's Zoe?"
—
madjack89: Uh oh, looks like Zee's in trouble!
Kouichi: …
madjack89: Just shake it off, Chief. Anyway, Taki!
Takuya: Yeah?
madjack89: You got me a present for my birthday, so I got you something for yours!
Takuya: Really? Sweet! And you're the author, so you can get something good!
madjack89: Yes, I believe you will like this…a Bop It!
Takuya: …A what?
madjack89: See, when you turn it on, it'll give you three commands: bop it, twist it, or pull it.
JP: That sounds really inappropriate.
madjack89: Stop being so perverted!
JP: Pervert lobe.
madjack89: ANYWAY, when it tells you to bop it, you press this button; when it tells you to twist it, you twist this little lever; and when it tells you to pull it, you pull this little lever. Simple!
Takuya: Alright, I'll give it a try.
madjack89: Don't forget to share it! Man, it's gonna be hilarious if Taki and Kouji get in a Bop It war!
Kira: I wanna try, too!
madjack89: It just got better!
Shino: …Uh, since Madjack's busy cackling over there in the corner, I'll end the chapter. Let's see…in the next chapter, Kouichi will set off in order to find and confront Duskmon, while Zoe will have a bit of a revealing conversation with Duskmon…whatever that means. Alright, see you in the next chapter.