A Digimon Frontier Fanfic
By Haru Glory
A/N: Finally, another chapter of CoT2…well, It's a bit long that I decided to put it into two parts so, without futher ado, here's Chapter 11, part one! Enjoy…
Oh, And by the way, thanks for those who took time to review my past chapter. I'm glad you guys don't forget to review my work…
Chronicles of Time: Cyber World
PART 1
Chapter 10: Cave of Flameria
The day after Takuya and Zoe had their relaxing time at the flower patch, which they now know was called 'The Haven', Alastaire called for them…
"What is it, Alastaire?" Takuya asked as he walked in front of Zoe towards Alastaire's desk which was, of course, inside of his tent.
"Everything is ready, Takuya." Alastaire spoke, "Your test shall begin today. I hope you're ready…"
"Today?" Zoe asked in disbelief, "Ready? How is he supposed to be ready if he knows nothing about the test?"
"Well, you two were the ones who told me of your unbelievable feats in this world you call, the Digi-world." Alastaire said in a matter-of-fact tone as he sat comfortably in his chair, "If you were able to do just that, then this test would seem little compared to that. Besides, didn't anyone ever tell you guys to be ready for anything?"
"Yes, but --." Zoe was about to say, but Takuya cut him of by placing a hand on her shoulder.
Shaking his head, the young bearer of fire said, "Don't worry about it Zoe, as far as I can tell, I'd say I'm ready…"
"You are?" Zoe asked, confused, "But, you were so worried yesterday about not knowing…"
"I got over that already." He replied, then looking at Alastaire he said, "So, where is this test going to take place?"
Alastaire smiled, "I sure hope you're ready Takuya…the test will take place at the Haven."
At this, Takuya and Zoe were surprised as they asked in unison, "The Haven?"
Alastaire nodded.
"But, that's the flower field north of here, isn't it?" Takuya asked.
"Yes it is." Alastaire replied casually.
"Then what kind of test will that be?" Zoe asked, "I mean, the flower field?"
Alastaire grinned, "Well, things are not what they seem, you know."
Takuya and Zoe looked at the Chieftain of the Flame Tribe confused and uncertain of what he meant.
Seeing the look on their faces, Alastaire added, "You'll understand once we get there and I will also tell you as much as you should know about the test."
And with that, Alastaire lead the way towards the Haven where Takuya's test would take place. It didn't take them that long to get to the said place, but when they did get there, the whole place have changed.
Gone were the beautiful plants and flowers, the tall threes that surrounded the flower patch, heck, there was no longer a flower patch. What stood before them was an entrance to a who-knows-where. The entrance was like that of a cave, but with flames twirling around it. The only thing that have not changed was the river, which still flowed at where it should be.
Upon seeing how the Haven looks now, the two children were shocked…
"What the--?" Takuya said, "What the hell happened here?"
"Where did all the flowers go and where did THAT come from?" Zoe added.
Alastaire did not look at them as he spoke, "What you see before you is what the Haven really looks like, the flowers, the trees…they are all an illusion to keep strangers away from this place."
"An illusion?" Takuya and Zoe asked in unison.
Alastaire nodded, "What you see before you is the cave of Flameria…the 'Trials of Flame' if you must know."
"So, what is the trials?" Takuya asked.
"All you have to do is enter the cave of Flameria and get to the other side." Alastaire said.
"That's it?" Zoe asked, "That seems simple…"
"It may only sound simple, Zoe." Alastaire said, "But believe me it is anything but simple."
This made the two confused once again.
"Once you enter that cave, you will not be able to use your human senses…you will not be able to see anything, hear anything, feel anything…" Alastaire explained, "There have many already who have gone before you and only a few were able to get out completely fine while others…a few others would get out, their minds completely lost."
"Then how am I suppose to get to the other side?" Takuya asked.
"Well, it wouldn't be a test now if I tell you, wouldn't it?" Alastaire replied, "That part you have to figure out. There is one thing though…"
"One thing?" Zoe asked.
Alastaire nodded, "Those who went inside this cave brought nothing but their courage…that is why, it is only proper that you do the same, Takuya."
"What do you mean by that?" Takuya asked just before Zoe did.
"That thing you call D-Cyber…" Alastaire said motioning to Takuya's pocket, "I sense something powerful inside it, what it is I do not know, but even so, I cannot allow you to bring it inside the cave…"
Takuya was confused, he could see nothing wrong with bringing the thing, but he knew he was in no position to argue, so, he took the D-Cyber out of his pocket and handed it over to Zoe.
"Now, I think there's nothing left to say or do…" Alastaire said, "You may now enter the cave, Takuya."
"Easier said than done..." muttered the young boy.
"Be careful, Takuya." Zoe said.
Takuya grinned, "Hey, it's me we're talking about…I'm always careful…"
At this Zoe forced a smile even though deep inside she was so worried she could probably drag Takuya away from the opening of the cave and forget about the whole getting-the-chips thing, "Good luck, then."
"Best of luck, Takuya." Alastaire also said, "Beta and Net wishes you that as well, they would have been here to see you enter the cave but, they have some other…important things to attend to."
Takuya nodded and began to walk towards the entrance, when he was just a few steps away, he turned around and said, "Well, See you guys…" and in almost a whisper he added, "I hope…"
And with that, Takuya continued on walking inside the cave, just as he entered Flames appeared everywhere that sealed the entrance to the cave and separated Takuya from Zoe and Alastaire…
"Well, there he goes…" Alastaire said watching the flames eat the entrance.
"Yeah, there he goes…" Zoe nodded in a not-so-energetic way, "I hope he'll be able to do it…"
Alastaire turned around and faced Zoe as he said, "Well, we can't do anything now, all we can do is hope and wait that he passes the test…because if he don't you may not be able to see him again."
Zoe nodded, "I know, and I think he does too…"
Hearing those words, Alastaire nodded, "You know, even if you were to go with him on that test it still would not make any difference…"
Zoe was confused at what she just heard, "What do you mean by that?"
"Flameria is a cave that tests ones fears, those who hold many fears are the ones being tested…I was not the one who decided that it was Takuya who should take the test, it was the cave itself…and my old friend…" Alastaire said.
"You keep mentioning that old friend of yours but you won't say who he or she is." Zoe said.
"Well, there are things that need not concern you or Takuya." Alastaire, "Anyways, only Takuya who the cave sensed has many fears is the one who must be tested."
"So how can he pass that test?" Zoe asked, "How can he find the exit of the cave if he can't see, feel, here or even sense where he is going or even should be going?"
Alastaire began to walk towards the direction of his tent, "Human senses are not fully developed…that is for certain, how he'll manage to do what you think is unthinkable…well, only he can think of a way…"
Alastaire continued to walk away from Zoe, leaving the blond-haired girl alone at the now flower patched Haven, Zoe sighed as she looked back at the direction of where the cave's entrance stood, and seeing that there is no longer sign of even the cave's existence, she too began to walk back to the tent that she and Takuya were staying at.
Upon entering the tent, Zoe sat down at the edge of the bed that Takuya had told her to sleep at, she had the feeling as she began to think that it would be a while, but hopefully not a long while that she would not be able to see Takuya and that thought made her uneasy…
Meanwhile, inside the cave of Flameria, Takuya had already lost his sense of touch, sight, and hearing. He had no idea whatsoever of where he is going or even what part of the cave he was at. He just continued on walking forward, but he wasn't sure if he really was walking forward or just moving around in circles.
He had begun to feel the pressure of what he was doing, the things that would happen if he fails, and all sorts of horrible thoughts, and one by one, things he fear started popping into his head.
The fear of dying, the fear of walking endlessly inside the cave, the fear of losing his friends and losing the girl that he loves so much, and so many other fears. But the one thing, the one fear that he had, which kept on repeating itself on his head was the fear of not being able to find all the antidotes to the virus and turning into Flamon, not to mention his friends and family losing all their memories related to him…
But even as he have all these fears popping in and out, Takuya could not help but play the words that Alastaire had spoke…
Once you enter the cave, you will not be able to use your human senses…
That particular sentence kept on playing in his mind as if it holds some secret…but whatever that secret is, Takuya had no clue…not even a hunch.
"How long is this tunnel?" He wondered, "I bet Zoe would freak out inside this cave…heck, I think I'm even freaking out now…"
Takuya continued on like that thinking about all sorts of things as he was walking for what seemed to him like forever.
Back at the Flame Tribe…
It has been already five hours since Takuya had entered the cave and Zoe had been inside the tent all those five hours that have passed. She was beginning to feel hungry, so she decided to go to the Tavern where she and Takuya had been eating during their stay at the said tribe.
The moment she went out of the tent, she immediately saw Beta's younger brother Net sitting on top of the barrel that was near the tent. She then walked towards Net.
"Hey." Net greeted her as he saw her coming, "What's up? I heard Takuya had begun the test."
Zoe nodded, "Yes, he just entered the cave this morning."
"The cave eh?" Net said, "That's one hell of a test, I heard that only two people were able to pass that test without going bonkers…"
That surprised Zoe, "Only two people?"
Net nodded, "That's what I heard, anyways, where are you off to?"
"Oh, I was just about to grab a bite." She replied, "Want to come and eat with me?"
Net raised an eyebrow, "Eat with you?"
"Yeah, I really don't like eating by myself so I was wondering if you could accompany me." Zoe said.
"Well, I guess I could." Net said as he jumped off the barrel that he was sitting at, "As long as Takuya would not kill me if he sees me eating with you…err…you two ARE together, right?"
Zoe nodded and smiled, "Don't worry, Takuya's not that kind of a guy."
"If you say so…"
And with that, Zoe and Net walked towards the direction of the Tavern, there Zoe ordered Shakku, a dish very much like pizza whilst Net ordered Iddeh, a dish that greatly resembles a sandwhich. As they were eating, Net tried his best to take Zoe's mind off of Takuya's trial and the possible negative out comes of that trial, a task that he didn't find hard…
The two stayed at the Tavern for three hours until Zoe told Net that she was already tired and Net helped her towards the tent, there he left her to rest and went back to where he sat before Zoe saw him to guard over the tent, something that Alastaire had asked him to do, much to his brother and even his own surprise…
As Zoe was resting, Takuya was already out of breath, he wasn't even sure if he was still standing or if he had already fallen down and fallen asleep, he still have not find any clue on how to get out of the cave, he felt trapped and hopeless, hungry and thirsty. He was so desperate to get out as quickly as he could that if he could hear himself, he could have heard himself shout out loud in aggravation…
"Is it really even possible to get out of this place?"
Four days have passed since then, and Takuya had still not come back. Zoe was already so worried that every night for the last three days, he would cry herself to sleep. Net felt sorry for her, as he guarded her tent, sometimes hearing her cry.
"She really cares for him, doesn't she?" Beta asked one night as he visited his brother's spot.
"You have no idea how much…" Net replied, "I guess what he said was true, their love is genuine…"
"Who said that he would lie?" Beta asked raising an eyebrow, "You know, Net, if the Chief would hear what you just said about his friend, he's going to strangle you."
"I know that." Net said, "Just saying what's on my mind…"
Silence filled the air for a couple of minutes before Beta said, "How do you suppose Takuya is doing?"
"Honestly?" Net asked, and seeing Beta nod added, "I think he's already dead."
"Don't say things like that!" Alastaire said as he walked towards them hearing what Net had just said, this of course made Net sweat like a pig…
"Er…hey there Chief, we didn't hear you coming…" Net said.
"Of course you wouldn't be able to hear me." The chief said, "That would have degraded my level of ninjitsu to that of yours."
"Ehehehehe…yeah, it would have…" Net chuckled nerviously.
"Chief, you believe that Takuya is still alive?" Beta asked, "The kid hasn't eaten for four days, is lost inside a place where you can't feel, hear, see, or even think right…even Net thinks his dead and he's one of the two who were able to get out of that place without going nuts…"
"Which leaves me to think how Net was able to do it." Alastaire said, "Besides, if Net was able to do something like survive that cave, Takuya could do it as well…"
"You make it sound like it's some kind of miracle that I was able to get out of that cave…" Net said, "Besides, why do you hold Takuya in such high regard?"
Alastaire looked at Net then towards Beta who was also asking the same question before he answered, "Because, I just know he can do it…"
"Do what?" Beta asked.
"Make things right…" Alastaire replied, "But to be able to do what I believe he can do, he himself must be able to believe he can do it…that's the secret…"
"Secret?" Net asked.
"The secret to everything in this world…" Alastaire said, "Besides, based on what I have heard about those Spirit Shinker children, they have enough brains to think of a way out of any predicament…I just hope that Takuya would be able to get the message that I was trying to tell him before he entered the cave…"
"You know something, Chief?" Beta said, "Sometimes, we have no idea what goes on inside that mind of yours…"
Takuya had already lost all hope of being able to get out of the cave, he has tried everything that he could think of but still, the results stayed the same…he was still inside the cave.
"How can anyone get out of this place?"
"They'd have to be a super human or some other creature to be able to do it…"
That was when the words of Alastaire repeated itself on his mind…
Once you enter the cave, you will not be able to use your human senses…
"Human senses?"
"What does he mean by that?"
"Surely he said that to give me some clue as to get out…"
Then it hit him, the memory from when they were fighting against Sefirotmon….
"It's almost the same as back then…"
"We can't see the enemy we were trying to destroy when we entered a cave as we were trying to run away from him…"
"What happened back then is almost the same as what is happening to me now, only there is no Sefirotmon in here…only me…"
Then he remembered what he said to Zoe, who was then Kazemon and the others who were also in their digi-volved forms…
We are no longer just ordinary human children…
We've become more than that…
Our senses are now sharper than how they used to be…
And it is all because we are Digimons…
"Digimons! That's it!"
"All I have to do is digi-volve and I will be able to get out of this place…"
Like he always do, Takuya tried to position himself, ready to digi-volve…that was when he remembered that that was impossible…
"Damn, my digi-vice, I don't have it with me…"
"Now what…?"
"What am I suppose to do?"
To be continued…
A/N: Well, that's the 10th chapter, what do you guys think. Please take time to review this chapter and tell me…not that much of a cliff hanger, hmmm? What do you think Takuya will do…? Well, that's what we'll find out in Part II of Chapter 10…Well, that's that I think…so, with all those said, this is once again, Haru Glory saying "PEACE" and signing out! Ja ne!"