A Digimon Frontier Fanfic
By Sakura Martinez (a.k.a Haru Glory)
A/N:
Okay, so I may have a vague idea as to what you are all thinking (like: "What took you so long?" Or "Finally an update!") and before all else, I apologize for the umpth time since I started writing this fanfic.
I would have chosen to update earlier but what with so many projects and some personal life issues that came along my way, as well as that annoying writer's block (which, thankfully, had passed) I could not find time or energy to write anything.
But, thankfully, all that has passed now and I am back and in full gear ready to update as frequently as I could (provided that school work does not interfere yet again).
Anyway, I have tarried far too long, and so, without further delays, here is the latest chapter to Rabbit on the Moon. Hope you all enjoy the fruit of my hard labor, lol!
The Rabbit on the Moon
Song of the Warrior
Six months have passed since everyone believe Takuya Kanbara to be dead. Six long months since Takuya, who was hidden from view, looked over at the woman whom he loved, unable to do anything as he believed it to be the right thing to do – to only watch Izumi Orimoto from a distance.
In six months, a lot of things have already happened…
In the past months after the funeral, the King ordered a mass search for those whom he believed to have the special 'gift' that Takuya 'had'. Of course, the King did this in secret, making false accusations to those people whom they believed were one of the Chosen Ones.
They did this, for having not completed the process of extraction on Takuya, had taken a heavy toll on the plans of the twisted King. The DNA that they had was incomplete and so was the power that that DNA held.
The opposing force led by the Commander Orimoto and General Kimura, of course, knew of the King's plans before hand thanks to a mysterious letter that was sent to them two weeks after the funeral. And so, they were able to make preparations for the safe guarding of the Chosen Ones that are under their care, namely, Izumi and Tomoki.
They knew that the King's men had a vague idea of who are possible Chosen Ones, and among their list are those two people.
But knowledge alone was not enough and so was the number of people who rallied to their cause. After all, who would believe at that day and age of Chosen Ones, Ancient Ones and mystical powers? Much less of how drastically the King has changed, for the people believed that the iron-fist of the King in ruling his Kingdom was a good thing, what with all the 'criminals' being apprehended. Of course, they knew naught that those so-called criminals, were innocent.
Uprisings occurred throughout Felis, though. For those who did believe in the innocence of those who were suddenly apprehended voiced out their concerns.
Soon after that, a civil war occurred. The other Kingdoms and Queendom surrounding Felis, only watched and did nothing to aid the Kingdom, whilst some began to plan of an invasion while the Kingdom of Felis was in chaos.
It was a sad time in Felis. As Village upon Village, Cities upon Cities, and Towns upon Towns were raided by the Black-clad Knights, some of these places being laid to waste while they searched for Chosen Ones. Among the places that was scorched to the ground were Harim, Guara and Grand City.
However, it wasn't just bad tidings that Takuya's supposed funeral brought, for just before Harim's destruction, Izumi, who had been sent there to learn how to control whatever Ancient Power she had, finally managed to do so.
As it happens, she possessed the power, gentleness and swiftness of Wind. The power that the Elders of Harim told her, belonged to the Ancient One they referred to as the Goddess Yuzuki.
When Harim, the only place that Izumi's father thought was her and Tomoki's refuge, was destroyed, the Commander as well as the General Kimura decided it best to secretly ship the two to another Kingdom together with Junpei, Kouichi, and Kouji.
At first, they decided that the Kingdom of Draken was the best choice, but after learning that refugees were no longer allowed in the said Kingdom, they had no choice but to send them to the Queendom of Sol, where the five of them hid and lived their lives as normal as they could.
The present day…
Queendom of Sol
Izumi looked out over her bedroom's window at the bustling city of Solaria where she and her companions were currently situated. It was raining heavily, giving her the feeling of that day when she stood to say her goodbyes at Takuya's grave.
She remembered the first few weeks where she thought everything was just a bad dream and that he was still alive somewhere. She could not accept it in her heart that the person whom she had been looking for and waiting for all those years was dead. She could not accept the fact that she learned of his real identity, as the boy whom she was friends with when they were little, too late. And she hoped that he would visit her dreams saying that he was alive and doing well. But, her hopes soon faded and she began to accept the truth – he was dead.
Izumi looked over at the darkened sky. She hated it. She hated the rain as much as she hated thinking about him on days like this.
She wished that she could just move on with her life, but there was always something hindering her. Something telling her that it wasn't over yet. She did not know what it was, or who it was that keeps on telling her this…but whatever it was, it was stronger than her will to forget him and move on.
She sighed. "This really is not how I decided to spend my afternoon. If I continue like this, Tomoki and the others will be worried again…"
"Well, even if you do hide how you're really feeling inside from them, they're bound to still be worried, you know." came a female voice. "They're always worried about you when it rains."
Izumi sighed once again and concentrated, as she did, a figure of a fairy appeared next to her.
"You shouldn't speak so freely like that, Kaizen." Izumi said. "If someone looks over here and sees you, they will certainly think differently of me and of the others and they might even hand us over to Felis."
Kazen the fairy-looking creature shrugged. "You worry too much, Izumi. How many times do I have to tell you that no one else can see us Spirit Guardians but the person we are guarding and your fellow Chosen Ones."
"But still," Izumi said. "you never know if those fellow Chosen Ones you speak of are allies or enemies. It pays to be careful too."
"Fine…" Kaizen replied before turning herself invisible.
Izumi could still remember clearly the surprise when, after completing her training, she found herself being followed by a winged creature that looked like those fairies that she had read about as a child.
At first, she thought that she was being haunted by some spirit. But after talking to one of the Elders about it, she learned that it was her Spirit Guardian that was following her.
Spirit Guardians, as she was told, were beings created by the memories of the Ancient Ones and the past generations of Chosen Ones which have materialized themselves and with the wishes of the Ancient Ones, protects the bearers of their power both physically and mentally.
She of course wondered why Takuya's Spirit Guardian, whoever that guardian is, did nothing to help him. She did found the explanation to that from the Elders as well. It seems that Spirit Guardians only appear when a Chosen One, a bearer of the Powers of the Ancients are capable of controlling the said powers completely…and as it seems, Takuya still has a lot to learn of it.
"Well, I hope you're comfortable like this, Izumi." Kaizen said. "I mean, people might think you're crazy or something when they see you seemingly talking to yourself like this."
"Well then, I would just have to act as if I am not talking to myself, right? That's easier than having to explain myself when people see you hovering around me." Izumi answered.
"If you say so…Anyway, you should really try and get over that guy, Takuya."
Silence was Izumi's reply to the winged one. A silence which, overtime, Kaizen understood meant that Izumi did not wish to talk about it any longer.
As Kaizen returned to her duties of scanning the whole city and being wary of all signs pertaining to danger, she could not help but feel another pair of presence not too far from their location. It would not have interested her so, if not for the small fact that the energies emitting from these two are similar to that of a Guardian and their Master.
Kaizen kept quiet about it, she didn't want to alarm or even make her Master, the person she was guarding to think much about it and add it to her own set of 'unsolved mysteries'.
"If only I am able to transform to my complete form, I can sense what spirit it is and who the Spirit Guardian is." She thought to herself, then added, "And whether they are a friend or a foe…"
Meanwhile, several houses and buildings away from the apartment that Izumi and her entourage rented, another group managed to snag rooms for themselves in a hotel as they sought refuge from the downpour of rain.
This quartet, who are soaked wet from head to toe were composed of two males and two females. All were dressed in foreign warrior's clothing and a hooded cloak that covered what they wore overall.
"We were lucky that the person who hired us managed to reserve rooms for us." A man with light-brown colored hair said as he took off his cloak, grabbed some towels and proceeded handing them to his companions. "I was kind of hoping that she would at least let us sleep in one of their manor's guest rooms."
"We would have if you haven't turned her invitation down, Captain." Said a younger man with a darker brown-colored hair than the first and who was also wearing a pair of glasses on his face.
The latter one, whom the other man was talking to was already drying his hair when he retorted. "I can't just go on ahead and accept her invitation, though it was graciously offered. We have a rule, after all, Teppei, not to accept anything unless our mission is already done and finished with such brilliance as that of a shining sun."
"There you go with your poetics again, Katsuharu." Chiaki said as she entered the room, apparently hearing what the older man had said.
The Captain of the entourage, Katsuharu, just grinned at what she said and brushed her comment off.
Katsuharu then went over to Chiaki and asked. "Is he really this sentimental on rainy days such as this?"
Chiaki nodded solemnly, then proceeded to explain what she knows in a low whisper so that the person in question might not be able to hear them. "It was on a rainy day like this that he had to watch that girl and separate himself from her without even so much as a word nor without giving her the knowledge that he still lives after all."
"And the person who stopped him from even hugging that person for the last time was you, wasn't it, Chiaki?" Teppei said without bothering to whisper.
"Teppei!" Chiaki hissed. "Don't you care if he hears us or not. What we're doing is actually pretty rude, you know and isn't really thought of as something ethical."
Teppei snorted, "As if he's actually listening to us. Just look at his blank face staring over the window. If there's anyone else who can hear us, it's his Spirit Guardian, not him."
Takuya stood at the other side of the room, staring at the cityscape that stretched as far as the eyes can see with the rain pouring down from the darkened heavens above. His face showed no emotion what-so-ever. His hair, which had been cut short in an attempt to give him a new spiky hairstyle, was ruffled after having dried it with the towel that still rested above his head.
Not bothering to change his clothes like the rest of his companions, he instead began to heat himself up using his own power. Using it without burning his clothes, in other words, simply using the fire's heat to dry his clothes.
His face no longer showed the boisterous Takuya, but the more mature, and slightly mysterious one.
And hovering on his right side was none other than his Spirit Guardian, Flayhm.
Flayhm, the Spirit Guardian of Fire looked like a miniature monkey with a flaming main and tail. He/It wore an black, sleeveless jacket with the emblem of fire embedded on its back. Flayhm also bore markings on his face, down on his left and right cheek.
"You do realize that the trio is starting to talk about you and your past again, don't cha, Takuya." Flayhm spoke to him using telekinesis.
Takuya's expression remained unchanged as he spoke with his guardian through his mind. "It doesn't matter, what they say no longer affects me, Flayhm."
"Yeah, right." Came the sarcastic remark from the guardian. "Ya know what, Takuya, for someone who's supposed to be carrying the 'Will of Fire', yours seems put out."
All the flying creature received was a grunt, nothing more.
"Damn, you're no longer one to hold a conversation." Flayhm said in an annoying tone. "Ya know what, I could not help but wish that you didn't do such a blunder as getting yourself caught by your father's men. Then maybe you're still with Izumi all cheerful."
"You're not the only person who wishes that, Flayhm." Takuya assured his guardian. "There hasn't been a single day in my life since the funeral that I had wished the same. If only they hadn't placed a barrier to stop me from being able to communicate with Izumi in our dreams, then maybe things could be a little different."
Flayhm busied himself with doing cartwheels in the air while listening to Takuya.
"Well, you need to be much stronger if you're planning on breaking the seal, otherwise, you can just wish that thought goodbye." Flayhm reminded him. "Unless of course, you plan on killing these three who placed that seal on you in the first place."
Takuya turned a gaze towards his three companions who were still huddled up in the middle of the room, caught up with their own gossips and he knew full well who the topic was once again.
His eyes, Flayhm noticed, suddenly changed as if he was thinking that idea through is head.
"Hey, hey!" Flayhm cut his thoughts off, "I was only joking about that idea! So don't you even think about doing a massacre in this room!"
Takuya grunted and closed his eyes yet again. A sign that the little flying creature believed to have been an affirmation of him listening to his guardian.
Cutting the link between their minds, Flayhm did so in order to have a moment to think for himself.
"If those guys from the organization don't realize what they're doing to this kid soon, he might end up as a Rogue like the other one…and it could spell disaster not just for their safety, but for the safety of the whole word as well."
The wind blew into the room and Takuya closed his eyes, feeling the wind touch his tanned skin.
"The wind." he thought to himself whilst his eyes were still closed. "That's all that connects me to her, that's the only thing allowed from her to touch me…the only thing from her that I could feel now."
He remembered that day when he learned that Izumi possessed the power of the wind – that gentle yet potentially powerful force of nature. He remembered thinking to himself how much it suited her personality, her temperament, her very being. He began to remember the day when he learned that Izumi had been training under the elders of Harim in order for her to fully awaken and control her dormant powers as a Chosen One.
If it wasn't for the mission from the Organization that he received on the day that he learned of her training, he would have proceeded there and watched her at a distance. Being her knight even from far away.
He could not help but wonder what had become of Izumi. He had not heard any news from the Council of the Organization of the whereabouts of the other Chosen Ones, particularly her, ever since the attack at Harim. And inside him, he could not help but feel a tinge of worry.
Yet, somehow, his worries concerning that matter seem to dissolve at an instant, as if a force was telling him not to fret on her safety.
He pressed his hand on his chest, his fists balled up as he opened his eyes. His brow was furrowed and when Flayhm saw him, he knew that the young man was angered.
"It won't work, Takuya." The flaming Spirit Guardian said. "That seal won't come off no matter how much pressure you put into it or how much of your energy you try to use to break it. If you force it to release itself, it could only cause negative side effects on you. You can lose your ability as a Chosen One or worst…"
"I could die, right?" Takuya finished. "You've already told me that, and even if I wanted, with all my heart, to try and do just that, I would not risk it. I still believe that I will be able to meet her once again."
"Then what is it you're afraid of?"
Takuya did not bother to answer at that point, he simply turned around and took his cloak as he walked towards the door.
"Hey, where do you think you're going?" Came Teppei's voice.
"Outside, what does it look like? Or am I not even allowed to walk around the city freely?" Takuya retorted, staring coldly at the man who questioned him. "If that is the case, then I would have chosen that you and your Organization did not bother to free me from the King's and my father's grasp…even if that had eventually ended with me being dead."
"Damn you!" Teppei said and he was about to teach Takuya a lesson when Katsuharu stopped him.
"Let it go, Teppei."
"But, Captain…!"
"You can go, Takuya." Katsuharu said. "Just don't cause any trouble here in this city, and try to avoid using your power if you manage to end up in trouble since it would only cause an even greater problem for us."
Takuya did not give a hint as to whether he heard what Katsuharu said, instead, he went on out of the door and closing it behind him.
"Someone has to teach that punk a lesson or two." Teppei said as Takuya closed the door.
"And you think you're the one to do just that?" Chiaki snorted. "Oh please, he already defeated you once, don't try hurting your pride any more than you already have."
Teppei just gritted his teeth. He knew better than to argue any further what with Katsuharu around.
Takuya sighed to himself. He knew that he would probably get it later from Katsuharu, like all the other times when he simply did not abide by the rules and conduct given by the Organization.
"Where do you plan on going, Takuya?" Flayhm asked.
"No where in particular." Takuya replied. "I wasn't planning on going farther than the bench we saw earlier on our way here. Oh, and Flayhm, can you lay low for until we return to the room? I don't want to seem like a freak talking or even mumbling to himself while we're out here."
"I hear ya." Was the spirit guardian's final words before vanishing into the air.
"Thanks." Takuya muttered to him before he vanished.
It took half an hour before Takuya finally managed to find the bench that he was referring to have seen on their way to the inn. He was lucky that the bench had an umbrella over it to shelter him from the rain as he sat down and took out a rectangular object from his pocket.
He looked at the Harmonica which he was holding with his right hand. It was the only thing that was salvaged from his belongings when they tried to break in and enter at the Kanbara Manor late one night.
He smiled silently to himself as he placed the instrument on his mouth and began to play a music that would be familiar to anyone who was from the small village of Harim.
"Are you sure you'll be alright going out by yourself?" Kouji asked, a tone of worry in his voice. "I know you've grown stronger and are able to defend yourself, Lady Izumi, but we cannot be too sure that the enemy is not within our midst."
"Don't worry, Kouji." Izumi said in a reassuring manner. "I'm not going to go and spread word that our group is seeking refuge here. Besides, if you keep me locked up in my room, it would only depress me even more."
"Then let me accompany you at least." Kouji insisted.
"No, don't bother." Izumi insisted as well. "Besides, if Kouichi and the other return after their errand and find no one here, they might think that something had happened to us and that we are in danger."
Kouji sighed as he gave up. "Fine then, but please don't go too far off in the city."
"Iwon't."
And with that, Izumi took her coat and went out of the room.
As she was out in the city streets, it was then that she realized she hadn't really thought about where she was to go. All she wanted before hand was to go outside, but now that she is outside she was clueless as to what to do.
"You should have thought of that beforehand, Izumi." Kaizen said inside her mind.
"I guess you're right about that." Izumi sighed. "Well, I'll just go around for a walk a bit, maybe that would give me a clearer insight as to where I can go."
"It's a first that you didn't choose to go shopping first, Izumi." Kaizen commented.
"Well, I would have decided to do just that if I haven't forgotten my purse at my room." Izumi implied as she began to walk. "I don't want to go back up to my room just to get it since I know full well that Kouji would be awaiting my return and would try to stop me from going out again once I come in."
"I could fly up and get it for you."
"And let the people see a purse mysteriously floating towards me? I think not. That would surely attract too much attention."
The pair consisted of an invisible flying creature and a blond haired lady continued on walking, not minding where their feet (or in Kaizen's case, her wings) would take them.
Unknowingly, or by some strange force, they come across a beautiful and relaxing song being played by a man wearing a cloak and a hood which covered much of his face.
Izumi, without thinking, walked towards the man and seated right next to him. She thought that he would stop playing, but the cloaked man seem not to mind as he continued to play his song.
It took a while for the man to finish his song, and once he was done, Izumi once again did not think twice of complementing him and his music.
"That was a beautiful song, sir." Said Izumi looking at the hooded man with a smile on her face.
The man, who was really Takuya, was surprised to hear someone compliment him, though he did not show it in his face. Wondering who it was that stick through the end of his performance, he looked over at Izumi's direction.
His emotionless face changed into one that was filled with surprise, but he quickly regained his composure so fast that one had not to blink if one would want to catch even a glimpse of his reaction.
He then turned the other way around and thanked her. Izumi, who wanted to converse a little more, asked what his name was.
"You're not thinking of telling him that you're Takuya, right?" Flayhm asked him telepathically.
"Of course not." Takuya replied in the same manner, then proceeded to think of a name to give. But when Izumi started to repeat her question, and with the rush of being able to talk with the person whom he misses the most, Takuya was not able to think straight and so he gave the first name that came into his mind.
"Shin." Takuya replied.
One could imagine the surprise in Izumi's face after hearing the name which he had given. Even Takuya and Flayhm were surprised at the choice of name that Takuya had.
"Shin?" Izumi repeated with a mixture of sadness and recollection in both her facial features and her voice. "That reminds me of a name, a fake name, that a very close friend of mine once gave."
Takuya perked up at what Izumi had mentioned, but still hid his emotions and instead replied with "Is that so?"
Izumi nodded, but said nothing more before she remembered that she had not introduced herself. "I'm Izumi by the way."
Takuya nodded back, unsure of what to say – whether he should act friendly towards her or not.
"So, do you live around these parts?" Izumi asked out of curiousity
"No, I don't." Takuya replied. "What about you?"
"I don't either, my companions and I are…um…just on vacation."
"I see…"
Silence.
As the conversation went on, or what seems like it, the Spirit Guardians of Wind and Fire, which were both still hidden inside their respective Masters found the conversation to be dull and did not bother to take much notice of it. Flayhm even chose to sleep rather than to see how their meeting will end.
Even though Takuya could not tell her and admit whom he really is, he was still happy deep inside. For even if this meeting with her would not last, he was still thankful to have the chance to be with her again, even if he was Shin at that moment.
As for Izumi, she could not describe it, but the feeling that she was having at that moment sitting with this stranger who had introduced himself as 'Shin' felt really familiar to her. Like she had met him somewhere. But no memories of such meeting came to her and when she asked her Spirit Guardian for assistance on the matter, Kaizen could not give her any details about him.
An hour had passed since they first met, when Takuya felt the familiar presence of Teppei coming closer towards their direction. Wanting no trouble for having met Izumi again, Takuya quickly stood up which surprised Izumi.
"Oh, are you going already?" Izumi asked.
"Yes. I'm sorry, but I remember I still have an errand to attend." Takuya replied as he began to walk away, towards the opposite direction from where he could felt Teppei coming from.
"Wait, Sir Shin." Izumi called out.
Takuya halted.
"Can you tell me what the title of that song is?" Izumi asked, then added. "It feels familiar to me, but I can't quite figure out from where I have heard that song before."
The rain began to stop as the dark clouds began to part showing the crystal clear sky up above and the shining sun that watched all meetings and partings.
Takuya turned around, looked at her then answered: "It's called 'The Song of the Warrior'." Before turning around once again and walking off, disappearing into the sea of people that had once again began walking around the Plaza leaving Izumi to herself wondering if she would be able to hear the song being played again and the musician who played it before her.
To be Continued….
A/N:
Whew…that was one long chapter, wouldn't you guys say so?
I'm glad, as much as you guys are, that this chapter is finally finished and a new 'saga' is now opening up before our heroes. Hehehe, I always wanted to say that.
Here's a little update about the Digimon Frontier Game that I am making:
Currently, I am still working on the artwork (meaning the sprite, tilesets, backdrops, and the likes) of the game. I have also already finished the sprites of Takuya, Izumi, Kouji, Kouichi, Tomoki, Junpei, Teppei, Katsuharu, Chiaki, and Terrou, so thanks for those who imparted knowledge on where to find their pictures.
I have already encoded the systems to be used, so if I manage to get all the sprites finished, it would be smooth sailing from there and the game production would begin to move at it's full speed. Unfortunately, Agnimon/Agunimon's sprite is giving me the headaches since having to make his walking-up sprite is pretty hard for me (because of his stupid hair, darn it).
As for how the story, I would be including in the game the whole season's worth of story as well as extras, sort of like a fan-game. For those who wish to play the game (once it is completed) the only requirement is that you must have a PC with an XP OS…not much of a requirement, right?
The game would also incorporate FMVs or movie cutscenes that would be derived from the actual anime show, which I am still deciding whether to go for the original Japanese with English subtitled Digimon Frontier or the English dubbed version which was shown in Cartoon Network (it is different from the one shown in the Philippines). I'll let you guys decide on that.
Well, I think I will cut the game updates here since I am already on my way at creating a website for that game which I have decided to have a working title of "Digimon Frontier Adventure Chronicles".
Well, this is how far I will go in writing for now. So until next time, this is Sakura Martinez saying PEACE and signing out!
Don't forget to leave a review as well as your thoughts on the game! All help is appreciated, and of course, you get to see your name on the credits!