A Digimon Frontier Fanfic
By Sakura Martinez
A/N:
Well, I am absolutely pissed off right now as I still have a hang over after hearing the results from American Idol as to who was eliminated. With that annoyed feeling I decided to write the latest chapter of our fanfic… Talk about inspiration, huh?
Anyways, I'm pretty happy with how the story is going so far and I hope you guys are enjoying yourselves reading as well. Anywho, here's the latest chapter that took me three hours to complete. Hope you guys like it!
The Rabbit on the Moon
The Monster Haven and the Crying Sky
"It is well that you have decided to aide us." A cold voice reverberated across the mushy, damp, and old tiles of the shadowy ruins. "I had thought you would do something stupid and try to be hero for your family's sake."
The person whom the voice was talking to did not answer as he saw it fit to remain silent and let the other talk to his heart's content.
"You will be a valuable asset to our cause and you will be greatly rewarded." The voice, coming from the lone throne in the far northern and darker corner of the room spoke.
Something stirred from the other end of the room as the sound of iron chains clashed with the concrete tiles below. The owner of the voice and the one being spoken to both looked at the direction where the sound was coming from. From the darkness of the room and with the help of the small amount of light entering it, the eyes of the one who sits at the throne glinted with a cold, golden stare.
Heavy breathing resonated and echoed through the air, the type that could only be heard from someone who had been badly beaten and.
"I'm surprised that you still manage to stand, old man." Said the Cloned Takuya as he entered with a bright flash of reddish orange light, eliminating the room if only for an instant, revealing an old man chained on the wall, his body bruised and his shirt torn. "I'm also surprised that you haven't freed him yet as well, my King."
The one sitting on the throne smirked and an evil glint became even more evident in his eyes as he spoke. "Of course, we need to make sure that young Kouichi here doesn't think of any ideas of betraying us."
The one whom the King had been talking to a while back 'hmphed' and said, "I don't plan on betraying anyone anymore. It took me a while to fully realize it, but this is where I truly belong… with your Highness and my friend, Takuya."
"I'm glad to hear that, my old friend." The Clone said.
"Kouichi, don't do this!" the old man chained on the wall said, "Surely you do not believe in the lies weaved by this spider! Open your eyes and see that the person before you is not your real friend!"
"Silence, old man!" Kouichi said, his eyes showed no pity or remorse nor did it show anger or any other emotion for that matter. His eyes were just blank. "I will not condone your ill words about Takuya any more. You do not know what it feels to lose a friend and be reunited with him after all this time."
The beaten General could only gape at how his grandson was acting. 'Surely this is not Kouichi…" he thought. But even before he could be certain of whether or not it was his grandson, the King had immediately called forth masked guards to drag him out of the room and back into the damp and dreary cell which he had been kept.
Once the older Kimura was out of the room, Takuya's clone spoke: "Kouichi, I know that it has been a while since we've exchanged conversations but would you allow me some private time with the King and would you call my father over here as well. Tell him it is something important."
Kouichi with his face still emotionless nodded.
Five minutes passed and the older Kanbara entered the room. His expression hidden by the darkness as he asked, "What is this all about?"
"I figured you would be interested in hearing what had happened while I was pursuing the daughter of Orimoto and her friends." The clone said.
"I hope this is not another one of your excuses why you or your men were unable to capture just one woman and a child." The King said. "If you won't prove yourself useful any longer then, we would not hesitate to put you down and create another one much more useful than you."
"Now, now, your Majesty. No need to be hasty in making that decision. After all, if you do that, you would be making the biggest mistake of your life." Clone Takuya said with a smirk. "Maybe I should demonstrate something to you both before telling my story… I'm sure you will find this interesting."
With that, the younger Kanbara snapped his fingers and pillars of fire erupted from his side, his back and his front. The King and Takuya's father became wide-eyed in the display of power that the clone was showing.
"H-how?" The King asked. "How did you manage to attain such level of power?"
"If you're surprised by such a measly act, then allow me to take a step even further." The clone said. "I just learned of this a couple of hours ago whilst I was traveling back here."
"There's more?" General Kanbara asked.
Clone Takuya smirked and with a loud voice called, "Come forth, Spirit Guardian!"
A brilliant flash of orange light erupted as the pillars of fire joined together and with a burst of fiery energy, a dark version of Flayhm appeared before them.
"It would have been much more interesting if this thing could be awakened, however, it seems there is still something I lack to fully awaken and animate him." The clone said.
"A Spirit Guardian, this is the first time I have ever seen one." The King said. "Now, would you tell us how you came across such power?"
"I just happen to bump into a ghost." The clone said.
"Ghost?" The General asked.
"I don't know how he managed to do it, but your son is still alive." Clone Takuya said nonchalantly, "Although I doubt for how long after what I did."
"WHAT!?" both the King and the General exclaimed.
"How could that be possible, he was dead…we buried him!" The King said.
"Don't ask me a question that I could not answer now, your Majesty." The clone said. "But we need not fear him, all I needed to do was take something of his and I became even more powerful than he was. He is no threat to us. I can assure you, I've defeated him after all but I failed to do the killing move thanks to an unprecedented interruption."
"We need to hear more of this." Kanbara said.
"I'm sure you would, father. After all, I have found another Chosen One."
Another day has passed and still Takuya has yet to awaken. The day before, the leader of the Organization had met with Izumi and Kouji and explained to them of the situation.
"I thank you for allowing us to have an audience with you." Kouji said as he bowed his name in respect while Izumi remained indignant of the woman before them who had introduced herself as the leader of the infamous Organization. "And also, for allowing us to find sanctuary here in your manor."
"No need for thanks, it was just the right thing to do." The Leader said.
"As it is with keeping the knowledge of Takuya being alive and well a secret?" Izumi questioned in an angry tone. She was not to let go of that so easily.
"Lady Izumi!" Kouji tried to hush her.
"Or of the fact that you hindered any form of communication to and from Takuya?" Izumi went on unfazed. "And also, you think it right to work behind the scenes without providing sufficient information for those who are involved? Does it suit you well to act all mysterious?"
Izumi went on and on, letting her anger get the best of her while Kouji tried his best to calm her down but to no avail. The leader, who has yet to introduce and tell her tale remained silent allowing the younger one to speak freely.
When Izumi has calmed down a bit, the Leader spoke.
"I understand that you are upset with all that has happened," the Leader began but was cut off by Izumi yet again.
"Upset? I'm more than upset!"
"Yes, of course…" she said and cleared her throat then went on. "But you have to understand that what we did we did it because we believed that it was the right course of action and we stand by that decision. Think of what would have happened if his father or if the King's cohorts learned that he is still alive? It would have caused a lot more problems than the one we are now facing. Though now that we learned that they had managed to make a clone of a Chosen One, our only regret is that we didn't manage to rescue him any sooner."
Izumi was silent but her face showed that she was not going to accept such an answer any time soon.
"I still find it hard to understand." Kouji voiced out. "What is the purpose of your Organization? And moreover, why do you fight against the King?"
"I guess it is time to explain things to you, albeit this explanation will not tackle all of your questions. I do promise to explain everything once all of you are complete."
"Complete?" Kouji asked.
"I meant to say that once Takuya, whom I owe all the explanation to, is finally awake." The leader said, then began to tell her story:
"A couple of years ago, the King became sick with a yet to be classified disease, I am sure that you know that. As bewildering as how he contracted such a disease did he miraculously heal from it. The people who knew of the seriousness of his illness at that time was joyous. That same time however, the King also changed. The King who once treated his people with respect and dignity slowly but surely changed his views on how to manage a Kingdom and soon became caught up with unearthing the Ancient Knowledge.
"We are not certain how or who gave him the knowledge of the Chosen One and the Prophecy that goes along with them as well as the Legend of the Door which can only be unlocked by these Chosen One, but he did learn of them. He became so enthralled by it that he placed all effort in order to find and capture them. He called forth Scientists known for whatever field came into mind that could possibly be related to his thirst for power and knowledge of the Ancients. It took a while, but eventually, the Scientists saw an evident clue as to how to find these Chosen Ones.
"They first found of the existence of the one who bears the Flame and of course, the one who bears the Ice. For some apparent reason or another, and for whatever method they used, they were able to pinpoint exactly who it was. They learned that Takuya Kanbara, son of a Commander to the King's Knights was one of them but, they could not touch him just yet for he was well protected in the walls of the Academy and of the Village where he grew up in and so they decided to capture the other one, Tomoki Himi, bearer of the Spirit of Ice.
"It was around the same time that our Organization was formed. That time, the Queen learned of something disturbing and decided to find a way to stop whatever Catastrophe might ensue because of her husband's greed for power. Thus, she founded and continue to fund our Organization and it is also the reason why we have to stay behind the scenes for we cannot let them trace our relationship with the Queen.
"But it seems now that the Queen's information is limited as we did not see these things happening and therefore we were unable to prevent them from happening. For that, all of you deserve our apology.
"As for our purpose. Our purpose is to make sure that we collect all the Chosen Ones before the King does and ensure their safety. It is also our mission to learn of what happened to the King to make him change into the man that he is today." And with that the Leader finished her summarized explanation.
"So you're saying that the Queen funds your Organization?" Izumi asked, her arms crossed. "Do you have proof of this? It is, after all, easy to make such claims."
"Yes, of course." The other woman said. "I rarely show this to anyone but seeing as it would be hard to ask for your cooperation otherwise, I have no choice."
And with that, she moved over to her desk and took out a parchment that had the seal of the Queen as well as handing Izumi an envelope that contains the Queen's Ring.
"I hope that that is proof of our allegiance enough to the Queen." She said.
Izumi could only answer, "For now."
"Now that that is out of the way, I imagine you want to know of our current situation right now?" the leader said more as a statement than a question.
The two nodded.
Izumi could still not understand that woman's explanation of their situation and the reason why she was asked out when it came to that part of their discussion.
'And just when we were getting at the good part too.' Izumi thought. It had already been a day and she still felt annoyed at being left out when she deserved to hear of it as much as Kouji did.
The silence of the room where Takuya was still asleep and where she was staying watch was deafening. Even though she felt that she was still not ready to be with him after all that has happened, she had no choice but to watch over him. It wasn't that she no longer loves him but because she still felt that he purposely left her out and made her worry of him and purposely made her think he was dead… although she already knew that it wasn't his fault, she still could not help but accuse that of him and to accuse the Organization as well.
'How convenient that all of them had something to do at this time and day.' Izumi thought with a sigh.
She was bored and in the middle of her boredom her stomach grumbled.
"Oh great." Izumi muttered. Seeing as she has no choice and she did not wish to let her hunger pass, she summoned her Spirit Guardian, Kaizen.
"What seems to be the problem, Izumi?" Kaizen asked as she fluttered about.
"Would you mind watching over Takuya while I get something to eat, Kaizen?" Izumi asked almost pleading. "I'm very much hungry, you see…"
"Sure." Kaizen said cheerfully as she was always glad to be of some service to her. "Take your time, I'll be sure to watch over him for you while your away."
"Thank you, Kaizen." Izumi said with a smile before exiting the room.
It was a surprise when Izumi found her companions all lounging about in the Dining Room. She did not hide her frustration when she saw them, after all, they had said that they would be busy the whole day doing something of great importance and here they are doing nothing of that sort.
Junpei had nearly stumbled over in surprise when he saw her walk into the room.
"Ah—Lady Izumi, what are you doing here?" He had said.
"I should be the one asking you and everyone else that question, Lord Junpei." Izumi retorted, her voice held no charm whatsoever and her brows were furrowed. "You all told me to watch over Takuya because all of you were asked to do something important… I doubt lounging about here is that which you were asked to do."
"Well, we just got back actually, Lady Izumi." Tomoki said as rain began to fall creating the rhythmic pitter-patter sound on the roof of the mansion. "And we were lucky to have done so before this rain started to pour."
"What did you guys do then?" She asked, not buying their excuse.
"We were asked to patrol the surrounding area." The Vice Commander said after drinking something of red color from his glass. "The Organization, according to Katsuharu, had received word that enemies were spotted near hear… and that there were something weird amongst them."
"Something weird?" Izumi asked again after she had filled her plate with food and sat down to join them. "What do you mean by that."
"We don't know, we haven't seen anything at all even after scouting the area more than twice." Junpei said. "Lord Katsuharu and his men however have yet to return."
"I see." Was all she could think of saying before she began eating her food. She was just about to eat some of the cake she got for her dessert when Teppei came bursting into the room.
He was dripping wet with a panicked expression on his face. His weapon was unsheathed and there was blood dripping from it signaling that he had just killed someone. His clothes were muddy and as soaked as he was. And he, without a doubt, caught everyone's attention.
"Emergency Everyone!" He said, his voice shaky. "We have a big problem, the city's being overrun by weird creatures!"
Teppei said this so fast that at first no one understood what he just said. It was only a couple of minutes later that they did understood what he said but failed to grasp whatever was in his words. It seemed surreal, like something taken out of a novella.
"What did you just say?" Kouji quickly rose to his feet.
"Monsters." Teppei said. "That's how I would describe them. They're rampaging throughout Shore and what's more, they have soldiers with them … soldiers that are also cloned from Takuya!"
The faces of those in the room quickly went pale as if cold water was splashed on them. Kouji was about to say something but was suddenly interrupted by a loud explosion followed by Kaizen flying towards them with a frantic look on her face.
When Izumi saw her, she knew that it would not be good and at that moment all she could think about was, "Takuya…"
Izumi, of course, quickly made Kaizen visible and audible to her other companions for she did not wish to repeat herself whatever news her Spirit Guardian might bring.
"Bad news, Izumi!" Kaizen said as she quickly flew towards her. "Takuya, he…"
"He what?" Izumi, Tomoki and Kouji asked in unison while Junpei still had a shocked look on his face after seeing Kaizen appear out of nowhere and Teppei was on the look out.
"Well, he woke up suddenly after I heard I weird cry from somewhere," Kaizen began to explain. "Then he destroyed the wall of his room, jump off and ran off towards the city."
"What's gotten into him?" Kouji quickly asked before grabbing his sword which was lying by the corner of the room. "Junpei, Teppei, we need to hurry and drag that guy back here. Tomoki, you stay and guard Lady Izumi as well as this place, understood?"
Tomoki nodded.
"Wait, I'm going too!" Izumi said.
"Absolutely not, Lady Izumi." Kouji quickly said. "It's monsters we'll be dealing with and I can tell you that I have no training on how to handle those creatures what so ever and so having you along will only make our job even harder."
"But…"
"I have to agree with him, Lady Izumi." Junpei said.
"I also agree with Kouji." Teppei added. "If you're worried about that idiot, don't be. The Organization will ensure that no harm comes to him and that we'll be able to drag him back here."
Izumi could not believe that she would be left out… again. But she knew that what they say is true. She will only be a burden despite the fact that she is a Chosen One because she knows that her heart isn't in whatever battle lies ahead if she comes along but on the well-being of Takuya Kanbara.
She sighed but before she could say that she concedes, Kaizen spoke out and added: "If you guys are going after Takuya, you better be careful. He doesn't seem like he's himself right now."
"What do you mean by that, little one?" Kouji asked.
"Well, he acted like he was a zombie or something." Kaizen said remembering what had happened before she came flying to them. "Flayhm, his Spirit Guardian, tried to stop him and talk to him but he just kept on muttering something and his eye didn't show any life at them at all. He seems like he was obsessed at doing something and would go to lengths to obtain it."
At that point, only the sound of the rain crashing with the roof and the ground could be heard. It took a while before Izumi changed her mind and it was Kouji and the others who conceded to bring her and Tomoki along saying: "We need as much power as we can if we are to fight with him."
The rain poured continually soaking everything. Roars of unclassified but definitely abnormal creatures echoed along with the screams of panic and the clashing of swords mixed with constant explosions here and there.
Takuya, still wearing a white, long-sleeved shirt and pants walked barefooted with his sword in his hand and was soaked from head to toes. His left eye scanned the area and upon seeing an enemy, he would go on and battle and win against them.
"Takuya!" Flayhm shouted over the noise. "Takuya, snap out of it!"
Takuya seemed not to listen to him as he continued on with is carnage muttering the words, "I have to get it back, I have to become stronger" over and over again.
Flayhm could not understand what was going on with his partner, master and friend for he could not see clearly into his heart nor look into his mind for answers to his questions. He knew that there was something really wrong, not just with Takuya but with him as well.
Flayhm continued to talk to Takuya and Takuya went on fighting the intruders. Lightning streaked across the sky and thunder boomed as the rain continued to fall heavily.
Minutes later and a familiar voice called out to Takuya.
"Takuya!" Izumi shouted as she along with Kouji, Tomoki, Junpei and Teppei ran towards him.
Takuya slowly turned around and upon seeing them threw his left hand in the air and flame erupted from the ground blocking Izumi and the others' way.
"Takuya, what are you doing?" Flayhm asked at the same time that Kouji did.
At that instant, Takuya was suddenly surrounded by clones who, do not look like him but, possesses the exact power that he has as well as a dozen more monsters.
"Don't… interfere."Takuya said indifferently before gripping his sword tighter and walking towards his foes.
"Takuya stop doing this!" Izumi pleaded. "This is not like you! Wake up!"
"It's no use, Lady Izumi." Tomoki said. "I think even your voice cannot reach him right now."
"What do you mean?" Izumi asked.
"Hiltz can sense that Takuya isn't even listening to his Spirit Guardian." Tomoki said. "I think this is a hurdle that Takuya believes he alone should face."
As they discussed what their course of action should be, Takuya began to eliminate those who threatened to destroy Shore. Even though he was bruised he continued to stand up as if obsessed in destroying his enemies.
Izumi could not bear to watch him. She could see that he was suffering inside and out and once again she felt powerless as she did when she learned that he had been captured and was about to be hanged for treason.
Takuya had already felled all of the enemies except for one – a giant, saber tiger-like being with two heads. Clearly a mutated being from hell. It was when he was already ready to battle against the said beast when Katsuharu, Chiaki and the leader came.
"What's going on here?" Katsuharu asked as he saw the wall of fire keeping them and Takuya with the monstrosity.
"We have no idea ourselves, but it looks like Takuya plans on defeating every single one of these things by himself." Teppei answered. "He's on a rampage and he wouldn't even listen to what we say."
"So, he is in a trance." The leader said. "Have you tried talking with him, Izumi?"
Izumi nodded. "He wouldn't listen and neither would he listen to his Spirit Guardian."
"Then we should just let him." The leader said. "I believe this has something to do with what happened at the Ship. He can sense that those clones were made from him and he may have also sensed that the monsters were summoned using another Chosen One's power."
"You mean, a Chosen One has sided along with the King?" Junpei asked.
"Not just one." Chiaki said as Katsuharu and Teppei looked away. "Counting the one who manipulates these beings and Takuya's Clone, the King should now have three Chosen Ones in his possession."
It was quite a revelation for Izumi and her companions. They could not believe that two other people would side with a King who has clearly lost all logic and is working on greed alone.
Their discussion was suddenly cut short however, when Takuya's sword suddenly went flying thanks to one of the monster's attacks leaving Takuya weaponless.
Raising his right hand towards the tiger-of-a-monster, Takuya began to focus his energy when suddenly…
"Something's wrong!" Kaizen suddenly said.
"I agree… Flayhm's energy seems to be leaving Takuya's body!" Hiltz added. "What's going on here?"
"What?" Everyone said in unison.
When everyone looked over at Takuya, they could see Flayhm faintly. The tiger was now attacking while Takuya was being shielded by Flayhm. Takuya apparently could not see that he was unable to conjure a Fire attack on his hand.
When Takuya did notice, it was too late as Flayhm was suddenly flung out of the way. Seeing as Takuya has no means to defend himself Kouji and Katsuharu decided to act.
Ordering Chiaki to create for them a barrier made of water that would protect them from the Ancient Flames, Katsuharu and Kouji made it just in time to rescue Takuya out of the monster's attack.
Takuya who was still in a trance and quite oblivious to what was already happening, continued to stare at his hands as if searching for an answer in them.
"What are we going to do with this thing?" Kouji asked.
"I have a feeling that this thing and those monsters that came along with it has been called forth from darkness." Katsuharu said. "And I think the only way to beat darkness is by using light. You do understand what I am saying, don't you… Bearer of Light, Kouji Minamoto?"
To be Conitnued…
A/N:
Whew 12 pages of this is really tiring. And despite 4,618 number of words I am still unable to accept that my favorite for the American Idol competition has been eliminated. I guess half-Asians really do not have a chance of winning the said competition.
Moving away from the somber topic of Ramiele being eliminated let's move on to a much lighter note. The last part of this chapter would surely (that's just a guess) cause people to ask if Kouji already knew of him being a Chosen One despite the fact that it is already obvious in the reader's eyes. Well, the answer to that lies on the next chapter as well as the second or third chapter from the conclusion of the Shore Arc (ooh… I just can't believe I've been using that term 'Arc' now…lol), not to mention a very, very, very, very, (you get the idea) sudden change in things.
I don't want to post any spoilers here as I know I will probably be flamed for that, lol, so you guys have to watch out for the next chapter which will be entitled: 'The Miracle and the Flickering Flame in the Darkness'. Quite a long name for a chapter, ne?
Well, until the time that I upload the said chapter, this is Sakura Martinez saying "PEACE" and signing out.
Note: Just for those who are curious, I'll be supporting David Cook and Brooke White now in American Idol just because Ramiele is quite close to them and thinks of them as an older brother and a mother-figure in the competition respectively.