A Digimon Frontier Fanfic

By Sakura Martinez

Author's Notes

Well, here's the newest chapter of The Rabbit on the Moon, as promised. Thanks for the review, guys and for the hits as well… though I am not sure if those hits also meant that this being read.

Anyways, just enjoy this short albeit surprise-filled chapter!

End of Author's Notes

The Rabbit on the Moon

Dark Conviction

Takuya was already half-way to his destination. The journey that could at least have taken him a a day and a half, seemed like it would take lesser time all thanks to the speed that the boat the Leader have lent him was taking him. He should have felt glad about it, after all, he was on his way to rescue the others yet, at that moment, Takuya Kanbara felt like he could very well just hang himself up for making such a blunder.

Because of how frantically he acted, he wasn't thinking straight when he managed to bust out of his so-called "prison", he just went on ahead and ran to the Organization's harbor to find any vehicles. 

But, what he now thought he should have done before hand came to him as he realized that what he was only wearing was nothing more but regular clothing – no armors… and what's more, he didn't even have a sword. Now, a new dilemma came to him. Just how was he going to do all the saving?

He thought about using his power… at least, what power he has at that moment, but even that did not bode well. He didn't even know at the moment, to what extent he could use his power.

He sighed in frustration as he wondered why the Leader did not say anything about the matter. But, then again, how could she have said anything about it when she knew he wasn't going to listen any way?

Takuya decided to set the boat on auto-pilot as he wanted to know what secrets such a vehicle have like: Why the Leader didn't let the others use it or what are its other capabilities and so on. His first question however, was answered as soon as he thought of it. He wasn't able to see the boat clearly before thanks to the lack of lights in such a darkened night, but now that it was mid-day, he could clearly see everything.

The boat was only made for one passenger, despite it being a yacht, there clearly was no more room left on it thanks to all the weird gadgets and things Takuya had no way of knowing what those were for. He could not help but think that such a boat was made for spying purposes.

"If that's the case," He thought, "that would mean that this thing doesn't even have weapons on it."

He sighed. He should have really thought things through first. Just then, as he was about to return to steer the boat manually, he caught a glimpse of something shining as the sun's rays hit it over by the table where all th navigational charts were. Curious as to what it is, the young Kanbara went to it.

The 'thing' was covered by a large enough cloth and only a part of it was sticking out, that part was the part that was shining. Takuya took the cloth off of it, making a mess as he did so and what he saw underneath gave him a surprise.

"That old lady…" He said as he took hold of the sword that was underneath the cloth and lifted it up. "I guess she really did expected me to find a way to escape…"

He then placed the sword back on its sheath and took the armor that was along with it. He then proceeded to put the armor on himself.

There was nothing to note about the armor or the sword except for the fact that it was the same weapon and armor that the members of the Organization that went with Izumi and the others wore and had. It didn't bear any insignia as it should since one could only guess what would happen if people wearing it would be caught and the Organization would be expossed. Although Takuya guessed that the enemy had already known beforehand of the existence of the Organization, it still did not mean that the Leader would think of lowering their guards… it was definitely the contrary.

As he finished dressing himself up, only one item remained… it was a Full-face helmet that had a note sticking out of it. Wondering what it was all about, Takuya grabbed the helmet and the note and proceeded to read the contents of it.

I had figured that you would try and escape, and in trying you would succeed. If you are indeed reading this letter, Takuya, then that would mean that you have succeeded and that I have helped you on this recklessness of yours. I may not fully comprehend the reason as to why you would do something that would endanger yourself, the mission, and quite possibly your friends, but I would have to trust whatever judgement that hard-headed head of yours have. It really does prove that you are indeed your father's son.

Takuya's eyes furrowed. He hated reading it the same way as he hated hearing it – his father obviously have lost all paternal instincts along his quest for power and glory… and the notion that he resembles his father did not fit well with him. Not well at all.

I had also figured that on your escape, you might have forgotten more important things – such as weapons and armor, and if you are reading this, I am guessing that I am right. Your father, when he was still an ordinary knight had also the same tendency of forgetting such important things – things that a knight should not forget. I can imagine how you detest having to hear it, but the fact is still the same – you are his son.

I may be the Leader of the Organization, but I know that my status does not concern you and you may not heed my warning. But still, I must condone that and proceed on telling you to, as much as possible, hide your identity from the enemy. I do not know, as I write this letter, how you are able to escape, if you have done so, which is why I do not know if my guess on how you have regained some of your power is correct. But if it is, then that would only put you in a much graver situation that you are already in. Because if that is the case, then you would be the first person to have ever done so, and as 

such, if the enemy learns of that, they would take you again, and this time, I do not know if we can ever rescue you from their hands.

Be careful.

And with that the letter ended. Takuya made a mental note to thank the Leader later and also, to ask her why she knew so much about his father and himself. Was he that easy to read? What's more, how could she have guessed that his powers, at least some of it, have returned?

"It would seem," He told himself out loud knowing that no one could hear him in the middle of the ocean and as he took the helmet and looked at his reflection in it, "that the more this journey unfolds, the more questions I have."

"How was it?" the clone asked as he looked over at the four people sprawled on the cold, hard, ground. All were panting. "That which you have gone through, my friends, is what my father and the scientists calls, the 'First Phase of Extraction'. You all would not have felt that sooner if it weren't for Katsuharu's help in adjusting the machine faster than expected. So you would have to thank him for that."

"Why… are you doing… this?" Kouji asked as he forced himself to stand up. "Is it for attaining more power? Controlling more people? Is that it?!"

Takuya's Clone laughed. It was a cold and icy laugh that could send chills down anyone's spine. When the laughter subsided, he answered. "Should there be any more reasons?"

At that point, Junpei could not ease out the worry that has been building up in all of them, and so he asked, "Lady Izumi… where is she? What have you done with her?"

"Oh, you don't have to worry yourselves about my beloved, Izumi… I would not dream of hurting her… but of course, she has to go through the same experience that you had undergone and the same experience that the 'other' deceased Takuya had undergone as well." Was the clone's reply. "Well, I have to go now, I wouldn't want to keep her waiting."

And with that, the clone left laughing.

"Did he just say 'deceased' Takuya?" Teppei said as he forced himself into a sitting position, his back on the wall.

"Yeah, he did." Tomoki answered. "That would mean that he thinks Takuya's dead. Maybe Lady Izumi made him think that."

"That may be the case, Tomoki." Kouji thought of as well. "We can only hope that the Organization realizes something is wrong and sends for help soon… I don't think I can take that again."

"Who would have thought that I'd end up having to live through the same thing that that idiot went through just before we rescued him." Teppei voiced out.

"We can't just wait here though," Junpei spoke suddenly. "We have to get out of here and help Lady Izumi… who knows what that creep is doing to her."

"And how do you suggest we do that, Lord Junpei?" Teppei asked. "There's no way out of here and our powers seem not to work as well."

"We can't just rely on our power all the time," Tomoki said. "Junpei's right, we have to act."

"It's not a matter of agreeing or disagreeing, for the moment, we don't have much to escape." Kouji said. "Believe me, even I would risk everything to escape from here and rescue Lady Izumi, but until we can come up with something, we're left with nothing else to do but wait and hope that someone comes to help."

Teppei could only nod, but in his mind he knew that there was no such hope. The Organization had already sent every single able-bodied member they have in this mission. With half of them allying themselves with the enemy and the other half behind bars, there was really not much hope left… except…

"This is your time to pay me back, Kanbara." Teppei thought to himself. "I've helped you once before, maybe you can help us this time around."

Izumi braced herself for whatever was to come as she was strapped in a metal chair and all sorts of wires were placed on her. She was trying to be brave and she knew that she had to try harder in doing so for she didn't actaully felt brave at all, she only felt frightened… very, very frightened.

She hoped that her brave front was working though as she continuously glared at the Clone who was watching not to far, highly amused. Oh, how she hated him.

Somewhere in the same room, Chiaki was also watching and in her face was planted a smile.

"You have nothing to worry about, Izumi." The Clone said over from where he stood watching, "This phase would not last very long. It would hurt though, I cannot lie about that."

She knew he was trying to unnerve her, which was the reason why she forced herself not to scream at the pain as the machine roared into life and the First Phase of Extraction was sent into motion. No matter how much she wanted to scream, she didn't for she knew that her screams would sound pleasurable to the clone. She bit her lip up to the point where it had begun to bleed. But still she did not whimper nor cry.

Kaizen could do nothing, for she too also felt the same pain, if not worst as the machine forcefully did its job on them.

As the clone watched something inside him started to hurt. He did not know what it was but it made him feel uneasy and somehow… sick. It was something that never happened before, and so he made a mental note to ask the scientists about it. But even as he felt this, he still continued to watch, with his arms crossed.

No sooner than this did something fell from his eyes. It was wet and tasted bitter. When he put a hand on his face and traced the flowing water, he found it was coming from his eyes. He was… crying?

"How… Why?" He found himself whispering. He immediately looked around and found that no one was minding him, with this, he exited the room.

Takuya felt a cold shiver up his spine. He knew he had to hurry. He knew that there was no time to lose. And he also knew that he had a one in a million chance in saving his friends.

"Even if it's just a one in a million, I know I'm that one." He found himself thinking. "Just hold on a bit longer, Izumi… I'm coming."

Izumi found herself in the room that the Kouichi had first brought her in. She felt weak and the pain that she was feeling during the extraction still has not ebbed away.

She could not help but realize that Takuya had also went through the same thing, if not more intense than what she had undergone. She wondered what he was thinking when it happened. Was he also trying to do what she was trying to do knowing that those people wanted them to scream in pain?

She cried hoping that the tears could drown the pain away. But in the end, it didn't as it only made her fell asleep.

Izumi did not know that in the darkness of the room she was in, she was not alone. Someone else was in there with her.

"Why?" the clone asked as he looked at Izumi from the darkness. "I am a cold-hearted warrior, I know that I am a clone and that I have been programmed as such… program to even think of you. But why is it that now, I feel… different? Has my mind been poisoned by you and your people?"

The clone thought for a while. "No, that's not possible… this feeling of uneasy… it has to stop."

The clone touched his face once again, and traced where the tears have fallen earlier on. "I am a cold-hearted warrior… one who isn't meant to feel anything. Those tears… would be the last ones I shall shed."

And with that, he vanished making his way to the scientists that he had arranged to meet. He doesn't know what was happening to him. If he was "malfunctioning" as his father would put it. But whatever it was, he was going to get that fixed.

It was already night time and Takuya had made sure to dock the boat somewhere where no one could see it much less find it. Before he unboarded the ship, and knowing that some of the Organization's members had already sided with his crazy father and the equally crazed King, Takuya knew that they would be well on guard.

He hoped, as he placed the Helmet on, that these members still haven't been given any new armors or uniforms. If they haven't, then that would make his sneaking around easier… If they had, then he would just have to knock someone out and take whatever it is that they are wearing to blend in with the crowd… he would prefer the first option though.

Takuya sneaked past the forests and soon found himself near the ruins. Just as he was about to step out of the forest and make a run for the ruins, he heard voices and a movement. Freezing on the spot, Takuya prayed that he would not be found.

As it happens, the voices belong to people wearing the same outfit as he was. And, as if his prayers were answered, they just passed him by.

Takuya breathed a sigh of relief from under the helmet. He could not believe his luck. But even so, he knew he had to be careful. He didn't know how much the enemy knows of him now or even where his friends were being kept.

As Takuya tried to act as casually as he could while sneaking into the ruins and around, he could not help but think back on how this very much resembled his first rescue mission when Izumi was caught. He hoped the outcome would not be the same as it was back then… he certainly did not want to get himself caught afterwards.

After making his way, and losing his way as well inside the ruins a couple of times, Takuya finally got to the correct pathway that contradicts the lifeless passages that he had passed through. It may be because of the incredulous number of ex-Organization members that had switched sides or because of the narrow passageway which made it seem too crowded.

"Even the Academy never got this crowded." Takuya thought as he remembered his long, lost life as a Knight's Apprentice.

Making sure that he doesn't stand out too much and knowing that he didn't have time to waste, Takuya decided that the only way he could find where the others were being kept was if he would ask about it. He thought that since these people had already percieved him as one of them thanks to his disguise, that he could easily pull something like asking a question off.

Takuya searched around tried to look for anyone that he was familiar with, particularly those whohad their helmets off, but he soon found that he knew none of them. He then looked for the one who seems like the person in-charge. He decided to go with the usual type of people for that job – an intimidating person who had a lot of people around him… that wasn't so hard to find.

Takuya saw the leader in the person of a large, mascular man who certainly regards himself as invincible seeing that he was not wearing any armor at all, save for the shoulder pad and armlets. This man seemed no older than 25 and he had a look that tells Takuya that he had already been through a lot of missions and had seen a lot of bloodshed. Takuya knew better than to mess with that kind of people, but he had no choice. Pulling out what he could only regard as his talent for acting, the young Kanbara went on to this bald-faced man and acted all noobish.

"Excuse me, sir." Takuya said with a fake voice that showed off he was intimidated. "I've been ordered to check up on the prisoners, but I seem to have lost my way."

"The prisoners, eh?" Came the man's voice. "Well, it's no surprise that you lost your way, this place is like a maze. Who sent you to check on them though?"

Takuya immediately said the name of the first person that came into his mind. "Lord Kanbara, sir."

"Oh, can't really go against the big man around here." The man said. "You're a rookie, aren't you? Well, I could imagine the surprise you must have also felt when you saw the man that looked like the person the Organization was protecting… of course, I heard that guy in the organization was dead… died during a fight they said… But I haven't seen him myself, so I don't know if that's the case."

"I see, sir. Well, I don't know about anyone from the Organization… this was supposed to be my first mission." He lied.

"Really, now… that's interesting." The man said. The people around him seemed not to be the type to talk, other than that, they seem like they do not wish to interfere this man while he talks. "So, what made you suddenly decide to abandon the Organization?"

It was a question that Takuya had thought would be asked to him. Of course, he hadn't really thought of any answers to that.

"I…" He was about to say, but the man cut him off.

"Nah, forget about it, tell me that later, for now, you shoud go ahead and check on those prisoners. Just follow the passage east of here and go down the first set of stairs that you see on your left, after that, head north to another set of stairs and descend it as well as the one after that and you should find yourself in the Underground dungeons." The man said. "Don't get lost now, ya hear?"

Takuya bowed and immediately left. He didn't know what he would do if he would have to stay in that place any longer. During his conversation with that man, though, he had learned of one thing, someone was still keeping his secret of being alive. This of course was confusing for him, after all, Katsuharu and Chiaki could easily falsify those rumors that he is dead. But he decided to put such thoughts at hold for the moment, he needs to be as quick as he could be. He knew not when he will be found, but he had to make sure that the others were free before that time comes.

Izumi began to stir awake. As she did, she was surprised that she had fallen asleep in the first place. But as she regained consciousness, so too did her Guardian Spirit. And the moment that Kaizen regained her consciousness, she immediately was able to detect someone's pressence in the room. This of course, was immediately relayed to her Master, Izumi.

"I'm surprised that you found the courage to even sleep." Came Chiaki's voice. She was siting in one of the chairs present in a corner of the room. Her face was covered by shadows, and her eyes had a glare in them that Izumi could not understand. "I am even more surprised that even now you are being treated like a princess."

"Chiaki." Izumi hissed. She certainly could not find any forgiveness for the person before her. "What are you doing here? What do you want?"

Chiaki "hmped" as she stayed seated. She continued to glare at Izumi and Izumi, of course, did not back down, glaring back at the person who betrayed and handed them to the enemy.

"I see that they haven't sucked out your spirit yet." Chiaki taunted.

"And I see you've already traded your soul to the devil." Izumi countered. "Tell me, what did you ask for? Power? Fame? Fortune?"

"Not quite." The other woman replied. "I haven't asked for any rewards yet for what I have done. Of course, they also considered the fact that I willingly let them extract components of my powers. But you know what, Izumi, seeing you suffer like you did back in the laboratory was enough to satisfy me for the meantime."

Izumi's brows furrowed. "Why do you hate me so much? Was befriending me just a façade?"

"Oh, it's not a façade." Chiaki replied. "It's more like, I didn't have a choice. After all, I wanted to make an impression of being a kind, caring, and perhaps even lovable person in his eyes. But ever since I first learned of what happened to my brother, and who was responsible for it, I knew I had to take my revenge… and as fate would have brought it, instead of me coming for you, you came to us."

"Are you saying you want some sort of revenge on me? For what? I haven't done anything to you or to anyone! I didn't even knew who you were until just a couple of weeks ago."

Izumi saw Chiaki close her eyes before she began to speak, "Ten years ago, that was the time that the King learned of the people who could possibly be Chosen Ones. At that time, the King learned the possibilities of having those people's power in the Kingdom. Whatever those possibilities are and whatever he wants is even beyond me but… he ordered all his high ranking officers to get a hold of these people. Your Father, Commander Orimoto of the Eastern Corps was one of them. Of course, he was only appointed at a Commander at that time. He was given the mission of handing you over to the King, much like how Takuya's father was also given that mission."

"You're lying!" She shouted, her fists were already clenched.

"Oh, am I now… but wait, you have to hear the rest of it." Chiaki said, she had a smile on her face as she looked at the distraught look on Izumi's face. "Your father, of course, could not bear to hand you over to the King much like how Commander – or should I say General – Kanbara could not hand his son over… the same goes for Kouichi's Grandfather. That, was the reason why, or so I heard, your memories were erased and why you had to leave Harim behind. Why Takuya and Kouichi had to be sent to the Academy for protection. All of that was because of the fact that they wanted to keep you all safe. Of course, to save their hides from the fury of the King, they had to deliver someone to him… and guess whom your father proposed?"

Izumi was silent. She dreaded to know the answer, although she had a clear guess on who it may be.

"Your father, who learned of my brother's, of Terrou's existence and who also learned that my brother is a Chosen One decided to take him away from us – his family, and hand him over to the King. He was the first Chosen One who tasted the prototype versions of the machine… he was the one whom they had made as a guniea pig when it should have been you."

"How could I have known that!" Izumi said, she didn't even know if what this person was saying is true. "You said it yourself, my memories were erased… besides, my father would never do something like that."

"Oh, you're father already confessed. He must have thought that by confessing to his sins in the past, he might have saved his daughter's life." Chiaki said, she stood up as she did so. "Do you know, my brother is alive. And I believe you and Takuya have also met with him before… back when you were trying to escape those that were sent after you the first time, when your petty group was separated on the ruins of a town. That town… it used to be our home."

"If your brother IS alive, then why do you need to take revenge for?" Izumi asked. The moment she had voiced what should have been an unvoiced question, she knew she should not have done so.

"Why? You ask 'Why'?" Chiaki said, she was already conjuring a water attack in the palm of her hands. "It's because he no longer acts like my brother. He acts like he is just a mere puppet – of course, I've already done my revenge on the Kimura's for that… at least, Kouichi could suffer the same fate as my brother."

"I told you, we don't have anything to do with what our parents did!" Izumi shouted as she backed away, but even as she moved back, she was also preparing her own attack.

"I hate you, Izumi Orimoto!" Chiaki shouted as she made a dash towards her enemy. "I swear, I will kill you. And once you're dead, I will have Takuya for myself!"

Izumi's eyes widened as she dodged Chiaki's attack. She could not believe what she had just heard. "What did you just say? Have Takuya all for yourself?"

"He was always going on about Izumi this or Izumi that even while he was under the care of the Organization. It was always you who was in his mind day in and day out." Chiaki spoke, ready for another attack. "But, one you are gone, he will then have no one else to confide with or to think of but me… I will make sure of it!"

To be Continued…

Author's Notes:

Well, that would answer… or maybe add more questions to some. Who would have thought that of Chiaki, right? Well, I hope you find this chapter to your liking. I had to cut the chapter into two since it would be pretty long if it would end in just one chapter…

Well, I'm really tired from all the thinking and the writing. So, I'll end this here with the reminder to all of you to review.

Until next time, this is Sakura Martinez saying "PEACE" and signing out! Take care, everyone!

End of Author's Notes