A Digimon Frontier Fanfic
By Sakura Martinez
Author's Notes:
Well, it has been a while since I last updated this fanfic, hasn't it? I'm on my semestral break right now, but even so, I have some more things that needed to first be accomplished before I could write this chapter. If you guys have been checking out my deviant account, then you would have noticed several RotM artworks including screenshots of the cutscene from the game. I have so far made 2 screenshots from the Prologue chapter entitled 'The Promise'.
Anyhow, thanks for all who reviewed and continued to support this fanfic.
Hope you guys enjoy this update!
End of Author's Notes
The Rabbit on the Moon
And So the Wheel Begins to Turn
"Are you sure you'll be alright?" Old man Daichi asked perhaps for the thousandth time as he escorted Izumi to the mountain path.
"Yes." Izumi replied with a smile. "I am quite capable of defending myself should any wild beast attack, sir. Besides, I have nothing to do. This is the least I can do to repay you for the kindness you have shown Takuya and myself."
"Very well then, be careful." He said and Izumi nodded before making her way to gather herbs atop the mountain – an errand that she insisted on doing.
Daichi watched her for a while as she walked away. As soon as he could no longer see her, he went back inside his wooden house.
It had been almost a week now since the two travelers had, thanks to the storm, found their way into his island. One has recovered fully while the other still lay unconscious. Daichi walked towards Takuya's sleeping figure and sat on the chair near his bedside where Izumi usually sat to look after him. The old man could not help but chuckle at the memory of Izumi forcing herself to stay awake but failing miserably.
His laughter soon died down though as he closed his eyes and the graveness of the matter sunk into him once more.
He had already promised himself to tell them once he regains consciousness. Yes, time was already running out. If there is to be any hope, Takuya would have to awaken now….
He could feel it. After a long time of waiting it had finally been done.
The Clone smiled. They may have lost the chance to recapture Izumi and utterly destroy the Organization which had been the forefront of the rebellion but with his newfound power, it would only be a matter of time before their enemies all fade away from existence.
Yes, he is going to prove to Takuya that he is no match for him.
"And once Takuya's dead, I'll take over his life and Izumi will be mine." He thought.
His thoughts were answered with a low growl, and as if to answer the guttural sound that seem to have emanated from somewhere, the clone replied, "I do not care if it was the Emperor's orders to dispose of all the Chosen Ones once we have the essence of their power. I am not going to kill Izumi."
"Well, that certainly makes things clear for me." Katsuharu said as he descended the stairs wearing his princely garment. "Going against father's orders are you."
If the clone was surprised at Katsuharu's sudden entrance, he did not show it. Instead, he turned around to face him and smirked, "Well, that's a first, your majesty. I never thought I'd see the day when I hear you call the King… or should I say the Emperor, 'father'… nor did I imagine the day would come when you would be forced to wear that."
"You're in the same boat as me when it comes to choices." Katsuharu replied as he crossed his arms and leaned on the wall near the staircase from where he descended. "However, just so you know – though, of course I can guess that you already do, one person will stand in your way of keeping her alive."
"If you mean that woman, Chiaki then I would not worry about her." The clone replied nonchalantly, "She would be no match against Takuya and Izumi, I will make sure of that. If there is anyone who would be able to defeat him… that would be me."
"My, my, I hope you're not planning on doing something that's reckless. I can only cover for you so much." The Prince said.
The clone smirked once more. "Surely you can do anything especially since we have already made a deal. Just keep your end of the bargain and I will keep mine. Certainly that's the real intention of why you came down here."
"Perhaps. But our plans must not be known by anyone, do you understand?"
"Of course." He replied. "I know the consequences, Katsuharu. This already is far too much of a gamble."
"It's good to know that you understand that very well."
"Kaizen, do you know where we are exactly?" Izumi asked her Spirit Guardian as she continued to pick herbs.
Materializing herself, Kaizen replied, "It's hard to tell. If we were to trust the voices of the wind and what they're telling us, then, as they say we're in the middle of the Kraat Ocean."
"And that's impossible because there are no islands in Kraat which is as small as this one." Izumi finished what Kaizen was about to say, at which Kaizen nodded.
"It could be that someone is stopping us from looking pass this illusion – should this island be an illusion." The Spirit Guardian of the Wind said. "But, the illusionist would have to be a very powerful mage of sorts to be able to pull something like this off."
"Is there any other possibilities?"
"Well, the other possibility is that this is no illusion for us. Meaning, this island does exist and we're really on it but it doesn't exist to those who have not stepped into it. Sort of like an island hidden from the world." Kaizen stated. "But if that is so, then this would still require someone who can utilize such an amazing energy to envelop the whole island and make it invisible to the world. I don't think such a human being could possibly exist. What's more, don't you find that Daichi-character a bit strange, Izumi?"
"I can't say I don't. There's something about him though that makes me trust him and be wary of him at the same time." Izumi replied. "Do you think he's the one who's doing this?"
Kaizen kept quiet for a moment, thinking. "I don't know…."
His watched from inside the large cylinder tube as he was being regenerated with the help of his powers as a Chosen One. Memories of the battle that he had previously fought were still fresh in his mind, as fresh as the memory of the face of the two people who dare hindered him from accomplishing his mission.
Terou Minami knew he had got to get even with those two other Chosen Ones. Just as his sister hungered for revenge, so did he.
"Is that really what you desire?" Came a voice that was very audible despite the liquid in the tank, and the question seemed to be directed at him. What's more there was no one in the room. "Have you really been fully transformed into a monster?"
A growl was all that came out from Terou's mouth. His ability to speak seemingly lost from everything that he had undergone. But it seemed that the owner of the voice knew exactly what he was saying.
"I pity you, child." Said the mysterious voice, "Where is your humanity…? Has it really been lost? Am I really to late to right what was done wrong?"
"We cannot keep doing this, Yuriko!" Ishige Orimoto said as he pounded on the oaken table that separates the Leader of the Organization and the Commander. "Our forces are too small, too weak to go up against their army!"
"And what other options do we have?" the leader retorted albeit in a calm manner. "We have to keep them from going all out in their search for both Takuya and Izumi."
"Our men are dying, Yuriko…" Ishige said, "Young men, men who barely touched their 20s. I cannot go on every battle and watch them die like that. We're sacrificing too much that we may be doing the exact same mistake that Hiroaki made…"
"It's too late to turn back now, we're in too deep." She replied, sadness in her voice. "What Hiroaki had done must be undone."
"The end does not justify the means." Said Ishige as he knew that there really was no other option.
"I know and I understand how you feel, Ishige. But I feel responsible for all of this – for how it all started, for everything."
"It was his decision, Yuriko. Hiroaki was the one who chose, it was not you." Kouta Kimura said all too suddenly that surprised his two friends. "There is no need to go that far to blame yourself for everything that's been happening in this Kingdom, and to the children as well."
"Lord Kouta…" Yuriko was about to begin but Ishige cut her off.
"We have been friends for far too long, and we know the truth to this whole story. It is not your fault, Yuriko. You can rest your conscience on that." Ishige said. "I apologize for questioning your tactics, especially when amongst us, you have always been the better tactician."
Silence filled the air, and in her mind Yuriko cannot help but question if the lives of the many that were placed in jeopardy was really necessary.
Takuya slowly opened his eyes. At first, all he could see were blurred shapes but soon his eyesight began to focus and he was able to see things more clearly. And it was then that he realized he was not at a place that he could recognize.
"W-where… am I?" He asked as he sat up touching his head as he did as he still felt lightheaded.
"I see that you've finally regained consciousness… certainly took you a long time, boy." Daichi said as he handed him a glass of water.
Takuya looked at him quizzically, but thanked him for the water nonetheless. Soon after drinking the glass empty, he asked, "Who are you? And where am I?"
"You can call me Daichi, and you are in my small abode in the island where people who runs away from the Empire of Frontiria currently resides… of course, by people I mean you, me, and young Lady Izumi."
"Izumi! Where is she? Is she safe? Is she alright?" Takuya fired his question one after another. "And what do you mean Empire?"
"Hold your horses, that's too many questions to answer in such a hurried manner for an old man like me." Daichi said with a light chuckle. "But yes, she is fine. She's currently running an errand for me up in the mountains. As for your question regarding the Empire, the Kingdom of Frontiria no longer exists. The King hailed himself as the Emperor of all the lands he had conquered which now belongs to Frontiria, thus, the birth of the Empire of Frontiria."
"Are you serious about that?!" Exclaimed Takuya that caused his head to hurt. "What about the Organization? Are they still fighting?"
"You asked the same question as Izumi did. Unfortunately I know next to nothing about this Organization that you speak of, although I know there is a group of rebels fighting against the super-charged army of the Emperor."
Takuya could not help but clench his fist in anger. "We should not be here hiding. We should be out there fighting along side our friends. Darn it!"
"And what can you possibly do to help them in the condition you are in?" the old man asked. "Have you perhaps thought that this is a war that you and the young lady are not supposed to be a part of?"
"I'm sorry, sir. But it's more complicated than just that. I know for a fact that where we're supposed to be is by our friends' side fighting along side them. That's where our destiny lies." Takuya replied.
"Let me tell you a bit of an advice regarding destinies, Takuya." Daichi said. "You have more than one… everyone has more than one destiny."
This confused Takuya, but before he could clarify Daichi's words with him, he heard Izumi's voice and next thing he knew he was lying on his bed with Izumi's arms wrapped around his neck and her on top of him hugging him tightly.
"I-Izumi!"
"Takuya! I'm so glad you're finally awake! You had me so worried… I thought… I thought…" she sniffed.
"I'm fine, Izumi. I was more worried about you. You have been unconscious far longer than I have been." Takuya said with his usual grin plastered on his face as he wiped Izumi's tears away.
"Well, this certainly looks like one happy reunion." Daichi smiled at them.
Izumi nodded and thanked the old man yet again for watching over Takuya.
Daichi, however, knew that there were far more pressing matters to discuss. And what his eyes saw on Takuya's marking on his back only proved that his fears are coming to a realization. The wheel has indeed turned yet again.
The question now was, how was he going to tell them about it? Certainly they would be wary of him should he mention anything regarding Chosen Ones. They would probably question who he is and how he knows of such things which would only complicate things.
Once again the wind blew and the inaudible whisper found its way into Daichi's ear that made him lose fear of what could happen on the upcoming conversation.
"I am sorry that I have to cut your happy reunion short, my young friends but we do not have much time left." Daichi spoke. "There is something that both of you need to know."
"Is this something concerning the Empire?" Izumi was the one who asked.
"Yes, and no." Came the reply. "Come with me and listen to what I have to say as we go." And he walked out of the house.
Takuya looked at Izumi who returned his gaze with one that was also filled with confusion. They did not, however, dilly dallied for by the look on Daichi's face, it was something serious and important. And with that, Izumi helped Takuya up and guided him as he walked.
Daichi led them through a narrow pathway in the forest and up granite steps into what seemed to be a remains of a building of old – a ruin.
"Where are we? What is this place?" Takuya asked.
"This is all that remains of the Temple of the Dragon Gods." Daichi answered. "This used to be a holy land, you see. This temple was built to honor the Dragon Gods who helped shape the future of Frontiria. King Felius, the first King of Frontiria was granted a power by the Dragon Gods so that he could rule justly and with make a prosperous kingdom for the people."
"I've read about him while I was studying," Izumi said. "He was a great king who managed to expand the territory of the Kingdom and at the same time keep the people happy."
"Yes, Felius was a great King, the greatest of all the Kings of Old and not because he founded the Kingdom but because of how he ruled. He was greatly loved by the people." Daichi went on. "But then, the future that the Dragon Gods have planned for Frontiria changed drastically as successor after successor to the King became more and more power hungry, forgetting the oath that they have made to the Dragon Gods and to their people. Wishing for nothing more but power and the riches of the world."
Takuya and Izumi kept quiet as they wondered where this was all going.
"When the Dragon Gods saw what the Kings have become, they became enraged and with their rage they destroyed the orbs that they gave to Felius and his bloodline, cursing them that forever they will be unable to wield this power. Felius, of course, have long been dead at that time and the ruling King, Luca swore revenge on the Dragon Gods for taking his power away from him. This of course caused the Dragon Gods to get infuriated even more that they sealed Luca's soul into oblivion when he died."
"But isn't King Luca only found in legends? He did not really exist, did he?" Takuya asked. "All this things are but stuff of legends."
"Legends have truth in them, my boy. And this is by far something that truly happened in the Age of Old." Daichi replied. "What's more, when the orbs were broken and destroyed, the essence of the Dragons which was locked in them as the source of their power was set free. This troubled the Dragon Gods for they knew what kind of power would mean to those with evil intent and to humans who could not control their earthly desire for power."
"So what happened then?" They had once again began to walk, this time entering the ruins and into a dark corridor.
"The Dragon Gods decided to make a counter measure. They created an ancient relic with such immense power and inoperable by human hands." Daichi replied as they went down a staircase then down another one and another. As they did, both Izumi and Takuya feared that the establishment would collapse any minute now. "They needed a way to ensure that not just anyone would be capable of obtaining the power of the essence. In their quest in search for a counter measure, they came across humans who they found hope on, and thus they built the relic known to my kin and myself as the Gates of Gaia."
"Gates of Gaia? I've never heard of it? Have you, Izumi?" Takuya asked.
"No, I haven't nor have I read anything about it." She replied.
"Of course you would not have known of it. No human was to know, at least, no human alive should know about it." Daichi said. "However, someone corrupted one of the Dragon Gods causing him to leave a trace of the Gates of Gaia behind. That someone was Luca."
"But you said that the Dragon Gods sealed him in oblivion, how can King Luca be the one responsible for the treachery of one of the Dragon Gods?" Izumi asked.
"The Dark Dragon was the only one amongst the Dragon kin who turned evil and sided with Luca. Luca, as it seems, gained tremendous amounts of power while he was still alive. Enough to allow evil energy to build up and release him from the confinements of oblivion." Daichi explained. "Of course, when the other Dragon Gods learned of it, it was far too late. But the Gates of Gaia had been finished by then, and they set their plan into action. They chose humans that are related by blood to those that they had met who holds the light of hope in them and ever so often, one from their bloodline would be born with the power to control a Dragon's Essence. This is where the Chosen Ones were born."
The revelation came as a surprise to both Takuya and Izumi.
"Are you saying that the Chosen Ones of old are like ancestors then to the chosen ones of every generation?" Takuya asked not hiding his surprise.
"Related by blood, yes. You can call it a special ability that is imbued on their bloodline." Daichi replied. "And another thing, there is no need to hide your identities. The mark of a Chosen One is on your body, you cannot hide the fact that you both are chosen ones to me."
This surprised Takuya and Izumi even more. Now they realize why Daichi was telling them all this.
"Who are you really, old man?" Takuya asked, ready to attack should the old man prove to be an enemy rather than an ally.
They have stopped walking by then, and faced a large circular object floating in midair. This object was made entirely of concrete.
"I am known by many names. One of which is Daichi, Keeper of Knowledge. But my kinsmen know me by another name: Valthoria, Lord of the Dragon Gods and this is the Dragon Island, home of the Dragon Gods."
"You've got to be kidding me!" exclaimed Takuya. "You can't be a Dragon God, you look just like a normal human being!"
"Have you never heard of metamorphosis?" Daichi asked. "We Dragons were blessed with such ability. You can even ask Kaizen about it, Izumi."
"H-how did you know about Kaizen?" Izumi asked, surprise that he even knew the name of her Spirit Guardian.
"I know everything about them, I am not called the Keeper of Knowledge if I didn't." He replied. "And in front of us is the Gates of Gaia, the last resort that we Dragon Gods used. A tactic we believed was fool proof, only to have that belief crash down on us."
"This is a bit too much. All these stuff about legends being true, and about Dragon Gods and this gate. What does all of this have to do with us apart from us being Chosen Ones, then?"
"It has a lot to do with you, because you are connected to what happened 17 years ago." Daichi replied. "Both of you are connected to all of this just as Hiroaki Kanbara and Ishige Orimoto are."
"Father?!" both exclaimed in unison.
"There is a lot that I need to tell you before my time runs out and I have to return to Avalon." Daichi said. "Things about your fathers, about the Emperor of Frontiria, about Flayhme your Spirit Guardian and about your brother, Takuya."
"M-my… brother…?" Takuya's eyes widened and he clenched his fist as he remembered how his father had came to tell him that his older brother, Shinya, had died on an expedition. "Are you going to tell me how he died then?"
Daichi closed his eyes. "No, I will however tell you that he is still alive… very much alive."
To be continued…
Post Author's Notes:
And before anyone says that Shinya is Takuya's younger brother, hold your horses because I know that and I chose not to follow that in this fanfic (this fanfic being AU and all). Anyways, this is the start of the second to the final arc of the story.
As you have read, revelations are being made one after another just as a new set of questions are resurfacing.
What are Katsuharu and the clone plotting?
What does the Organization really stand for and why were they created in the first place?
How deep has King Luca of Frontiria had plotted against the Dragon Gods and how far has that plot been put into action?
What will Valthoria/Daichi tell our heroes?
And what of Shinya and Flayhme?
All of these questions will be answered in the succeeding chapters, plus a lot more surprises in too.
Anyways, I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. Keep a look out on updates on the fanfic and on my deviant account as well. Also, I have now begun making the website for the game so keep your eyes and ears peeled for news on that matter.
Well, that's all for now.
Don't forget to review, okay?
This is Sakura Martinez saying "PEACE" and signing out!
Until next time everybody, take care!
End of Post Author's Notes: