A Digimon Frontier Fanfic

By Sakura Martinez


Author's Notes:

Well, I did say (on my blog) that I would be uploading this chapter before friday and I did! Woot! Can you guys believe that? Lol.

Anyways, I would be trying to update this and CoT:CW on a weekly basis now. Although I have to say that you guys might not get a new chapter next week since I have my 2nd Semester Preliminary exams. Anyways, more on this and other announcements on the Post Author's Notes. Right now you guys just enjoy this new chapter of RotM!

End of Author's Notes


The Rabbit on the Moon

Dawn of Departure


Takuya could not believe what he was hearing and neither could Izumi. All those things that Daichi, no, that Valthoria had told them were impossible, yet, what could this old man gain from lying to them about it?

Takuya could not help but see how all that Valthoria had told them fits in to the explanation of how his father had suddenly changed. He could also not help but remember the many times that he had been compared with his father and had been told to make sure not to make the same mistake as he did – he did not understand what they had meant then, but now, it somehow makes more sense.

"You can't be seriously telling us that all of what you say is true." Izumi was the one who spoke up first after the great revelation. "There is just no way that my father or Takuya's father for that matter could have been here before."

"I have nothing to gain from both of you by lying." Valthoria told them. "I simply told you the accounts of what had happened on this very island several years ago. I had simply told you the truth."

"I don't understand," Takuya said. "you say that Chosen Ones are descendants from the first group of people whom you and your kin have chosen to hold your powers. If that's so, how come our parents act as if they knew nothing of the matter? Surely they would have said something to us about all of this before. Besides, why tell this to us now? What good will it do to tell us all of this now?"

"I cannot answer on behalf of your family as why they would hide the truth of your ancestry. They would, without a doubt however, have reasons behind their actions that may not make sense to anyone but themselves at the moment. However, if there is something that I have learned from humans, it is that everything will be revealed in time." Valthoria answered calmly. "As for your other question, would it not be better to know now than to be shock later when you battle against your brother, Takuya? He may not be as lenient as he was before when you were still a captive of your father right after being captured and held for treason when you saved Izumi's life. Also, I believe that his true colors would resurface now, he is beginning to regain his memories of himself rather than of being another 'you'."

"What do you mean by that? Are you telling me that I have met my brother before?" Takuya asked, his head was already spinning from all the informationn he has learned. "I think I would have recognized Shinya."

It was then that Takuya realized that he had indeed seen his brother. He remembered that masked man who led the Black Knights into capturing him whilst he was on the train back to the Academy. He remembered the man who led his torture as he was chained and captured in Ardelhyde Castle. It was then that he added to his previous statement, "You can't mean... that masked man?"

Valthoria nodded. "Yes. After being forced to inhabit a Knight Suit, your father found a way for your brother, Shinya's body to be remade. It was all thanks to the Dragon God of Darkness that the contraption which managed to drain or should I say, 'extract' your powers and the powers of your friends came into being. Not only that, Takuya, but because of this, your brother had been posing as you in the form of your so-called Clone."

"I don't understand." Izumi said. "The Clone said that he was born from what was extracted off Takuya, that he was an exact replica. How can you say that he is in fact Shinya?"

"Like I have said, it is all thanks to the powers of the Dragon God of Darkness, Aster." Valthoria answered, his voice sounded weary. "It is true that he, as a clone, was born from the Ancient Power taken from Takuya, which used to be his own power. But since he, as Shinya, can no longer wield the Power of Fire, they had to resort to other means. By taking on Takuya's personality, his memory, and even his life, he was able to fool the spirit of the Dragon God of Flame, Melto and was able to control that power which he had lost. Of course, for the power to return to him, he must obtain it first. And he has done so by taking Takuya's eye – which was the center of his power, the place where descendants of Melto's Chosen store their powers, and consume it."

At this, Takuya instinctively touched his right eye. It was then that he thought that if this so-called Lord of the Dragon Gods knew so much, then maybe he could answer one question that had been nagging on his mind for a while now. And so, without hesitation Takuya asked, "Tell me then, Lord Valthoria, what happened to Flayhme? How come I can no longer communicate nor see him even in the dream world and instead of him I see a fearsome creature whenever I try?"

Valthoria remained silent for a while as if to contemplate on what to answer to the young man's query. The silence that filled the large room with the Gates of Gaia made Izumi uneasy and Takuya restless.

A sigh escaped Valthoria's lips before he replied. "When your brother... or should I say, the Clone... attacked you on your way to Shore and consumed your eye and most of your awakened power along it, he was in a way reunited with what was truly his – his power as a Chosen One. With that power, and in every passing day that he learns to control it again, he is also regaining his status as a Chosen One, while you lose yours. And because of that, the Spirit Guardian, which is tasked to protect and to teach a Chosen One – in this case, Flayhme – was reunited with Shinya."

Valthoria took a while to stop and let the information sink in to the two youths before he went on. "A Spirit Guardian, which is the embodiment of the past Chosen Ones who had been tasked to aide the new generation of Chosen Ones, takes their form base on the Chosen One's heart. If the Chosen One's heart is inclined to light then the Spirit Guardian would manifest itself in a form that is holy by nature however, if the Chosen One's heart has been engulfed by evil, then the Spirit Guardian would then manifest itself as an atrocity. The visions or dreams of a monster that you have been seeing is Flayhme who is perhaps trying to convey a message to you, Takuya."

Takuya was shocked to learn of what happened to his Guardian and friend. What's more, from what he could understand from Valthoria, that would also mean that he was no longer a Chosen One.

"Are you saying then, Lord Valthoria, that Takuya is no longer a Chosen One?" Izumi asked as if to confirm what she also could deduce from what the Lord of the Dragon Gods had said.

"He was not a Chosen One to begin with." Was Valthoria's answer. "He only became a Chosen One since he was Shinya's brother and the power must continue to be passed down through the ages of a bloodline. But, to answer your question, then yes, he is no longer a Chosen One. However, since the Clone or Shinya was only able to take Takuya's awakened power as a Chosen One, the dormant power lying inside Takuya that is now beginning to resurface is allowing him to retain his abilities as a Chosen One."

"It sure does explain a lot of things, but at the same time, it complicates things even further." Izumi said, sadness evident in her eyes. "But why take us here? You could have told this to us down at your hut."

"Would you have believed me without this place as proof?" Valthoria replied, then added. "Not only that, but also because like his father and brother before him, Takuya needs to make a choice. Like your father, Hiroaki and your brother, Shinya before you, I am also going to allow you to still change your destiny."

"Wait, what are you saying? Why must Takuya chose? I can't allow you to ask Takuya to choose between two things where the consequences are far too much for him to bear." Izumi asked, she was not about to lose Takuya the same way that his father had lost his friend.

Valthoria merely looked at Izumi, then turned to face Takuya as if he had not heard her speak. "Takuya Kanbara, I ask you to make a choice. For you to be standing at the very exact place as your father and brother before you is no coincidence but an inevitability. I ask that you choose: Will you concede what remains of your power or will you choose to hold on to it?"

Izumi looked at Takuya, he had a pained look on his face. And who wouldn't after hearing such startling revelations? At first, they had thought that the Clone, his father and the King were doing this for nothing but their own selfish desires – that there was no other story behind it. But now, things were a lot different. The Clone which had introduced itself as another Takuya was in fact Takuya's older brother, Shinya Kanbara; Hiroaki Kanbara, Takuya's father, was at first forced to do the evil bidings of the Dragon God of Darkness and of the King, Luca, in order to save Shinya's life until he was consumed by his own dark desires; What's more, it was now revealed to them that Takuya's mother, whom he had believed to be dead, was alive and that their family had known each other farther than they had thought.

Izumi could also add the revelation about Flayhme into the mix. Takuya had not only lost a partner and a guardian but also a friend and now he may be forced into fighting his family. Izumi could not help but wish that there was something she could do for the young man whom she loves. She could also not help but wonder what Takuya's choice would be and what the consequences would entail his choice.

"What...what exactly am I choosing?" Takuya asked, his voice rather rasp.

Valthoria turned around to look at the Gates of Gaia before he answered. "Takuya, you are not a Chosen One but you have the powers and abilities of one. Although this power is weak compared to the rest of the Chosen Ones it is still powerful. Because of your abilities – those which you should not possess, you are at the moment still labeled as Melto's Chosen but at the very same time, Shinya also has the same power although his is much stronger than yours and he is also labeled as Melto's Chosen. This is causing an imbalance in the world that could ultimately lead into the resurrection of the evil king, Luca and the world's destruction there after. The only way to stop it is for you to concede your powers to your older brother. However, should you choose to do so, it will exponentially increase the power of the Empire and they will ultimately gain what it is that they so desire. Many lives will be lost but the resurrection of Luca and the world's destruction could be held off but there is also a slim chance that Luca will be resurrected much sooner if you choose to concede. In other words, Takuya, what you are choosing is the future of the world."

"This has to be a joke!" Takuya said, gripping his fist in anger. "How could you make someone like me hold the fate of the world? I do not find that fair to the world and its denizens!"

"But that is the way of the world, Takuya. That is the inevitability as desired by the flow of time." Valthoria said as he turned to face the angry young man. "You are the one who can make a difference now. Your choice may seem like a small ripple but it could turn into a powerful tide that could wipe the entire world at the same time it would seem like a powerful tide that could rip the world apart but in reality could hold no influence at all. I cannot offer you any other choice nor can I offer that choice to anyone else."

"Why? You're supposed to be the Lord of the Dragon Gods, right?" Takuya asked, shouting in the process. "Can't you summon the other Dragon Gods and put an end to all of this? You have done it before, you can seal the Dragon God of Darkness and that King Luca once again."

Silence before Valthoria replied, "All the other Dragon Gods... they are all dead now."

"What? That can't be right. How can such powerful beings die? Aren't you all suppose to be immortals?" Izumi asked.

"Yes. Immortals by choice." Replied Valthoria then he went on to say, "And just as we chose to be immortals, we can also choose to be mortals. My kinsmen too made a choice. They chose to remain in their human forms and to go on living as mortals when they passed on their powers. They believed strongly in what humans are capable of – creating their own future. They, as I have, also believed that those who would possess their powers would use if for good rather than evil intentions."

"I...see." Izumi said as she saw how hard it was for Valthoria to talk about them. "I'm sorry to have brought that up."

"There is no need to apologize, Izumi." Valthoria said with a sad smile, then he faced towards Takuya and asked. "What would be your choice then, Takuya Kanbara? Would you concede or would you continue to take hold of that power?"

Takuya looked from Izumi to Valthoria then closed his eyes. He could not believe that this was all real. After all, it was only in books that he had read of a single person being given a choice that could affect the future of the whole world. Choosing for himself was hard enough, but to choose on behalf of the whole world... it was far harder.

And so, Takuya's reply was the reply hat he could think of at the moment. "Do I have to choose now?"

"I was hoping you would ask that." Valthoria said with a smile. "You would not need to choose right away and it is not to me whom you would be giving your answer to as well. The time to choose is nearing, however, and when that time comes you must be able to give your answer with conviction."

Takuya nodded. Izumi noticed how serious Takuya looked as he asked Valthoria his question and had accepted the answer given to him. Aftter their conversation, Valthoria took them all down to the hut where he allowed both Izumi and Takuya to rest as he went on with his business as if nothing had ever happened.

As they were alone, Izumi could not help but sigh.

"Izumi, is there something wrong?" Takuya asked the moment that the sigh escaped Izumi's lips.

"Nothing really... It's just that we have gotten ourselves in a far deeper hole than I could ever have imagined." She replied as she let her head rest on Takuya's shoulder. "A year ago, all I ever really wanted was to remember who that boy in my dreams was. But, look where that brought me."

"It brought you with together with the very same person whom you were looking for." Takuya replied while laughing, then he said. "A year ago, all I ever hoped for was to remember a promise that seemed so important and, of course, to get by the Academy and become a full-pledged Knight. Then look at what happened, I got into an unbelievable assignment with the daughter of the man who my father abhors, got chased by thieves, busted the daughter of my father's rival as well as another Chosen One out of prison, got arrested and thrown into prison where I was tortured for rescuing them and was even labeled as a traitor to the kingdom, had to lay low for a long time pretending I was dead, got dragged all around the world thanks to the Organization when I was secretly protecting the woman that I have fallen in-love with, got my right out ripped out and eaten by a clone who really happens to be my older brother, lost most of my power which now I know did not really belong to me to begin with, had to be left behind while my friends went to rescue an old friend of mine, had to brave through the waters by myself following them, was almost killed by a psychotic woman who wants to be with me, almost fell to my death after that, had to be interrogated by my father's rival who obviously did not trust me, was worried sick when the woman I love fell into a very, very long sleep, had to brave the great storm and the ocean once again as I escaped with that very same woman on a boat which the Organization greatly hails as a technological advancement only to get stranded on this bizarre island where I learn that everything I know was a lie... how's that for unexpected twists."

"You didn't have to bring all those things up, you know." Izumi said in which Takuya merely laughed as if he had no worries or cares in the world. "Wait a second, what did you say about my father interrogating you?"

"I may have over-stated that." Takuya said with a grin, "He was always there watching whenever I was with you when you were sleeping. And he kept on and on about not trusting me entirely. Anyways, that's besides the point. I just can't help but wonder why I always get the short end of the stick."

"I'm sorry." Izumi suddenly apologized. "I know I shouldn't act like I have more problems than you do at the moment, but still... If my father had done a better job of stopping your father and Shinya, then maybe none of this would have happened."

"I was only joking when I said those things, I did not mean to blame you or anyone for them." Takuya said worried that he might have let his big mouth talk and talk once again without thinking and ended up hurting Izumi's feelings. "Besides, you have every right to feel that way. You shouldn't apologize for what your father may have done or failed to do. It isn't your family's fault. Besides, I don't regret how things turned out. If none of these things happened then who knows if we would have ever met again. Not only that, but another good thing is that I've learned that my mother is still alive."

Izumi could not help but smile at this. "You certainly are something. You know, when I finally realized who you really were and remembered those things that I have forgotten... or should I say, was sealed from memories... All I had then wished for was for us to be together."

Takuya grinned at what Izumi had just said and gave her a small peck on the lips. "Don't worry about it. No matter what happens we will be together. I won't let anything happen to you and I promise I won't do anything reckless that could get me killed."

Izumi smiled. She could not help but continue to compare how different Takuya was with his brother – or at least, the Shinya she knew as a Clone. Then she asked, "Do you think that now with your brother's memories of himself returning that he would stop chasing after me? It's kind of weird to think of your brother still continuing his so-called 'hunt'."

"Not for the same reasons as before." Takuya replied, a hint of seriousness in his voice. "As long as they still do not have your extracted power, I'm sure he will come after us again and again. Try as he may, though, I won't let him get what he and the Emperor wants."

"Does that mean that you're not planning on surrendering your powers?" Izumi asked as their conversation suddenly turned serious.

"I still don't know what path I would choose." Takuya replied with all honesty. "I don't think anyone could make such a decision... and I don't want to be reckless about it as well. All I am saying is that with or without my powers as a Chosen One, I will do everything I can to make sure that they won't lay a single finger on you much more harm you."

Izumi smiled and gave Takuya a hug as she whispered the words 'Thank You' to him.

"Your majesty, it's almost time." He said.

"Are you worried?" Came the reply of the noble.

"I would be lying if I say I wasn't." Was the answer. "There is no turning back, I know that. However, I cannot help but feel regret."

"Darkness feeds on regret." the noble said. "It can take hold of anyone at any moment. You should learn to remember that."

"Yes, of course."

"We don't have much of a choice now, Commander." Kouji said as soon as night fell and he was left with Commander Orimoto to guard him on his study. "The forces of the empire are getting stronger everyday. It won't take long now before we are no match for them..."

"Yes, I understand your concerns, Lord Kouji." the Commander said. "However, I cannot agree to your proposal. It is much to risky."

"Then what are we suppose to do? Our numbers are few and are weak from all the fighting. Not only that but from where we stand it would only take a matter of days before everyone's morale is extinguished."

"That is why I told you not to concern yourself with the upcoming battle."

"And that is what I do not understand most of all, Commander." Kouji continued on. "The upcoming battle is perhaps one of the most significant battles we have to fight in this war. Why must I not concern myself with it?"

"That is because I already have made the proper arrangements for it." the Commander finally gave in his reply. "Everything has already been set Kouji, but this one battle is the one battle that neither you nor the other Chosen Ones need not to participate in."

"Why? How could anything or anyone else besides us withstand those powered up knights that they've been using?" Kouji continued on with his questions.

"That is perhaps something that I cannot discuss with you any further." The Commander replied. "Just rest assured, Vice Commander, everything will turn out fine in this battle. Now, you should rest."

"But--!"

"That is an order, Vice Commander." Ishige Orimoto's voice suddenly became stern and at once, Kouji knew that it was pointless to debate the matter further. And so, with one final sigh, Kouji excused himself from his superior.

The moment that Kouji stepped out of the room, Ishige could not help but let out a sigh. He was exhausted and he knew that what was about to come next would not be as easy as anyone could possibly hope.

"Are you really sure about all of this?" Came General Kimura's voice as he suddenly appeared out of nowhere to stand before the Commander. "What you are planning, Ishige is much too dangerous. There has to be another way that we can think of."

"There is no other way, Kouta... at least, right now." Ishige replied not seemingly surprised nor disturbed by Kouta Kimura's sudden appearance in the room. "This way, I can finally understand why it is that we are both different from the rest of our ancestors."

"Then I can deduce that Valthoria did not say anything about that matter?" Kouta asked as he sat down on the chair overlooking the eastern window.

"Nothing about that. Although he did tell me that both Izumi and Takuya are safe in his care... for the time being at least." Ishige answered as he too sat down on the chair adjacent to the one that Lord Kouta was using. "What's more, it appears that we can no longer hide behind our lies."

"Ah, so then they both know of the truth already?" A nod from Ishige Orimoto was the answer. And Kouta added another query. "What about Yuriko? Does she know that her son knows the truth that his mother is still alive?"

"I have not yet sent word to her about what Valthoria said." the Commander replied. "However, just because Takuya knows of his mother being alive does not mean that Valthoria told him who exactly his mother is. But I can imagine how we both would need to explain ourselves to them once they have returned... or at least, should we ever see them again."

"It would appear that you have lost some of your dislike for the boy, Ishige." Kouta said with a small chuckle.

"I have not. I still do not believe that he is any different from his father... or his brother for that matter." Ishige replied with all honesty, however, his voice did not held any sound of displeasure at the mention of Takuya. "I will ultimately change my perception of him when he makes his choice. Whether it would be for the better or not will be dependent on his actions still."

"I suppose that that is one more reason why we should come back in one piece." Kouta said.

And Ishige could not agree more.

Valthoria sighed as he looked away from the Gates of Gaia after sending both Izumi and Takuya back to the hut and after talking with the older Orimoto. He could feel his powers wavering and his hold on everything that has been happening beginning to falter. He knew that time has caused him to grow weak and it is also with time that his enemy has been gaining strength. Because of that, he knew that they would all have to hurry.

A sad look was planted on his face as he took one final look at the Gates of Gaia – the same artifact that had caused so many troubles, griefs, and dangers to the world for as long as he could remember.

"Do you all still believe that your choice was the right one, my friends?" He asked, whispering his question to the wind but knowing that no matter how hard he would try, he would never hear them answer. "I am beginning to think that the choice I had made wasn't."

And with that, Valthoria walked out of the room which he once again sealed with his power and went on his way back down to the hut. He knew that they no longer have time and he hoped that Takuya and Izumi had both rested enough...

"After all, there is one final thing that I must teach them of."


To be Continued...


Post Author's Notes:

Well, this isn't the longest chapter I have written but it's enough to close act as and ending to the two-part revelation chapter (this chapter and the previous one). Anyhow, like I've said, I won't be able to update next week thanks to our exams (yes, we have our preliminary exams next week whereas most of you are probably off enjoying your vacations we (over here) are only just starting a new term, lol) however, because of that I would (probably) be releasing a two chapters the week after next week not only for this fanfic but for the Chronicles of Time: Cyber World fanfic as well.

On another note, I have also went on ahead and put up a site where updates regarding the Development Team and other matters are discussed (it's the blog that I have mentioned in the above Author's Notes), the link to which could be found on my profile as I have updated the homepage link. Also there is a BBS that you guys can join in (just made that one a couple of days ago) so feel free to join. Those who want to be a part of the Development Team whether as a VA (Voice Actor/Actress), Spriter, Mapper, Scripter, or even Game Testers are also welcome to join in the said Forums (which link could be found in the blog).

That's about all for now. Until next time, this is Sakura Martinez saying "PEACE" and signing out! Hope I see you guys hanging around in the VIS Forums and also, don't forget to review, ne? Ja ne!

End of Post Author's Notes