A Digimon Frontier Fanfic

By Sakura Martinez


Author's Notes:

Well, it's Friday, and as promised here is another chapter for this fanfic.

Be forewarned though, this chapter is short but it is full of well, interesting things. Don't want to spoil everyone by enumerating what those are.

Anyways, as much as I don't want to place any spoilers here, I do not wish to make you guys wait any longer. So, happy reading! Hope you guys like this.

End of Author's Notes


The Rabbit on the Moon

Guilt, Duty, and...


Kouji panted as he shot awake, feeling a sudden pain in his chest as if crushing him. Sweat had formed in his brows and his body. For him it felt like he had just woken up from a horrid nightmare. He was shaking and he didn't even know why.

The sun had only begun to rise painting the sky in a mixture of violet, red and orange. This was the first time Kouji had woken up like he did and in his heart he felt something was wrong but he did not know what it was. He thought about speaking with his Spirit Guardian but decided against it as he remembered how Lumen, his Spirit Guardian, had scolded him for waking him up for nothing.

He had tried to fall back to sleep but when after several attempts he failed to do so, he simply sat up and decided to walk around the small house in the Fort Town of Deo where they have situated their small albeit cozy base.

Standing up and scanning the room, he saw Kouichi sleepy peacefully in his side of the room. After walking as silently as he could so as to not to wake his twin brother, Kouji silently slid the door open and went out of the room, closing the door as gently as possible as he knew how easily Kouichi could wake up and he did not want to see him like this.

He didn't really know where he should be going to try and calm his still frantically beating heart, and so, he decided to just let his feet carry him wherever it may decide to go. That had always helped him calm down during those days when he was still the Vice Commander of the East serving under Lord Ishige Orimoto, Commander of the Knight's Eastern Corps. Now, however, he is Lord Kouji Minamoto, Light's Chosen One – a big title, his responsibility he is still unsure of.

He soon found himself in the small orchard situated at the back of the house. There really wasn't anything worth noting in the said orchard for it was as simple as one could imagine it to be. Kouji was about to sit down on one of the concrete benches there when all of a sudden Lord Ishige Orimoto came crashing down surprising the heck out of Kouji.

"L-Lord Ishige!?" Kouji said surprised. Then, he ran towards the man whom he still views as his superior and asked, "Lord Ishige, are you alright? What happened?"

"I guess I forgot how to do the landing well." Ishige managed to say, pain etched on his face as he spoke.

"Landing? What are you talking about, sir?" Then, he realized that Lord Orimoto was pretty badly injured and so, mustering all the strength he could get from his body, Kouji then lifted Commander Orimoto off the ground and helped him walk to where the infirmary was located saying, "Hold on sir, I'll take you to the infirmary."

All Ishige Orimoto could say before he passed out was a word of thanks to the young man.

Everyone was pretty worried when word spread of Lord Orimoto being taken to the infirmary. What's more, when everyone could not find the General Kimura, their worry even grew a thousand fold. No one perhaps in that house, was more worried of the Commander and General than Kouji, Kouichi and Yuriko, the Leader of the Organization.

"Have they searched through the whole perimeter of the city?" Yuriko asked Kouichi when the young man entered the room where Ishige Orimoto had been placed under watch to report.

Kouichi nodded, he was worried for his Grandfather's sake. "Yes, and still there is no sign of Grandfather or of any members of the Empire's army... or even any kind of struggle that can give us a hint as to what happened to him."

"Even in the above floors, there were no sign of struggle that can point out who tried to push Lord Orimoto, as well." Kouji said, looking at the man who was still knocked out cold.

"That's because he wasn't pushed, Kouji." Yuriko said. "Lord Ishige is not that weak to allow someone to push him off a building. What's more, he could easily survive a fall without a scratch."

The words of the Leader surprised the two young man with her at the room.

"What do you mean?" Kouji asked. "How can you say that?"

"He's Izumi's father. Head of the Orimoto house." Was Yuriko's reply which did not help ease the confusion in Kouji's mind. Then the Leader assured her that they should focus their attention on finding the General instead as the Commander was practically safe from any imminent danger. "He's stronger than he looks. If Izumi was here I believe she could testify to this."

"But--!" Kouji was about to argue.

"General Kouta Kimura is also your Grandfather, Kouji." Yuriko said, her voice telling them that she had had enough of the discussion revolving around the Commander. "You should be more worried of him than of the Commander."

Kouji had learned that it was better to listen to the Leader for she knew a lot of things that they did not know about, and so, he apologized and then went to help Kouichi search for their still missing Grandfather, not knowing that they were never to find the old man in the city again.

Once she was alone in the room with her old friend, Yuriko let out a tired sigh.

"I should have figured out that you would do something reckless, Ishige." Yuriko said after a while as she sat down on the chair watching over the unconscious man. "You should have said something... I could have helped you..."

"What could have you done to help us then, Yuriko?" Ishige replied, his voice musky as he slowly opened his eyes. "It wouldn't have made any difference..."

"Ishige, you're alright!" Exclaimed Yuriko as she ran to her friend's bedside.

"I wish I could say the same thing." The Commander said, his eyes filled with sadness and despair. "I'm sorry to have made you and everyone worry about me yet again."

Yuriko shook her head. "I've grown accustomed to that since we were young whenever you and Hiroaki would venture off doing those dangerous dares that the other kids would be placing on you two."

Ishige let out a soft laugh before the light in his eyes vanished yet again and sadness took over. "I'm sorry... I couldn't do anything to stop Hiroaki..."

"What... happened?" Yuriko asked. She felt that she would not like what Ishige was about to say, and yet, at the same time, she feels like she has to know. After all, it was her husband they were talking about.

Ishige closed his eyes and took a deep breath. After which, he told Yuriko everything that has happened. From receiving the letter of challenge from Hiroaki to discussing his plans with General Kimura. From their journey to the meeting place up to meeting face to face with Hiroaki where in Ishige also mentioned how different Hiroaki now looked earning a sad look from Yuriko.

Ishige then went on to tell her about the battle and the conclusion of which he lost his best friend to the Dragon God of Darkness and also lost his mentor who chose to stay behind and sacrifice himself in order to protect his student and friend.

When Ishige was finished with his tale, he was crying and so was Yuriko and he kept on saying how sorry he was.

"If only I was stronger still... this wouldn't have happened." Ishige said, tears falling down his face. It had been a while since he last cried but he didn't feel ashamed of crying right now. "I was powerless to save my friend and my powerlessness is what get Lord Kouta killed..."

"It isn't your fault, Ishige." Yuriko said as she hugged him. "You did everything you could. You shouldn't beat yourself up. Lord Kouta decided to give up his life in order to save you and I don't think he did it so that you can blame yourself for his death and for Hiroaki's deminse. He did it because he has faith in you and in what you can still accomplish. You must not let his sacrifice be in vain."

"I'm... so sorry." Ishige apologized yet again. "I'm very, very sorry for everything...."

The ground shook with the force of the explosion despite the fact that it was pretty far from where they were. But even if they were farther still and the force of the explosion did not reach them, it would be next to impossible not to feel the distortion it had created.

"Are you sure you are okay with all of this?" Katsuharu asked, his eyes lingering on the back of the person whom he was talking to.

"Even if it isn't there's nothing I could have done about it." The Clone replied. "He would no longer listen to reason. Luca and the Dragon God of Darkness has completely corrupted him."

"But he is still your father, Takuya." Katsuharu said then added, "Oh, that's right. You don't like being called with your younger brother's name now."

Shinya shrugged. Despite having regained all of his powers as the Chosen One of Fire he had yet to reclaim his own body as he was still stuck at the body cloned from Takuya, his younger brother.

"How many people know of who I really am, your highness?" Shinya asked, his eyes still gazing at the direction where he had left his father.

"Just the two of us, and my mother, of course." Katsuharu replied. "There's also the old General Kimura, but he's the least of our problems now... and Ishige Orimoto as well as your mother."

Shinya nodded.

"Now, I've kept my end of the bargain, Shinya." Katsuharu went on, taking a step forward as he spoke. "It's your turn to keep your end. I hope you haven't forgotten about our deal."

"I'm not like my father, easily swayed." Shinya replied. "I always stand by my word. But I trust you have prepared for this as well."

Katsuharu nodded then said, "The way you talk about your father, it seems like you don't respect him at all."

Shinya closed his eyes and let the wind blow on his auburn colored hair. Then, he replied, "The man whom you have come to know is not my father. That person is the one whom I do not respect."

"Even though that man was the one who went through all the lengths to bring you back... Huh, you sure do know how to show your gratitude." Katsuharu said having grown accustomed to talking with his companion.

"I did not ask to be brought back... only to be confined in this shell." Shinya replied. "None of this would have happened to both you and I have my father accepted my fate. Luca would still have been imprisoned and the Dragon God of Darkness would not have corrupted this world."

"Hmph. That may be so, but there's nothing we can do about that now." Katsuharu said. "What's important is that we both fulfill our own duties with you fulfilling your promise to me first."

Shinya nodded. "You're right. I almost lost myself in my own darkness for a moment there. Now, let us go. We don't have a moment to lose."

Katsuharu nodded and just before they left the building they were hiding themselves in, Katsuharu stopped Shinya and said, "Don't worry about not being able to control that darkness again. I will make sure that you don't lose yourself as you did before... that is part of the deal, isn't it?"

Shinya looked back at Katsuharu and nodded saying, "Thank you." before they completely left.

The four corners of the fortress was quiet, peaceful even. It was hard to tell that these people from the Empire were in the midst of a war with the rebel Organization. The people guarding the fortress was lax, as if they never feared any attacks from the Organization, perhaps, since they have the power of the enhanced knights on their side.

However, in the midst of the silence two figures began to make their way into one of the towers in the northern end of the fortress. Their movements were swift, silently taking care of any guards and knights that may notice them – leaving none in their wake.

Despite having to kill off anyone who sees them, they were making quick progress towards the tower where their target was.

"Who would have thought that we would be doing this just in time for the sunrise?" Katsuharu said as they dealt with another pair of guards guarding the staircase with one fell swoop.

"Who would have even thought that you would be the one leading us through all this?" Shinya said as they continued on with their ascension to the tower. "I don't think those guards would have imagined being killed by their own prince."

"Or by their hero." Laughed sadly Katsuharu. "Somehow, I feel sorry for them since they were only caught up in all of this."

"We can't look back now, your highness." Shinya said. "We're almost there."

"Right." Nodded Katsuharu.

And so, on the duo went taking down as many enemies that came their way. In Katsuharu's eyes one can find burning determination at the task at hand. The same could be said of Shinya who wanted to keep his end of the bargain and his promise to his friend as well.

When they got to the top of the tower, they saw that their two other companions – both normal guards working for them, had already dealt with the real guards who were supposed to be guarding the door.

"We've taken care of them, sir." Said one of the guards.

"Well, done." Katsuharu said and then he dismissed the two guards to return to their normal posts and pretend nothing had happened. When the two guards were gone, he then faced Shinya and said, "Well, this is it."

"Are you nervous?" Shinya asked.

"N-no... Of course not!" Katsuharu said.

"If you're worried that there might be a trap waiting for us inside, you shouldn't be." Shinya said as he walked forward and took the handle of the door with his right hand. "If things get out of hand, I'll make sure nothing happens to you. Not only have I thought of you as a means for me to keep hold of my sanity but also as a companion and as a friend."

Katsuharu was surprised to hear Shinya talk the way he did. Never had he showed any emotion or concern to anyone but himself until now. This only proved to Katsuya that Shinya was really fighting his inner demons.

"I see." He smiled. "I am glad you do not think of me as a burden or as simply a duty that you must accomplish. Very well then, let's get this over and done with and get out of this place."

Shinya nodded and with that he opened the door.

"So, where do we go now?" Izumi asked as they took one last look at the house that they had stayed in with Valthoria. "Should we go back to the others? They could use our help."

Takuya continued to look at the house, his mind full of thoughts. He was still confused at what Valthoria had wanted to happen. For him, the old man was still not clear with his wishes. Dis he not want Takuya to make a choice or was he hinting him on what to choose?

"Takuya? Are you listening?" Izumi asked, then he waved a hand in front of Takuya's face but she still earned no replies from him. Sighing, Izumi thought of something to snap him back to reality.

She slapped him. It wasn't hard that would make his cheeks red and leave a palm print but just enough to wake him up from his daze.

"Huh? What?" Takuya asked getting back to his senses. "Were you saying something, Izumi?"

She sighed yet again. Ever since Valthoria parted from them and returned to Avalon, Takuya had been so lost in thought that it was so hard just to talk to him.

"You really should stop spacing out." She said. "It's getting so frustrating."

"S-sorry. I was just... thinking." Takuya replied. "But it isn't that important right now... I think. So, what was it that you were saying?"

Izumi looked at Takuya intently that made Takuya ask if there was something on his face. Izumi shook her head and said, "Takuya, it's not just your problem, okay? We're in this together. Both you and I."

Takuya smiled warmly. It was the first time he had smiled since Valthoria died and Izumi was greatful that he did. Then he said, "Izumi, thank you."

Izumi smiled back, then said, "Now, let me repeat my question for you. Where do we go now? Should we go back to the others?"

Takuya shook his head, his face reverted back to being serious but had the warmth in them that was laking before.

"No, we can't go back for now." Takuya replied. "I promised your father that I would take you as far away from trouble as possible. And that means away from them since they are fighting the Empire. If they lose and we're there, we could end up losing not just the war but you as well."

"Then what are we supposed to do now?" Izumi asked. She did not know that her father had asked that of him. "We can't just stay here."

"You're right." Takuya replied. Izumi noticed that he was hesitating to say something.

"What is it?" Izumi asked.

"It's just that, Valthoria said in his story that my mother is still alive somewhere..." Takuya said as he recalled how Valthoria had narrated to them the truth of what had happened. "...I know this may sound selfish, Izumi... but I want to look for her."

"Then why don't we?" Izumi asked.

"Well, we don't have any leads and I may just be leading us into a wild goose chase." Takuya replied. "I don't want to drag us both around."

"Well, we don't have anything else to do." Izumi said. "I really don't mind, Takuya. Besides, by looking for your mother we'll be moving around very often which would make it hard for the Empire to locate both of us. That's better than staying in this place, even if this place is beautiful."

"A-are you sure about that?" Takuya asked.

"Why do you sound so surprised?" Izumi asked back.

"I'm not." Takuya replied. "It's just that, I thought you would want to take a little break from all these running."

"I'm fine, Takuya." Izumi replied with a smile. "Besides, if we find your mother we could also find a way to save your father. It may seem like a long shot but..."

"But what?"

Izumi turned around and began walking to where they had found the Omni-Craft, fully repaired then said, "Even if the odds are stacked against us in finding your mother, as long as there's a chance that we might discover something we have to pursue it, right? I think Valthoria would have told you that."

Takuya grinned. He felt lucky to have Izumi by his side on such a time as this. With one final look at the small cottage, Takuya whispered, "Good-bye, Valthoria." and ran after Izumi.

As they fired up the engine of the Omni-Craft and finally get off of the island that they had been stranded in. Takuya's thoughts brought him back to Valthoria's final words.

"The path has now been opened, now you must choose how you will travel through it."

"Remember, you humans are capable of so much when you do not take life for granted. Even when the odds are stacked against you, as long as you believe that there is a chance, you have to pursue it...Remember..."

Takuya looked over at Izumi who was standing beside him as he steered the Omni-Craft into flying through the skies and Izumi looked back at him and nooded.

"I will remember your words, Valthoria." Takuya told himself as they made their way to their first destination. The town of Harim.

To be Continued...


Post Author's Notes:

And that concludes the chapter for this week.

The next update would be on Friday next week, same time as well.

Also, thanks to all who reviewed and those who have been checking on my blog for news on the game and the fanfics. I will continue posting there so be sure to keep in touch. Also, if things go as planned, I may release a video of the game on the first week of January. I know, it's still pretty far off but still... that's only if things go as planned. Just check the blog to find out.

Also, feel free to register to the VIS Forums if you still haven't.

That place needs to be populated. Those who want to be a part of the team should join. Same goes for those who just want to talk or whatever.

Anyways, that's all for now.

Until next time, this is Sakura Martinez saying "PEACE", reminding you guys to drop a line (review) and signing out! Take Care, everyone! Ja ne!

End of Post Author's Notes