A Digimon Frontier Fanfic
By Sakura Martinez
Author's Notes:
I know. I know. I am way, waaaaay behind schedule. Work has been nothing but hectic and I had been left with so few a time to write. I can't force myself to write considering that every time I go home, I end up going to bed and resting. *sigh* Life is just way too tough. XD
Anywho, I hope this chapter would be enough to put you all at the edge of your seats. Enjoy!
End of Author's Notes
The Rabbit on the Moon
Reunion At the Doors of Fate
They stood on the shore, ready to board the vessel that would take them to the unnamed island where Kaien had told them would lead them to the final battle.
Kaien could note the look of worry in the faces of these people who now held the fate of the whole world in their hands. It was, of course, normal. Who wouldn't be worried about something like this? Kaien knew that they all believed their mission was only for the Kingdom of Frontiria but now, he had imparted his knowledge and told them that it is much bigger than the Kingdom.
"The time has come for you all to set sail to the place where it all began," He told them, a smile was on his lips. He knew all too well how they must be feeling. "I have told you all I can. Even if I cannot leave this place now, know that I will still try and help you, should the time come that you need help. Milanai feels the same way."
The wind blew around them, carrying leaves from Milanai, as if the giant, sacred tree agrees on what Kaien had said.
The Chosen Ones that were present nodded but did not say a word.
"Was this how we looked like before we faced the final battle?" Kaien could not help but wonder to himself as he chuckled causing everyone to look at his direction with a confused look on their face.
"Sorry," he apologized. "I just can't help but wonder if we looked the same way as you do now before we made our way to face Chaos all those years ago... I can still remember how worried and anxious we all were. If it weren't for what Shinji said, we would have been shaking as we made our way to face the Dark Lord."
"What Shinji said?" Izumi asked, she was curious.
Kaien nodded. "Shinji was always finding ways to bolster everyones confidence. But even that time, he was shaking. He was a descendant of the Goddess, you see. So, Chaos really had it in for him. When I pointed out to him how he was shaking in his boots, he just shouted, "So what?" at me and pointed out that I was shaking too. We all were."
"And here I was thinking that Shinji guy said something worth quoting." Katsuharu said as he shrugged.
"That actually helped us out, you know." Kaien said. "Because we just ended up laughing soon after that. The point is, you're not the only one who has felt fear. That's normal. But you have to take courage and move forward. Just like how all the others before you have done."
Shinya nodded, and so too did the others.
"Well, I have kept you long enough. You should go." Kaien said. Then he moved forward and extended his hand to Shinya. "I am truly glad to have finally met you, Shinya. Although I could have wished it were under better circumstances."
Shinya looked at Kaien's hand and then at Kaien. He nodded and shook Kaien's hand. The moment that he did so, he felt a tingling sensation, as he felt Kaien giving him some of his power. It felt warm and welcoming unlike how he usually feels when he taps into the dark power given to him by Chaos.
Shinya looked at Kaien, his eyes were filled with questions but Shinya saw the look of confidence in Kaien's eyes.
Kaien moved forward, their hands still locked in a handshake, as he whispered to Shinya's ear, "This should help should things get rough...but, you will need the faith and help of the others."
Kaien then let Shinya's hand go, and face the others. He then gave them one final reminder before the group set sail towards the unnamed island.
"Remember, you are not alone. Alone you may be powerful but together...together you can be even greater."
He watched as a number of knights boarded the large vessels that would take them to their destination. There were many of them and he wondered if all of these people are really needed, they were already strong along with those infused with the power extracted from the Chosen Ones, Takuya knew that nothing could possibly stand in their way. Why was there a need to bring so many?
"What's wrong, Takuya?" The Emperor, Seraphim asked as he walked towards him. The Emperor's eyes glowing bloody-red.
"I was just thinking, you're majesty." Takuya replied, his voice held no expression in them.
"Thinking?" An amused tone could he heard from the puppet-Emperor.
Takuya nodded. He still found it strange that the Emperor would be so nice to him as he decided to ask his question. "Why should we take all these men with us? They will only slow us down."
The emperor looked at the knights boarding the vessels and then he replied, "They would prove useful against the rebels. I am sure they would be meeting us head-on now."
He then looked at Takuya, wondering what reaction the young man would have upon hearing of the people that were once his allies. There was nothing. Takuya did not even flinch. His composure didn't change. Takuya, apparently, no longer cares for those people.
The Emperor smiled.
Takuya was a rare case, just like the Minami twins, and he was going to make use of them as long as he can. And, as long as they proved themselves useful.
More than a dozen boats, airships, and all sorts of warships rallied behind them in support as they made their way to the unnamed island. They had only one thing in mind - to put a stop to the Emperor's plans and usher forth an age of true peace in the land.
The Kingdom of Ophania and the Republic of Cherubin, neighbors of the Kingdom of Frontiria, all gave their support upon learning of what the so-called 'Emperor', Seraphim is planning to do. Borders did not matter any more, neither did the fact that the relationship was strained. It was more than just becoming more powerful than the others, it was now about the fate of the world. It was, in all respects, bigger than them and their petty arguments and differences.
In all honesty, neither Ishige nor Yuriko expected to see this many people willing to fight with them. Nor did they expect them to know as much as they do about what tidings the dark storm clouds in the distance was harboring. It was a pleasant surprise to see the Kingdom of Ophania and the Republic of Cherubin working with them hand in hand. Of course, the leaders of both factions were not with them physically, they merely sent representatives. Nonetheless, these representatives stressed that their leaders are behind them with full support.
Ishige looked on in the distance, to where the storm clouds were gathering. It was a sign that they were nearing their destination. He remembered the same storm that had threatened to put a stop to their mission all those years ago, and now, he has come again.
The wind was cold and the waves were crashing hard on the side of the ship, rocking it back and forth, as if to say that humans have no place on that accursed island. But, the 'rebels', as the Empire has branded them, still moved forward. Never backing down on nature's challenge and never flinching. They were that much determined.
"So, that was the storm you spoke of in your stories, Ishige?" Yuriko asked as she walked beside him, her hands were on the railings to help her as the ship rocked.
Ishige was surprised but managed to reply with a nod followed by a reprimanding statement, "You should not be out here, Yuriko. The weather is dangerous. You may fall overboard and..."
"You worry too much." Yuriko cut him before he can continue on with what he was saying. "I am not so weak and feeble as to be thrown off of this ship."
"Ah...of course. I didn't mean it like that, though." Ishige smiled sheepishly. How many times had he forgotten that Hiroaki's wife was, and still is, a strong-willed woman?
He turn his gaze back on the storm that they would meet head on. His brows were furrowed.
"Do you suppose Takuya is waiting for us there?" Yuriko managed to ask.
Ishige looked back at Yuriko and stared at her for a while. He then shook his head and returned back to the storm, "If he has indeed allied himself with the enemy, then I am certain that he will be there, waiting and willing to take down any and all who oppose the Emperor."
There was silence. Ishige knew that, despite how she had hidden her identity to her son and despite how hard she was with him, Yuriko was still a mother and he knew that there wasn't a moment when Yuriko was not worried for her son's safety.
"I cannot promise that I will not harm him, though." Ishige managed to speak out his thoughts. "If he decides to fight against us...or if he... caused pain to my daughter, I will give him his due punishment. You understand that, don't you, Yuriko?"
Yuriko did not speak and Ishige did not press on the matter further. He wasn't really asking for permission to beat the heck out of Takuya for what he has done but rather, he was telling her what he intends to do.
Ishige then turns around to face Yuriko and said, "Let us return inside. We're already dangerously close to the storm and it would be foolish to stay out here much longer in this kind of weather."
"Yes, of course." Yuriko found her voice to speak.
And with that, the two went back inside the ship, leaving Kouji, who had been eavesdropping on their converstaion with his arms crossed in front of his chest.
"If that is how it comes down to," Kouji thinks to himself as he waited several more seconds before going inside the ship himself, "I will have no choice but to fight against you Takuya...and I can't promise that I will hold back in that fight."
She had never experienced travelling under such dangerous weather in the ocean. Of course, Izumi would know nothing about the journey under the storm that she and Takuya underwent when she was still training under Haruko and was unconscious. The storm itself was scary enough, add that to the creaking and the powerful rocking and jolting of the ship and it was just plain unnerving. Somehow, Izumi could not help but wonder what Takuya would be doing if he was with them. That thought made Izumi sad and her heart wrought with pain.
Every time she closed her eyes, even after hearing what Kaien has to say and what Shinya has promised, she can still see those cold eyes filled with nothingness looking down at her. Her body trembled as it remembered what it had undergone when Takuya extracted her power from her.
She shook her head, forcing those dark thoughts away. She was already scared and she didn't want to feel depressed and bitter as well.
Thunder boomed in the distance, making the ship seem to shake even more than before. If she didn't know any better, she would have guessed that they were at the eye of the storm by now. But, of course, she doesn't really know much about navigating, ocean storms and the likes.
A knock errupted at the door to her cabin, and the now-all-too-familiar voice of Shinya followed behind it.
"Mind if I come in?" He asked.
Izumi stood from where she sat and walked towards the door, opening it enough for Shinya to enter, and bidding him to do just that.
Shinya huffed a mere thanks and walked inside while Izumi went to close her door. She could guess that what he has to say was something that was meant for her ears only. How she figured that out, she could only guess.
Shinya eyed her, carefully regarding the features of her face before he spoke, "Stop worrying about the things in the past and the things that will come."
"Wha-what?" Izumi managed to ask, she was surprised to hear him say that. How did he know she was worried?
"That was what I felt Kaien was trying to tell us." Shinya shrugged. "You're worried about Takuya, even if you don't go on ahead and say it. It's quite obvious...what's even more obvious is the fact that you have yet to accept that we may have to cross swords with him."
Izumi did not know what to say to that. She can't even come up with a comeback to throw at him.
After a while, Izumi spoke.
"Did you come here just to tell me that?" She asked, she was still standing in front of the door.
Shinya shook his head.
"No." He replied. "I came because I believe you are the only one in this ship who can help me know more about my brother...about Takuya."
This caught Izumi by surprise.
"Learn more about Takuya? He's your younger brother, isn't he? You should know more about him than I do." She told him.
Shinya turned around and allowed himself to lean on the wall of Izumi's cabin, his arms were crossed in front of his chest.
"I may be his brother but we were separated by fate for a very long time. My memories are a bit foggy as well. I know nothing about who he was when he was with you. How he grew up and things like that apart from the things I have learned while trying to hunt you and your friends down." He said. "So, I want you to tell me about him."
Izumi considered for a moment. She hadn't thought about that and, as much as she hated to admit it, she had also forgotten the fact that Shinya hadn't been with Takuya for the longest of time. It was only natural that he would know next to nothing about his brother now.
"I don't think I can help you much with that." She told him. "Takuya and I have met when 5 and we were only together as children for three years after that. My family had to move when my father was promoted to help with the Kingdom of Felis. We only met 10 years later when he was tasked with escorting me..."
Shinya thought for a moment, his brows were furrowed and he looked very much disturbed. Of course, Izumi was quick to notice this.
"What's wrong?" She asked.
"It's just strange. You say that you and Takuya met when you were both five?"
Izumi nodded. "Yes. At Harim."
"That can't be right." Shinya said. "During that time, Takuya was living with our mother and I am certain that we lived not in Harim."
"Well, yes... Lord Kouta sealed our real memories and, even with both Takuya and myself knowing that, we still haven't quite managed to reclaim all of our memories from that time so..."
"Sealed your memories? I am guessing that it was a precaution made to protect you both from the king and from my father."
A nod was Izumi's answer.
"And you remember nothing at all about the truth? Nothing about your real childhood?" He asked, he wanted to make sure that they were clear on that.
Izumi nodded once again. "Takuya and I were on a journey to look for your mother and learn as much as we can about our past but..."
Shinya thought for a while. This was certainly going to be hard. He had hoped that she would tell him something valuable that he may use against Takuya – to bring him back to normal.
"Why are you asking me this?" Izumi asked.
Shinya looked at her. He looked so serious and so much like a younger version of Takuya.
"Because the memories of your time together, and of the person he once was, could help bring Takuya back. I think... I think that's what Kaien was trying to tell me before." Shinya replied. "He didn't tell us to kill Takuya, after all..."
Shinya paused for a while then pushed himself off of the wall. He then began to walk towards the door and opened it.
"I know how much trouble I have caused. I know the actions I took caused much pain to my brother and that my words probably do not mean much to those I have harmed and did wrong to but, I hope you will trust me when the time comes, Izumi." Shinya said as he walked outside Izumi's room. "I am guessing your friends would want a piece of him and may want to fight against him but, I ask that you stop them from doing just that."
"What are you planning to do?" Izumi asked, whirling around to face the older Kanbara.
He did not reply. It was too soon to say, after all.
The ships were moored by the shore of the island, which looked very gloomy with the storm clouds looming above. The airships were strategically parked near the ships. One by one, the rebels disembarked on their vessel and slowly made camp away from the towering structure and the Emperor's minions. They made themselves as discrete as possible, making sure not to alert any guards that may have been awaiting their arrival.
The chosen ones: Kouji, Kouichi, Tomoki, Junpei and Teppei were all wearing battle armor courtesy of the elven folks that have rallied behind them and they stood, along with Ishige and Yuriko, who were both wearing their own equipment, and the leaders of the various sects and factions that have rallied under their banner.
"It would appear that the Royal Guards have all been brought here." Ishige spoke at the war council. "I would estimate that at about ten thousand of the best knights in the kingdom."
"Then we have the advantage in numbers." The representative of the Republic of Cherubin said. "We have fifty thousand men with us."
"Yes but, we don't know what the Emperor or his commanders have planned. We may have the numbers but if we are not careful, this may very well be a trap." Kouichi voiced his opinion. "We can't go rushing in at them."
"Kouichi is right." Ishige said. "It would be best to be careful and strike at the heart of the problem rather than face the army head on."
"Are you suggesting we go and face Seraphim head on?" the representative of the Kingdom of Ophania asked. "Isn't that a bit dangerous? I heard he has gained some sort of evil power.
Murmurs errupted in the council.
"That is true," the elven folk elder said. "however, a prophecy has been made on how to defeat our enemy. We have the very ones who will be able to put a stop to his vile plans: the chosen of light and darkness, Kouji and Kouichi. As long as we have them with us and follow the prophecy, we will be victorious as those from the past."
Kouichi looked at Kouji who looked unfazed by just how much was expected of them. Kouichi couild not help but notice the look of concentration in Kouji's face. It was as if his twin has decided on what to do.
"And can we be certain of this prophecy?" A warrior asked.
Ishige nodded and so did Yuriko. They had nothing else to put their hopes on, as it would seem.
The leaders on the war council thought for a moment before agreeing to leave everything in the hands of the Chosen Ones. Soon a plan was made and it involved the Chosen Ones sneaking past the guards stationed at the entrance to the tower while most of the rebels provide the guards with a distraction. Once inside, the Chosen Ones were to find and use any methods necessary to ensure that the emperor does not activate the artifact within the tower.
It sounded simple enough but everyone knew that the chances of them actually managing to do that without any hitches were really, really low.
After the meeting was adjurned, everyone returned to their own tents to prepare. Once they have done just that, the mission comenced.
It wasn't hard to catch the Royal Guard's attention. After all, they were instructed to annihilate all rebels that may come to the island. It didn't take long before a battle between the rebels and the Royal Guards ensued. And, as planned, the guards guarding the entrance to the tower all vacated the post and joined in the fray, leaving the entrance wide open for the small group of Chosen Ones to enter.
Kouji's group hurridly made their way to the entrance and sneak pass the other guards who were running towards the battlefield, their weapons at the ready.
Once inside, they were amazed at how old the inside of the structure were and how much damage the Royal Knights had brought to it. The path they had to take was fairly obvious, for there was no where else to go but forward.
After a long while of walking, ducking out of the way, walking and sneaking, the group finally made their way down the set of stairs. Further and further down did they go and they were surprised to see that there were no guards guarding the lower sections of the tower.
Slowly, the group made their way forward, careful not to be too laxed and end up in an ambush. However, what awaited them at the end of this path was not something they had expected.
Standing in front of a large, silver door were three figures that they had not hoped to see so soon.
"It can't be...Izumi, is that you?" Kouji called out as he started out slowly to make his way towards her.
When Izumi turned around to face the person who had called her, she was as surprised to see the others. And when Kouji saw that it was indeed Izumi, his walk turned into a run. The others followed suit but stopped as they saw who was with her: Katsuharu and Shinya.
"You!" Kouji said as he readied himself for battle. "Have you come here to deliver Izumi to your Master?"
Shinya looked at Kouji with a hint of annoyance in his face. He certainly was not amuzed at the deduction the young Knight had come up with.
"No, Kouji, stop. It's alright." Izumi said, defending her two companions. "They are not keeping me captive nor are they planning on handing me over to the Emperor..."
"That is true." Katsuharu spoke. "It would be pointless to do that now."
"Pointless?" Kouichi asked, then he realized what he meant. "You mean...!"
Izumi nodded as Shinya turned around to face the giant door blocking their path once more.
"Takuya was the one who did it." He said. "Such irony."
"S-so, Takuya really had gone over to the other side." Tomoki said, it seemed as though he was hoping that they were wrong about their friend.
Shinya nodded but said nothing. Instead, he muttered at how strange the door was and how it had not been there when he was here before.
"So, I am guessing you're here for the very same reason that we are here?" Teppei asked more than stated.
Katsuharu nodded. "But to do that we need to open this door."
They all looked at the giant door before them. There were no keyholes to just pick the lock open and although faint, the group can tell that magic was protecting the door. It wasn't just any kind of magic though, it felt cold, vile and evil.
Shinya touched the door and, sure enough, dark energy crackled around it.
"So this is why there were no guards guarding the place." Junpei concluded. "They didn't need for it to be guarded..."
"No, I don't think that's the case." Shinya said as he turned around, his eyes were fixated on a shadowy part of the stairs from which the others came from. "Are you planning on ambushing us, Takuya?"
Sure enough, Takuya appeared before them. Dressed in the black armor that they know all too well. His eyes were the same as before, empty and lifeless. His weapon was at the ready, unsheathed.
"I suppose I should welcome you on behalf of the Lord Seraphim...and Lord Chaos." Takuya droned.
"Takuya..." Izumi gasped and she could guess that the others were as unsure of what to do as she was.
Shinya glared at his younger brother but, before he could say or do anything, Kouji has beaten him to it.
"I cannot forgive you for what you have done, Takuya." Kouji said as he glared at the young man whom he once regarded as his friend and ally. "Prepare yourself!"
To be continued...
Post Author's Notes
And that closes off this chapter.
We are almost at the end now and hopefully, I can really finish this fanfic soon.
Like I've said, I've been pretty busy lately and I really can't say for certain when the next update would be. Although, I do hope I can make it before the end of this week.
Hm... I don't know what else to say. Probably because my brain is going dead right now as I am already really, really tired and sleepy (just forcing myself to be awake as of this moment, XD). I do hope that you guys will give me a review on this and tell me what you think of this chapter. Did you like it? Did you hate it? Of course, if you tell me that you hate it, you have to be constructive about it and not just end up flaming me for it.
Well, having said that, it's time to log off now. Until the next time we meet. This is Sakura Martinez saying "PEACE" and signing out! Don't forget to review, okay? Ja ne!
End of Post Author's Notes