I don't own digimon.

The following does contain a bit of Transphobia in a flashback.

Chapter 34

Forgotten Rebirth

Every part of Kollmon was regretting this decision in the moment. While this was definitely the place where she lived at one time, why was a corpse lying on the floor? Her last memory was clearly of a very much alive woman. Though, that was also in an entirely different place with a whole bunch of other people. So that's not the best marker for one's memory. Guess that makes you even with your partner for the moment in regards to killing people.

"Hey! Madame only like... killed seven people at least!" Kollmon answered, Ella going for a punch to the stomach. But hold on, that isn't quite right. Let's do a quick recap of the number of people Madame has killed. We have the grunt from the other day and then the maids. The latter was a team effort between you, Madame, Bubbles and Phusitmon. Yes, they were under this particular Madame's employ at the time. But that didn't stop them from trying to kill Bubbles.

Bubbles nodded, trying his best to not dwell on that fact for the moment. In between that and now, quite a lot had happened to them. The artisan had tried to take them down, he was able to beat him, they met Melody and were now exploring this strange area. Okay, that may not sound like much. But when you're only five or six, it can seem that way. Oh right. Death counts. For the moment at least, we're sitting around two or three. Unless there's somehow a dead body or two hidden back at your mansion. Not that it would be really surprising.

As for the place itself, everything looks to be frozen in time. Which is par for the course so far. The walls have been painted a bright shade of pink, with a bit of sparkles thrown in for good measure. I can think of worse colors to be displayed for such a small building. Especially since this whole place is one large room with the bare minimum of walls on full display. Is this common? Don't think houses are supposed to be jutting out from within this 'home'. That's just silly! Not that this world seems to have much of a sense of humor.

As for the rest of the abode, you have a bunch of strange boxes in the back corner, maybe used with food. Opposite of that is a place to read and draw. Not that I can see much in the way of either. Though that could be the result of a corner rising out from go knows where and trying to snipe people. Quite a strange assassination technique. Not sure that it's actually effective.

Yet, Kollmon headed over to the woman. The tears are already coming down from her small eyes. But sadness is the last thing the mole digimon is feeling at the moment. No, it was more

"You idiot!" she screeched, and slammed her paw into the woman's head. Yet, the head snapped back in place. "You were like better than this!"

What? Were you expecting her head to at least knock around for a couple moments? With everything frozen, it's not going anywhere. She's gone and there isn't much you can do.

"Kollmon?" Cinemon remarked, Kollmon smashing her paw in for a second time. Not sure how effective that actually is right now. You saw what happened last time here. This is just driving the point home. So the feline dog digimon grabbed hold of his friend and pulled her away. Well, tried too at least. "They're gone. Any amount of smacks won't do any good."

Kollmon froze, the world around her and everyone else just flipping upside down. The house is still there (sadly), but the woman is no longer dead. Wait. That's a guy. While I would assume that to be a different person, maybe they became a woman at some point later in their life. It's one possibility. For the moment at least, the pair looks to be taking care of a rabbit. Well, were at some point. The cage remains empty, the food and water dish empty. Nor was there anything in the way of bedding for such a creature to lay down on. Guess that's what happened to them.

"Kollmon, slapping Velvet is not going to make them wake back up." the man explained, upper chest looking just a bit inflated. He's dressed in a loose green shirt (though, I'm not quite sure if that's actually a shirt or something similar) with a pretty long skirt to go with it.

"Well you shouldn't have forgotten to feed him, you small-titted manwhore!" Kollmon announced, their present version absolutely shocked by the words spoken here. There's no speech pattern, just anger and fury. Perhaps misunderstanding to an extent.

Time changes a lot of things. Guess that even implies to digimon. Even if that doesn't make this any less awkward right now. Though, that slap from Ella is just overkill for the moment. Especially since that's the past version you've just slapped. Kind of surprised that this didn't stop the flashback in its tracks. No, the past version of Kollmon looked away and headed for the door. The whole place looks a lot less bright. The walls looked untouched, inspiration just out of reach. Actually, the whole place looks kind of dark right now. Maybe you should turn on a light?

She reached for the doorknob, only to find her paw to just be out of reach of the destined object. So our mole digimon did the natural thing in this situation - smash their claws into this barrier in the hopes of breaking through. An attempt that was immediately stopped by their partner picking them up and setting them down in a corner. Which is also where our flashback 'ends'.

"Dang." Madame remarked, Bubbles already on the move for his usual gestures. But Kollmon doesn't look too excited. No, she looks pissed for the moment.

"Get away from me!" Kollmon screeched and pushed Bubbles out of the way. Doesn't stop him from trying again. The result is just the same. Well, outside of knocking the little dragon over and him rolling to Phusitmon.

"She needs some space, Bubbles. Maybe later when she's calmed down."

A deep breath exited the thief's lips after saying that. This had not been what either part of them had expected. Could say that for the rest of our heroes for the moment.

"Does this sort of thing happen where you're from, Melody?" Blaze inquired, the mystic's gaze shifting over to our dancer for the moment. Not entirely sure where it was initially. I'm going to assume the body, but I have a sneaking suspicion that isn't it.

"Occasionally." Melody answered, Lumosmon shining all over the body. "Though, we tend to take it quite slow. Sometimes we use 'Perception' tricks, to an extent."

Perception tricks? Is that sort of like using polymorph or one of the spells and objects like it?

"We use our mind to give off our desired appearance." Melody explained, gaze turning back to whatever that she was focusing on initially. Which looks to be the body. "Though, I don't think that's the case here."

Yeah. I'll have to agree with you there. Though, we don't have anything to really tell us anything about this woman. Like a name or something. That could be a start. Got anything, Kollmon?

Our mole digimon looked away. Oh dear. It's alright if you don't know the answer to my question. Maybe check the study for something of personal value?

In this case, we have Yvonne of all people headed over to that particular place. Munbimon was right behind. Just be careful to not bump into anything. You're a lot str-

Before I finished saying that, our barbarian pulled a book out. Which brought all the other books forward, then right back seconds later. Yep. Weird world physics at work. Or perhaps two things combined together and canceled each other. Or something that's a mix of the two. It also copies the book. Huh. Definitely too much strength. What's the book, exactly?

"Basic guide to anatomy." Yvonne answered and pulled it open. She looked over the pages, taking in the contents. "Though, there doesn't look to be orcs or any other species."

Oh. I guess that's expected to an extent. They probably don't have those kind of people here. Just humans. Though, I don't think that stops them from fighting each other.

"D….i…..a…...r…..y." the woman announced, trying their hardest to focus on our heroes. At least till their eyes closed for the briefest of moments. Just… fuck. Wouldn't even wish that on my worst enemy. Don't really have such a thing, but that's beyond the point. She's still alive, which means you've failed at murder Kollmon. Or your attempt at least.

"Thanks." Kollmon muttered, gaze shifting away from the bookcase for the moment. Clearing her throat, she focused in on this woman. "I'm sorry."

Yet, the woman shook her head. Well, in a weird disjointed way. Her mouth opens up, but silence is all that comes out for the moment. The ceiling fades away, revealing the same monotone sky from before. Kind of think we would still need that, but I'm not the one who's making those calls. That would be whatever mysterious entity is pulling the strings - if at all.

Unless these past version of Kollmon and her human are somehow the answer to that. Like seriously, I don't think that pair is supposed to be here. At all. Least no sort of effect was applied over vision at least.

"Do you know where we can find her diary?" Phusitmon remarked, Kollmon closing her eyes for the moment. It was a good question. Even if I was expecting someone like Balamon or even Munbimon to ask it. This works too.

"Maybe." Kollmon eventually answered and opened her eyes. There was only one other place she could remember - the clinic. But where was it exactly? Even then, there's the matter of the whole mountains and buildings jutting out from the ground. A rumble echoed through the area, our heroes's attention turn to an opening in the walls that hadn't existed before. There, a tower had sprouted forth along with a river of all things. Which might be why there's a bunch of buildings just diverting the flow. Yep, this place was definitely not designed for the stuff that's happening at the moment. Though, I'm not sure if there's anything that actually would really. The oddest thing of all, was what looked to be the clinic in question, Well, fuck. That's not ideal whatsoever.

Though, you might want to find some durable bag. May not be magical, but they should serve as storage until we get some of that particular ki-

Before I had a chance to finish that sentence, our heroes had found a closet. Missed that on my initial look. Oh well. I'm probably just a few feet above them. At most. Even then, I'm out of range to getting fired at. Thankful for that at least. That should be expected though. Anything else would be absolutely absurd in a situation like this.

Pulling it open, we find a bunch of purses. Yeah, those things that people carry around. Not sure why a regular bag isn't good enough or something. There's quite a number to pick from. Unless the world decides to eat a couple and not give an equivalent thing back in return.

"I'll take this one." Blaze remarked, grabbing what looked to be a sparkly pink purse and pulled back. A copy shot out from the original, but our dancer looks unharmed for the moment. Thankfully. I'm willing to provide a cover story for any injuries. "That won't be necessary."

Gotcha. Just know that my offer is on the table should you need an alibi of some kind before we head back through to Aldia. Never mind. They wouldn't be able to hear me. My bad.

Bubbles was up next. While the purse he had chosen was a bit on the smaller side, that didn't stop the actual duping process from giving our little dragon some trouble.

"Do you need some help?" Madame inquired and Bubbles shook his head. Then he's back to pulling on the purse strap, trying his hardest to dupe one. It's only a matter of ti-

Bubbles went flying backwards (again), purse tossed up into the air for the moment. Maybe it would've been better to have gotten the help in the first place. Yet, Phusitmon made his way over to his partner. Not to scold him, but to make sure the little dragon was okay. Of course, that got the plush rabbit digimon a hug. Oh right, the purse. Bubbles's had gone for a glacial blue one with a bunch of sparkles on it. Sort of like the dress that currently adorned his body. A perfect match, especially as we head onto Madame. In one swift motion, the thief had their purse duped and hanging at their side. Guess it's all in the wrist or something. Did get them a look from Ella.

"Show-off." the artificer muttered and let her attention shift back to her briefcase. Oh right. You don't really need a bag in the first place. My bad. Unless you real-

Taking that as a challenge, Ella pulled a purse of some kind out. Not quite as smooth as Madame's motion, this got the job done.

"You happy now?" the artificer announced, getting an invisible thumbs-up from me. Yes, I'm happy now. Probably even more when I'm returned to my proper place. But that's something to be dealt with some other time. Especially as Melody and Yvonne go to grab their bags. Though I'm not entirely sure where the latter is going to really hold it. Oh. Like everyone else at least. Just sling it onto their side. Not sure why I thought this would be different. Oh well. That should be everyone n-

Initializing Digital Dungeon - The tower at the end of the world

Hey! I'm the one who's supposed to be narrating this at the moment. You're really encroaching on my duties. While I prefer that you not do that for the moment, I'm willing to hear out your reasoning for such activities. I'll just wait then.

The next couple moments are silent. Guess whoever this person is doesn't have an answ-

Setting 'Mr Lore Mage' as Assistant Dungeon Master. Registering players…

Wait, what? Can't you see that this is the worst possible time to interrupt? We're trying to solve a mystery and this is the last thing we need at the moment. Especially since we still don't have an answer at the moment and nee-

Don't really care for the moment. Suck it up and you'll find it or something.

That's not very helpful. Especially since it seems like that you have absolutely no faith in any of us. Which doesn't bode well for me, the narrator or them at all.

But no answer came. Okay… I guess you guys might want to exit this place. Maybe even say goodbye to the nice lady for letting you borrow her purses. That's the least you can do after all that's transpired so far.

"Thank you!" Bubbles shouted, walking over to the woman trapped between between two states. The usual hug followed. Not that the woman was really in a state to really refuse such a gesture. Even if she somehow could, death didn't sound that great either. "Get better?"

Kollmon took a deep breath, joining Bubbles in front of her former partner. A million different things echoed about, refusing to leave some kind of silence in the mole digimon's head. Yet her gaze focused in on the woman. The whispering of something followed. What she said doesn't really matter for the moment. A secret to everyone except the pair. Easier that way.

"She will, Bubbles." Kollmon muttered and took the time to set Phusitmon on the dragon's back. Which sort of worked with the purse. Then it's back on over to Yvonne and company. Does get our mole digimon a slight pat from their partner. It's accepted to the best of their abilities.

"Thanks Miss Doe!" Melody announced, taking the time to wave. While the mystic didn't get a response back, our mystery woman's eyes did light up for a moment. Then we're off to the outside world. Setting the matter of that voice aside, I'm quite excited. Makes you wonder what's in store for us out there.

Notes:

Bit of a shorter 'breather' chapter before we head into the Digital Dungeons.

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Next Time: Dealing with these 'AI' things. Oh brother.