I don't own digimon.
Chapter 66
Coming back together
Blaze's thoughts were running a mile a minute as he dashed down the path. Part of him wanted to believe that there was somehow a different solution to this mystery, he knew that wasn't the case. Having just gotten back from narrating Yvonne and Melody, I am going to assume that you know we've all been set up by someone?
The dancer's gaze shot up to the sky. Then a nod. Good to know we're on the same page.
"Correct." Balamon answered, joining in this sky staring party. Compared to the usual blue abyss we're used to seeing, clouds had begun to roll in and a shade of gray took hold overhead. So much for it being a nice day. Long as there isn't any lightning, things should be alright.
Though, it's probably best to focus on the path. I can't make guarantees, but Yvette is around here and likely to take her anger out on someone. Probably both of you. "We'll keep that in mind."
No problem. Just be caref-
"I can't seem to catch a break with you people." Yvette announced and came to a stop. Why hello again. Are you feeling better after that outburst?
Battleaxe pulled back, definitely not the case. Though, I wouldn't be either if I kept running into people I would prefer to avoid.
"Wait. You're that dancing boy. A long way from your parents, that's for sure."
Blaze shot the clan mother a look, his cheeks glowing as pink as they can possibly get. This is probably less of a connection and more a case of word of mouth. Which, you should be proud of. Even if it is a weird thing to tell someone you're about to murder.
Blaze took a deep breath, gaze returning to Yvette. Balamon slithered off of his body, tail ringing. This wasn't how he envisioned things turning out. Given his wish, he would be backed up by everyone. Maybe Rantha and Dave as well. Going to have to work with what you got.
"That's good to know." Blaze remarked, focusing back on Yvette. While still very angry, she had at least set down her battleaxe. Let's call that progress. "Can I ask you a couple questions?"
Yvette rolled her eyes. While I honestly doubt there's anything left she can hide (that we already know from someone), it's still unlikely she's actually going to cooperate.
"In regards to what?" the clan mother countered and shook her fist at the sky. If you're trying to curse me or declare vengeance upon me, I'm not even up in that sky. Even if I somehow were, I would have some kind of protection to prevent people from getting at me. Is that clear?
Judging by the reluctant nod I'm getting, I'll take that as a yes. Not before making a hand symbol for good measure. Good to know.
"Nothing about the case, more general stuff." Blaze answered and let his hands fall down to his side. Wouldn't be that useful in a fight. Yvette still nodded. "To start off with, how much do you know about Distant Harmony?"
An eye roll, the battleaxe moving slightly to the right. For what was likely carried into battle many times, the weapon is remarkably clean - a far cry from a lot of orcish weapons we have seen the rest of the tribe carry.
"All I need to know is that they're a threat to my people and Aldia as a whole." Yvette answered, gazing about the sky and the surrounding area. "If they wish to tear this place down, they'll need to go through me."
That's great and all, but what about the people actually making sure that they don't destroy buildings and properties? Better yet, how about the grunts who have chosen to help out with the rebuilding effort in the hopes of having a life that isn't based around destroying places?
Yvette looked away, the battleaxe raising up for a brief moment.
"How do you know they are truly on your side?" she countered and looked up at the sky. "They may claim to be with you in your fight, but are they really? They could be really playing both sides in the hopes of leading you all along into a trap."
Uh… that's paranoia at work. While we can't be completely certain that they are on our side, I doubt they would actually go back to their former employers. Especially with the way they treat their employees.
"How long have you actually been back in town?" Blaze continued and got a laugh in return. "I'm serious. My friends and I were gone for a couple months. Time kind of flew by far faster than any of us thought it would."
Yvette stopped laughing and took a moment to compose herself. I really hope that was just a joke in her head. Please tell me that it's not.
"I returned sometime before you people did." Yvette answered, gaze shifting to Balamon. Still rattling. "After replenishing my supplies and getting a good night's sleep, I headed off once more."
Letting out a deep breath, Blaze's focus returned to the sky. While she's probably telling the truth here, there's definitely some details missing.
"Where exactly were you going?" Blaze continued, the battleaxe raised back up. While not pointed in his direction, there's still a chance that could change and he had a fight on his hands. Which is the worst possible situation our dancer could find himself in.
"If I told you, I would have to kill you." Yvette countered as her body began to bulk up. The once pristine skin of a succubus gave way to that of an orc. "As clan mother, I will bring an end to both Distant Harmony and Madame von Strauss. Then and only then will I be able to truly rest."
Swinging her weapon down, she connected with the ground. Not close enough to nick Balamon, but more than enough to get the fire snake digimon to scurry back over to his partner.
"Shit." Blaze muttered and looked about the general area. The Black Cat Inn was in view. While the ruins weren't entirely the best place to fight when you're unable to use your hands, it was the only real option he had. "Sorry about this, Dave."
Bolting off, our pair headed for the Black Cat Inn. Yvette was right behind, uttering something under her breath in response. Doesn't really matter what the words are. Probably something along the lines of 'get back here'. That's usually how these things go. It would be odd if the phrase was somehow something else. Beyond the point.
Even after so many visits to these ruins, it's hard to believe that such damage was done with just a single attack. I'm aware the attack on the alleyways was technically 'bigger', but most of that was just the walls. This was a building with people in it. People who could've easily died had things gone wrong.
"People die all the time." Yvette countered, her battleaxe connecting with a pile of rubble. Slivers of charred wood went flying, falling right at our dancer's feet. An inch closer and this would be a far different story. "You're going to need to accept that some losses are necessary."
Blaze looked to his partner. Of the pair, Balamon was in far better shape. Not saying much, being a snake and all. But that also meant he was a far easier target for an enraged Yvette. But Blaze - even in his handicapped state, was far more likely to take a hit and make it out.
"Infuse!" the dancer announced, a red outline forming around his body. Yvette looked his way, not entirely sure what to make of this power. Or would've, if that battleaxe of her's hadn't slammed into Blaze's stomach. Tumbling to the ground, a large gash now clear for everyone to see. Fuck.
"Blaze!" Balamon screeched and slithered over to his partner. Just made the next swing come faster. "Leave him alone! He has nothing to do with this…"
Yvette pulled her battleaxe. No words exit her mouth, every bit of frustration and anger put into this third and possibly final swing. If you have something in mind, you might want to do it now.
Blaze stared up to the sky. The first drops of rain began falling down, already reaching our dancer. One more thing working against you.
"Infuse," he mumbled, the red outline forming around his body once more. "Ember."
Grabbing hold of the dirt, Blaze focused the heat into himself. At first a slight warmth across his entire body, this gave way to full-on flames to both his clothes and the surrounding area.
"You little…" Yvette muttered and Blaze placed an arm over his stomach. An attempt at closing his stomach wound followed. Not completely successful, but enough that Bubbles could repair the remaining damage done. Standing back up, gravity tried it's hardest to pull him back down. Blaze still stood. "You're a persistent bugger, give you that. But that isn't enough to really take me down."
An eye roll, the dancer taking an opportunity to look behind himself. There we find the trio of Maddie, Ella and Bubbles with their digimon. Guys! We have a major situation - Blaze got the short end of the stick and ran into Yvette.
"Fuck." Maddie muttered and turned to Bubbles. Letting out a deep breath, their attention turned to their child. "Bubbles dear, I need you to do som-"
The blue outline was already around Bubbles before the thief could even finish. He got a nod.
"Fuse," the little dragon mumbled and let his grip tighten on his partner. A perfect cue for Phusitmon to get ready. "Druplet!"
Punching the rain, the pair found themselves teleported away from our pair and over to Yvette's head of all places. Getting a growl from the clan mother, Bubbles set his partner down and began the climb down Yvette's back. Definitely not an action that our clan mother particularly cared for.
"Infuse!" Phusitmon announced, the seafoam green outline forming around his body. Jumping to the ground, he made a beeline for Blaze. "Mending!"
Mending Bubble!
Shooting a bubble out, the projectile headed for Blaze. Connecting with the dancer, the steam created looked to have done some good for healing that stomach gash. Not enough to put him back in a fight state, but enough to see another day. Hopefully.
"Can I just go a couple minutes without you people showing up?!" Yvette screeched, kicking her foot back into Bubbles. The little dragon didn't get that far, landing right by the remains of a charred wall. His dress on the other hand, hadn't been as lucky. Covered in ash and rain, that's going to be a nightmare to get out. If you can get most of the stains out in the first place.
"Not intention." Bubbles countered and pulled himself up. Pushing some ash off his garment, he focused on Yvette. "You hurt Princess. You hurt Blaz. Leave us alone."
Yvette turned around, laughter echoing out of her annoying mouth.
"Your mother offered up the entire town as sacrifice for her God. As Clan Mother, such a threat cannot be allowed to grow any further than it has." Yvette countered, Ella's turret joining in this stare down. "Enemies must be purged for the sake of peace."
Such as you? Because you're the kind of person who claims they care but really don't. Or am I missing something important that somehow justified everything you've done today?
"You have no idea what you're even talking about, asshole." Yvette muttered, her gaze shifting to the sky. The rain continued to come down, definitely not stopping anytime soon. "Where is your proof of my wrongdoing? Show me that and perhaps we can settle this in the coming days."
Maddie rolled their eyes. An obvious trap if you've ever seen one. All for the interest of maintaining what little control she still had on Aldia. If anything, Distant Harmony's invasion is a perfect excuse to bring an end to this leadership and let the title pass down to someone else. Or just go with a different form of government entirely.
"What? Are you afraid of being wrong?" the thief remarked, putting a hand to their whip. Yvette's focus turned to them, the battleaxe pulled back. That might have pushed it a touch too far.
"No. I'm absolutely done dealing with your bloodline." the clan mother remarked, a ball of energy hitting her head. Turning to Ella's turret, she pulled her battleaxe back and ran towards the machine. You do realize that opens you up to even more attacks? "Do I look like I care?"
No. It's just not a good strategy in the first place. Especially with all the attempted murder charges to boot. Makes the whip wrapping around the weapon all the more predictable. Not enough to pull it out of Yvette's hands, did stop the clan mother in her tracks.
"We just want a peaceful resolution." Ella remarked, Blaze taking this as his chance to hobble over. The flames that had once covered his clothes had been put out by the rain. The distinct scent of burnt cloth covered his entire body, most of his outfit now charred. "If you keep pushing our hand, we will bite back."
Yvette rolled her eyes and dropped her battleaxe. The hold on the whip gave way, providing the perfect opportunity to pick the weapon back up. Then it was time for her to book it to the north. Much as I hope this will be our last meeting for today, we're probably not that lucky.
"Sorry about this." Blaze muttered, getting a look from Ella and Maddie. A deep breath followed. "Not sure how aware of this you are, but we've set-up. There was no murder."
Maddie's gaze shot up to the sky. Obvious as it may be of your non-involvement, there had been the possibility of this actually being a murder case. And not, I don't know - a wild chase across Aldia with the goal of scattering them all about in the hopes of misdirection. Beyond that, was the former Madame aware of this trickery? If she was, then why did she do nothing about it.
"Like, Aldia to Maddie?"
Spinning around, the thief found herself face-to-face with Kollmon. No worse for the wear, she was clearly frustrated as they were. Nothing a squeeze couldn't alleviate. Especially as Ella grabbed Maddie's other hand and did the same.
"Thanks, you two." Maddie whispered and focused back on Blaze. Currently in the middle of getting his shirt pulled off by Balamon, he'll need a minute. Maybe a couple. "How do you know we've been set up by Yvette?"
Blaze looked away, still in the process of getting his shirt pulled off. Even if he did have proper use of his hands, this would still be pretty awkward to remove.
"Dave and I found a knife in the soap store covered in a color-changing liquid. Before I left to rendezvous with you three, Dave suggested that someone had used this to stab someone to make it look like a murder."
Didn't help that the story they gave us didn't match the timeline we were working with. Though, it turns out that dance troupe is really a scheme to get people into a sex cult. So we're not going anywhere close to that.
"To add to that, Jilla confessed to the crime." a voice announced as Yvonne, Melody and their digimon ran up. While Melody's mask is thankfully gone, Yvonne is still wearing her girlfriend's robes. I'm going to assume that Marulyn is going to be alright at the moment?
"Correct." Yvonne remarked and gazed up to the sky. While an attempt had been made by Lumosmon to sit on her shoulder, it hadn't been successful enough to really work. "We filled her in on the situation. I should be alright with her robes. At least till things die down."
With the way that Yvette has been acting, who knows when that will occur. Let's say we do prove that Maddie is innocent. Is Yvette actually going to accept that? Or would she just lash out and try to kill them for real? Then what? Would the title of clan mother go over to Yvonne or would there be a different process to decide who it goes too?
"The former." Yvonne announced as she focused on Maddie. Kneeling down, she found herself at the thief's eye level. "No matter what happens, I won't let her get away with this. Is that clear?"
Maddie nodded and took the time to hang their whip back up. Ella did something similar with her turret, which prompted Bubbles and Phusitmon to head back over.
"Head to princess?" the little dragon inquired and got a nod from Maddie. Heading for the sewers, his teammates followed right behind.
Notes:
You know, maybe someone will look at this. Bah. That would be insane.
.
Next chapter: Bubbles faces his fears.
