I don't own digimon.

Chapter 89

Meeting a Goddess

Staring upon this woman of stone, I'm actually scared. Not because she can actually touch me. More, the fact that there is an entity standing in this world after an eternity of it just being me.

"My apologies." the woman of stone announced and turned to Bubbles. Motioning for the little dragon to come over, her order fell on deaf ears. Instead, his attention turned to the wound on his hand. Still covered in dirt, was it always like that?

Bubbles shook his head and attempted to touch it. But all he managed to accomplish was his claw stopping mere inches above the supposed wound, unable to meet it with his talons.

"Used to be frosted." Bubbles whispered and looked at the woman. Something about this woman felt… familiar to him. Where had he seen before her? Couldn't have been somewhere here in this world. Perhaps back in Aldia. Not that I really have a way of knowing where that might be. "Crimson?"

The woman of stone nodded, Bubbles now making his approach. Going for a hug, he passed right through with ease. Eventually stopping right at the edge of a pool, he nearly got some swimming action in.

"Huh." Kris muttered, doing his best to ignore Bubbles. A task easier said than done. Especially once Bubbles stepped back to meet this entity. As far as I can tell, this 'deity' has no ties to dragons. I could very much be wrong here and this is one of those rare dragon deities. Why they would take a form like this is a mystery to everyone.

Sadly, my reassurance did little in the way of persuading our grunt from looking that way. Worth a shot, even if I did already know the outcome here.

"The seasons have shifted and in turn, my form." Crimson explained as she bent down to be at the little dragon's level. Miming a hug, Bubbles accepted the gesture. Afterwards, he raised his wounded claw up to show the goddess. Only now, the dirty wound had been replaced with clear scales. Doesn't excuse the inability to let people hug you.

"That's your concern here?" Russel announced and shot the ceiling a glance. Hey. This is my first time with a deity. I'm making this up as I go along. If something works, I'll keep it. If it ends up backfiring or makes things worse, I'll try not to do that. Or do you have some better idea on what my course of action should be? I'm all ears. "I don't have anything."

For the record, that wasn't a rhetorical question. If you do have ideas on how to handle these kinds of situations, I'm more than willing to take you up on that.

"Uh… I'll keep that in mind." Kris added and tried his best to continue ignoring Bubbles. Except it was looking more like his gaze was finding its way over to the little dragon and Crimson. Judging by the scowl I'm getting, you thought no one would notice. I have eyes everywhere. Typical artificial intelligence stuff. Or just a case of being the one left in charge of everything after everything went to shit.

"How so?" Crimson inquired and stared at the ceiling. You're a deity. You absolutely don't need to do that. If anything, I should be the one looking down. Regardless of my lack of a body and being a disembodied voice.

Crimson rolled her eyes, trying her best to hold back a chuckle. Was it something I said? Salamon, why are you looking at me? Please don't touch that. I've just got that repaired. Phew. Sorry about that. "Uh… is your friend always like this?"

Phusitmon shook his head. Quite a bode of confidence here. Though, you've only known me for what, a couple days? How can you be so certain that this is just the regular way I operate?

"No, just way out of her element by way of today's events." the plush rabbit digimon answered and focused back on Crimson. While the deity was no longer chuckling, her gaze remained on the ceiling. What is with you people not following the simple instruction to not look up there. I promise you that I can hear you just fine when you're not gawking that way. Maybe you'll see something different, but the sky hasn't changed in who knows how long and it doesn't look to be changing anytime soon. But that doesn't really pertain to our situation in any relevant fashion.

"Understood." Crimson announced and brought her gaze over to Kris and Russel. What sounded like a deep breath came right after. All that got her was a look from both grunts in return. Even as Kris tried once more to ignore Bubbles in his entirety. "While I'm thankful of you two for bringing Bubbles to me, I don't have anything I can give you or any favors to give."

Kris rolled his eyes and muttered something to the floor. Was this Bubbles's intention all along? Get himself kidnapped, hope to fuck that his former boss would trust him enough that he would be fine with one of his employees grabbing the digivice and then just watch as he teleported away. Just thinking it over made it sound absolutely stupid. Yet, you fell for it. While it's entirely possible that his teammates were unaware this was the plan in the first place, the fact that it worked so well is quite impressive.

"You little…" Kris announced and forced his gaze over to Bubbles. Pointing a middle finger in that direction, the little dragon stared back. Picking Phusitmon up, he pulled the plush rabbit digimon in for a hug. Phusitmon let it happen, but did his best to keep an eye on our grunt. Just in case he did try something incredibly stupid. Wouldn't put it past him. Last thing I want to see is you ending up drowning.

"That doesn't change the fact that you did take advantage of your friends, Bubbles." Crimson remarked, swiveling to meet the little dragon's gaze to the best of her abilities. Easier said than done when you're made of stone. Or at least appear that way. "If you wish to become one of my clerics, you must refrain from those actions."

Her words rolled out and Bubbles stared into the water. In retrospect, you probably could've just asked Rantha to take you to the Distant Harmony ship. While your mothers would've been cautious on that front, they would've understood. Hopefully. Or they could've just taken a group trip back here. Other options existed, but this was the one that he had gone with. At the time, it felt like the best option here. But now, it was clear he had made a mistake. Letting out a deep breath, the little dragon forced his gaze to meet that of his future boss.

"How can I make it up then? he asked and watched Crimson's gaze about the bathing area. After a couple turns, it's right back to the little dragon.

"Do good things and bring your friend's device back to him." Crimson answered and watched Bubbles nod. Wait. That's it? I was kind of expecting some kind of large test that was supposed to test Bubbles's resolve. Not something that he does on a daily basis without being asked. "It's a lot harder than you think, disembodied voice. Even in the face of what your enemies have done."

Reaching down to Bubbles's D-Venture, a new pendant formed around the circle. Reminiscent of fairy wings, I guess it fits. Bringing a claw to the new necklace, Bubbles messed around with it for a couple moments. Then it's right back to Crimson.

"Now, go my messenger." Crimson whispered and gave a wave, her body rapidly growing transparent. Bubbles nodded and took the time to wave back. Even if Crismon did need to crane her neck down to "Bring kindness with the changing of the seasons."

With that, our mysterious goddess made her exit. Didn't seem like a half bad person. Regardless of the fact that we know absolutely nothing about her and her goals when it comes to our little dragon.

"That's what you're worried about?" Russel announced, thankfully not trying to look up at the ceiling. Instead, he made the approach towards Bubbles. Letting out a deep breath, Bubbles took care to hug his leg. While the grunt accepted the affection, he could already feel his partner staring daggers his way. Turning around, he let out a deep breath. "Is something wrong?"

Kris rolled his eyes and muttered something under his breath. Of course something was wrong. Not only had he been played for a fool, but it had been done by the very thing he hated most. Now, some random woman wanted him to possibly help this thing with a task. That last one is absolutely debatable. While Bubbles could ask for help, it seems like Crimson rather he figured it out without engaging in trickery or taking advantage of their tr-

"Do I look like I care?!" Kris screeched and balled a fist up. More than ready to take a swing at the little dragon, he was promptly met by his friend. Grabbing hold of his friend's fist, care was taken to make sure that he didn't go and punch the little dragon.

"I don't understand." Bubbles called out, shifting his focus to Phusitmon. All he got from the plush rabbit digimon was a sigh. Carefully, he patted his partner's head. Nothing close to a hug, Bubbles accepted the gesture. Then it's right back to Kris and Russel. "Is there anything that I can help you with?"

His words echoed out across the bathing area, silence falling over the pair. Where could one even begin with a problem that was simultaneously massive and miniscule at the same time? At the start when this wasn't as huge of an issue? Right now, trying your hardest to contain the damage and work towards a better outcome?

Bubbles shook his head. Lowering himself down into the pool, he took care not to go any farther. Don't want to add nearly drowning to the list of things you accidentally did while away from your parents. Especially the one with the whip. They seem like the kind of person who would do everything in their power to make someone pay.

"Princess not go that far." the little dragon announced and looked towards Phusitmon. Reaching for his partner, in the plush rabbit digimon went. Or at least, floated on top of the water. Good to know? Wait. You referred to Maddie as 'Princess'. Is there some kind of story I'm missing here or is it just a silly pet name that stuck?

"Maddie looked like a princess the first time he saw them. Even with them changing to a suit after the trial, the name stuck." Phusitmon answered, doing his best to look over to the pair. No longer raging against each other, a cloud of hostility threatened to hang over Kris's head for the foreseeable future. Nothing else, you should at least get yourself cleaned. I highly doubt your fellow grunts want to see you and your couple months of tunnel funk.

Kris rolled his eyes. Muttering something in the direction of the nearest wall, he made a beeline for the far end of this particular pool. Looking away from the pair, his companion was not that far behind. He did take a seat right besides Bubbles, flicking his partner with a tiny splash of water. Just enough to send the plush rabbit digimon spinning, is this something normal to be doing while you're supposed to be getting all cleaned up?

"I don't really see a problem with it." Russel remarked, carefully shifting his position within the pool. Still within reach of his target, but not within reach of said target retaliating.

Bubble!

Of course, Phusitmon took this as an opportunity to get back at the grunt. But not too much. Last thing the trio needed was to upset Mr Buzzkill and get the full brunt of his abilities. Or so he had claimed before meeting Crimson. I'm starting to think you're just full of yourself.
"You know nothing." Kris muttered as he stared further down into the bathing area. Relatively empty for what I can only assume to be an essential part of the base, where could everyone else be at a time such as this? Or are your schedules so packed that stray grunts having nothing to do is awfully rare? "I guess you could say that."

Guess that makes sense. With a ship this large, you would most definitely need a crudton of people to keep it all running ship-shape. When you're not getting easily deceived by things that you absolutely hate, what was your job here?

Kris rolled his eyes and muttered something into the pool. Looking up at the ceiling, I don't really have anything to say back to you. Outside of that you're being a massive dick to Bubbles over something he doesn't have a way of really knowing abo-

"Bitch, they destroyed everything. If it wasn't for Distant Harmony, I highly doubt I wouldn't be here." the grunt snapped and flipped the bird at the ceiling. Yeah. Just going to ignore you for a little bit and hope you calm down in some capacity.

As for our trio, things were going relatively well. The initial flick from Russel had given way to a three way bout of flailing about in the water in the hopes of splashing one's opponents. With only the shallow end of the pool to work with, the results weren't that crazy. Think less water 'fight' and more a bunch of kids playing around for the first time in forever.

"Kris, you really need to calm down." Russel remarked and shot his friend a glance. All that got him was scowling and a shaken fist. Could be worse. There's always throwing and maybe even storming off in frustration. "If you keep going like this…"

His friend rolled their eyes. Attempting to get up, his footing was less than stellar. His body shook about, gravity taking hold and pulling him down into water. Crap. This isn't good. Get him out of the water.

"Uh…" Bubbles started and slowly paddled over. Doing his best to get some kind of leverage on the convulsing grunt's body, his best was nowhere near enough to get Kris up out of the pool. Thankfully, Phusitmon and Russel were right behind to help in getting this idiot right out of the water and onto the much solid floor. "Uh… are you alright?"

Kris remained unresponsive, his body convulsing about. Hmm… this is going to sound absolutely stupid. Bubbles, do your best to heal him. As for Russel, lay him down on his side and make sure that he doesn't get back on his back. Now, Phusitmon…

Before I could finish that statement, Phusitmon made his way over to Kris's body. Coming to a stop opposite of Bubbles, he took a moment to make sure that everything was clear. What exactly do you intend to do here?

Bubble!

Shooting a couple of bubbles out, the plush rabbit digimon waited a moment. No response. Perhaps he hadn't shot out enough. So while Bubbles did his best dealing with this strange medical condition and Russel got to making sure his friend wasn't going to be laying on the floor, Phusitmon shot out more bubbles.

"Phusitmon?" Bubbles called out, shooting his partner a glance. He couldn't even think of a time that his partner had actually acted like this. What could've caused this strange behavior. Was this the result of Kris's convulsions? Or was there something else here he wasn't aware of? Shaking his head, the little dragon reached out to his partner. But all that got our little dragon was his claw being pushed away and more bubbles coming out. Pushing those out of the way, his focus returned to keeping Kris stable. While the convulsions were beginning to slow down, this still isn't looking that good. Crap. A good reality check for this idiot though. Not that I would wish something like this on anyone - enemy or not.

"Kris, come back to me!" Russel announced and moved his hands up. Kris didn't respond, body shaking about. Muttering something at the floor, he gazed towards the grunt's face. As big of an idiot that he made himself be throughout the short time back, there are possibly good things to him. Whether or not those parts will actually show remains to be seen. "Seriously dude, you just can't go out like that after everything you've done to just get back here."

His words roll out and the shaking finally comes to a stop. Letting go of his friend, Russel waited a moment. This was a good sign, but the shaking could come back at any moment. Perhaps it would be best to give Kris here a moment.

Bubbles nodded and picked Phusitmon up. While no longer shooting out bubbles, he was currently looking at the bathing area. Stopping right in front of Bubbles, he let out a deep breath. Getting a hug in return, he tried his best to break free. There was no way that his actions there should be rewarded with something like a hug. No, he had fallen upon old behavior and could've easily gotten Kris killed. He was so stupid! No wonder things had turned out so awful in the first place. Perhaps a mistake had been made when it came to selecting him for this mission. No other explanation fits this situation. Though, I can think of a number of other reasons. None of which quite on the level of putting yourself down that much.

"Everything okay?" Bubbles inquired and Phusitmon shook his head. Carefully, the little dragon tightened his grip around his partner. A squeeze followed, Phusitmon fidgeting even more. This was the last thing he needed. Even if the intentions of his partner were more than understandable and effort put out more than helpful.

"No…" Phusitmon whispered, the world around him swirling about. Gone was the bathing area, being replaced by a small apartment. Quite messy, there was no sign of a soul within. "Of all the times this could occur."

Notes:

This was the last chapter I wrote for Digital Dungeons. I don't really see myself continuing this.