I don't own digimon.
Session 23
Caught in the crossfire
The sea.
Like many things in life, the first impression could truly be deceiving. In this case, Elena and co. had gotten front row seats for a whole lot of nothing.
"Can I ask you something?" Polly inquired as she turned her attention to her partner.
"Since you've been a good girl and have been a bit more receptive to having me around," Aegiochusmon answered as he faced Polly. "I'm all ears."
Polly took a deep breath and closed her eyes, attempting to choose a particular question to ask. She had so many to choose from, but the monk doubted her partner would answer all of them.
"What was I like back 'then'?" she finally asked and watched her partner take a deep breath.
"At best, you were a face amid the crowd." the harem mage answered. "From the notes left by your 'usual' teacher, he noted that the only really defining thing about you was your swimming abilities and your generally happy attitude to just about everything."
"Oh."
Aegiochusmon let out a laugh and got some confusion from Polly.
"Considering you're competition consisted of mages, a demon and a ghost among other things, being normal ain't half bad. If nothing else, it leaves you with room to improve on the parts that you hold dear, slut."
The harem mage got a punch for that remark. He knew he was pushing his luck when he said those last two words, but the blow felt slightly softer than usual.
"My turn to ask you a question then." Aegiochusmon remarked and debated bringing Aaron into the conversation. "Outside of me accidentally turning you into that 'thing', did you see anything interesting at Oracha?"
Polly stared out towards the water, mumbling something under her breath.
"I saw you and that 'girl'." she finally answered as her gaze fell on the floor. "But when I tried to focus on her, the figure seemed to shift in appearance."
Aegiochusmon took a deep breath and made a mental note. He then turned his attention to Aaron, who was currently writing something down.
"I'm sorry about what happened, you guys." Aaron whispered and took a deep breath. "I probably should've talked with you first before arranging that meeting."
Aegiochusmon let out a laugh.
"Fine by me."
Land slowly came into view, with the edge of palm trees and the outlines of buildings coming into the view. Of course, one could also see what appeared to be a variety of digimon as well. Or would've, if they were actually paying attention
"Okay then." Gentleman started, jumping off the boat and tied it up to the dock. "Ladies first, of course."
The chosen and their digimon filed off, making sure they hadn't left anything on the transport. Not that they really could, since most of their belongings were on their person to begin with.
Once they had all assembled, a blackgatomon scrambled over and pulled out a bunch of flower necklaces.
"Welcome to Ka'yona." the blackgatomon greeted, handing each of them. "We hope your stay here is peaceful and serene."
"Thank you." Elena answered as she slipped the necklace around her neck. Everyone else followed suit, giving a pleasant remark to the greeter. "Have you by any chance seen a girl with black hair, traveling with a jackal and a turkey?"
"Why yes." the blackgatomon answered and pointed towards what appeared to be a town square. "She and her friends ran right past me, not even taking their gift and sunk their boat in the process."
"Thank you." Elena remarked and gave the cat a pet.
"No prob." the feline digimon remarked and scurried off, leaving them to their own devices.
"Look, they have actual tea!" Tsukaimon announced and pointed towards a large pile of boxes on the beach. Of course, the purple pig decided to fly away and forced the rest of the team to give chase. Thankfully, it ended as quickly as it started, with the purple pig managing to slam his head into a stone pillar serving as a support for the dock. "It was an accident!"
The rest of the group only rolled their eyes and turned around, gazing upon what the tropical island had to offer. Sandstone buildings seemed to sprout out of the ground in the distance, while palm trees casually mingled with stone brick paths.
Once Cutemon was finished healing up Tsukaimon, they made their way towards the town square. It was a lively place, with a variety of stalls and mats with a decorative fountain. Digimon of all levels and types wandered about, enjoying this tropical paradise to the best of their abilities. Except for a sole figure standing in front of the fountain, who seemed intent on glaring at him. On closer inspection, it appeared he was dressed in a blackish cyan cloak with the sword and pencil crest on the back. Though, Alice and her partners were standing there impatiently.
"Uh, do we know you?" Aaron remarked and watched the figure laugh.
"Yes and no." the figure answered. "For some of you, this is the first time. For others, I'm a bit of an... old friend."
Aegiochusmon muttered something under his breath as the figure gazed over them. As tempted as it was to make a move, now was probably wasn't the best time.
"Of course, I got some gifts for all of you."
All five members of this unnamed group gave the figure a confused glance, unsure of how to react to this revelation.
"I guess I'll start with Aaron." the figure explained and revealed a vial of golden liquid. "Drink up."
"Why?" Aaron inquired,
"Because I said so."
"No."
The figure shoved the vial into Aaron's mouth, watching the detective stomach the whole potion.
Aaron infusion digivolve too... Shamon!
In place of Aaron, was a slightly taller man with long blonde hair. He was draped in a red cape. That's pretty much it.
Scanning...
Shamon
Champion, Vaccine
Special Moves: Alchemist's Wrath, Forbidden Exchange
.
Aaron: Okay, screw you. I will pay you back for that.
?: I would like to see you try.
Alice: What a dick...
Elena: You have no room to talk.
Scan complete.
"And to think, my colleagues see you as a useless hang-on." the figure taunted as Aaron took a deep breath, managing to get a glance at what appeared to be under the cloak. The detective then flung back a vial of whitish blue liquid and watched it hit, shattering the figure. And while it did return back to normal right after, a big chunk of pride had gone with it.
"I think I'll give Elena and Alice their gifts next."
A silver necklace with a symbol similar to that on the figure's cloak appeared around the two girl's necks, only for an empty ring box to find its way to Alice's hands.
"What the hell am I supposed to do with this?" Alice shouted and watched the figure let out a laugh.
"Open your heart and the winds of love will blow right in."
Reluctantly, Alice shoved the box into her bag and focused back on the figure.
*Uh thanks?* Suiko added as the gambler ran off. The figure then turned his attention to Polly and Aegiochusmon.
"Leave." Aegiochusmon remarked as he took a step forward. "These peoples are not your playthings. State whatever the hell you want to tell the two of us and scram."
Polly gave her partner a confused look, unsure about his sudden change of behavior.
"Of course, the Gostelow's do want their 'doll' back." the figure then focused on Polly and cracked a twisted smile her way. "And with relations between the departments at an all-time low..."
Something seemed to snap within the monk, with her suddenly making her way over and smashing both her fists into the potential opponent. She collapsed to the ground right after and muttered something about having double vision.
"If it helps, someone else survived." the figure mocked as Aegiochusmon helped his partner up. "Of course, I would act quickly. You can never know what could happen to her..."
With that, the figure threw down a smoke pellet and teleported away.
"Okay..." Elena remarked as everyone turned their attention to Aegiochusmon. "Care to explain what just happened?"
Aegiochusmon took a deep breath. While he had hoped that this topic wouldn't come up, there wasn't any use in hiding at this point.
"A long time ago, I was a department head at an organization called 'The Order'." the harem mage remarked and took another deep breath. "They were the sort that wished to control both worlds, but were forced to scatter after some subjects betrayed them. Now though, I guess Julie wants to make an attempt at taking what she believe's is hers."
He gazed upon his teammates, who were still taking it all in. Not that he blamed them for that feeling that way. It was the sort of thing that never felt like a complete picture at times.
"Thank you, Aegiochusmon." Aaron remarked and motioned for Elena to come over. "Elena, do you think you can help me with something?"
Notes:
A vastly different chapter this time. Mostly for the sake of clarifying things. Especially as things get more complicated...
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Next Time: Aaron attempts to help Elena mend the gap.