I don't own Digimon.

Characters: Various

Universe: Digital Dungeons

Notes:

Here's to 2020.

Chapter 102

2020 Sneak Peek

Astral Academia, Year ?

Mister Lore Mage (yes, that's his actual name) did a double take. Before him stood an absolutely stunning succubus. Sure, he had been treated to tons of them in Aldia. But those had been through a book. This was a real-life experience for him. How wonderful.

"Hey! I'm the one who run the show around here." our normal narrator announced, getting a chuckle in return. Followed by a wave from the succubus. Why thank you. And to answer your question Mister, this is the 2020 sneak peek. We do these at the end of the year to get people pumped up. "Oh."

As for the succubus herself, she has gone with a dark blue choli with a slightly lighter blue sari over it. Pink hair glittering with gems and ornaments reached well beyond their waist, but not enough to obscure the mangalsutra with a large fairy pendant around her neck. Guess she's taken. Which led right into the bow currently hovering in place. Can't forget about the strange cross between fey and succubus wings hanging off of her back. They flutter about in the burnt out ruins of this former school.

For Mister Lore Mage though, he decided to be boring and go with a flowing cloak. Kind of boring and pretty easy to describe.

"Favoritism." Mister muttered, getting a giggle in return from the current narrator. Okay, maybe that's the case. Though, you might get something better when the time comes around to actually give you a signature look. "That's good to know, even if that doesn't explain why I'm here."

This is a bonus of sorts, a sneak peek. And no, you don't get to remember any of this. That would be cheating. No one likes a cheater, especially one who abuses information they shouldn't have.

"Boo." Mister Lore Mage announced as we begin this properly.

.

Oh. The places you'll go.

A woman walks through the dark halls. Every detail, every imperfection seen through the transparent hallways. Holes litter all of them, sparks visible in the far off distance. Whatever that was here is now long gone.

A naginata - passed down from generation to generation shakes with each step taken. Well-worn but mastercrafted, it would serve the latest in the line of would be mages. If they ever got a chance to

"Any feedback?" she inquires, a gurgle being the response back. Followed by a swing of what appeared to be a parasol. "Oh. Don't be so down."

Another gurgle, the parasol getting ever so closer at the moment. This was normal of course. With no real place to go and the possibility of capture should they ever leave, holding onto what little hope was all they had.

.

We stand within a world frozen in time. What could've happened to this place? Some freak magical experiment?

"Is this where you guys came from?" Blaze calls out, Balamon scanning the area. While the snake digimon was reminded of something within all of this, the fog seemed ready to mess him up - remind him of things that he shouldn't know. The worst possible feeling imaginable. Sure, his fellow digimon had their particular moment, but there couldn't be one for him. Right?

The image still came over him. It hurt. The cold. The water. All of it. What had he done to deserve this? What has this person done to end up with such a fate?

But as quickly as it had started, the vision came to an end. Though, he did come upon a yellow laptop. Giving it a slight poke, a scanner beam came over him.

Scanning…

Loading…

Balamon

Rookie, Virus

Special Moves: Not found

.

Balamon: Huh...

You've passed all the tests, now endless possibilities await you. Take hold and never look back.

"Big…" Bubbles mumbles, trying his best not to lose it in this current moment. There was no way. This couldn't be real. So many princesses in one place. Sure, they all dwarfed the one taking care of him, but that didn't matter. He was in Princess Heaven. Add in the new dress that Madame had just gotten him, he was on cloud nine. His caretaker on the other hand, was less so. In between all the vibrant lights and loud sounds, she was ready to file a complaint. Though, she couldn't deny the feel of this gown. This was meant to be Bubbles big day, more or less. An invitation to the supposed prestigious academy for all things royalty was nothing to be joked about. Especially since it would be three years before they could see the little guy again. As awful as that sounded, you sometimes need to take a shot. Even if it seemed like there was a chance of things not working out.

"Uh… do any of you know where we can find Clearwing Regalia?" she calls out, catching the attention of a wyvern trio. Dressed in vibrant pastel ballroom gowns and bonnets, their heels just sticking out from their hems. Looking down towards her and Bubbles, they let out a chuckle.

"I think you mean Clearwing Royal Academy." one of the princesses explained, pointing out in the distance to a building currently floating off the ground. Carved from what looked to be a single stone, the castle seems to serve as one of the key landmarks for Wyvos. Even beats out a huge majority of these 'rollercoaster' things. Do look kind of fun. Not that I can actually ride any of those.

"We can take you two up there." one of the princesses finally announced, our two 'heroines' looking to their teammates. Hugs followed and then it was time. Three years may sound like a long time, but it'll be over before you know it. Then you'll be back together. How does that sound? Fuck. Now I'm crying.

You'll meet all sorts of wonderful people. Some good.

"So you're here with our actresses as support people." the director explains, looking to the pair before them and their entourage. For the magia and her former rival, this was it. Everything they had done was all going to culminate in this. Sure, these idiots following them through was not part of that plan though.

"But it's clear that her eye is on someone other than the chosen person. I think I can make this work. Are you all willing to help?"

Shifting her focus back to the director, a look of relief came over her. Finally. Someone who understood. Her partner noticed as well. Even though they were currently being obscured by the eight foot tall dragon right now.

"See?" the mega digimon whispered, a look following right after as their opponents got into position on the battlefield. Looked to be a cityscape of sorts. Buildings of all different shapes and sizes littered the general area with streets of black rock connecting it all together. Kind of impressive to see. Wonder what it feels like. Probably rock hard. Fuck.

.

"I am Dagon the Rose, member of Distant Harmony."

Landing on solid ground, we take in the volcdramon he was riding upon. It looks tired, frustrated even. As if nothing has really gone right in any of this. But against this absolutely beautiful and serene backdrop, it's almost a shame to an extent. What could have happened to cause such a fall? Does it somehow relate to our dragon here? Who can say. If I had to guess, maybe. "This is the end of the line for you, criminal scum."

Pulling his massive halberd back, he made quick work of his opponents. There's little in the way of refinement or real elegance. Which makes the choice of 'the rose' as a name extender as just more wasted potential here. At least do something that would suggest some form of elegance here. Anything to make it stick out.

Which just leaves Yvonne and Marulyn of all people. The last line of defense for this small enclave of people, this is going to be quite a battle ahead. Much like the rebuilding of Aldia. Except this is an actual battle and not a rebuilding process for an entire section of the town. Quite a big difference.

"You think we can do this?" the mage remarks, getting a nod from her girlfriend. Everything about what they were about to do was untested on top of being absolutely dangerous. Should something go wrong, there's no telling whether or not either of them would still have a body. Having come this far, very little could really stop them at this point.

"Infuse!" Yvonne announces, feeling her body grow empty and hollow. Holding steady, she could feel Marulyn pull herself in. As 'connecting' go, this seems intimate at least. Especially once that warhammer gets raised on up. "Spirit!"

Dagon's attention shifts over to them. Letting out a huff, he rolls eyes.

Some not so much…

"INGO GOING TO TURN YOU INTO JELLY SO THAT GOD WILL FIND INGO AGAIN!" Ingo shouts, slamming his foot down into the dirt. A couple crows fly overhead. Cawing about, they look angry about something. I'm not an expert on birds or their mating calls. I mean bird speak. Misspoke there. Meant birdtalk. Big difference between the two. Not that it matters when you're in someone's deserted castle having a battle. Makes you wonder what sort of ruler lived in such a place. Okay, obviously a vampire. But beyond that. Were they benevolent? Cruel? Did they have preference on who exactly they drank from? Eh. Probably doesn't really matter for the moment. Just wishful thinking.

"Let's dance then."

Looking down to the ground below, we find Blaze of all people. Decked out in a long red dress with a whitish pink skirt peeking through, he had a sort of grace to him. Nice long sleeves as well, but no scimitar. Thankfully, Balamon was there. So it's not all bad. Even if he does look just a touch queasy for the moment.

"Infuse!" the dancer announces, fiery energy dancing about his body. "Ember!"

But never forget - you're in this together. Their battles are your battles.

"If that's what you need, we'll do it." Melody remarks, putting a hand on Madame's shoulder. "No one should have to go through that. Ever again."

A slap followed. Well, it's more towards the leg than anything valuable for the moment.

"You don't have to be so direct." Madame mutters, turning her attention to Bubbles. While silent for the moment, it was quite amazing to see him "We've already reached an agreement on this and I understand now."

Turning around, she let her whip meet glass. Piercing through, this particular chapter of Aldia's history comes to an end. A long overdue one, in fact.

.

"This is the end of the line, Artisan." Ella screeches, turret already out. Every part of her was running on adrenaline alone and the finish line was just in sight. Just needed to deal with this one last thing. "I really wanted to get to know you and your work, but you just had to touch my inn."

Rantha rolls his eyes. Out of all he had faced down so far, she was an enigma for him. Off on the sidelines, minding her own business. But now, she had her teammates right behind her. That shouldn't be enough to overpower him. Then why was it looking like that would be the case? She was beneath him for fuck sake.

For the power is within all of you. Something that connects all of you.

"Infusion Trade!"

Melody took a deep breath. Grip on the sickle tightening, she hoped that her call would reach her teammates. If not, she would just face this pain alone. That's what she had always done. Self-inflicted or otherwise. But within all of this, even amid all these reflections, that needed to change. She can't let this keep going like this.

Melody would like to trade with everyone.

Do you accept?

[Yes]-[No]

Ever in the darkness and the little light echoed about the caverns, her offer ringed on through. Quite impressive, on top of absolutely taxing on her body. Hold strong, Melody. I know you can do this! Just believe in

All Parties accept this trade.

Energies of all sorts surged through Melody's body, threatening to tear her apart, Yet the mystic holds strong in the face of all of his. It's the least she can do till her teammates reach her.

For there's many places you might go to. But you'll just have to wait.

"Well that was a wild ride." Mister Lore Mage remarked, turning to his strange companion for the moment. "Do you have a name at least?"

Getting a chuckle, the succubus nodded. Which came right as a portal appeared. I guess you're not getting the answer to that question quite yet. Unless... It's your call. I won't hold anything against you.

"Crimson."

Stepping through, one could make out a much taller woman. Draped in an ankali salwar (dress), her frosty skin was on full display for the moment. A mangalsutra similar to Crimson's hangs around her neck, just with a little succubus instead of a fey. A bindi had been painted on her forehead, while piercing white eyes brought attention away from glacial blue locks of hair. She seems motherly, possible even more so with that belly of her. Actually, scratch that. Just a little snow that got on the garment. Wait. That garment is made from that stuff. Wait. That's an archfey. Her full wingspan got to be as big as Crimson.

A wave from both of them followed. They look like a nice couple. Guess we'll be seeing them around. Though, did you really thought this was all going to happen right now? You're funny. But this is the moment where we part.

Mister Lore Mage just nodded, feeling his eyelids grow heavy. Of course. There may be one more scene. One occurring right now.

.

"Hello, this is fallen spaceship Distant Harmony calling to Distant Harmony is there anyone there?"

Silence. The same as it had all this time. Eight Centuries and still no one had decided to pick up. Almost disheartening to an extent. But life has a funny way of working out. Maybe that was why her descendents kept this ra-

"Yes, this is Distant Harmony. What is your status?"

A chuckle. Why do I get the feeling that the answer isn't going to be so simple. Sure, the location alone does look to be the easiest to get to in the first place. But there has to be a catch.

"Well if we're being honest here, it's been better."

Silence for the moment. Possibly, the operator was making sure that this was in fact a legit call. Though, how many of these things could they possibly get? Not many, but I'm not really a spaceship sort of guy.

"How so?"

Another chuckle. This one didn't sound so nice.

"Well, 'we've been stuck in this facility for 800 years. In a place called Ebyssia. Ring any bells for you?"

More silence. Eventually, static enters the call. From which end is unknown. Doesn't really matter.

"Understood. We are plotting a course. It'll take us quite a bit. Are you sure want to wait?"

The voice on the other end just chuckles. Still not entirely sure what's so funny. Maybe a joke was told that we didn't get to hear. Which is rude

"Eh. What's a couple days to a couple months?"

A gurgle, followed by a swing of a parasol. Oh dear. Hopefully they didn't hurt someone. Or in the worst case, the damage done was minor. Hopefully.

"Calm down. They'll come. Always do."