I don't own digimon.
Story 74
New Old Friends Pt 1
Soaring through the skies, the dragon took a moment to look over the surroundings. While he had seen this part of the Digital World many times in the past, this would be the first time that he got to see it from above.
"How are you feeling, Phusitmon?" he whispered, watching his partner shift about in the purse. Gingerly gazing out, the plush rabbit digimon took care to not accidentally clip any of the buildings. While they appeared to be the only ones in the air, they were likely intruding on someone's territory. Or at least, a claim of it being their territory. Not that they had much evidence of it being that beyond their words and a flimsy piece of paper claiming they 'awned' this land. Considering their inability to spell, it should be quick to deal with them.
"Alright, though I much rather head back to Aldia than to cross the sea to parts of the digital world in the vicinity of Distant Harmony's ship. Your mothers are bound to be mighty confused when they finally see you." his partner announced and the dragon nodded. Of everyone back at home, his parents were the ones who would be most surprised. The last time they had seen him, he was barely taller than they were. Now, he easily towered over them and the rest of their friend group. Would they recognize him? Yes. He dressed much the same as he did before leaving their company. If anything, it would be him who might be confused by their appearan- "We're being watched."
The dragon slowed down, taking care to stand up straight without dropping the precious cargo at his side. Gazing about the roofs of the buildings around him, his gaze came upon the target with ease - a purple kitsune, dressed in a plain yellow kimono. Oddly, their clawed paws were cradling a khakkhara in the vain hope to not fall out of a windless sky.
"Hello there, mysterious kitsune. I'm Bubbles." the dragon greeted, their necklace now visible. Fairy wings surrounded a metal circle, held up by an icy blue string. "What if your name?"
The kitsune froze and stared down at the roof. This was supposed to be a secret mission. Leave it to him to forget his invisibility. Did dragons have a taste for kitsune? Probably not. He probably ate far larger creatures. Couldn't rule out them being a vegetarian either. For now, that thought faded.
"Kiki." the kitsune announced and clicked what sounded like a pocket watch in their kimono. Oddly, nothing happened. Was their time stopper broken? Impossible. The only other place
"Uh… this place is already frozen in time. It's been that way for a long time." Bubbles explained and flew closer to Kikki. Looking up to the sky, he waited a moment for any further statements from the narrator. I got nothing. Outside of both of you looking nice.
"Thanks? I need to get going. See you around?" Kiki announced and stepped forward. Diving through the air, they looked ready to splat on the ground. Instead, they disappeared in a flash of light. Wonderful. Yet another group thatweneedtoworryabout.
"DM, is something the matter?" Bubbles announced and took a seat on the roof's edge. Moving his purse so that Phusitmon could have a seat as well, they both stared up into the sky.
Sorry about that. Time scale just changed. It's now a perfect match. Unfucking believable. I've been trying forever to get things right. Now someone just came and fixed it. One less problem for me to deal with. Though, let's talk about that once you're closer to me. For now, I want to know how you've been. It was about two months ago when your friends and Mister came back without you in their company. What exactly happened in Ebyssia that required you to stay?
Bubbles looked down at the roof's edge. A refined sigh escaped his lips.
"One of us needed to stay behind to oversee the creation of a special present. After a long deliberation, it was decided that I was the best pick here." Bubbles explained as he ascended ever so higher. Flying forward once more, this time at a much slower rate. "For me, it's been closer to fifteen years."
Silence fell over the cityscape, the only noise coming from the cleric's wings flapping in the dead air of the world. So many questions left unasked and yet, it feels rude to ask them in the first place. I got ahead of myself here and forgot the time difference.
Bubbles shook his head. Looking up for just a moment, his attention returned ahead.
"It's alright. I just thought that they would've told you where I was going." Bubbles answered as he moved to the left. Up ahead, was just more cityscape. The only difference appeared to be that it was less skyscrapers and more general shops and homes. A main street of sorts, there was no telling the things being sold as the world ended. "Overall, it was quite fun learning how to be a princess and everything that came with it. Though, I do miss my mothers."
Swooping down to be slightly above the shops, Bubbles took a moment to stare inside, Even as the world 'ended' (for lack of a better word), some people still continued to go about their day as if nothing was out of the ordinary. Perhaps that had been their way to cope with the crushing realization that the future they desired would never come to be. Some people, on the other hand, were very much aware of their fate. Rather than attempt to fight it, they chose to end things right here. I honestly… don't blame them for taking that option. In many cultures, suicide is seen as a cowardly, taboo action. The last resort, you could say. Here, it was the only way that someone could take in order to remain with their friends and family. It's either that, or spending an eternity trapped as a statue frozen in time.
"DM, could we talk about something else?" Phusitmon announced, bringing a swift end to my remarks. Of course. Didn't mean to make things all dreary like that. Hmm… any interesting classes?
"I got to shoot off firearms. At least, that was what they called them. My hands are very much not designed for someone as large as me." Bubbles answered as he came to a stop. Descending to the street, he looked inside. There, what could only be described as a sparkly dark blue cocktail dress shined in the window. Untouched by dust or anything other natural forces, it was allowed to
"No." Phusitmon announced and got a look from his much larger partner. "Not only is it not your style in the slightest, it makes you a target for digimon and Distant Harmony."
Bubbles peeled his gaze away from the window, but gave a nod right after. Phusitmon had a point. As much as he didn't want to admit here, he was going to have to agree with him.
Pulling his gaze away from the glass, the cleric shot up into the air. Heading in the direction of the Pacific Ocean, he was actually making quite quick time to what I can only assume to be me. Wait. Have any of you actually seen me?
"I don't think so, but it'll probably not matter in the grand scheme of things." Bubbles answered as he stared down. Below him, a massive canyon stood. Far larger than any hole that he had ever seen before, the temptation to rapidly descend into there and then ascend back up. While a fun idea, the murder of crowmon loitering abo- "I don't see any murders down there. If anything, they look like they are drinking water and eating salads."
Phusitmon shot his partner a look.
"That's just what you call a group of crows… or crowmon in this case." Phusitmon explained and watched the other edge of the canyon come in view. Focusing ahead, it was nothing but desert for a while and space that needs to be filled. "So… uh, what does your free time look like?"
Let's see… I mostly watch my doofus of a partner chase that stupid gold ring on her tail. She has still not caught it. Nor will she ever, for that matter. Once she gets bored, then she chomps on the wires until something either breaks or a large amount of electricity goes through her digital body. There's also my lovely assistant who has gotten it in her head that it's okay to feed peanut butter to my cat. Mind you, please for the love of fuck do not give your felines peanut butter. Do I make myself clear?
"Uh… yes?" Bubbles answered as he came upon a road. By no means going the direction that he and Phusitmon were, the temptation to follow it for the sake of adventure hung tightly over the cleric. If there was another chance to come here, perhaps he could act on these feelings. Right now, the only thing that mattered was heading for DM. "I usually avoid that stuff. Whenever they gave out snacks, there was always that stuff available. A pain in the butt to get off the back of my mouth. Especially when it tingles."
Phusitmon looked up to his partner. I'm not completely certain how to continue with this.
"I'm going to assume that peanuts aren't supposed to make your mouth tingle?" Phusitmon announced and patted Bubbles's side. To answer your question, you have a peanut allergy, Bubbles.
"Oh. Uh… is it a good thing that there aren't peanuts in Aldia?" Bubbles answered as a city came into view. There, the telltale signs of distant harmony grunts trying their best to intermingle with the digimon and frozen bodies of the unlucky souls forced to live in this reality. In this case, some Flymon had the absolute misfortune of crossing their path.
"Get away you awful insects!" one of the grunts announced and took a swing at one of the flymon. All that accomplished was their plain black mask getting ripped off and thrown to the ground. As for their lab coat, that was now littered with stingers. Only piercing through the cloth rather than the skin, that only made it a matter of time before this unlucky soul accidentally poisoned himself.
"We were here first. This is our town and you fuckers refuse to follow the simple rules that we have set up." one of the flymon announced as Bubbles landed. Reaching into his bag, out came his parasol. Remaining in a closed state, no one really paid much attention. Even as the cleric's flying clothes gave way to his gown. That very much brought all eyes on him. "You're one of those digidestined blokes! Care to rid us of these parasites?"
Bubbles raised an eyebrow. While 'parasite' was a strong word to describe the grunts of Distant Harmony, he could sort of see where the digimon were coming from, Didn't make it right in the slightest, though.
"I'm going to need you to hold still in order to remove the stingers." Bubbles explained, his free claw now glowing with cream-colored energy. Reaching for the stingers, he took care to not cause any accidental poisonings. Grabbing them with ease, he took a moment to mind the lab coat. Afterwards, Bubbles's gaze shifted to the flymon.
"I wanted you to kick his ass, not heal his wounds!" the flymon announced and flew up above their companions. Diving down at Bubbles, that was the cleric's cue to open his parasol. Watching the bubble-shaped umbrella open, it's surprisingly smaller than I remember. Done up in blue with a cyan snowflake pattern, there's a strange sense of serenity to the accessory. Even as it was promptly used to swat the flymon away.
"Did you at least try to tell them the rules or did you just assume that they knew?" Bubbles inquired and was met with blank stares from the other Flymon. Looking among each other, it's right back over to Bubbles.
"Uh…you're all free to go." the flymon announced as the group flew off. As for the grunts, their focus shifted to Bubbles.
"Thank you. Is there any way that we can repay you?" the grunt inquired, Bubbles bringing a gloved talon up to his chin. While there were a variety of questions he wanted to ask here, but only one question came to mind here.
"Is Polias and the ship still here?" Bubbles inquired and was met with sorrowful looks. Looking among each other, Reaching out to what he could only assume to be the leader, Bubbles gave the lightest hand squeeze he could manage here. In turn, the leader of the grunts squeezed back.
"Polias left, taking the ship with him. We don't know what his goal is, at least beyond gathering a new group of villains to complete his mission." the grunts leader explained as Bubbles let go. Looking up to the sky, I'm honestly just as annoyed as you are. I should've noticed an object of that size, even with my still damaged scanners.
"Thank you for the information." Bubbles answered and closed his parasol. Putting it back into his bag, the cleric took a moment to see if Phusitmon was still comfortable. Once he was certain on that front, the ballgown gave way to his flying outfit.
"DM, is there any way that you can relay that information to Mister and in turn, everyone else?" Phusitmon inquired as the town below gave way to just streets and the occasional building. While peaceful, it did little to quell the feelings that swirled about Bubbles's head. While unable to act on them in such a way that wouldn't create destructive results, they stewed without resolution. "Even if he and that stupid ship had been there, you likely would've been outmatched anyway."
Bubbles let out a sigh. Even with dear old mom finally laid to rest (thank fuck), so many questions remained. If his mother had managed to sell the world to her deity, was there anything that Distant Harmony could do to stop her? Probably if they were even aware of such a deal being made in the first place. Considering the state of the grunts every time they were sent down, I'm with you there.
"Yes." he answered, his voice taking on a regal tone. Lasting just a moment, it was enough to compose himself as the sea came into view. Don't tell me that you're planning to fly across the massive body of water in a single flight. Just because the water is frozen doesn't mean that the distance is somehow shorter. "Not at all."
Beginning the descent down, Bubbles and Phusitmon were treated to the sight of a little boardwalk amusement park. Roller coasters, log flames and other thrill rides peppered the area, helped in part by the large building filled with slot machines and other games. A shame that you're too big to enter or even ride anything for that matter.
"Eh. We'll live." Phusitmon answered as Bubbles's shoes touched down on the boardwalk. Taking a moment to stretch and catch his breath, the cleric looked down at his partner. Getting a nod, his flying clothes gave way to a a blue bathing suit. To go with said outfit, a pair of flip-flops covered Bubbles's feet.
"Infuse!" the cleric announced as a blue outline formed around his body. "Droplet!"
The outline disappeared, but that didn't stop Bubbles as he jumped down into the water. Disappearing into the blue abyss, my 'camera' finds it way too what I can only assume to be the Japanese coast. More specifically, a beach where my base of operations is located.
"Whoo." Bubbles announced as he and Phusitmon reappeared. Taking the time to check for any stray water droplets or other stuff that might have been dragged out with them, none could be seen. At least, not from my angle. Once that was done, Bubbles's bathing suit gave way to a new outfit. A glacial blue dress, the cut looked to resemble a sweet lolita coord. Done up with refrained ruffles and lace, what looked to be pastel blue stockings decorated with cartoony red dragons proudly obscured the scales on the cleric's legs. Leading right into a set of glacial blue pumps, the titular 'heel' was on the blocky side. Moving up to the hand, short white gloves with tiny bows matching the main color of the dress hung proudly to his claws, giving the tiny doll top hat on his head the momentum it needed to shine. Oh my. Someone wanted to show off, didn't he?
Bubbles's cheeks went pink as he tried to hide his embarrassment. Fading away as quickly as it appeared, I honestly don't blame him here.
"Where do you think you're going?" a voice announced as a man with messy red hair approached. Robotic red eyes stared out at the pair, bringing with the unmistakable blob of a 'revived' human being. A far cry from that dreadful power armor that covered his body.
"I'm here to see DM. Is that a problem?" Bubbles inquired and the man shook his head. Raising an eyebrow, the cleric didn't know how to react here.
"No. But I ask you to end my life." the man announced as a ball of energy formed in his hand. Shooting it in Bubbles's direction, his aim was incredibly off. Yuujin, what in the ever living fuck are you thinking here?!
"That is not of your concern, DM." Yuujin announced as the parasol came out. A layer of water hung over the umbrella, even when it was waved about.
"Uh… why exactly do you want to die?" Bubbles announced as he charged at Yuujin. Tapping it against the power suit, he watched the armor get wet. Nothing in the way of sparks, it did the job of gumming up the joints.
"To be reunited with Haru. I can feel him… in the past. Free me from this body and let me join my beloved." Yuujin announced as he pushed Bubbles away. Or at least, tried too. When that didn't work, he went for a headbutt. All that accomplished was his head bouncing right off Bubbles's coord.
"Oh Lady Crimson, Guardian of Adventurers, please forgive me for what I'm about to do." Bubbles prayed and knocked Yuujin to the ground. Letting forth a blast of water, he cleanly took Yuujin's head off. Looking over him for a couple seconds, the deed was done. Serves that fucker right. While I would have loved to kick his ass, you did quite well in a single move.
"Uh… I got spiritual and magical training in Ebyssia." Bubbles boasted and paid his respects for his opponent. Once he had done that, then it was just a matter of entering the Criasu Corp Headquarters. Hearing the sound of heels, it's weird. I can't even remember the last time that I had a guest. It was probably Rantha before he headed to Aldia. Care to tell me what the surprise that's in your bag?
"It's a secret to everyone." Phusitmon announced and felt a set of feline eyes come upon him. A Tailmon stared out, extremely pissed that they weren't allowed to chomp down on their desired electrical wires.
"It's nice to meet you, DM." Bubbles greeted and pulled Phusitmon out of his purse. Reaching further into the purse, out came the body of a tiefling. Dressed up like a magical girl, my eyes are focused on that over the pair's approach. "Though, It might be best to hand things off to Mister until the transfer is complete."
What do you mean, trans-
I don't even get to finish that sentence, my entire existence gets pulled into my new body. While I would love to give an estimate, it might be better to let whatever is happening… happen. For lack of a better wordl
Bubbles took a seat. Reaching out to Tailmon, the feline digimon reluctantly accepted his lap as one to sit in. Perhaps this would be a good time for you to take the ropes, my friend.
.
Meanwhile with the 'main' narrator…
An elaborate diorama of floating butterfly swords hangs above what can only be described as a very crude model of the 'timekeeper. Off to the right, a strategy guide for Final Fantasy II (the original, not the one that Americans initially called II) was open for what few observers were able to see. Or at least it was, up until a gloved hand obscured the view and cut the feed short.
"Hey! Only Jest- Harlequin is allowed to see this!" a voice announced, only for the sound of purring to echo about. "Okay. Jestery will make an exception for you. But this is totally 100% non-canon and not breaking the agreement in the slightest?"
Meowing mixed with laughter followed.
Notes:
This was going to be one chapter, but then I had a nine hour drive to write during. Oops?
