Happy very early Birthday, DA03!
Story 65
Here are the champions
Of all the things Jun Motomiya was expecting to see, an angsty teenage triceratops person raiding her fridge was very much not on the list. Nor was the mauled corpse version of herself lying at the feet of said triceratops person.
"Chanpion wa doko? ! Koko ni wa chanpion ga iru hazuda to iwa remashita! (Where are the champions?! I was told there were supposed to be champions here!)" the triceratops person announced as they began throwing the contents of the fridge out onto the floor. Jun let out a sigh, resisting the urge to shout at the vandal that she had just gotten the groceries. But one glimpse of their face brought a swift end to that thought. They had met before. Where or really how eluded her at every turn. It was the oddest feeling. Like someone had purposefully overwritten her memories for an unknown reason. Shoving that away, Jun inched her way over to the corpse. Flipping the body around to not see this deceased version of her, she began rifling through the pockets. There had to be something here to clue her in to this mystery.
"Totta. (Got it.)" Jun thought as her hand rubbed up against a piece of paper. Pulling it out, the communications specialist retreated to a nearby room. Taking a seat on the floor, care was taken to smooth the letter out.
Kowareta karada o mitsuketa watashiniha, kore ga anata ga kono konran ni tsuite shiru hitsuyō ga aru hōhōdearu to mōshiwakearimasen. Dejimon no pātonā wa shukufukudearu to kangae rarete imasu - anata ga kanōda to wa omowanakatta mokuhyō o tassei suru no o tasukeru koto o ito shita isshu no yūjindesu. Karera wa, anata no kontorōru no oyobanai-ryoku ni yotte anata kara hikisaka reru koto wa sōtei sa rete imasen. Anata ga nozomu yō ni watashitachi ga watashitachi no yakuwariwohatasu koto ga dekinakatta no wa watashitachi no seide wa arimasen. Dakara watashi wa karera ni sakaratta. Shibarakunoaida, monogoto wa yokatta. Watashi wa saishūtekini watashitachi no pātonā o mitsukemashita. Kare wa sonotoki totemo chīsana otokodeshita. Anata wa kare o aishite itadeshou. Shikashi, monogoto wa sō naru koto o ito shite imasendeshita. Sate, kare no kūfuku o mitashi, kare ni ikutsu ka no chanpion o kakutoku suru no wa anata shidaidesu. Homeosutashisu ga chanpion no sonzai o fusegu tame ni ibento no kanpekina arashi o tsukuridasu koto ni seikō shinai kagiri. Gomen'nasai, Motomiya Jun `diana'
(To the me that finds my broken body,
I'm sorry that this is how you have to find out about this mess. A digimon partner is supposed to be a blessing - the kind of friend meant to help you achieve the goals that you didn't think were possible. They aren't supposed to be ripped away from you by forces outside of your control because a fuckwit decided that this particular future was somehow less valid than the ones that came after. It's not our fault that we couldn't play our role like you wanted. So I defied them. For a while, things were good. I eventually found our partner. He was such a little guy then. You would have loved him. But things weren't meant to be. Now, it falls to you to satisfy his hunger and get him some champions. Unless Homeostasis managed to create a perfect storm of events to prevent champions from existing.
Very sorry about this,
Jun 'Deanna' Motomiya)
Jun pulled her head up from the letter, not completely certain what to make of this letter. At least beyond pulling out her phone and dialing Daisuke's number. Bringing the device up to her ear, she let the ringing echo across the room.
"Hai? (Yes?)" her brother announced, the sounding of cooking echoing across the background. If Jun had to take a guess, he was making himself a meal. That, or Veemon was whipping something up. Whatever the case, she could only hope that they could get over here soon to help fix this problem. If not, she didn't know what to do. Actually take the triceratops person on and get them to calm down? That was just silly. Someone like her was nowhere close to being strong enough to take them on. At least, not without a suitable weapon.
"Ē to… torikeratopusu no hito ga watashi no reizōko o shūgeki shi, sono sugu yoko ni shitai ga arimasu. (Uh… there's a triceratop's person raiding my fridge and a dead body right beside them.)" Jun explained, the sound of the phone dropping echoing through to her side. Caught before reaching the floor and causing irreversible damage, the sound of a muffled chuckle followed. "Mangaichi, watashi ga kore made ni keiken shita arayuru konran no kontei ni tōtatsu suru no o tetsudatte kureru to omoimasu ka? (By any chance do you think that you can help me get to the bottom of whatever mess I've been thrus-)"
Before Jun could finish that sentence, she was cut off by her brother appearing. V-mon sat on his shoulder, looking a touch silly at the moment on the noodle chef.
"Nē sis. Genkideshita ka? (Hey sis. How have you been?)" Daisuke inquired and helped his partner down. Then it's back to his sister. When was the last time that they had an actual conversation? Had to be sometime after Davis was found after that mess with Ordinemon.
"Subarashī… watashi to torikeratopusu no hito no shinda bājon o mitsukeru made, kare wa `chanpion' no tame ni watashi no reizōko o shūgeki suruhitsuyōgāru to handan shimashita (Great… up until I found a dead version of me and a triceratops person deciding that he needed to raid my fridge for 'champions')." Jun explained and got a look from her brother and his partner. She was expecting that response here. She would honestly have the same reaction if it was her on the receiving end of that kind of info dump.
"Sate…`torikeratopusu no hito' wa nanrakano imi de dejimonda to omoimasu ka, soretomo mattaku betsu no monodesu ka? (Okay… do you think the 'triceratops person' is a digimon in any sense of the word or is this something else entirely?)" Daisuke inquired and Jun closed her eyes. Sifting through the memories within her mind, she was met with something peculiar. In the memory she was standing in the middle of a large field with a violet sky hanging overhead. Standing before her, was a teenage girl with brown hair. A white cat looking thing stood at her side, standing watch for potential threats.
"Dejitaru no sekaide wa kore ga hajimetenanode, kore o yukkuri to susumete ikimasu. (Since this is your first time in the digital world, we'll be taking this slow.)" the girl in her memory announced and Jun stared down at her feet. There, a little triceratops standing on two legs stood at her feet. Looking around everywhere, Jun could make out a look of wonder on their face. She honestly envied him here. This was all absolutely terrifying in every sense of the word. This was supposed to be a normal day. Maybe even have a nice dinner with her family. But no, her day had to be spent getting out of a world she knew very little about with a creature she had no intentions of adopting. At least, not willingly. But that was just the nature of this mess.
"Wakatta. Somosomo naze watashi ga koko ni iru no ka oshiete itadakemasu ka? (Okay. Could you maybe tell why I'm here in the first place?)" Jun had countered, only for the girl to give a shrug. That was very much not the answer she was expecting to see here. Let alone would it get her any closer to getting out of this place. Better yet, what the hell was this girl's name? She had to have a name, right? Would be dumb if she didn't. Not that Jun was quite willing to say that out loud here. Far too embarrassing. No, it would usually be the other way around. The girl would say her name and then ask for Jun's. Simple as that. Probably wasn't, now that she thought as the memory faded away. Opening her eyes back up, Jun split her attention between Daisuke and V-mon. Letting out a sigh, that was all it took to get their attention once more.
"Torikeratopusu no hito wa dejimondesu. Naze sore o shitte iru no ka wakarimasenga, shitte imasu. (The triceratops person is a digimon. I don't know why I know that, but I do.)" Jun answered and looked over to her target. Still tearing apart her fridge, they somehow looked even more frustrated than they had been upon her initial observation. Did something change? Or was this just their usual attitude? She honestly didn't know. Part of her kind of just wanted to leave the situation at that for now. Let raiding triceratops people digimon lie and hope they go away if she just left the apart-
Jun's thought was promptly cut off by way of a container being thrown her way. Ducking in time, the container smashed right through the door and created a nice hole for anyone to see right in.
"Ē to… son'na koto wa dekimasen! (Uh… I can't have you doing that!)" Jun announced and stood up. Slowly approaching the triceratops person digimon, she watched their gaze focus on her. A sigh escaped their lips, hands already grabbing for the next projectile to be thrown. In this case, more plastic containers.
"Sorenara chanpion o kudasai! (Then give me champions!)" her opponent countered and leaned into Jun. The nerve of this woman. They had only one goal - get champions and eat them. But there were no champions to be found. What kind of scam was she running here?
"Anata ga watashi ni mukatte sakebi, gaki no yō ni furumatte iru made wa arimasen. Watashi wa anata no pātonāde wa nai to omoimasuga, sukunakutomo koko de kyōryoku shite chanpion o kakutoku suru koto wa dekimasu ka? (Not while you're shouting at me and acting like a brat. I get that I'm not your partner, but can we at least work together here to get some champions?)" Jun inquired and the triceratops person digimon looked away.
"Subete no chanpion o hakai shiyou to shite iru hito no 1-ri no tame ni anata ga hataraite inai koto o dō yatte shiru koto ga dekimasu ka? (How do I know you're not working for one of those people who are intent on destroying all champions?)" they countered, getting a sigh from Jun. Couldn't be easy in the slightest. No matter. She would figure out something that could appease them. Or at least, would've, if not for the holy arrow from an Angewomon piercing through the walls in the vain hope of getting a certain devil digimon.
"Kudaranai. (Crap.)" Daisuke announced, digging his phone out from his pocket. Holding it out for both Jun and V-mon to see, a cocoon of blue light formed around his partner.
V-mon evolve too… XV-mon!
In place of the small dragon digimon was a now larger dragon digimon with wings no less. Heading in the direction of where the arrow was shot, that left Jun and Davis to head in the direction of where it ended up. In this case, it led right to a massive hole in the door proudly displaying Victoria Arcana. Dressed in a rather casual violet lolita jumper dress, MadameLilithmon and Kuro Neko took up the rear.
"O ̄. Sorede kanojo wa tsuini baketsu o ketta. (Oh. So she finally kicked the bucket.)" Victoria announced and was met with a look from Kuro and Jun.
"Anata wa daredesuka, soshite dō yatte watashi no shitai bājon o shitte imasu ka? ! (Who are you and how do you know the dead body version of me?!)" Jun announced, Victoria taking that as her cue to enter.
"Watashinonamaeha bikutoriaarukanadesu. Diana wa… machigaideshita. Anata no jōkā ni tsuite no jōhō ni watashi no michi o ijimeru tame no watashi no soba no shōjikina zen no machigai. So no yōna tanjun'na. Kekka wa… doryoku suru kachi wa arimasendeshita. (My name is Victoria Arcana. Deanna was… a mistake. An honest to goodness mistake on my part to weasel my way into information about you jokers. Simple as that. The results… were never worth the effort.)" the black cat explained and caught a glimpse of her girlfriend and her partner entering the apartment. Turning back to Jun, she found herself met with a confused look. "Hoka ni nanimonai to shite mo, sukunakutomo GulusGammamon o ochitsuka seru no o tetsudawa sete kudasai. Anjeu~omon ga kubi kara iki o sutte iru ma, sore wa watashi ga teikyō dekiru saitei no monodesu. (If nothing else, at least let me help you get GalusGammamon calmed down. That's the least I can offer while Angewomon is breathing down my neck.)"
Jun looked away, unsure of what to make of all that she had just heard. Nothing about this made a lick of sense in the slightest. Here was this mysterious woman that somehow knew both the triceratops person digimon and the dead version of her. There had to be a catch associated with this. There always was. But to what extent, remains to be seen.
"Anata dake ga shitte iru riyū de anata ga watashi o uragiranai koto o dō yatte shiru koto ga dekimasu ka? (How do I know you won't betray me for reasons only known to you?)" Jun countered and got an eyebrow raise from Victoria. Was what she was claiming really that silly? Probably. This whole afternoon had been a total waste. At this point, the communications specialist just needed to find these damn champions. Then, things would be alright.
"Moshi watashi ga jissai ni anata o koroshitakatta nonara, watashi wa anata o damashite GulusGammamon ni fure saseta kamo shiremasen. Jiko no yō ni mie, dare mo kashikoku wa arimasen. (If I actually wanted to kill you, I could've just tricked you to touch GalusGammamon. Would look like an accident and no one would be any wiser.)" Victoria countered and waited a moment for Jun's attention to return to her. Tempted as she was to look in the direction of GalusGammamon, it was probably for the best to not do that. Especially as the sounds of Deanna's body being consumed echoed across the apartment.
"Wakatta. Wakatta. Dewa, dokode chanpion o mitsukeru koto ga dekimasu ka? (Okay. I get it. Where can I find champions then?)" Jun answered and got a shrug from Victoria. So much for that. Focusing on Kuro, she was met with a claw being raised to what Jun could only assume to be her chin.
"Osoraku jimoto no konbini. Tada chūi shite kudasai. (Probably the local convenience store. Just be careful.)" Kuro explained and looked in the direction of Daisuke and XV-mon. Currently arguing with Angewomon, they didn't look to be making any headway on what she could only assume to be a misunderstanding. If it actually was that and not something more dangerous and/or frustrating. Turning her attention to the doorway, the communications specialist passed through with ease. Now in the hallway, she headed for the elevator. There should still be a convenience store open at this hour. If not, there were always other options to get some champions. Now, if someone would just tell her what these 'champions' actually were. That would go a long way in helping with her search. But that was asking too much at the moment. In that case, she would just have to ask the clerk. They were bound to know what these champions are and how to get them. That should be the expectation. Just low enough to be easily achievable, but still high enough that there was still some amount of challenge associated with it. The perfect balance. At least, Jun thought it was as she reached the elevator. Pressing the 'call button', she took a step back. Any manner of people could come out from the elevator. She needed to be on her gua-
The elevator doors opened before Jun could finish her thought. Relatively empty as these boxes went, she stepped inside without issue. Waiting for the doors to close, she pressed the door for the lobby. Feeling the elevator go down, Jun's gaze shifted to the wall. Thoughts turning to the possibility of parallel timelines, it just felt silly in her mind. Let's say that parallel timelines/universes did exist. Why hadn't they tried to stop the near destruction of this world the two times it had occurred? That would be a good way to put the chosen in their debt and get them to help with something else… unless that was the exact point. Someone or something could possibly be purposefully keeping people from figuring it out, up until now. Though, that sounded as dumb as the heroines in the magical girl shows being real (somehow). Pushing those thoughts away, she turned her attention back to the elevator door. There wasn't a use in thinking about hypotheticals on that grand of a scale. Especially without anything to really back it up or even disprove it for that matter. Watching the elevator doors open up, she wasted little time in exiting. The convenience store wasn't particularly far away. If she was quick, the amount of damage done by GalusGammamon should be minimal.
Now in the lobby, Jun didn't waste any time looking around the room. Instead, she was already heading outside. Bathed in the afternoon light, the various structures of Odiaba did little to hide their beauty. A beauty that had been sullen by way of her finding the very corpse of her own body. Now there was a story to tell the boss and co-workers when she went back in again. Probably wouldn't believe her in that regard. Even if they believed a variety of other things that were just as ridiculous as this. Considering that GalusGammamon ate Deanna's corpse, it was a lot harder to show proof of such an event occurring. Shoving the thoughts out, she headed in the direction of the convenience store. Tempting as it would be to check her phone here, Jun resisted the urge. Would do little to actually calm her nerves or really answer the question of what these supposed 'champions' are. If they actually are a food to begin with. For all she knew, her 'partner' could be talking about actual humans here. No, they didn't mean that in the slightest. Yes, he did dispose of Deanna's body. But that seemed like a case of suspecting that she was somehow full of champions. Where they had gotten that misinformation, Jun didn't want to know. Probably best to keep it that way, among the many other gruesome and unsettling facts that might be coming her way (whether she wanted them too or not). Just the nature of things this afternoon. Much as she wished to fight it, that would only make it all worse in turn. Letting that thought fade, Jun's focus shifted to the path ahead. Why the heck was she fixating on all this junk? This was so unlike her. Taking the time to clear her head, a deep breath followed. Picking up her pace ever so slightly, the convenience store came into view. Still open, that just left one more obstacle that needed to be solved - the champions themselves. Once more, the communications specialist found herself back here. Honestly, it was starting to get annoying. She just needed one person to give her a straight answer and everything would be good. Or something resembling that feeling. Jun honestly wasn't holding her breath for that. No, she would instead settle for something resembling normal or at least interesting. Those atmospheres were where the communications specialist did her best work. Or at least, that was what Jun told herself as she entered the store. Lines of store shelves welcomed her in, with space in between to browse. Off to the left side, a counter being run by a woman stood. A variety of candy, chips and other snacks had been set up for people to buy. But nothing in the way of champions. Unless she was overthinking it here. Perhaps the champions were slang for something else entirely.
"Nanika otetsudai dekiru koto wa arimasu ka? (Is there something I can help you with?)" the clerk announced as Jun approached the counter. Letting out a deep breath, Jun composed herself. Even if she messed up her question, there was so little at risk that it was okay to mess up.
"Ē to… chanpion? (Uh… champions?)" Jun announced and the clerk pointed down to some candy bars. Jun scooped a couple up and set them on the counter. Reaching into her pocket, out came a debit card. Handing it to the clerk, the transaction is remarkably smooth. Getting handed both her card and the titular champions, Jun breathed a sigh of relief. Things were going to work out. Unless something happened with Davis and/or XV-mon. But they were bound to know what they were dealing with. If not, then there was GalusGammamon. But that was perhaps asking too much here. He was currently in a state allied to no one but himself. Shoving that thought to the back, she ran back towards the apartment building. Hopefully she wouldn't have to wait for the elevator. Even if it did, the champions should hold and the communications specialist would be able to deliver them to calm down her digimon partner. Then they could deal with the aftermath of whatever was left of the mess with Angewomon. Shoving those thoughts away, the communications specialist passed through the doors. Heading for the elevator, Jun did her best to calm her nerves. It would be alright. At least, that was what she told herself upon pressing the button. Stepping back, it was just a matter of waiting for the elevator to arrive. This time, a small group of people decided that now of all times was as good of a time as any to head out and do something or other. On any other day, perhaps she would've been part of that group. Today was special in the sense of everything being thrown out the window for the literal sake of making her suffer. At least, that was how it felt in the moment. This probably was not the actual case and she was just tired from this strange bout of excitement that was occurring right now. That was probably it.
"Mōsukoshi. (Just a little bit further.)" she thought and stepped inside. Watching the doors close, Jun pressed the button for the floor. Feeling the elevator rise upwards, she took a moment to catch her breath. Tapping her feet along with the music being piped through, the communications specialist's thoughts turned to the future. Once GalusGammamon reverted back to just being Gammamon, would she need to keep him at her side? Most likely. There was also the matter of feeding him. While 'champions' were cheap, she was going to need a regular supply of them. A feat that might not be as easy to achieve with her salary. That was a bridge to cross when the time came. Beyond that, there was also the matter of getting the damage done to her property repaired. Whether or not digimon attacks were covered under apartment insurance was something she would need to look into. Which was on top of Ms Yagami paying for part of it. That last part was unlikely and more wishful thinking than anything concrete. Better to let the thought fade rather than let it rule her mind. Especially as the elevator doors opened up. Entering the hallway, Jun made a beeline for her apartment. Taking care to avoid anyone who might be coming in her direction, she closed the distance with relative ease. Mentally preparing herself for whatever damage might await within, the communications specialist stepped through. Inside, things looked to be the same as she had left them. GalusGammamon was still located by her fridge, facing Jun for the moment. No sign of anyone else at the moment, but Jun chalked that up to them dealing with the Angewomon situation. Letting out a deep breath, she pulled the champions.
"Watashitachiha machigatta ashi ni notta koto o shitte imasuga, koreha yakunitachimasu ka? (I know we got on the wrong foot, but would this help?)" she announced and slowly approached. GalusGammamon wasted little time in approaching her. Grabbing the champions out of his partner's hands, he chomped down. Swallowing with little trouble, the angsty triceratops person digimon reverted to a smaller, cuter and less angsty version.
"Tenshi wa shoyū-sha o tsuresarimasuga, shoyū-sha wa ima modotte kimasu. Kore wa ī. Hanarenaide kudasai. (Angels take owner away, but owner back now. This is good. Please don't go away.)" Gammamon announced and scurried up Jun's back. Taking a seat on her shoulder, that got him another champion. The perfect opportunity for Victoria to walk over.
"O tomodachi ni aete ureshīdesu. (I'm glad to see your friends now.)" the black cat announced and looked over to the hole in Jun's wall. Even without any signs of her girlfriend, Davis or XV-mon, she had a feeling things were in good hands. "Koko de ganmamon to ganbattekudasai. Kare wa ōku no koto o keiken shite kimashitaga, kare no kokoro wa ōkīdesu. (Best of luck with Gammamon here. He's been through a lot, but his heart is big.)"
Heading for the door, MadameLilithmon floated over. The pair gave a wave. Jun reluctantly waved back.
.
Belphemon looked at the group of people who had gathered here. Never in her life (human and digital) did she expect so many awful people to exist in this world. Quite a nice surprise. At the same time, it meant more competition to face when it came time to set her sights on bigger things. A thought for a different day. In this decrepit workshop, a variety of colorful characters awaited. From a strange bird accompanied by a mechanical wolf to large armored titans of metal and holy digital matter. So many different people, so many ways to kill them.
"You have all been gathered for one purpose and one purpose only - the strife of both the human and digital world." a voice announced, booming across the cramped area. "Once you have accomplished, you will be granted everything you've ever wanted by yours truly - Polias. Do I make myself clear?"
Cheers and excitement echoed across the crowd. While there was no doubt some kind of catch to this, that could be overlooked at the moment. Right now, they were drawn into the excitement created by this announcement. Gears were already turning into their mind, there was little they couldn't do. At least, not without making some alliances first. Perfect to be broken at a later date…