I don't own digimon.

Alternate World Collective, Dimensional Space

Vee Headbutt!

As the timekeeper appeared in her base of operations, she didn't get a chance to take in the sights of the titular interior. No, because he/she is promptly headbutted by one of the few remaining digimon in this universe - Veemon. Pissed off to a point that likely no other digimon can or will be able to reach (hopefully), what follows is a series of mostly harmless punches. Aimed for the pelvis area, not that the possibility of sex was ever in the cards to begin.

"How dare you leave me here, Davish!" Veemon screeched, jumping up and down in place. Against the reinforced floors done up in a metallic pale silver, he very much stuck out like a sore thumb. Not that his attempts at grabbing at the bag were helping matters in the slightest. "Do you know how much of a pain in the butt Biyomon is as a roommate? It just isn't the same."

The timekeeper looked away, choosing instead to look around the area. At the moment, what looked to be a large open area had been provided for her and the other timekeepers. In neat orderly rows, computers and other fancy equipment had been set up for the sake of tracking the various parallel universes.

"I know." the timekeeper answered, staring down at the floor. When was the last time she had been here? Had to have been right after I kicked Puppetmon's ass. As ways to end out an existence go, that was certainly… something. Wouldn't trade it for the world. "Can you find it in your he-"

Veemon couldn't find it in his heart to forgive his mistress. Instead, the wyvern digimon picked the timekeeper up and flung her across the room. Quite a distance, I must say. Heck, she hasn't even had a chance to get into her new outfit. At this trajectory, it looks as if my spouse will land near the back corner. There, someone had gone through the trouble of setting up a little slice of home. A little cabinet with a burner, portable sink and even a microwave have all been shoved together in such a way to prevent any fires and/or other food accidents. A table with a chair had been set up, not that this fact has stopped two laid-off 'postal workers' from lying in wait - a cosplay pikachu (pop star) and a mimikyu. Oh yeah. Pokemon exist. At least, in this building. Outside of here, all traces were erased. It's… one less legal headache that our boss has to deal with. Not that he has any issues with doing that on other projects. But it is not nice of me to speak of someone who is not here with us. Especially after what happened last time.

"Pika!" the cosplay pikachu announced, quite annoyed that whatever meal they wanted to have was delayed. Considering they have the same meal at the same time, it was clear the person in charge of meals and everything else was delayed. Mostly on the grounds of having gone through near back-to-back arcs and need some time with her family. Time that she very much deserves.

"Mimi." the mimikyu announced, totally in no way planning to attempt some kind of screwy soul extraction. Instead, they were torturing the person within - the person who showed up while Harlequin was there. Some guy named Hokuto.

"Please let me out!" Hokuto announced, trying to hide the fact that he's one, a wanted criminal and second, a shit father. Give us all the crap in the world about Ai and Cho's adventures (most of it well deserved), but we make an effort to try and be parents. Yes, we're still figuring it out. But it's not all bad.

"Didn't you carry a literal weapon of mass destruction out of the digital world because Jestery quotes 'it would make a decent brother for my son.' Bullshit." a voice announced, bringing with it a rather tall yet thin figure. Towering over damn near everyone, the fabric of an extravagant orange ballroom gown with blue accents and lace are on full display here. Said accents designed to mimic the paint splotches of her old attire. Gooey locks of pink and purple hair hang down to the middle of her back, an oversized orange and blue court jester hat hanging within all of that. Violet eyes stare out, strained by narrating near back-to-back arcs. One of which required a shitload of translations. All of which could've been dumped on us, for the record. I or Trinity are here for you.

"Jestery dear, I'm on important business, so it might be be-" the timekeeper explained, only for her bag to be snatched away. Met with a chuckle, Jestery snapped her fingers. Or more, her fingers stuck together and she mimicked the sound. Eh. Good enough. Staring down, the timekeeper was met with a beautiful blue bustle. A set of black heeled boots stick out from the skirt's hem, complimenting the short lace gloves on her hand. Made her wedding rings stand out even more. The finishing touch is that of a bowler hat fascinator. Sitting comfortably in her hair.

"Thanks." the timekeeper muttered and looked away, hiding her embarrassment and happiness here. Yet, it still shined through.

"Of course. Jestery is always here to help." Jestery announced and puffed her chest out. Gaining a cup size for just a moment, she was met with an eye roll by the landlord of this place. "So, how have things been for dear old Diana?"

Diana's face went red, words spilling out of her mouth. Still better than her calling you 'auntie' or something similar. But not by much.

"Then why does momma kitty refer to you all as such whenever you come to dinner?" Jestery countered and it takes everything in my power to not laugh. Fucking black cat. Leave it to her to still get one over me. Even if this is the first dinner in a while that we've all gotten together. "Oh yeah. Advent is tonight. Jestery will try her best to be there. Not Jestery's fault that the Odiaba kids decided that they all needed to be assholes and have complex messes for eleven straight chapters."

Letting out a sigh, Diana slowly reached out to Jestery. Putting a hand on her shoulder, that was Jestery's cue to push it back down. Meeting the timekeeper's gaze, a pained smile formed on her face. The weight of actions - both realized and erased hang heavy here. Perhaps as they've always had and always will be.

"I know you're trying to cheer Jestery up here, but Jestery will manage. Just par for the course with me." the jester explained as her attention shifted to our two pokemon. Hat coming off, she dug into it for a couple seconds. Eventually out came a pair of sandwiches. How this was an appropriate meal for creatures of this caliber is beyond me. "Oh right. What do you want Jestery to do with the guy in a jar?"

Diana's gaze shifted away from Jestery and over to our little intruder. Trying their best to flip the bird, the large pink bird digimon they accidentally attracted their way was not impressed. Considering the role they served (or lack of one), that honestly is pretty understandable.

"Nice birdie…" Hokuto announced, only for the bird to roll her eyes. Why did it fall to her to have to be the one to put some sense in this moron. Because she was the oldest of the two.

"Because you said that, I'm going to be mean." Biyomon announced and shook the jar about. Tempting of an option that murder was here, she decided against it. Wasn't worth the effort in the slightest. Especially with Diana and the other timekeepers here. "Oh. It's you. Come to finish the job?"

Diana rolled her eyes. Deep of a cut as that was, there was to be no murder today. Hopefully. That isn't really something you can guarantee in the slightest, but one can at least try.

"No. I'm here for a meeting." Diana explained as Veemon walked over. Shooting her and Biyomon a look, that was the timekeeper's cue to scoop them up.

"Let go of me, you monster!" Veemon screeched and failed about, trying his hardest to get out of his partner's grip. Even as his body began to shift and twist about. Digital data gave way to flesh, bringing with it proper bones. Kind of need those in the long-term. Especially if you're planning to leave this place.

"I refuse!" Veemon announced as he attempted to ignore the new body parts sprouting forth here. Skin giving way to proper scales, just in time for the sound of wings flapping to echo forth. The wyvern digimon attempted to snatch said body part, only to miss. Quite an impressive feat, all things considered. "You used me! You left me behind when I had no use, Davish! Now you're doing it all again like it's somehow not a big deal? Fuck you!" 'Veemon' announced, now resembling a dragon more than that of his digital self. Which in turn, pissed him off to a further degree. Swinging at Diana, the timekeeper braced herself. Taking the blow, she managed to hold her ground.

"You're right. Is there anything I can do to at least try and mend our relationship, Vee?" Diana remarked and got a look from her partner. Flipping her off, what looked to be tears fell down the dragon's face.

"You could take me off this godforsaken rock, for starters!" Vee screeched and got a nod from Diana. That was the least that she could do here. Especially as her partner gazed upon the wedding rings. "Wait. You're married?"

Diana nodded. Shooting the ceiling a look, I get the feeling I need to make this story short. Hmm… where to begin th-

"They all met and decided that they wanted to live together. The end." Jestery announced and was treated to a look from all parties here. By no means wrong, that does leave out the part about the time shifts.

For that comment, Vee raised an eyebrow. The last of the changes now done, they looked like someone's blue dragon child. Good thing I packed an additional set of clothes. Just the right size, no less.

"Do I want to know?" Vee inquired as Diana dug into the bag. Out came a smaller version of her current outfit. The only other difference was a poke bonnet rather than a fascinator. Wasting little time, the timekeeper got to work. "I'm going to assume no."

Diana nodded, shoving away the memories of her own transformation. One of two times that I actually got the upper hand on you. Those were certainly interesting days.

"Yeah." Diana muttered and looked Vee over. Now dressed like he was his partner's little drakeling. By Branakan fashion standards, this was seen as normal.

"I'll take your word for it." Vee answered as Jestery walked over to her two pokemon. Scooping up, they sit comfortably on her shoulder.

"See you both at mom's tonight. Though, Jestery suspects she'll be seeing Talia earlier than that." Jestery announced as she set her hat back on her head. Making a portal appear, she stepped through. The portal disappeared right after, leaving Diana with her partner, Biyomon and Hokuto. Approaching our man in a jar, she picked them up.

"Please don't kill me." Hokuto announced and watched Diana scoop the jar up. Staring in, a chuckle escaped her mouth.

"I haven't killed anyone in some time. Though, I think I'm going to leave you in that jar for a bit longer." Diana answered and set the jar back down. Good riddance to him. Especially now that Ghost Game is over. Such a shame you were relegated to a cameo in the intro.

"Hey!" Hokuto announced, promptly shut up by a look from Diana here. Spinning around, she reached out to Vee's claw. Giving it a squeeze, Vee reluctantly squeezed back. As much as he wanted to kick Diana's ass here, that could come some other day. No, Diana needed support. Even if the little dragon didn't know what that would entail. Oh well. They probably didn't need to wait long in order to find out.

"Sorry about that." a new voice called out, bringing with it a figure dressed in a black cloak and hood. Eyes obscured, the sound of a lighter flicking about the area.

"Been a while, Reaper." Diana greeted and waited a moment for Reaper to approach. Once he had, she took a moment to curtsy. Refined to a level expected of the spouse of the Queen's royal advisor.

"Same for you." Reaper answered and stopped. Pulling his hood off, a weathered face stared back. Locks of short sand blonde hair hang from his head, eyes still obscured by a pair of sunglasses. "How's life been under the finger of your archnemesis?"

Diana's face went bright red. Speak your mind, dear. I will not stop you.

"Quite well, actually. Talia is an absolute dear on both the battlefield and in bed." Diana cooed and stared up at the ceiling. Cracking a smile, I can see what you did here. Though, I will not verify the claims about the bed.

"I'm glad to hear that." Reaper answered as he made a chair appear. Taking a seat, Diana made her own chair appear. Taking a seat, her gaze shifted to Vee. Getting a look from her partner, a second, shorter chair appeared. Pulling himself up, he took a seat beside the timekeeper. Focusing on Reaper, that brought with it a chuckle. "Oh my. You finally attempted to reconcile. I'm proud of you."

Vee rolled his eyes. Of course this random man would make a comment like he knew. What next, some kind of stuffed animal? While silly, Vee doubted it. The other timekeepers were bound to have refined fo-

Vee's thought was cut off by a stuffed rabbit appearing in front of Reaper's feet. Dressed in a magical girl outfit, someone had gone through the trouble of making a wand for them to hold.

"Phew. Masako is finally asleep." the stuffed rabbit announced and made a bench appear. Getting lifted up by Reaper, he took care in setting his partner down. Shifting her focus to Diana, they held a paw to their stitched mouth. "Though, I suspect that your story is far more interesting than mine."

Diana shook her head, cheeks ablaze. Not helping matters was the look she was getting from Vee. Letting out a deep breath, she calmed herself.

"I guess you could say that, Rabbit. Though, you look quite cute dressed up." Diana cooed and watched Rabbit's attention shift to her attire. Staring for a couple seconds, it's back to her boss.

"That's Masako's doing, not mine." Rabbit answered as brought her paw back down. Looking over to Reaper, she whispered a comment his way. Getting silence back, their attention returned to Diana.

"So how are things in that other universe?" Diana inquired, only to be met with a look from his subordinate. A sigh escaped her lips and their gazes met.

"Pretty good, minus the fact that I have to serve as a companion with a strict schedule. Wouldn't want Masako to think that one of her best friend's had somehow left her." the stuffed rabbit explained and got a nod from Reaper. Shifting her focus over to him, what sounded like a whisper followed.

"Everything is good on my end as well. The 'heroes' as their disembodied voice in the sky refers to them as, our waiting for their last member to bring over a friend who exists in the digital world." Reaper added and looked away. Just in time for Rabbit and Diana's gazes to hone in. "Okay. I may have… borrowed some gold and bought myself a little abode."

Diana raised an eyebrow. While finances were very much not her forte (nor mine), they didn't have money to begin with. Where exactly had Reaper even gotten the gold to pay for a place?

"From who and/or where?" Vee inquired and Reaper chucked. Waiting a moment for Rabbit to stop judging him, out came a bag of gold.

"I might have 'grabbed' it from my account, boss." Reaper announced and Diana stood up. Pacing back and forth a couple times, she sat down right after. While bank records were thankfully carried over across time shifts, that didn't change the fact that one of her subordinates had stolen from the bank that he used.

"Just… don't do it again. Okay?" Diana scolded and felt Vee reach out to her hand. Grabbing hold, a tentative squeeze followed. Good as it felt, the timekeeper could feel her anxiety fade away at the moment.

"Sorry I'm late!" a voice called out, bringing with the sound of wood tapping the floor and fur swishing about. Shifting their attention to the left, a tall, almost feminine kitsune approached. A refined yellow kimono decorated with a floral pattern was on full display here, held together by a beautiful purple obi. Tabi socks covered their feet, which served to prevent it from being stained in the first place.

"Not at all, Kiki." Rabbit answered as Kiki took a seat beside her. Resisting the urge to put Rabbit in his lap, the kitsune's gaze instead turned to Vee. Waving a paw in his direction, Vee waved back. "Discover anything while you were out?"

Kiki's cheeks went a bright shade of lavender, words escaping his mouth. Taking a moment to calm himself, he split his gaze between the trio.

"Yes. I went to the digital world of the heroes. While I was spotted before getting a chance to examine the AI, they seem intent on getting their hands on Polias." Kiki explained as he let his hands rest in his lap. Getting a nod from his coworkers, he probed his mind for anything else of note. "Oh yeah. The world I went too had supposedly been frozen for quite a long time. The person in question didn't say why, but it seemed related to a place across the sea. If I had to take a guess, they were planning to get the large spaceship working."

Diana raised an eyebrow. While interstellar travel was by no means a new concept in the slightest, it felt odd for it to be brought up in the context of another world. Especially one where such technology never existed in the first place. Eh. Could be worse. They could've never gotten to the moon in the first place.

"Fair point." Reaper muttered and looked towards the far end of the room. While almost everyone else was here, the one person missing had put him on edge. What did Jeri know that they somehow didn't? Quite a lot of things, if he was being honest. She had been an agent for the D-Reaper, after all.

"Boo." a voice announced, bringing with it Jeri. A rather tall, pale woman, what looked to be tendrils and other eldritch features try their best to hide for now. The sock puppet floating in place, not so much.

"There you are! I was wondering when you would get back!" Kiki announced and ran over, pulling Jeri in for a hug. While accepting the gesture, she ended it right after in favor of spawning in a chair to sit on. Taking the form of a folding chair, her attention was already on Vee here.

"Aw… you're so cute when dressed up like that." she cooed and Vee gulped. Looking in the direction of Diana, she responded with a hand squeeze. Good as it felt, that didn't stop the dread from creeping in.

"So… Do you want to hear the bad news or the worst news first?" Jeri answered and watched her coworkers look among each other. Eventually facing their eldritch timekeeper, it was Diana who opened her mouth.

"A new timekeeper has taken up my mission and is somehow even worse than I was?" Diana inquired and watched Jeri nod. Confirmation was nice, though I suspect that you might have been looking at my phone. At least, the text updates that Jestery sends from time to time. Not that I mind, but at least ask next time, okay? "Yes, dear."

Taking a moment to calm herself, Diana's attention shifted back to Jeri. I have a pretty good idea what the 'worst news' is, but I'm keeping it to myself.

"Beyond that, whoever this rogue timekeeper has allied himself with has found a way to kill entities who are considered 'beyond the reach'." Jeri explained and Diana stared down at her lap. There it like the advent gift of 'oh hey, we can bite the hand that feeds us and get away with it'. Or would this be more of a case of killing a god for real? Probably both.

"Kind of like what happened right before those Azure people showed up?" Rabbit inquired and Jeri nodded.

"Not quite. Mostly on account of that being an ass kicking than an actual death. At least, I think it was… beyond that being a shitty ending." Diana explained and stared up at the ceiling. Would it help if I felt the same way on that front?

Diana shook her head.

"Not really." the timekeeper muttered, memories of that day flooding back in. At the time, we were both idiots. The sort that were willing to solve problems with violence rather than words. Though, part of that had something to do with the pair of bodies that had laid on the floor. I don't even know why I decided then and there to finish things with you. Perhaps it was the grand mission as a whole or maybe, just maybe, I was so tired of you making my and so many other people's lives miserable that I snapped. And snapped I did. Nothing so 'I love you' more than putting bullets through your future beloved's body and then burying them in the hopes of some amount of closure.

"Did it work?" Vee inquired and got a look from his partner here. Considering we're having this conversation, you can easily guess.

"Oh yeah. You buried me alive. It was actually not that bad, all things considered." Diana explained, ignoring the looks that she was being treated too by her subordinates. Instead, she stared up at the ceiling. Pulling her gaze back down, a sigh escaped her lips. "Doesn't matter now. No, we need to decide on our plan of action."

Waiting a moment for any objections, she was instead met with silence. Well, that makes things a heck of a lot easier.

"Okay. For now, we will continue to keep an eye on our sections. Should something come up, please alert the others. Do I make myself clear?" Diana answered and stood up from her chair, the rumble of her stomach echoing forth. In retrospect, skipping breakfast wasn't the best idea. Do you want me to give a heads-up to Katherine and Ririsu? "That would be nice.c

I'll get on that. Anything else I can do for you, my dear?

Diana's cheeks turned red, bringing with it looks from Vee and her subordinates. Focusing on Vee, the little dragon met her gaze.

"Is there anything that you want to eat for breakfast?" Diana inquired and Vee stared down at his lap. Taking a moment to think it over, his gaze met that of his partner's.

"Actual food. Not whatever the fuck Jestery creates from thin air." Vee answered and Diana nodded. Then it's back over to her subordinates.

"Anything else we need to go over or are we all good to go our separate ways?" Diana inquired, only to be met with empty chairs. Figures they would do that for the inaugural meeting. And don't give me the bullshit answer that there were other meetings before this point. "No, you're right. But I wasn't planning to make any kinds of claims."

I'm happy to he-

Narrator Switch: Seraph to *Error* Narrator Data not found!

Stupid fucking thing.

"You're not her." this strange person announced as their dragon thing shook their fist at the ceiling. Indeed I'm not. Not that I know who you're referring to here. Oh well. Let's see what other feeds are on offer. Ah. Here we go.

.

A lavender dragon waited patiently in line. This was definitely the place, even if he was likely either late or early. Good as his time management was, it didn't change the fact that mistakes could be made. Perhaps the ballgown was a touch too much? The short dress would've been better, but that could be looked past here. Especially with the rather small messenger bag at their side. Shifting back on account of their companion demanding to go with them, hopefully it could be looked past.

'Next?' the hostess and the dragon stepped forward. For today, the hostess on staff is a red and white naga. Dressed as a hostess was, she looked to be nearing the end of her shift. At least, I would say that, if not for the eyes widening as the dragon approached. How they didn't notice the dragon's companion poking her head out. Lasting only a moment, it should've been enough to tip her off.

"Table for o-" the dragon announced, only to be knocked over by the naga. Taking care to not knock their costume off, they help the naga up. Just in time to be embraced by her.

'You idiot!' the naga signed, trying to keep the tears in just a little longer. Thankfully, an alpaca dressed in a sweet lolita getup approached. Likely on the next shift.

"I'll tell the boss you need the rest of the day off, dear." the alpaca cooed and the naga nodded. Pulling the dragon through, their companion poked their head out. By no means jealous, they were just looking for opportunities to get out. Yes. That was totally it.

The Author's Notes:

It's good to be back.