Ben10 & Digimon Tamers
Heroes and Humanity
Part 02: Humanity and Heroes
Another Myself – Chapter 88 Part 3
Originally Written: Saturday, October 07, 2017 506AM to 705PM
Song: Susumu Hirasawa - Narshisas Jiben Kara Kita Hito
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A/N: This is another chapter where the song in the section above is "kind of" treated as a song actually being sung or referenced by a character in this story. When you're done reading this chapter, if you want a bit more understanding of where I'm going, do a search for the word "Narshisas". Your desired search engine should think you meant another word, because it thinks you 'misspelled' the word it's suggesting to you. If you don't want to be spoiled, or haven't figured it out, don't do this. You've been warned.
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Albedo stood in the doorway near the back door of the small establishment. Fridge hung upside down from what looked to be a sturdy lamp post that had been bent over from something or other. He listened to him sing a soft tune with lots of trilling and almost, but not quite yodeling-like notes in style. To Albedo the song sounded a bit hopeful, at least Fridge made it seem so. The song had bits of more modern Necroffrigian language as found on Kylmyys, as well as small sections of older Necroffrigian language as found on Mykdl'dy. The large Necrofriggian wasn't facing him, and had his eyes closed as he sang.
He walked down the short set of stairs, stopping next to a familiar yet different Vaxasaurian. Said Vaxasaurian looked up at him, a bit of confusion on his face as he adjusted his large square glasses. He was not sure how a universe managed to make Hugh look more geeky and nerdy than he already was, but this universe had managed it. Hugh stuttered out a soft, "H-Hello". Albedo feared the male nearly fainted at the attempt.
"Hello Hugh."
Hugh continued looking at him, though this time it was more of a stare, with his mouth slightly open. "Y-you s-said i-it r-right. N-no one e-ver s-says i-it right." He breathed in through his nose, the sound coming out like a loud unbecoming snort.
"It helps when I already know you, hm?" He leaned on the old railing, an amused smile on his face.
Hugh nodded shyly. "Y-yes." They fell silent for a bit. "B-but you d-don't r-really k-know m-me."
"No, I suppose I don't." Fridge's song washed over them, drowning out the silence more than Albedo expected. "And I'm not your Albedo." He felt almost sad at the thought. It seemed as though they needed an Albedo. He imagined their Albedo would tell them that all this red covering their house was stupid. Then again, he didn't want to think too much about their Albedo. Who knew what cruelty this Ben Tennyson had laid upon him.
"N-no." Hugh shook his head. His long tail tapped against the railing a few times. He froze at the loud bang he apparently hadn't intended on causing. "Y-you're much t-taller."
Albedo looked at him confused. He was taller? Did that imply Tennyson on this world was less savage? He rubbed at his temples. But he overheard this Tennyson saying that Albedo was always up to no good. Clearly Tennyson was not fond of this world's Albedo. Maybe he was around, and hadn't come back from whatever errand he had come from. Frigga hadn't mentioned him when he had asked about the others.
"Hugh!"
Albedo heard Swamps call from inside the house.
"He just said-" Swamps cut off his statement with an annoyed groan.
Maybe their Albedo liked all this red. Maybe their Albedo hadn't come to visit them for a long while. They didn't seem to have much problem with his presence in their house. Albedo wrapped his arms around himself. Now he wasn't going to stop thinking about it. He forced himself to focus on Fridge's song.
Except Fridge wasn't singing anymore. He looked at them, his attention more focused on Hugh than him. The Necroffrigian easily shifted so he was right-side-up properly on the lamp pole. He crouched, humming a soft tune that seemed to have no words.
Hugh shivered under that silent gaze. "I-I'm s-sorry."
"Shh." Albedo placed a hand on his shoulder, "You're forgiven."
Hugh beamed at him for a short while, before ducking his head again quickly. Albedo wondered if this Hugh tended to get yelled at a lot. His mentor never seemed to be pleased with him either. He closed his eyes for a moment.
"What were you singing?" Albedo looked at Fridge. He still sung, though now he was at a large portion of the song that was mostly sung notes.
"This one?" Fridge questioned.
Albedo shook his head, "The one before it. That was a mix of old and newer language."
"Oh, Narshisas." Fridge's wings twitched every so slightly behind him, "It's a song about a man who owns a garden. His pride and joy is a talking plant set in the middle of that garden. The talking plant has quite a few flowers blooming. Perhaps like a sunflower or hibiscus of sorts?" He smiled in that way only a Necroffrigian could, "The gardener takes great care and loves all his plants, but he clearly loves this one dearly, because it's the only talking plant in his garden. He lives on a planet that isn't very well known for having talking plants. So it is a pretty special one. The gardener and his talking plant are both quite close, at least, the plant feels so." Fridge looked up at the bright lights and dull earth above them, as though thinking back upon something.
"One day he finds another talking plant. He plants it next to his first one. Maybe because he wants his first plant to have a friend. I don't know. The first plant is nice and strong, well rooted to the ground, and used to their surroundings and land. The second plant is newer and not so rooted to the new land, so the gardener starts to ignore the first plant in order to help the newer plant. This angers the first plant greatly. So, it tries to get the gardener to ignore the second plant instead.
"The second plant, also desiring the gardener's love, fights back. Slowly it chokes the life of the first flower, attacking it like a weed. It takes far too long for the gardener to realize the second plant is killing the first one, and his first plant, so precious, dies. As a result, he names his second plant, Narshisas."
Hugh somehow managed to duck his head even lower.
Albedo looked at Fridge, mind blank. He seemed almost unable to think as the Necroffrigian looked at him, waiting for his response. He wrapped his arms around himself once more. He wished he hadn't asked. He blinked quickly and looked away, ducking his own head. He took a deep breath as his mind raced. That was...that was exactly how he... He shut his eyes tightly.
"Well, that's depressing."
He jerked in reflex and spun around. Ryo stood in the doorway, leaning up against the door frame. He smiled at Albedo, though it was a small, tired smile. He wore long sleeves and pants, and gloves. The ensemble reminded Albedo of a wayfaring traveler. He looked like he was alright, but Albedo knew that under all those layers of clothes, he was covered in bandages all over. He still showed more skin than bandage, but there were still enough bandages to give him much pause and regret of the situation. Even the small bandage covering his right cheek made Albedo wish they were back home.
Fridge chuckled softly, defeated, in response. "Yes, a bit, I suppose." He exhaled heavily, breathing out a cloud of mist.
"Seriously." Rika peeked out from over Ryo's shoulders. "You're hard to find, Gogglehead."
"When did you get here?" He asked, casually brushing off his oversized shirt.
"Little while ago," Ryo shifted, so he could see Rika better.
"And Jenrya?"
"Still looking." He casually replied, "This place is huge. Just as big back home." He shrugged his shoulders. "We only found you because Renamon trailed you."
Albedo nodded in response.
"I'm just here to make sure you're alright. I'm about to head back out to find Henry."
"I will come with you."
Ryo shook his head. "No dice. The plumbers are out in full force for some reason. We don't want them seeing you and getting the wrong idea."
He nodded again, feeling numb.
"We'll take care of him, easy." He heard Swamps call confidently.
Albedo looked away and folded his arms tightly.
"It's greatly appreciated. Thank you." Ryo bowed, then turned and clapped a hard grip on Rika's shoulder. "I'll send you a message when I find him."
"Don't stay away too long."
"Course not, wildcat."
She rolled her eyes. Ryo passed her, taking a moment to run a gentle hand down her cheek. "You're looking for Henry, not going to war."
"You never know with Ben running around." Fridge interjected, "There is something new with him everyday, especially in these parts."
Rika gave him a hard stare, despite her chest shifting as though she were holding in a laugh.
Albedo moved further down the stairs. A part of him felt as though he should go back inside, just in case his luck was even worse than he thought and Tennyson was indeed patrolling these parts. The other part couldn't stand that red painted house anymore. Too soon to re-enter for him.
Swamps passed Rika, him and Hugh holding a bowl of steaming food. "Frigga says eat."
"Of course." Despite his bulky frame, Fridge managed to gracefully glide down to the floor from his perch on the lamp post.
"You know," Rika sat on the stairs behind Albedo, "that is totally not the version of Narshisas I know."
Albedo looked at her, expectantly.
"Really?" Fridge questioned, curious.
"Mhm. It's so odd seeing the subtle differences on this Earth."
"It's simply a matter of it being in a timeline that is close to our own." Albedo looked down at the ground, covered in dirt and the occasional bit of trash-like debris.
"Still." Rika brushed his comment off. "So, the song is still Fridge's idea."
Albedo watched this Fridge look at her as he brought the bowl of hot food to his lips and took a large sip, the heat not bothering in the slightest.
"I asked him if I could sing some of the note fill bits."
Fridge sung a portion of the song Albedo recognized was in between the chorus and the second refrain.
Rika nodded, as though she knew the beat of the song. She pointed at him. "Yea, that. And the end. The first time I tried singing in old Necrofriggian I made my throat bleed."
Albedo wondered just how much he was out of it to not notice when Rika was visiting Fridge and practicing songs with him. 'I suppose it's a good thing Jenrya and Ryo started dragging me out of the apartment in some ways...' He folded his arms.
"What is the story in that one?" He asked against his better judgment.
Rika gave him a look he couldn't decipher. It reminded him of someone who regretted bringing up the topic of note in the first place. "Well, the story is the same, but the first plant doesn't die." She tapped her fingers against her legs, "The gardener realizes the second plant is attacking his first plant. He separates the two, but the damage is already done. The first plant won't speak to the gardener anymore. And that's why he named the second plant Narshisas."
Fridge scoffed, like actually scoffed. Albedo looked at him. He didn't think his Fridge ever scoffed. The look was cold, frostbite inducing burning lack of emotion, with icy rage locked deep beneath the surface.
Swamps laughed a sharp laugh that left Albedo feeling cold. "If only, eh?"
"T-that is h-hopeful of you." Hugh spoke. He fiddled with his large hands, his tail hanging limp.
"What is left without hope?" Rika simply replied. "Many of my friends and I are still alive because of hope."
Albedo hurriedly rushed up the stairs past Rika. He entered the suffocating red house, trying not to pay any attention to the overbearing color. Frigga watched him as he passed by. Her eyes looked cold, dead in a way Albedo did not want to think about, nor have explained to him. He locked himself in the next room he found, and curled up in a corner of the room.
He couldn't figure out which Earth was worse: the Earth in the Digimon Adventure television show where Monodramon could potentially turn into a time traveling digimon just as dangerous as Eon with a yandere-like attachment to his friend Ryo, or this Earth, so much like his own, but everyone he knew seemed dead, their spirits crushed. He covered his head and face with his hands, hoping Ryo would find Jenrya soon so they could leave.
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A/N: I don't like that I have to say this, but it should be said, because sometimes facing reality is the mature thing to do. I forgot how many chapters of this arc have Parts. Since I'm uploading chapters with Parts all at once, I have less buffer chapters than I thought I did. I am just realizing just how far down working on the next chapters of "Humanity and Heroes" fell on my to-do list. Solely due to how many buffer chapters I thought I had remaining. As a result, I will probably run out of chapters to upload in two-three months or so from the point of uploading this chapter.
"Humanity and Heroes" is still worked on like I did my older stories. If I switch methods I could probably get it done before you even need to worry about this A/N, but I don't want to make any false promises. Due to the old method, I need to go through a lot of notes and reread chapters to refresh my brain. I have no sufficient outline notes on any chapters after this arc to guide me. I need to figure out how much I actually remember in terms of where I was headed to even start. I'm sure you can get the gist of why I switched writing methods: this happens.
If I stop updating this story, then I've run out of already written chapters. I'm going to do my best to not allow that to happen. I do want to make it clear that this arc, "Another Myself" is complete. It's the next arc that is not. You've nothing to worry about for this arc.
Thanks for listening to my ramblings, and reading my stories.
