I lost my sight, lost my hearing, and even lost my sense of smell... It's almost like someone suddenly flipped a switch, shutting off all my senses.
Then, the darkness fades as an unfamiliar scene appears before me.
An old, desolate street, incomplete, strange buildings lining everywhere, casting long shadows.
A small, nun-like girl carries a trident in her trembling hands, glancing at the empty road with her blank, silver eyes.
She walks into a dim alley, her small footsteps breaking the silence of the dark path ahead.
"Are you sure about this?"
A floating orange gear appears from behind a building, its mechanical eyes rolling in an unsettling manner.
"The information came from the boss of the Ninth District. Solarmon, are you really doubting it?"
A robotic stag beetle walks in, pointing its clamp-like hands at the floating gear.
"I wouldn't dare, but Kokuwamon, this news is incredible—for such a space to really exist."
The orange gear swirls in the air in a silly motion.
"Not just that. I heard it's made in the image of our original world. Maybe we can finally live peacefully, without fear."
The stag beetle's two plugs release a jolt of electricity.
"Count me in! I'll do anything to leave this hellish place."
"Then I'll send you the [Address]. You know where to meet up, and..."
They both stop and turn toward the small girl, who's just arrived, listening silently, supporting herself with her golden trident.
"What about you... Sistermon?"
Are these Blanc's memories?
In the next moment, another scene flashes through my mind.
"Wow, you're super cute! So there are Digimon like this too?"
A girl with silky black hair circles around the nun-like girl, her shining golden eyes scanning the small girl's attire.
"Cute?... Eh?!"
The small girl mutters, but her silver eyes widen as the black-haired girl lifts the hem of her habit.
"Huh? Too detailed... Isn't this game E-rated?"
She nods, lost in thought, before glancing at the white box in her hand.
"Sistermon Blanc... Blanc. Yeah, that'll be your name."
Her golden eyes gleam as she grins at the small girl before her. "My name is Lily. From today, we're partners."
"Name?... Partners...?"
The doll-like girl tilts her head, her expression naive.
This is... when I first chose you after the tutorial?
My vision clears again as I stand in a strange white space, with several familiar scenes passing by me.
"We finished the first dungeon! You were amazing, Blanc! Let's celebrate by going shopping!"
"Aaah, that ribbon was too expensive for an accessory. Oh well, it looks super cute on you, Blanc."
"Ugh, yesterday was overtime again! Fine, get ready, Blanc, we're really going to finish the due quests today!"
"Move it a little here, a little there... Our base is finally complete! Hehe~ What do you think, Blanc? Beautiful, right?"
"Hey, Blanc..."
"Blanc..."
I see now... I'm the one who never noticed your words... and yet, you... It's the same out there—I always mess up.
I turn around to face the ethereal figure of the doll-like girl standing in this dreamlike realm, meeting her transparent silver eyes.
"Isn't that right, Blanc?"
The silver-haired girl shakes her head with a soft smile.
"That's not true. Even though big sis couldn't understand Blanc, she never let Blanc feel alone."
She steps forward, placing her pale hands on her chest.
"The day Blanc got this name is her most precious memory. Blanc finally found a new home. That's why—"
With a wide grin, like a beautiful sunrise, she extends her hand toward me.
"Blanc won't let big sis be alone either!"
This child, she's really...
A smile appears on my lips as I reach out, taking her soft, warm hand in mine.
"Yeah, because we're partners—a family."
In the next moment, a gentle pink glow envelops the dreamy realm.
[Warning!]
[Unknown [Seal] Discovered]
[Unlock Condition Met...]
[DigiCore Data Extraction Confirmed]
[Scanning New Stats...]
"I" slowly open my eyes. The radiant curtain before me vanishes into thin air as soon as the final thread of light fades.
"Playtime is over!"
Dobermon leaps toward "me," shattering the earth beneath it with speed incomparable to before.
"SWISH!"
Its sharp blades leave a shining trail in their path, threatening to cut me in half, but just before they can reach me—
"It's too slow," I mutter to myself, sidestepping to easily avoid the attack. My slender fingers grip the golden trident in my hand, lightly hitting the demon beast on its side.
"GUHH!"
With just a soft nudge, the massive hound is flung into the ground, rolling several times on the soft grass before coming to a stop.
"How— No, this is... you evolved?!"
It struggles to get up, glancing at me in surprise.
Well, it might seem like evolution, but that's not quite accurate.
I—No, "we" turn around to face the startled Dobermon. Six angelic wings extend from our pink klobuk, fluttering in the wind, our pure silver eyes shining beneath the mask as a strange mark, akin to a blooming flower, glimmers on our forehead.
[Name: Blanc (Sistermon Blanc)]
[DP: 6000]
[State: Main Partner (MindLinked)]
[Level: 3]
[Form: Awakened]
[Attribute: Vaccine]
There were rumors about special Digimon in Daydream. A MetalGreymon that modified its right arm into an energy cannon, or a Jellymon that took on a humanoid form. Players began referring to these phenomena—where a Digimon gains great power and new skills without evolving to a higher level—as [Mode Change].
To think Blanc was one such Digimon, and a [DP] of 6000—a two times boost.
"No matter, a newly evolved child will never match an experienced one!"
The beast growls before charging once again, its four sharp blades extending at once.
"Big sis, together!"
Blanc's voice echoes inside my mind as the shimmering blades approach "us," cutting through the air.
"Yeah, we'll show him!"
As I focus my senses, countless pieces of information flow into me. The trembling of the ground, the sound of the incoming blades, and even the falling leaves in the distance—I can sense them all as the [Digimon Dock] screen floats in front of my eyes, analyzing this seemingly endless stream of data.
"A slash 20 degrees from the right, another 45 degrees from the left, and a bite straight from the front! Blanc!"
"Got it, big sis!"
The exchange ends in a fraction of a moment. With light, nimble steps, Blanc accurately dodges each incoming strike, leaving a blur behind as she moves through the wilderness.
The Demon Beast chases after us like a dashing bullet, its blades whistling past us, but we are faster—dodging, parrying, spinning away before they can strike. Following my command, Blanc precisely counters each blow.
"THUMP! THUMP!"
Several trees fall around us from the impact, shaking the ground as Dobermon vanishes behind the bushes.
"Blanc, from behind!"
With a swift twirl, our trident, coated in splendid energy, meets the incoming slash aimed at our blind spot.
"CLANG"
Its bright radiance pushes the hound back with a dazzling sparkle.
"What—impossible!"
Dobermon steps back, unable to hide its disbelief.
The sheer amount of sensory information is really incredible—is this what a Digimon experiences in battle?
"Usually, it isn't this intense, but the [data-processing] suddenly increased earlier. This must be big sis's special ability!"
Blanc's voice echoes around me again.
"No no, I'm sure I don't have any such ability!"
I refute her in my mind before focusing on the battle again.
According to Blanc, it seems I'm currently inside her [DigiCore Realm]—kind of like a space in her brain, I guess. Like this, I'm not just experiencing all her senses, but even her thoughts, almost as if we're two minds sharing a single body.
"No matter the strength, there's nothing you can do if you're sealed!"
Dobermon's claws dig into the ground as it crouches down once again, raising its head upwards.
"Grau—"
"We won't—"
"Let you!"
Shouting in union, we close the distance in an instant, swinging our golden trident right at the demon beast's jaws.
"BANG!"
The giant hound's upper body is flung back from the impact, but before it can recover—
"Big sis, we can do that now!"
"Yeah, go for it, Blanc!"
Yes, this form didn't simply boost our [DP, there are new skills.
"Here Blanc goes!"
With an adorable declaration, she lowers her trident, charging right at the stunned Dobermon with an almost silly gait.
"Tokotoko Dive!"
Rushing in like a tiny rocket, her small, petite-looking figure crashes directly into Dobermon's massive body.
"This data! You're an X—GAAH!"
"BOOM!"
Before it can finish, Blanc's seemingly playful tackle unleashes a tremendous shockwave throughout the forest, sending Dobermon flying through the air.
"Blanc did it, big sis!"
Her voice rings with joy, as if seeking praise.
"You were amazing, great job!"
I reply with a soft smile before looking up at the demon beast. It's not over yet.
"Whoosh!"
In a last-ditch effort, the beast twists its body in mid-air, parting its jaws as darkness starts to gather between them again, its crimson eyes locking onto us.
"Schwarz Strahl!"
The pitch-black beam shoots out like an arrow, aiming straight at our core, but we're ready.
"Big sis, we are—"
"Going home! Together!"
We raise our trident towards the heavens, and a crystal-white magic circle, adorned with unknown symbols, resembling lines of codes, appears beneath our feet, emitting an otherworldly luminance.
"Holy Light!"
And there was light, akin to a divine miracle, three brilliant pillars of light soared towards the boundless sky, illuminating the world, consuming the approaching beam of darkness, Dobermon, and the entire forest—for a moment, everything was painted pure white.
"..."
"...?!"
"Gahh!"
The demon beast opens its eyes, its gaze dazed before it looks around in confusion.
"Oh, big sis, it woke up."
Blanc exclaims in a cheerful voice.
"Wow, I didn't think Heal would work this well. Most of its [HP] seems to be restored."
I hold my chin, observing Dobermon, who's staring at us with blood-red eyes, ready to pounce at us.
"THUD!"
The hound collapses, diving right onto the ground just as fast as it jumped, several shining bands wrapped around its limbs, holding it in place.
[Digimon Capture: Complete]
The [Digimon Dock] doesn't just support your partner. It allows you to scan the data of a weakened Digimon, capturing it.
"GRR! What are these chains?!"
Dobermon snarls, struggling against the metallic bands. With a growl, it bites into the chains.
"CLANK!"
"AAH!"
The beast pulls back with a high-pitched cry, rolling to the ground in pain.
Well, that's to be expected. It's the [Chrome Rope Y]—the highest-quality rope designed to capture Level 4 Digimon. I originally brought it to use on a certain Digimon in Infinity Tower, but it sure came in handy here.
"This isn't over, human! Once I get free, I'll rip you apart!"
"Big sis."
"Right, let's try it..."
I nod at Blanc before glancing at the restrained beast, helplessly squirming against the ropes.
I step forward, ignoring its rage-filled voice, beaming my brightest smile.
"Now, how about we make a deal?"
AN:
Blanc's evolution is here—well, not really. While the Awakened form isn't a Mode either, a state in which a Digimon temporarily unleashed its true potential can be viewed as a similar power.
Some readers might've already caught up the identity of the place in Blanc's past from the mention of Ninth District.
But what deal Lily wants to make with Dobermon?
Find out next time in Digimon Daydream.
d( -w• )