86-90
Pizza Splitter
Very much not adorable
86 (Astamons gun has a silly name)
----
"IT IS! Comes with a barrage of HELLFIRE!" Astamon cheerfully, and somehow viciously, yelled after pulling the trigger and letting out a barrage of gunfire from the three barrels of his machine gun, Oro Salmón, whilst Felix Faust was still in shock at the first few shots piercing through his leg and arms triggering a scream of pain as he fell to the ground. "There see, I didn't kill anyone! Just horribly maiming- oh wait." Astamon cut his own words off once he noticed the still standing Blackbriar Thorn and silently turned his machine gun in his direction alarming the evil wizard, "So how about you then-"
"I believe I know my limits, until next time demon." Blackbriar Thorn declared after taking a glance at Faust as he raised his hands into the air before his visage shimmered and disappeared. Either teleporting or performing some illusion to escape, still considering his bullets are the sort to chase after something Astamon pointed his gun upwards and fired some off which promptly redirected themselves and flew off in the direction Thorn had been in.
"Just making sure, Zatara you got that spell ready?" Astamon questioned receiving a nod whilst Batman silently watched and seemed... uncertain. Yes, the situation is more in their favor but he's somewhat uncomfortable with how the Digimon seem to gravitate to firearms. And also being extremely trigger-happy from the looks of things, he personally was hoping that the team and league's influence could guide the two young ones on the team away from such behavior even accounting for both... violent incidents they had.
Once Zatara had finished making use of the gem as part of the ritual Astamon felt a disturbance in the air as a part of the air itself started to break into a blue crack with electricity sparking off of it, until widened into a blue circular portal, the borders of which appeared like electricity as three figures appeared in it. The two feminine Digimon they had contacted earlier alongside a large angel with ten golden wings dressed in holy armor shining in brilliant silver. Whilst Meri seemed a bit surprised at Astamon once they realized that Symbare had managed to take an ultimate form Lilithmon seemed... amused and a little proud.
"I see you fine ladies found the divine intervention," Astamon said with a grin as he casually rested his machine gun on his shoulder as the angel started at him briefly before thrusting its hand through the digital gate, an act that seemed to have a negative effect on the armored angel's arm as it came through translucent on the other end whilst small cubes of data were coming off of it.
"Well. This is rather painful." The Angel noted in a stoic baritone before its arm began to glow in golden holy energy and the area around them lit up around them in holy light.
----
"Woah shi- I-uh shiitake mushrooms?" I yell in alarm, quickly censoring myself for the sake of the children nearby who were also surprised but the one older teenager gave me a glare when I started to swear. Think one of the little ones was their sibling. Still, it was fair to almost come out with something like that given that the adults suddenly appeared again after the sky briefly lit up despite the lack of sun. "Huh, neat... Wait, which side did the objects end up on?"
The cars aren't crashed anymore, but it kind of looks like they hadn't really moved... Did all the objects just get shoved back to where they started or... Well at least they seem to not be ending up where anyone was stood- oh no wait Car over there has a hole in it where a woman is stood.
...Does car insurance cover planetary magic events?
----
As for the team on their end, well things had been going relatively well. Relatively speaking given their side was guarded by the Lord of Chaos Klarion. Since that meant facing an opponent far out of their weight class, especially those without powers who were currently lying unconscious after Klarion blew up the ground underneath them with one of his red magic blasts. Superboy also proved somewhat vulnerable to magical damage as he found out from his burning chest.
Ludgermon had lost track of the others brawling with Klarion's cat which had turned into a giant feral monster that really wanted to use his arm as a chew toy. His vambraces took most of the abuse from its attempts at biting him but it was still causing serious pain. Klarion meanwhile found the idea of the 'cat fight' going on hilarious going from his laughter.
Which was promptly cut off by a flash of light, and also his cat suddenly being blasted off him by some kind of blue magic, from Zatara it turned out. Getting a cheer from his daughter who was visibly ecstatic that he, and the other adults, were back. So much so that she dropped the helmet of fate onto the ground and rushed over to him, Ludgermon even noticed that his injuries, and those of his teammates, seemed to have vanished with even his vambrace fixing itself.
"Oh hey Lilith- uhhh." Ludgermon cheerfully shouted whilst Klarion screamed in frustration that his 'playtime' was being messed with before Ludgermon also noticed the angel staring at him with his own expression becoming an awkward smile, "...So I have a good reason for leaving the temple Seraphimon sir."
"Yes, your self-proclaimed 'Auntie Lilly' explained this to me." Seraphimon stated unimpressed as he examined the situation, "Where is the Warrior of Light."
"He's been helping the children of this world. In a city."
"See? As I said, now you can't be mad because you'd want him to do that." Lilithmon half-seriously said, the other half being a clear mocking taunt at Seraphimon. Which simply got a very tired sigh from the angel, clearly used to and unamused to the demon lord's behavior in this area.
"Hey, you! Goth and shiny-" Klarion started to angrily yell at the angel until Astamon stepped in between them, still casually holding his gun upwards, "Oh and now it's a grown-up in... actually that's a nice jacket you got there."
"It is! But alas I have no time to enjoy this. Your plan is over... whoever you are." Astamon meant to start that as a firm declaration, before realizing he didn't actually know who Klarion is. So he just shrugged his shoulders and aimed his gun with one hand at the Witch Boy, "Ah well won't matter, you want to stand down-" Before he could finish Klarion sent a red magical blast at him, prompting him to calmly step out of the way, glancing back at it to see a massive explosion in the distance where it impacted, "Huh, better than those other guys."
"Where even are those grown-up wizards?" Klarion questioned before noticing Felix Faust groaning on the ground in pain, "Oh, well that answers part of that. The others..."
"Well, we hit that blue dude with a Trailmon." Astamon noted before rushing up and kicking at Klarion which had dark qi emitting from it, the Witch-Boy blocking it with a red magical shield although the impact wasn't able to knock him off his feet it did shove him backward a couple of feet before he tried using his magic as a blade, Astamon blocking it with his gun looking the Witch Boy in the eye during their block, "Should have seen the look on his face when he saw a train coming."
"...You seriously hit Wotan with a train?" Klarion questioned in genuine curiosity whilst Astamon just flashed a sharp-toothed maniacal grin. And then pulled the trigger of his gun launching bullets off into the distance, "Ha! Your aim suck- oh that's a fun one." Klarion noted in alarm breaking off from Astamon to create a shield to block the bullets that had changed direction mid-air, which was undercut once he received a tremendously hard hit to the back of the head sending him across the ground due to Astamon having grabbed his gun by the barrel and swung it like a club. And then he got hit by the homing bullets anyway, "...Okay that actually hurt! Buuut I have no reason to bother with any grown-ups like you at this point, so toodles!"
"...Coward and a buzzkill." Astamon complained, unhappy that the fight ended so quickly, as Klarion quickly vanished through a crimson portal. The young heroes were simply relieved that the fight was over whilst Ludgermon looked over him as he put his gun away before kneeling down and warmly smiling at the Digimion, "Yeah it's me, cool look am I right?"
"Symbare? Dammit, I lost the bet," Kid Flash jokingly complained as he helped Artemis back to her feet, "Was seriously hoping for that amazon babe you mentioned as something. I'll take anything as helpful as this though, nice suit."
"You're... very cool! Yes!" Ludgermon cheered jumping onto Symbare and putting his arms around his neck, "Kind of get a weird feeling up close... and I'm probably going to shouted at in a minute."
"Oh don't worry about holier than thou over here too much," Lilithmon interjected from the digital gate poking Seraphimon in the side who silently refused to respond, "Doesn't seem like this gate will hold up if we try to get through anyway, and since you still need to watch over Strabimon who isn't here you can stick over there for a bit longer. He's just still sore that I beat him in our last little fight."
"I very much am not." Seraphimon flatly stated folding his arms as Meri giggled to herself.
"They had a pretty long fight, lasted for hours until Lilithmon got him in what she called 'hells floor' I think it was dear?" Meri questioned Lilithmon who gave a smug grin.
"You demons and your childish names. It doesn't count anyway because the judge called it wrong, I was reaching for the ropes not tapping out!"
"Are they serio- actually know what? I don't care." Superboy started to question until he realized where this kind of Digimon nonsense goes as he swiftly turned around and walked away tired.
"Are they joking?" M'gann asked Ludgemon out of her own curiosity but received a confused shrug from the feline Digimon who was just as surprised at the angels behavior as everyone else.
"I... he's almost always serious, or intense. Lilithmon must really annoy him or something."
----
87 (Strabimon missed the fight, but it suited him more to be focused on helping lost kids)
----
Guess... it's over? Huh, I'm glad the danger for people has... mostly passed. Better stick around in the high school and make sure things are all right until their parents and guardians can come and get them. Probably best someone else handles dealing with the adults.
"Hey uh, Miss Barbara? I think it's, all over so we should..." I awkwardly started to explain as I opened the door to the gym looking over the room, seems like a lot of the younger ones fell asleep. Probably because Gazimon and Impmon were helping with that, I guess they're good with kids being, well kids themselves. Good thing too or it could be pretty creepy, "...Well that's... nice."
"You can just call it cute or something you know." Bacomon suddenly said from my side poking out from a cardboard box near the door, a bit startling but I'm more surprised that even here he made a little box fort here, granted it was probably pretty helpful for the younger ones to play about with. Seriously though, priorities. Barbara at least noticed me coming in, alongside the few small children I had with me on the way.
"Yeah, our phones got messages earlier. We're just watching over the ones who didn't have anyone old enough to get them home." She explained, sounding pretty tired, once she got close before pointing to the other girl who had been helping sitting on a gym bench. Come to think of it they fixed this place up pretty well after the whole robot monkey and AMAZO thing.
"Ah, that's good. You uh, well thanks. For helping them you didn't have to really." Well still, kind of nervous speaking to her. Been a while since I dealt with anyone I'm not comfortable around without Symbare or Ludgermon around.
"I mean neither did you outside of what's expected of heroes. And I wanted to," Barbara gave a small exhausted smile, "Feels... right."
"Eh, I don't think I'm much of a hero. That said I'll stick around in case anyone gets dumb but I think you're better off handling the adults, you're far less intimidating than I am." I said pointing at my mouth and the sharp teeth it's filled with. Also, you know claw. Still gets a scoff from Barbara.
"You're hardly what I'd call scary." Dammit, not you too! Be reasonable, do I seriously need a dark alley to freak people out? I blame my not even 5-foot-tall size more than anything.
----
Meanwhile, the other group was, still fairly thrown off by the sight of a bickering demon lord and archangel Digimon. Meri just seemed amused at first before turning her attention to speaking with Ludgermon and Astamon.
"This is... weird. Like, yeah that's a freaking angel and a... really hot goth, don't say anything you were all thinking that!" Kid Flash immediately quickly defended himself on his latter comment as the team was about to object to it, before getting a round of shrugs and a 'fair' comment from Robin, "What sin was she, lust? Whatever, I know they're Digimon not whatever else there could be but you'd think they'd be less... I dunno normal?"
"Not sure I'd call what they've done 'normal' but I think I get it," M'gann remarked watching Meri fret over Ludgermon alongside Astamon once it was clear he had been harmed during the fighting, "It's kind of like what you see on human TV shows. Kind of childish though."
"I know SB kind of didn't want to know, but I'm curious about the wrestling thing. Like, are they making it up or..."
"You just want to see her in a wrestler costume don't you?" Robin snarked at his friend with a smug grin getting a light glare in response... before a nod of the head, "Well maybe watch your words, get the feeling a demon lord might be less tolerant of you than Canary was."
----
"It was just my arm, really I'm fine I've had worse in training sessions!" Ludgermon reassured Meri and Astamon, the latter of which was holding onto his arm examining the vambrace with large dents in it, "I mean I think Seraphimons thing helped as well but this should fix on its own."
"Looks like it did, lucky. Otherwise, I wouldn't remotely believe you just on 'I'm fine' since I know how kids are," Astamon bluntly stated in response to Ludgermon before sighing and ruffling the feline Digimon's mane before lifting him up onto his shoulder, "Stay there for a bit alright? Still got a bit of an energy high myself."
"Don't rely on that for too long Astamon, probably have an easier time getting back to this again later but that gem being a conduit for something this scale was kind of cheating." Meri pointed out before elbowing Lilithmon to get her to stop arguing with Seraphimon, "Still, you seem to be doing well at caring for the little warriors there. How has our lost little light been?"
"Oh he's... still an awkward fool, but he can be sweet when he wants to be. Hard to get what he thinks on some things at times, sure you've heard about him being a mother-flipping tsundere." Astamon explained getting some snickering and haughty laughter at once, "...Say I'm curious I never asked when learning at her club but are you and Lilithmon rea-"
"Yep, and she loves it." Lilithmon interjected, "For a pretty long time actually. Think I saw one of your old flames, that monkey Digimon, visit a while back actually." Astamon, for once, actually got a little flustered at that mention whilst Ludgermon appeared confused, "Yes, I do remember you. Kind of hard to miss the cuter couples when they come to my club, always a shame when things don't work out."
"Yes- Well- I, look can we do this another time? Just, let him know I'm doing alright if you have to tell Gokuwmon anything," Astamon hastily, and awkwardly, told Lilithmon as he adjusted his coat before glancing back at the helmet of fate, "...I think we're going to have to look into dealing with that if this Klarion guy even thinks of pulling something like this again. Strabimon mentioned something about him being a lord of order? Sounds like a counterbalance."
"So long as you and the young warriors do not consider offering yourselves up to this helmet if it truly takes control of other beings bodies." Seraphimon stated, or more specifically ordered from his tone of voice, "I cannot break through to retrieve them, moreso as the walls between worlds become stronger again and the gaps close themselves. I am entrusting their care to you Astamon, do not make me regret it... more than I already possibly could from one of her former students."
"And if I do?"
"Death." Seraphimon very matter-of-factly declared to the unimpressed reaction of Meri and Lilithmon, Batman could also be heard letting out a very tired sigh behind them.
"Dying is not allowed!" Ludgermon shouted in concern as his grip on Astamons head got stronger, albeit not in any way that could actually harm the demon man, "He is very good at his job! Also, it'd make brother sad and you wouldn't want that!" Ludgermon declared pointing at the angel before quickly dropping it to his side and mumbling very quietly to himself, "As if you'd even notice."
"Gate's closing in a minute." Meri observed as the edges of the portal started to shrink inwards, "Watch out in case something slipped through during this weaker bits, we'll try and watch out for that. Anything you want to say until we can contact each other again?"
"Do your thing with Lilithmon, it'll be cute and I bet- ah." Astamon gleefully suggested, not even finishing before Meri shrugged and pulled the demon lord up close whilst Astamon glanced behind to see the team, "Alright cool we broke Speedy, our job here is done, let's go grab Strabimon."
----
"Bye puppy!" One of the last kids waved off to me as I forcefully kept my smile as I waved goodbye to them after their parents picked them up from the gym. Oh, I'm not living this down, not with Keramon and Gazimon still here watching. Really should have come up with a hero name or something, might have avoided this.
Could have been worse I guess. Could have been... I dunno a Gammamon, or a Hackmon that'd probably go the same route. Ah but if I was THE Hackmon instead of THE Warrior of Light then I'd get cool nun bodyguards. One is a nun with guns!
"That everyone?" I asked a tired Barbara, her dad showed up just a little while ago but he was willing to let her stick around long enough to make sure everyone got home fine. She was about to answer until I heard a familiar voice on the other side of the door, before a solid impact on the ground. Opening the other side I saw Ludgermon and Symbare, the latter of which for some reason had fallen to his knees and seemed to be trying to stand again, "...You alright there?"
"I got to go ultimate! Special stuff but wow I was not expecting this crash when it wore off. Ah you'd have loved it kid." Symbare explained with a tired smile as he held out a hand for me to come closer.
"Loved it? You got something like Angewomon didn't you?" I don't trust this bunny to not get something that'd make things awkward for me and funny to him. Seriously, they do not have the outfit I'd expect of a holy angel.
"Astamon actually, though I could pull that one off. But I quite liked the snazzy suit and gun, I make that look good. Ah but seriously I am exhausted right now."
Sure you did.
"You're doing great!" Ludgemon encouraged the tired rabbit Digimon trying to help him up to his feet, "Strabimon fainted the first time! He even got carried by Superboy on his back whilst asleep, it was very adorable! Let the mental image sustain and fuel you!"
"Whose side are you even on!" I shouted at my brother who just grinned whilst I heard laughter from Barbara. I swear it's not like it was my idea to do that, stupid family making me look bad.
...Okay fine I can kind of see it in that case. Well at least there were no pictures- I need to check if they took any pictures and delete them if they did.
----
88 (And no in this case I didn't forget that the other digimon here would also notice the vanishing of others, and they even check up on the ghost game squad to see how far spread this was)
----
"Say Symbare... you were with us the entire time?" I question him as we walked up to the entrance to the main part of the hideout and realized something as he nodded with a questioning brow raised... Also, it kind of felt like there was a lot of emotion coming from the other side, and that never ends well, "...So I told the child Digimon what was going on but did you tell the others?"
"Ah, no I didn't- Ohhh dear that's gonna be something... Hey, why don't you two kids go on ahead and I sneak in?" Symbare suggested glancing nervously at the doorway, "Like, come on I had good reason to be busy and not tell them to freak out. Maybe they saw it on TV! Go first and use your cute ways to distract and deflate any frustration!"
"See that might have worked had you not been loud!" Sealsdramon scolded, quite annoyed, suddenly appearing leaning on the side of the doorway with her arms folded, "We were using that computer and keeping an eye on the TV for anything, well most of us. Chamelemon was looking around outside for any of the younger ones. So you can't hide leaving us in the dark because we know you knew."
"...I had good reason to be in a rush? Kids help?"
Ah, she's alright that is... more relieving than I thought it would be. Weird, figured she would be not sure why I'd be happier than I thought seeing the likely outcome confirmed.
"No." I firmly stated walking up to Sealsdramon motioning to let me past, which she did. Guess she's not mad at me and Ludgermon which seems given since we were on the other side, something that probably concerned her and... Kind of a nervous pit in my stomach again, "Dammit one second, look..." Sealsdramon turned her focus back to me as I was halfway through the doorway and she seemed confused, really hard to tell with that helmet, as I awkwardly shuffled on the spot, "Just, uh. Right. Words are hard but..." Sighing and giving up I did the easier thing, or at least easier to prompt myself, and put my arms around Sealsdramon and pulled her close, "I am... glad I-we didn't get stuck or lose you guys."
That kind of explains the feeling of relief. Losing everyone once was enough times for me, kind of... didn't hit that it was a possibility until just now. If the worlds didn't get fixed, or... if we got forced to actually go to the digital world given Ludgermons talk about the gate and Seraphimon.
"Okay, this is weird from you. I'm fine, seriously not that mad... Ah it's something else," Sealsdramon at first sounded confused before her tone shifted to a more gentle understanding one, "Yeah glad all you kids made it back too, losing people sucks." Sealsdramon moved her arms and- Wow she's stronger then she looks. "...Say if you wanna do something for me I got a look you could model for me, punk rock chi-"
"Don't fucking push it."
She should get one of the two idiots going 'aww' to do that if she has to. Everyone knows they got more on the 'pretty' looks to pull off those kinds of outfits... It's almost disturbing how well Symbare does it. Nothing wrong with that mind, I think big chest fluff like we have help- Ohh that's why she asks me for some stuff over Ludgermon. Damn you fluffy chest fur you make things worse yet again!
----
Gonna note, Symbare being made to apologize for worrying the other adults, even with the acknowledged good reason for being in a hurry and not stopping to inform them, was pretty amusing. Just for seeing him not in control for once, or maybe cause I was tired. Sealsdramon at least had the sense to keep our doorway conversation private and may have held up a knife when telling Symbare to also not mention that. Though... I think he has the sense not to in that case.
He can be a massive ass, but he does seem to have some sense when it comes to certain things. Dad very much does care about the well-being of friends and family that is kind of clear... Maybe I should speak to him on some stuff again sometime. Ludgermon is good at emotional support in a sense, so long as he doesn't have to do much beyond being encouraging.
The other older Digimon were happy to see us back, though the other child Digi- level Digimon were back before us I guess it was just having the gang back together. Flamedramon wanted to bake something in celebration but I told him I'd rather just go to bed... after we do one other thing.
----
"...So yes the situation is resolved!" Ludgermon happily stated as he finished his explanation to Hiro and his friends. Figured with the barriers still loose we should probably not leave them on a confusing note after we hung up. Not sure it'd really matter on their end but it is best not to leave them possibly confused and distracted by it, "Strabimon was helping people, not with us, he's good with kids apparently! Must be how fluffy he is."
"Soft fur is pretty nice." Ruli noted, yeah kind of figures when your partner is a giant bunny like Angoramon she'd know that, "Your Symbareangoramon evolving again is neat, we haven't had anyone go to that level on our side besides Gammamon."
...Huh, wonder what timeline point this is. Not like the show was finished for me.
"Kind of doubt you'd get Astamon as well Angoramon, was a bit of an odd situation overall." I quickly added, probably should shut any expectation of that down now, "But yeah all is good, you guys keep doing... whatever it is."
"Keeping other Digimon under control, our other mysterious remain unanswered," Angoramon answered, he didn't seem frustrated by that but he's a really chill Digimon far as I've noticed. Kind of funny how different he is from Symbare, "I am... concerned by the Digimon you have encountered, do be careful even if those ones have not been hostile."
"Despite the titles of some like a demon lord, they're pretty decent people. I think, still, you be careful as well especially if you find any weird invitations or anything that screams 'Digimon trap' and plan accordingly for that. Better than just, waltzing into it. Sorry we can't, offer help personally," probably a good thing though given we'd probably screw something up, or worse, "Mind given our look it'd probably result in something immediately extremely dangerous showing up, like a Piedmon. Clowns are scary."
I know there was one in the show intro... Gah now I want to listen to Faction but I can't. Freaking universe-time-space-whatever bullshit. Angoramon seems to recognize the name though. Hm, well he does know a lot of digital world stuff so might be something.
"Not... compared to what you just talked about. Please keep that on your end!" Kiyoshiro, very nervously, added. Honestly one could blame that on cowardness but we did mention stuff happening around the planet, pretty sane honestly. Eh, us two being online friends or whatever you call this is good enough for me... Though I do kinda want to meet Gammamon up close. He is adorable.
"Right well I'm going to bed, do not film that no matter what my Brother says on it being cute as I am not," I told them as firmly as possible... not sure I'm being believed on that with them besides maybe Gammamon, "So see you fuc- fudge! Uh... goodnight!"
----
Course the next day there was still stuff to check up on. A quick call to check up on Thomas so as not to leave him hanging, he wasn't really interested in overall details but did appreciate that we wanted to make sure things went alright for him. Which, they did for the level of crap that went on that night, even more confirmation that Seraphimon managed to heal everyone with what he did. Guess Klarion never thought someone might make use of the power funneled into the gem.
Might have overdone it a little bit, not sure if it was just up to those who were only 'mostly' dead or something but from the news, the team brought it up when we got there in the afternoon, it stated Seraphimon kind of fixed... A lot. Even a princess with a heart issue, nice one. But even people who should have died from something that night seemed fine... usually. Could have been a lot worse.
...Maybe keep the details hidden, don't want to like accidentally start a religion or something.
"Still a lot of things need to be fixed, infrastructure and all the boring stuff we need. Could have been far worse but... jeez." Robin finished as we all sat around the main computer on some chairs, "I thought that one in the sewer was something but... Yeah, no offense but I never want to fight any Digimon of that level."
"Mega-level Digimon are actually really rare, but those three are special cases in terms of how strong they are. Like us!" Ludgermon said with a proud smile, guess he's trying to be reassuring but given how highly he seems to think of Meri and Lilithmon it's probably also him just being 'my friends also get to see how cool they are!'
...I mean they are pretty cool.
"Besides I'm sure there's like... some alien stuff that's fairly crazy. Or things like Klarion," I added before patting my hands on my seat as things got quiet again, "So are things... about as well as they could be?"
"Would we even be able to tell if it wasn't?" M'gann... had a very fair point. I mean unless one of us purposefully screwed something by like... I dunno running someone over with a train I doubt thinking about it means much, "Oh why don't we see what people are saying online, that might give us an idea of what civilians are thinking about with all this. Or just what they're talking about, given they wouldn't know all the details."
Oh might be fun... wait. Shit me and the other Digimon were doing stuff publically on the child side in Gotham... ah hell that's gonna result in something stupid I just know it.
----
89 (The soundtrack of this fic is Strabimons internal screaming)
----
Alright so how are they going to do this thing that will presumably result in embarrassment, a very familiar feeling these days. Not my fault everyone else is some kind of extrovert or thinks it's funny to mess with me. The problem lies with them not me!
...Okay even I know that's not exactly true. Eh, whatever I react how I want. Usually.
"So, what first then? Because I've seen news things before, and some are kind of... weird. Like that channel five place." I questioned whilst M'gann and Robin took charge of the cave computers as the rest of us waited. Seriously though as funny as it is to have those two here it's kind of hard to find out anything from them.
"That's the place with Belinda right? Or Cindy." Ludgermon also asked looking for confirmation, so I nodded with Ludgermon clapping happily that he got it correct, "I like those two! They're fun."
"This... explains a lot about why he's always so behind on what's happening," Robin noted glancing over at Ludgermon briefly before turning his attention back around to the computer. Which, fair I usually end up handling that for the Digimon. He largely prefers doing things like helping Flamedramon, fun guy, "Let's see news channels, a lot of online forum on the Digimon actually. Both serious and well... Strabimon be careful looking your family up."
Oh, I can imagine that.
"Isn't most of the things on him and Ludgermon about how cu- Oh right. Yeah, don't do that you won't like it." M'gann, is covering for something. And I'm pretty sure I can guess what, I mean I saw internet comments about Symbare before and well, there is a thirst... I'm no expert but I guess by certain standards he is attractive and doesn't wear shirts usually, Sealsdramon called him pretty I guess.
"Yeah- oh never mind the news says it as well. Sorry man." Robin apologized with a hint of sincerity to it, I can hear the impish cackling he was trying to keep quiet. Bloody gremlin. Still, let's see what he's found online... Well, the article titles are fairly normal considering. A lot of things about damages, individual stories, and... deaths. Didn't stop it all I guess. "Gotham children and their monster guardians. Nice job there, but the interview comments are well... How about you look yourself?"
"Oh, I got this! I wanna do it!" Ludgermon shot up from his seat to look at the computer screen up close himself, "Let's see... Oh, I see Impmon helped get kids to safety he's mentioned a few times. Even stuff about a bunny and... oh wow brother is popular, you're 'puppy' right?" Ah fuck there it is, "Lot of stuff here, did you really let them piggyback ride- PICTURES!"
Son of a bitch. Still, I should read some of these to see the damage- Oh come on I'm even smiling in that picture who even took it? Serious chaos going on and someone just pulls a phone out to do that. I was only smiling at the little ones to be reassuring.
'Children during split world incident received aid from wolf-boy.' Okay that makes about sense, really should get an actual name out there but I've got zero intention to do an interview or anything to clear it up, 'It is reported that during the split the boy, often seen alongside other strange creatures in Gotham in his rare appearances in the city, was searching for and guiding lost children to a high school in the city which had other creatures watching over it.'
"For someone who doesn't seem to like being touched, sure were willing to let them ride on your shoulders," Artemis observed from the comments with a smile, not quite mocking though oddly, "Lot of them call you puppy there... Can kind of see it. I think this Kari is right on the interviewer's question, you're not scary. Not scary at all. Well at least, once you start speaking. You do know what you sound like right?"
Try not to focus on it... I could be scary if I wanted to. I just, don't want to. Who even wants to scare young kids anyway? That's just shitty.
"They... really do like you." Ludgermon noted tilting his head at the screen. He actually sounded kind of torn on that, like he's amused at it but also a bit sad. Or jealous maybe? Probably not the right word for it.
"Oh don't worry about that he's just done more things with people watching," Kid Flash added, guess he noticed as well, before pointing a thumb at Artemis, "Remember that she said you were kind of pretty for a cat. You'll find an area to outshine grumpy here. Hell could make it a competition, pretty sure people will find your antics endearing compared to Strabimons thing."
"...I want no part in any competitions." I sternly stated as I folded my arms and turned away from those two. I'm actually... confused if Kid has any clue as to why Ludgermon feels off on that or is just being an ass. Hard to tell with that smug grin, not sure when he's ever that observant. Artemis certainly seemed annoyed at the pretty comment... I mean for an anthropomorphic cat- teenager he actually does seem kind of like a pretty boy.
No wonder Sealsdramon gets him involved in her modeling stuff. Hell, he kind of seems like he has eyeliner with how his fur patterns get... and why she asks me for things outside of what he does for her.
"See? He's already at it. Honestly, you guys looking... like you did probably gets people noticing you more compared to most heroes."
"Besides the point of the team is to be covert, so we're really not meant to get attention. At least on what we do as part of the team," Robin added, probably should use fewer explosives if that's the case, before pointing to himself, "Basically everyone knows some of us since we work alongside big names on the league. Flash, Batman and Aquaman are really big guys here, probably saw a lot of guys dressed up like them on Halloween didn't you?"
"Yeah! Also some with the symbol Superboy has and like the Wonder Woman! She had the most among those who look like Artemis and M'gann. Few people looked like you guys as well, that was weird." Ludgemon happily stated as he looked at the team, thankfully we seem to be among the ones nobody did cause... Well, I only wear anything on my chest about half the time, such as now, and Ludgermon keeps his stomach exposed though not to the extent Artemis costume does, "Mostly Robin impersonators. Some of Kid Flash and Aqualad, none of us though. Oh I know what'd be fun brother, we should dress up as each other sometime!"
"I'll... think about it. Not sure I could pull off the whole midriff thing like you really, last I checked it's the chest fluff most people care about." Mind I do wonder why Artemis picked her outfit to have, well little protection there. Granted she's tougher than any human I knew back in my original world so it likely means less but you'd think she'd want to have something to stop a bullet or something like that. "Maybe if others want us to do something like that but until then let's check the news again. How... stable are things?"
"Better than yesterday still had more than a few riots. Some prison escapes, interestingly enough it seems quite a few kids managed to escape from trafficking due to their adult guards disappearing... I'm not going to complain about scumbags having that ruined for them," Robin added as we all, except Ludgermon who was confused presumably not knowing what that is, "Speaking of I think the healthcare system took a hit due to everyone being healed for free."
"Lot of people angry still though, and we can't really arrest Klarion can we?" M'gann questioned as she read over a page, and yeah I can't blame the people on there. There's little idea in the public of what caused it, beyond probably magic, but there are a lot of people demanding blood for it. Or for the League to bring in everyone responsible, guess they still gotta process the wizards or do whatever it is with them. "Who is Gordon Godfrey? Seeing him brought up a lot about aliens and the league."
"Not a fan of aliens from the looks of it." Superboy observed reading off of what M'gann was looking at before looking between Ludgermon and myself, "Don't bother with this guy you two, he's got no idea what he's talking about."
Sounds bad. Ah well, guys a dick from what I know. Not much interesting here to me either, some cult stuff on rise, people wondering what our species is called because they evidently don't listen, oh the meat plant stuff glad to see that's still freaking people out. And...
...Okay how do I delete images from the internet? Gonna ruin my reputation.
----
90 (Hey the start of Flamedramon becoming a part of the central digimon group. For, reasons)
----
The next days, for the Digimon at least, were... rather calm. Relatively speaking, lack of events they had any part in. Even with the more chaotic state of the world that was having to adapt to the damage Klarion and his friends caused. Along with the healing act done by Seraphimon hijacking part of Klarions spell, companies that do health insurance were REALLY mad about that one. At least, the scumbag ones... so a lot of them, especially LexCorp.
The Digimon were, mostly focused on their hideout again, since Strabimon had to point out they were getting pretty far into winter and it was going to get even colder. Not that a lot of them weren't capable of withstanding cold better than most humans but that did mean it wasn't exactly comfortable for them. So they spent a good deal of time trying to figure out to handle that.
"Have we considered more fire?" Strabimon suggested pointing at the firepit, only to get multiple roars of 'NO' in response as he held his hands up defensively, "Well I don't know why anyone asked me, I've picked out like... a room. I dunno put stuff inside the walls that's something?"
"I mean you said you used to be human so I thought... Oh..." Ludgermon started to explain why he prompted his brother until he noticed the sudden look of concern on his brother's face as his eyes slowly moved from Ludgermon to the other Digimon present and picked up on what was said. Symbare even loudly smacked his palm onto his face once he realized Ludgermon had spilled a secret right in front of the Digimon in the hideout, "I... Sorry?"
Strabimon's eye twitched slightly as he looked at the reactions of the other Digimon who were not aware of this fact, ranging from shock to curiosity. "...I probably should have expected this to happen at some point," Strabimon spoke after his brief silence whilst letting out a sigh and he'd been holding back to try and make himself less tense, "Honestly I thought Symbare would end up saying it accidentally."
"I actually thought you'd do it yourself out of frustration," Symbare himself added raising a hand with one finger raised up, "...Well if anyone wanted to know why Strabimon struggles so much with certain things there's... that." Symbare nodded, before giving a large, smug grin, "Oh, and cause he's also pretty dense. But besides that, it was the formally human thing."
"...Does this actually change anything at this point?" Sealsdramon questioned the group who were rapidly calming down and looking between each other, still curious but less shocked, "No really we've known you long enough to know you're too much of a soft-hearted dork to really have meant anything particularly bad by it. Explains a lot though, did the instinct not carry through?"
"I dunno, probably not properly. But... I kind of forget about the human thing pretty often these days." Strabimon noted as he carefully scratched the back of his head, his expression forcefully neutral but still showing a very small bit of sadness, "I... dunno there's good memories back then but, it's hard to think of myself as particularly human anymore. It's... like there but not much. So don't put too much thought on it, I do enjoy being Strabimon and I don't think I'll ever end up back so... Uh... I-I mean some here are like family, and I think technically ARE family due to certain things, but..." Strabimon trailed off looking at the other Digimon now very uncertain.
"I remember speaking to young Ludgermon about when I first saw you, I take it you truly were uncomfortable in your own fur?" Flamedramon asked the nervous canine who quickly nodded in confirmation, getting sounds of realization from other Digimon, "Ah, and here I thought you had an evolution into a form you hated or something of that sort. If it were not for Symbare's own support I would have approached you about that. Still, much as I support Ludgermon's passionate aid in the glory of cooking others here I am prepared to also support other things!"
"Ah... maybe I should do that kind of thing again... might make up for all the lying on that."
"Please, none of that I'm not close enough to being furious for needing something of that kind. Just bring a fiery passion! Or whatever qualifies for you," Flamedramon quickly reassured before patting Strabimon on the head, with the smaller Digimon giving him a half-hearted glare, "...Ah yes, that. Shame, still if you ever want to do more things with each other let me know. Or maybe I shall approach you!"
"Trying to steal my role of 'Dad' are you?" Symbare sarcastically questioned whilst elbowing Flameramon in the side as Strabimon backed up before talking to Ludgermon and Sealsdramon again, agreeing to something after a short conversation and getting a cheer from his brother before putting stuff out of his pockets onto a nearby table. Flamedramon simply folded his arms as Symbare examined him, "You know it totally would be fun to actually do something to leave those kids with two fathers but I don't think I'm ready for anything of that sort right now. Strabimon would flip... actually he might like it, hard to guess with that boy sometimes."
"Alas, I cannot take the time out of my true passion to make the time for it, truly your loss." Flamedramon told Symbare in a mostly unserious tone who mockingly put a hand over his chest before they heard Strabimon's phone ring. Waiting for a few seconds to see if he'd come out for it the two shrugged before Flamedramon picked up the phone and hit answer on speaker, "The young Strabimon is currently busy, but I may take your message!"
"Oh, uh... who is this?" The curious but slightly nervous voice of M'gann came over the phone, so Symbare had to quickly speak up to confirm this wasn't something dangerous or too abnormal since she hadn't met Flamedramon before. "Huh, a lot of you guys about. Anyway, it's actually Wally's birthday soon and we have a party planned for it at the cave so we were just wanting to ask if Strabimon and Ludgermon wanted to come."
"Birthday? Wait... parties are involved and those have... THEY WILL BE THERE!" Flamedramon loudly and dramatically declared with one arm raised to the sky with one claw pointing upwards, causing Symbare to step back in surprise whilst M'gann was audibly shocked on her end, "I will also take part in this because I can give major assistance to the preparation! It shall make this Wally's birthday wonderful!"
"...Yeah I'll ask the yin yang siblings on that. Hm, not sure about that nickname for them." Symbare added before saying goodbye to M'gann and stopping to think. Well, I guess our resident cook wants to do that for those kids. Given the kids did a lot openly and our previous outings there shouldn't be a problem for us to do something here... Might be fun, and since I'll need him for finding the right stuff anyway, "So we should probably get the ingredients for this then? But first wanna mess with the kids a bit before we go?"
"Provided it doesn't cause much undue distress then sure."
----
"So it's nice to know you're not mad but, I'm still surprised you're going along with Ludgermon's idea here." I told Sealsdramon as she was holding up some measuring tools around me whilst Ludgermon watched happily.
"I prefer trying my hand at something new, but I think this is a rather sweet idea. I'd say cute but I know how you get," Sealsdramon answered she slightly moved me about, "Well I guess this is a bit new for you but I see this outfit every day."
Yeah well, Ludgermon finds the idea cool, but I'm sure Dad and that lot will enjoy it. Which I could probably make use of after Ludgermon screwed up back there.
"Make some adjustments to suit me more if you really have to or if it'll make you feel better." I guess it'd subtract from the idea but Ludgermon was quick to agree. So deals with that part of it and- Oh what is Symbare up to now, he's way too happy for just seeing us do this, "What's up?"
"You're going to a friend's birthday party!" Symbare happily declared before reaching his arm out from the doorway and pulling... Flamedramon? He pulled him very close whilst Flamedramon put an arm around Symbares waist before resting his head on him, "We're going to help prepare some things for it so you can't say no. It'll be our first date!"
"...Okay." Not... who'd I'd expect him to try going out with, I kind of thought he was more into the muscular sort or something like that. Well if it makes him happy I guess I have little issue with it, be a bit weird to deal with that going on though. At least it's someone I know, I keep expecting his ex Gokuwmon to show up and them to get back together honestly but good for Symbare for moving on. "You two have fun then."
"Wait you're- Well uh... come along then... wow I did not think of a cute name for you." Symbare awkwardly spoke to Flamedramon before walking off with him, the latter snickering as they went.
That's neat I guess, wonder if I can still hear them I bet it'd be cu- Oh it's a joke, not quite out of earshot you two. Darn.
"...So if we ever end up losing this hideout do you think we can pick a cooler place?" I questioned turning back to face a very confused Ludgermon and a somewhat unhappy Sealsdramon, "Cause I remember a video game that had this pretty cool base in the ocean. I mean oceans are scary but I think we could make a pretty cool version of mother base, it's like a platform... thing."
----
----
"IT IS! Comes with a barrage of HELLFIRE!" Astamon cheerfully, and somehow viciously, yelled after pulling the trigger and letting out a barrage of gunfire from the three barrels of his machine gun, Oro Salmón, whilst Felix Faust was still in shock at the first few shots piercing through his leg and arms triggering a scream of pain as he fell to the ground. "There see, I didn't kill anyone! Just horribly maiming- oh wait." Astamon cut his own words off once he noticed the still standing Blackbriar Thorn and silently turned his machine gun in his direction alarming the evil wizard, "So how about you then-"
"I believe I know my limits, until next time demon." Blackbriar Thorn declared after taking a glance at Faust as he raised his hands into the air before his visage shimmered and disappeared. Either teleporting or performing some illusion to escape, still considering his bullets are the sort to chase after something Astamon pointed his gun upwards and fired some off which promptly redirected themselves and flew off in the direction Thorn had been in.
"Just making sure, Zatara you got that spell ready?" Astamon questioned receiving a nod whilst Batman silently watched and seemed... uncertain. Yes, the situation is more in their favor but he's somewhat uncomfortable with how the Digimon seem to gravitate to firearms. And also being extremely trigger-happy from the looks of things, he personally was hoping that the team and league's influence could guide the two young ones on the team away from such behavior even accounting for both... violent incidents they had.
Once Zatara had finished making use of the gem as part of the ritual Astamon felt a disturbance in the air as a part of the air itself started to break into a blue crack with electricity sparking off of it, until widened into a blue circular portal, the borders of which appeared like electricity as three figures appeared in it. The two feminine Digimon they had contacted earlier alongside a large angel with ten golden wings dressed in holy armor shining in brilliant silver. Whilst Meri seemed a bit surprised at Astamon once they realized that Symbare had managed to take an ultimate form Lilithmon seemed... amused and a little proud.
"I see you fine ladies found the divine intervention," Astamon said with a grin as he casually rested his machine gun on his shoulder as the angel started at him briefly before thrusting its hand through the digital gate, an act that seemed to have a negative effect on the armored angel's arm as it came through translucent on the other end whilst small cubes of data were coming off of it.
"Well. This is rather painful." The Angel noted in a stoic baritone before its arm began to glow in golden holy energy and the area around them lit up around them in holy light.
----
"Woah shi- I-uh shiitake mushrooms?" I yell in alarm, quickly censoring myself for the sake of the children nearby who were also surprised but the one older teenager gave me a glare when I started to swear. Think one of the little ones was their sibling. Still, it was fair to almost come out with something like that given that the adults suddenly appeared again after the sky briefly lit up despite the lack of sun. "Huh, neat... Wait, which side did the objects end up on?"
The cars aren't crashed anymore, but it kind of looks like they hadn't really moved... Did all the objects just get shoved back to where they started or... Well at least they seem to not be ending up where anyone was stood- oh no wait Car over there has a hole in it where a woman is stood.
...Does car insurance cover planetary magic events?
----
As for the team on their end, well things had been going relatively well. Relatively speaking given their side was guarded by the Lord of Chaos Klarion. Since that meant facing an opponent far out of their weight class, especially those without powers who were currently lying unconscious after Klarion blew up the ground underneath them with one of his red magic blasts. Superboy also proved somewhat vulnerable to magical damage as he found out from his burning chest.
Ludgermon had lost track of the others brawling with Klarion's cat which had turned into a giant feral monster that really wanted to use his arm as a chew toy. His vambraces took most of the abuse from its attempts at biting him but it was still causing serious pain. Klarion meanwhile found the idea of the 'cat fight' going on hilarious going from his laughter.
Which was promptly cut off by a flash of light, and also his cat suddenly being blasted off him by some kind of blue magic, from Zatara it turned out. Getting a cheer from his daughter who was visibly ecstatic that he, and the other adults, were back. So much so that she dropped the helmet of fate onto the ground and rushed over to him, Ludgermon even noticed that his injuries, and those of his teammates, seemed to have vanished with even his vambrace fixing itself.
"Oh hey Lilith- uhhh." Ludgermon cheerfully shouted whilst Klarion screamed in frustration that his 'playtime' was being messed with before Ludgermon also noticed the angel staring at him with his own expression becoming an awkward smile, "...So I have a good reason for leaving the temple Seraphimon sir."
"Yes, your self-proclaimed 'Auntie Lilly' explained this to me." Seraphimon stated unimpressed as he examined the situation, "Where is the Warrior of Light."
"He's been helping the children of this world. In a city."
"See? As I said, now you can't be mad because you'd want him to do that." Lilithmon half-seriously said, the other half being a clear mocking taunt at Seraphimon. Which simply got a very tired sigh from the angel, clearly used to and unamused to the demon lord's behavior in this area.
"Hey, you! Goth and shiny-" Klarion started to angrily yell at the angel until Astamon stepped in between them, still casually holding his gun upwards, "Oh and now it's a grown-up in... actually that's a nice jacket you got there."
"It is! But alas I have no time to enjoy this. Your plan is over... whoever you are." Astamon meant to start that as a firm declaration, before realizing he didn't actually know who Klarion is. So he just shrugged his shoulders and aimed his gun with one hand at the Witch Boy, "Ah well won't matter, you want to stand down-" Before he could finish Klarion sent a red magical blast at him, prompting him to calmly step out of the way, glancing back at it to see a massive explosion in the distance where it impacted, "Huh, better than those other guys."
"Where even are those grown-up wizards?" Klarion questioned before noticing Felix Faust groaning on the ground in pain, "Oh, well that answers part of that. The others..."
"Well, we hit that blue dude with a Trailmon." Astamon noted before rushing up and kicking at Klarion which had dark qi emitting from it, the Witch-Boy blocking it with a red magical shield although the impact wasn't able to knock him off his feet it did shove him backward a couple of feet before he tried using his magic as a blade, Astamon blocking it with his gun looking the Witch Boy in the eye during their block, "Should have seen the look on his face when he saw a train coming."
"...You seriously hit Wotan with a train?" Klarion questioned in genuine curiosity whilst Astamon just flashed a sharp-toothed maniacal grin. And then pulled the trigger of his gun launching bullets off into the distance, "Ha! Your aim suck- oh that's a fun one." Klarion noted in alarm breaking off from Astamon to create a shield to block the bullets that had changed direction mid-air, which was undercut once he received a tremendously hard hit to the back of the head sending him across the ground due to Astamon having grabbed his gun by the barrel and swung it like a club. And then he got hit by the homing bullets anyway, "...Okay that actually hurt! Buuut I have no reason to bother with any grown-ups like you at this point, so toodles!"
"...Coward and a buzzkill." Astamon complained, unhappy that the fight ended so quickly, as Klarion quickly vanished through a crimson portal. The young heroes were simply relieved that the fight was over whilst Ludgermon looked over him as he put his gun away before kneeling down and warmly smiling at the Digimion, "Yeah it's me, cool look am I right?"
"Symbare? Dammit, I lost the bet," Kid Flash jokingly complained as he helped Artemis back to her feet, "Was seriously hoping for that amazon babe you mentioned as something. I'll take anything as helpful as this though, nice suit."
"You're... very cool! Yes!" Ludgermon cheered jumping onto Symbare and putting his arms around his neck, "Kind of get a weird feeling up close... and I'm probably going to shouted at in a minute."
"Oh don't worry about holier than thou over here too much," Lilithmon interjected from the digital gate poking Seraphimon in the side who silently refused to respond, "Doesn't seem like this gate will hold up if we try to get through anyway, and since you still need to watch over Strabimon who isn't here you can stick over there for a bit longer. He's just still sore that I beat him in our last little fight."
"I very much am not." Seraphimon flatly stated folding his arms as Meri giggled to herself.
"They had a pretty long fight, lasted for hours until Lilithmon got him in what she called 'hells floor' I think it was dear?" Meri questioned Lilithmon who gave a smug grin.
"You demons and your childish names. It doesn't count anyway because the judge called it wrong, I was reaching for the ropes not tapping out!"
"Are they serio- actually know what? I don't care." Superboy started to question until he realized where this kind of Digimon nonsense goes as he swiftly turned around and walked away tired.
"Are they joking?" M'gann asked Ludgemon out of her own curiosity but received a confused shrug from the feline Digimon who was just as surprised at the angels behavior as everyone else.
"I... he's almost always serious, or intense. Lilithmon must really annoy him or something."
----
87 (Strabimon missed the fight, but it suited him more to be focused on helping lost kids)
----
Guess... it's over? Huh, I'm glad the danger for people has... mostly passed. Better stick around in the high school and make sure things are all right until their parents and guardians can come and get them. Probably best someone else handles dealing with the adults.
"Hey uh, Miss Barbara? I think it's, all over so we should..." I awkwardly started to explain as I opened the door to the gym looking over the room, seems like a lot of the younger ones fell asleep. Probably because Gazimon and Impmon were helping with that, I guess they're good with kids being, well kids themselves. Good thing too or it could be pretty creepy, "...Well that's... nice."
"You can just call it cute or something you know." Bacomon suddenly said from my side poking out from a cardboard box near the door, a bit startling but I'm more surprised that even here he made a little box fort here, granted it was probably pretty helpful for the younger ones to play about with. Seriously though, priorities. Barbara at least noticed me coming in, alongside the few small children I had with me on the way.
"Yeah, our phones got messages earlier. We're just watching over the ones who didn't have anyone old enough to get them home." She explained, sounding pretty tired, once she got close before pointing to the other girl who had been helping sitting on a gym bench. Come to think of it they fixed this place up pretty well after the whole robot monkey and AMAZO thing.
"Ah, that's good. You uh, well thanks. For helping them you didn't have to really." Well still, kind of nervous speaking to her. Been a while since I dealt with anyone I'm not comfortable around without Symbare or Ludgermon around.
"I mean neither did you outside of what's expected of heroes. And I wanted to," Barbara gave a small exhausted smile, "Feels... right."
"Eh, I don't think I'm much of a hero. That said I'll stick around in case anyone gets dumb but I think you're better off handling the adults, you're far less intimidating than I am." I said pointing at my mouth and the sharp teeth it's filled with. Also, you know claw. Still gets a scoff from Barbara.
"You're hardly what I'd call scary." Dammit, not you too! Be reasonable, do I seriously need a dark alley to freak people out? I blame my not even 5-foot-tall size more than anything.
----
Meanwhile, the other group was, still fairly thrown off by the sight of a bickering demon lord and archangel Digimon. Meri just seemed amused at first before turning her attention to speaking with Ludgermon and Astamon.
"This is... weird. Like, yeah that's a freaking angel and a... really hot goth, don't say anything you were all thinking that!" Kid Flash immediately quickly defended himself on his latter comment as the team was about to object to it, before getting a round of shrugs and a 'fair' comment from Robin, "What sin was she, lust? Whatever, I know they're Digimon not whatever else there could be but you'd think they'd be less... I dunno normal?"
"Not sure I'd call what they've done 'normal' but I think I get it," M'gann remarked watching Meri fret over Ludgermon alongside Astamon once it was clear he had been harmed during the fighting, "It's kind of like what you see on human TV shows. Kind of childish though."
"I know SB kind of didn't want to know, but I'm curious about the wrestling thing. Like, are they making it up or..."
"You just want to see her in a wrestler costume don't you?" Robin snarked at his friend with a smug grin getting a light glare in response... before a nod of the head, "Well maybe watch your words, get the feeling a demon lord might be less tolerant of you than Canary was."
----
"It was just my arm, really I'm fine I've had worse in training sessions!" Ludgermon reassured Meri and Astamon, the latter of which was holding onto his arm examining the vambrace with large dents in it, "I mean I think Seraphimons thing helped as well but this should fix on its own."
"Looks like it did, lucky. Otherwise, I wouldn't remotely believe you just on 'I'm fine' since I know how kids are," Astamon bluntly stated in response to Ludgermon before sighing and ruffling the feline Digimon's mane before lifting him up onto his shoulder, "Stay there for a bit alright? Still got a bit of an energy high myself."
"Don't rely on that for too long Astamon, probably have an easier time getting back to this again later but that gem being a conduit for something this scale was kind of cheating." Meri pointed out before elbowing Lilithmon to get her to stop arguing with Seraphimon, "Still, you seem to be doing well at caring for the little warriors there. How has our lost little light been?"
"Oh he's... still an awkward fool, but he can be sweet when he wants to be. Hard to get what he thinks on some things at times, sure you've heard about him being a mother-flipping tsundere." Astamon explained getting some snickering and haughty laughter at once, "...Say I'm curious I never asked when learning at her club but are you and Lilithmon rea-"
"Yep, and she loves it." Lilithmon interjected, "For a pretty long time actually. Think I saw one of your old flames, that monkey Digimon, visit a while back actually." Astamon, for once, actually got a little flustered at that mention whilst Ludgermon appeared confused, "Yes, I do remember you. Kind of hard to miss the cuter couples when they come to my club, always a shame when things don't work out."
"Yes- Well- I, look can we do this another time? Just, let him know I'm doing alright if you have to tell Gokuwmon anything," Astamon hastily, and awkwardly, told Lilithmon as he adjusted his coat before glancing back at the helmet of fate, "...I think we're going to have to look into dealing with that if this Klarion guy even thinks of pulling something like this again. Strabimon mentioned something about him being a lord of order? Sounds like a counterbalance."
"So long as you and the young warriors do not consider offering yourselves up to this helmet if it truly takes control of other beings bodies." Seraphimon stated, or more specifically ordered from his tone of voice, "I cannot break through to retrieve them, moreso as the walls between worlds become stronger again and the gaps close themselves. I am entrusting their care to you Astamon, do not make me regret it... more than I already possibly could from one of her former students."
"And if I do?"
"Death." Seraphimon very matter-of-factly declared to the unimpressed reaction of Meri and Lilithmon, Batman could also be heard letting out a very tired sigh behind them.
"Dying is not allowed!" Ludgermon shouted in concern as his grip on Astamons head got stronger, albeit not in any way that could actually harm the demon man, "He is very good at his job! Also, it'd make brother sad and you wouldn't want that!" Ludgermon declared pointing at the angel before quickly dropping it to his side and mumbling very quietly to himself, "As if you'd even notice."
"Gate's closing in a minute." Meri observed as the edges of the portal started to shrink inwards, "Watch out in case something slipped through during this weaker bits, we'll try and watch out for that. Anything you want to say until we can contact each other again?"
"Do your thing with Lilithmon, it'll be cute and I bet- ah." Astamon gleefully suggested, not even finishing before Meri shrugged and pulled the demon lord up close whilst Astamon glanced behind to see the team, "Alright cool we broke Speedy, our job here is done, let's go grab Strabimon."
----
"Bye puppy!" One of the last kids waved off to me as I forcefully kept my smile as I waved goodbye to them after their parents picked them up from the gym. Oh, I'm not living this down, not with Keramon and Gazimon still here watching. Really should have come up with a hero name or something, might have avoided this.
Could have been worse I guess. Could have been... I dunno a Gammamon, or a Hackmon that'd probably go the same route. Ah but if I was THE Hackmon instead of THE Warrior of Light then I'd get cool nun bodyguards. One is a nun with guns!
"That everyone?" I asked a tired Barbara, her dad showed up just a little while ago but he was willing to let her stick around long enough to make sure everyone got home fine. She was about to answer until I heard a familiar voice on the other side of the door, before a solid impact on the ground. Opening the other side I saw Ludgermon and Symbare, the latter of which for some reason had fallen to his knees and seemed to be trying to stand again, "...You alright there?"
"I got to go ultimate! Special stuff but wow I was not expecting this crash when it wore off. Ah you'd have loved it kid." Symbare explained with a tired smile as he held out a hand for me to come closer.
"Loved it? You got something like Angewomon didn't you?" I don't trust this bunny to not get something that'd make things awkward for me and funny to him. Seriously, they do not have the outfit I'd expect of a holy angel.
"Astamon actually, though I could pull that one off. But I quite liked the snazzy suit and gun, I make that look good. Ah but seriously I am exhausted right now."
Sure you did.
"You're doing great!" Ludgemon encouraged the tired rabbit Digimon trying to help him up to his feet, "Strabimon fainted the first time! He even got carried by Superboy on his back whilst asleep, it was very adorable! Let the mental image sustain and fuel you!"
"Whose side are you even on!" I shouted at my brother who just grinned whilst I heard laughter from Barbara. I swear it's not like it was my idea to do that, stupid family making me look bad.
...Okay fine I can kind of see it in that case. Well at least there were no pictures- I need to check if they took any pictures and delete them if they did.
----
88 (And no in this case I didn't forget that the other digimon here would also notice the vanishing of others, and they even check up on the ghost game squad to see how far spread this was)
----
"Say Symbare... you were with us the entire time?" I question him as we walked up to the entrance to the main part of the hideout and realized something as he nodded with a questioning brow raised... Also, it kind of felt like there was a lot of emotion coming from the other side, and that never ends well, "...So I told the child Digimon what was going on but did you tell the others?"
"Ah, no I didn't- Ohhh dear that's gonna be something... Hey, why don't you two kids go on ahead and I sneak in?" Symbare suggested glancing nervously at the doorway, "Like, come on I had good reason to be busy and not tell them to freak out. Maybe they saw it on TV! Go first and use your cute ways to distract and deflate any frustration!"
"See that might have worked had you not been loud!" Sealsdramon scolded, quite annoyed, suddenly appearing leaning on the side of the doorway with her arms folded, "We were using that computer and keeping an eye on the TV for anything, well most of us. Chamelemon was looking around outside for any of the younger ones. So you can't hide leaving us in the dark because we know you knew."
"...I had good reason to be in a rush? Kids help?"
Ah, she's alright that is... more relieving than I thought it would be. Weird, figured she would be not sure why I'd be happier than I thought seeing the likely outcome confirmed.
"No." I firmly stated walking up to Sealsdramon motioning to let me past, which she did. Guess she's not mad at me and Ludgermon which seems given since we were on the other side, something that probably concerned her and... Kind of a nervous pit in my stomach again, "Dammit one second, look..." Sealsdramon turned her focus back to me as I was halfway through the doorway and she seemed confused, really hard to tell with that helmet, as I awkwardly shuffled on the spot, "Just, uh. Right. Words are hard but..." Sighing and giving up I did the easier thing, or at least easier to prompt myself, and put my arms around Sealsdramon and pulled her close, "I am... glad I-we didn't get stuck or lose you guys."
That kind of explains the feeling of relief. Losing everyone once was enough times for me, kind of... didn't hit that it was a possibility until just now. If the worlds didn't get fixed, or... if we got forced to actually go to the digital world given Ludgermons talk about the gate and Seraphimon.
"Okay, this is weird from you. I'm fine, seriously not that mad... Ah it's something else," Sealsdramon at first sounded confused before her tone shifted to a more gentle understanding one, "Yeah glad all you kids made it back too, losing people sucks." Sealsdramon moved her arms and- Wow she's stronger then she looks. "...Say if you wanna do something for me I got a look you could model for me, punk rock chi-"
"Don't fucking push it."
She should get one of the two idiots going 'aww' to do that if she has to. Everyone knows they got more on the 'pretty' looks to pull off those kinds of outfits... It's almost disturbing how well Symbare does it. Nothing wrong with that mind, I think big chest fluff like we have help- Ohh that's why she asks me for some stuff over Ludgermon. Damn you fluffy chest fur you make things worse yet again!
----
Gonna note, Symbare being made to apologize for worrying the other adults, even with the acknowledged good reason for being in a hurry and not stopping to inform them, was pretty amusing. Just for seeing him not in control for once, or maybe cause I was tired. Sealsdramon at least had the sense to keep our doorway conversation private and may have held up a knife when telling Symbare to also not mention that. Though... I think he has the sense not to in that case.
He can be a massive ass, but he does seem to have some sense when it comes to certain things. Dad very much does care about the well-being of friends and family that is kind of clear... Maybe I should speak to him on some stuff again sometime. Ludgermon is good at emotional support in a sense, so long as he doesn't have to do much beyond being encouraging.
The other older Digimon were happy to see us back, though the other child Digi- level Digimon were back before us I guess it was just having the gang back together. Flamedramon wanted to bake something in celebration but I told him I'd rather just go to bed... after we do one other thing.
----
"...So yes the situation is resolved!" Ludgermon happily stated as he finished his explanation to Hiro and his friends. Figured with the barriers still loose we should probably not leave them on a confusing note after we hung up. Not sure it'd really matter on their end but it is best not to leave them possibly confused and distracted by it, "Strabimon was helping people, not with us, he's good with kids apparently! Must be how fluffy he is."
"Soft fur is pretty nice." Ruli noted, yeah kind of figures when your partner is a giant bunny like Angoramon she'd know that, "Your Symbareangoramon evolving again is neat, we haven't had anyone go to that level on our side besides Gammamon."
...Huh, wonder what timeline point this is. Not like the show was finished for me.
"Kind of doubt you'd get Astamon as well Angoramon, was a bit of an odd situation overall." I quickly added, probably should shut any expectation of that down now, "But yeah all is good, you guys keep doing... whatever it is."
"Keeping other Digimon under control, our other mysterious remain unanswered," Angoramon answered, he didn't seem frustrated by that but he's a really chill Digimon far as I've noticed. Kind of funny how different he is from Symbare, "I am... concerned by the Digimon you have encountered, do be careful even if those ones have not been hostile."
"Despite the titles of some like a demon lord, they're pretty decent people. I think, still, you be careful as well especially if you find any weird invitations or anything that screams 'Digimon trap' and plan accordingly for that. Better than just, waltzing into it. Sorry we can't, offer help personally," probably a good thing though given we'd probably screw something up, or worse, "Mind given our look it'd probably result in something immediately extremely dangerous showing up, like a Piedmon. Clowns are scary."
I know there was one in the show intro... Gah now I want to listen to Faction but I can't. Freaking universe-time-space-whatever bullshit. Angoramon seems to recognize the name though. Hm, well he does know a lot of digital world stuff so might be something.
"Not... compared to what you just talked about. Please keep that on your end!" Kiyoshiro, very nervously, added. Honestly one could blame that on cowardness but we did mention stuff happening around the planet, pretty sane honestly. Eh, us two being online friends or whatever you call this is good enough for me... Though I do kinda want to meet Gammamon up close. He is adorable.
"Right well I'm going to bed, do not film that no matter what my Brother says on it being cute as I am not," I told them as firmly as possible... not sure I'm being believed on that with them besides maybe Gammamon, "So see you fuc- fudge! Uh... goodnight!"
----
Course the next day there was still stuff to check up on. A quick call to check up on Thomas so as not to leave him hanging, he wasn't really interested in overall details but did appreciate that we wanted to make sure things went alright for him. Which, they did for the level of crap that went on that night, even more confirmation that Seraphimon managed to heal everyone with what he did. Guess Klarion never thought someone might make use of the power funneled into the gem.
Might have overdone it a little bit, not sure if it was just up to those who were only 'mostly' dead or something but from the news, the team brought it up when we got there in the afternoon, it stated Seraphimon kind of fixed... A lot. Even a princess with a heart issue, nice one. But even people who should have died from something that night seemed fine... usually. Could have been a lot worse.
...Maybe keep the details hidden, don't want to like accidentally start a religion or something.
"Still a lot of things need to be fixed, infrastructure and all the boring stuff we need. Could have been far worse but... jeez." Robin finished as we all sat around the main computer on some chairs, "I thought that one in the sewer was something but... Yeah, no offense but I never want to fight any Digimon of that level."
"Mega-level Digimon are actually really rare, but those three are special cases in terms of how strong they are. Like us!" Ludgermon said with a proud smile, guess he's trying to be reassuring but given how highly he seems to think of Meri and Lilithmon it's probably also him just being 'my friends also get to see how cool they are!'
...I mean they are pretty cool.
"Besides I'm sure there's like... some alien stuff that's fairly crazy. Or things like Klarion," I added before patting my hands on my seat as things got quiet again, "So are things... about as well as they could be?"
"Would we even be able to tell if it wasn't?" M'gann... had a very fair point. I mean unless one of us purposefully screwed something by like... I dunno running someone over with a train I doubt thinking about it means much, "Oh why don't we see what people are saying online, that might give us an idea of what civilians are thinking about with all this. Or just what they're talking about, given they wouldn't know all the details."
Oh might be fun... wait. Shit me and the other Digimon were doing stuff publically on the child side in Gotham... ah hell that's gonna result in something stupid I just know it.
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89 (The soundtrack of this fic is Strabimons internal screaming)
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Alright so how are they going to do this thing that will presumably result in embarrassment, a very familiar feeling these days. Not my fault everyone else is some kind of extrovert or thinks it's funny to mess with me. The problem lies with them not me!
...Okay even I know that's not exactly true. Eh, whatever I react how I want. Usually.
"So, what first then? Because I've seen news things before, and some are kind of... weird. Like that channel five place." I questioned whilst M'gann and Robin took charge of the cave computers as the rest of us waited. Seriously though as funny as it is to have those two here it's kind of hard to find out anything from them.
"That's the place with Belinda right? Or Cindy." Ludgermon also asked looking for confirmation, so I nodded with Ludgermon clapping happily that he got it correct, "I like those two! They're fun."
"This... explains a lot about why he's always so behind on what's happening," Robin noted glancing over at Ludgermon briefly before turning his attention back around to the computer. Which, fair I usually end up handling that for the Digimon. He largely prefers doing things like helping Flamedramon, fun guy, "Let's see news channels, a lot of online forum on the Digimon actually. Both serious and well... Strabimon be careful looking your family up."
Oh, I can imagine that.
"Isn't most of the things on him and Ludgermon about how cu- Oh right. Yeah, don't do that you won't like it." M'gann, is covering for something. And I'm pretty sure I can guess what, I mean I saw internet comments about Symbare before and well, there is a thirst... I'm no expert but I guess by certain standards he is attractive and doesn't wear shirts usually, Sealsdramon called him pretty I guess.
"Yeah- oh never mind the news says it as well. Sorry man." Robin apologized with a hint of sincerity to it, I can hear the impish cackling he was trying to keep quiet. Bloody gremlin. Still, let's see what he's found online... Well, the article titles are fairly normal considering. A lot of things about damages, individual stories, and... deaths. Didn't stop it all I guess. "Gotham children and their monster guardians. Nice job there, but the interview comments are well... How about you look yourself?"
"Oh, I got this! I wanna do it!" Ludgermon shot up from his seat to look at the computer screen up close himself, "Let's see... Oh, I see Impmon helped get kids to safety he's mentioned a few times. Even stuff about a bunny and... oh wow brother is popular, you're 'puppy' right?" Ah fuck there it is, "Lot of stuff here, did you really let them piggyback ride- PICTURES!"
Son of a bitch. Still, I should read some of these to see the damage- Oh come on I'm even smiling in that picture who even took it? Serious chaos going on and someone just pulls a phone out to do that. I was only smiling at the little ones to be reassuring.
'Children during split world incident received aid from wolf-boy.' Okay that makes about sense, really should get an actual name out there but I've got zero intention to do an interview or anything to clear it up, 'It is reported that during the split the boy, often seen alongside other strange creatures in Gotham in his rare appearances in the city, was searching for and guiding lost children to a high school in the city which had other creatures watching over it.'
"For someone who doesn't seem to like being touched, sure were willing to let them ride on your shoulders," Artemis observed from the comments with a smile, not quite mocking though oddly, "Lot of them call you puppy there... Can kind of see it. I think this Kari is right on the interviewer's question, you're not scary. Not scary at all. Well at least, once you start speaking. You do know what you sound like right?"
Try not to focus on it... I could be scary if I wanted to. I just, don't want to. Who even wants to scare young kids anyway? That's just shitty.
"They... really do like you." Ludgermon noted tilting his head at the screen. He actually sounded kind of torn on that, like he's amused at it but also a bit sad. Or jealous maybe? Probably not the right word for it.
"Oh don't worry about that he's just done more things with people watching," Kid Flash added, guess he noticed as well, before pointing a thumb at Artemis, "Remember that she said you were kind of pretty for a cat. You'll find an area to outshine grumpy here. Hell could make it a competition, pretty sure people will find your antics endearing compared to Strabimons thing."
"...I want no part in any competitions." I sternly stated as I folded my arms and turned away from those two. I'm actually... confused if Kid has any clue as to why Ludgermon feels off on that or is just being an ass. Hard to tell with that smug grin, not sure when he's ever that observant. Artemis certainly seemed annoyed at the pretty comment... I mean for an anthropomorphic cat- teenager he actually does seem kind of like a pretty boy.
No wonder Sealsdramon gets him involved in her modeling stuff. Hell, he kind of seems like he has eyeliner with how his fur patterns get... and why she asks me for things outside of what he does for her.
"See? He's already at it. Honestly, you guys looking... like you did probably gets people noticing you more compared to most heroes."
"Besides the point of the team is to be covert, so we're really not meant to get attention. At least on what we do as part of the team," Robin added, probably should use fewer explosives if that's the case, before pointing to himself, "Basically everyone knows some of us since we work alongside big names on the league. Flash, Batman and Aquaman are really big guys here, probably saw a lot of guys dressed up like them on Halloween didn't you?"
"Yeah! Also some with the symbol Superboy has and like the Wonder Woman! She had the most among those who look like Artemis and M'gann. Few people looked like you guys as well, that was weird." Ludgemon happily stated as he looked at the team, thankfully we seem to be among the ones nobody did cause... Well, I only wear anything on my chest about half the time, such as now, and Ludgermon keeps his stomach exposed though not to the extent Artemis costume does, "Mostly Robin impersonators. Some of Kid Flash and Aqualad, none of us though. Oh I know what'd be fun brother, we should dress up as each other sometime!"
"I'll... think about it. Not sure I could pull off the whole midriff thing like you really, last I checked it's the chest fluff most people care about." Mind I do wonder why Artemis picked her outfit to have, well little protection there. Granted she's tougher than any human I knew back in my original world so it likely means less but you'd think she'd want to have something to stop a bullet or something like that. "Maybe if others want us to do something like that but until then let's check the news again. How... stable are things?"
"Better than yesterday still had more than a few riots. Some prison escapes, interestingly enough it seems quite a few kids managed to escape from trafficking due to their adult guards disappearing... I'm not going to complain about scumbags having that ruined for them," Robin added as we all, except Ludgermon who was confused presumably not knowing what that is, "Speaking of I think the healthcare system took a hit due to everyone being healed for free."
"Lot of people angry still though, and we can't really arrest Klarion can we?" M'gann questioned as she read over a page, and yeah I can't blame the people on there. There's little idea in the public of what caused it, beyond probably magic, but there are a lot of people demanding blood for it. Or for the League to bring in everyone responsible, guess they still gotta process the wizards or do whatever it is with them. "Who is Gordon Godfrey? Seeing him brought up a lot about aliens and the league."
"Not a fan of aliens from the looks of it." Superboy observed reading off of what M'gann was looking at before looking between Ludgermon and myself, "Don't bother with this guy you two, he's got no idea what he's talking about."
Sounds bad. Ah well, guys a dick from what I know. Not much interesting here to me either, some cult stuff on rise, people wondering what our species is called because they evidently don't listen, oh the meat plant stuff glad to see that's still freaking people out. And...
...Okay how do I delete images from the internet? Gonna ruin my reputation.
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90 (Hey the start of Flamedramon becoming a part of the central digimon group. For, reasons)
----
The next days, for the Digimon at least, were... rather calm. Relatively speaking, lack of events they had any part in. Even with the more chaotic state of the world that was having to adapt to the damage Klarion and his friends caused. Along with the healing act done by Seraphimon hijacking part of Klarions spell, companies that do health insurance were REALLY mad about that one. At least, the scumbag ones... so a lot of them, especially LexCorp.
The Digimon were, mostly focused on their hideout again, since Strabimon had to point out they were getting pretty far into winter and it was going to get even colder. Not that a lot of them weren't capable of withstanding cold better than most humans but that did mean it wasn't exactly comfortable for them. So they spent a good deal of time trying to figure out to handle that.
"Have we considered more fire?" Strabimon suggested pointing at the firepit, only to get multiple roars of 'NO' in response as he held his hands up defensively, "Well I don't know why anyone asked me, I've picked out like... a room. I dunno put stuff inside the walls that's something?"
"I mean you said you used to be human so I thought... Oh..." Ludgermon started to explain why he prompted his brother until he noticed the sudden look of concern on his brother's face as his eyes slowly moved from Ludgermon to the other Digimon present and picked up on what was said. Symbare even loudly smacked his palm onto his face once he realized Ludgermon had spilled a secret right in front of the Digimon in the hideout, "I... Sorry?"
Strabimon's eye twitched slightly as he looked at the reactions of the other Digimon who were not aware of this fact, ranging from shock to curiosity. "...I probably should have expected this to happen at some point," Strabimon spoke after his brief silence whilst letting out a sigh and he'd been holding back to try and make himself less tense, "Honestly I thought Symbare would end up saying it accidentally."
"I actually thought you'd do it yourself out of frustration," Symbare himself added raising a hand with one finger raised up, "...Well if anyone wanted to know why Strabimon struggles so much with certain things there's... that." Symbare nodded, before giving a large, smug grin, "Oh, and cause he's also pretty dense. But besides that, it was the formally human thing."
"...Does this actually change anything at this point?" Sealsdramon questioned the group who were rapidly calming down and looking between each other, still curious but less shocked, "No really we've known you long enough to know you're too much of a soft-hearted dork to really have meant anything particularly bad by it. Explains a lot though, did the instinct not carry through?"
"I dunno, probably not properly. But... I kind of forget about the human thing pretty often these days." Strabimon noted as he carefully scratched the back of his head, his expression forcefully neutral but still showing a very small bit of sadness, "I... dunno there's good memories back then but, it's hard to think of myself as particularly human anymore. It's... like there but not much. So don't put too much thought on it, I do enjoy being Strabimon and I don't think I'll ever end up back so... Uh... I-I mean some here are like family, and I think technically ARE family due to certain things, but..." Strabimon trailed off looking at the other Digimon now very uncertain.
"I remember speaking to young Ludgermon about when I first saw you, I take it you truly were uncomfortable in your own fur?" Flamedramon asked the nervous canine who quickly nodded in confirmation, getting sounds of realization from other Digimon, "Ah, and here I thought you had an evolution into a form you hated or something of that sort. If it were not for Symbare's own support I would have approached you about that. Still, much as I support Ludgermon's passionate aid in the glory of cooking others here I am prepared to also support other things!"
"Ah... maybe I should do that kind of thing again... might make up for all the lying on that."
"Please, none of that I'm not close enough to being furious for needing something of that kind. Just bring a fiery passion! Or whatever qualifies for you," Flamedramon quickly reassured before patting Strabimon on the head, with the smaller Digimon giving him a half-hearted glare, "...Ah yes, that. Shame, still if you ever want to do more things with each other let me know. Or maybe I shall approach you!"
"Trying to steal my role of 'Dad' are you?" Symbare sarcastically questioned whilst elbowing Flameramon in the side as Strabimon backed up before talking to Ludgermon and Sealsdramon again, agreeing to something after a short conversation and getting a cheer from his brother before putting stuff out of his pockets onto a nearby table. Flamedramon simply folded his arms as Symbare examined him, "You know it totally would be fun to actually do something to leave those kids with two fathers but I don't think I'm ready for anything of that sort right now. Strabimon would flip... actually he might like it, hard to guess with that boy sometimes."
"Alas, I cannot take the time out of my true passion to make the time for it, truly your loss." Flamedramon told Symbare in a mostly unserious tone who mockingly put a hand over his chest before they heard Strabimon's phone ring. Waiting for a few seconds to see if he'd come out for it the two shrugged before Flamedramon picked up the phone and hit answer on speaker, "The young Strabimon is currently busy, but I may take your message!"
"Oh, uh... who is this?" The curious but slightly nervous voice of M'gann came over the phone, so Symbare had to quickly speak up to confirm this wasn't something dangerous or too abnormal since she hadn't met Flamedramon before. "Huh, a lot of you guys about. Anyway, it's actually Wally's birthday soon and we have a party planned for it at the cave so we were just wanting to ask if Strabimon and Ludgermon wanted to come."
"Birthday? Wait... parties are involved and those have... THEY WILL BE THERE!" Flamedramon loudly and dramatically declared with one arm raised to the sky with one claw pointing upwards, causing Symbare to step back in surprise whilst M'gann was audibly shocked on her end, "I will also take part in this because I can give major assistance to the preparation! It shall make this Wally's birthday wonderful!"
"...Yeah I'll ask the yin yang siblings on that. Hm, not sure about that nickname for them." Symbare added before saying goodbye to M'gann and stopping to think. Well, I guess our resident cook wants to do that for those kids. Given the kids did a lot openly and our previous outings there shouldn't be a problem for us to do something here... Might be fun, and since I'll need him for finding the right stuff anyway, "So we should probably get the ingredients for this then? But first wanna mess with the kids a bit before we go?"
"Provided it doesn't cause much undue distress then sure."
----
"So it's nice to know you're not mad but, I'm still surprised you're going along with Ludgermon's idea here." I told Sealsdramon as she was holding up some measuring tools around me whilst Ludgermon watched happily.
"I prefer trying my hand at something new, but I think this is a rather sweet idea. I'd say cute but I know how you get," Sealsdramon answered she slightly moved me about, "Well I guess this is a bit new for you but I see this outfit every day."
Yeah well, Ludgermon finds the idea cool, but I'm sure Dad and that lot will enjoy it. Which I could probably make use of after Ludgermon screwed up back there.
"Make some adjustments to suit me more if you really have to or if it'll make you feel better." I guess it'd subtract from the idea but Ludgermon was quick to agree. So deals with that part of it and- Oh what is Symbare up to now, he's way too happy for just seeing us do this, "What's up?"
"You're going to a friend's birthday party!" Symbare happily declared before reaching his arm out from the doorway and pulling... Flamedramon? He pulled him very close whilst Flamedramon put an arm around Symbares waist before resting his head on him, "We're going to help prepare some things for it so you can't say no. It'll be our first date!"
"...Okay." Not... who'd I'd expect him to try going out with, I kind of thought he was more into the muscular sort or something like that. Well if it makes him happy I guess I have little issue with it, be a bit weird to deal with that going on though. At least it's someone I know, I keep expecting his ex Gokuwmon to show up and them to get back together honestly but good for Symbare for moving on. "You two have fun then."
"Wait you're- Well uh... come along then... wow I did not think of a cute name for you." Symbare awkwardly spoke to Flamedramon before walking off with him, the latter snickering as they went.
That's neat I guess, wonder if I can still hear them I bet it'd be cu- Oh it's a joke, not quite out of earshot you two. Darn.
"...So if we ever end up losing this hideout do you think we can pick a cooler place?" I questioned turning back to face a very confused Ludgermon and a somewhat unhappy Sealsdramon, "Cause I remember a video game that had this pretty cool base in the ocean. I mean oceans are scary but I think we could make a pretty cool version of mother base, it's like a platform... thing."
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