There as a voice. It felt like someone speaking into a glass to Nonna’s waking mind. She sat up with a start- and slamming her head into something rock solid. “Какого черта?” she asked, rubbing her sore forehead as she looked around. What she saw raised more questions than it provided answers.

In front of her was a strange looking, animated chess piece, clutching its own head and muttering silent curses. Nonna had to do a double take. And again. This defied all … All. It defied all, period.

“Who are you? Why did you come here?” The… Pawn, Nonna guessed, asked, in flawless english.

“I wish I knew. I mean! My name is Ivanova, Nonna Anatolyevna Ivanova. But I don’t know how or why I got here… wherever ‘Here’ is?” the Russian asked. The living chess piece was armed, so she played it safe and tried to act her best, but her mind was just too stupefied to even know where to begin with asking questions.

The black piece measured her with a gaze hidden by the visor of her - was it? It sounded female - helmet. Or was that a head? “Are you a white chessmon?”

“I am no chessmon! I’m Human!” she snapped, and was amazed that what she said sent the piece stumbling backwards in awe.

“Then… you must have been sent to us to help me!” The pawn exclaimed, lowering her weapon.

“With?” Nonna asked, prompting the pawn to go on.

Clearing her throat, the piece spoke up. “I am Pawnchessmon of the black chessmon empire. We are part of a resistance here in the digital world… or what’s left of us. We have recently lost our beloved queen, the most powerful of all of us, to a terrible evil. Without her power and wisdom, or anyone else to lead us, we are an easy target. I have gone away to either find someone to lead us, or get stronger and become the next queen. You are what the legends call a digidestined -” she pointed to the old garbage of a phone that sucked her into this place ”- there is a proof. Its called a digivice. It is said that through it you have the power to make a partner digimon digivolve! You must help us!”

Before any of them could speak another world though, they were met with a sight Nonna could do without. Namely a giant bug - or digimon, she supposed - chasing after two others and… “Another human?” Her hopes have gone up a little - perhaps they knew more.

When the chase started heading their way though, Pawnchessmon’s cry ‘Run!’ finally brought her out of her musing. Putting an arm to block her escape, she looked down at the peculiar creature. “Pawns only move forward! If you want my help, prove yourself worthy!” the Russian announced, drawing the sword that hung still on her side. Saluting, Pawnchessmon readied her own spear.

“Can you take En Passant?”
“Yes! that could work!”
“Wait for it to get close, dodge, and aim for its legs!”
“Aye, my liege!”

Gulping, Nonna readied her own stance. What the hell was she doing? That thing was huge! but something inside her made her stand still, not a step back. Why did she practice her swordplay? right, to defend herself. It seemed unlikely she could outrun that monstrosity anyway!

[@Shiny Keldeo]