The window wall overlooking Tokyo's nightlife was his bedroom’s backdrop; illuminating the black leather recliner where the adolescent sat hunched over his laptop. His headphones began playing
‘Beethoven's - Moonlight Sonata’, from his classics playlist, as he strained to read one of the two dozen browser tabs on his dim screen. The piano’s soft melody cancelled the sounds of his usual late night thoughts of loneliness, only becoming distracted by the growing soreness in his abdomen. He then sighed after glancing at the time, and rubbed the dark circles underneath his eyes, realizing his afternoon had been eaten away on an empty stomach. Leaning his head back into the cushion and stretching his arms upward, accidentally knocking off his headphones from his ears. Returning to a reality with a world of information at his fingertips, yet failing to find relevant research regarding the monster-sized egg that was currently bundled up on his king bed. Nor how it, and the rectangular device that laid beside it, showed up in his locked bedroom before he got home from his private school...
“Whether I face what’s outside my window or in my bed, it seems like I can’t escape the unknown.” He thought with a half-smile. Softly chuckling to himself while running his fingers through his messy blonde hair, and casually pulling off his headphones.
"Well — I shouldn't let myself get frustrated. I’ll just call Archibald, and have him bring me a snack that will help me stay awake." He quietly closed his laptop and set his electronics aside in his seat, swaying himself forward to stand up on his bare feet. Walking around to the other side of the bed, turning on his vintage lamp and using the rotary phone on his nightstand. Holding the receiving end up to his right ear, and turning to gawk at the strange device as its screen suddenly lit up. Skipping a heartbeat, as the device somehow resumed the song that he was previously listening to, but during its faster parts while the volume was twice as loud. His shoulders jumped up at the gentlemanly voice speaking up.
“Do you need something to eat, Sir?”
“Uh-um. S-sorry, Archibald. You’ll have to call me back.” He stammered, stretching out the cord, as he quickly bent over the bed to pick up the device. The music continuing as he stood up, haphazardly pressing all the buttons and fidgeting with it to no avail.
“I-I wasn’t even able to turn in on earlier. And the buttons are still doing nothing at all...”“Sir, I believe you called me. Is something the ma-”
“Please make me some spicy ramen noodles! Thanks. Sorry.” He hastily exclaimed, before hanging up and feeling instant guilt. He pleaded in an exasperated tone,
“Please shut off the music already!” He didn’t expect this to actually work, or for the device to respond in an artificially feminine voice. “Digital companion ready to emerge.” Displaying a loading bar about a ‘Digi.mon Arrival’ downloading fully.
He paused, kneeling against his bed and carefully reaching out his hands to gently unwrap his fluffy white comforter from the silver shell.
“Is it saying whatever's inside is going to hatch soon? Wait — is the egg wiggling?” His left palm hovering above the egg and feeling the intense warmth radiating from within. It oddly brought him the same sense of comfort that hearing his music would. His gaze captivated by the egg’s subtle movements, as his arms dropped to his sides. The first piece of the egg cracked in the shape of a lightning bolt, followed by a bright flash that had him briefly shutting his eyes. Seeing two baby blues attached to a soft silver fur ball creature with two thick stray yellow hairs sticking up top, staring at him and audibly suckling a pacifier. His eyes twinkling at the epitome of childhood innocence.
“I think I just died of cuteness...”Without a single clue about how to react, he warmly smiled at the little one and then checked the device that he was still holding onto. Correctly assuming it had other things that he needed to read, even if it only raised many more mysteries in the aftermath.
DIGI.mon hatched!
Pusu.mon – Fresh – Slime Type – Male
He uttered curiously, noticing the creature’s fur seemingly poofing out in recognition.
“Does that mean it can understand me?”That message was quickly replaced with a different one.
Hello, Raiden.
This creature is a Digital Monster, or DIGI.mon for short. No matter what happens, you must watch over it and you must trust it, and it will do the same for you. I'm sure you and this DIGI.mon are a perfect fit. Prepare and be strong.
Have ambition,
M.
“I get it. So I’m meant to care for this digital monster...I suppose he doesn’t seem to hard to handle.” He took a deep breath and set the device on the bed, observing the Pusumon sitting idly by. Slowly sliding his open palms across the bed until his fingertips were an inch away from the increasingly curious baby.
“Don’t startle it. Let him come to you…” Pusumon promptly hopped straight into his open palms. The furball felt practically weightless and his joyful expression melted the adolescent’s heart.
“Hello there, Pusumon.” Raiden gently murmured, starting to lift him. This mistake lead to a swift punishment, as Pusumon’s happiness suddenly switched to alarm, as his body inflated. Raiden stopped moving, but before he could recognize and amend his error, Pusumon’s pacifier fired out of his mouth. Unable to prevent the moist projectile bouncing of Raiden’s forehead harmlessly, and dropping to the floor below. Raiden blinked at the Pusumon’s pouty face and gently set him back on the bed.
“Duly noted, you dislike getting picked up.” This did not calm Pusumon down, however, as his attention shifted to looking around on the bed, visible distraught, as his face began to well up with tears. Raiden smartly went to pick up the pacifier and popped it back in Pusumon’s mouth.
“You only lost it because you hit me, ya goof.” Pusumon returned to his pacified state as he curiously watched Raiden picking up the phone and rotating the dial.
“Hey Archibald. Could you also bring me a baby bottle of chilled milk — for research…” Raiden requested.
“That sounded less suspicious in my head.”“I’ll be there shortly, Sir.”
“Thanks.” Raiden added before hanging up the phone, climbing onto his bed and sitting beside Pusumon, with his legs folded.
“Well, Pusumon. Welcome to the Tsuchiya household. It appears you’ll be under my watch, so you won’t have to worry about a thing. Nobody enters my room without explicit permission...” Raiden greeted him formally with a smile, self-aware of how silly it came across, but he seemed to have Pusumon’s full attention.
“Excluding this ‘M’ character, anyway...whoever they are.” He disregarded that for now, and put both his open palms by the Pusumon again.
“Go on. I won’t pick you up again.”Pusumon’s glanced down at his palms and back up to him, seemingly reluctant to move, but then hopping over his palms and landing onto his lap.
Crash!
It was the sound of something violently smashing through his window. Shattered glass spilling onto the floor, as Raiden crossed his arms and shielded the shivering Pusumon.
“What the hell is-” That was when he saw the intruder responsible for breaking up their peaceful moment of bonding, hearing its passionate yet robotic chant.
“Destroy! Destroy! Destroy!”
Raiden almost couldn’t believe what he was standing above. A missile with silvery robotic eyes and claws had careened through his window, leaving a gaping hole, repeating the same word while flat on its back amidst the broken glass. The device had lit up and was somehow able to recognize and display the creature’s name and basic data, Missimon. The potential threat of the situation had significantly diminished when it had become apparent that this digi.mon was becoming increasingly flustered that he couldn’t move and was essentially ignored, as Raiden finished vacuuming. It was like watching a toddler throwing a tantrum and exhausting themselves of all their energy, as the creature got quiet.
“So have you calmed down? You made quite the mess, and scared my new friend half to death.” Raiden lightly scolded with a casual tone, setting the vacuum cleaner and small trash bin off to the corner in front of his closet.
“Well, let me check on him first…” He went up to the shaking pillow on his bed and lifted it up slightly to find Pusumon sniffling and quivering.
“Yep. Still alive.” Only for Pusumon to burrow himself deeper into the pillow after the sound of Raiden’s bedroom door being firmly knocked upon thrice. Raiden set the pillow down and sighed softly, going up and opening it enough to squeeze his body through. Putting on his best straight-faced smile at the family’s sharply dressed butler sporting a curly mustache, grateful that Archibald wasn’t asking questions and only carefully handing Raiden a large bowl of spicy ramen that had been put underneath a pot holder, and then gave him a cup carrier with two baby bottles of milk and an eight ounce can of lemon-lime soda.
“Thanks again! Sorry for calling you this late.”“It’s not an issue, Sir. My apologies for taking so long, I had to fetch those at the very back of the cabinet.”
Raiden awkwardly chuckled and paused,
"Well — have a good night.” Breathing out a sigh of relief when the door was closed and locked, he sauntered over to put everything next to the device that was also on his nightstand, then slowly approached the petrified Missimon. Missimon’s glossy white pupils glancing at him quickly, before returning to gaze at the ceiling fan. Raiden accepted the risk and bent over to scoop the Missimon up and cradle it in his arms. Missimon remained entirely stiff, even as Raiden carried the digi.mon to the other side of the bed.
“Hmm. Expected him to weigh a lot more than he does. But it’s not trying to attack me, and it’s clearly still young. I doubt he means to do us any harm...” He sat on the bed near the nightstand, with the Missimon in his lap and reached over to grab one of the bottles.
“Missimon? I’m not going to hurt you and neither is Pusumon-” Raiden assured right before Pusumon poked out with an inflated belly and eyes filled with tears, firing his pacifier and pelting Missimon right on his forehead, before promptly ducking back underneath the pillow. Fortunately, Missimon didn’t seem to have much of a reaction. Raiden sighed and shifted the immobile Missimon around and held him in one arm, and reached under the pillow to goad Pusumon out. Reluctantly getting Pusumon to scoot himself out with big sad eyes, likely at the tragic loss of the object he purposely shot out again.
“I have no idea how I’ve gotten myself into babysitting two digital monsters from another world. But my best guess is that Missimon’s is someone’s digimon. Meaning they’d probably worried sick about him. How am I supposed to find them in this city? Wait, maybe Missimon can tell me...”“Missimon I wanna help you. How’d you get here? Is your owner nearby? You can talk to me...” Raiden said without any other ideas, deciding to insert the bottle into Pusumon’s mouth instead, which proved to be an instant success. As Pusumon’s mood pulled a 180, as his eyes lit up, hungrily sucking it down.
“Answer. Mari. Not nearby.” Missimon coldly calculated.
“Received order. ‘Destroy somebody’s else's stuff why don’t you?’ Mission completed. Awaiting new order.”Raiden had to admit, he had no idea how to follow that up. But at least, Pusumon had fallen asleep in the middle of drinking, milk dribbling from his mouth. So Raiden popped his pacifier back in and set the bottle down beside him, trying to solve this predicament.
“Can you not move unless Mari tells you too? Is there anyway to contact Mari?”“Answer. Negative. Missimon can move. Fuel required.” Raiden grabbed the second bottle off the nightstand.
“Can you drink this? It should give you the fuel to move.” His words sounding just as uncertain as he was, but Pusumon seemed to drink it okay, so why not?“Rejected. Missimon accepts nothing from his enemies.”Raiden sighed.
“Why am I your enemy?”“Answer. Missimon held captive-” Raiden interrupted this explanation by setting him down, right side up with the bottle beside him. Standing upright to massage his forehead with his thumb and fingers. Missimon continued to lay there.
“I’m not your enemy Missimon. I just want you to go back to Mari.” But, then Raiden was startled and dumbfounded by Missimon’s sudden alert tone and his loudness from earlier returning.
“Mari! Order received! Fuel required!”Missimon suddenly ascended, as data-like flames spurted out of its rear engine. His eyes locked onto the nightstand, and he immediately dived for the bowl of ramen and slurped it all down.
“Fuel acquired! Consider yourself lucky that your on my side!” Missimon exclaimed, spiraling out of through the hole in the window.
“Your welcome...” Raiden thought scratching his head, shrugging it off for now. His heart melting again after noticing Pusumon, still fast asleep.
“How are you still asleep when you get startled by a knocked-on door?” He yawned and rubbed his weary eyes, suddenly aware of how exhausted he was.
“Nevermind. Least I can finally get some sleep...” He climbed into bed, laid down and closed his eyes. “Goodnight Pusumon.”
Unbeknownst to Raiden, Pusumon’s body began to glow as did the device while it displayed the message.
Digital Evolution Successful
Meet Pusuri.mon!
Missimon had rocketed down to the streets below, and into the back of parked hot-pink pick-up truck.
“Mari. Missimon acquired ally.”A young adult loudly groaned with her forehead against the steering wheel, flooring the pedal with her tires screeching as she drove away.
"God. Just kill me." The device sitting in the passenger seat, with an on-screen tracker and compass blinking.
“Order denied. Not kill Mari.”"This is been the worst day of my 18 year old life..." Mari muttered.
Reality had become his nightmare. The princess had disappeared from the living room couch. Yet nothing appeared out of the ordinary; the throw pillows, her blanket, and her afternoon colored pencil drawings of him spread out on the coffee table were still in the same spot. And the window was wide open and letting in the cold breeze!? He sharply inhaled and smelled that rich vanilla shampoo that she washed her hair with every morning — except on weekends. It was clear that he needed to rescue her! Dashing himself across the entire length of the room and jumping out the window, the burning glow from his eyes fearlessly falling two stories and sticking the landing onto the asphalt below. Continuing his full speed run on all fours without faltering, exiting the parking lot and heading through the sidewalks. His senses keenly focused on following that trace like it was a colorful streak in the sky that lead directly to her. The drop of rain hitting his muzzle brought instant fear.
“What if she’s drowning? What if she’s hurt? It will be my fault that I couldn't protect her!” The ongoing chaos inside his head was a far more threatening presence than the vagabonds and drunkards that roamed these dampened New York streets. Looking forward as he ignored the crowd's passing glances, only seeing the blur of a large white beast that zigzagged past the civilians. He moved without hesitation; dodging the overstuffed trash can on the left, and splashing through a puddle on the right. Quickly approaching a group of drunk men and women pouring out of the bar and cutting off his path. One wasted man stumbling in the front, wearing a ridiculous wig and shades pointed at him out along with the obvious.
“Uh...is that giant stray dog charging at us?”
Refusing to slow down, as his floppy ear was lifted to listen to the sounds of car horns blaring at the taxi cab driver for not moving after the light turns green. Meaning there was too much traffic to safely cross and he decided to use an alternative solution. He effortlessly leaped above and beyond them, zooming off before they could comprehend where the mutt went.
“I know I’m getting close to the princess. Just another block-” His thoughts were interrupted by the distressed cries of a young woman heard from the other side of the road. A purse snatcher that was fleeing with their ill-gotten gains. A growl escaped from his bared fangs, as the warrior lost the battle of selective morality. He changed his direction on a dime and bolted in-between the thankfully stopped cars. The target’s stench gave his guilt away, dressed in black everything and carrying a hot pink handbag, shoulder checking and shoving anyone in his way. The thief receiving all barks with no bite from the bystanders. In fact, most people were actively distancing themselves from the danger. Taking his final steps in front of a store’s window display of many fragile glass objects, making the mistake of glancing back at the pursuing beast. The shimmering death glare made the warrior’s intentions apparent.
"Evil that preys on the innocent. Deserves no mercy!”He skillfully lunged forth at his now terrified target, standing on his hind paws and sinking his teeth into the thief's arm. Drawing blood and slamming his body into the ground with enough force to knock him unconscious. Immediately returning to his retrieval duties,
“And the rest is up to the police — I just hope she’s alright. I hate it when she runs out on me.”The truth was that he knew exactly where she was. The distraction oddly serving as clarity from his earlier panic. Knowing that he would’ve heard her if she was truly in trouble, and even in circumstances where that wasn’t the case, he lacked a deep pain in his gut. He was finally slowed in his approach, watching her sitting alone on a bench facing the waterfront. Wearing her bright blue raincoat that was lit underneath a streetlight. He let out a softened bark that made the young girl turn around.
“Goliath?”He walked over to her and noticed her nervous smile and swollen eyes. Speaking up in a hushed and calm manner.
“Princess Ellie, please allow me to escort you back home. Your father will be worried sick about you when he comes back and can’t find us.”Ellie couldn’t stop playing with her long blue hair, and looking anywhere but into his concerned eyes. She gave him a quiet nod in response, then stood up as they both started to walk. Goliath carefully minding his pace and making sure he was visibly by her side.
“I’m sorry for leaving so late. I know you get scared.”Goliath blushed.
“I wasn’t. I mean. I was concerned for your well-being, yes. Why’d you leave the window open, if you just snuck out the door while I was sleeping?”“The window’s been stuck since yesterday, remember?” His following silence and puzzled expression said that he did not.
“You aren’t going to tell my dad are you?” She mumbled.
He shook his head and sighed, speaking sternly.
“Far as your father knows, I’m just a stray you found two weeks ago. But that doesn’t mean you’re free from consequences Princess.”She stopped and softly crying with her hands failing to stop her flowing tears. Goliath’s head and body lowered as his scolding tone was short lived and turned to a disheartened plea.
“No. Don’t cry. Is it because of my face looks scary again?”“I’m a burden...” She weeped.
“That’s not true. Your my Princess. Never once have I thought-” He corrected, rendered speechless by Ellie wrapping her arms around him and holding onto him. She smiled and spoke softly.
“And you’re my wet warrior.” Letting him go and seeing his blush return, as they suddenly moved faster in unison. It was an eventful night for the pair, and neither wanted to be outside in the cold any longer. But for everyone else, it was a typical night in the city that never sleeps. Both had more to say, but they weren’t supposed to talk in public. Wouldn’t want them to realize that he’s a digital monster with attributes far exceeding the ordinary puppy...right? Regardless — they chose to save their energy for when they got back to the apartment, hopefully before the father got home from his late night shift...
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