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Rise from your Grave! (open)
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Post by Duffer & Kotemon on Sept 24, 2017 16:05:54 GMT
In a hospital, a certain bed has been occupied by a boy in a baseball hat. At his side a Kotemon remains, standing silently and hoping for the day his companion stirs once more. It's been two years, and many changes have happened since his coma... mostly physical, really.
"Visiting hours are almost over, Kotemon." A lilymon nurse warned the helmeted being.
"I know, I know." It answered, solemn and bitter.
The best medicine the digital world has, created from all the research and knowledge of medical care ever placed online and yet his student still sat here, a vegetable. No movements, no voice, none of anything. He just wasted away with tubes jammed everywhere. Kotemon long wondered why he kept coming to be with him, but she knew the answer. He was the mon's tamer. Like it or not, they were bonded together. He thought of pulling the boy's plug, letting him dissolve into the digital ether, but every time the thought cropped up, the kotemon couldn't bring itself to harm him. Kotemon used to cry when he saw Duffer like this, but now she was used it; a sad feeling, admittedly.
Duffer's family had come looking for him when he first disappeared, both the Japanese family that he'd lived with and his family from America. Kotemon tried to greet both of them with open arms, trying to keep their hopes up that they'd find him safe and sound. They both suspected him for Duffer's disappearance. The police tried to pin him for it but couldn't find the evidence to take her to court. They shunned the digimon, Duffer's "little brother"/"close friend" excuse having shot kotemon in the foot. Now they waited for Duffer to pass on or wake up, having worked odd jobs to keep his hospital bills from piling up.
The only person in Duffer's family who knew where he really was was his older brother, Kotemon had showed him in the middle of the night, not wanting to live with the guilt of the family not knowing. The elder just assumed it was a dream, just as Kotemon had hoped he would. The clock hit 5 PM and Kotemon stood up, heading for the door as its claws scraped against the linoleum floor.
As the digimon touched the door it heard a cough, then another, a gasp for airfrom behind him. Kotemon turned to see the boy fidgeting, reaching for the tubes on his face that provided him with the nutrients that kept him alive.
"NURSE!" Kotemon shouted out the hallways, forgetting the hospital button in its worried excitement. "Nurse!"
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Post by ryouta on Sept 25, 2017 18:41:18 GMT
"...Yes, sloowly, slowly... just like that... yes."
Even sitting on his bed hurts a damn lot. Well, nobody gonna fault him when the fact is his stomach got shot. The doctor told him that the intestine was quite damaged and so it needed to be fixed somehow. The shot was really powerful that it obliterated whatever was in the hole's space. That means, some part of his intestine, flesh and some bones, joint and nerves, he guess. The emergency treatment was good enough at the very least, so his life is saved.
The Luminamon nurse was really kind... and he appreciated the care a lot. Ryouta however isn't one who cares a lot about himself... not when his partner was in even worse condition. He found out that the Digimon remembered who he is, and who his past self is... but the problem lies in another matter entirely. He's not sure what the status health for the poor guy. He only heard his voice on a phone. They're isolated at different wards.
Today, after he moved to this ward, he noticed that apparently the guy on two beds to his left was somehow in very long comatose. The nurse said that it was for two years human world time that he stayed in that condition. That was really severe. He's not sure what's wrong.
It was about after his nap that he heard someone called for the doctor. A Kotemon, huh? That's kind of nostalgic. He remembered a guy who got detention like he did and they had to clean up the pool as punishment. The guy was with a Kotemon too... and he fought together with them against Sandiramon, huh...
"....................................boy, could've sworn I got his name on tip of my tongue... uh... D-Duffer or something?" he muttered.
But that guy can't be the guy in coma... can he?
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Post by Duffer & Kotemon on Sept 26, 2017 1:00:47 GMT
A nurse entered the room and called in a doctor, soon the machines were being taken from the teen's body, the IV left in but the tubes and breathing machine being unplugged. More coughing followed as the kotemon shouted in an attempt to let the doctors let him see.
"He might have brain damage." One voice stated.
"No, he's always been like that!" Kotemon replied.
"Take off his hat, he might hurt someone." The hat was tossed haphazardly onto Ryuota's bed, showing a stylized english word.
"Don't fight, don't fight, you're safe here!" Kotemon tried to reassure the weakened boy. "It's the hospital, you're safe!" A weak moan followed, the doctors and nurses backing away.
"His muscles will have fatigued, it might take him a few months to be able to do much." The doctor said.
"He's alive, I could have sworn..." A volunteering Impmon said, slightly annoyed.
"Welcome Back." Kotemon said, warmly. Between the gaps of the hospital staff Ryouta would see the pale, frail arms, and a peculiar birthmark barely showing from under his hospital gown.
"No, no, don't go!" Kotemon said, worried again.
"No, he's sleeping... don't worry." A Fairymon doctor answered, grabbing Kotemon before it could do any damage. "He's been through a lot."
"He's been dead!" Kotemon said, nearly in tears. "I just want to talk to him again!" The mon struggled free and returned to the bed side, sobbing gently in both relief and worry.
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Post by ryouta on Sept 26, 2017 2:06:30 GMT
....Yeah, that's definitely Duffer. The talk about brain damage and the insistent Kotemon that he's always like that... How long has it been in this world? Fourteen? less? His appearance changed a lot too. Ironic how the tanned boy become really huge and the other guy become so thin.
"...So, that's Duffer, eh?" Ryouta said, offering the hat to Kotemon. "...I don't think you remember me, don't worry. It's been long. Way too long. Is this the result of the battle with Sandiramon?"
All he remembered back then was Duffer that protected by Knightmon. That's all. Two years bedridden. Fourteen years over here. Who was more fortunate? Him that stuck in a senseless war, or him who stayed here and floating between life and death?
"...Just in case you forgot, name's Ryouta, Noguchi Ryouta."
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Post by Duffer & Kotemon on Sept 26, 2017 2:34:34 GMT
Kotemon blinked and turned around, looking at the muscular (almost too muscular for the mon's taste) boy.
"Woah... kid, look at you. What happened?" It asked, confused. It took back the baseball cap, wiping away some tears. "You look like you eat dumbells for breakfast... I'm sorry, I'm just a bit shaken up right now about my tamer. It's been a while, Ryouta. And I remember you, just as I remember all my students. A teacher has to be strong in mind even when he's weak in emotion." He nodded. "It happened when the mall collapsed. Duffer was in there during the attack, I tried to keep him safe. I thought it was just a concussion, you know? Let him sleep it off... Then he just didn't wake up." Kotemon went silent, trying to think. How many people died that day? He and Duffer tried to help but... That was the past, he needed to look ahead now. Duffer would need his help until he could be back to his regular self.
"But I digress. We've all changed, what has happened to you while Duffer was..." He teared up slightly, "busy? You're only Duffer's age, how did this happen to you? ...And where's our mutual friend who helped us escape that fateful battle?"
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Post by ryouta on Sept 27, 2017 4:35:32 GMT
"Let's just say that I hit the gym too much," Ryouta answered. His English is now better than back then when they met the first time for the detention. "Although that's not entirely true, I guess... but there's a more pressing matter, right?" he looked at Duffer. The mall... Sandiramon battle, was it? They were so powerless against the snake Digimon. Yet just like that, without closure, it vanished as soon it came.
"...What have I been doing eh... Caught in war, I guess. Just recently got shot on the stomach," Ryouta lifted part of his shirt and showed the flesh that just somehow managed to be replaced by the digital world technology. However, it still left an ugly scar. The flesh is kept on place with some form of suturing. The teen smiled wryly and just shrugged. "Not my lucky day I guess... My partner... eh..."
his expression became solemn, then he exhaled sharply "...I guess you can say that he was killed. Just like Kyo he returned, but... He's not quite the same I guess. He still retain his memories, but the doctor said--"
suddenly, something terrible could be heard, like an explosion somewhere. Yet, Ryouta did not move. He just smiled sadly.
"...It's been a week since he hatched. The doctor said that his data is unstable. He switched between forms... but it was a day ago when they found out that all his data up to his highest available stage at the moment have huge potential to berserk. They forbid me to go to him... It wouldn't be funny if I got killed by my Imperialdramon partner after all..."
Hmmm, their other friends?
"I only remembered AJ... She vanished too I guess... I saw her after the battle with Sandiramon, but... as of where she is now, I don't know... 'nyway, care to accompanying me somewhere? Like, to vending machine outside probably?"
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Post by Duffer & Kotemon on Sept 27, 2017 14:00:32 GMT
Kotemon frowned at the scars the boy exhibited, especially if what he was saying wasn't some attempt to be more badass than he really was. He was hardly a teen in the teacher's eyes, he shouldn't be fighting battles like this alone, his partner should be the one fighting, he should be staying safe, out of the line of fire. And what of his studies? While he's laid out he's obviously not going to be in school... or was it summer in the human world? Kotemon briefly paused to try and remember what month it was before shaking its head.
"Yeah, are you sure you can walk though?" It offered the bamboo sword as a grip for the boy. He paused as he listened to the explanation of the digimon, the teacher shaking his head sadly. Kotemon's ears(?) perked at the sound of an explosion, worried, but shook it off. Probably just two idiots trying to test their might.
"So, how's the human world been?" Kotemon asked, trying to make conversation. "Things are probably the same as they've ever been. Of course, when your world does change it changes pretty quickly." The human world would be an issue, Duffer was all but legally dead there. Suspicions would be raised if he showed up like this, or at all for that matter. His family would be overjoyed, but they'd probably tear him away from the digital world, back to America where the master and student would never be able to see one-another again. He couldn't just stay in the digital world either, he'd begin to miss his family and the world's culture. Try as they might the Digital World isn't exactly the cinematic paradise his boy was used too.
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Post by ryouta on Sept 27, 2017 14:45:07 GMT
"Walk? Well, I guess maybe you took that too literally... Hah." Ryouta pressed a button and just like that, something that looked like a small table suddenly became a futuristic wheelchair. "My doctors would get angry if I truly attempt to walk. They said I'll be bleeding against so... hell, I don't want to go through an earful again, so I'll decline in walking."
The question about real world made Ryouta exhaled. Right, that's always kind of a sensitive question for him. They arrived at the vending machine, and Ryouta inserted several bits in and choose a rather light one for his stomach. Doctors said that they had to prioritize his stomach and bone before the other flesh, so by now his intestine should be alright. However, they told him to lay off from sodas and acidic drinks for now, so Ryouta get some less acidic tea.
"...Nothing changed, which is quite painful. I heard DATS gone abandoned. It was ghost of its past self... no member, no activity... amusing how real world still going strong despite that. However, I guess two years are enough for my family to somehow... vanished..."
And right at that moment, as if mocking him, the bottled tea dispensed by the vending machine with a "clack". Ryouta picked it out and opened the cap.
"...I wasn't kidding when I said that I was stuck in a war. I know you view Duffer like a chick that isn't ready to leave his nest... and I know I'm not that different to that. I'm just one year older than him after all. However, Kotemon... Lying about being in a war and at the same time about how my family vanished without a trace is a bad taste even for a massive liar. And you know that I'm never a liar."
Once again, the building shook. Ryouta exhaled.
"...Oh yeah, remember my partner, Dracomon? You scoffed at him because he's too indecisive... yet he saved my hide, over and over again. I named him Ryu after one day he asked me to... We have gone in countless battles together. We have reached the highest stage... yet somehow, it wasn't enough. I guess... I wasn't strong enough to support him.."
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Post by Duffer & Kotemon on Sept 27, 2017 15:16:25 GMT
Kotemon followed the boy, listening to him and getting a large can of energy drink once they arrived at the vending machines. "You're being very bitter to me, Ryouta." It said, annoyed. "But given what you're going through I'll let it pass this time." It drank the cold liquid, kinda... it didn't appear to have lips under its helmet, so where was the drink going? The next explosion almost made him drop her drink, groaning in annoyance. "With damage like that, many a human would consider themselves lucky to be alive. A human can live without their stomach, but not very long." It took another drink, followed by a deep breath. "Do you still have a home in the human world? House, or apartment maybe? Or have you officially moved here?"
Kotemon hoped he still had something in the human world. The digimon hated to admit it but most others found the teacher annoying and bothersome, and certainly wouldn't let him and his sick boy room with them for free. If Ryuota had a house that the two could stay at, it would get one of the more important issues out of the way. Sure Kotemon would probably have to convince the boy to let the two strangers move in, but it would give some time for the two to get jobs and provide somewhere for Duffer to readjust to the world around him in safety. Another explosion followed that though, worry for the tamer growing.
"Do you know what that is?" Kotemon asked, at the same time as taking another drink. Kotemon sure are mysterious creatures... It gently pat Ryu's back. "It's OK, boy. I know how you feel. The thought that maybe you've done something wrong has haunted me for the past two years. But I stayed with Duffer all the time, because he's my student. Even if I'm not right for him I would still be there for him, we're bonded on a spiritual level, just like all tamers and their digimon. Look at the digivice Yggdrasil gave you, you'll know it's meant to be. In the end it'll all be worth it."
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Post by ryouta on Sept 27, 2017 15:27:57 GMT
"Bitter? Hmmm, I guess I'm bitter... or maybe just jaded? It's hard to be happy after your partner died, you know... and along with it, a Digimon that you hired some times ago sacrifice his life for you. I guess it was a bit too cynical, sorry anyway. Hmmm, still, it's just a small hole, you know? Just barely two centimeters in diameter. It's not like I lose all of it... but yeah, it's really dangerous. It was too close for comfort."
Home?
"Well, I do.... have makeshift of one. My dad's cafe. It's good for one person only though... One person and Digimon I guess. But here, I used to have a train, a Grand Locomon. They're far better than any Trailmon, that's for sure... and too bad, that was until he sacrificed himself to give me time to run. Insurance is now assessing the damage, but they seem to OK most of it. So by a three days or five, I'd probably hit the road again while recovering."
...Though, he's not that dense about the question about home. "...While I can't give you anything in real world, and I don't trust you quite enough for the only thing I had left of my family, I'm fine if you want to get aboard the train.... provided that you two didn't cause too much chaos for my poor butler."
Question of what is that? "...Huh, I could have sworn I have told you. I did said it, didn't I? 'It wouldn't be funny if I got killed by my Imperialdramon Partner'"
Another explosion could be heard.
"...That is Ryu... now Valt. He's Imperialdramon and is rampaging."
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Post by Duffer & Kotemon on Sept 27, 2017 16:27:41 GMT
"I'm sorry." Kotemon sighed. "I didn't put 2 and 2 together." The train though, that perked it right up. "Wait, really? You'll let us stay with you? That's excellent! Great! Duffer's been missing most of his studies and-" Kotemon paused. Should she bring up the whole "Duffer's family" thing? The boy seemed particularly bothered by the mentioning of anything slightly reminding him of his home. Perhaps another time would be better for that topic. "And he's just gonna need somewhere to lay his head... especially if what the doctor's said is true." Kotemon drank the last of the can, tossing it away. Duffer might have brain damage. He might never speak, walk, or anything else again... and the way she responded to it, that was so cold of him, almost on reflex he said that stupid joke; 'he's always been like that', that was heartless. "I'm sorry about all that stuff, I didn't know. I've been mostly in the city since the Mall collapse. All my money goes to Duffer and food."
Kotemon tried to remember the first time he died, but it didn't come to him. She hadn't gone through that yet. It was knocked unconscious a few times before, but knowing how that felt was probably nothing compared to flat out stopping. "Your partner will be fine." Kotemon reassured. "And the others too. Digimon always come back." Kotemon was lying, of course. If someone took a digimon's code that was it, that's all she wrote, they'd dissipate into whatever afterlife (if any) there were. He didn't know if the boy knew that though... probably did, given his time in the world but...
"You're a good boy, Ryuoko. You've got a big heart and a trusting soul. I can't approve of what you've done, but I can take solace in that you did it for the right reason... Let's go back, I want to see if Duffer's awake yet."
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Post by ryouta on Sept 29, 2017 2:11:45 GMT
"Well, only until you're stable enough though. I know several places where you can get housing for reasonable price. How about while you stay you work for me? I'll pay you of course, and meals and other logistic thing such as room to sleep will not be charged for. But I need you two to behave... otherwise I won't hesitate to toss you back to the hospital... only a mental one this time around."
Well, that was like a valid thread, but Ryouta just smirked playfully. He can't be that merciless... can he?
...Did probably Kotemon did not hear him? "...Yeah, he'll be fine, he's back, yeah, but like I said, he's now unstable, and this spontaneous evolution doing more harm than good. He's switching between his forms... either glitching, or downright berserking. It's not a nice one at all. Like I said, he's here, and he's treated for it."
Just then, Ryouta's Digivice beeped. He took it out and read bunch of error messages on it, then presses some button combination. Just like that, the explosion sounds quieted into nothing.
"....Looks like he calmed down enough. Well, then, let's meet Duffer then."
Following the suggestion, Ryouta returned back to his room. It's going to take some more time for him to be on his feet again... that and the new train cars need to be properly furnished and all... He hope that self defense included in situation that could be reimbursed by the insurance.
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Post by Duffer & Kotemon on Sept 29, 2017 2:59:03 GMT
"I'm sorry for repeating myself so much. This entire event is just mind-boggling. Today is a big day for me, for Duffer, for the hospital. 14 digital years... But I'm glad to hear both our partners are on their way back to us." Kotemon nodded, letting his companion lead the way back. "Well, technically you've already met Duffer." Kotemon sighed, somewhat happily. They never realized how much they missed correcting others. "But let's hope Digital Medicine can work the miracles they charge for." The digimon entered the room after him and approached the bed where his Tamer slept, now snoring instead of simply sitting there. Did Duffer snore before? ...Probably a side-effect of living with tubes jammed into most of his orifices.
"As for housing, I can certainly tutor you and your companions. I can teach you the history, digital or human, anywhere in the digital world there's hundreds of years of history... well, Digital Years, but... I can also uh... sweep. I'm good at that. I could teach you sword-play, and combat techniques only masters like I know! The world is your oyster, and I'm sure you can help Duffer with his Japanese... or English." Kotemon said that last part, sadly, looking at the snoring boy laying in bed. Taking a deep breath, Kotemon gently prodded Duffer with the wooden sword
"Duffer? Duffer? Please wake up." Kotemon said, swallowing and holding back tears. How many times has she said that before? "You have an old friend here." The boy moaned and slowly opened one of his eyes, flinching at the lights above him. "Duffer, it's OK, I'm here. Me and Ryuoko are here."
"K-kon?" He slurred as his eyes refocused for the first time in a long while.
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Post by ryouta on Oct 1, 2017 12:53:39 GMT
Well, that's understandable. When your partner is in messed up state and all, it's definitely not going to be affecting you really hard too. That's why, he understand the Kotemon's standing. However, the service that he offered was not exactly what Ryouta wanted.
"Sorry, no offense, but I pretty much already going from places to places, history doesn't interest me. You're going to the wrong guy if you want to teach us about history. Yuuki is a huge history beef. Learning History would make me sleep instead.... as for swordfighting.... I'm not sure... I mean, I pretty much have to fight in biomerged state, which ended up with me having to master all Slayerdramon's tidbits... Though if you can teach me western swordfighting then it'll be good, I think."
There's a difference between Slayerdramon and Imperialdramon Paladin afterall. One made Ryouta having to draw his sword in japanese way, another... doesn't have that luxury or speed. It's sword that most likely would rather stay out than in a scabbard.
....And he wonder just how many times people have to mispronounce his name.
"...Sadly, I'm not a S.W.A.T. Dragon Cyborg Digimon, if that's the one that you're referring to," Ryouta commented to Duffer's incomprehensible muttering.
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Post by Duffer & Kotemon on Oct 1, 2017 14:13:00 GMT
"Western swordfighting? Well, yes, of course! It's not nearly as "majestic" as you may be used to but it was practically built around fighting around shields, spears, chainmail, other objects that may stop katanas and such dead in their tracks. Obviously though the Western definition of "honorable combat" is mostly different than the Asian version, you'll find yourself doing something that may feel like cheating. But remember, there's no such thing as cheating in a fight to the death."
Duffer shook his head as he tried to look around, weakly wiping sleep from his eyes. Kotemon carefully put his baseball cap back on. The unfamiliar hospital surrounding worried him, even with Kotemon's voice reassuring him. When he saw Ryouta however, he almost blurted out in horror. A large, muscular man who you barely recognize is not something a large majority of people would not want to see when they wake up somewhere they didn't fall asleep at.
"Omygo!" He shouted, scrambling, nearly falling out of the bed.
"No, no, calm down Duffer! It's Ryouta! I'm here too!" Kotemon said, coming to the boy's side. This was not going as well as it had hoped.
"Donrpeme!"
"Duffer, calm down! Annunciate! We're in a hospital, we're safe! The digimon who put you here is long, long gone!" The boy stopped, feeling Kotemon's claws on his arm.
"Gone?" He asked, probably making the first legible word for a while.
"Yes, yes. Remember? The mall, you got hit in the head in the mall, you're going to be fine now. We're gonna be staying with him for a while on his Trailmon."
"Train...?"
"Yes, exactly... see, you're getting better already! Isn't that right?" Kotemon turned to the other boy, hoping for some kind of reassuring statement.
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