Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

I was panicking, I needed help and called the only person who might have a chance of it.

“Hoss, why are you callin’ me this late?”

I had lost track of time actually, but I wasn’t about to admit that on top of everything else. “So you remember that theoretical form of magic I was working on?”

Ebenezar sighed, and I could just tell he was doing that thing where people rub at the space between their eyes. “That ‘technomancy’ nonsense you mentioned at the meetin’?”

“Yeah. That.”

“So what happened, hoss? You’d sound a lot more excited if it worked.”

“I… I fucked up, sir.”

“How bad could it be?”

I turned and locked eyes with the small black-scaled dinosaur that was sat on my couch, holding a beer between its claws. “Pretty bad, sir.”

After revealing the existence of the creature to my former mentor, he hung up and was at my door really damn fast.If I wasn’t worried about the dinosaur, I’d have given some concern to that fact. Once inside, he stared at the creature, it stared back at Ebenezar. “Walk me through everything that happened.”

And I did, explaining how I bought an old most likely busted laptop at the thrift store, and started working a ritual on it. It had been going great, got it to turn on, and then things went strange. 

Weird symbols on the screen, reality suddenly felt thin. Then how there was a loud pop, and suddenly I had a new reptiloid roommate… “Oh, and this…”

I fished the small thing out of my pocket, it was a small electronic device that I wasn’t fucking up, had a screen. Buttons on the side. “He said it’s called a digivice.”

“Hoss… Who said…”

“I did.” The lizard creature said, after downing another bottle of Mac’s finest. “Names BlackAgumon…. Well introduce yourself, old man.”

“Ebenezar McCoy….” The old man looked back at me. “Could have mentioned it talked, hoss.”

“He. And technically, I did. Remember when I said he told me this was called a digivice?”

Ebenezar’s eyes narrowed, “Don’t make me whoop ya’ boy.”

“So this old guy knows less than you, huh?”

“Easy there, B.” I gestured at the digimon to relax, who just grunted at me, seeming to accept me shortening his name down to a letter. What? BlackAgumon is a long name, and just calling him Black seemed more than a little uncouth.

“I can see you two will get along well.” Eb muttered, before continuing to question the dinosaur-like creature. “So where did ya’ come from then?”

“The Digital World, where else would a Digimon come from.” After a pause, B. rolled his eyes. “It’s literally short for Digital Monster, how do you humans know nothing about us?”

“This is pretty much first contact with your kind, as far as I know.” I said, with a shrug. Turning to Ebenezar, I said “Look, sir, you can probably get more info then I can, you’ve burned a few less bridges anyway. Maybe you can find stuff on this Digital World.”

He gave me a grunt of acknowledgement, then pulled me down to speak quietly. “Look, if he turns out to be dangerous, do what you gotta do.”

He then stepped back a bit, shaking his head in defeat, I guess I was wearing my disgust at the inferred meaning on my face.

“Fine, I’ll find out what I can. Don’t go anywhere you don’t need to.” The old man and I said our goodbyes, and I locked up, re-applied my wards and the like. 

Then I yawned hard enough I swear my jaw nearly dislocated. “Alright, B, I’m going to get some sleep. If you’re hungry, there’s leftovers in my fridge, please don’t eat my pets.”

“No promises.” I want to say I was pretty sure he was joking there, but his tone of voice generally didn’t leave ‘surly teen’ so I just had to trust him as I went to bed.

Mouse and Mister were fine by the time I awoke, in case you were wondering.

When I got up the phone was ringing, as I passed BlackAgumon I gestured to it, and he moved his claws on one arm about as if to say that limited him. He was currently using chopsticks to eat my leftover chow mein with his other. 

I rolled my eyes and answered, Murphy’s voice alone nearly took my block off while I was halfway through saying hello “Dresden! What did you do?!”

“Be more specific, Murph, I still have no idea if this call is business or social.”

She took a few breathes, guess being left waiting riled her up. I’m keeping the joke that went through my head at that moment to myself. “Okay… Harry, did you do anything big magic-wise last night?”

“Does it’s name end in ‘Mon’?”

“Uh… Yeah.”

“Fuck.”

Chapter Text

After finishing up the call with Murphy, I gathered up my usual gear and, after several minutes of BlackAgumon laughing his ass off when he saw me get into the Blue Beetle, we were on the road. There was silence once his amusement at the giant man in the tiny car subsided, so I tried making conversation. “So this Digital World… What’s it like?”

I didn’t take my eyes off the road but I saw enough of his reaction, he seemed surprised and annoyed that I asked. “Only ever seen the area I'm from. It sucks and the rest of it is probably nicer”

“What do you mean?”

“Never left the Terminal Wastes.”

“Why not?” When I said this he actually started to growl. “Okay, touchy subject, well, we’ll be at Murphy’s soon anyway so not really enough time for us to bare our souls to each other, or whatever such nonsense.”

After pulling up to Murphy’s house, I noticed that B. was starting to sniff the air as he got out. Though at the time I was more concerned with figuring out how he opened the door… Actually now that I think about, I think he had even put on his seatbelt for the drive over. 

I went up and knocked on the door, while B. seemed to be assessing the area. There was shuffling from within and soon Murphy opened the door, already looking up as she did so. I’m a monster when it comes to my height, and Karrin Murphy is a flat five feet of person. An attractive five feet of person though, don’t tell her I told you all that she would probably murder me. “Finally,” I admit it was nice for her to slip from worried to mostly relieved by my presence. “So what do I need to do here-” And that relief washed away when she noticed B. “Oh.”

“This is BlackAgumon, I call him B. B, this is Murph.” The dinosaur gave his usual grunt and a half-hearted wave, Murphy giving him a nod, if a little hesitant. “So… Want to introduce me to your guest?”

“Sure..” Leading me inside, Murphy took me to her living room where on the couch sat a different sort of lizard creature, where some weird combat garb and its scales was blocky camo of all things. “This is… Commandramon.”

Commandramon looked to my position, his entire demeanour gave a feeling of a kid trying very hard to play the soldier. “Sir.” His eyes only glanced toward B. for a bit like he assessing if B. was a possible danger, the two didn’t seem to recognize each other, before returning to me. “You’re the one looking into returning m-us home?”

“That’s my plan, first trying to find out if anyone in our world has info on the Digital World.” I pretended to not notice the hint of disappointment in Commandramon’s eyes that I didn’t already have a way back for him. “In a hurry? I don’t blame ya’ Murphy’s decor is a few decades out of place.”

And that was Murphy’s elbow in my side, that hurt, but I couldn’t help but laugh.

“There are other Digimon that need me.” Well, to a degree, that explained Commandramon trying so hard to be serious, even if it was obvious that he was withholding a laugh at Murphy’s bout of violence.

“Well, all the more reason for me to keep at it.” I look to Murphy, and take out the digivice. “Did you get one of these?”

“Yeah.” She took her own out, and whereas mine was black, hers had the same pattern on it that Commandramon’s scales did.

“Well that confirms that they’re connected to these guys.” That’s when I heard B’s claw’s on the floor.

“Something’s wrong…” He growled out, as Commandramon stood up, a wireframe appearing that turned into a full gun in the little soldiers hands, the two Digimon’s eyes looking to the window. They went for the door. Fast.

“Hey! What the hell are you-” Murphy and I followed them outside, stopping in our tracks at the sudden downpour that unleashed upon us in that moment.

BlackAgumon was scanning around, focusing on something that walked into view. It was a hideous green creature carrying a bone club, tongue hanging out of it’s massive wide mouth. This creature didn’t stink, but every bone in my body was telling me that it should. Can’t really explain that.

Murphy’s digivice made a loud bleep, and as she brought it up it started to project an image of this creature, and it’s info. Murph read some of it out. “Ogremon…. Says it’s a ‘champion’ level Digimon.”

“This thing is a champion? I mean not all Champions are built the same but I didn’t even smell this thing arri-” BlackAgumon’s little spiel was abruptly ended by Commandramon kicking him to the side, before dodging the other way as Ogremon brought down his club having reached the two smaller Digimon with alarming speed.

The club might have looked like bone, but given that the pavement of the road shattered like glass, I have my doubts. The small well-armed dragon opened fire on the ogre, the shots sounding fake, like an action movie’s sound effect of a gunshot. 

But the shots were real, and Orgemon snarled in pain, points on his green body bursting energy. Of course I took my own chance to make my move, doing as best I could to brace my staff.

“Forzare!”

This went worse than I expected. The energy shot out and hit Ogremon, it hurt him but… He didn’t move. Which knocked my staff just out of my grip enough to lose it’s bracing, and go wild enough to smack me in the face. 

I can say that kicking one's own ass is not fun.

“Harry!” I heard Murph as I recoiled, managing to focus enough to realize that our Ogre friend took offense to me joining the fray, and was about to toss his club.

It spiraled toward Murphy and I, and since I couldn’t be sure of what it’s path would be, I grabbed my short friend with one arm. And brought my shield bracelet up.

I could feel the impact slide us back, and hell, I was dizzy from it. 

Another series of shots from Commandramon, regained the monster's attention, as BlackAgumon charged at it. Lunging and biting into Ogremon’s flesh.

The green creature swung its arm around hard, eventually dislodging B, and sending the small guy colliding into someone’s trash. It roared at Commandramon, who stepped back looking panicked and threw something.

Right into Ogremon’s never closing mouth, the big guy immediately swallowing what we would very soon all learn was a grenade.

Boom. Though it wasn’t as horrifying to look at as one might expect, there was a hole in Ogremon but his innards were just… Glowing energy. Which was the stuff that made Digimon both digital and physical beings, I suppose.

B pulled himself back up and took the chance, as Ogremon gawked at its own missing portion. As best it could.

Flames flicked at the edge of BlackAgumon’s mouth, and with a ‘Pah!’ noise, he sent a ball of flame right into the wound created by the explosion. Ogremon shattered, remnants dissipating into energy, the bizarre weather going with it. 

“So you get the fire-breather, and mine has the power of guns and military explosives?” Murphy spoke, not really looking for an actual answer or response, given her tone was that of a stray thought. I, of course, gave her one anyway.

“It’s a big cosmic metaphor, I’m sure.” I looked down at her and realized that I had an arm protectively around her since I used my shield bracelet, she realized it in that moment when she looked up to roll her eyes at me. 

After a slightly awkward second we made space between each other. Our Digimon associates waiting patiently.

“So…” Murphy looked them over. “You guys okay? You’re not harmed.”

“No, sir. We’re both perfectly fine.” 

“Speak for yourself.” B snipped at Commandramon. “I haven’t had a fight in days, now I’m getting hungry.”

“B, chill out, we’ll hit the drive through at Burger King on the w-“ Both our digivices lit up, as we grabbed them they projected a map of Chicago, one that started to zoom in...

8 blinking red spots were showing on it now, and they were right in front of… “Harry, isn’t that…”

“The Carpenter’s house! We need to go! Now!”

Chapter Text

Murphy’s car skidded through sudden sleet and mud, we had to stop a bit down from the house, and started hauling ass toward it. Into our view came three of the creatures, twisted things that looked like they could Ogremon’s degenerate hillbilly cousins, my digivice awakening in my hand.

“Vilemon. Rookie Level.”

B was first to charge, clasping his jaw around a skinny arm and whipping the creature into the air. Which Commandramon riddled with shots. The other two Vilemon split their attention, able to realize the scheme and tried to split their attention.

These things were only so smart though, as both of our Digimon allies had things under control. Destroying them both with ease.

Then another alert, more were appearing at the house. Once in view, that’s when I realized… Maybe we weren’t so necessary…

One of the Vilemon exploded into energy as another had been tossed through it and over us. A very tiny metal spear whizzed past my ear and stabbed the horrid Digimon right in the eye. The spears owner was barely visible, but I could tell she very likely had a matching expression to her human partner.

Molly Carpenter was wincing as she came into view. “Oh! Ow! Tinkermon, why…”

“It doesn’t normally do that! They normally go boom!” The tiny fluttering fairy Digimon replied, as the Vilemon realized what had happened and began to howl.

It was about this time another creature emerged from the awful weather, body spinning and hitting the wounded Vilemon with its tail, and finishing off Tinkermon’s target. The short dragon-like creature turned its gaze on us, as Tinkermon and Molly finally realized Murphy and I were there. Micheal Carpenter also soon came into view. “Dracomon, are there any le-Harry, Lieutenant Murphy. And I hope those two are on our side.”

Murph muttered something about rank, and demotion, but they’ve had that conversation before. She was demoted for helping save Molly, so Micheal wasn’t going to respect her superiors decision on that.

B’s eyes moved along the assorted Digimon, he looked disappointed for a second before Tinkermon was up in his grill, I figure the small fairy had as much sense of personal space as the character that she was seemingly named after. B nearly fell on his ass. “Hey! Back off!”

The weather cleared, though the mixing of icy slush and mud remained on the ground, I checked my digivice and that’s when I noticed something. “Guys, there’s still one marked on here…”

There was a scrambling noise that drew all our attention, I bolted toward it, along the side of another home, but as I reached it… The source was long gone, I think, I swore I saw a figure duck around a corner three blocks down but who knows…

I returned to the group, surveying the new members of the team, while Commandramon and Dracomon seemed to get along well enough, B was trying to swat Tinkermon out of the air, much to the fairy’s amusement.

“Tink, knock it off.” Molly half-heartedly tried to stop her partner, then looked to me. “Didnt catch them? I mean they’re probably safe since they didn’t attack us anyway.”

Dracomon spoke next, a very serious voice, despite sounding about 12. “That is most likely, though in general Vilemon are not particularly intelligent creatures and often attack on sight, whoever piggy-backed on their entrance may still be dangerous, just smarter.”

While I was busy imagining the tiny dragon in a bow tie and tweed jacket, Micheal took out his own digivice, it’s colours matching Dracomons scale and horns. “Good to see you both have these as well, do you have any insight on our new friends here?”

Everyone was looking at me, Murphy and B moreso with amusement.

“Maybe it was my fault. A little. Or a lot.”

Molly laughed then took out the digivice connected to Tinkermon, it was a little different than ours, it didn’t have a matching pattern to the little fairy, instead along the sides were metal studs. “Yup,” The young woman chirped, “Mines the coolest.”

Tink flew over and sat herself on Molly’s shoulder. “Naturally!”

I kept glancing at mine for a sudden alert, but nothing for now….

“Hey!” B growled at me. “Food. Now.”

After a good run, or several, there would soon be enough bags of takeout to the Digimon. Because while B might have been the most vocal… These things could eat. BlackAgumon had been pretty reasonable with the leftovers the other, but as a group… They devoured pretty much any food put in front of them, it’s a good thing they were in the backyard or there easily could have been collateral damage.

Dracomon tried to be polite about it, but even that only lasted until he had some in his claws.

Everyone was shocked by how much Tink could put down, sure they seemed to be energy inside but it was at least 4 times her body weight in burgers alone.

Soon enough, Micheal pulled me to the side, as much as I was still fascinated with the display I figured it was important.

“Harry, you’ve attempted magic on one of them, correct?”

“Not either of ours, but yeah, big one attacked us outside Murph’s place.”

There was a pause from him. “Yes, and did it have an odd effect?”

“Yup… Oh I see. Amoracchius acted strange?”

“Something like that. I know I made contact, I know I felt the blade dig in, and that Vilemon definitely felt pain but… No visual damage.”

“Yeah, with the Ogremon..  Big and nasty thing… The spell hit and then it staggered, but I couldn't see any other effect… there was also the feedback. That was pretty bad.”

“There was some with Amoracchius as well, nothing too powerful but it was definitely a strange sensation.”

I leaned against the house. “I suppose, since they say they’re from a ‘Digital World’ so maybe, this is entirely theoretical keep in mind, our supernatural metaphysics and theirs are different. If they even have an equivalent in their reality.”

Micheal nodded a bit, I figure he wasn’t exactly ready to just assume my theory was right, neither was I, so it was more than fair.

“I just… This is all my fault.” I said, Micheal giving me that ‘It’s not always your fault’ look. “No. No. Hear me out, they came through because of an experiment I was doing, and if it was just those guys,” I gestured toward our partner digimon, which Dracomon took notice of. “But, there’s these others coming through, those Vilemon, the Ogremon that appeared outside Murphy’s place, and its all-”

“Oh, you shouldn’t blame yourself, Mr.Dresden.” I nearly jumped when I realized Dracomon had made his way over while I was speaking, “While you may have eased things, Digimon have been trying to get into this world since… Well, as long as anyone remembers really.”

“...What?!”

Chapter Text

While he tried to keep his composure it was clear my declaration startled Dracomon, so before he said anything I reassured him. “Sorry about that, you got me by surprise there,” The little dragon relaxed a bit. “Now tell me more.”

“Oh, yes, of course,” Dracomon stumbled through the start but gathered himself and spoke. “There have been many groups that sought a way into the human world, claims of artifacts that could do it. Such a thing is w-why the Royal Knights and the Olympos Twelve destroyed each other… Supposedly. It is a legend after all, it’s entirely possible that neither of those groups ever existed-I’m rambling now.”

It was kind of amusing, like a kid that was really into something, and had been waiting for the chance to talk about it. 

I had to poke just a bit further. “So, are there any more of these groups? Legendary or historical?”

He nodded quickly. “Ah, yes, quite a few historically though they have always fallen apart to their own in-fighting, and there hasn’t been one in many years… As for legendary ones…” Dracomon shuddered. “I suppose there’s the Seven Great Demon Lords.”

Well I definitely didn’t like that title at all, and even if it didn't sort of come with his usual territory, Micheal had tensed up. He didn’t like it either.

“Though even if they are real, they can’t leave the Dark Area, which as far as anyone knows… Simply… Doesn’t exist.”

I give a nod, and pat the little guy between his horns, which he seemed to like. “Thanks for the information, we’ll keep that all in mind as we work on this.”

Micheal gives him a nod and smiles, the small dragon clearly happy for the positive reception, after that he walks back to the other Digimon. Just in time to keep B. from fireballing Tinkermon at point blank for… Whatever it was she was doing to annoy him now.

“Interesting that they have a concept of Hell.” Micheal pointed out “As well as, presumably, matching an idea of Gods in line with the older pantheistic religions. Perhaps their species interest in our world is that they had some parallel development as a result of knowing about our existence. Just knowing we’re there can’t be the entire draw on coming here, there has to be more to it..”

I blinked at the knight a couple times, I hadn’t even thought about it honestly. “Yeah, that would make sense.”

He chuckled at my response. “I wonder about the shifts in weather though, the sleet with those Vilemon and the downpour you said accompanied the ogre.”

“My only guess is that it’s got to do with how they’re getting through, maybe it’s a chunk of the weather where they came from.”

“Possibly. Either way, you’re the detective, I’ll leave figuring that out to you.”

This was something of a pro-bono case, considering I made the problem to begin with. “Yeah, also I’m guessing I can count on you and Molly helping out for any more threats that come through?”

“You couldn’t stop us if you wanted.”

After that, I said my goodbyes… And got Murphy to drive me back to my car. I had research to do, and Eb would probably check in soon, two random weather shifts in one day usually gets some of the accorded nations on edge. Blame the Faerie Courts for that one.

But as I was driving home, B got my attention. He was watching some pretty intently, and nearly jumped out of the car. “Whoa! What the hell are you doing?!”

“There’s a Digimon… It just went in that building.”

I pulled over, there was no change in weather, and no one was running out in panic so it had to be small. Was it another that came through when B and the others did?

“You wait here.” My Digimon partner glared a bit “Look no offense, dude, but you’re a 3 foot dinosaur. That’s kind of conspicuous.”

“Fine.” He grunted the words out.

Getting out, I grabbed my staff, as much as using it on Digimon really sucked so far, if I wasn’t taking BlackAgumon, I needed something.

At least I thought I would, I found the creature soon, sitting in a person's cart, and then I realized who said person was… I’d have to try and play it cool...

Walking up, I gave him a smack on the shoulder. “Butters, how the hell are ya’?”

Waldo Butters stared at me with an annoyed expression. "Harry, why are you here?"

I leaned up against the stand. "It's the supermarket, what reason would I have not to be here?"

"Well, one, it's an organic supermarket, and two, the only meals I've seen you prepare have one requirement: A microwave."

"I'm branching out! I happened to need some... Guaranteed pesticide-free cabbage, in fact!"

Butters gaze moved from me, to the stand "You're leaning on it right now."

I took the head of cabbage that my elbow had impacted with a triumphant flourish. "Ah... Thank you for the help..." I then pointed to the small creature in his cart. "Saaaay, who's your friend?"

"It's a toy."

"It's drinking a frappuccino."

Butters looked at the Digimon sitting in his cart, and it looked back, taking it’s lips off the straw of the drink. “Harry, Terriermon. Terriermon, Harry.”

Terriermon stood up in the child seat of the grocery cart, still holding his beverage, and raised one of his long ears. I took the hint and shaked it with his ear as though he was extending his hand. It speaks in a calm, almost lazy tone ”Hiiii.”

I take a note that his eyes appeared to be perpetually half-closed the entire time.

“I now understand the little guys need for the coffee.” 

Butters shook his head. “It does nothing for him, he just likes the taste.”

Terriermon sort of half-heartedly hummed with amusement as he returned his attention to his drink, he paused and looked to the side, waving an ear slowly. My gaze followed his and…

“B!” I snapped at the little dinosaur that was standing a short distance from us, Butters was staring, and I guess that made sure the cat was out of the bag on Digimon being my fault. A quick assumption but not wrong. “I told you to wait in the car.”

“I got bored.” Soon as he said this, a woman caught sight of him in the produce aisle. And after a long pause, thankfully Butters spoke up.

“Have you never seen a kid in a costume before? Move along, lady.”

Chapter Text

After getting B the hell out of the building, then helping Butters with his purchases, I did the requisite filling in about the Digimon situation, and frankly I hoped this would be the last time I would be doing that. Stupid thought in hindsight, but we’ll get to that later.

“And so with that all set… You haven’t been attacked by anything yet right? ‘Cause I would feel like shit if I wasn’t there…”

Butters stared at me for a few seconds. “Not really a fan of the ‘yet’ part, but no.”

“I’m just hedging my bets, if what Dracomon said is true, they might have just used whatever weakness was already created… Be a hell of a coincidence though.”

I shrugged, Butters shrugged, it was really all we could do. Looking at Digimon, they were just waiting, Terriermon sitting on B’s head. Honestly surprised the little dinosaur wasn’t bothered by that, maybe Terriermon’s mega-relaxed mood came with a soothing aura. 

I think that’s what made the sudden shift in B’s attitude all the more stark.

“It’s strong!” He suddenly snarled, eyes wide open once more… He was excited, dangerously excited.

Terriermon hummed a bit. “Big too…”

That’s when the digivices lit up like damn Christmas trees, no map this time, but it tried. Unlucky for us, it couldn’t make the map, because the bastard was appearing right above us.

The wind picked up to an intense speed, and I saw it, a wireframe at first. Butters looked like he wanted to bolt, but to the little guys credit, he stood strong.

The details filled in as it landed just down the street. It wasn’t the size of a skyscraper, but it sure felt like it, wings unfurling as much as was possible. How it flew on wings full of holes I’d never know. Long limbs leading to brutal crimson claws. It’s four-eyes locked on us before it tilted its head back and roared…

No… That’s not it… It rumbled through my body like it was roaring, but no…

It was laughing.

The digivice produced information. Devidramon. A Champion? No way, I could feel the power off this guy. Sure, B said not all champions are the same, but presence alone this guy made Ogremon look like dog leavings on the sidewalk.

Once the giant of a Digimon was done, it spoke and slashed out with its long arm. “Touch Of Evil!” And as it called out the attack a wave of darkness came towards us, I was able to get my shield bracelet active in time so that it didn’t destroy us then and there, but… 

I know I went flying and slamming into my car, but I immediately lost track of the others. And my staff. So far, not a good start to this fight.

Around me, I could hear people screaming, and when I was able to peel myself from the impacted windshield of the Beetle, I saw them fleeing.

Thankfully for my perpetual need to feel guilty, Devidramon wanted me. This was confirmed as he grabbed in one massive claw, squeezing tightly on my poor fleshy body.

“Found you…” It growled out the words, and I will admit, I started shaking. “She will be pleased.”

“Wh-Agh-What the hell do you want with me?”

“Nothing. She wants you, you weakened the barrier… Need more done for her to come through.”

So he was serving another Digimon, that was something at least. Though I was a bit too terrified of Devidramon himself to let my brain imagine the kind of thing that gave him orders. I struggled in his grip, but even as the partner Digimon reappeared, I couldn’t slip free. 

Fireballs pelted at him, sizzling against the dark dragons skin, not even leaving a mark. Terriermon unleashed a spin attack, only for Devidramon to make another slash “Crimson Claw!”

The monsters claws glowed on the hand that slashed at Terriermon, but B jumped in the way, taking the brunt of the ability. I was proud of the little guy, but more than a bit worried, as Devidramon raised me up I could see where two landed this time. B’s body was flickering… He was so severely wounded from one attack. 

But still my partner was standing back up…

“Interesting…” Devidramon mused, and rose me higher, above its head. The dragon opened its massive maw as if to drop me in… Then three more fireballs struck the side of its head, despite his injuries, BlackAgumon was still attacking, and charging Devidramon.

I yelled and screamed for B to run away, but he didn’t, I figured he couldn’t hear me so I continued in desperate hope he’d flee for his own sake…

Then his voice echoed in my head “No.”

A flat, singular statement, that managed to carry so much weight with it…

My digivice began to glow from my pocket, as did B, a deep purple light…

As he charged, BlackAgumon’s voice echoed inside my head again. And from the look of Butters and Terriermon it was in theirs too.

“BlackAgumon Digivolve To…”

B exploded in that purple energy and his form grew, each stride larger and larger, soon enough the earth shook as he stomped forward, his body reshaping and he rammed into Devidramon, knocking the dragon backwards… And getting my ass tossed on top of a nearby office building.

B’s new form settled in, purple body, with black stripes and a natural armor headpiece, he roared his name

“BlackGreymon!”

Chapter Text

When he was BlackAgumon, B wasn’t exactly your everyday sight, but he could be, at best, mildly intimidating. When he changed, became BlackGreymon, I had to suppress that primal fear of giant beasts that, I assume, one feels when elephants start stampeding.

He was relentless and brutal, though Devidramon deserved every single moment of it. When the dragon used that Crimson Claw ability again, it basically just bounced off of B, and then when Devidramon tried to go for some civilians, B nearly bit through the bastards arm.

He used that momentum to toss Devidramon down the street. I couldn’t see it from my vantage point, but I could definitely hear him take out a glass storefront. Luxury car dealership maybe? I don’t know, not my preferred part of town honestly. B’s new voice was as booming as one would expect. “Leave them out of this, this is our fight!”

Devidramon got back up, raising his claw again. “Touch Of Evil!”

As the wave of darkness rushed forward, destroying more windows through sheer force, B tilted his head back, I could see the flames licking at the edge of his lips. Before looking back down and unleashing a massive fireball. “Mega Flame!”

The two attacks collided in the air, bursting together, I could feel the heat from where I was standing, well stumbling from the explosion, anyway. Focusing back on the fight, the two were charging each other again, both roaring with rage…

But Devidramon fought dirty, taking to the air at the last possible second, B stumbling over and crashing to the ground, though he was back up far faster than a beast of his size should be.

“No, no escape for you! You die here!”

What B did next… Well there’s reasons I don’t think Digimon follow the same rules of physics as us…

He started running as Devidramon floated there mockingly, B jumped, dug the massive claw of his foot into the side of a building (God I hope they evacuated) used that to jump to the roof of a taller building (Second verse same as the first) then used that to jump straight up to Devidramon and chomping hard into the dragons mid-section 

I couldn’t actually hear what B said next, but I believe he was calling his fireball attack, at point blank range.

Devidramon was engulfed in the explosion, his lower half separated as the two beasts fell to the ground, though only B made it all the way down. Devidramons data disappearing just in time, because B’s crash landing was enough that I’m pretty sure he set off every car alarm in the city… Except the Beetle, as I’d learn later, he’d crushed the engine earlier in the fight.

By the time I made it down the fire escape, I was only able to catch the last second of B changing forms back to his smaller one. The image of BlackGreymon fading away to leave the small guy in a slight crater.

Butters and Terriermon ran up as I did, I picked up my barely conscious partner, and scurried off. Didn’t want the crowd to catch us as the returned, it was lucky enough news crews hadn’t shown up already. 

Unfortunately, I didn’t notice one particular onlooker that would be reporting this to a certain freeholding lord of the Unseelie Accords I didn’t much like dealing with.

—

I finally got B back to my place, thanks to some help from Butters, his car managed to avoid being a problem. Though me shorting out his radio, and probably his phone, in my initial panicking over B, probably didn’t help the rattled guy. At least Terriermon was able to settle the issue. “He’ll just need to rest and eat. It’s rare that Digimon turn back but that’s the digivices deal… He will need a lot to eat.”

I laid the small dinosaur down on my couch, and went to order a metric fuck load of takeout… Nearly tripping over my apprentice and her partner Digimon as the two appeared from behind Molly’s veil. 

“Hell’s Bells!”

“Sorry, sorry!”

The digital fairy floated over to B, sitting on his snout. While Molly looked over nervously. “The news was talking about reports of a giant monster fight. They were joking about it, but well…”

She gestured to the two Digimon. “Apparently there’s images online.  A dinosaur! A big one! So I rushed over and you weren’t here and then I heard the door and just in case I hid, and-“

“Breathe, grasshopper, yeah it was B. He transformed, became, what was it… BlackGreymon for a bit.”

“What?!” Tink’s reaction to this was far different to Terriermon, but I’m pretty sure ‘Dull Surprise’ was as excited as the rabbit could get. Soon the little fairy was in my face. “He digivolved?! Then changed back?! Heeee actually managed that? How?!”

“I don’t know… I was captured by the bad guy at the time. Look, can I order some pizzas real quick? Terriermon said B’s gonna need to eat.”

Molly tilted her head. “Who?”

“Butters got a Digimon too.”

There was a long pause. “I’m somehow not surprised.”

I then realized something. “Hey, where’s Mouse?”

As if on cue, the door opened, my dog happily padding his way back into the apartment, a half-joking voice saying “Remember don’t tell him I was-“ Thomas cut himself off as he realized that I was home… And had guests. “Uhhh… Heard you were on a case so… Thought I’d check on the dog.”

“That’s…” I couldn’t help but laugh, it was nice to see my brother, though something clicked that was just a bit off. “Wait… What the hell are you wearing?”

His eyes went upward, then he rolled them. “It’s a headband.”

“It has a little metal thing on it…”

“It’s the symbol of my village, I’m a ninja now.” I didn’t get it, but Molly got a kick out of it, giggling away. “It’s from a thing called Naruto, Harry, look it up.”

As Molly finished her giggling fits. “Justine got you into anime, huh?”

“Yes, it started with someone ” The tone implied had an idea who that was but no evidence. “Getting her the DVDs of Fruits Basket, instead of an actual fruit basket, I decided to take an interest in her hobby and, well… We’re going to a convention in a few months.”

It was then he noticed exactly what my guests were, well he noticed that Tinkermon was a fairy, and greeted her with the mild respect one shows to the small folk for their own safety, and then he saw B. “A dinosaur is a bit of a-uh-a risky, and impossible choice for a pet, Harry.”

This managed to rouse B from his slumber “Pet?! I’ll.. I’ll kill you for that…. Ugh, later.”

After a perfectly timed beat my brother said “A dinosaur is a bit of a risky choice to adopt as a son, Harry.”

I sighed and explained the situation to him, he had a few comments about my experiment attempts, I really did need to talk to Bob about things soon… Maybe he had heard of a ‘Digital World’ at some point.

After that I got on with finally ordering some damn pizzas, as it turns out most Digimon share a favourite food, because everything is their favourite food.

As I was about halfway through my fourth slice of delicious pepperoni and cheese goodness, my phone started to ring… And an overwhelming sense of dread washed over me. The battle with Devidramon was going to change the situation, I knew that already, but that call, and what followed, was going to make the scale of things grow exponentially.

Taking a breath I answered the call, the voice I expected on the other line almost spoke but I cut him off. “Sir, you know I wasn’t ever going to deem him a threat, and every report on what’s turning up on the internet will show that B saved my life.”

“I know, Hoss, that’s not what I’m calling about. Technically this could be a call from any other White Council member but I thought it was for the best to be me.”

“What? The Merlin want the Digimon for testing? Wardens want them as weapons?”

He sighed “As hard as it is to believe, they want their hands off. Hoss, this is an Accords issue, not a Council one.”

That took me a minute. “What are you talking about?”

“It’s Marcone, one of his men was there during the fight. Saw you scamper off with your little buddy.”

I was starting to shake, not sure if it was rage or nerves. ‘Gentleman’ Johnny Marcone, Chicago’s biggest name in crime, had an interest in the Digimon already. It had only been a fucking day. “What the fuck does he want?”

The phone’s usual crackle worsened as my emotions flared. “Easy, Hoss, personally I suspect he’s only going through things this way to put to bed any issues the Faerie Courts might have, the weather changes aren’t connected to them, are they?”

“No, sir. So he’s bringing in a third party then… As an emissary, arbitrator, that sorta thing, right?”

“That’s correct, and try to minimize your involvement in bringing those damn things here.”

I rolled my eyes. “Sure, fine, who are they sending?”

“The Archive.”

I went rigid, now I think the Archive, or Ivy as I prefer to call her, is fantastic. One of my best friends and I’m one of her few. But, there’s one issue, she’s the wealth of human knowledge embodied. If it’s written down, it’s confirmed she’s got that in her head. So as I stared at the stack of notes on my ‘Technomancy’ experiments, including every result that occured, up to and including the arrival of a certain BlackAgumon, and so there was only one proper reaction.

“Fuck.”

Chapter Text

I had the Digimon gathered outside McAnally’s, the best pub in town and Accorded Neutral Ground where this meeting was about to happen, the ‘Mons were currently in the back of Michael’s truck. They were listening to the Terriermon recount B’s big digivolution. Again. It’s not often you hear the description of a life-changing event described with as much energy as reading the dictionary, nor do you often see anyone enraptured by that kind of storytelling. It was kind of cute to me, though, they all seemed to view him differently now. Did Digimon value strength overall? No, maybe some did but that didn’t feel right… Ah well, that wasn’t important, what was important was this meeting.

Micheal and Thomas would be in there with B and I, with Murph, Molly and Butters waiting by the truck, to help mobilize the rest of the Digimon in case something went to shit. Or worse. Given my luck, there was the possibility of worse.

Outside the door was Kincaid, Ivy’s bodyguard and surrogate father figure as some would call him, just not to his face. Though he was currently looking in the other direction, presumably to avoid any chance of awkward eye contact with Murphy. And she was doing the same. 

Won’t lie, I found this far more satisfying than I should.

Though there was still one nagging problem that kept me from being fully ready to head down the stairs into the pub. I had no idea where my staff was, Butters said he tried to go back and look but the area was cordoned off. It wasn’t like I couldn't cast a spell at all without it, but still, I felt buck ass naked without it.

Still, it was time, I wanted to be there before Marcone and every second that passed was narrowing the margin. I gestured to B, who got up. B was a lot less on edge then me as we walked over to Kincaid. Who stopped me as I was about to head in. “Keep it professional, I don’t want another ‘Rocket Exhibit’ fiasco, like last time you and the Archive were around each other.”

“First, it was her idea, and second, I’m not the one that thought leaving us unattended with a package of cherry bombs was a good idea.”

“You’re a goddamn adult, Dresden.”

“That changes nothing.”

He rolled his eyes before letting me pass.

I made my way in, B at my side, he sniffed the air a bit as we entered. After giving a nod to Mac, who responded with a nod himself, I started scoping things out.

Honestly it was a bit nice to not see a lot of people around, considering the meeting that was about to occur, Mac probably told the regulars not to come by. Occasional visitors will see the security and steer clear of their own accord.

My brother and Micheal were off in one corner, and in another, there was a table where Ivy sat. She was a little taller than last time I saw her, which come to think of it was the usual case. I made my way over with my Digimon partner, taking a seat a couple spots from her. B taking the one between us. “So what’s the deal with this meeting?”

“I have been told to wait on that important piece of information, apparently he hasn’t written down, or shared it with anyone”

“Is that even allowed?”

Ivy didn’t look up from her paperwork, but in her most deadpan voice. “I didn’t need a four hour lecture on the loopholes that I’m very aware of, Harry.”

BlackAgumon snorted a laugh, which drew Ivy’s attention fully to him. 

Her eyes went so wide. “Can I pet you?”

The little dinosaur shrugged. “Yeah, okay.”

While his response had been rather nonchalant, he very clearly enjoyed the attention as she was soon enough pretty much cuddling his head.

That’s when Marcone entered, with him, like always, were Hendricks and Gard. Both of which are tall imposing figures… For most people. I, however, make anyone below Andre The Giant look small.

As Marcone sat down, I couldn’t resist the energy to annoy him. “Johnny! How ya been? Was one of those buildings a racket of yours?”

“No, Mr.Dresden, it was not.” Marcone’s tone was calculated and calm, though I noticed the slight twitch in his eye. “I wanted this meeting for other reasons.”

Ivy reluctantly let go of my Digimon partner, as Marcone addressed her, formal greetings and such. Then the gangsters attention came to B. “And what would you like I use to refer to you?”

“My name is BlackAgumon, B to my friends...” I could hear in B’s voice that he’d picked up on the mutual dislike Marcone and I shared. “But you can call me sir.”

There was an uneasy silence, even if my smile made it obvious I was proud of B’s absolute power move. Then Marcone forced a chuckle. “If that keeps things cordial, sir.”

“What is it you want?” I said, leaning forward. To which The Archive confirmed that she too was interested.

“Well to start with,” Marcone removed something from his bag, as he unfurled it, I realized exactly what it was. “I want this signed for the young sir and his associates.”

“You can’t be serious.” I said flatly, there was no way. “What’s your game. Marcone? How do you even have another of these?”

B’s addition to this was “I have no idea what this is.”

Ivy patted B on the head, before looking toward Marcone. “You were told to dispose of this, a second signatory petition form was sent to you because of a clerical error.”

Marcone nodded. “And my continuing to hold onto it will cost me a large fine, I understand and am more than capable of paying it. However, I think it’s rather useful.”

I nearly growled. “What. Is. Your. Game. Marcone.”

“It’s quite simple, I am willing to offer full safe passage for your friends….” He gestured to B

“Digimon.”

“Thank you, sir. To any Digimon that associate on good terms with him.” He maintained the gesture to B for a second. “And actively consider them a separate faction to those attacking my city. As long as they continue to protect it…”

He then smirked, “And that they don’t intentionally affect my business.” There it was. “So if you happened to be on a case, Mr.Dresden, and it involved me then your Digimon friends would have to remain at arms length.”

That was unsettling to me, not because of the deal itself, that was fair. But the timing. I still hadn’t found the being that came through with the Vilemon, had they contacted Marcone? 

Maybe I was overthinking it, but Marcone had some investment in the Digimon. 

My thought process was broken by the sound of B’s loud chewing. At some point, Mac had brought him over a steak sandwich… B was a lot less violently rapid in how he ate when there wasn’t other Digimon around him.

He spoke with food still in his mouth. “Tempting, but you could sweeten the pot a little.”

“I’m offering you quite a lot.”

“Throw in a car.”

“What?”

“See, Harry's normal car is cramped, and the loaner he has right now smells funny. It’s embarrassing. Need myself something like a vintage muscle car to cruise around. Classic and sexy.”

I snorted a bit, there was no way that was going to wor-“Fine. I’ll have one found and delivered to Mr.Dresden’s apartment” Marcone said, as he stood “On the condition you sign of course. I will leave you to your deliberations.” He signed his name in the space allotted. “I hope you make the right decision.” 

He got up to leave, gesturing to his two favourite goons to follow with. I grabbed his arm as he passed me, a tense moment before saying. “If B signs this, he might not be able to, but I’ll destroy you if you try to pull something.”

“I’d be disappointed if you didn’t.”

I let go and he departed. I sighed “So what are you going to do?”

“I’ll do it. Then keep getting stronger, so he couldn’t stop me if I need to break the deal.”

Ivy shook her head. “I really hope it doesn’t come to that.”

And so Ivy and I signed, the young Archive leading B through all he had to write… And don’t ask, I don’t know how that worked physically. 

Immaculate handwriting despite the fact the pen was just resting against his claws. 

“I’ll need to handle a few things thanks to this, but I’ll be in town for a while.” Ivy said with a light smile “I will let you both know when I’m available, I’d like to meet the rest of your friends BlackAgumon.”

“Call me B.”

There was barely a change in expression, but you could tell as she nodded, that made her very happy.

Chapter Text

“Oh! Ivy, wait!” I stopped her outside, just as we were about to go our separate ways “I was wondering… They said their home is called the Digital World, has there ever been anything like that written about?”

She processed for a second, before speaking again. “Theoretical papers on A.I. and Multiversal theory. As well a few small time conspiracy theories. That’s all though.”

I couldn’t help but grumble at that, then thank her, as she and Kincaid head for their car. Which as Kincaid goes to open the door, starts falling apart, my brother and I rush over. As we do, Thomas notices a small figure, and jumps at it, it looked like a messed up kid in a wizard hat. “Unhand me, foul shinobi!”

Okay so everyone but me knows what my brothers stupid headband is about apparently.

“What the hell did you do?” My brother growled, his vampiric strength seemingly more than enough to handle this weird kid, presumably a Digimon. “How?”

Kincaid was casually reaching into the mess, to get his phone. Ivy was particularly unconcerned… Maybe Thomas was overreacting. 

Then the little wizard turned into straw. 

“Ha!” The little guy's voice came from above us, he was hanging mid-air from a staff, he started to fly away like that, while yelling “You have been bamboozled, by the mighty Wizardmon!”

Now as he was floating away, I realized something. I recognized that staff.

That was my staff.

That was my goddamn staff!

So of course, I let out a series of profanities in his general direction.

 And they were loud enough that it’s very possible the little bastard heard them even as he disappeared from view.

During this time the rest of the crew had gathered near to me, so I muttered a “Sorry, Micheal” as he was the only one offended by the language.

I informed the others exactly what Marcone had wanted, which we all quite reasonably decided, was incredibly suspicious. But it was a ‘cross that bridge when we get to it’ situation, it wasn’t like it’d be in effect immediately. Butters brought the more pressing issue to light. “So that Wizardmon guy, uh… Anyone else notice that he was here and we were never alerted to his presence?”

As my gut suddenly wrenched, Molly moved to take out digivice, futzing about with it, then starting to shake the thing. “How do you find… Grr, show me Wizardmon!”

With that, a projection appeared, though it was holding my staff. It was labeled: Not A Threat.

“Is that for just him or does it mean all of them like those… Gah what were they called…” Murphy trailed off, before giving Commandramon a ‘Help me out here’ gesture. He nodded.

“Ma’am, I believe you are referring to the Vilemon.” He said, in his trying too hard to be serious voice. “It is actually rather unclear, though Vilemon are far more common Digimon.”

Dracomon nodded and continued. “They are born from excess junk data, you see, whereas Wizardmon are Champion level, and their predecessor forms use rarer information in their creation.”

“He might be what I chased after when those appeared.” I pointed out, I didn’t actually think it, Wizardmon seemed a bit too boisterous to be that. Plus the figure was taller, I was sure of that. “I need to do some research or something…”

I could probably find those research papers if they were published, but Ivy did say they were only minor references. Bob might know a way to trace things back, so I said my goodbyes to everyone, Kincaid assuring me that he and Ivy had a ride lined up, and went to the loaner… Getting in and, goddamn it, B was right. It Smelled awful in there. 

As the small dinosaur got himself situated in the backseat, the passenger door opened and Molly slid herself in place. Tinkermon flutters in with her. “We’re going to help ya out. See we all figured not going alone was the best plan.”

“I’m not alone.” I gestured to B

“And if he’s needed on giant monster mode duty, while you’re on your lonesome.”

“You mean like I usually am?” 

“Don’t a dick.”

I shrugged “None of you ever let me have any fun.”

As I start the car, and pull out into the street, there’s a loud growling from the backseat. I adjust the rear view to look at B. “You okay, bud?”

“I could eat.”

“You just a-“ As I said this, a similar noise emanated from the tiny fairy sitting on the dashboard. “I’ll grab some Burger King on the way.”

About 10 minutes later, I had officially gone from one parking lot to another. Tinkermon and BlackAgumon tearing their way through several meals now. Meanwhile, a young woman caught my eye. Not like that, it was because of her outfit… Wait, I mean because it was so weird. I'm not that bad, most of the time.

“Hey, grasshopper.” Molly looked up from her continued astonishment at how much food Tink could consume, to look where I pointed. “What ya think the over-under on that being a friend of your dads or my brothers is?”

“Well I'm pretty sure a real nun wouldn’t wear a skirt like that…” Her eyes narrowed. “Or have cat ears.”

There was a short silence as the woman stood across from us now. Maybe a few car lengths away. And then Tink made a notable observation. “Or have guns.”

Not needed but appreciated.

B growled as he spoke. “She’s strong.”

And as the nun opened fire on us, we all bailed from the loaner, which was not long for this world anymore.

Chapter Text

From behind one of the vehicles in the parking lot, I watched helplessly as this nun-esque Digimon continued to fire on the loaner until it’s front had more holes than Sonny Corleone. After mourning what was left of my credit, I managed to get her info on the digivice. Sistermon. Champion level.

“Hey, B, could really use you going big time here!” I whispered harshly as Sistermon’s eyes looked around for us. 

“I’m trying! But it’s just not working!”

“Well how did it happen last time?”

He sighed “I just didn’t wanna lose someone ‘cause I was too weak again.”

That was reasonable, I’d been there-Wait. “Again?”

“I can hear you insolent fools!” Shit she found us, thankfully Tinkermon had at least a rough plan, distracting the nun with a tiny lance right into wrist… Though mainly it just pissed Sistermon off. “She will not be denied! Surrender and give up your lives!” 

The varying gaps between some Champions and Rookies was hard to keep track of. As BlackAgumon ran around behind her and launched fireballs, it would have been enough between the two of our partner Digimon to off Ogremon like before, but Devidramon and now Sistermon were more annoyed than anything else. Hell, Sistermon seemed more bothered that we ‘dare’ defy her boss’s will.

Tinkermon recovered her lance, or maybe just summoned a new one, and got in close, slashing along the Digi-nun’s body, getting her tiny body backhanded into a nearby SUV’s windshield for the trouble. 

B didn’t fare much better, charging in just got him punted by Sistermon. I’d have to assume she was trying to humiliate him.

Looking back towards Tink, Sistermon raised one of her guns in the air, and it seemed like energy faintly began gather around it. “Your blessings are faint here, my Lady, but soon this world will be yours! But first…”

She lowered the weapon toward Tinkermon, aiming directly at the battered little fairy. And then Molly got between them. “You want her, you’ll have to go through me!”

“Molly…” Was all that Tink could manage to say.

Sistermon didn’t even blink, pulling the trigger and a bolt of energy followed the bullet, straight toward my apprentice and her partner.

I was hauling ass over there as the world seemed to start slowing. And then I felt what Butters must have the other day…

The world slowed around Tink and Molly to a near halt, as Tinkermon was engulfed in light.

Her voice echoing in all our heads.

“Tinkermon… Digivolve to..”

The light form that was Tink shot towards Molly faster than anything else, dragging the girl into the sky as it’s form grew. 

The suv that took Sistermons blast was vaporized, as the new form floated above. Her wings had gotten larger, she was now a lot more pink and had essentially a Geordi LaForge visor on.

The wind picked up around us all, focusing towards her.

She smirked and with a giggle said “Kazemon!”

As this Kazemon floated down, handing off Molly to me, I noted something. BlackGreymon awoke a primordial fear with his presence, but Kazemon’s was different… Still fear in me, but a different kind.

Whereas BlackGreymon’s was an ancient but natural one, Kazemon’s aura could be calming to others but only reminded me…

Of the Queen’s of Faerie.

Chapter Text

To keep up the comparisons, Kazemon wasn’t the raw powerhouse BlackGreymon was, but damn she was fast. From the moment she handed off Molly to me, she was moving, flying at Sistermon, around her, outright dodging bullets. Which meant more and more shot up vehicles, but that’s their insurance provider's problem, not mine.

Sistermon kept up the shooting for a bit until… 

One swift kick made contact with the digi-nun’s side, and she went like a rocket, colliding into a Hummer, which in turn collided with the side of the Burger King. Well, whoever had remained after gunshots started flying was hauling ass out of there now. Sistermon started to pull herself up and free once more, but Kazemon was on her before she could even say whatever weird zealot bullshit she was about to go off about. 

Kazemon’s heel met the top of her head, sending Sistermon down, her face indenting in the pavement. I could see the data lifting off the gun nun’s form, but something else had been building, she let off another energy blast, Kazemon barely not getting hit. Hell it might have grazed her but she didn’t react if so…

“Well if that’s how you want to play it,” Kazemon rocketed up into the air, and just before dropping into a kick again said, voice rippling with power behind it. “Fata Danza.”

The next kick came down like a comet, bouncing Sistermon off the pavement (Which sucks even more than it looks. Source: Been there, done that.) and as the nun went up into the air, Kazemon did a flip kick that tore right through the midsection of her opponent.

As Sistermon disappeared into data, our new giant fairy ally landed in front of us. Giant in a relative term, she went from about a foot, to just taller than me. Which is still a very  intimidating size.

She smiled at us both, assessing the situation. “Okay then,” she nodded “I’m going to pass out now.”

“What?”

She then immediately collapsed against me, and then began its shift back into Tinkermon, which Molly caught easily.