Chapter Text
Everything changed on July 6th 2026. The day of the New York digital crisis. Portals opened up throughout the city, and strange creatures spilled out. The nation was unprepared for the battle we all feared, but it never came. These creatures, called digimon, came peacefully, never intending harm. Over the next few years, a partnership was formed between humans and digimon. Poverty had been stricken from the world. Healthcare affordability and efficiency was at an all time high. Many marginalized groups were given the rights to live their lives as they wanted to, not bound by discriminatory laws.
This is the world I, Ariza Shermin was born into. A world where humans and digimon live, study, and fight together.
“Alright class, have a great spring break. To those competing in the Digmon National Championship I wish you the best of luck” my teacher, Mrs Goodwin said to the classroom as we were all packing our bags. As I walked out Mrs Goodwin stopped me at the door, “now, Ariza. I don’t want to push anything on you, but you really should compete in the DNC. You’re one of my best students and it’s a shame you don’t have a digimon to have as a partner”
“Look, I’m just not sure I want to have a digimon at all. Even if I did, it's not like I have some goal to strive towards with one.” I state bluntly to my teacher, “Isn’t that the point? To find a digimon that you share a dream with and run towards it?” Mrs Goodwin sighs
“I suppose you’re not wrong about that. I’ll see you in two weeks, alright?”
“See you soon Mrs Goodwin!” I rush out of the classroom, pretty much done with the conversation at hand. I headed to my locker, quickly gathering my stuff into my bookbag.
“Hey Ariza you sure are in a rush,” a voice called out from across the hallway. It was my childhood friend Lani.
“I’m just ready to be done with school for the semester” I sigh
“Well after spring break it’s just two more weeks” Lani responds, now standing next to me as I close my locker.
“I guess you’re right. See you soon Lani” I rush outside, leaving my friend in the dust as I hop onto my bike.
“Don't bother with unwanted or short-lived dreams
A free state that’s alright, I guess!” I sing out on the bike ride home, confident no one will hear me in this small town.
“You suck! Keep your damn day job” a impish yet proud voice yells out
“Who the hell said tha-“ I am about to yell back before I’m interrupted by the crashing sound of my bike hitting something. I look up and see it totally totaled, “ah damnit. You are going to pay for that, you know!” I yell out, looking around to see who hit it
“Me? Pay you? You’re the one who ran into me!” The proud voice yelled out again. This time I actually saw who did it. It was a small cat-like creature with an orange tuft of hair on its head. I recognized it as a Liollmon.
“Gasp! Kitty!” I yell out. I fucking love cats
“I am not a kitty! And did you just vocalize a gasp?” Liollmon yelled out in bewilderment
“Yeah? If you’re not the cutest kitty around then what are you?” I say out in a babyish tone
“Do not talk to me that way! I am Liollmon, the future champ of the Digimon National Championship” upon hearing this from Liollmon I sigh.
“If you’re going to be the champ, where’s your tamer?”
“Don’t have one. There is no human on this planet worthy of being my tamer” the childish Liollmon said
“You dumbass. The DNC requires a pair of digimon and tamer to enter, you can’t just have one or the other” I respond, already very tired of this conversation
“They’ll make an exception for me. I’m the future champ after all!” Liollmon proudly yelled out. He was going to give me a headache at this rate.
“Whatever, just go away. You clearly don’t have the money to pay back the bike, so just leave” I grumpily said to him.
“Fine! Have it your way, you human. How dare you not believe in my dream” Liollmon pouted, walking away towards the street. Of course the brat didn’t use the crosswalk or wait for the stop lights to change, so a semi came barreling towards him.
“God damnit, you idiot!” I yell out, racing towards him to push him out of the way. I only barely make it with the use of a tackle, falling down in the process.
“So this is how I die. Saving a pile of data in the form of a bratty kitten. Whatever, hope he at least succeeds at his dream” I say right before the truck crushes me into tiny pieces a la an insect.
And yet. I’m still there. I guess I must’ve lied right under the fender of the semi and all the wheels missed me.
“You. human. You saved me. Why? You could have died” Liollmon asked, coming up to me to check up on my condition
“Guess I can’t say no to people with dreams, I myself don’t have one of my own, see” I say, managing to stand up in spite of my metaphorical heart attack.
“Human!” Liollmon yelled out, eyes tearing up a bit, yet holding back the tears, “I declare you worthy of standing by my side! You will come with me and help me become the champion!” he yelled out with impressive bravado.
“Eh?”