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I'm trying something new, cross posting a fic on two forums at the same time. For those who don't know, I have a multiverse anthology collection which I title Across the Siorcverse,this is the third book in that short story collection. You do not need to read those to read this. Anyway, the other two books are Violet Midsummer Phantasm, Periwinkle Springtime Reverie.
These are all basically standalone anthologies that all chronicle different Siorcs across the multiverse. Some are fandom, while others are not. These can be read in any order as they are all just short stories. None of them are connected with one another other than being all collected into this little book. There will be thirteen of them, so enjoy.
At the end of each episode, the artwork of the specific Siorc in the multiverse you are reading will be included.
Some content warnings: Mild cartoon violence, mild crude language, otherwise no other content warnings apply.
A Hyena Coder Turned Digidestined
"Hello there, my name is Siorc Ingne and I'm a hyena chimera!
I'm eighteen years old, and I live in Denmark, I recently graduated, it's now Late June, I'm
Making a digital pet game with flower monsters to raise, such as a
Yucca cat, a rose bunny, and
Not to mention, the best one, a cute sunflower puppy! I
Am hoping to find a toy company over the summer who
Might want to hear my pitch,
Except, I am not exactly a talker.
I added a text to
Speech track to my presentation though if toy companies
Start reaching out to me, but
I doubt they will, guess I'll submit my pitch to everyone
Over the summer, but there's one big
Ridiculous elephant in the room I
Can't not
Address. My mother
Seems to think it'd be a
Perfect idea to send me to summer camp. To that
I say, not happening! I'm eighteen! She's
Ridiculous. She thinks
If she sends me to the summer camp in London, I'll talk to people. And,
Nope, that's not
Going to happen! She
Probably doesn't know this but that camp is
Ran by and mostly attended by humans
Over ninety five percent if I had to
Guess! Humans are
Rancid, the moment I
Accidentally have
My tail stick out, they
Make fun of me every single time!
Every single time, she thinks this is a
Rad adventure for me?
It's not! I don't know why
Mother thinks to think sending
Me here would be
A grand old time, but she
Knows that
I don't like that camp, but
No! Send me anyway,
Go ahead! I
Am going to
Find a way to get out of it, but it's
Likely she won't allow it.
Oh, for the love of, I'm eighteen!
Why do I
Even have to go? This is
Rancid. I'm an adult now!
Maybe I can convince her this will
Obviously ruin my development time. Right, I
Need to finish this
Soon, I am going
To the tech institute at the
End of August! But,
Roar, nope, I am
Pretty sure that won't
Even work if I
Tell her I am
Going to college soon. I
Am not going to convince her at all, I bet.
Mother is an
Especially stubborn in her ways.
But, I have to convince her! But,
Ultimately, I know
That I never will.
Mother, come
On, I am an adult! Okay, I
Might only have become an adult
In the past two months, but
She doesn't care!
Guess I am going to be forced
Over that camp
No matter what, ah
No, if she's stubborn
About sending me, I need to out stubborn her. But, I
Feel like that's
Obviously impossible.
Roar, it's
Completely impossible indeed.
Every year I try, but I am forced to anyway.
My brother, his name is Pira, who is twelve years older than me,
Every single time, he
Tells me, 'you know, kiddo, just go. It'll make our mother happy.'
Obviously, he doesn't
Get it. He hasn't moved
Out because he helps out with
The family business, but he's
Out of touch with
Chimera youth!
Ah well,
Maybe it'll be cancelled!
Please, camp, get cancelled!
It's going to be a
Million degrees anyway,
Everything should be cancelled,
It'll be a scorcher in London. But, I
Guess no one cares.
Haha, I am going
To be forced on the bus
Either way, and
Every single human will as usual, want
Nothing to do with me.
Not like I want anything to do with any
Of them either!
This will
Hinder my programming! I
Am sure mother will take all my chargers again. Ugh, I
Need to prepare myself, I'll
Keep one hidden
Somewhere in my room she will
Never think to look!
Ohoho, that's genius.
This will work this time. I'm not
Going to camp, though.
Oh, please, cancel
It all. I
Never asked for this anyway. I'm not
Going, and that's final!"
Tip, tap, tap, tip, tap, tippity, tap, tap, tap, tappity, toop, tap.
It had been a rather sunny day over the summer skies of Copenhagen, Denmark. The outdoor markets were thriving, the fruits were selling like hot radishes. The young children were outside playing to their heart's content. The early days of Summer Vacation had been full swing across the entirety of Europe. But, for one particular newly emerged adult, the only thing of interest was the screen laid out in front.
Tip, tap, tap, tap, tap, tippity, tap, tap, tap, tappity, toop, tap.
Typing away rapidly at a large two monitored desktop had been a feminine appearing humanoid eighteen year old hyena chimera with long dark purple hair that went down to about the backside. Bangs nearly falling above the eyes, the person moved them away. Ah, man, maybe it was about time to trim these. Nah, that's what happens when sleeping right beside the keyboard, never mind. Mismatched purple and green eyes glued to a graphical display out in front, a frilly white shirt had been wrinkled to oblivion. Checkboard skort with holes all over it, a hyena tail swished from behind.
Tip, tap, tap, tap, tippity, tap, tap, tappity, toop, tap.
Large graphical interface showing a small yellow colored rabbit with with roses decorating it everywhere, the individual opened up a pitch black screen with green text all over it. How should this flower pet be programmed to behave? Ah, timid, right, that would work. After all, rabbits run away from humans and chimeras alike all the time! Better put that in the code.
Tip, tap, tap, tap, tippity, tap, tap, tappity, toop, tap.
Behavioral patterns added, the new adult swiped to the next digital pet creature. Little prickly kitty sprite colored slightly green, the individual placed the finger on the chin. What was needed to be tweaked for this one? Ah, right, the yucca cat needed a few adjustments to some of its battle prowess. The prickly defense wasn't working correctly. Opening up the code, the recent graduate groaned at what waited on the screen.
Multiple errors laid out in the open, the individual was ready to close the console. Why had there been so many errors on this one? If big toy companies see this sloppy job, no one will ever take this idea and run with it! Time to restart this one from scratch. Was this one programmed while half asleep again? Probably, oops. Time to fix that, that's for sure.
Tip, tap, tap, tap, tippity, tap, tap, tappity, toop, tap.
Error. Error. Invalid argument.
Computer screaming, the hyena banged the head upon the desk. Oh, no, what's wrong now? Wait, hold on, why were the battle commands all else if? Probably shouldn't have worked on this one while half asleep. Backspace pressed for what felt like all of eternity, the new adult could feel smoke ready to eat the world alive. Man, there's so many errors in this one. Yucca cat is so not ready for the upcoming alpha test.
Hearing a pesky knock on the other side of the door, the chimera backed up the computer chair. Who could that possibly be this early in the morning? Can't the world see there's much more important things to get done here? Forget getting that, there's coding to be done. Tip, tap, tap, tap, tip, tip, tip.
But, the distraction had only begun to get louder as the seconds paraded around the room. Removing the self from the chair, the chimera grit the teeth. Ugh, can't everyone in this house see the door is closed right now? No? The world sees a closed door and think it's an open invitation to disturb everyone. Sighing, the new adult reached for a notepad.
Bending the door back, an annoying face soon awaited the chimera. Standing at the entrance had been a rather tall humanoid adult male hyena chimera with pine green hair pulled into a high ponytail. Sharp piranha teeth out on display, a tracksuit looked ready to fall apart at any given moment. Blue violet eyes sharp as a tack, the hyena looked away. Why was Pira always awake and raring to go so early in the morning? Even at the ripe age of thirty, nothing will ever slow him down.
"Good morning, kiddo," Pira greeted, tone energetic. "Were you up all night coding again?"
Finger pointed at the monitors, the new adult's left eyebrow twitched. Why did he always have to point at everything? Didn't anyone ever teach him that pointing was rude? No? Guess not. Ugh, what could he possibly want this early in the morning for anyway? He was taking away precious coding time! Pen in hand, the scribbles had begun.
[Yes, I was, does it matter? It's my last summer vacation before I go off to college. Unless, of course, I hit it big and a toy company wants to hear my ideas now.] A written note said.
"Siorc, I hate to burst your bubble, but that's probably not going to happen," Pira said, shaking his head. "I like your enthusiasm, but the moment you present your ideas to a big tech company, they'll expect you to talk about it. And, when you don't, they'll say, 'he wasted our time, get him out of here!' You're not ready for that yet."
Same annoying point brought to his attention, the chimera rolled his eyes. Why does he have to say this every single time for? First of all, he has technology. He can have a text to speech voice read out his slides for him, it's that easy. And, it's not like he had to speak to present his ideas. Besides, CEOs are looking for young people fresh out of high school. Scribbling away, he could feel the dreaded rejection ready to come back for me.
[It's fine, I'll have a text to speech program read out my presentation slides. I did that in school and I still graduated, didn't I? I'm totally ready for the business world. In fact, I might submit my idea today!] A written note said.
"Are you sure you want to do that, kiddo?" Pira asked, tone concerned. "You know, you're going to summer camp in London next week. You're not going to have time for any of that."
Dreaded words bathing him deep, the new adult placed a fist behind his back. No, not that, anywhere but that summer camp in London again. He thought he told mother at least ten times that he was not going back there. It was full of humans! Every single year he were to go, not a single chimera ever attended. Please, don't make him go! Why punish him like this?
Stamping his slipper upon the ground, the recent graduate let out a little hmph. Why should he have to go this year too? He's eighteen, for crying out loud! He's an adult now. He's not a child anymore! Hadn't he aged out of this stupid camp by now? That's right, they definitely only allowed kids from six to seventeen! Which, he's not anymore, by the way. He's staying in his room all summer coding, goodbye.
[What are you talking about, Pira? I'm an adult now. I don't have to go to that summer camp anymore! I've aged out!] A written note cried.
"You know that's not true, and it hasn't been for the past ten years," Pira said, shaking his head. "I'm afraid you won't age out until you're twenty one."
Dreaded words coming his way, the chimera could feel a ball ready to drop down on top of him any second now. Excuse him, what? No way, that couldn't have possibly been true! He had totally aged out by now. Please, tell him Pira's pulling his leg. He's not going to that horrid human polluted summer camp. Not this year, nope.
[Well, she can't make me go! I'm an adult, and I can make my own decisions!] A written paper note cried.
"Pretty sure she already signed you up again," Pira responded, shrugging. "Anyway, we need to head to the market soon. Mother needs us to get a few things."
Usual mother antics tossed his way, the hyena let out a sigh. He swears, mother always forgot a few things at the store on purpose to make him go there! Well, sorry, that's not going to work. He knew her tricks, and he could play them like a fiddle! No, two fiddles. Three? Okay, whatever, his point still stands.
[What does she need us to get this time?] A written note asked.
"The usual, kiddo," Pira said, looking at a shopping list. "Eggs and sausages. She wants us to go to the meat market to get them, and you know she won't take no for an answer."
[Give me twenty minutes.] A written note said.
"Alright, kiddo," Pira responded, looking at his watch. "But, try not to take too long, mother wants to make breakfast at around nine."
[You act like I take six hours to get ready! I'll be done in twenty minutes. Now, can you please go so I can pick out my clothes?] A written note asked, the word go had been circled.
Brother exiting, the new adult let out a sigh. He swore, sometimes Pira was a stand in for father. Why did he always have to be away on a million business trips? Was gathering history from South America all that important? Ah, well, not his problem. Digging through his drawers, he slammed the restroom door shut.
Quick cleansing out the way, the recent graduate held back a screech as he looked in his mirror. No, no, no, why are there blemishes on his face? He didn't give off that sweaty gamer look right about now, did he? Hyena spots glaring daggers at him as well, the concealer had been rubbed on every which way. Ugh, summer camp is going to make him break out all over too, he bet.
Pulling his hair up into two low pigtails, a bright green sundress with sunflowers on it had soon been pulled over his short body. Matching hairpins and earrings clicked on as well, he twirled. Hmm, he could use a little mascara right about now. Such soon applied, he cracked his knuckles. Time to get this dumb shopping trip over with. Black slipons soon eating his feet, he headed off towards the entrance.
"Ready to go, kiddo?" Pira asked.
[Can we make this quick? I'd like to go back to coding.] Words on his phone screen said.
"I don't know, kiddo, it'll probably be a busy morning, but we can try. Let's go." He stepped out the door.
Stepping out in kind, the blazing sun was ready to melt the chimera into a puddle. Since when was late June this sweltering? Someone ought to do something about climate change! But, no! Clearly no one cares about that anymore. Blah, blah, blah, the world is doomed, bloo, bloo, blee, what's the point in trying? Everyone on social media was always acting like that, it's so annoying.
Hearing multiple kids along the way to the meat market blabbering about some magical, digital world, the hyena held back the urge to laugh. The digital world, huh? If only there were a digital world he could escape to instead of going to summer camp, now that would be a dream! But, there was no such thing, was there? Probably not, oh well. He's stuck in this cold, hard, icy world.
Word digital monsters floating around as well, the chimera held back the urge to sigh. A digital world with digital monsters, huh? If only he could go on an adventure with little yucca cat. But, that's never going to happen. There is no digital world. Virtual Reality may have been immersive, but come on now, it wasn't real. Was this what being an adult felt like? Maybe he had lost all his whimsy in life.
Reaching the meat market, a pesky busy world waited for him. Multiple kids tugging their mothers sleeves talking about the digital world over and over again, the new adult tried to keep it together. Why are so many kids talking about this today? Honestly, the VR World had been getting way too immersive. The youth had lost touch with reality. Been there, done that!
Eggs and sausages in the basket, the recent graduate tried to recall. What else did they need again? Pira on the opposite side of the store, he held in the urge to run. When did he tell him they were splitting up? Why did he have to think so hard about that digital world nonsense? Dashing to the back, he huffed a breath.
"No need to rush, kiddo, I was just about to go to the counter with you," Pira said. "Something wrong?"
[Nothing, it's noisy here, that's all.] A written note said.
"Right, well, let's go then." He stepped in front.
Employees glaring daggers at him, the new adult hurried off towards self checkout. Why did mother have to forget the eggs again? All the humans would always stare at his tail when he was out and about! But, no, make Pira and he go out every time she wants them. She forgot them, his behind. Everything placed in the bag, he ran out of the store as fast as possible.
Returning home with time to spare, the chimera placed the eggs and sausage by the stove. Can he just rot in his room and code the rest of the summer? Please. Why can't mother see spending an entire six weeks with those pesky humans will do more harm than good! The second she comes out of her room, he's bringing out the big guns.
Pira screaming they got the eggs and sausage, feet stomped through like a barrel role. Dark purple haired middle aged hyena chimera woman making her grand entrance, those annoying violet eyes locked onto him. Oh, great, here comes mother. She had better not bring up summer camp, he swears to the digital warlords!
"Good morning, boys," his mother greeted. She then turned towards Siorc. "You excited for summer camp next week?"
Wretched words coming his way, the hyena tried with all his might to not let out a whistle of doom. Excuse him, why would he excited to go to that wretched place? He's not going there, and that's final! He thought he told her at least ten times after he graduated he won't be attending that place no matter what! He supposed he had to remind her again, huh? Typing away, he could feel his blood ready to boil.
[Mother, I told you I'm not going to that summer camp! I'm an adult now, and besides, I have to finish coding that digital pet game before I start college! I won't have time for that, what a shame!] Words on his phone screen said.
"Silly Siorc, you know you're auto enrolled!" his mother exclaimed. "You're going. Maybe you'll finally find someone you want to talk to this year."
Demanding tone coming his way, the recent graduate bit his lower lip. Oh, no, she's using that voice again. And, what did she just say? He'll find someone he wants to talk to? Nope, better pronounce him dead instead because that won't happen in a million years! Typing away, he tried to not growl.
[I tell you every year that the entire camp is full of humans! I'm the only chimera there. Please, stop sending me! Can't I go to a coding camp instead? It'll give me some training before I go of to college!] Words on his phone screen said.
"Aww, I'm sure it won't be that bad!" his mother cried. "You say that every year, and you always come home with a huge smile on your face!" She boiled the sausages with a hum, tone whimsical.
Mother bringing up falsehoods, the hyena could feel the defense ready to bounce back. Of course he came home with a smile on his face. He was away from that prison after all! But, no, just pretend that's not the case like always. But, why even bother trying to fight? No matter what he were to say, she'd have something to throw back at him. But, no, he must fight. He's not going, and that's final!
[I'm eighteen, I don't need to go anymore, I'm an adult!] His phone screen said.
"As long as you live under my roof, you live under my rules," his mother said back. "You're going to summer camp whether you like it or not. You can't sit in your room all summer and code, sweetie. You need sunshine."
Sausage and eggs plastered in front of him, the chimera wolfed them down in an instant. He didn't need to listen to her. He'll show her, a toy company will call him up the day he departs for summer camp and he won't be able to go! Haha, suck on that egg, mother! Returning to his room, he typed away. He'll show her, he bets he'll have so many people to present to, he won't even make it to London!
But, none of that happened as the next seven days raced to the finish line. Not a single toy company contacting him, he tried what felt like a million other excuses. He's allergic to the sun. Nope, failed. He just remembered he had a summer job that he took. A laugh in the face. He remembered, he signed up to go to the park and clean it up all summer! F. Pesky day arriving, he nearly stomped out the door.
[You can't make me go! I'm not going on that bus to London!] A handwritten note shouted.
"See you later, kiddo," Pira said waving.
"Bye, sweetie, make a lot of friends this year!" his mother said.
Honk, honk.
Pesky bus tooting its horn, the chimera tossed his shirts across the room. Oops, his tote bag exploded! Guess he can't go to summer camp now, huh? What a shame! Shirts put right back in, his back had been pushed out the door. No, no, no, no! This is not happening right now. He needs to stall, quick!
[Woah, would you look at that? Dad's calling, you'd better pick it up!] A handwritten note shouted.
But, such failed in an instant, bus doors opening his shoulders were locked. White flag waved as the driver gave him dirty looks, he knew. He's not going not win this battle, is he? Pesky wave of doom coming his way again, he had been pushed up thee steps further. Make him trip on the floor while she's at it, why doesn't he?
"See you in six weeks!" his mother exclaimed.
Doors shutting tight, the chimera dragged himself to the furthest seat from the back. Humans already glaring at him pointing disgusted fingers, he leaned in. Ah, great, it's already begun. Please, can they just leave him alone? Creature rumbling, he knew this would be a long six hour ride. Multiple stops filling the creature up quick, the last few seats soon filled up. Please, don't let a human be next to him.
"Ugh, I can't believe mom is making me go to this camp!" a high pitch voice cried. "I told her, no, I don't want to go to London, can't we just go back to Hong Kong already?' But, no! She told me my foreign exchange program can't end unless I go to camp with humans, of all people!"
"You too?" another voice asked.
"Man, same," a third voice said.
Sitting next to him had been a panda girl with bright red hair pulled into two high twintails. Camp shirt crossed out with markers, he tried not to laugh. How he wished he could do that, but his mother dried up all the markers, sigh. Spiky, bubble gum haired girl with a fish tail behind her on the seat on the opposite end, a black haired rabbit girl was next to her, gazing out the window. Eyes soon on him, he reached for a pen and paper.
"Sorry, was I too loud?" the red haired panda girl asked.
"Yeah, like, super loud," another voice on the front seat said.
"Could you can it?" another voice asked.
"Whoops, sorry!" the red haired panda girl cried. "Wow, there sure are a lot of chimeras here this year." She then crooked her head to the person next to her. "Oh, wow, you're a chimera, too? Cool. I thought I was going to be the only one."
"Could you shut your mouth already?" the voice in the seat in front asked.
"Yes, please, shut it," the voice next to them said.
Studying the two heads peeking from the top of the seat, the new adult did a quintuple take. Seated on the left portion had been a tall, tan, feminine appearing person with gazelle horns on the top of their head. Blueish green hair as spiky as ever, their eyes looked ready to explode. Golden haired guy with a snake tail touching the top of the seat, his black eyes were reptilic. Man, there sure were a lot of chimeras here. Scribbling away, he could feel eyes ready to size him up once again.
[Please, could you not say that word out loud? I already have enough eyes on me as it is!] A handwritten note cried.
"Oh, sorry, am I not supposed to say that? Or am I supposed to be ashamed of what I am?" the red haired panda asked. "You need to have more confidence in your heritage, come on!" She pumped her fists as she said such. "By the way, I'm Shenlong. Why don't you tell me all your names? Then I'll be quiet the whole ride!"
"Ugh, I bet you're just saying that to talk more!" the bubble gum pink haired girl cried. "Whatever, I'm Bain. Eighteen, and my mother demanded I go to summer camp, I guess. So, here I am, on my way to London."
"And, I am Shunko," the black haired rabbit girl said. "I, too, am a foreign exchange student. Pleased to meet you." She then lowered her voice into a whisper. "Keep this between us, but I'm only going because I heard that last year, some of the kids got sent to the digital world and went on an adventure with monsters."
"You can't be serious, that's just a legend!" the gazelle horned stranger cried. "But, whatever, I'm Kelebek. Turned nineteen the other day. But, no, I have to go to this stupid camp anyway."
"If introducing myself will make you all shut your mouths, I may as well," the golden haired snake tailed guy said. "I'm Elenk. Don't wear it out."
"And you?" Shenlong asked. "You seem like the quiet type."
Eyes glued to him, the chimera groaned. Did he really have to introduce himself, like come on now. But, he knew if he didn't, this Shenlong girl would talk his ear off for all of eternity. Might as well get it over with before that happens. Scribbling away with all his might, he almost wanted to write down a few questions.
[My name is Siorc. Please don't attract attention to us while at camp, okay?] A written note asked.
"Alright, sorry," Shenlong said, voice lowered. "But, it's not like everyone doesn't know anyway."
Earbuds soon in, the hyena tinkered away on his coding app. Man, this is going to be a long ride, isn't it? Please, don't let the human campers look at him again, he's tired of their stares! Tip tappying away, the little yucca kitty mewed up a storm as he checked the test environments. Ugh, there it goes again. He needed to set a frequency for that to close to zero.
Six hours passing, crusty old London waited for him. Pesky older adult humans demanding everyone get off in an orderly fashion, whispers had come his way again. Please, stop looking at him! He knows, he's a chimera, he's hideous. Stop reminding him every single year! Reaching the end, something peculiar soon happened.
"Chimeras go to the left line, humans go to the right," a loudspeaker squeaked.
Stepping onto the left line, four other chimeras had been out in front. Seeing such, the new adult's eyes wandered. One, two, there was ten including himself? Well, that's new. Gazing at the camp counselors at the front of the line, he did a double take. Hold on a second, were they also chimeras? Is he dreaming right now? Pinch him.
Tall, blond man with golden penguin crests and a white track suit, his hair went down to about his shoulders. Fiery orange eyes looking ready to burn, he had two front teeth sticking out. Why did he feel like he's seen this man on television once or twice before? He didn't know, he hardly watched television, but when he did, mother always switched to the nature channel.
Standing next to him had been a short, dark skinned androgynous jackal person with dark blue hair pulled into a side bun. Fancy looking summer wear over them, they too had orange eyes looking ready to burn. Looking away for a moment, the recent graduate wondered. When did they hire chimera counselors here? Did someone pull the strings for this? Who knows.
"Hello, there, kids, welcome to camp," the jackal person cried. "You can call me Mister Folu."
"And, I am Mister Konig," the penguin man said. "And, you had better all behave yourselves! No sneaking out at night!"
"We're not kids, we're adults!" a high pitched voice up front cried.
"Yeah, we're all like, eighteen and nineteen!" another voice cried. "Totally adults!"
"Mhm, whatever you say!" Mister Konig shouted. "We're taking you to your cabins now. Don't stray off the line!"
Hearing chatter about the digital world again, the hyena's eyes wandered. Could there really have been a digital world out there? But, he shook his head at such. No, of course not, why would there be? That was all made up nonsense anyway! And besides, how would they get there? Thoughts cut off, the cabin had soon been reached.
Only one singular cabin available, the new adult's eyes twitched. Uh, weren't they supposed to separate the men and women? Not that he was either, but even still. Multiple voices asking such question, a dry answer had soon been returned. Take it or leave it? Aren't these two supposed to be the older adults here? Oh, well, best to not argue. Group of ten flocking in, a sight of horror to behold took the stage.
Rotting beds everywhere, the world was ready to shatter. This was the only cabin left? It's full of bugs everywhere! Didn't anyone bother to clean it when camp was closed? Those humans in charge, what was going through their heads? He didn't know, that's for sure. Boots stomping in, he tried to keep it together.
"You all need to be awake by eight every morning," Mister Folu said. "And, every night, we will sit together by the campfire to talk about our days. And, remember, lights out by eleven!"
"Aight, old man, can you go now?" a tenor voice asked.
"Excuse me? I'll have you know I'm only thirty!" Mister Folu cried.
"Cool, can you go now?" Sarcasm was on the air.
Counselors leaving, the hyena shook up a storm. There's even more cockroaches than last year! Great, this is going to be a horrible six weeks. Please, can he blink and it be all over? Taking the bottom bunk on the left side of the room, someone soon screamed on the other side of the room.
"Say, ya'll heard about the digital world, right?" a high pitched voice asked.
"Uh, yeah? What about it?" an alto voice asked.
"Like, yeah, I heard a bit," a soprano voice asked.
"Yes, hon, I have heard of it," a high pitched tenor voice asked. "Why?"
"I heard many kids here have gotten sent to the digital world while at the campfire at night," the high pitch voice called out again. "You think we might get to go next? Between you and me, I only came here 'cause of that rumor. I want to get away from the humans! Don't ya'll?"
Standing in the middle of the room had been a short tan lizard person with light brown hair pulled into a low ponytail. Fancy vest on them, they had long, curled claws. Striped tail behind them, on their left ear had been one earring. Little digital pet toy on their belt, he tried to not sigh dreamily. Maybe he can get this chimera to test out his new game.
Looking around with her face buried in her phone had been a short goat woman with blue green hair that went down to about the end of her neck. Two short pigtails at the top, he almost recognized this chick. Oh, isn't she that streamer, uh, Kylling the Goat? He didn't know, did it matter? Dark brown haired bird man with a high ponytail as well looking rather skeptical, he turned to the last person. Dark skinned panther girl with long sea green hair and a pitch black dress to match, she had a few scars on her face for some reason. She seemed like she was into martial arts, he didn't know why.
"Maybe?" the panther girl asked. "But, you know, that's just a rumor, right?"
"No, it's true, I'm telling you!" the lizard person cried. "You guys should totally read the camp message board from last year!"
"Hon, you know, they could be lying," the bird man said, shaking his head. "Ah, well, since it seems like we'll be together for the next six weeks, why don't we introduce ourselves? I'm Raven. I'm from France. Nice to meet you."
"Really? We're just going to move on from the big reveal?!" the lizard person said. "I'm Velours. And, you'll see! The digital world is real!"
"Digital world this, digital world that!" the blue haired goat cried. "Whatever, name's Kylling, don't wear it out! Ireland, born and raised! And, I'm gonna get a million followers while I'm here!"
"You know they'll probably take your phone away if they see you streaming, right?" the panther girl asked. "I'm Waiola. And, it's not your business where I'm from."
"Woah, you ashamed of your heritage or something?" Shenlong asked. "I'm Shenlong, nice to meet you!"
"Bain, also French, and I'm not going to hide it," Bain greeted.
"I am Shunko, nice to meet you," Shunko greeted. "And, I highly doubt there is a digital world out there, honestly, so let's get along together, okay?"
"Kelebek," Kelebek greeted. "As long as you don't touch my things, I don't care, I'm cool with you guys."
"I'm Elenk, and to save you all the trouble, that quiet dude over there is Siorc," Elenk said, groaning. "Now, can you all shut it and pick your beds? I get the top drawer, by the way! No takebacks!"
Everyone introducing themselves, the new adult shoved his clothes into the bottom drawer. Creepy crawlies climbing out one after another, tears streamed down his face. Ah, no, please, can six weeks be up already? Why didn't he bring some bug spray with him? Too late for that now, he guessed. Everything put away, he plopped himself beneath the covers. Goodnight world.
But, the next evening after boring camp activities ended, the first nighttime campfire had been quite strange. Something flickering every once in awhile, the new adult tried to pass it off as the humans on the other side of the camp lighting sparklers. They did that every year, after all. Marshmallow roasted over the flame, he swore that strange light only grew brighter by the second.
Campfire getting a little fuzzy, the hyena tried to focus. What is this feeling? Why does everything feel so light? Intense blinding light taking over the area, he covered his ears. Is a firework going to eat him alive? Maybe it was. Everyone around him screaming, he kept his mouth shut. Yup, here they come, the sparklers are going to eat him alive.
Crash, splash, sploosh.
Opening his eyes, a beach he had never seen before laid itself out in front of him. Palm trees stuck in the sand, the new adult rubbed his eyes. Huh? Where is he? Is he dreaming? Pinching his wrist, he let out a hiss. Ow! No, he's most certainly awake right now. Where is this? Something's not right.
Little creature with a floppy pink head and tiny green body and a yellow sapling on the top of their head sleeping next to him, he turned at the noise in the corner. Chimera campmates here as well rubbing their sides, a million questions flowed through him. Those fireworks, had they done something? Ah, no, that couldn't have been possible.
"Ugh, where are we?" Shenlong asked, groaning. She then jumped. "Why's this dragon sleeping next to me?!"
Small, light blue dragon with a white underbelly and red horns snuggling up next to Shenlong, the chimera placed his finger on his chin. He's seen this critter before on the digital pet developers forums. Or, had he? Honestly, they looked like a standard monster in a roleplaying game. Wait, hold on a second. Was this? No. Of course not, why would he be in the digital world? Silly him.
"My head hurts," Bain groaned. She then gazed at the water, something locking eyes with her. "Uh, hello there, who are you?"
"Hmm, a creature is looking at you, too?" Shunko asked. "How strange. Uh, hi there, do you know where we are?"
Strange green fish with orange spots on it, the creature had rather pointy teeth. Man, did that thing look rather scary. It didn't eat chimeras, did it? Please, don't let that be the case here, he's not tasty! Little blue tadpole creature looking ready to flop out of the water, the party of two soon put toothy smiles on their face.
"Hi, there, my name is Swimmon," the fish said. "And, I'm your Digimon partner."
"And, I'm Otomamon," the tadpole said. "Are you Shunko?"
Word Digimon dropped out into the open, the hyena turned his attention towards the little sleeping critter next to him. Wait a second, did that fish call itself a Digimon? Did that stand for Digital Monster? He's dreaming right now, right? Pinch him, please, he's definitely in a long, vivid dream right about now.
"Did that thing over there just call itself a Digimon?" Kelebek asked. They then turned towards a cartoony ghost creature with no face and a black hat. "Let me guess, you're a Digimon, too?"
"Yup, yup, name's Soulmon, nice to meetchya!" the ghost monster cried.
"Tell me I'm dreaming, wake me up, please," Elenk groaned. He then turned towards a pink lizard. "Before you say some hero of the universe nonsense, just tell me your name and can it."
"Um, my name is Elizamon," a little pink and blue quadruped lizard creature said. "Eek!"
"See? See? I told you there was a digital world, didn't I?!" Velours cried. "I told you, I all told you!" They then pointed at their Digimon. "This is my partner, Kotemon! Come on, say hello!"
"Hmph," the creature said.
Fencing armor lizard creature looking away, the chimera studied the other three creatures beside everyone else. Red mask wearing flower creature beside Kylling, the new adult could feel a major mismatch. Uh, that definitely doesn't fit, does it? Brown falcon creature with sharp metallic talons beside Raven, he nodded. Those two seem perfect for one another, maybe. Little orange lion critter with a mean look on their face, he turned his attention back towards his own partner. Wake up, please?
"Alright, I guess you were right," Kylling groaned. She then turned towards her partner. "So, what's your name? You wanna become famous with me?"
"Sure, I'm Floramon," Floramon said.
"I must admit, hon, you were right," Raven said, loose hair on the top of his head jiggling. "Your name is Falcomon, I presume? If my boyfriend came to camp with me, he'd be very jealous of you taking my attention."
"Yup, yup, that's right," the falcon creature said.
"And, you are?" Waiola asked in a tired tone. She then sighed. "How do we get home?"
"Liollmon is the name," the little lion creature said. "And, I dunno, when most campers get sent here, they try to look for the Digi King, or something. But, they usually fail and just get sent back early. You'll probably end up like them, I bet."
Shenlong's little dragon soon waking up, the hyena swore the little creature soon puffed fire up a storm. Backing away, the chimera covered his eyes. That dragon, did it just puff out a fireball? Oh, no, oh, no, can someone bring him to the closest exit and send him back to camp? No, Siorc, calm down, it's not like he hasn't seen it before! Keep it cool.
"Hey, that's not true!" the dragon creature shouted. "These kids are the next Digidestined, ya know!"
"Dracomon's right, Liollmon, they're the next Digidestined!" Swimmon exclaimed. "If Lalamon would just wake up, she'd explain." The fish then rose their voice. "Lalamon, wake up, rise and shine!"
Little seedling creature opening their eyes, the chimera studied them for a moment. Small circular pitch black eyes looking slightly fatigued, the information had begun to swim through the new adult's head. Wait, just a second, hold on, hold the phone. Actually, no, hold the digital device attached to his skirt. Excuse him, so, they're all Digidestined? What even is that? Also, second, he's an adult, and not to mention, a chimera, does he even qualify for that? No, probably not. Should he just find a way home? Maybe. Or, maybe not.
"Hmm?" Lalamon asked, yawning. "What's up, Swimmon?"
"The Digidestined are here," Swimmon said.
"Oh, is that all?" Lalamon asked, yawning. "You explain it for me. I'm sleepy."
"Okay, well, you see--" Swimmon started to explain, but a loud hup cut them off.
"No, no need to explain, I think I get it, this is like that anime I watched when I was a little panda kid back in Hong Kong," Shenlong said, hand up in the air. "So, we're the next generation of Digidestined, and together, we need to save the digital world in order to get back home. Did I get that right?"
"Woah! Overzealous much?" Elenk cried.
"Yeah, I'm pretty sure that you overstated our purpose here, man," Bain sighed.
"You sure about that, like, I think we could get a million followers if we act like we're heroes, and stuff!" Kylling cried.
"Is that all you ever think about?" Waiola groaned.
Childhood anime mentioned, the hyena placed his finger on his chin. That show did sound familiar. He recalled watching something like that a few times and thinking he wanted to make a digital pet toy all his own after finishing the whole thing. But, no, that had to have been a coincidence, right? Probably.
"Well, I think that sounds about right, honestly," Raven said. "Falcomon, that is what a Digidestined is, no?"
"Pretty much, yes," Falcomon said. "Man, it's been so long since we've had new Digidestined."
"How long, might I ask?" Shunko asked.
"I asked that already, and they said the last one was twenty years ago," Velours said, swiping their finger across their nose. "So, let's be the best Digidestined this world has ever seen!"
Everyone except Kelebek cheering, the chimera once again gazed at his sleepy partner. Was he really, truly, this Digidestined thing these critters were talking about? Did he really deserve to be called such a thing? Maybe he didn't. Maybe he should try to find a way to get back to camp. Should he say something? He could feel his fingers begin to itch.
"I don't know," Kelebek said, sighing. "Are you really sure we're these Digidestineds they're talking about? Honestly, this is coming off as real fishy, don't you think?"
"We promise you, we're telling the truth," Elizamon said shaking. "You really are the Digidestined, and we need you to save the digital world. Go meet the Digi King if you don't believe us."
"I believe we will do just that!" Kelebek shouted. "Tell us how to get there, ghostie!"
"So, uh, you need to head over to Castle Town," Soulmon said with a whistle. "But, I must warn you, it's a treacherous road."
Other chimera discussing things with their Digimon partner, the new adult turned his attention towards his own. This Lalamon sure slept a lot, huh? Scribbling away, he tried to introduce himself, but he soon erased it as a strange critter came out from the water. Yucca cat army slowly approaching, a shock shot down his spine. Hold on a second, that's the flower monster he was fixing the code for before he left for camp. What's it doing here? Critter walking away, he finished scribbling.
[Hello, Lalamon, I'm Siorc, let's work hard together.] A written note said.
"Okay," Lalamon said, yawning. "I'm Lalamon. Nice to meet you." She then yawned again. "I might be a little slow. Hope you're okay with that, partner."
[Fine with me, take your time.] A written note said.
But, as everyone else had come to know their Digimon, a loud rumble took the stage. Gigantic Yucca cat stomping around on the beach, the new adult wobbled. Where did this big guy come from? Little device glowing on the side of his skirt, he looked towards Lalamon. They should probably fight that thing, right? Ah, no, he hardly ever played games with battling in them aside from playtesting his own! He's done for!
"Oh, no!" Floramon cried. "The big bad Yucca cat is here! Guys, we have to knock it out!"
"Wait, say that again!" Kylling cried. "What is this thing, and how did it get here?"
"We don't know!" Elizamon cried. "One day, a whole ton of foreign monsters started flooding our world! We need your help, Digidestined!"
Yucca cat meowing ever five seconds, the recent graduate's heart leaped. Wait, second, these creatures, they were definitely from his computer. Oh, no, this was all his fault, wasn't it? He doesn't deserve the honor to be called a Digidestined. Should he come clean? Maybe he should before it's too late.
"Meeew, meeeew, meeeew!" the Yucca cat shouted.
"Owie!" Dracomon cried. "That hurt!"
"Dracomon, do that fireball thing you did earlier!" Shenlong cried.
"Okay, Shenlong, I'll do my best!" Dracomon cried. "Fireball!"
Prickly thorny attacks hitting all the other critters, the hyena could feel a ton drop on his back. This is all his fault, isn't it? He's responsible for this, he's the cause for this huge monster. He needs to say something, hurry, say something. Come on, don't be a coward, open up his lips and spill the beans.
But, he couldn't. Lips sealed, he let out a sigh. No, there's no way he could. Besides, who would believe him? No one would, that's for sure. Maybe he should have spent more time tinkering out those bad lines of code before leaving for this summer camp. Too late now, he bets. Oh, no, did he forget to close the terminal before leaving, too? Yup, this is all his fault.
"Swimmon, go for it!" Bain cried.
"I got this, Bain!" Swimmon shouted, jet of water coming at the enemy.
"Otomamon, after you," Shunko said, bowing.
"Okay, here goes," Otomamon said.
"Soulmon, scare them!" Kelebek shouted.
"Boo!" Soulmon screeched.
"I don't care what you do, just do whatever," Elenk said. He then mumbled under his breath, "Unbelievable, why did I have to be wrapped up into this stupid thing?"
"Kotemon, strike with glory!" Velours cried.
"Hmm!" Kotemon cried.
"I got the sky, partner," Falcomon said, flapping upward.
"Okay, hon," Raven said with a smile. He then turned towards Kylling. "Hon, do you really have time to stand around and take selfies?"
"Yup, 'cause we're gonna knock down this kitty in one shot, come on Floramon!" Kylling cried.
"Coming!" Floramon shouted. "Raa!"
"This is stupid, there's no way you're going to win," Liollmon howled.
"You're not even trying," Waiola said, sighing.
"Why should I try? I know you'll all lose." They curled into a ball, snoring away.
Attacks aplenty barely denting the creature, the hyena tried to recall. What weakness did he program into the Yucca cat? Ah, right, water, he almost forgot. Uh, but would that apply here? He was pretty sure in the digital world, weaknesses were rock, paper scissors, or something. Maybe the answer here was teamwork? No, probably not.
Everyone knocked back every which way on repeat, Lalamon soon took the stage. Alright, Siorc, think, think. Ah, wait, he knows now, weren't yucca considered night plants? The sun, that's it! Tapping Lalamon's little shoulder, he knew. That had to have been it. They were a flower, right? Of course, that was the answer. Eyes on him, a head tilt had come his way.
"Yes?" Lalamon asked. "What is it?"
[This monster's probably weak to the sun, can you strike with a solar attack, Lalamon?] A written note asked.
"Sure, I can try," Lalamon said, yawning. As she said such, she flew towards the enemy. "Nut Explosion!"
Sunlight shining down as nuts exploded one after another, the new adult's glowed for a little while as the battle turned into the yucca cat's favor for blows on end. Oh, no, is this it? Is the battle going to end on a sour note? Everyone else's partners looking ready to lose consciousness, he could hear a pained groan up ahead.
"It's no use, they're too strong!" Velours cried.
"I give up, I give up!" Bain cried. "Ugh!"
"It's too early to give up!" Lalamon cried. "We can do this! Everyone, leave it to me!" Floating upward, she soon shouted.
Lalamon Digivolve to.
Device glowing, the seedling critter spun in a circle for a moment. Large sunflower creature with a snaggletooth taking their place, the chimera blinked. Uh, what's digivolving? Did Lalamon just change into something else? Which game did this remind him of again? Ah, no good, he can't seem to remember anymore.
Sunflowmon!
"No fair! Siorc's Digimon evolved already?!" Kylling cried. "I wanted to be the first!"
"Sunshine Beam!" Sunflowmon shouted.
Yucca cat monster meowing in pain, the hyena blinked. So, it really was weak to sunlight, huh? Second and final attack taking the stage as the creature fell, he could feel a spark flow through him. What was that just now? Ah, no, it was probably nothing. At least, nothing important anyway. He shouldn't think too hard about it.
Battle coming to an end, everyone agreed to go meet the Digi King. Sunflowmon walking beside him, he locked eyes with her. Wasn't she supposed to go back to her child form or something? Ah, well, this one was better anyway, he must admit. Leaving the beach behind as everyone prepared for the long trek ahead, he could feel something strange brew inside him.
Maybe he will enjoy summer camp this year.
In the digital world, at least.
Here's Digimon Siorc and Sunflowmon.
Next week is Bandori Siorc, I'm excited 'cause that one's tfemme and proud.
These are all basically standalone anthologies that all chronicle different Siorcs across the multiverse. Some are fandom, while others are not. These can be read in any order as they are all just short stories. None of them are connected with one another other than being all collected into this little book. There will be thirteen of them, so enjoy.
At the end of each episode, the artwork of the specific Siorc in the multiverse you are reading will be included.
Some content warnings: Mild cartoon violence, mild crude language, otherwise no other content warnings apply.
A Hyena Coder Turned Digidestined
"Hello there, my name is Siorc Ingne and I'm a hyena chimera!
I'm eighteen years old, and I live in Denmark, I recently graduated, it's now Late June, I'm
Making a digital pet game with flower monsters to raise, such as a
Yucca cat, a rose bunny, and
Not to mention, the best one, a cute sunflower puppy! I
Am hoping to find a toy company over the summer who
Might want to hear my pitch,
Except, I am not exactly a talker.
I added a text to
Speech track to my presentation though if toy companies
Start reaching out to me, but
I doubt they will, guess I'll submit my pitch to everyone
Over the summer, but there's one big
Ridiculous elephant in the room I
Can't not
Address. My mother
Seems to think it'd be a
Perfect idea to send me to summer camp. To that
I say, not happening! I'm eighteen! She's
Ridiculous. She thinks
If she sends me to the summer camp in London, I'll talk to people. And,
Nope, that's not
Going to happen! She
Probably doesn't know this but that camp is
Ran by and mostly attended by humans
Over ninety five percent if I had to
Guess! Humans are
Rancid, the moment I
Accidentally have
My tail stick out, they
Make fun of me every single time!
Every single time, she thinks this is a
Rad adventure for me?
It's not! I don't know why
Mother thinks to think sending
Me here would be
A grand old time, but she
Knows that
I don't like that camp, but
No! Send me anyway,
Go ahead! I
Am going to
Find a way to get out of it, but it's
Likely she won't allow it.
Oh, for the love of, I'm eighteen!
Why do I
Even have to go? This is
Rancid. I'm an adult now!
Maybe I can convince her this will
Obviously ruin my development time. Right, I
Need to finish this
Soon, I am going
To the tech institute at the
End of August! But,
Roar, nope, I am
Pretty sure that won't
Even work if I
Tell her I am
Going to college soon. I
Am not going to convince her at all, I bet.
Mother is an
Especially stubborn in her ways.
But, I have to convince her! But,
Ultimately, I know
That I never will.
Mother, come
On, I am an adult! Okay, I
Might only have become an adult
In the past two months, but
She doesn't care!
Guess I am going to be forced
Over that camp
No matter what, ah
No, if she's stubborn
About sending me, I need to out stubborn her. But, I
Feel like that's
Obviously impossible.
Roar, it's
Completely impossible indeed.
Every year I try, but I am forced to anyway.
My brother, his name is Pira, who is twelve years older than me,
Every single time, he
Tells me, 'you know, kiddo, just go. It'll make our mother happy.'
Obviously, he doesn't
Get it. He hasn't moved
Out because he helps out with
The family business, but he's
Out of touch with
Chimera youth!
Ah well,
Maybe it'll be cancelled!
Please, camp, get cancelled!
It's going to be a
Million degrees anyway,
Everything should be cancelled,
It'll be a scorcher in London. But, I
Guess no one cares.
Haha, I am going
To be forced on the bus
Either way, and
Every single human will as usual, want
Nothing to do with me.
Not like I want anything to do with any
Of them either!
This will
Hinder my programming! I
Am sure mother will take all my chargers again. Ugh, I
Need to prepare myself, I'll
Keep one hidden
Somewhere in my room she will
Never think to look!
Ohoho, that's genius.
This will work this time. I'm not
Going to camp, though.
Oh, please, cancel
It all. I
Never asked for this anyway. I'm not
Going, and that's final!"
Tip, tap, tap, tip, tap, tippity, tap, tap, tap, tappity, toop, tap.
It had been a rather sunny day over the summer skies of Copenhagen, Denmark. The outdoor markets were thriving, the fruits were selling like hot radishes. The young children were outside playing to their heart's content. The early days of Summer Vacation had been full swing across the entirety of Europe. But, for one particular newly emerged adult, the only thing of interest was the screen laid out in front.
Tip, tap, tap, tap, tap, tippity, tap, tap, tap, tappity, toop, tap.
Typing away rapidly at a large two monitored desktop had been a feminine appearing humanoid eighteen year old hyena chimera with long dark purple hair that went down to about the backside. Bangs nearly falling above the eyes, the person moved them away. Ah, man, maybe it was about time to trim these. Nah, that's what happens when sleeping right beside the keyboard, never mind. Mismatched purple and green eyes glued to a graphical display out in front, a frilly white shirt had been wrinkled to oblivion. Checkboard skort with holes all over it, a hyena tail swished from behind.
Tip, tap, tap, tap, tippity, tap, tap, tappity, toop, tap.
Large graphical interface showing a small yellow colored rabbit with with roses decorating it everywhere, the individual opened up a pitch black screen with green text all over it. How should this flower pet be programmed to behave? Ah, timid, right, that would work. After all, rabbits run away from humans and chimeras alike all the time! Better put that in the code.
Tip, tap, tap, tap, tippity, tap, tap, tappity, toop, tap.
Behavioral patterns added, the new adult swiped to the next digital pet creature. Little prickly kitty sprite colored slightly green, the individual placed the finger on the chin. What was needed to be tweaked for this one? Ah, right, the yucca cat needed a few adjustments to some of its battle prowess. The prickly defense wasn't working correctly. Opening up the code, the recent graduate groaned at what waited on the screen.
Multiple errors laid out in the open, the individual was ready to close the console. Why had there been so many errors on this one? If big toy companies see this sloppy job, no one will ever take this idea and run with it! Time to restart this one from scratch. Was this one programmed while half asleep again? Probably, oops. Time to fix that, that's for sure.
Tip, tap, tap, tap, tippity, tap, tap, tappity, toop, tap.
Error. Error. Invalid argument.
Computer screaming, the hyena banged the head upon the desk. Oh, no, what's wrong now? Wait, hold on, why were the battle commands all else if? Probably shouldn't have worked on this one while half asleep. Backspace pressed for what felt like all of eternity, the new adult could feel smoke ready to eat the world alive. Man, there's so many errors in this one. Yucca cat is so not ready for the upcoming alpha test.
Hearing a pesky knock on the other side of the door, the chimera backed up the computer chair. Who could that possibly be this early in the morning? Can't the world see there's much more important things to get done here? Forget getting that, there's coding to be done. Tip, tap, tap, tap, tip, tip, tip.
But, the distraction had only begun to get louder as the seconds paraded around the room. Removing the self from the chair, the chimera grit the teeth. Ugh, can't everyone in this house see the door is closed right now? No? The world sees a closed door and think it's an open invitation to disturb everyone. Sighing, the new adult reached for a notepad.
Bending the door back, an annoying face soon awaited the chimera. Standing at the entrance had been a rather tall humanoid adult male hyena chimera with pine green hair pulled into a high ponytail. Sharp piranha teeth out on display, a tracksuit looked ready to fall apart at any given moment. Blue violet eyes sharp as a tack, the hyena looked away. Why was Pira always awake and raring to go so early in the morning? Even at the ripe age of thirty, nothing will ever slow him down.
"Good morning, kiddo," Pira greeted, tone energetic. "Were you up all night coding again?"
Finger pointed at the monitors, the new adult's left eyebrow twitched. Why did he always have to point at everything? Didn't anyone ever teach him that pointing was rude? No? Guess not. Ugh, what could he possibly want this early in the morning for anyway? He was taking away precious coding time! Pen in hand, the scribbles had begun.
[Yes, I was, does it matter? It's my last summer vacation before I go off to college. Unless, of course, I hit it big and a toy company wants to hear my ideas now.] A written note said.
"Siorc, I hate to burst your bubble, but that's probably not going to happen," Pira said, shaking his head. "I like your enthusiasm, but the moment you present your ideas to a big tech company, they'll expect you to talk about it. And, when you don't, they'll say, 'he wasted our time, get him out of here!' You're not ready for that yet."
Same annoying point brought to his attention, the chimera rolled his eyes. Why does he have to say this every single time for? First of all, he has technology. He can have a text to speech voice read out his slides for him, it's that easy. And, it's not like he had to speak to present his ideas. Besides, CEOs are looking for young people fresh out of high school. Scribbling away, he could feel the dreaded rejection ready to come back for me.
[It's fine, I'll have a text to speech program read out my presentation slides. I did that in school and I still graduated, didn't I? I'm totally ready for the business world. In fact, I might submit my idea today!] A written note said.
"Are you sure you want to do that, kiddo?" Pira asked, tone concerned. "You know, you're going to summer camp in London next week. You're not going to have time for any of that."
Dreaded words bathing him deep, the new adult placed a fist behind his back. No, not that, anywhere but that summer camp in London again. He thought he told mother at least ten times that he was not going back there. It was full of humans! Every single year he were to go, not a single chimera ever attended. Please, don't make him go! Why punish him like this?
Stamping his slipper upon the ground, the recent graduate let out a little hmph. Why should he have to go this year too? He's eighteen, for crying out loud! He's an adult now. He's not a child anymore! Hadn't he aged out of this stupid camp by now? That's right, they definitely only allowed kids from six to seventeen! Which, he's not anymore, by the way. He's staying in his room all summer coding, goodbye.
[What are you talking about, Pira? I'm an adult now. I don't have to go to that summer camp anymore! I've aged out!] A written note cried.
"You know that's not true, and it hasn't been for the past ten years," Pira said, shaking his head. "I'm afraid you won't age out until you're twenty one."
Dreaded words coming his way, the chimera could feel a ball ready to drop down on top of him any second now. Excuse him, what? No way, that couldn't have possibly been true! He had totally aged out by now. Please, tell him Pira's pulling his leg. He's not going to that horrid human polluted summer camp. Not this year, nope.
[Well, she can't make me go! I'm an adult, and I can make my own decisions!] A written paper note cried.
"Pretty sure she already signed you up again," Pira responded, shrugging. "Anyway, we need to head to the market soon. Mother needs us to get a few things."
Usual mother antics tossed his way, the hyena let out a sigh. He swears, mother always forgot a few things at the store on purpose to make him go there! Well, sorry, that's not going to work. He knew her tricks, and he could play them like a fiddle! No, two fiddles. Three? Okay, whatever, his point still stands.
[What does she need us to get this time?] A written note asked.
"The usual, kiddo," Pira said, looking at a shopping list. "Eggs and sausages. She wants us to go to the meat market to get them, and you know she won't take no for an answer."
[Give me twenty minutes.] A written note said.
"Alright, kiddo," Pira responded, looking at his watch. "But, try not to take too long, mother wants to make breakfast at around nine."
[You act like I take six hours to get ready! I'll be done in twenty minutes. Now, can you please go so I can pick out my clothes?] A written note asked, the word go had been circled.
Brother exiting, the new adult let out a sigh. He swore, sometimes Pira was a stand in for father. Why did he always have to be away on a million business trips? Was gathering history from South America all that important? Ah, well, not his problem. Digging through his drawers, he slammed the restroom door shut.
Quick cleansing out the way, the recent graduate held back a screech as he looked in his mirror. No, no, no, why are there blemishes on his face? He didn't give off that sweaty gamer look right about now, did he? Hyena spots glaring daggers at him as well, the concealer had been rubbed on every which way. Ugh, summer camp is going to make him break out all over too, he bet.
Pulling his hair up into two low pigtails, a bright green sundress with sunflowers on it had soon been pulled over his short body. Matching hairpins and earrings clicked on as well, he twirled. Hmm, he could use a little mascara right about now. Such soon applied, he cracked his knuckles. Time to get this dumb shopping trip over with. Black slipons soon eating his feet, he headed off towards the entrance.
"Ready to go, kiddo?" Pira asked.
[Can we make this quick? I'd like to go back to coding.] Words on his phone screen said.
"I don't know, kiddo, it'll probably be a busy morning, but we can try. Let's go." He stepped out the door.
Stepping out in kind, the blazing sun was ready to melt the chimera into a puddle. Since when was late June this sweltering? Someone ought to do something about climate change! But, no! Clearly no one cares about that anymore. Blah, blah, blah, the world is doomed, bloo, bloo, blee, what's the point in trying? Everyone on social media was always acting like that, it's so annoying.
Hearing multiple kids along the way to the meat market blabbering about some magical, digital world, the hyena held back the urge to laugh. The digital world, huh? If only there were a digital world he could escape to instead of going to summer camp, now that would be a dream! But, there was no such thing, was there? Probably not, oh well. He's stuck in this cold, hard, icy world.
Word digital monsters floating around as well, the chimera held back the urge to sigh. A digital world with digital monsters, huh? If only he could go on an adventure with little yucca cat. But, that's never going to happen. There is no digital world. Virtual Reality may have been immersive, but come on now, it wasn't real. Was this what being an adult felt like? Maybe he had lost all his whimsy in life.
Reaching the meat market, a pesky busy world waited for him. Multiple kids tugging their mothers sleeves talking about the digital world over and over again, the new adult tried to keep it together. Why are so many kids talking about this today? Honestly, the VR World had been getting way too immersive. The youth had lost touch with reality. Been there, done that!
Eggs and sausages in the basket, the recent graduate tried to recall. What else did they need again? Pira on the opposite side of the store, he held in the urge to run. When did he tell him they were splitting up? Why did he have to think so hard about that digital world nonsense? Dashing to the back, he huffed a breath.
"No need to rush, kiddo, I was just about to go to the counter with you," Pira said. "Something wrong?"
[Nothing, it's noisy here, that's all.] A written note said.
"Right, well, let's go then." He stepped in front.
Employees glaring daggers at him, the new adult hurried off towards self checkout. Why did mother have to forget the eggs again? All the humans would always stare at his tail when he was out and about! But, no, make Pira and he go out every time she wants them. She forgot them, his behind. Everything placed in the bag, he ran out of the store as fast as possible.
Returning home with time to spare, the chimera placed the eggs and sausage by the stove. Can he just rot in his room and code the rest of the summer? Please. Why can't mother see spending an entire six weeks with those pesky humans will do more harm than good! The second she comes out of her room, he's bringing out the big guns.
Pira screaming they got the eggs and sausage, feet stomped through like a barrel role. Dark purple haired middle aged hyena chimera woman making her grand entrance, those annoying violet eyes locked onto him. Oh, great, here comes mother. She had better not bring up summer camp, he swears to the digital warlords!
"Good morning, boys," his mother greeted. She then turned towards Siorc. "You excited for summer camp next week?"
Wretched words coming his way, the hyena tried with all his might to not let out a whistle of doom. Excuse him, why would he excited to go to that wretched place? He's not going there, and that's final! He thought he told her at least ten times after he graduated he won't be attending that place no matter what! He supposed he had to remind her again, huh? Typing away, he could feel his blood ready to boil.
[Mother, I told you I'm not going to that summer camp! I'm an adult now, and besides, I have to finish coding that digital pet game before I start college! I won't have time for that, what a shame!] Words on his phone screen said.
"Silly Siorc, you know you're auto enrolled!" his mother exclaimed. "You're going. Maybe you'll finally find someone you want to talk to this year."
Demanding tone coming his way, the recent graduate bit his lower lip. Oh, no, she's using that voice again. And, what did she just say? He'll find someone he wants to talk to? Nope, better pronounce him dead instead because that won't happen in a million years! Typing away, he tried to not growl.
[I tell you every year that the entire camp is full of humans! I'm the only chimera there. Please, stop sending me! Can't I go to a coding camp instead? It'll give me some training before I go of to college!] Words on his phone screen said.
"Aww, I'm sure it won't be that bad!" his mother cried. "You say that every year, and you always come home with a huge smile on your face!" She boiled the sausages with a hum, tone whimsical.
Mother bringing up falsehoods, the hyena could feel the defense ready to bounce back. Of course he came home with a smile on his face. He was away from that prison after all! But, no, just pretend that's not the case like always. But, why even bother trying to fight? No matter what he were to say, she'd have something to throw back at him. But, no, he must fight. He's not going, and that's final!
[I'm eighteen, I don't need to go anymore, I'm an adult!] His phone screen said.
"As long as you live under my roof, you live under my rules," his mother said back. "You're going to summer camp whether you like it or not. You can't sit in your room all summer and code, sweetie. You need sunshine."
Sausage and eggs plastered in front of him, the chimera wolfed them down in an instant. He didn't need to listen to her. He'll show her, a toy company will call him up the day he departs for summer camp and he won't be able to go! Haha, suck on that egg, mother! Returning to his room, he typed away. He'll show her, he bets he'll have so many people to present to, he won't even make it to London!
But, none of that happened as the next seven days raced to the finish line. Not a single toy company contacting him, he tried what felt like a million other excuses. He's allergic to the sun. Nope, failed. He just remembered he had a summer job that he took. A laugh in the face. He remembered, he signed up to go to the park and clean it up all summer! F. Pesky day arriving, he nearly stomped out the door.
[You can't make me go! I'm not going on that bus to London!] A handwritten note shouted.
"See you later, kiddo," Pira said waving.
"Bye, sweetie, make a lot of friends this year!" his mother said.
Honk, honk.
Pesky bus tooting its horn, the chimera tossed his shirts across the room. Oops, his tote bag exploded! Guess he can't go to summer camp now, huh? What a shame! Shirts put right back in, his back had been pushed out the door. No, no, no, no! This is not happening right now. He needs to stall, quick!
[Woah, would you look at that? Dad's calling, you'd better pick it up!] A handwritten note shouted.
But, such failed in an instant, bus doors opening his shoulders were locked. White flag waved as the driver gave him dirty looks, he knew. He's not going not win this battle, is he? Pesky wave of doom coming his way again, he had been pushed up thee steps further. Make him trip on the floor while she's at it, why doesn't he?
"See you in six weeks!" his mother exclaimed.
Doors shutting tight, the chimera dragged himself to the furthest seat from the back. Humans already glaring at him pointing disgusted fingers, he leaned in. Ah, great, it's already begun. Please, can they just leave him alone? Creature rumbling, he knew this would be a long six hour ride. Multiple stops filling the creature up quick, the last few seats soon filled up. Please, don't let a human be next to him.
"Ugh, I can't believe mom is making me go to this camp!" a high pitch voice cried. "I told her, no, I don't want to go to London, can't we just go back to Hong Kong already?' But, no! She told me my foreign exchange program can't end unless I go to camp with humans, of all people!"
"You too?" another voice asked.
"Man, same," a third voice said.
Sitting next to him had been a panda girl with bright red hair pulled into two high twintails. Camp shirt crossed out with markers, he tried not to laugh. How he wished he could do that, but his mother dried up all the markers, sigh. Spiky, bubble gum haired girl with a fish tail behind her on the seat on the opposite end, a black haired rabbit girl was next to her, gazing out the window. Eyes soon on him, he reached for a pen and paper.
"Sorry, was I too loud?" the red haired panda girl asked.
"Yeah, like, super loud," another voice on the front seat said.
"Could you can it?" another voice asked.
"Whoops, sorry!" the red haired panda girl cried. "Wow, there sure are a lot of chimeras here this year." She then crooked her head to the person next to her. "Oh, wow, you're a chimera, too? Cool. I thought I was going to be the only one."
"Could you shut your mouth already?" the voice in the seat in front asked.
"Yes, please, shut it," the voice next to them said.
Studying the two heads peeking from the top of the seat, the new adult did a quintuple take. Seated on the left portion had been a tall, tan, feminine appearing person with gazelle horns on the top of their head. Blueish green hair as spiky as ever, their eyes looked ready to explode. Golden haired guy with a snake tail touching the top of the seat, his black eyes were reptilic. Man, there sure were a lot of chimeras here. Scribbling away, he could feel eyes ready to size him up once again.
[Please, could you not say that word out loud? I already have enough eyes on me as it is!] A handwritten note cried.
"Oh, sorry, am I not supposed to say that? Or am I supposed to be ashamed of what I am?" the red haired panda asked. "You need to have more confidence in your heritage, come on!" She pumped her fists as she said such. "By the way, I'm Shenlong. Why don't you tell me all your names? Then I'll be quiet the whole ride!"
"Ugh, I bet you're just saying that to talk more!" the bubble gum pink haired girl cried. "Whatever, I'm Bain. Eighteen, and my mother demanded I go to summer camp, I guess. So, here I am, on my way to London."
"And, I am Shunko," the black haired rabbit girl said. "I, too, am a foreign exchange student. Pleased to meet you." She then lowered her voice into a whisper. "Keep this between us, but I'm only going because I heard that last year, some of the kids got sent to the digital world and went on an adventure with monsters."
"You can't be serious, that's just a legend!" the gazelle horned stranger cried. "But, whatever, I'm Kelebek. Turned nineteen the other day. But, no, I have to go to this stupid camp anyway."
"If introducing myself will make you all shut your mouths, I may as well," the golden haired snake tailed guy said. "I'm Elenk. Don't wear it out."
"And you?" Shenlong asked. "You seem like the quiet type."
Eyes glued to him, the chimera groaned. Did he really have to introduce himself, like come on now. But, he knew if he didn't, this Shenlong girl would talk his ear off for all of eternity. Might as well get it over with before that happens. Scribbling away with all his might, he almost wanted to write down a few questions.
[My name is Siorc. Please don't attract attention to us while at camp, okay?] A written note asked.
"Alright, sorry," Shenlong said, voice lowered. "But, it's not like everyone doesn't know anyway."
Earbuds soon in, the hyena tinkered away on his coding app. Man, this is going to be a long ride, isn't it? Please, don't let the human campers look at him again, he's tired of their stares! Tip tappying away, the little yucca kitty mewed up a storm as he checked the test environments. Ugh, there it goes again. He needed to set a frequency for that to close to zero.
Six hours passing, crusty old London waited for him. Pesky older adult humans demanding everyone get off in an orderly fashion, whispers had come his way again. Please, stop looking at him! He knows, he's a chimera, he's hideous. Stop reminding him every single year! Reaching the end, something peculiar soon happened.
"Chimeras go to the left line, humans go to the right," a loudspeaker squeaked.
Stepping onto the left line, four other chimeras had been out in front. Seeing such, the new adult's eyes wandered. One, two, there was ten including himself? Well, that's new. Gazing at the camp counselors at the front of the line, he did a double take. Hold on a second, were they also chimeras? Is he dreaming right now? Pinch him.
Tall, blond man with golden penguin crests and a white track suit, his hair went down to about his shoulders. Fiery orange eyes looking ready to burn, he had two front teeth sticking out. Why did he feel like he's seen this man on television once or twice before? He didn't know, he hardly watched television, but when he did, mother always switched to the nature channel.
Standing next to him had been a short, dark skinned androgynous jackal person with dark blue hair pulled into a side bun. Fancy looking summer wear over them, they too had orange eyes looking ready to burn. Looking away for a moment, the recent graduate wondered. When did they hire chimera counselors here? Did someone pull the strings for this? Who knows.
"Hello, there, kids, welcome to camp," the jackal person cried. "You can call me Mister Folu."
"And, I am Mister Konig," the penguin man said. "And, you had better all behave yourselves! No sneaking out at night!"
"We're not kids, we're adults!" a high pitched voice up front cried.
"Yeah, we're all like, eighteen and nineteen!" another voice cried. "Totally adults!"
"Mhm, whatever you say!" Mister Konig shouted. "We're taking you to your cabins now. Don't stray off the line!"
Hearing chatter about the digital world again, the hyena's eyes wandered. Could there really have been a digital world out there? But, he shook his head at such. No, of course not, why would there be? That was all made up nonsense anyway! And besides, how would they get there? Thoughts cut off, the cabin had soon been reached.
Only one singular cabin available, the new adult's eyes twitched. Uh, weren't they supposed to separate the men and women? Not that he was either, but even still. Multiple voices asking such question, a dry answer had soon been returned. Take it or leave it? Aren't these two supposed to be the older adults here? Oh, well, best to not argue. Group of ten flocking in, a sight of horror to behold took the stage.
Rotting beds everywhere, the world was ready to shatter. This was the only cabin left? It's full of bugs everywhere! Didn't anyone bother to clean it when camp was closed? Those humans in charge, what was going through their heads? He didn't know, that's for sure. Boots stomping in, he tried to keep it together.
"You all need to be awake by eight every morning," Mister Folu said. "And, every night, we will sit together by the campfire to talk about our days. And, remember, lights out by eleven!"
"Aight, old man, can you go now?" a tenor voice asked.
"Excuse me? I'll have you know I'm only thirty!" Mister Folu cried.
"Cool, can you go now?" Sarcasm was on the air.
Counselors leaving, the hyena shook up a storm. There's even more cockroaches than last year! Great, this is going to be a horrible six weeks. Please, can he blink and it be all over? Taking the bottom bunk on the left side of the room, someone soon screamed on the other side of the room.
"Say, ya'll heard about the digital world, right?" a high pitched voice asked.
"Uh, yeah? What about it?" an alto voice asked.
"Like, yeah, I heard a bit," a soprano voice asked.
"Yes, hon, I have heard of it," a high pitched tenor voice asked. "Why?"
"I heard many kids here have gotten sent to the digital world while at the campfire at night," the high pitch voice called out again. "You think we might get to go next? Between you and me, I only came here 'cause of that rumor. I want to get away from the humans! Don't ya'll?"
Standing in the middle of the room had been a short tan lizard person with light brown hair pulled into a low ponytail. Fancy vest on them, they had long, curled claws. Striped tail behind them, on their left ear had been one earring. Little digital pet toy on their belt, he tried to not sigh dreamily. Maybe he can get this chimera to test out his new game.
Looking around with her face buried in her phone had been a short goat woman with blue green hair that went down to about the end of her neck. Two short pigtails at the top, he almost recognized this chick. Oh, isn't she that streamer, uh, Kylling the Goat? He didn't know, did it matter? Dark brown haired bird man with a high ponytail as well looking rather skeptical, he turned to the last person. Dark skinned panther girl with long sea green hair and a pitch black dress to match, she had a few scars on her face for some reason. She seemed like she was into martial arts, he didn't know why.
"Maybe?" the panther girl asked. "But, you know, that's just a rumor, right?"
"No, it's true, I'm telling you!" the lizard person cried. "You guys should totally read the camp message board from last year!"
"Hon, you know, they could be lying," the bird man said, shaking his head. "Ah, well, since it seems like we'll be together for the next six weeks, why don't we introduce ourselves? I'm Raven. I'm from France. Nice to meet you."
"Really? We're just going to move on from the big reveal?!" the lizard person said. "I'm Velours. And, you'll see! The digital world is real!"
"Digital world this, digital world that!" the blue haired goat cried. "Whatever, name's Kylling, don't wear it out! Ireland, born and raised! And, I'm gonna get a million followers while I'm here!"
"You know they'll probably take your phone away if they see you streaming, right?" the panther girl asked. "I'm Waiola. And, it's not your business where I'm from."
"Woah, you ashamed of your heritage or something?" Shenlong asked. "I'm Shenlong, nice to meet you!"
"Bain, also French, and I'm not going to hide it," Bain greeted.
"I am Shunko, nice to meet you," Shunko greeted. "And, I highly doubt there is a digital world out there, honestly, so let's get along together, okay?"
"Kelebek," Kelebek greeted. "As long as you don't touch my things, I don't care, I'm cool with you guys."
"I'm Elenk, and to save you all the trouble, that quiet dude over there is Siorc," Elenk said, groaning. "Now, can you all shut it and pick your beds? I get the top drawer, by the way! No takebacks!"
Everyone introducing themselves, the new adult shoved his clothes into the bottom drawer. Creepy crawlies climbing out one after another, tears streamed down his face. Ah, no, please, can six weeks be up already? Why didn't he bring some bug spray with him? Too late for that now, he guessed. Everything put away, he plopped himself beneath the covers. Goodnight world.
But, the next evening after boring camp activities ended, the first nighttime campfire had been quite strange. Something flickering every once in awhile, the new adult tried to pass it off as the humans on the other side of the camp lighting sparklers. They did that every year, after all. Marshmallow roasted over the flame, he swore that strange light only grew brighter by the second.
Campfire getting a little fuzzy, the hyena tried to focus. What is this feeling? Why does everything feel so light? Intense blinding light taking over the area, he covered his ears. Is a firework going to eat him alive? Maybe it was. Everyone around him screaming, he kept his mouth shut. Yup, here they come, the sparklers are going to eat him alive.
Crash, splash, sploosh.
Opening his eyes, a beach he had never seen before laid itself out in front of him. Palm trees stuck in the sand, the new adult rubbed his eyes. Huh? Where is he? Is he dreaming? Pinching his wrist, he let out a hiss. Ow! No, he's most certainly awake right now. Where is this? Something's not right.
Little creature with a floppy pink head and tiny green body and a yellow sapling on the top of their head sleeping next to him, he turned at the noise in the corner. Chimera campmates here as well rubbing their sides, a million questions flowed through him. Those fireworks, had they done something? Ah, no, that couldn't have been possible.
"Ugh, where are we?" Shenlong asked, groaning. She then jumped. "Why's this dragon sleeping next to me?!"
Small, light blue dragon with a white underbelly and red horns snuggling up next to Shenlong, the chimera placed his finger on his chin. He's seen this critter before on the digital pet developers forums. Or, had he? Honestly, they looked like a standard monster in a roleplaying game. Wait, hold on a second. Was this? No. Of course not, why would he be in the digital world? Silly him.
"My head hurts," Bain groaned. She then gazed at the water, something locking eyes with her. "Uh, hello there, who are you?"
"Hmm, a creature is looking at you, too?" Shunko asked. "How strange. Uh, hi there, do you know where we are?"
Strange green fish with orange spots on it, the creature had rather pointy teeth. Man, did that thing look rather scary. It didn't eat chimeras, did it? Please, don't let that be the case here, he's not tasty! Little blue tadpole creature looking ready to flop out of the water, the party of two soon put toothy smiles on their face.
"Hi, there, my name is Swimmon," the fish said. "And, I'm your Digimon partner."
"And, I'm Otomamon," the tadpole said. "Are you Shunko?"
Word Digimon dropped out into the open, the hyena turned his attention towards the little sleeping critter next to him. Wait a second, did that fish call itself a Digimon? Did that stand for Digital Monster? He's dreaming right now, right? Pinch him, please, he's definitely in a long, vivid dream right about now.
"Did that thing over there just call itself a Digimon?" Kelebek asked. They then turned towards a cartoony ghost creature with no face and a black hat. "Let me guess, you're a Digimon, too?"
"Yup, yup, name's Soulmon, nice to meetchya!" the ghost monster cried.
"Tell me I'm dreaming, wake me up, please," Elenk groaned. He then turned towards a pink lizard. "Before you say some hero of the universe nonsense, just tell me your name and can it."
"Um, my name is Elizamon," a little pink and blue quadruped lizard creature said. "Eek!"
"See? See? I told you there was a digital world, didn't I?!" Velours cried. "I told you, I all told you!" They then pointed at their Digimon. "This is my partner, Kotemon! Come on, say hello!"
"Hmph," the creature said.
Fencing armor lizard creature looking away, the chimera studied the other three creatures beside everyone else. Red mask wearing flower creature beside Kylling, the new adult could feel a major mismatch. Uh, that definitely doesn't fit, does it? Brown falcon creature with sharp metallic talons beside Raven, he nodded. Those two seem perfect for one another, maybe. Little orange lion critter with a mean look on their face, he turned his attention back towards his own partner. Wake up, please?
"Alright, I guess you were right," Kylling groaned. She then turned towards her partner. "So, what's your name? You wanna become famous with me?"
"Sure, I'm Floramon," Floramon said.
"I must admit, hon, you were right," Raven said, loose hair on the top of his head jiggling. "Your name is Falcomon, I presume? If my boyfriend came to camp with me, he'd be very jealous of you taking my attention."
"Yup, yup, that's right," the falcon creature said.
"And, you are?" Waiola asked in a tired tone. She then sighed. "How do we get home?"
"Liollmon is the name," the little lion creature said. "And, I dunno, when most campers get sent here, they try to look for the Digi King, or something. But, they usually fail and just get sent back early. You'll probably end up like them, I bet."
Shenlong's little dragon soon waking up, the hyena swore the little creature soon puffed fire up a storm. Backing away, the chimera covered his eyes. That dragon, did it just puff out a fireball? Oh, no, oh, no, can someone bring him to the closest exit and send him back to camp? No, Siorc, calm down, it's not like he hasn't seen it before! Keep it cool.
"Hey, that's not true!" the dragon creature shouted. "These kids are the next Digidestined, ya know!"
"Dracomon's right, Liollmon, they're the next Digidestined!" Swimmon exclaimed. "If Lalamon would just wake up, she'd explain." The fish then rose their voice. "Lalamon, wake up, rise and shine!"
Little seedling creature opening their eyes, the chimera studied them for a moment. Small circular pitch black eyes looking slightly fatigued, the information had begun to swim through the new adult's head. Wait, just a second, hold on, hold the phone. Actually, no, hold the digital device attached to his skirt. Excuse him, so, they're all Digidestined? What even is that? Also, second, he's an adult, and not to mention, a chimera, does he even qualify for that? No, probably not. Should he just find a way home? Maybe. Or, maybe not.
"Hmm?" Lalamon asked, yawning. "What's up, Swimmon?"
"The Digidestined are here," Swimmon said.
"Oh, is that all?" Lalamon asked, yawning. "You explain it for me. I'm sleepy."
"Okay, well, you see--" Swimmon started to explain, but a loud hup cut them off.
"No, no need to explain, I think I get it, this is like that anime I watched when I was a little panda kid back in Hong Kong," Shenlong said, hand up in the air. "So, we're the next generation of Digidestined, and together, we need to save the digital world in order to get back home. Did I get that right?"
"Woah! Overzealous much?" Elenk cried.
"Yeah, I'm pretty sure that you overstated our purpose here, man," Bain sighed.
"You sure about that, like, I think we could get a million followers if we act like we're heroes, and stuff!" Kylling cried.
"Is that all you ever think about?" Waiola groaned.
Childhood anime mentioned, the hyena placed his finger on his chin. That show did sound familiar. He recalled watching something like that a few times and thinking he wanted to make a digital pet toy all his own after finishing the whole thing. But, no, that had to have been a coincidence, right? Probably.
"Well, I think that sounds about right, honestly," Raven said. "Falcomon, that is what a Digidestined is, no?"
"Pretty much, yes," Falcomon said. "Man, it's been so long since we've had new Digidestined."
"How long, might I ask?" Shunko asked.
"I asked that already, and they said the last one was twenty years ago," Velours said, swiping their finger across their nose. "So, let's be the best Digidestined this world has ever seen!"
Everyone except Kelebek cheering, the chimera once again gazed at his sleepy partner. Was he really, truly, this Digidestined thing these critters were talking about? Did he really deserve to be called such a thing? Maybe he didn't. Maybe he should try to find a way to get back to camp. Should he say something? He could feel his fingers begin to itch.
"I don't know," Kelebek said, sighing. "Are you really sure we're these Digidestineds they're talking about? Honestly, this is coming off as real fishy, don't you think?"
"We promise you, we're telling the truth," Elizamon said shaking. "You really are the Digidestined, and we need you to save the digital world. Go meet the Digi King if you don't believe us."
"I believe we will do just that!" Kelebek shouted. "Tell us how to get there, ghostie!"
"So, uh, you need to head over to Castle Town," Soulmon said with a whistle. "But, I must warn you, it's a treacherous road."
Other chimera discussing things with their Digimon partner, the new adult turned his attention towards his own. This Lalamon sure slept a lot, huh? Scribbling away, he tried to introduce himself, but he soon erased it as a strange critter came out from the water. Yucca cat army slowly approaching, a shock shot down his spine. Hold on a second, that's the flower monster he was fixing the code for before he left for camp. What's it doing here? Critter walking away, he finished scribbling.
[Hello, Lalamon, I'm Siorc, let's work hard together.] A written note said.
"Okay," Lalamon said, yawning. "I'm Lalamon. Nice to meet you." She then yawned again. "I might be a little slow. Hope you're okay with that, partner."
[Fine with me, take your time.] A written note said.
But, as everyone else had come to know their Digimon, a loud rumble took the stage. Gigantic Yucca cat stomping around on the beach, the new adult wobbled. Where did this big guy come from? Little device glowing on the side of his skirt, he looked towards Lalamon. They should probably fight that thing, right? Ah, no, he hardly ever played games with battling in them aside from playtesting his own! He's done for!
"Oh, no!" Floramon cried. "The big bad Yucca cat is here! Guys, we have to knock it out!"
"Wait, say that again!" Kylling cried. "What is this thing, and how did it get here?"
"We don't know!" Elizamon cried. "One day, a whole ton of foreign monsters started flooding our world! We need your help, Digidestined!"
Yucca cat meowing ever five seconds, the recent graduate's heart leaped. Wait, second, these creatures, they were definitely from his computer. Oh, no, this was all his fault, wasn't it? He doesn't deserve the honor to be called a Digidestined. Should he come clean? Maybe he should before it's too late.
"Meeew, meeeew, meeeew!" the Yucca cat shouted.
"Owie!" Dracomon cried. "That hurt!"
"Dracomon, do that fireball thing you did earlier!" Shenlong cried.
"Okay, Shenlong, I'll do my best!" Dracomon cried. "Fireball!"
Prickly thorny attacks hitting all the other critters, the hyena could feel a ton drop on his back. This is all his fault, isn't it? He's responsible for this, he's the cause for this huge monster. He needs to say something, hurry, say something. Come on, don't be a coward, open up his lips and spill the beans.
But, he couldn't. Lips sealed, he let out a sigh. No, there's no way he could. Besides, who would believe him? No one would, that's for sure. Maybe he should have spent more time tinkering out those bad lines of code before leaving for this summer camp. Too late now, he bets. Oh, no, did he forget to close the terminal before leaving, too? Yup, this is all his fault.
"Swimmon, go for it!" Bain cried.
"I got this, Bain!" Swimmon shouted, jet of water coming at the enemy.
"Otomamon, after you," Shunko said, bowing.
"Okay, here goes," Otomamon said.
"Soulmon, scare them!" Kelebek shouted.
"Boo!" Soulmon screeched.
"I don't care what you do, just do whatever," Elenk said. He then mumbled under his breath, "Unbelievable, why did I have to be wrapped up into this stupid thing?"
"Kotemon, strike with glory!" Velours cried.
"Hmm!" Kotemon cried.
"I got the sky, partner," Falcomon said, flapping upward.
"Okay, hon," Raven said with a smile. He then turned towards Kylling. "Hon, do you really have time to stand around and take selfies?"
"Yup, 'cause we're gonna knock down this kitty in one shot, come on Floramon!" Kylling cried.
"Coming!" Floramon shouted. "Raa!"
"This is stupid, there's no way you're going to win," Liollmon howled.
"You're not even trying," Waiola said, sighing.
"Why should I try? I know you'll all lose." They curled into a ball, snoring away.
Attacks aplenty barely denting the creature, the hyena tried to recall. What weakness did he program into the Yucca cat? Ah, right, water, he almost forgot. Uh, but would that apply here? He was pretty sure in the digital world, weaknesses were rock, paper scissors, or something. Maybe the answer here was teamwork? No, probably not.
Everyone knocked back every which way on repeat, Lalamon soon took the stage. Alright, Siorc, think, think. Ah, wait, he knows now, weren't yucca considered night plants? The sun, that's it! Tapping Lalamon's little shoulder, he knew. That had to have been it. They were a flower, right? Of course, that was the answer. Eyes on him, a head tilt had come his way.
"Yes?" Lalamon asked. "What is it?"
[This monster's probably weak to the sun, can you strike with a solar attack, Lalamon?] A written note asked.
"Sure, I can try," Lalamon said, yawning. As she said such, she flew towards the enemy. "Nut Explosion!"
Sunlight shining down as nuts exploded one after another, the new adult's glowed for a little while as the battle turned into the yucca cat's favor for blows on end. Oh, no, is this it? Is the battle going to end on a sour note? Everyone else's partners looking ready to lose consciousness, he could hear a pained groan up ahead.
"It's no use, they're too strong!" Velours cried.
"I give up, I give up!" Bain cried. "Ugh!"
"It's too early to give up!" Lalamon cried. "We can do this! Everyone, leave it to me!" Floating upward, she soon shouted.
Lalamon Digivolve to.
Device glowing, the seedling critter spun in a circle for a moment. Large sunflower creature with a snaggletooth taking their place, the chimera blinked. Uh, what's digivolving? Did Lalamon just change into something else? Which game did this remind him of again? Ah, no good, he can't seem to remember anymore.
Sunflowmon!
"No fair! Siorc's Digimon evolved already?!" Kylling cried. "I wanted to be the first!"
"Sunshine Beam!" Sunflowmon shouted.
Yucca cat monster meowing in pain, the hyena blinked. So, it really was weak to sunlight, huh? Second and final attack taking the stage as the creature fell, he could feel a spark flow through him. What was that just now? Ah, no, it was probably nothing. At least, nothing important anyway. He shouldn't think too hard about it.
Battle coming to an end, everyone agreed to go meet the Digi King. Sunflowmon walking beside him, he locked eyes with her. Wasn't she supposed to go back to her child form or something? Ah, well, this one was better anyway, he must admit. Leaving the beach behind as everyone prepared for the long trek ahead, he could feel something strange brew inside him.
Maybe he will enjoy summer camp this year.
In the digital world, at least.
Here's Digimon Siorc and Sunflowmon.
Next week is Bandori Siorc, I'm excited 'cause that one's tfemme and proud.
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