Project IC2

by IRQ17

Take a small human society trying to function in the Digital World after two fights that nearly destroyed it, add eighteen long - lost digivices with the power to end the world, a mysterious, dark organisation trying to take over said world in more than one way and a bunch of imperfect misfits trying to fix everything when literally everybody is after them. Yeah. Sounds like a fun.

4. The factory

PROJECT IC 2

Tome 1. The Data Thief.

Arc 1. Mon in Black.

Chapter 4. The Factory.

Thorin stood up slowly with a sigh. Both tamers came closer to him with their digimon.
- What's the diagnosis, doc? - Tentomon asked with unusual seriousness.
- Scar's being created. In a few minutes time the wound will be gone.
- Isn't that good? - IRQ asked.
- Not really. It'll disappear only on the outside.
- Thorin, you're talking to a complete layman. Make yourself clearer. Will they live? - IRQ didn't even try to hide his impatience looking at Agumon every few seconds.
- Sure. It's just a major data loss. Over five and half percent... It's much. A little more and they wouldn't be able to keep their evolutionary levels.
- Not really. Degeneration occurs when the data loss reaches ten percent while the number of degeneration levels is proportionate to the loss percentage. At twenty five we have a total degeneration, converting to the fresh level or even the egg form. Loss of more than half the data causes a complete dele- - IRQ covered his mouth again. This time however everyone heard him.
- Right, mr. Layman. Now please explain us how do you know something I had no idea about. - Of course. Tentomon just had to start talking.
- I... Just do whatever you want, I can't tell you. I don't know. I simply started talking about something I've heard for the first time too. But it's normal here, isn't it?
- Nope.
- Ouch. - IRQ stepped back while Tentomon ostentatiously looked at the sky. Thorin kneeled down next to Falcomon. He was right, there were only few data stripes flying away on the edges of nearly fully regrown wing. Agumon looked worse but his body started to grow back too.
- Never mind that. I don't really care how do you know, much more bizarre things can happen here. Anyway you're right. They won't degenerate. Too bad cause they would be more or less capable of doing anything. They use their reserves to rebuild their bodies. That means their structural data won't be as dense. The result would be weakened heart and lungs, nonfunctional organs, brittle bones... And so on until they absorb enough data to replenish that. And that takes time.
Falcomon stood up slowly mumbling something. He tried to walk a few steps but he stumbled and only his tamer's intervention protected him from falling down.
- You ok, mate?
- Could have been worrsssf...- Falcomon had troubles speaking. Thorin shook his head resigned.
- Not good. That was our main supporting unit. And there lies the second one - he said pointing at Agumon, whose wound healed too. Digimon still stayed unconscious though.
- But... we can fight well enough now. Can't I and Tentomon be the bodyguards when they feel sick? - Guilmon asked doubtfully.
- Forget it. I'm not playing any... OUCH, that hurts!
- Tentomon wanted to say he will gladly support our small team - IRQ finished for his partner watching him massage a hurting spot on his head.
- He's gonna have to. We're not that defenseless but we lost our only digimon able to digivolve into champion. That was painful. Especially now, after I unlocked Peckmon. Diatrymon can't even be compared to him. Anyway, Guilmon's right. Develor?
- Yes, Boss?
- Ain't no boss around here. Right now you gain leadership and you keep it 'till the mission ends because I am unable to fulfill my duty. That's an order.
- Al... right?
- Great. Nice job, boy. So are we all set or what?
- I'll be checking it. Thorin, there's one detail you skipped.
- And that would be?
In response Raph approached Agumon, who had already regained consciousness, and helped him to stand up.
- The guide. Agumon, can you still do it?
- I have no choice... - the lizard smiled weakly and raised his left hand a bit - About a mile straight away from here by this path. I don't remember anything else anyway... - His head slowly fell on the shoulder of tamer holding him and then everyone moved in shown direction as quickly as the state of wounded digimon allowed them to.

Walking through a short stretch of the path took them nearly four hours because every few hundred feet they had to stop to let Agumon and Falcomon rest. At last the road ended. The only way further was a small metal ladder leading to a rock placed a few feet behind. Raph doubtfully looked at Agumon but he just nodded with a weak smile.
- Good. Break for half an hour. The wounded have to rest because the ladder might be a problem. Then we're all set. Any questions?
- It's ok for me. - Thorin helped Falcomon to sit next to a large rock and laid down next to him. - Wake me up when we'll be moving. Or when that weirdo's back. I'll gladly punch his canned face.
- Talking about him... Truly weird. Somebody gave him that much power and left him as a champion? Something's wrong here. Don't you think, Guilmon?
- No I don't. Differences can be big.
- But he mentioned he was built with ultimates. So why isn't he an ultimate himself?
- Ultimate... It's the next evolutionary level? - IRQ took part in the conversation.
- Exactly. He claims to be ten to twenty percent stronger than a regular champion. Weak ultimates gain power of around three or four hundred percent. Do the math.
Thorin sighed, stood up and looked at talking boys.
- Don't you even let me take a ten minute nap... Right, newbies, listen carefully. They won't send a newly created ultimate to fight us because they can't create it. Some time ago a damaged script caused digivolution interruptions above the champion level. That's what you were checking, right Agumon? - neutral tamer's words were confirmed by a thumbs up. Thorin continued. - Exactly. So the bad script was created by somebody. So if said somebody needs some more monpower it will create a champion and power it up instead of destroying a script it probably needs if it defends it so viciously. Thank you, lecture over. Now gotta go sleep.

The ladder was problematic indeed. Luckily IRQ somehow forced Tentomon to cooperate thanks to the help of Guilmon sharpening his claws in a very suggestive manner. Three tamers with some aerial help managed to take Agumon and Falcomon upstairs. It took them some more valuable minutes though. When they reached the top, the sun was already about to set. The platform that took the team so much time to reach was just an another dead end. There were no paths or routes and checking the edges confirmed the lack of the ladders as well. IRQ was starting to get annoyed.
- That's just sick. Is there a one single path here leading from point A to point B with no traps set up by some psychopath every fifty feet?
- The appeals of this place - Develor said.
- The appeals of this dimension - Thorin corrected him. IRQ decided not to risk a loss of his mental health and stayed quiet. Instead he glimpsed through the plateau. Some suspicious systems sparkled with their diodes in an incoming darkness, from time to time something more or less bird-shaped flew somewhere far away, the teleporter in a middle of the rock started to glow with a more intense light... Wait... The teleporter in a middle of the rock? How come nobody noticed it before? The fact was a square shining with a green light was perfectly visible. Also for the other team members of the team.
- Hey, look! A teleporter! - Raph said, stating the obvious.
- Yeah, right. What did I say, like, two minutes ago about traps? It just appeared, for God's sake!
- This proves nothing. It might have been set to appear only in nighttime- Thorin tried to settle a trap. Then he turned around and looked at the sky thoughtfully - that doesn't change a fact it can be a trap. In this world you're either cautious or dead. Agumon, here?
The lizard raised his head with much effort and looked around.
- I don't remember... - he whispered with a hardly audible voice.
- So we're deep in the ass - Thor murmured.
- Whatever. You live only once! - Raph shouted while running towards the teleport - Follow the leader!
- Wait, you moron! It's a trap I'm telling you! - IRQ ran chasing him down but he was too slow.
- We haven't made it this far to turn back now... - Raphael said much quieter standing before the teleporter eager to go in. Below him in the sand crunched under his feet. Before he reacted some glowing sticks appeared from below the ground forming a hemispherical cage around him. IRQ immediately stopped.
- But of course. I told you so. But no, you know better. Can't you for once listen to me? - he started but another "glowsticks" shutting him in identical cage interrupted him.
- Right, like this would work - Raph murmured in response. Thorin keeping a safe distance facepalmed and mumbled something nobody understood and probably nobody wanted to anyway.
- Please... Could you for once not be complete fools? - He asked, helping both weakened digimon to hide behind a tall rock. Then he turned to Tentomon and Guilmon. - You should hide too. We'll take no chances.
- Aren't you going to help us? - IRQ was much more irritated than before.
- Nah. You literally walked right into this one so just take your time for now.
- Works fine with me.
- Tentomon, fill your face, please.
- That's what she said.
- Just shut up you two. Somebody has set up a trap. You fell into it. So now be a nice bait while I set a trap inside this trap.
- Trapception? You're crazy...
- I know. Watch and learn - Thor summed up, hiding with all the digimon - Now let's wait for the victim...

The victim didn't consider showing up for over fifteen minutes. Bored tamers started to play "country, city, name". IRQ managed to win every single round... up until Thorin requested a new cathegory.
- Digimon starting with "S". I'm waiting.
- What was his name again... ShadowGallantmon?
- Does not exist.
- Yes he does! I talked to him! He brought me here!
- He didn't. Because he doesn't exist.
- You say? So who's Julia's partner again?
- ChaosGallantmon?
- ...Darn. But I got the ending right. Let's say, two points?
- Zero.
- God darn you, Raph. God darn you.
- Right, now shut up. Both of you. No, Tentomon, that was no permission for you to talk - Thorin pointed at the teleport, which started glowing. IRQ wondered if photon emission is the only known way of proclaiming something important's about to happen in this dimension. Thorin took his position behind the boulder. Both baits waited for some seconds looking at the teleporter. It however decided there's no need to build pressure anymore and turned off. IRQ sighed.
- False one. So what were we at?
- Digimon starting with "S"
- ...Sparrowmon?
- All right. Five points.
- Seriously? It exists?
- ...Wild guess again?
- Whatever. Points or GTFO.
- Shadramon. We've had one here recently. Too much work with it. Seriously, one would think it's too intelligent to fly in circles around a light bulb for over an hour. - Both tamers immediately turned to the source of the voice to see... Empty space.
- Is it me or does anybody have Deja Vú after Thunderballmon? - Raph asked finally.
- No. When we're outta here we'll ask the right guy.
- You're not going anywhere.
- Yup, definitely Deja Vú. - Raph ostentatiously yawned and sat on the ground. His cage started to spark as the charge reached his body. The Sunshine tamer screamed wildly and then slowly stood up, still shaking. IRQ noticed a movement behind the rocks. Thorin could hardly prevent Guilmon from blowing their cover.
- I don't know if you noticed that you're in an electric cage. Playing tough's not gonna help you.
- Maybe it would if I could see you? - Another charge hit Develor. This time however the reason was visible: It was a navy blue close to black, unrealistically elongated clawed arm holding the bars, coming from under the tattered white sheet levitating a little further that materialized on the tamers' eyes. "The sheet" turned to IRQ, showing a pair of empty orbits and a razor - fanged teeth. Long story short - a stereotypical from an animated horror movie for ten - year olds.
- IRQ, digimon starting with "B"?
- Eh, that's an easy one. I've seen one already. Babamon. - Raph's facepalm made him realize he was doing that wrong. He scanned the ghost. Bakemon, CHM/DRK/VIR. - Welp. Right. - He summed up, waiting for the events to come. Luckily he didn't have to wait for long because that's when Thorin and Guilmon ran out, screaming. Digimon right away jumped at the opponent trying to claw him but he went through the immaterial ghost and landed on the rock wall behind him. Meanwhile Thorin, after a failed attempt to rescue IRQ which led to zapping them both, decided to use plan B.
- To hell with that! Bakemon goes first! Falcomon! Digivolve! - When he heard the instruction, Falcomon vigorously slipped from the rock he was lying on, landing on Agumon. Bakemon looked at them, laughed and shot his demonic hand, now covered in light blue blurs, towards the neutral tamer. Light lines swirled and became corporeal, piercing the ground around him and locking him in another electric cage.
- Oh. So that was your ingenious plan - IRQ commented.
- Spare it. I've missed but one detail.
- That your digimon is unable to fight. Sure, easy to forget. Tentomon, could you?
- Nah, nope.
- Listen, you overgrown ant...
- Spare me the insults. You can't even swear properly.
IRQ decided to stay quiet so Thorin replaced him by turning to the insectoid and sending him a bunch that, if digimon had any ears, would cause them to melt. Nobody, including Bakemon, wanted to interrupt him. When he finished, Tentomon slowly flew towards the battlefield, mumbling something.
- That was... impolite - IRQ said.
- Fuck you - Thorin replied politely. IRQ stopped trying to talk with him. Instead he looked at the ghost, levitating opposite Tentomon. Meanwhile Guilmon dug his way out of the rocks and stood behind Bakemon. He didn't even pay attention to him. IRQ nodded at Raph, who started to give signs to his partner, then he turned to Tentomon.
- Buggy guy, you've got a job.
- Do not call me that name.
- Sure thing, Buggy. Screw his immateriality, you can use thunderbolts.
- Do I have to?
- As long as you still want a full set of limbs when we're outta here.
- Have it your way... - Tentomon reluctantly charged. It took him a few seconds. When he was ready, Guilmon decided to attack Bakemon's back with a fireball.
- Pyro sphere!
- Super shocker!
Bakemon turned to have both opponents on his sides. Two demonic arms, similar to the one that activated Raph's cage, appeared from inside the sheet. They easily caught both the electric attack and the firebolt. Tentomon hardly dodged flames thrown at him, Guilmon wasn't that lucky and got electrocuted. For a few seconds there was an amusing X - Ray effect on him.
- And that's how screaming the attack names ends - IRQ summed up.
- Padlock your face, pretty please. - Tentomon charged again, trying to take position in which Bakemon wouldn't see him. Luckily Guilmon kept the fireballs barrage and the ghost was too busy rebouncing them to notice.
- Wow. You sad "please". Talk about an improvement.
- Shut it, wanker.
- Don't you have anything better to do?
- Yes I have. Your mother.
- Now that was low. Just take care of that bedsheet above us. Just no shouting.
- Right. SUP... Super shocker. - Bakemon caught at least three or four of Guilmon's flames in his hand, making one bigger sphere out of them. Then he immediately turned to the insectoid when he was just beginning his attack.
- I heard anyway - he said, throwing the projectile. Tentomon had no chance to dodge. He fell down hit with the flame while Bakemon redirected his lightning to Guilmon exactly the same way he did before. Red dragon, visibly tired, was left alone on the battlefield. The ghost just laughed. - I can easily beat you with your own attacks. And I actually already did. Give up.
- Do you all know only this one line? "Give up, me too strong, RAWR" - and seriously you expect people to listen to it? Pyro sphere! - Bakemon easily bounced it back at Guilmon. He easily dodged... so quickly that he left but a blur behind. Bakemon just blinked in surprise but everyone, including Guilmon, was as baffled. Everyone - save for Raphael, who smiled and moved his finger across the digivice's screen.
- Boosting plugins. My brother taught me. That was Plugin T, rising speed. And now, if I may... Plugin K! Ultra Attack! - Develor drew in the air with his left index finger a letter K, which shone with a crimson aura. Then he touched the digivice with the very same finger.
- Couldn't you use it before? - IRQ was skeptical as usual.
- I forgot - Raph said in a disarming voice and turned to his partner - try now.
- You sure this will work?
- I HAVE NO IDEA!
- Seems legit to me. Pyro sphere! - Bakemon tried to catch a projectile again but as soon as he did it, his face screwed up in an expression of pain. He threw it upside for a few times and then threw it back at Guilmon. He missed because of the latter's increase in speed.
- Hot potato? - Raph laughed.
- Maybe, but you can't hurt him anyway. Don't you have anything better in stock? - Thorin didn't even try to hide his nervousness.
- I do - the Sunshine tamer laughed, as he drew a cross in front of him - Plugin X! Damage multiplier! Times three!
Guilmon attacked once again. This time Bakemon couldn't even hold it for a short while. He let it go but a wide burn was left on his hand. The ghost roared in pain.
- STOP IT - he screamed to Raphael - TURN IT OFF! NOW!
- Make me.
- Gladly. - The ghost inhaled with a whistle, looked at the rising moon and started to grow. In mere seconds he outgrew tamers and their prisons. When he finally reached his full size, he was more than twenty feet tall.
- You could have phrased it better - IRQ said, looking at the giant. Guilmon slowly steped back but Bakemon didn't care. He flew closer to IRQ. The Crows representative wasn't happy for that.
- What do you want?
- Your pain - said the ghost, catching one of the bars. Electric charge went through the teenager's body. The boy screamed and fell down to his knees. He looked at terrified Raph and nodded. He reacted immediately.
- Plugin X! Damage multiplier! Times five! Guilmon!
- Pyro Sphere! - Completely unprepared Bakemon got hit in the back. It was the first attack to reach his body and it left a dark burn mark. It was easy to tell the weak spot had been found. The ghost himself however wasn't pleased with Develor's findings and attitude.
- Torturing your teammate doesn't work on you? Have it your way... - His second hand caught the bars of Raph's prison, electrocuting him as he did to IRQ. Guilmon hesitated. Raphael noticed that, stood up with clenched teeth and shook his head rapidly. The red dragon continued the attack. Bakemon couldn't move without stopping his tortures and that made him an easy target for the fireballs, which, thanks to plugins K and X, were simply disastrous. After a few hits however, Bakemon was still able to maintain his position while Guilmon held his fire with a hopeless expression and slowly fell down.
- Guilmon!
- I'm sorry... Too weak...
- What's going on? Stop making fun! - Raph was terrified.
- It's plugin X! Every hit consumes five times as much energy! With a higher multiplier it basically damages him! - IRQ tried to be louder than electricity buzzing around him.
- How do you know?
- No idea! I'm blabbing like a mental, remember? - Bakemon let the energy bars go. Tamers fell down with a relief. It ended quickly though. One of his arms was shot towards Guilmon, binding all his body, save for head, tail and legs.
- Now we're through child's play... - he hissed. Develor started to draw another letter.
- Plugin S! Battle aura...
- Not this time. - Before Raph activated the plugin, digimon managed to catch the bars. His fingers stretched to be able to grab every single one, making all of them discharge at Raphael. Tamer started to scream. Guilmon tried to fight but he couldn't do a thing due to the lack of power.
- Let him go... - he ruckled weakly.
- I will not. You should have given up before.
- I will give... now?
- I'll consider it. A lil' bit late, isn't it?
- Sorry... We... give...
- LIBERUM VETO. - Every man and mon still standing looked at Raphael, who looked as if he gained strength again. He was standing up, keeping his hands on the barriers as if he couldn't feel the electricity. He looked at Guilmon. - Y'know, there is a LOT of bad things you could say about me. But I can proudly say that when I start something I always try and finish it. ESPECIALLY when it's about somebody's life. So as long as you want to call yourself my partner, you'll do the same. Seriously. We've got too far to give in.
- But... We stand no chance... - Guilmon was visibly discouraged.
- So? - Raphael's voice started to shake. He really looked like he didn't feel the pain. Once again he looked at his partner - We will lose. I'm not stupid, I can see what's going on. So what? Is that a reason? I promised to finish this mission. I promised to do whatever I could. Don't you understand? It's not about winning or failing. It's about bringing that to an end. That's why... I said I wouldn't. WE CANNOT GIVE UP NOW!
- ...That was simply too forced - Thorin said after a short silence.
- Dude, give me a break - IRQ sighed.
- I'm not your dude, mate.
- I'm not your mate, dude.
- Seriously, guys. - Bakemon seemed disappointed. - Did you have to break it? I like this kinds of speeches. They're either moving or hillarious. And, to be honest, I can't decide on which one would this little talk turn out to be... - The ghost grinned maliciously at Raph. Tammer just gritted his teeth.
- Decide on that, freak.
The energy bars broke. Bakemon screamed when the explosion burnt his fingers. IRQ suddenly realized why Raph didn't feel the pain. All the energy that was supposed to flow through his body gathered on his right wrist. In the digivice which now turned crimson. And now Raph made the energy reach critical levels. Guilmon stood up, clearly refreshed with a dark red glow around him. IRQ for a moment thought it was the battle aura plugin Develor had tried to use but then he realized he had no time to activate it. There must have been a different reason. He looked at him - and was left speechless as he saw a Y - shaped, obviously dark red, save for the white part where the three lines joined, item. Raphael looked up at Bakemon, who had no idea what to do. There was a fierce look in his eyes.
- Initiate - he said quietly, still watching the ghost - Digivolution.
Guilmon just moaned in surprise when the energy spiral hit him.
- Guilmon digivolve to...
IRQ looked with disbelief at the dinosaur silhouette covering itself with a bright light and starting to grow, in a split second outgrowing Bakemon twice. The size was one of few changes - Guilmon mostly kept his shape while evolving, as opposed to Falcomon. When the digimon stopped growing data started to cover his body like Peckmon's, starting with feet and going upwards. The sight of crimson scales materializing on the legs, now more massive and with three fingers instead of two, assured IRQ the higher form will be similar to Guilmon. Newborn digimon had black scale patterns on his body and a much brighter stomach, like his predecessor. A powerful tail looked like it could break a hundreds - years - old oak with one swing. When the scales appeared on the chest, the symbol of four triangles with the middle one pointed downwards and the other ones located at each apex disappeared. Now it was situated on digimon's shoulders. Dragon's arm became more muscular and claws, dangerous even before, transformed into a truly lethal weapon. Ulnas elongated forming small yet sharp horns preventing the arms from drawing up yet providing another defensive trait. The only major change was that of a head shape adding a light grey scaly crest above neck, similar to human hair, and two horns located on the top of its head, right behind the winged ears. "As if he didn't have enough pointy parts" - IRQ thought. Of course the look was crowned with a jaw full of razor - sharp teeth. The final effect resembled a carnivorous dinosaur both in appearance and size while the whole transformation took a little more than a second.
- ... GROWLMON.
Digimon's voice didn't change much. It was still high - pitched and throaty, maybe a little more growl - like than Guilmon's was. It didn't suit the creature's apparition. At least that's what IRQ thought until the beast roared, actually bringing an image of T-Rex or his close relative to thoughts. Bakemon backed immediately.
- Strong in mouth you are - he grumbled - That's not going to let you win...
- We'll see about that.
The ghost unsurely gazed upon the battlefield. He caught a glimpse of Raph standing close to the tamers' cages. He smiled while his hand dashed towards the tamer.
- Sure we will! I wonder what's your face going to do when...
- Pyro Blaster!
Bakemon screamed, unable to finish the sentence. Raph got surrounded by a cloud of black and dark pixel - like data. He looked at the ghost to see him squeezing a stump that used to be his hand.
- You're right - Growlmon murmured with his jaws still smoking - I am strong in mouth...
Bakemon roared, shooting his good hand at the red dragon's throat. There was the same result: fireball burning the limb to ashes. The ghost looked at his, now completely useless arms, close to panic.
- Too slow... - said Growlmon calmly.
- I wonder if you'd be so tough without the boosters, tough guy...
- You mean the ones I used as Guilmon?
- Of course.
- The ones that reset while the user changes forms?
Bakemon didn't answer. He started to sweat. Then he got an idea. He smiled, making his body partially transparent.
- I wonder how you would like an invisible and immaterial opponent...
Growlmon blinked. When he opened his eyes, the ghost really was nowhere to be seen.
- Not that bad - he hissed, standing completely immobile. For a minute nothing happened. Then an invisible force hit the dragon causing it to fly a couple dozens of feet backwards.
- Not bad, eh?
- You won't play that the second time - Growlmon howled, standing up - just to get hit in the head and fall once again. He had some trouble standing up. The ghost appeared in front of him.
- Strong mouth and nothing else. Now I know to watch out for flames. You stand no chance! - Bakemon became invisible again. Thorin looked at the fight with a clearly unhappy expression. Develor started knocking at his digivice's screen, trying to make it react. It must have overheated while gathering the rod's energy because none of the plugins worked. Meanwhile IRQ watched Growlmon. To be precise his constantly moving mouth. As if he was speaking to himself. Or counting something. IRQ started to match syllables with the mouth movements.
- Thirteen... Fourteen...
- Fifteen! Dragon slash!
Growlmon roared the last word, turning backwards and starting an attack with his right hand. Its edge, from fingers to the elbow horn, started to emit a bright glow. Nobody expected such a lightning speed. Especially Bakemon, who got cut in half.
- You have won - he said falling into bits, looking at the red scaly hand between the two halves of his body - I'm done here...
- I don't think so. - Growlmon stood in the same pose, with his arm in the air. IRQ noticed its data don't scatter as Thunderballmon's or Numemons' but gather around the dragon's hand creating a ring. A voice in his head gave him a name: data fractalisation. The effect he saw was a fractal ring or a fractal code. Luckily, this time he didn't say it aloud. He started to wonder about it and leaned against the bars. He jumped away the same second but it didn't shock him. There was no current. He patted some rods lightly which caused them to snap and allowed him to escape the trap. Thorin saw it and broke free himself. He came closer to the others.
- Help me with getting them zombies outta the rocks. I think I know what he's doing.
Tamers started to help Thorin without questioning. Growlmon kept holding the disassembling body. There was a little more left from Bakemon than his face surrounded by shreds.
- You destroyed me, what else do you want? - he groaned pitifully.
- To help my companions - Growlmon said calmly - You don't need the data anymore. I do.
Bakemon tried to reply but he couldn't anymore. Fractalisation was complete. Needless data was blown away. Growlmon turned to three other digimon. Three data strings, each resembling an elongated bar code, left the ring around his hand. The shortest one connected to Tentomon.
- Who what when where it wasn't me it was that moron! - he managed to shout before IRQ hit his head to make him calm down. The other two strings surrounded Agumon and Falcomon creating new rings instead of fusing with them. The fractal codes started to tighten up to the point of touching the skin. Then they just disappeared on its surface.
- Falcomon? You alive?
- Fair enough. I'm gonna have to sleep through the next one but I can walk on my own now. - Falcomon rubbed his stiff shoulder blade and helped Agumon in getting up.
- Righto. Since you're up and ready... - Thorin turned around and caught Raph's T-shirt lifting him up easily - Imma take care of the haxman.
Raph looked down in shock.
- The hell you're talking about?
- Two evolutionary levels in mere hours. It's physically impossible. Development issues. A digimon needs weeks to grow up enough to digivolve again. Double daily evolutions are just single cases in cartoon series. You can only achieve it by changing digimon's source code... - Thorin let Raph down, ready to hit him. Growlmon roared.
- You got a problem with him? You got a problem with me. Wanna talk about it?
- Get lost, big guy. Do you even lift? Y'know what haxors get here? Like, free deletion for digimon and a single to human world? I'm thought to have committed a mass digicide. I'm not gonna let a goddamn cheater... - Thorin looked at Develor trying to cover himself and stopped mid-sentence. He caught his right wrist to have a better look at his digivice. IRQ came closer to look too, but all he saw was a crimson Y he had seen before. Then he realized Thorin hadn't.
- Primal Digivice. Another one. I may be a complete ignoramus but doesn't that, like, cover the double evolution case?
- Well... Seems so. Pardon me, mate. - Thorin helped Raph to stand up.
- Interesting case. My bro found out he's got one of the genuines too some time ago.
- Don't even ask about mine. He told me once. Now he's... - IRQ stopped to facepalm.
- Ooh! Can I? - asked Tentomon.
- Shut it, herring. Get your own forehead.
- That's a low one.
- Congrats on having a low forehead. Anyway three hours ago we knew nothing about Raph's digivice. There was Thorin's one and my brother's. And their digimon. And what happened?
Thorin struck his palm with his fist.
- GunNumemon happened. And his bloody "contract". All clear now.
Raph nodded.
- Now let's wait for IRQ's digivice to reveal and...
- Wait... WHAT? - IRQ got stunned. He didn't see this one coming.
- Catch up. My brother has one. So does yours. And me. And Thorin, the final part of our team.
- Coincidence?
Thorin heard the question and tried hardly not to laugh.
- Not in this world, mate. Not in this world.
- That makes no sense! Why do I need it? For a dumbass digimon I can't even get to? And I'm out after the mission anyway.
- Don't get too cocky.
- Shut your face.
- Don't treat me like Tentomon!
- HEY! - After Thorin's line Tentomon got mad and started throwing curses. And thunders. When both tamers stopped shaking IRQ tried to start over.
- Do as you please. Take all your fates, destinies and coincidences. Your strongest monsters won't be able to keep me from returning home. Tentomon's not going to try hard, are you?
- See you later... not.
- Exactly.
Raph came closer to Thor and gently pulled his shoulder backwards.
- Not gonna work. Let him go if he wants to. Let's see what happens next. - Tamer sighed and turned to Growlmon, Agumon and Falcomon, who observed the teleporter. - Got anything? Agumon, is it here?
- I'm not su... - The machine activated. The mons stepped back carefully.
- Thorin, digivice at hand - Falcomon said, keeping his eyes on the teleporter. A human - shaped silhouette, ten to eleven feet high appeared on top. When the teleportation light faded, the creature's lion head with an imposing mane and fangs reaching way below the jaw line. Digimon was covered with metal armor suit with diagonal red and black stripes painted around wrists and ankles. The painted parts were wider than the rest of the armor and from time to time they started to spin so fast the patterns blurred. IRQ checked his digivice. GrapLeomon, ULT/BST/VAC. Wait... ULT? Ultimate? The ones described as being few times stronger than champions in worst case? Whoops...
- Bakemon, what the hell! How much time does it take you to... - Digimon finally noticed who's around him. He roared angrily. - Betrayal! Sabotage! Time to protect the unit! - He said before disappearing in the teleporter again.
- That was random - Tentomon said.
- ...It was him... - Agumon whispered quietly. IRQ looked at him. The lizard was frightened.
- Stay calm, yellow guy. Don't do anything stupid.
Agumon didn't hear that because he had already teleported. IRQ sighed.
- Let's go, Buggy.
- Stop calling me buggy.
- Shall I call you per "Red bastard"?

- Exactly. Let's go - he finished, already standing on the square. Tentomon flew to him without a word of commentary. When they teleported, Raph looked at Thorin.
- Maybe you can explain what's going on here?
Neutral tamer just spread his arms.
- I know the type. You're not gonna win this one...

Tentomon expected the teleport to be leading somewhere outside the Limit Valley. He couldn't see if he had been right though - that's because the exit was inside a building. Pretty big building with the teleporter and some diodes on the wall computers as the only source of light. Not that it was a problem. He was a typical nocturnal digimon so he could see well in a weak light. And now he could see a set of strange machines installed under the ceiling, directly above many conveyor belts crossing the room on a few levels. Two of them ran parallel on the eight-feet-high platforms creating a way to the teleporter.
- One doesn't need your overgrown head to know which way they went - he said to IRQ - ok, Light Bulb Boy, let's get on track - he said waiting for a clever, razor sharp "your momma" type reply. It never came. He sighed.
- What's the matter, not enough thought processes left to answer? - he asked, turning around. He happened to be somewhat right. IRQ seemed like he really didn't need his overgrown head. At least that's what the lack of aforementioned body part would suggest. Digimon sighed again.
- Charms of teleportation. At least I'm not stuck with your arm glued to my butt... - he continued the monologue as he flew up to the height on which his temporary partner's head should be. He looked down on his neck. He regretted it immediately. - Geez, is every human so... messy inside?
Naturally nobody replied as his conversational partner had no ears nor mouth. He tried to find any clue on the digivice. To his surprise, he found one. An "Error 404. Head not found" message.
- Now that's not a one I expected - he summed up - so... What am I up to now?
The answer revealed itself again. The teleporter activated. Tentomon thought about it for a second. If the noggin had gone missing during transition... Not much of a loss, mind you, but he could at least pretend to try. After a short while he grabbed the tamer, which was probably the hardest part due to the shape of digimon's limbs and human mass, and put him in the teleporter, placing his neck inside the energy stream. The result appeared shortly afterwards. A sudden flash of bright light reduced visibility and when Tentomon regained his sight IRQ was standing inside the square on his own and lacking no body parts.
- What are you waiting for, Buggy? Don't we have something to do?
- How many times do I have to repeat "stop calling me buggy" for you to understand?
- Forty two is a nice number.
- Forget it. Speaking of which, remember anything?
- Judging by the question something weird yet not really pleasant happened to me. Do I want to know?
- I don't think so.
- Let's leave it be then. Can we at last go and look for...
Some unidentified deities probably decided they can't. They revealed their decision by launching IRQ into the scrap pile in the corner. The reason was a Growlmon's head coming from the teleporter. Luckily, this time connected to the body. Tentomon was relieved. This wasn't a one that could be carried inside and fixed. Dinosaur looked around.
- I think I hit something... - he said unsurely.
- Worry not about that - Tentomon answered. The other tamers and Falcomon exited the teleporter. Thorin immediately noticed one important detail.
- Where IRQ at?
- In the corner. Close encounter of a seventh stage with a pile of scraps. I think his head's stuck. Anybody has some popcorn? Thorin sent a murderous stare to the insect and nodded at Raph. Together they pulled the tamer from Darkmoon out. During the rescue mission said tamer kept telling interesting facts about the mothers of nuts and bolts surrounding him.
- And all those miserable cows can have a fancy barbecue with a gum - chewing pig - he finished after being set free. He looked around and immediately was brought back to reality - Who, what, how and when?
- Agumon, wild chase, teleporter and here.
- A down - to Earth answer. Where did he go?
- Dunno. First thing we met here was a monstrous metal mountain trying to decapitate you. How did you get there by the way?
- No idea.
- Seems legit.
- Whatever. Tentomon, shut it.
- I didn't say anything!
- In a very meaningful way. And now shut it. Let's go.
The factory was huge. Thorin managed to download its map to his digivice and tamers learned it's over thirty two square miles big. Too bad the map couldn't show the building's location. One thing was sure: this wasn't often visited by tamers Limit Valley. Hiding this moloch would be nigh impossible. There was also a logistic issue: building this huge couldn't be placed between the cliff. Thanks to the empty conveyor belts moving in the right direction though, Agumon was quickly found in one of more distant halls, after some locked doors which weren't much of an obstacle to Growlmon. As the tamers found out they reached him just in time as he was fighting an extremely one - sided battle against GrapLeomon. Growlmon managed to push the later back seconds before he dealt a finishing strike to his opponent laying on the floor. The reaction however made it clear it worked only thanks to the element of surprise. GrapLeomon caught the red dragon by his tail, spinned him above his head a few times and threw him against the wall. Then he looked around and laughed seeing the rescue team.
- Seriously, what? Yellow, you're just plain dumb. The first time you fought me with the wonder boy and you didn't even scratch me. You think another champion worth less than a ball of fur from my mane would change anything?
- Where. Is. He.
- Why do you think I'll tell you?
- I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!
- Ooh, scary. Sorry, but I'll pass. That's a serious threat for somebody two levels lower than me. You think you got an ace up your sleeve? I'll tell you a secret. You don't. The only thing you control is body count. Which by the way has just risen because you brought me another group of humans who think their great partners not even on my level will change anything...
- Body count has risen? By yours I think! Plugin X! Damage multiplier! Times five!
- Pyro Blaster!
Once again the surprise did its job sending GrapLeomon to the floor, roaring in pain. Falcomon stepped forward.
- Thorin, now!
- Sure thing - the tamer replied calling out his Y-Digivice.
- Falcomon digivolve to... PECKMON!
Humanoid digimon stood up and bounced back the kunai ninja ostrich shot at him. That stumped Peckmon for a split second. It was just enough for GrapLeomon to reach him and punch him.
- King of Fists! - he shouted - You, humans and these champions of yours won't even serve as a warm up to me!
- You told that already - Thorin said calmly - Raph, Peckmon's got a little endurance problem. Any defensive plugins you got down there?
- The O one.
Thorin drew a circle in the air with his left hand.
- I owe you this one. Plugin O! Giga defense!
Peckmon with boosted defensive abilities easily blocked the next attack with his wings and then began to counter. With his talons and beak he forced GrapLeomon to step back. That was what he was waiting for. He leaned with his neck pulled frontside.
- Thousand beak! - he shouted as he began the attack.
- Bad move... - IRQ whispered witnessing anthro lion's smile when he was taking on continuous pecks without flinching. At last, bored with waiting, he caught Peckmon's neck.
- You consider yourself fast? - he asked before turning to Growlmon and then proceeding to knock him out cold using Peckmon as a club. Then he turned once again to face the tamers.
- Anyone else? The red guy maybe? Wanna get stomped flat?
- Do I look like I wanted?
- Good spirit. So what, givin' up?
- I'm just a company mon. Ask the gentlemen behind me. Raph?
- Forget it. Plugin K! Ultra attack!
Growlmon, feeling a power injection, roared. He stood up, put Peckmon aside, lowered his head and charged, trying to hit his opponent with his horns like a corrida
bull. GrapLeomon was too fast though. He turned back, raising one hand.
- Let's play Jedi then... - he murmured, clenching his fist. Growlmon lost his balance and fell on his face. The reason was a sudden activation of a closed conveyor belt he was running on. Growlmon rode a few thousand feet backwards before GrapLeomon snapped his fingers. The belt's movement changed direction making the red dragon, who kept trying to stand still, dash forward at double speed.
- Now I got you... - he hissed.
- I don't think so. Vortex Kick! - The lion jumped upwards. His ankle and wrist armor pieces accelerated, causing his whole body to spin. Digimon kicked Growlmon with a great force, making an indent in another wall.
- Do you really need a me - shaped hole every fifty feet? - the dragon moaned. Raph cursed.
- Thorin, mind helping me?
- I'll try, but that ain't lookin' good... Peckmon!
The ostrich managed to stand up and fly out of its foe's range.
- You may be faster and stronger but I'm the one with wings in this room. And guess who knows only melee attacks here? KUNAI... - digimon couldn't finish. A hundred - pound hook hit the back of his head when a line under the ceiling suddenly started working. Stunned ninja fell down only to be knocked down by GrapLeomon.
- Okay. How and when. - Thorin was starting to get nervous. Meanwhile IRQ thought of something. He pulled his partner to the backsite so that their conversation wouldn't be overheard.
- Tentomon, can one connect all them machines to one digimon?
- Yeah... But the hell for?
- To make it control literally every single nut and bolt by will.
- That'd make sense... And toasts out of us.
- Like, I don't know... Right now?
- A perfect example - the insect said pointing at GrapLeomon who stopped Growlmon's charge with one hand holding the second one ready to hit.
- Get ready for a skull trepanation - he grumbled, but then roared in pain letting the dragon go. He rubbed his left hand which started to smoke. There was a pale red light around Growlmon. - You... I don't know how you did that but you will pay! Vortex Kick! - he screamed trying to attack. Yet he tottered just before Growlmon and fell down, holding his smoking right feet. IRQ looked at Raph and Thorin. Their digivices were connected by a stream of fractalised data.
- Everything I've got left of Bakemon. That should be enough to refresh Peckmon. Hurry, the battle aura lasts for a minute at most. After that he won't be untouchable.
- Can't we use another one? - Thorin asked, sending Peckmon the data.
- Not gonna end well, trust me. I've seen it being tested.
- So what?
- There won't be enough pieces left from them to bury. It has to cool down for a few hours.
- HOURS? Peckmon, gotta go fast. Plugin S! Battle Aura!
Peckmon charged at GrapLeomon as soon as the turquoise glow. The attack was blocked but the aura still burned the lion. That's what Peckmon was waiting for.
- Thousand beak! - attack didn't hurt GrapLeomon. Physical contact did. He couldn't block anymore and the hits themselves were too painful so he was forced into a defensive stance against Peckmon still pushing forward. In the end his back leaned against Growlmon's stomach as the latter decided to block him. The lion felt it the hard way. He roared in pain and punched the dinosaur, sending him flying backwards and decorating another wall with his body.
- That's getting boring - Growlmon howled. Thorin hissed impatiently.
- Peckmon, godmode's enabled for ten seconds at most. Think fast.
- Let's beat him with his own style! Spiral Claw! - Peckmon pointed his talons at his foe then started to spin really quickly, creating a small tornado coming closer and closer to the lion.
- In your dreams. No champion can use my techniques! Vortex Kick! - Two tornadoes collided, pushing both digimon inside away. GrapLeomon landed on one foot, rubbing the other one burned by aura whilst Peckmon was thrown inertly towards one of the opened corridors. The lion looked at him and started to panic.
- No! Not there! Road closed! - he screamed and lifted his hand. Peckmon crashed against heavy, iron - made door that shut, disabling the way. IRQ stood still.
- What inside there may be so important to cause him to panic when we're the ones losing it?
- Evolution interruption module. Or important hostages. Or both.
- Exactly. Buggy, I'll be needing your help.
- Nah, nope.
- What happened to "stop calling me buggy"?
- Seriously... Enough is enough. - Tentomon landed somewhere in the corner with no will to cooperate. IRQ sighed and turned on the facility map on his digivice. Then he managed to locate all the digivices inside. He got four results. Three of them formed a triangle more or less where he was. The last one was about a hundred feet away, behind a freshly closed corridor. That couldn't be a coincidence.
The Darkmoon representative sneaked towards the door, using barrels, computers and piles of scrap scattered everywhere as cover. Develor and Thorin noticed him and did all they could to draw GrapLeomon's attention. He knew he didn't have much time though. He got to the door and, as expected, found a small box on the wall next to it. There had to be a control panel inside. As quietly as he could he put down the lid and nearly bursted into tears. The panel really was there... Or at least what was left from it. Broken housing. Ripped cables. Buttons and levers torn out.
- Clever, huh? Ain't nobody got time fo' outside panels. I can make everything here work by myself - IRQ heard a voice somewhere behind him. He turned away to face GrapLeomon, who threw away Peckmon's immobile body and grabbed a small charm on his chest. It was the first time the boy noticed it. The upper part was a black octaedrical crystal surrounded by some electronics. Lower was made of some bright metal, was connected to the lowest point of the crystal and was octagonal in shape, resembling a square with each apex cut off. A small, circular indent in the middle emitted a light orange glow. IRQ couldn't stop looking at it. The lion continued its speech.
- What you see is a control panel of weapons and armory manufacture of Nocturnal Squadrons. This is where armies, as well as Union and Neutrum's blacker market merchants get their stuff. Also, here's the pearl of our technology: the evolution interruption device. The very same one I'm holding - he added, pointing at the black stone. Then, as he looked at IRQ, his expression became much more serious. - Congratulations. You've almost outsmarted me. If your friend, Peckmon, dodged the right way, you'd possibly return to the others without getting my attention. But sorry for disappointing you. My mindpower is enough to get a hold on this thing so what would I need exterior panels, that could be used against me, for? As in, what YOU just have tried to do?
IRQ looked around desperately. Growlmon charged once again but GrapLeomon just pushed him away.
- "Why won't he use fire?" - the boy thought but he found an answer as soon as he looked the other way. The barrels were filled with some kind of waste. They all had signs warning before explosives. If the flame hit the wrong place, they would have much bigger trouble than GrapLeomon. Tentomon slowly flew above the barrels, making sure the lion can't see him.
- "Yep, now he's trying to help" – IRQ thought bitterly. Anyway Buggy already noticed he had no chance. Nor the time considering GrapLeomon finished his speech.
- I've said some interesting things. Now you know too much and I'm gonna have to kill you. Sorry, formalities. Or maybe not, I'd kill you anyway. King of Fists!
IRQ closed his eyes the moment he saw the punch aimed at his head, expecting it to be the last thing he'd ever see. He waited for the hit. For a second, then five, then ten, then a minute...
- Hey, jackass! Could you pretty please explain this one? - Tentomon couldn't be mistaken for anything so IRQ opened his eyes. His jaw dropped. He didn't expect this. Everything in the factory, humans and digimon included, froze and every item had its colors removed and was covered by a purple net. Everything – save for him and Tentomon. IRQ looked at GrapLeomon's fist frozen mere inches from his face and decided to relocate himself.
- So? Any ideas on the matter?
- No, but I don't want to get an additional hole in my skull when we're back to normal - the tamer replied, as he approached the lion's head and hit it with his finger. He expected a reaction – a sound or a vibration – but nothing happened. Digimon stood immobile like a sculpture.
- ...IRQ?
Tamer turned to his partner. He realized it was the first time digimon used his nickname. It was a serious business then.
- What's up?
- Your digivice.
IRQ looked at the device. It looked exactly the same as always... save for the purple color of exactly the same shade as the net around.
- So we now know why we're here. But what was that? Emergency Life Saving System?
- Don't think so. Usually unlocking a new form works as this. And trust me, I'd see that coming. It's something with the 'vice itself.
- Don't tell me...
- ...The Primal activated? Possibly.
- Awesome. - IRQ punched the wall. As expected he felt nothing. Circular waves, moving like water surface circles appeared on the net.
- Dude, chill. Just a theory.
- Cut that crap. We both know it's true.
- So what?
- Now I'll be forced to stay. So that. No matter what I'll do. Your God - forsaken dimension will find a way.
- Sure, whatever. - Tentomon shrugged his shoulders – I don't really care why you hate this place or me. You will get back home and leave the digivice and me here. I will see to that and you got my word. And for now let's come up with something because, frankly, I wouldn't like to use any of these guys as garden statues. And a second plan to ensure mr. "IMMA LEVEL HIGHER" won't kill us the second we're back.
- That's a good one. Let's see... - IRQ came closer to GrapLeomon's statue and started to look at it visibly thinking of something. Then he touched some points on its surface, marking them with purple rings – The points I checked are his arms and legs. They have the best armor. Did you notice he uses them to block every attack? Besides all of his moves rely on physical contact. If he has an anatomical weak point it's either on his head or torso. I'd say torso, cause he defends it too viciously.
- That fact could be because of...
- Exactly. – IRQ touched the charm. To his surprise upper part regained its colors while lower's net changed to orange.
- And what now, boss?
- No idea, but I think colors are important. Why orange?
- Dunno.
- Something about Primal Digivice? Did you notice?
- Each of them having a different color? Sure thing.
- Mine is, judging by the room, purple. Thorin's is turquoise. Raph's - crimson. But orange? We don't know any more tamers with... - IRQ stopped talking. Then he hit his head against the wall, leaving some expanding circles on it.
- Judging by reaction we do know and it's obvious. Details, please?
IRQ didn't answer. He approached Agumon and touched his head. A wave appeared on the net. It was orange.
- As obvious as it can get. So when we set my brother, who's, by the way, behind that door, it's gonna become much easier.
- Nice. You see – just one problem. To open the door we have to kick kitty's ass. To kick kitty's ass we have to open the door. Epic loop is epic?
- Why don't we destroy the door?
- A stemhead Growlmon?
- Nah, too obvious.
- I don't have any other ideas.
- Nothing else to expect from your restricted head.
- Who's the restricted one here? I don't see you making up anything.
- And a blind one, too. I've got everything but one matter: How to open this darn gate.
As if ordered to, digivice shot an energy stream at GrapLeomon. Before the digimon a purple – colored ring appeared. IRQ came closer to the model. There were some lines and arrows in the circle, pointing at the crystal or the surrounding systems. Some of the lines expanded outside the circle, spotting labels. IRQ could identify the crystal as "evolution_block", and all the stuff around as "factory_cp".
- What just happened?
IRQ brushed his hair with his right hand.
- Buggy, you're genius. No, wait. I'm the genius here, you happen to think from time to time.
- Stop calling me buggy. Besides, shut up.
- That thing around us was generated by my digivice connected to my brain. So I'm the one controlling this dimension or whatever it is. So if I ask the question aloud, I'll get the answer. Do you see the circle? If we destroy or damage the charm, the door will open.
- And you're planning to damage or destroy it… how?
- No idea. If Growlmon could use fire...
- But he can't. And you can ask for hints?
- Yes, I can. What Buggy said.
- Stop ca... duh, never mind.
Next to the "factory_cp" label another circle appeared. There were two crossing lightnings inside. IRQ had to think for a while.
- We need to cause it to short circuit. A fireball can be bounced back and explode everything. A lightning, even redirected, won't cause chemicals to ignite. A job for you.
- No way.
- You think we have time for that?
- Get real. Check his power. Compare it to mine. He'll just absorb my attack leaving nothing to make a short circuit with.
- You may be right... On plugins K and X times five then?
- I doubt it'll change anything.
- So… What now?
- Hell knows.
- I didn't ask you.
- So you already started talking to yourself?
- No, just to the watch. Its replies at least make sense.
- Uh, right.
- So I ask again: How to cause the short circuit?
This time the answer surprised both the tamer and the digimon. A purple ring appeared around Tentomon. One arrow, pointed at the insect, was circling around it. There was a name tag on the outside. IRQ came closer to read it. Tentomon tried to turn around but he was immobilized
- Oh come on! I can't move!
- Yet you still can talk?
- Just read it and close it. My legs are getting stiff!
- Your head is getting stiff. Shut up. - IRQ read the label. He blinked a few times and read it again. He wasn't wrong.
There was "LEVEL UP" written on the label.
- What's writed there?
- Written you mean.
- Jawohl! Heil Grammar!
- For this line alone I should put a nail in your ear.
- I have no ears and I do not wish to share any information about an organ responsible for my hearing. What's written there?
- ...You have to digivolve to do anything.
- That's all?
IRQ blinked again. Something was wrong.
- I think you didn't understand. I said...
- I KNOW, RIGHT? Get some facts straight. Thorin's digivice activates – it blocks Falcomon's older champion form to introduce a new, stronger one. Develor's digivice – have you, by any chance, seen a giant red lizard walking with us? And now yours…
- Hold on a second. As for mine, there are too many unknowns.
- You know what? ASK THE FREAKIN' DIGIVICE! I must say, one thing you're good at is asking the right questions. And then finding the right answers. So? What's the question now?
- "How".
- That's all?
- I... think so.
- You didn't try hard for this one, did ya? The answer is forty two.
- Why forty two? That has nothing to do with the question.
- That's because you asked a wrong question.
- I don't get you.
- Seriously? You didn't get the reference? You've used forty two yourself before. Moron.
- That's because it's my favourite number. Next to seventeen and it was way too low for a reply to you. What reference?
- Double moron. How come I know your world's books and you don't?
- You're specific. You do not count.
- That's what... - Tentomon stopped in the middle of his favorite (save for "stop calling ma buggy") line when he saw a light beaming from his partner's digivice. Inside the column there was a purple Y – shaped item with a white chip where three lines met. IRQ sighed.
- There goes the answer. Not really optimistic. At least partially.
- Keep your butt tight. Can we just go?
- Yes we can. - IRQ closed his eyes. He opened them only after hearing a sound of something hitting metal. Namely, two – feet – thick steel door.
- IRQ! What does Leo say about door's power level? - Tentomon laughed somewhere in the back.
- It's over nine thousand – the tamer replied.
- ...How – Raph asked, staring at GrapLeomon rubbing his fist and an indent in the door where IRQ's head was a while ago. Said tamer just smiled.
- Magic – he said. The lion roared.
- Aren't you a little trickmaster, eh? Can you do anything else? I'd like to see the ladybug boy jumping through a flaming ring. - Digimon started to come dangerously close to IRQ and Tentomon.
- Well, if you kick him hard enough...
- HEY!
- Can do... – the lion was closer and closer.
- But, y'know, that's not my best trick.
- Oh, I'm listening. Show me what you're best at. – The last sentence was rather growled than said.
- That would be taming of big cats.
- ...What?
- Ba -Dum! Tssshhhh! – Tentomon finished. The very same moment a sphere of purple energy threw GrapLeomon across the room. After the light faded IRQ held a Y-Digivice.
- Shouldn't I be making a moving speech about an importance of virtue in a human life? Or at least a digimon throwing itself into a hopeless battle to save his human companion?
- Nope. That's purely optional.
- Well, that's good. Let's go, Buggy.
- Stop calling me buggy.
- Sure, whatever. Initiate! Digivolution!
A beam of light hit Tentomon when he stood up to GrapLeomon who managed to recover already. He didn't seem pleased.
- Tentomon digivolve to...
IRQ witnessed another evolution. "Buggy" was covered in a bright light and immediately grew to over fifteen feet. His limbs elongated and hands, similar in shape to these of a human but with sharp claws, appeared on two upper pairs. Feet had five toes each with two pointed backwards growing on a heel, which made them W - shaped. The wings developed, instead of covered wings of a beetle now there were two pairs of narrow, long wings of a dragonfly. The torso slimmed and also elongated a little, with a pointy spike – a tail or a stinger, IRQ wasn't sure – growing on the back. Head became weird, with an unidentified shape – save for another sharp horn on the front, making a rhinoceros beetle image coming to the mind. The huge insect landed slowly. Then the data started to appear.
Digimon had hard and stiff skin of a pale shade of navy blue. In some places, where the armor was seemingly harder, there were grey plates divided into segments by parallel lines. Limbs were plain, save for skin similar to these of a human – if not the fingers and toes, segmented as insects' legs and said darker plates on the sides of thighs and upper arms. The plates were also located on the chest. The wings were much more fragile than the rest of insect's body, as IRQ predicted membranous. They were opaque and beige in colour. On the top of the head, covered with a helmet – shaped grey plate, there were some tabs shaped like small horns. The indents were smaller but deeper. Instead of dividing the head into segments they created a complicated pattern. IRQ shrugged when the data shaped digimon's mouth, making four jaws – upper, lower and two on the sides – permanently opened, filled with razor – sharp teeth and showing red flesh inside the mouth. The last body part to be covered with data was the horn on the front of the head. Of course it all took about a second and a half.
- KABUTERIMON.
Digimon started to move its wings so quickly the tamers couldn't see them. It slowly ascended, laughing quietly. GrapLeomon yawned demonstratively. Since nothing interesting was going on, IRQ scanned his partner. Kabuterimon, CHM/INS/VAC. As predicted.
- Some big flies you've got here - he said.
- Shut it.
- Should I take a fly - flap?
- At least you will not call me buggy now.
- Darn right. Go back to the previous form, at once.
- You wish.
GrapLeomon decided it was time to shorten the dialogue, so he jumped up high and sent Kabuterimon to the floor with one hit. However he immediately jumped and attacked with claws. GrapLeomon blocked every arm the insect tried to use. He quickly understood his mistake: he was out of limbs. Meanwhile Kabuterimon...
- A gentleman would not interrupt others in a mannerly conversation of throwing shit at each other – he said calmly, stabbing GrapLeomon with his horn right next to the charm. It resulted in pressing the armor in a little and nothing more. The lion freed his hand and threw his opponent down. He immediately stood up, shook off and took off again.
- Good job, master. Nice aim – IRQ snarked.
- Go screw yourself. Everything according to plan.
- You mean he hits and you get hit? If you reached him now, we wouldn't need a plan.
- I know what I'm doing.
- Yeah, I see. Are you going to hit him actually? Do you even see him?
- Breaking news: I. Have. No. Eyes.
IRQ looked at the insect's armored helmet. There had been something wrong with it, indeed. And now, after Kabuterimon mentioned it, he realised what.
- The last time I talk with a digimon 'bout anatomy... – he just said – just stick to the plan and we're all right – he added, dashing towards the group.
- What is the plan you keep talking about? – Raph asked.
- And I'd like to know when you managed to come up with a plan – Thorin added.
- I'll tell you guys later –IRQ just said, catching Agumon's hand. Meanwhile he pointed at his partner circling around GrapLeomon. He looked at his tamer every few second despite the mentioned lack of eyes. He was waiting for a sign.
- That's gonna take a while –IRQ muttered making sure nobody hears him and then he let Agumon go. He needed his left hand. He started to draw letters in the air with it. - Plugin K! Ultra attack! Plugin X! Damage multiplier! Times four!
- Just four? - Agumon was visibly surprised.
- He needs enough strength to dodge after he attacks and you know what kind of energy devourer is that thing times five – IRQ replied, catching his hand again – when I say "now" we run towards the closed gate. As fast as you can. Ready? NOW!
Instead of saying, IRQ screamed at the top of his lungs. Then he ran.
- I heard that! – GrapLeomon shouted, getting ready to jump at the door. He was however blocked by Kabuterimon. The insect was holding his chest with all four hands. Every now and then the limbs were sparking.
- So did I. Electro Shocker! - Digimon spread his arms, discharging in a shape of white, purple and celadon globe lightning. The energy sphere was sent flying towards the lion's chest. He tried to bounce it back. In a way he succeeded: he stopped the sphere and for a few seconds struggled against it before finally redirecting it and sending it at the ceiling. During these seconds however the charge was weakened. Most of the electricity managed to gather around the black crystal. When it was released, the chips surrounded the crystal cracked loudly. GrapLeomon whizzed, falling to his knees and putting a hand over his heart.
- A heart attack – he ruckled. Kabuterimon was circling above him on a safe – presumed - altitude.
- I've got more of it – he said calmly. In the commotion nobody noticed the conveyor belts stopping and closed doors opening. Nobody – save for IRQ and Agumon just waiting for it and now using the opportunity to run through the newly unlocked corridor.
It ended with a set of closed door about hundred and fifty feet away. There were no knobs and a control panel was ripped off.
- Shouldn't it be opened? – Agumon asked.
- Coupled gates I think. To make escaping harder. When you open one, the second one closes.
- Okay, I know what to do. Step back. - Digimon took a deep breath. After a while skin on his head turned red. It was visible even through orange scales.
- That's not a good idea – IRQ interrupted, looking at Agumon moving away from the panel leftovers. He wasn't even listening.
- SPITFIRE BLAST! – he roared, releasing a firebolt at the cables. It bounced back and hit the dragon's head, knocking him down. The digimon's scream while performing the attack echoed through corridor.
- Congratulations. Now he's gonna realize we're here – RQ growled, coming closer to the machine. He opened his digivice, moving it closer to the panel – can't you be quiet while attacking?
- No. Thorin told you I think?
- He said you have to call them. Not that you have to scream them the loudest you can.
- Right. Sorry – the dragon apologized, rubbing the burn mark on the top of his head. Meanwhile tamer quickly wrote some commands on his device. One of the ripped cables was connected to some strange input on the side.
- If it's really connected to my thoughts, the gate will open in around two... – Door opened with a loud creak. Agumon ran inside not waiting for IRQ. The tamer disconnected his digivice and walked inside to watch a moving reunion. He breathed a sigh of relief seeing his brother safe and sound. He wouldn't be himself though if he didn't spoil the mood.
- Kid, do this once again and you're screwed. I'm taking half of your next month allowance for now.
Young tamer stopped hugging Agumon and looked at the newcomer. He was identical to the boy in the photo, clothes included. The only difference was the face – it was longer than it should and cheeks were a little emaciated. IRQ became furious. Agumon's tamer was looking with a surprise in his eyes at both his partner and his older brother.
- What... are you doing here?
- Jax, don't abuse it. I'm saving your clumsy ass and nothing else. He made you starve? I'll tear him apart. With my bare hands. He can digivolve as many times as he wants, it won't help him...
Jax interrupted his brother by rising his hand. He looked at Agumon. The digimon nodded so tamer turned to IRQ.
- Line goes this way. It wasn't that bad, but he imprisoned me and disgraced Agumon. If anyone will face him – that's two of us. You know, honor, that kind of things.
- You can't handle him. Remember the last time? I don't know… Just before you started to need a rescue team to get to you?
- We can do it now. He doesn't seem, but the three of you tired him. We've got a chance – Agumon said. IRQ ostentaciously looked at the ceiling.
- Right, alright. Just don't expect me to help you when you come back crying.
- Did I ask you for help once during the last year?
- Go already.
Agumon smiled.
- Here we go! Right, Jax?
- For the glory!
- Good luck... – a well – known voice said from behind the door. IRQ turned around. GrapLeomon was pulling Kabuterimon with him. When everybody was looking at him, he easily hammered him into the metal wall.
- Luck is the last thing I need for you... - Jax said, rising his hand a little. He was holding a glowing orange Y-Digivice…

================================/

I like the way Guilmon's digivolution turned out. I mean, Raph's speech was so incredibly forced that after writing it I started to wonder what I was trying to achieve. And, since most of pre-readers pointed it too… Well, since everybody noticed – why wouldn't the guys in the fic? Thus, lame and forced but serious scene was given some parody lines and, frankly, I like it much better now. Also, Raph got mad and trolling is always funny. Especially when it makes a giant fire – breathing dinosaur appear out of thin air. Well, out of a smaller fire – breathing dinosaur. But that's not the point.
Also, some people think Tentomon is being too much of a jerk after evolving to rookie, disagreeing to help the team when there are literally their lives on stake and stuff. What I tell them is that's because Motimon simply didn't care. He was there just because someone had to and he wasn't obliged to do anything. And he knew it. But then everything changed when the Fire Na- I mean, Numemon – attacked. He digivolved. For the first time. That gave him lots of new possibilities. Too bad a) he was going to be stripped of this new power as soon as the mission was over and b) he was basically thrown against the opponents way too strong to handle (GunNumemon, then Bakemon) right after evolving. Being a rookie and fighting against rookies is one thing, fighting against champions and getting the crap beaten out of oneself, however… Well, he was bitter and he's really not to blame for that.
Then there came a glimmer of hope: Guilmon digivolved the second time. Tentomon took it as a good sign… Just to be violently brought down when he learned that he's going to be facing an ultimate anyway. He became even more bitter and started ignoring orders or outright refusing to help. But then, when expected change happened… Well, he's not going to stop being a jerk and you're either gonna love it or hate it (as I said before), but he'll be a little more helpful from now on.
As for Thorin's F – shot – well, to be honest I'm pretty much confused with the ratings. I mean, if lines like these appear from time to time is it OK for the fic to still be in T or should I move it to M? I mean, they don't appear often – there are some stressful situations when there are clusters of f-words, but it happens once or twice per arc and I don't really feel like changing the rating because of it. Is it ok if I just write a warning note before the chapters containing these?

So… We've got our local Chuck Norris in training back to the team. No, seriously, Jax is one big meme both out – and in – universe. He's just that awesome. So the next chapter ass – kicking ensues, I assure you. Get ready for The Showdown.

Disclaimer: The "Digimon" franchise belongs to Bandai. I do not claim ownership. The text above is non-profit and written only for entertainment purposes.