Digivice Upgrade
The Digital World
Kurata's FOB
"Nikki, calm down", Ivan told him.
He was throwing punches and kicks at a tree: "Masaru Daimon", he said over and over.
"No sense fighting a tree, trees can't fight back", Ivan continued.
"We should've beaten them!", he called back.
Nanami sat up in a hammock, fixing her lipstick. Her knees were up, and the poofy dress revealed everything, including that she wasn't wearing underwear.
"Commear", she said, "I know what'll get your mind off Masaru, give me some lovin'".
Nikki dropped his trousers, climbed into the hammock, and pushed the poofy dress up as high as it would go...
"You seem resentful...", it was Kurata calling in, audio only as the two-way visual hadn't come up yet. "...I understand how you feel", as the visual came up. "Still whoring around Nanami?"
She turned several shades of red.
"Embarrassed Nanami? You surprise me more and more every day. Still, this mission must come first..."
"Daimon and his DATS friends..."
"Don't worry yourself over them. For now, continue the digimon hunt".
"I don't care about that! It's a matter of pride..."
"Don't forget who made you what you are. I gave you an assignment and I expect it to be carried out. Your wounded pride can wait. We'll deal with Masaru and his friends soon enough. They're not a threat, now that not even their own organization can help them. You have your orders, understand?"
"Yes... Sir", he replied without enthusiasm.
"Very well then, there are no problems, I trust?"
"No... no problems, Sir".
"I'll be seeing you shortly", Kurata signed off.
"Let's face it", Ivan was saying, "they beat us"
"It's not like I give a damn, one way or the other", Nanami sighed.
Digital World
Near Cherrymon's Forest
"DNA charge!", Yoshi was trying out her digivice. "It's useless", she said after nothing happened.
"Without digivices, we are so fucked", Thomas said.
"We'll still fight them hard", Gaomon promised.
"I don't doubt it, but without those digivices, how will you be able to digivolve? They'll beat us easily".
"Like I said", Masaru said, "we find my Dad, he either fixes our digivices or replaces them, and we're back in business".
"I wish I had your confidence", Thomas confessed.
Suddenly and without warning, Thomas tackled Masaru to the ground, hidden behind a rock.
"Hell're you..."
He was silenced with a hand over his mouth: "Quiet it's them, Kurata's anthrohybrids", Thomas whispered.
Masaru continued to struggle.
"Calm down!", he whispered as forcefully as he could. "We can't let them find us".
"We're in no condition to fight", Yoshi explained, "not without our digivices".
"Masaru! Masaru Daimon!", Thunderbirdmon called out. "We know you're out here somewhere! Come on out; we have unfinished business!"
"Getting our digivices repaired comes first", Thomas reminded.
"Come out! Don't be such a coward!"
Thomas increased the force of his grip on Masaru, knowing just how much those were fighting words.
"Calm down!", he reminded again.
"We're lucky they didn't see us", Yoshi said as she got up well after the three anthrohybrids were out of sight.
"They're the lucky ones", Masaru said.
They found the shore, and were walking along the beach, with its ASCII characters crunching under their feet instead of sea shells.
"It shouldn't be too far..."
"There!", Dorumon called out.
"Something's different", Thomas remarked. The shape of the half sea arch, he recognized: Wanderer's Cape. There was a small wood building on top of the arch.
"What's that?", Yoshi asked.
"I have no idea", Thomas replied, as he wasn't expecting this.
"Now that we're here, might as well check it out", Masaru said as he ran forward.
The small simple rectangular building had a sign post next to the door: "DNA Charge Dojo".
"Dojo?", Thomas asked.
"Welcome to the DNA Charge Dojo..."
"Huh?", Yoshi asked.
They looked up.
"That guy again", Dorumon said.
"BanchoLeomon?", Thomas asked.
The leonid digimon stood at the peak of the roof.
"What happened to the upside down mansion?", Masaru asked.
"Upside down mansion?", BanchoLeomon asked, seeming to not knew what he was talking about. "This dojo exists for those who seek deeper knowledge of the DNA charge. Are you seekers of knowledge?"
"Huh?", was all they could say.
"You seem confused", BanchoLeomon asked. "Have you heard of the DNA charge?", he asked.
"Huh?", they asked again.
He leaped from the roof, did a back flip, to land on his feet before the group.
"I see", Masaru said. "You wanna fight".
"Stop it, Masaru", Yoshi reprimanded, "it doesn't look like he wants to fight".
"Have you heard of the DNA charge? Yes or no", he asked more insistently this time.
"Well... sure", Masaru replied.
"Do you know what the DNA charge is or don't you?", he insisted more forcefully.
"The power of evolution?", Masaru offered.
"No, Masaru", Yoshi said. "The DNA charge is... well", she seemed confused. "I'm not exactly sure what it is", she conceded.
"The DNA charge means different things to different people?", Lalamon offered.
"Uhhhhh...", BanchoLeomon groaned in disgust. "It's no wonder your digivices overloaded with that dismal level of understanding".
"Whatjewjussay?!", Masaru called out.
"How did you know?", Thomas asked.
"Come with me", Bancholeomon avoided the question, "then the door to your future shall open", he said as he opened the sliding door.
"What now?", Yoshi asked.
"I don't see we have a choice here", Thomas said. "BanchoLeomon knows something we need to know".
"Just so long as I get a good poke at that smartass lion", Masaru said.
"Don't antagonize him prematurely", Yoshi reminded. She led the way inside.
"Shall we?", Dorumon said.
"Wha...", Dorumon said as BanchoLeomon blocked the way.
"No. You will have to wait outside. Your partners have to learn this on their own if they are to help you fight later".
"OK, we wait", Gaomon agreed.
"The nest time you see your partners, they will be stronger than ever before", he promised as he closed the door behind him.
"Hell was that?", Gaomon asked.
"Dunnow", Dorumon answered. "Sure is an odd duck".
Yoshi, Thomas, and Masaru were lined up against the wall, as BanchoLeomon took his place before them. The interior was vacant of everything but for three wood dummies much like the ones Masaru had encountered during MMA training.
"We're here, just like you asked", Thomas said, "tell us what you know about the DNA charge", he demanded.
"Patience, Impetuous One. First things first", BanchoLeomon told him. "If you can not comprehend what I'm about to teach, and if you can't gain control of your DNA charge, then you will have no future here in the Digital World right now, or the Material World, for much longer either. That includes your partners as well".
"If you have something to say, then just say it", Masaru told him. "Your riddles and high and mighty attitude are really rubbing me the wrong way. I'll show you who has a future and who doesn't!", he called out as he threw a punch at BanchoLeomon.
"Masaru!", Yoshi reprimanded.
He side stepped easily: "I'm not the one you'll be fighting".
He snapped his fingers, and those wood dummies sprang to life.
"What now?!", Masaru asked.
"To complete your training, you must first destroy these dummies. Once you do, a new world the likes of which you have never imagined will open up for you".
"I never signed on for any of this", Yoshi complained. "What a waste of time! We need to know one thing: how to get our digivices working again. Otherwise, it's useless!"
"Wrong. To despair and give up is useless. You must complete this trial".
"I've had enough of your bullshit!", Masaru announced.
"For once, I agree", Thomas said.
Yoshi tried the door and received a shock: "A force field?", she asked.
"I told you: the lesson has already begun", BanchoLeomon told them. "Choose a figure and fight it to destruction".
Masaru hit one of the figures so hard he drove it back, and knocked it down.
"You pack a nice punch there. However, your real power isn't in your fists: it comes from within, and is backed by an unwavering courage". …
"Here, kitty, kitty, kitty", Dorumon was trying to coax a cat-like Fresh into playing. It obviously didn't want to play as it skittered away.
"I wonder how they're getting on in there?", he asked.
"BanchoLeomon seemed confident he could train our partners", Gaomon answered. "I wonder..."
"Gaomon, Dorumon: do you think we can trust BanchoLeomon?", Lalamon asked.
"It's a little late to be asking that", Gaomon replied.
"I'm... not sure", Dorumon said. "He did help us, but what do we really know about him?"
"Not much", Gaomon replied. "It would be a good ruse, though, wouldn't it? Defeat those Gizumon-XTs to instill a false sense of security and trust. Don't forget, he destroyed them with an unusual ease after we threw everything we had at them. I never thought that looked right".
"You think Kurata would do something like that?", Dorumon asked.
"I wouldn't put anything past him. Besides, we've never seen any 'BanchoLeomon' before, so who's to say he isn't one of Kurata's anthrohybrids?"
"Masaru was sure he wasn't that", Dorumon reminded.
"I hope you're right..."
"I'm gonna put my trust in him", Lalamon said.
"Why do you say that?"
"Because I fear the alternative more".
"Me too... then".
"I'm getting bored, just sitting and waiting", Dorumon said. "How much longer is this gonna take?" …
Yoshi, Thomas and Masaru had knocked down those wood dummies. Every time, they got back up.
"The DNA charge isn't just about brute strength", BanchoLeomon continued his lecture. "You also have to really feel it. It strengthens your will: it's the only way to really feel the essential DNA charge".
"Yannow, it's hard to fight when you keep yammering on like that", Masaru complained as he knocked the dummy down once again. …
"Hey!", Lalamon complained. "You always win at Hopscotch, Gaomon".
To pass the time, Gaomon and Dorumon traced out a Hopscotch layout. Dorumon and Gaomon were the only ones playing, as they were the only ones with feet.
"Your turn", he said to Dorumon. "I don't know what else we could all play", he apologized. "We still need a referee".
Dorumon threw his marker onto the layout. He hesitated.
"C'mon, you're holdin' up the game", Gaomon called out.
Dorumon seemed not to have heard.
"Uh-oh", he said.
"What...", Gaomon didn't get the chance to ask that question.
"Found you at last", it was Nikki and his associates. This time, in human form.
"Wanna play?', Dorumon asked. "We'll cut you in next time".
"Maybe some other time", Nanami said.
"Where are your partners?", Ivan got to the point.
"They just took off", Gaomon lied. "Said something about going back to the Material World... just left us here".
"I think we'll play, but not Hopscotch", Nanami said as she whipped out her digivice.
"Execute: Spirit Evolution!" ...
"Not again!", Masaru complained as he watched that wooden figure reassemble itself and get up after he broke it apart one more time.
Yoshi and Thomas were having the same problem: their dummies also reassembled every time they broke them.
"Punching has nothing to do with the DNA charge. You must control your emotions, concentrate on one point", BanchoLeomon told him.
He broke it apart yet again, only to see it reassemble: "Arrrrgh..."., he called out.
He was interrupted by an explosion that shook the whole building.
"What...", Yoshi called out. …
"I'll ask one last time: where did your partners go?", Thunderbirdmon demanded.
"Obviously, they're in that building over there", Quetselmon replied.
"Now that we know, you're in our way", Thunderbirdmon threatened.
"You'll have to come through us first", Dorumon replied.
Dorumon digivolve toooo …
… DORUGAMON!
Gaomon digivolve toooo …
… GAOGAMON!
Lalamon digivolve toooo …
… SUNFLOMON!
"I told you to get out of our way!", Thunderbirdmon threatened again.
"Power Metal"
"Dash Doubleclaw!"
These attacks neutralized.
"Shell Needle Rain!', Stegomon tried attacking, but this time, Sunflomon knew the range and coverage, and dodged successfully.
"Sunshine Beam!", she fired back.
This didn't work either.
Quetselmon was picking on her favorite nemesis, and coiled around Gaogamon. This time, he expected this, and was ready. He spun her around at the last second.
"Power Metal", Dorugamon was already in position.
At least they dropped Quetselmon, even if only temporary.
"So your fighting style isn't so predictable", she congratulated. "That being said, your attacks are still ineffective".
'We're not letting you get to our partners that easily!", Gaogamon called out. …
"You have to let us out!', Yoshi pleaded.
"What's going on out there doesn't concern you right now. Even if I let you out, it would do no good. Your lesson comes first", BanchoLeomon insisted.
"You have no idea what I can do!", Masaru challenged.
"Concentrate on your training!", BanchoLeomon ordered.
Masaru attacked that wooden figure with renewed vigor. ...
"What do we do now?!", Dorugamon asked.
"We believe in our partners!", Sunflomon called back.
"Dash Doubleclaw", Machgaogamon attacked his self-appointed nemesis.
"Shell Needle Rain!", Stegomon blew out the front wall.
"Thunder Strike!", Thunderbirdmon and his companions attacked at once, combining attacks. Sunflomon, Gaogamon, and Dorugamon devolved as they dropped to the ground. ...
"Masaru!", Thunderbirdmon called out. "Masaru Daimon! Show yourself this instant, or your little friend disappears forever!", he threatened.
"Dorumon!", Masaru called out. Horrified, he looked on as Thunderbirdmon held Dorumon up by one talon. Gaomon and Lalamon lay on the ground, just beyond Bancholeomon's shimmering force field.
"...And if your friends don't join you, their partners are the next to go!"
"Youhavetoletusout!", Yoshi demanded, as she received another shock as she tried to force her way through.
"NOOOO!", Masaru screamed. As he continued screaming...
"Masaru?", Yoshi asked.
He was surrounded by the DNA charge, but this time, it took on the appearance of flames, as though he were being immolated.
"He did it!", Thomas said.
"Well?", Masaru asked.
"Now you're beginning to understand, but it's still not enough", BanchoLeomon told him. "You have to control it by controlling your emotions".
"I still don't know what you're talking about!", Masaru called out of the "fire".
"What is it you want?", BanchoLeomon asked firmly.
"Uhhhh..."
"Answer that, and you will have all your answers".
"I want... I want to save Dorumon and our partners!"
The "fire" settled down to a golden glow.
"He controlled it", Thomas announced.
"Well I don't understand", Yoshi complained.
"The DNA charge is human emotion", Bancholeomon said. "Human emotion gives the digientelechia direction. Like electricity in your world, the digientelechia exists as an unfocused power. It requires direction and actualization to actually do something useful. That's where you come in".
BanchoLeomon confirmed what Thomas had long suspected. "All the digimon we encountered in the Material World did what they did because they were reacting to the emotions of those they met".
"Anger and desire are powerful", BanchoLeomon continued his explanation. "So when you recognized your desire, the power of your anger matched the desire to protect your friends. Once you can control your anger, a whole new world of power will become yours".
"Let's try", Thomas said to Yoshi.
"All right!", Masaru called out as he witnessed his friends duplicate his feat. Their respective DNA charges first lit up like fire before settling down to a steady glow.
"Now, strike your digivices", BanchoLeomon ordered. "Use your DNA charge"
"But... our digivices are burnt out", Yoshi complained.
"Just do it!"
Masaru went first. The DNA charge glow spread around his digivice, then the device itself changed.
"The digivice!", Yoshi called out.
Masaru's digivice looked much the same, but there were some slight differences.
"This is the digivice burst. Your digivice taught itself how to evolve. Your DNA Charge will now work".
While Thomas and Yoshi were doing this, Masaru sent out a blast of DNA charge that finally wiped out all three training dummies. In the process, he blew out the rest of the walls of the dojo.
"Here they come", Quetselmon announced.
"Now this is becoming interesting", Thunderbirdmon replied, as he dropped Dorumon.
"Dorumon?", Masaru checked on his partner. "Sorry for the wait".
"I knew you'd come", he chuckled.
"That's right", he agreed. "How'd you like to give those assholes a little payback?"
"DNA charge: overload!"
Dorumon double warp digivolve toooo...
… DORUGORAMON!
"Now our turn!", Thomas called out.
"Uh Huh!", Yoshi agreed.
Gaomon double warp digivolve toooo …
… MIRAGEGAOGAMON!
Lalamon double warp digivolve toooo …
… ROSEMON!
"Noway!", Quetselmon called out. "I never seen anything like this before!"
"Let's see how tough they are!", Thunderbirdmon called out as he was the first to attack.
To his surprise, Dourgoramon caught him by the head and threw him back to his companions.
"Shell Needle Rain!', Stegomon attacked. This time, MirageGaogamon easily dodged that attack, which he hadn't been able to do before. Next thing he knew, MirageGaogamon appeared before him and kicked him away.
"I'll get the girl!", Quetselmon called out.
"Rose Spear!", she, too, found herself flat on her back.
"They're Mega-level now", Stegomon was saying. "We can't compete..."
"I never imagined the DNA charge could do this", Thomas was saying.
"I don't care what level they are!", Thunderbirdmon challenged, "I will find a way to get them!"
"Yeah, right. Good luck with that", Dorugoramon smirked back at him.
"Let's just get this over with", Rosemon said, as she began to charge her attack.
"Doru Djinn!", Dorugoramon fired off his shock wave attack.
"Full Moon Blaster!", MirageGaogamon fired an energy attack.
"Forbidden Temptation!", Rosemon fired off what looked like rose pedals: an attack that scrambled data.
Together, they blew off most of the over hanging sea arch, along with the anthrohybrids.
They stood on what was left of the arch: "You have come a long way in a very short time", BanchoLeomon was congratulating. "Remember how it felt, and always remember to keep a tight rein on your emotions. You shouldn't have too many more difficulties".
"Thank you for all you taught us", Yoshi said.
"They may think you're some sort of super sensei", Masaru challenged. "What would have become of our digimon if things hadn't worked out so swell? Would you have just stood by, letting those bio-freaks destroy them?! Did you even care?!"
"Masaru!", Yoshi reprimanded.
"One day, BanchoLeomon, I'm going to settle our unfinished business", Masaru told him.
"On that day, then we shall see".
"Yeah! I guess we will!"
"Where will you go now?", BanchoLeomon asked.
"We... really don't know", Yoshi confessed.
"We were looking for Dr. Daimon", Thomas explained, "hoping he would know how to repair our digivices, but, now, that problem's been solved".
"Then may I suggest you visit the Scared City?", he said as he pointed across the bay.
"Sacred... City?", Masaru asked.
"There, you will find those in desperate need of your new powers and abilities".
"Thanks... I guess?", Yoshi wasn't sure this was a good idea.
BanchoLeomon walked off, as seemed to be his habit. He never asked if he could accompany them to the Sacred City.
"I wonder just who he is", Thomas asked. "He knew about the burnt out digivices, knew how to get them working again. How could he know so much?"
"BANCHOLEOMON!", Masaru called out. It was too late, as BanchoLeomon seemed to have disappeared from view. "I wonder... could he have somehow known Dad? Then why didn't he say something?"
"No idea", Thomas and Yoshi agreed.