Story Three: Nuts and Bolts
Time passed, as the Digi-destined continued through the strange place that was the Digital World, on a smaller continent then the other Digi-destined, but with several of the same creatures and unfriendly faces.
"Get them!" growled one of the Yanmamon, which charged at the Digi-destined, buzzing angrily.
"Quick! Attack!" Alex ordered.
"Ninja Blade!" Musyamon sliced right through the Yanmamon, defeating it in an instant. Apemon konked out the other Yanmamon, as Veedramon, Seadramon, and Crabmon fought the Kuwagamon, beating it with ease.
"This is getting pathetic." Adam said. "When do they stop sending minions after us? Bring on the big guys!"
"You should be careful with what you wish for." Michael said. "You might just get it."
"It's difficult enough to fight whole swarms of these guys." Jennifer agreed. "I don't even like bugs!"
"Then you'll love the swarm of Tankmon, Guardromon, and did I mention Mekanorimon coming this way." Alex muttered, pointing to a small army of Digimon approaching them.
"I'm ready for 'em." Adam said. "You ready, Veedramon?"
"As I'll ever be." His Digimon nodded.
Apemon drew its bone stick, Crabmon readied its claws, Seadramon bore its fangs, and Musyamon readied his sword, as the machine Digimon continued their approach.
It didn't take them long to arrive, as one of the Guardromon walked up to Alex.
"Attention, Digi-destined." It said. "Our leader, Giromon, is willing to offer a peace treaty. If you surrender immediately and unconditionally, he will allow you to become his servants."
"Thanks, but no deal." Alex said. "We'd rather pound this Giromon into the dust."
"You will regret your decision." The Guardromon warned.
"I always do." Alex replied calmly. "Now get out of my face, tin can."
"You will regret this decision." The Guardromon repeated.
"Musyamon…" Alex snapped his fingers. Musyamon easily sliced one of the Guardromon's arms off. "Our reply still stands. Leave us alone."
The Guardromon made an electronic growl and headed back to the army.
"We're about to battle impossible odds, aren't we?" Angela asked.
"Yep." Alex replied.
"Great…" Michael muttered.
The mechanical Digimon all approached, moving in sequence, seeing as they were machines.
"Stop." Came a voice among them. A tiny, sphere-like Digimon with arms and horns flew up. He wielded a chainsaw in one hand.
His orders were followed, as all the Digimon stood at attention.
"I will finish them myself." He said. This new Digimon flew over. "For I am Giromon, the one who will destroy all of you."
"I'm impressed." Adam said in a mock tone.
"You will be." Giromon said. "Hmm…four Champion Digimon and a Rookie. Too easy." He activated his chain saw. "Well, kiddos, looks like the end of the line." He charged at the Digi-destined.
"Scatter and attack!" Alex gave widespread order. All of them moved, as Musyamon struck Giromon with Ninja Blade, but did not penetrate his metal body.
"V-Blast!" Veedramon launched the 'V' of energy, which slammed into Giromon.
"Mega Bone Stick!" Apemon slammed the bone hard onto Giromon, but did little damage.
"Ice Blast!" Seadramon shot a burst of frozen water at Giromon.
"Crab Meat Bomber!" Crabmon flung more projectiles.
Giromon floated through this, barely a scratch on his body.
"My turn." He said, and began fiddling with a spherical device in his hand.
"What's that?" Jennifer asked.
"Your doom." Giromon smiled. "Here it is, Digi-destined… BIG BANG!" Giromon threw the device forward. It stopped a few feet from them, and exploded in a blast of light. The Digi-destined all went flying.
Most of them landed easily, but some landed flat on their face, like Adam and Michael, who's Digimon had reverted to the Rookie stage. Angela and Alex still had Apemon and Musyamon ready for battle.
Giromon floated over. "Pleasant, yes?"
Alex lifted himself weakly. "Of course." Musyamon took a battle stance. "Ready for Round Two?"
"Of course." Giromon said. He then noticed the crests around their necks. "What? You can Digi-volve higher?"
Alex grinned. "Of course. I can tell all ready you're an Ultimate level Digimon. You're powerful, but not too. All it will take is one Digivolution from any of us."
Giromon gasped. "Impossible! You're bluffing!"
"Do you see the girl and her Crabmon over there?" Alex pointed to Jennifer and her crab Digimon. "They don't know it yet, but when Crabmon Digi-volves, no one, not even you, will be able to stop it."
"What's he talking about?" Jennifer asked.
"He says I'll Digi-volve into something strong." Crabmon replied.
"Will you?"
"Maybe." Crabmon replied. "I honestly don't know."
"Your game is up, Giromon." Alex said. "Sorry."
Giromon was infuriated. "I will not listen to this foolishness! I'll just kill the girl and show you how weak she is!" He charged at Jennifer and Crabmon.
"Jennifer!" the others cried, though Giromon's superior speed was too much to keep up with.
Her Digimon knew what to do, as the Digivice began to glow.
"Crabmon, Digi-volve to…" Crabmon's body shifted to that of a lobster's. It was much larger, and now a dark red color. It had large claws and a thick, plated tail in the back. With its appearance, it declared: "Ebidramon!"
Giromon backed away. "What the…"
Jennifer had gotten over the usual first Digivolution trauma. "Get 'im, Ebidramon!" She encouraged.
"Lobster Step!" Ebidramon slammed Giromon hard with all its feet, and then hit it upside the head. "Double Scissors!" Ebidramon grabbed Giromon's arms with its claws, holding the Digimon still.
"Let me go!" Giromon demanded.
"Now!" Alex shouted. "Full power attack!"
"Mega Bone Stick!" Apemon slammed Giromon with the bone.
"Ice Winder!" Seadramon shot ice from its mouth, freezing random sections of Giromon's body.
"Hammer Punch!" Veedramon slammed its fist into Giromon, then rubbed its hand. "Ow."
"SHOGUN SWORD!" Musyamon sliced straight through Giromon. He fell in two pieces on the ground.
The minions walked over, lifted Giromon's body, and headed off.
"Um…did we just win?" Adam asked.
"Oh, yeah." Alex nodded.
In the fortress of the evil lord, the reassembled Giromon floated before its master.
"Forgive me, sire. I was overconfident, and I allowed the Digi-destined to win." Giromon said. "Please don't kill me."
"On the contrary." The Collector replied. "I wish to reward you. Now all the Digi-destined have Digi-volved to Champion stages, and give me a bit of a challenge."
"I will gladly deal with them." MetalTyrannomon volunteered.
"No." the Collector said. "Let Giromon have his fun." Giromon smiled. "However…" Giromon's smile faded. "If you fail again, you die. Clear?"
"Crystal." Giromon replied.
"Excellent." The Collector grinned as he watched the Digi-destined on
a monitor. "Their next move will be ultimate levels. We'll see just how
good they are."