Disclaimer - I do not own any of the characters portrayed in this story. They are owned by Toei Animation and Marvel Entertainment Group.
Author's Notes: Usually, this part of the story WOULD be chaptered in with the rest in a week's time, but this Thursday (19/07/01) I'm going abroad on vacation. To Virginia, if you must know. So I won't be writing anything for that time, and I won't be around to answer e-mails, or anything like that - so I always wont be here to chapter this in. But I'll do it when I come back! Oh, and there's more art at the bottom of this chapter too.
- - -
MARVEL COMICS vs. DIGIMON!
Chapter Three
"Fighting Fire With Fire"
- - -
...run that by me again?
Giant-Man, the reserve Avenger also known as Doctor Henry Pym,
stood alongside his lover, Janet Van Dyne, code-named the winsome
Wasp, within Pier Four, the Fantastic Four's current base.
Sitting around him, on whatever was available to sit on, were the
rest of the Avengers, the Fantastic Four, Wolverine, Storm,
Archangel and Professor Charles Xavier of the X-Men. Also present
were some very strange individuals - six children with facial
problems Hank tried to ignore, and six small creatures of varying
appearances, looking like nothing so much living cartoons.
Well, thanks to Franklin's... expertise... in this
area, Reed gestured at his son, in the arms of Sue, we've
been able to conclude that these beings are effectively from
another dimension. In their dimension, we are comic book
characters, while here in our dimension, they are animation.
Our individual worlds have somehow been merged together,
Iron Man took the reins, apparently by some form of cosmic
deity-like race. And sooner or later, we're going to have to
fight these kids and their monsters.
Well, that's just peachy, Hank rubbed the back
of his neck.
Fight THEM? the Wasp spoke up. But... they're
just kids... and they're so small...!
Hey, lishen, lady, Veemon lisped, we may be
shmall, but we're tough!
Heads up, troops! Spider-Man called, as he swung in
through the open window, somersaulting quickly and landing
smartly. There's a-doin's a-transpirin'!
A muscular figure clad entirely in red slid through the window
after Spidey, a horned mask covering his face. Big crowd.
I bumped into Daredevil when I was checking out the island,
Spider-Man explained. He's all set to help, given that
he just had a run in with a big black dinosaur.
Any new developments? Captain America inquired.
Well, there's a big, unpleasant-looking castle where
the Empire State Building used to be... Spidey reported.
And there's a lot of THINGS swimming around in the
Hudson...
That base is still hovering over the city, Daredevil
noted, but my radar sense isn't detecting any
increased activity from it.
Flamin' great, Wolverine grunted, puffing
irately on his cigar. Hey... wait... does anyone else feel
that...?
Daredevil nodded.
- - -
Experience is the benchmark of maturity, the
Impossible Man squeaked, as he watched DemiDevimon twiddling
knobs on the disruptor. So get a move on!
Don't rush me! DemiDevimon snapped. I have
to be careful not to screw time all to hell...
Aren't we doing that anyway?
How so?
There was a pop, and purple and green Stephen Hawking was sitting
in front of DemiDevimon. Well, combining the various
aspects of two disparate realities and temporal settings into one
particular spatial location is sure to had adverse affects, isn't
it?
What am I, a scientist?
The bat slapped his wing on the activator.
- - -
It's growin'... Wolverine growled.
There was a thundercrack, and Pier Four suddenly grew more
crowded.
Kari exclaimed, as a boy who looked to be a
couple of years older than her, with a giant mop of brown hair,
staggered backwards. Five others - three boys and two girls, were
equally staggered, as were the six brightly-coloured little
monsters who had materialised along with them.
he stuttered. What the heck just
happened?
Franklin proceeded to dissolve into hysterics.
We are to take it that these are... well-known individuals
from your world? Reed asked Ken.
You might say that, Ken replied.
T.K. greeted the blond boy. Looks like
you're here for the party too!
a shorter boy with red-brown hair
commented, steadying himself and looking around. Instantaneous
molecular discorporation and reconstruction.
And we got zapped someplace else, too! the girl with
vibrant pink hair added.
Well, I learned one thing, a taller boy wearing
spectacles said, Instant travel gives me hives. He
began scratching his arm furiously, as Iron Man, Captain America,
Reed and Professor Xavier just looked at each other.
Uhm... someone care to tell us where we are? the last
girl, a red-head, asked.
Welcome to the world of Marvel! Davis squealed,
jumping out of his seat.
Tai echoed. What, like the comics?
Take a look around, Tai, the small orange lizard at
his feet said, pulling on his pants leg.
the boy looked over his shoulder, and leapt
about a foot into the air when he saw the Thing leaning against
the nearest wall. Buh... buh-buh...
Yer no ol' paintin' yerself, kid, the Thing
quipped.
Time for explanations again... Iron Man sighed, as
Captain America massaged his brow.
- - -
Okay, okay, so we got them all together! the
Impossible Man said, bouncing in circles around DemiDevimon.
Now what, now what, NOW WHAT?!
WILL you get out of my face?! DemiDevimon snapped.
I keep telling you, I need to concentrate...! There
was a noise, and a temporal window showing the
inside of Pier Four opening in front of the Impossible Man,
showing the explanations being given to the older kids.
OOOH, lookit that one's HAIR... the imp pointed
at Tai. Ees so beeeeg... let's do him first!
Nah, we need to start kinda smaller than that...
Well, he's small... the elf indicated Cody.
Please, give me some credit...
the Impossible Man assumed the form of a
Polaroid camera, and quickly took a snapshot of the temporal
window. With another pop, he became his normal self, accepted
adorned with a striped waist coat, a straw-boater, a cane and a
bushy moustache, and held the photo up in the air. Step
right up, folks! Children and weird little bat-things play for
free!
Heh, I guess it works, DemiDevimon shrugged. He bent
his right leg backwards, and when it came forward again, a large
hypodermic needle was clutched in it.
Where'd you get THAT thing? the Impossible Man
asked.
You don't wanna know, DemiDevimon assured him.
DEMI DART!
The needle flew through the air, and jabbed straight into the
photo. The Impossible Man removed it. We have a WINNAH!
DemiDevimon grinned, staring at the hole which he had stabbed
straight through Johnny Storm's head.
he grinned. And to go up against
him...
Ooh, ooh, I know! the imp chirruped. I've
been listening to that Franklin kid, so I've learned a LOT
about your world... I've got the perfect opponent for the
Human Torch!
- - -
THE FIRST CHOICE IS MADE!
Pier Four shook as the Impossible Man's disguised voice
informed the heroes and DigiDestined of the situation.
Triathlon gulped.
The entire group tensed, as there was another thundercrack, and a
bolt of pure white light materialised through the ceiling, and
struck Johnny Storm, instantly teleporting him elsewhere.
Sue cried.
HE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO HIS SPECIALISED BATTLE GROUND,
the voice came again, OUTSIDE OF TIME AND SPACE, WHERE
BATTLE MAY RAGE WITHOUT AFFECTING THE CONTINUUM.
Who is he to fight? Captain America addressed the
heavens.
In answer, another bolt streaked down, striking Davis and Veemon,
who disappeared together.
Kari called up into the sky. But Davis
can't...
NOT THE BOY, the voice clarified, THE MONSTER.
With a sound, another temporal window
materialised inside Pier Four, showing a rocky, mountainous
landscape - jagged, with orange, burning skies, and a volcano,
shuddering in the background, spewing ash into the air as lava
rolled down it's sides. There was a flash of light, and
Johnny appeared on a rocky outcrop, as did Davis and Veemon, on
the other side of the battlefield.
LET BATTLE COMMENCE!
- - -
Why'd you bring the boy? the imp demanded, as
the temporal window shut and he assumed his normal shape. He
could get hurt, or worse!
Eh, one less DigiDestined... it's no great loss...
DemiDevimon muttered, adjusting the disruptor, facing away from
the elf.
No response.
the Impossible Man cried, grabbing DemiDevimon,
spinning him around, and slamming him against the disruptor.
Don't you DARE turn your back on me!
Hey, hey, ease up there, slick...
He's not going to get hurt, right?!
Hey, it could happen...
The imp shook the Digimon. I'm not asking, I'm
TELLING! You make SURE he doesn't get hurt! No-one but the
fighters! No innocents!
Okay, okay! DemiDevimon help up his wings. Geez,
calm down, awready.
The Impossible Man released DemiDevimon, who pressed a few
buttons on the disruptor. the bat said. Now
the kid is out of phase with the battlefield. He can't get
hurt.
the imp said, snapping back into his happy
persona. Then let the games begin!
- - -
It just doesn't seem fair... Johnny said to
himself, as he stared over at the boy and his Digimon on the
adjacent ledge.
Sho who's thish guy? Veemon asked. He
doeshn't look sho tough.
Dude! That's the Human Torch! He's like, the
DUDE! Davis offered.
Thanksh buddy, Veemon cocked his head at Davis.
That really clearsh it up.
Aww, never mind! Davis said. I know what to do!
Davis's hand dove under his flame-jacket, and quickly
produced his D-Terminal and D-3. It's time to Armour
Digivolve!
From Johnny's point of view, he saw the blue lizard began to
glow with yellow light, as electronic screeches came from the
device the boy was holding. Then, the lizard spoke.
Veemon, Armour Digivolve to... FLAMEDRAMON! The Fire of
Courage!
- - -
Back in Pier Four, the heroes, DigiDestined and Digimon all
watched as Veemon transformed. There was hushed murmuring as the
muscular blue lizard stood in his place, decked out in red and
orange armour, with several threatening spikes protruding from
his hands, feet and head.
Can you ALL do that? the Scarlet Witch asked, bending
over to speak to Armadillomon.
Yes ma'am, Armadillomon replied. Well, we
can't all ARMOUR Digivolve, but we c'n all grow an'
change into bigger shapes. Heck, some of us c'n grow bigger'n
this room!
Wonderman groaned from a few feet away.
The little blue guy packed a wallop before...
- - -
Flamedramon, huh? Johnny looked at the new
Digimon. Sounds a bit like... FLAME ON!
With a roar of hot air, Johnny Storm became fire, transforming
into the Human Torch. His skin was replaced with pure fire, as
flames danced across his body, coalescing at the top of his head
in imitation of his hair. Superheating the air beneath him, he
rose into the sky, and slowly floated away from the dais on which
he had stood upon.
Go for it, Flamedramon! Davis instructed. But...
uh... don't hurt him too bad... he's my favourite
FFer...
FIRE ROCKET! Flamedramon cried, sheathing himself in
flame and leaping upwards, into the air, streaking towards the
Torch.
The attack came with such ferocity and suddenness that the Torch
could do little to avoid it, and twisted his body so that
Flamedramon merely raked his side, rather than smashed straight
into him. The long spike on the Digimon's forehead tore a
gash in Johnny's side, but the two combatants combined heat
instantly cauterised the wound. However, it was still painful as
hell.
Johnny groaned, gripping his side, and
losing his equilibrium slightly, as Flamedramon landed with a
thump on a nearby mountainside. The Digimon saw his chance once
again.
FLAME FIST! he cried, thrusting his fist forward,
sending triplet balls of flame scorching their way through the
air, whirling around each other as they bore down on the Torch.
At the last second, the Torch jerked around, and held his hands
out, as the fireballs shot towards him. They impacted cleanly
with his body, but there was no pain, not even any recoil on the
Torch's part, as all three were simply absorbed into his
flame, which flickered even brighter.
Bring it on.
- - -
Ohh, I LIKE that guy! DemiDevimon said. Okay,
who should we do next?
the Impossible Man blinked. But this
fight isn't over yet! He pointed a long, thin finger
at the temporal window.
Oh, c'mon, be serious, we have to have more than one
fight going at once! DemiDevimon told him. If this
were a fanfic, it'd take forever to write!
the imp said, and bounded over. I get to
pick this ti-ime!
- - -
Within Pier Four, everyone jumped as twin bolts shot down,
teleporting away two more combatants without a moment's
notice. Nobody even saw who was taken at first.
Who left? the Thing rubbed his eyes.
Wolverine grunted, her scent having left his
nostrils.
And Kari and Gatomon! T.K. cried.
Wolverine snorted, as a second temporal
window opened, showing the new battlefield.
- - -
Kari would have stopped to think for a second if she didn't
have the immediate sensation of falling. The first sound that
escaped her lips was a long, piercing cry, which was matched by
Gatomon, who fell alongside her. The panic of the two partners
prompted the needed act.
Gatomon, Digivolve to... ANGEWOMON!
With an explosion of light, the feline Digimon assumed the
shapely form of Angewomon, who spread her eight shimmering wings,
and steadied herself, before reaching for Kari. However, Kari had
stopped falling, and was now simply hovering in mid-air.
What the...? Angewomon raised an eyebrow beneath her
helmet.
NON-COMBATANTS WILL NOT BE HARMED, the being's
voice echoed.
That'll have to do for an explanation... Kari
looked downward. There appeared to be absolutely no ground below
her, just endless, indigo sky. Above, thick black clouds rolled
past. Angewomon hovered alongside her.
So who are we fighting...? Angewomon stared off into
the blue-blackness. A lighting bolt, accompanied by a peal of
thunder, illuminated the sky, and the opponent was revealed.
Storm of the X-Men, holding herself aloft on winds controlled by
the powers of her own thoughts, soared towards the girl and her
Digimon, eyes glowing with power.
I do not wish to fight, she called to them, but
to protect the sanctity of my world - so be it!
- - -
Time to turn up the heat! Davis yelled to
Flamedramon, and he grappled in mid-air with the Torch.
Don't make puns, Davis, Flamedramon called back,
it doesn't suit you.
The dragon Digimon twisted, and hurled the Torch downward,
smashing him into the rocks below Davis, showering the boy with
grit and dirt, though he felt nothing, as he was spatially out of
phase with his surroundings.
C'mon, Torch! Davis called down. Get up!
You can do it!
Flamedramon snapped. You're
supposed to be rooting for ME!
Oh, right, Davis sweatdropped. Sorry. I forgot.
With a small explosion, the Torch propelled himself free of the
mountainside, and tackled Flamedramon around the gut, driving him
into the side of the neighbouring mountain. Davis couldn't
quite see what was happening from his vantage point, as the two
fiery brawlers struggled, but once again the Torch was propelled
backwards into the air as Flamedramon kicked him squarely in the
stomach with both legs. Winded, the Torch gripped at his injured
side, as Flamedramon clambered to his feet and prepared to attack
again.
- - -
Angewomon weaved to the side neatly, as a lightning bolt tore
through the spot where she had been floating only seconds before.
Storm drew nearer, her outstretched hands crackling with
whitish-yellow energy, as her purple cape was whipped hard around
her body by the harsh winds she commanded.
Be careful! Kari called to her partner, whose own
clenched fist shimmered with holy light. Angewomon gestured, and
a brief volley of pink energy bursts flew from the tip of her
index finger, exploding in the air around Storm, rattling her.
Storm's eyes glowed brighter, as she lifted her arms up to
the heavens - an action which was accentuated by a clap of
thunder. Come, rains, to wash my opponent away!
There was another thunderclap, and immediately, thick, driving
rain poured down from the black clouds above, saturating
Angewomon within seconds. Unable to see more than a handful of
metres ahead of her, Angewomon was caught of guard as Storm flew
directly at her, driving her shoulder into the angel's gut,
and sending her spiralling backwards. Angewomon attempted to
steady herself, spreading her wings wide, wheezing and trying to
regain her breath. Another lightning bolt ripped down from the
sky, and scorched one of her wings, making her cry out in pain.
The angel scowled and looked up, managing to make out Storm's
silhouette through the rain. That was enough.
CELESTIAL ARROW!
Storm gasped as an arrow of pure light streaked it's way
through the sky towards her, and she was only narrowly able to
avoid it. The arrow crackled past, but tore a huge, charred slash
through Storm's cape, startling her. Her control over the
winds slipped momentarily, and she dropped a few feet through the
air before steadying herself again. Her eyes shimmered, and she
rose to meet Angewomon again.
- - -
The Human Torch snapped his arm around, loosing off a
rapid-fire barrage of fireballs, which careened madly towards
Flamedramon as he stood on the ledge. The Digimon grunted and
encased himself in his flame shield again.
Davis supported him. That'll protect
you!
The fire balls slammed into Flamedramon's shield, their
force and momentum throwing him clean off his feet and sending
him plummeting down the mountainside.
Or not... Davis watched him go, as the Torch swooped
down low over the cloud of dust the Digimon's tumble had
kicked up.
Come on out! the Torch called down into the cloud,
trying to goad Flamedramon into the open, so he could finish the
battle. He came down as low as he could, attempting to see
through the dust, when Flamedramon's arm shot up, out of the
cloud, and seized his leg, yanking him down and slamming him off
the ground.
The Torch's flame flickered off with the shock of the
impact, as he tried to see through the dust, which was beginning
to clear. Flamedramon loomed over him, his fist glowing with
orange energy.
Sorry, pal, Flamedramon said. But it's my
world over yours! FLAME FIST!
- - -
CELESTIAL ARROW! Angewomon cried again, sending
another force bolt directly at Storm. The dark-skinned X-Man
thrust her arms forward, summoning a lightning charge, which she
hurled directly at the arrow. Both energy attacks disappeared in
a flash of light, which momentarily blinded Storm, but Angewomon's
eyes were protected by her helmet. Taking the chance, she tackled
Storm, and tumbled downward through the air with her.
Storm's eyes regained their glow as he struggled to force
the Digimon off her, pushing her back with a strong gust of wind,
then spinning around to deliver a roundhouse kick to the angel's
temple.
Angewomon screamed with pain as Storm's heel jarred her
helmet aside and impacted with her skull. Reeling, she looped off
through the air, swaying unsteadily, her head pounding and her
vision completely distorted, unable to make anything out.
Arctic winds! she heard Storm cry. Bring ice!
The next thing Angewomon felt was her body being buffeted by
hailstones the size of golf balls, thumping hard against her bare
skin, paving the way for serious bruises, and some slamming into
her helmet, making it reverberate, which did nothing but make the
pulsing pain in her head worse.
she heard Kari's voice call to her.
K... Kari...! Angewomon moaned, as the hail continued
to bludgeon her. A large chunk crashed against her jaw, throwing
her backwards, and, thankfully, out of the localised hail effect
Storm had created.
The X-Man watched this happen, and soared in towards the angel,
preparing to direct her storm into finish the job. Another
feebly-aimed Celestial Arrow shot past her, missing by several
metres, as Storm gestured, and the hail was upon Angewomon once
more.
- - -
the Impossible Man screamed, as he watched
Flamedramon seize the Torch and slam him into the ground.
Oh yeah! DemiDevimon cheered.
Well, at least my girl's beating yours...
You just like watching the two of them, don't you?
Takes one to know one...
- - -
Flamedramon's attack cry rang in Johnny's ears, as
the lizard lunged towards him from a few feet away. To Johnny,
everything was moving in slow motion.
With the flip of a mental switch, he re-ignited his flame,
becoming the Human Torch again, just as Flamedramon's feet
left the ground. The Digimon was startled at the human's
quick recovery, but, Johnny thought to himself, he hadn't
seen anything yet.
As Flamedramon's dive brought him ever nearer to Johnny, his
fist primed to launch the flaming attack, the Torch took a moment
to concentrate... and in that moment, his body erupted,
unleashing his Super Nova Blast. Every modicum of energy within
him went to producing the blast, which lit up the valley between
the mountains for miles, radiating pure power in all directions
around the Torch's body.
As tongues of flame licked at the rocky walls that surrounded the
two combatants, Davis yanked his goggles on to try and get a
better look down into the valley, squinting through the powerful
light. Slowly, it began to die down, and Davis could see the
result of the battle.
- - -
In Pier Four, everyone tensed as the light faded, while at the
same time, everyone winced as Angewomon was beaten around by the
hail.
I can't watch! Tentomon exclaimed, slapping his
claws of his large green eyes.
Someone tell me when it's over! Patamon wailed,
covering his face with his ears.
Sora stared at the screen, it looks
like...
- - -
Turn down the high-beams, wouldja?! DemiDevimon
impotently screamed at the temporal window, as the Torch's
flame flickered out.
It... looks like... the Impossible Man squinted.
- - -
Davis cried.
Veemon lay slumped on the ground in front of Johnny Storm. The
boy's flame no longer burning, but he still looked
considerably worse for wear. Davis jumped off the ledge, and slid
down the mountainside, to jump off at the bottom and run to
Veemon's side. Johnny staggered a little, and leant against
a boulder, watching the kid and his Digimon.
Veemon, are you okay? Davis asked.
Nothing... a truckload of... Digi-Aspirin won't
cure... Veemon groaned out. Shorry Davish... guessh I
blew it...
THE FIRST VICTORY! the Impossible Man's
disguised voice thundered. THE HUMAN TORCH!
- - -
Hail rattling her body, Angewomon heard the being's cry
and is rang out on her and Storm's battle field.
One to them... the angel thought, grunting, and
swinging her fist forward, actually shattering one of the
hailstones on impact. Can't... let everyone down...!
- - -
TO BE CONTINUED!
- - -
NEXT:
Who will win? Can Angewomon pull through, or will Storm be victorious? Find out next time! Also:
SPIDER-MAN vs. ARUKENIMON!
AND MORE!
Be on the look out for:
"COME INTO MY PARLOUR!"
- - -
PURTY PICTURES!
I hope to do a showcase pic for each and every one of the battles this series will contain. To start, here are:
FLAMEDRAMON
vs. HUMAN TORCH!
and
ANGEWOMON vs. STORM!
(Two pics on one page!) Hope you like 'em!
- - -
