Chapter Five:
Red Dragon

Two navi leaned against a wall, breathing heavily. The castle like network that they hid in was safe enough for the time being, but who knew how long that would last. "Do you think he's out there?" One of the navi whispered.

"I don't know. I'm not going to check though," The other replied. "After all, I like life."

"Then allow me to put some fire in that life of yours."

The two looked up, and then screamed as they say another navi standing on the wall. This navi was one of nightmares, at least to these two. Light red armor covered his body, almost skeletal. A helmet covered his head, shaped like a dragon's skull. A circular symbol was on his chest, displaying a single dragon entwined around a cross…and two gauntlets shaped like dragonheads concealed a pair of busters.

"Z-Ze-ZeroMaru!" One screamed, turning to run. It didn't get very far, however: in an instant he was on the ground and his fist gripped tightly around the top of its head. He squeezed, and in an instant the navi burst into flames. He grinned, looking to the other who was frozen in fear.

"Oh, don't worry. You'll be joining him soon…" He pointed the other gauntlet. "Die!"

The chirping of birds was the first thing Uriko heard when she woke up early in the morning, rubbing her eyes. Yawning slightly, she looked over to a clock and realized it wasn't all that early at all. "Oh my…" She thought, seeing it was near three P.M. (15:00 for you military types). She began to climb out her bed and into her robe…until she noticed a small box at her bed.

"What's zis?" She asked, picking it up. Sliding the top off, a pink PET landed in her hands. Pushing a button, a face greeted her: a female navi in red and pink armor, large green eyes staring back at her. "Oh! A navi!"

"Hello Uriko and Happy birthday." It cheered cutely. Uriko's eyes grew wide; in all the time she spent in Electopia, she forgot her birthday! "Its nice to meet you," The navi continued. "Um…your mom told me to tell you something…but I forgot it!" She said.

"Really?" Uriko asked. "Were is she?"

"Oh yeah, that's what it was! She left."

"Oh. Alright zen…what's you name?" Uriko asked.

"I forgot that too!" The navi grinned. Uriko couldn't help but giggle; the navi may have been absent minded, but it was awfully cute. "Err…why don't you give me a name? I'm sure it's better than whatever the heck your mom named me!"

"Um…alright. 'ow about-"

"Strawberries in a sandwich. God that's disgusting, Trinku." Shinigami muttered. Trinku ignored his navi, moving a knight piece on a chessboard.

"King me." He stated.

"That's the wrong game again, Trinku." Kojuro sighed. "Honestly, how many times do I have to tell you we're playing chess?"

"Oh shut up and king me. I don't need you to tell me how to win!"

"But…you're losing, Trinku." Kit pointed out. Trinku shook his head, even though he knew he was: Kojuro had surrounded his king with pawns and had a queen looming dangerously on the outside. With another sigh, Kojuro moved his queen to end Trinku's suffering.

"Checkmate."

"And what does that mean?"

"It means you zat you 'ave lost." Uriko's voice yawned behind him. The girl leaned over Trinku's shoulder, seeing the board. "Wow…you don't know how to play zis game at all, do you?"

"Good morning to you too, sleep head," Trinku grumbled. Out of the corner of his eye, however, he noticed something in her pocket. "Hey…when did you get a PET?" He asked.

"Zis morning." She smiled. "Il est mes jour! My birthday." She smiled. The three boys looked to each other, then back to her. "So, what did you all get me?"

"Err…"

"Um…"

"Well…"

"Uriko, I think they didn't know at all," Strawberry said. "Some friends they are, not getting Miss Uriko a present!" She shouted at the three, who all looked at each other.

"Did you know about this, Trinku?" Kit whispered.

"Not at all. She didn't tell me a thing." He replied.

"I suppose she really expected us to get her something." Kojuro whispered as well. "Maybe we should hurry."

"Agreed." Kit and Trinku nodded. "Um, we did get you a gift, Uriko. Its just waiting at...lay-a-way! Yeah, that's it." Trinku grabbed Kojuro and Kit by the arms, pulling them towards the door. "Me and the boys are going to get it now, okay?"

"Liar. You didn't get her any-" Began Shinigami, but in a quick action, Trinku snatched the batteries out of his jet black PET. "Toodle-loo!" Trinku waved, rushing quickly out.

"...They're going to get it now, I bet." Said Strawberry.

"Yep." Uriko replied.

"Alright boys, ante up. How much do you two have?" Trinku asked as they entered ACDC's largest shopping area, nicknamed shop district. "We'll all have to chip in to pay for something."

"Question." Trinku sighed as Kojuro raised his hand suddenly. "Why do we have to chip in? After all, she's a nice girl but Uriko isn't our fiancé."

"He's right," Kit nodded. "I mean, we're not any better or worse off if we help you."

"...You're both bastards." Trinku muttered, placing the batteries back in Shinigami's PET. Then, almost at once, a stream of profanity fired from the speakers. The three operators looked at each other as the trench coat navi screamed words that would put this story in the NC-17 rating before one of them, Trinku, interrupted.

"You done?"

"And you, you ungrateful little bastard—"

"I suppose that's a no." Trinku said. "Alright, Shinigami, I apologize. Turning you off was a bad idea. But now it's just us buying a present for Uriko, seeing as Kojuro and Kit clearly don't care about her or her happiness."

"Wait a minute!"

"I don't recall saying that..."

"Come on, Shinigami." Trinku said. "We have to use what little money we have to buy her a present. And I'm sure Uriko would do this for us. We appreciate her, unlike some people."

"...We do?" Shinigami asked.

"Yes. Come on." He said, tucking the PET in his shirt and beginning to leave. Kit and Kojuro looked to each other before sighing and following Trinku.

"Wait. We'll help." Kojuro mumbled.

"We'd feel guilty after that well written speak of yours." Kit grumbled.

"I knew it would work." Trinku grinned. "Now I can afford that." He said, pointing to a window. The two boys leaned past him to see what he pointed at: a diamond necklace that glinted as sunlight streamed into the window.

"Wow. Trinku has taste." Kit said.

"Excuse me?"

"I figured you would have needed our advice." Kojuro said, removing his classes for a second to wipe them with his shirt. Placing them on again, he continued. "After all, your judgment isn't the best."

"..."

"He's right, Trink." Shinigami said, as a loud beep came from his PET. "You have mail, Trinku." A pause. Then. "What the heck is this?" Shinigami asked as Trinku redrew his PET. He saw Shinigami holding up a picture of some sort: A dragon entwine across a cross.

"...That's weird..." Gelbman spoke, looking at it from Kit's PET.

"A thorough scan indicates no trace of viral data." Laser spoke. "No information can be found on the image."

"..." All of them looked at each other. Trinku and Kojuro shared the same thought, however. "Dark Watch."

"They're not being very discreet about it, are they?" Trinku asked.

"They make very poor villains." Kojuro agreed. "They're acting rather childish now. Like a bunch of bullies now..."

"Maybe if we ignore it, they'll go away." Kit shrugged, as the three continued down the street. Not to far away, however, a motorcycle kicked to life. On the motorcycle sat a man who watched the three, wearing a red vest of sorts. And around his neck was a pendant: a cross with a dragon wrapped around it.

"...Target locked..."

"This one sir?"

"Yes, that one."

"I see. You must be shopping for a special friend." The clerk smiled, removing the necklace from its casing. "I'm sure that person will be glad to receive this." She said, setting it in a box. Typing in a few keys, the cashier beeped, displaying a number: "1,000 Z."

"..." A slap suddenly hit Trinku on the back of the head. Turning around, he saw Kit with a less than pleased look on his face. "You dragged us out here for something you can afford on your own?" He asked.

"It looked a lot more expensive from a distance." He smiled weakly. Then, with a cough, he turned to the cashier, plugging it. Shinigami approached a navi, transferring the funds. He would have logged out, had something odd not happened.

"...Trinku." He said, as he felt something course through him. "Um...run a scan on this cash register."

"...I can't. I don't have the uber fancy PET like Kojuro here."

"Kojuro, if you don't mind?"

"Not at all." Kojuro said, plugging Laser in. The navi's eyes flashed once before running a sweeping beam over the surface of the entire server. "...I detect a—" Before he could finish, a bright red flash hit the two. "—Firewall."

"...They're getting annoying, these Dark Watch bastards..." Shinigami growled. Grabbing his scythe, he quickly continued to ask Laser questions. "Can you tell where it's coming from? Who is it?"

"...Its directly above us."

Shinigami quickly looked up, seeing something on the ceiling. A red dot, which soon shot down at them at a rapid pace. Landing with a fiery bang, both the reaper navi and the angel navi were tossed aside. Standing up, the glowing red navi brushed himself off before releasing a jet of cold air to cool down.

"...Oh god." Shinigami muttered, standing up. Pointing his scythe, he shouted, "HEY! FIRE, OR WHATEVER YOUR CUTE NICKNAME IS! WE'RE TRYING TO SHOP HERE!"

"Fire?" The navi asked, turning. A navi in armor fashioned like that of a dragon. "...Well, no question whom you two are. Shinigami.EXE, judging by the design you have. And that must make you Laser.EXE."

"Yeah..."

"That is correct..."

"Well," He smiled. "My name is Zeromaru.EXE. My job right now is to snuff you out."

"So you DO work for Darkwatch!" Trinku shouted, causing the navi to look up at him. "Don't you guys get sick of this? We do something, you show up, we kick your butts, you go home! It's an endless circle!"

"...Darkwatch? Oh, that's the name of my client..." He said, waving the question off. "I'm a free agent, you see. Now, enough chit chat—"

"Agreed." Replied Laser, who opened fire almost at once. The navi dodged best he could, caught off guard by the fact that the good guys were striking first. However, he nearly found himself with another hole in his chest, as he jumped over a horizontal swing from Shinigami. Skidding, he smiled, raising a gauntlet shaped much like a dragon's head.

"You're breaking the rules here!" He shouted. "I'm supposed to attack first! I'm the bad guy!" Zeromaru pointed out.

"Don't expect them to stay still, Zeromaru." A cool, calm voice spoke, echoing from behind him. The two boys figured this was the operator, though it was hard to tell seeing as a voice-chat display didn't appear. "Battlechip, salamander. Slot in."

At once, a large tounge of flame shot up out of the ground, hurdling at the two. Laser quickly folded his wings to create a shield around him. Shinigami, however, stood directly in the path. With a grin, he instead ran directly towards it.

"What the heck are you doing!" Trinku shouted, as the Navi ran. Shinigami ignored him, clutching his scythe. Stomping a foot forward, one behind him, he reared the scythe back before swinging, cleaving a part of the flame in two before being over taken by it.

"Idiot." Zeromaru thought, before running forward, two swords now extended. Rushing at Laser, he tripped over something. Rolling, he turned to face a now coatless Shinigami, grin plastered on his scuffed face. "...I get it." He grinned back.

"...Did we miss something?" Kojuro asked, as Laser unfolded his wings. Extending the cannon on his arm, the navi began to charge a shot before ceasing. "Laser?"

"R-Dimension Detected." He stated.

"What!" Trinku thought. "We can't log out!" He stated. At those words, the firewall shattered, forcing Laser out. A confused Kojuro stared as a ring of fire surrounded the two navi left, extending to fill the cash register's system.

"Trinku, what're you doing? Log out. We have a job to do." Kojuro said, but Trinku shook his head. Digging in his jacket pocket, he tossed the chip to Kit. "What're you—"

"Kit, fill in for me. I have a fight to attend." He grinned.

"Um...right." Kit said, looking down. Kojuro gave a heavy, frustrated sigh, leaving the store with Kit Fox in tow as Trinku grabbed a handful of chips.

Cue "Slash!" – Digimon Tamers
"Alright Shinigami, if you want to fight this guy, then lets give him hell!"

"Cross Fusion!"

Kojuro spread Laser's wings, leaping into combat as Kit slot the synchro chip in. At once he felt his body freeze up before it took on a gold hue. Soon, golden armor covered his body, a large portion on his fist. Running after Laser, the two rushed at the enemy at hand: A very, very large, wolf like navi.

"Identify yourself!" Kojuro shouted. "State your name now!" He commanded. This navi didn't answer. Instead, it hunkered on to all fours, growling heavily, digital saliva leaving its bared fangs.

"I don't think it wants to talk." Kit said, getting a less then happy glare from Kojuro. The flying cross-fused navi shot forward, arm quickly transforming into a cannon. Stopping, he flew straight upward, aiming his cannon downward.

"I don't know what Trinku's planning, I don't know why there are two attacks from Darkwatch at the same time, and I don't know if this will work." He muttered. "But I'm going to end this as quickly as I can! Slicer Beam-" The cannon gloved, electricity crackling along its surface. Clutching it with another hand, he aimed before giving a shout. "ARRAY!" He declared, unleashing a single beam. Before long, one beam became two, two became four, four became sixteen...and all impacted on this new, wild navi.

It howled, taking a step back, before aiming up at Kojuro. With a roar, it fired a beam from its mouth, causing a quick reaction from Kojuro: another beam to match the one fired.

Back on the ground, Kit slammed his fist together. "Gelbman, Ready?" He asked.

"As ready as I'll ever be." Replied the mechanical voice in his head. Kit grinned, slamming a fist into the ground. A shockwave soon erupted, before lifting completely off the ground and slamming the navi in the throat. With a choke, it lowered its head, only to see Kit crouch.

"Trinku's strong. Kojuro's strong. But I'm stronger." He smiled. "Gelbman's physically the strongest, and so am I. So the both of us should bring him down quick. Battle chip!" He shouted, as his leg glowed red. "Heat kick! Go!" He shouted, delivering a power sweeping kick and launching the flame. It quickly connected with the navi, causing it to stagger...then charge in a blind rage at the boy.

"Kit! Hold him!" Shouted Kojuro. Cracking his knuckles, Kit grabbed the navi, being slid back by the sheer force. Pushing forward, he began to slide less, before completely stopping.

On Kojuro's end, a targeting display appeared in his visor. Taking aim at the various joints, he grit his teeth before firing another slicer beam. Each beam connected, severing the limbs of the monster before Kit lifted it off the ground. With a swing, he hurled it straight at the top of the R-Dimension, before taking aim with a Vulcan as Kojuro aimed his cannon.

"Sayonara!" Both shouted, as they opened fire...

"Meggido Flare!"

Shingami quickly leapt away from the concentrated beam of heat, scythe dragging against the ground. Swinging, it was parried by a sword from Zeromaru, before he quickly swung the weapon down again, causing Zeromaru to leap back quickly.

"You're fast!" The red navi grinned. Shinigami smiled, chasing after before swinging again. Zeromaru blocked, landing awkwardly as Shinigami came straight down.

"Battlechip, Quake Stomp 1, 2 ,3!" Trinku shouted. The three chips took shape on Shinigami's legs, before fusing into on large weight. "Program Advance! Heavy Stomp!" He shouted, as Shinigami came straight down, cracking the ground and sending a cloud of dust washing over the area.

Zeromaru held the black navi up best he could, straining underneath. Legs buckling, Shinigami gave an insane laugh as the navi began to drop. Then, his operator's voice came again...

"System Activate! Full Synchro!"

Zeromaru's armor broke off completely, revealing various symbols across his body. Each one began to glow bright red as he grabbed the sides of the heavy weight, before hurling it skyward. With a hot blooded roar, the navi pointed both cannons to Shinigami.

"EVOLUTION...HELL...FIRE!"

Shinigami's eyes widened. "Trinku! Do something!"

"Battlechip, quick move!" Trinku said, fumbling to get the chip in. Shinigami crossed his arms in an attempt to block the now approaching flame, a dragon's head forming as the jaws opened, ready to consume him. As Trinku finally got the chip slotted, Shinigami felt the flames, before appearing behind ZeroMaru.

"...Quick." Zeromaru smiled. Then, with a laugh. "Well, that's enough for today."

"...What!"

"We were only paid enough to fight you for an hour. Times up, contract has to be renewed." The navi laughed. Then, the two felt a small vibration. "And you're friends are finished with the lacky they sent. Mission incomplete." With a laugh, he logged out, leaving a very confused Trinku and a seething Shinigami.

"...What the hell was that?" They both thought...

End Song

"Oh! Its beautiful! Beau! Beau!"

Trinku was pulled into a tight hug as Kojuro and Kit watched. The two gave a slight snicker as Uriko pulled him tighter, squealing in rapid French.

"They're quite amusing, those two." Kojuro smiled.

"You know, I never did figure out why Trinku dragged us along with him." Gelbman spoke from Kit's PET. "He had enough to buy the expensive-looking necklace..."

"With The Circumstances We Found Ourselves In, We Were Lucky To Be Near Him." Laser stated.

"...I believe the Author found it convient..." Kojuro sighed. "He just used us to find a way out of writers block..."

"Kojuro!" Kojuro looked up, hearing a voice that wasn't Laser's on his PET. Looking down, he saw Shinigami standing next to the navi, arms folded. "I have a question for you."

"...Why didn't you tell Trinku you needed to talk instead of forcing your way into my PET?"

"Because he's...occupied." he said, motioning to Trinku, who found himself the recipient of many kisses on his cheek. "Have you ever heard of Full Synchro?"

"...I'm familiar with it."

"How about a system called 'Evolution?'"

"...Where did you hear that?" Kojuro asked, adjusting his glasses.

"...Nowhere. Another question that Trinku probably would have suggested: Kit."

"Yes?" Kit asked, as Kojuro looked up. Shinigami unfolded his arms. "Kojuro, we need members of Team of Laser, as you and Trinku won't be able to cut it by yourselves as today proved. Lets enlist Kit." Shinigami said.

"...I don't see why we couldn't." Kojuro said, looking to Kit. "You did rather well today. And another member would help the process along better. Any objections?"

"None!" Kit said.

"Try not to be too excited there, boy." Said Gelbman, hearing Kit's eager answer. "I bet Team of Laser doesn't get much work, now does it Kojuro? And be honest."

"..." Kojuro said nothing, adjusting his glasses. Instead, he turned to Trinku and Uriko. "So, miss Coivei, what are you planning next today?"

"Complete change of subject..." Gelbman smiled. "I was right."

Chapter 5 finally completed after a month or so of writers block! Action packed, probably filled with problems, please read and review!