Sorry for the delays on this update, but i'm afraid the chapters are gonna be coming slow for a bit because I've got Covid and am really sick right now.

. . . Cody and Shamanmon . . .

The sun overhead was hot as ever, as Cody sat on the back of the large dinosaur digimon known as Monochromon. Casually enjoying the scenery while Shamanmon sat right behind the beasts frill, "A giant flying machine digimon?" The goblin digimon asked, "That sounds pretty bad."

The evidently quite polite dinosaur nodded as he went, "Yeah, it just appeared out of nowhere." He explained, "We shared a healthy relationship with the machines beyond the mountains, but that thing is one of them," He grunted in annoyance, "Too fast for us to fight, that damned Jazarichmon!"

Cody leaned back, staring out towards the mountains that overlooked the great jungle portion of this continent, clouds of ash swirling above it and casting a long shadow mixing with black and brown pollutant smog coming from somewhere beyond the mountain range, likely where these supposed machines were located he had to guess.

"Well maybe we ought to climb over those mountains and show the machines who's boss." He scoffed, sitting up on Monochromon's back. "At least gives us something to do while we look for the others right?"

Shamanmon nodded, grinning eagerly. "Right!"

"You'd never make it on foot," The dinosaur digimon replied simply. "That metal beast attacks anyone that even comes close to the mountains."

"Sounds like we could use some help," Cody muttered, thinking it over briefly before looking to Shamanmon. "Man this would be so much easier if the others were around..."

"Don't worry," Shamanmon, patting his back, "We'll find them!"

Monochromon stopped suddenly, his eyes darting up to the sky. "Hmm..."

"What is it?" Cody asked, looking around as well. "You see something?"

"Not see, hear." He grunted, before suddenly charging forward and getting beneath dense tree cover. A second later, Cody could hear it, a hissing in the air that slowly became louder and louder. Until it was like a booming jet engine, roaring directly overhead and sending a typhoon through the jungle.

He covered his ears, wincing from the volume of the sonic boom as it rapidly got quieter and quieter, the cause getting further and further away. "Was that Jazarchimon?" He questioned, trying to get a glimpse of it as the shadow vanished into the distance.

Monochromon nodded, "Yeah, searching for more defenseless digimon to attack no doubt..." He growled lowly, "It just keeps destroying, collecting data and- Wait, I know where its going!" He exclaimed, suddenly bursting from the brush and charging off in the direction of Jazarichmon, "This is bad!"

Cody and Shamanmon were barely holding on, as Monochromon took them for a ride. "W-What do you mean!?" Cody asked, "Where is it going?"

"Nursery Grounds!" He replied, smashing through any trees that got in their way. "Where digi eggs are formed! It's never traveled this far from the mountains before though!"

Cody blinked hearing that, "So this nursery is gonna be full of like what, baby digimon?" He asked, looking to Shamanmon.

The goblin digimon nodded, "Basically."

Making Cody narrow his eyes, "Well attacking babies is totally not cool," Pulling out his Digivice, "Just get us there Monochromon and we'll do the rest!"

. . .

. . . Thomas and Kokuwamon . . .

Wind howled in his ears as he stood his partner's metal plated skull, watching as a shape emerged from the shadowed walls of the great volcano ahead of them. Thomas narrowed his eyes, spotting the fiery winged demon of a digimon as its body ignited. Wings and upper body erupting in fire, whatever wasn't burning looked like hardened magma rock, and it was heading right for them.

"Looks like its spotted us." Thomas noted, looking down to his partner. "You ready?"

Gigadramon clicked his metal claws together, "I was born ready!"

"We take this thing down and the machine digimon are safe," He reiterated, folding his arms over his chest. "Don't hold anything back!"

Lavogaritamon was picking up speed as it swept down the mountainside, a great gale following it as it arched upward and raced towards them. Gigadramon began to gain momentum as well, metal wings propelling him forward with unseen force while his arms braced, "Hang on Thomas!"

But there was no need to, even as the two massive ultimate level digimon slammed into one another, Thomas was unmoved from Gigadramon's head. It was something he'd noticed during their destruction of the factory, though he had no trouble moving atop his partners metal head, his feet would not be moved without great effort from an outside force. As if he was magnetically attached to his partner so long as the crest on his chest burned brightly.

Still, he did well to watch himself as they tumbled through the sky. Lavogaritamon digging his talons into Gigadramon's ribs, before the machine digimon pulled his head back and slammed it into the magma wyvern's own face. A great crack sounding as his stone surface was battered by the metal helm of his foe. Lavogaritamon broke away, flapping his wings to try and gain some distance while Thomas pointed, "Don't let him get away!"

"Genocide Gears!" Opening both hands and firing a salvo of his seeking missiles, leaving trails as they cut through the air at high speed chasing after their foe.

The great magma wyvern howling as they exploded against his backside, causing him to lose balance and nearly fall from the sky. Before it managed to regain its composure, diving to grain speed before pulling up and riding the momentum. The beast flying back towards the volcano, in retreat or just regrouping?

"Come on!" Thomas ordered, "We've got him on the run!"

But something felt off about this, considering what he'd heard from those at the factory about this monster, this seemed too easy...

. . .

. . . Cody and Shamanmon . . .

A thunderous roar echoed up ahead, followed by an explosion of light. Cody was standing on Monochromon's back as they neared the makeshift walls of the "nursery". Fearing what might be going on inside, Monochromon wasted no time and charged right through the gate, entering into the little village filled with wide open huts and various patches of straw and furs that looked like bedding.

But what Cody noticed almost immediately, was the massive digimon barely standing ahead of them. It had to be well over twenty feet tall, with a head like that of a triceratops but he was bipedal. Covered in burns and other wounds as that massive metal bird hovered overhead.

"Triceramon!" Monochromon cried out. Before spotting movement behind his friend, "He's protecting the digitama!"

"Ngh..." The dinosaur digimon growled lowly, forcing himself back up. "D-Do what you must to me metal monster," He snarled out, rising proudly. "But I will not let you harm these children!"

"Shamanmon!" Cody knew they couldn't wait any longer, "GO!"

Digivolution

In a flash of light, Apemon was leaping from Monochromon's back, flipping through the air with his bone club in hand right towards Jazarichmon. "Leave them alone!" Apemon roared, slamming his weapon against the machines face. "Huh?"

But he did not even flinch, one glowing red eye turning onto him.

"Grr," But rather than backing down, Apemon's fists lit up with that blue energy. "Magic Monkey Fist!" He gave the metal beast a right hook, then a left, but striking his metal surface made him wince in pain. "This thing is tough!" As he fell back to the ground, landing on his feet beside Triceramon.

"Wh-Who are you?" The massive Digimon asked between labored breath.

"Don't worry about it!" Cody called out, having reached them as well. Looking past Triceramon, he could see a number of tiny Digimon, most of them barely more than a squishy ball shape, huddled and cowering around several multi-colored eggs. "We'll handle big bird, get them out of here!"

"What?" He blinked in surprise, "But alone you can't-"

Before a massive fireball exploded against Jazarichmon's body, Monochromon snorting proudly as he stepped up as well. "I've got his back, now go my friend!"

The ultimate level nodded reluctantly, turning to the children and urging them along. "Go, go now! To the shelter caves!" Using his broad back to cover them from any more potential attacks.

"So you like attacking kids huh!?" Cody demanded, waving his fist as he stood between the two digimon. "Well that pisses me off! Time to teach you some manners you big metal freak!"

But the machine's only response was its eyes starting to glow brighter. Before crimson lasers fired from the blood red lenses, Apemon grabbed Cody and jumped out of the way while Monochromon did his best to evade but the robust dinosaur digimon was an easy target. A few of the beams glancing off his hide, both burning into him and hitting nearby hovels that had yet to be destroyed.

"Not much for conversation is it?" Cody scoffed, as Apemon landed nearby and set him down. Watching as Monochromon returned fire with more large fireballs that Jazarichmon easily evaded by strafing over the village. "Beating this thing is gonna be hard from all the way down here."

Apemon nodded, "But we don't have much choice, stay safe!" He added before jumping back into the fray.

Cody watching as he narrowed his eyes, "Yeah, you too buddy."

The golden ape took a few leaps to gain momentum before launching himself higher into the air than before. His thicker fur standing on end, "Furious Spike!" Unleashing a hailstorm of razor sharp quills at the distracted machine. They struck the creatures right wing, causing its movements to tense for a moment, allowing Monochromon to actually strike it with his attacks, engulfing the metal demon in fire!

"Hell yeah!" The human cheered with a fist pump, "Direct hit!"

But their victory was short lived, as a beam of light pierced the cloud and raced towards Monochromon. The dinosaur digimon barely getting clear as it cut through the ground, the earth erupting in a terrible explosion that ripped through many of the remaining huts. The once mighty dinosaur left burned and battered on his side, avoiding a direct hit but still taking immense damage.

"No!" Apemon cried as he saw him fall, the smoke clearing as the expressionless machine began scanning for a new target.

"Dammit was that thing just toying with us before?!" He demanded, its deep red lenses locking onto him suddenly. "Uh oh."

"Don't even think about it!" Apemon roared, leaping back into the air to take another swing at the machine. Strangely enough, the machine actually didn't see him coming, its eyes lingering on the human. Allowing Apemon to strike it across the metal jaw of its face.

The machine was rocked by his blow, shuddering in the sky and almost losing balance before locking onto Apemon instead. From under its wings salvos of missiles fired, the monkey digimon having no way to evade them in the air he was soon engulfed in fire and flames as well. Cody helpless to watch as his partner disappeared in a plume of smoke.

Before he saw the unconcious form of his partner falling from the sky, dedigivolved into Shamanmon. "Oh crap!" Cody exclaimed, already running as he raced to intercept him. "Hang on bud!" Sliding like he'd done many times before on the diamond, "Oof!" But catching a four foot tall muscular goblin was not something he'd ever done before. The impact knocking the wind out of him, but his partner was okay. "Damn you're heavy... You still with me buddy?"

Shamanmon groaning softly, "Metal bird... Not fun..." Before passing back out.

Said metal bird hovering overhead as Cody shook his friend, "Hey hey come on man you can't leave me alone with this thing!"

But something happened in that moment, Jazzarichmon was locked into him once again as he held his partner. Watching as Cody stood up, putting Shamanmon on his back. The machines eyes flashed suddenly, head turning towards the distant volcano. Without warning, it blasted off in that direction, disappearing into the clouds at high speed.

Cody released a breath of relief, before looking around at the ruined village and the injured Monochromon. "Alright, we'll call it a draw."

But he wasn't out of the woods yet, as dozens of figures suddenly emerged from the edges of the village. From the foliage like a bunch of scavengers, they looked like Shamanmon but with lighter skin and bright red hair! Each one wielding a club the same way he did, Cody began to backup towards Monochromon as they started encircling him.

"H-Hey there guys uh..." This had to be them, the Digimon his partner used to live with. "We're cool right? I scared off the giant metal bird so there's no need to use those clubs right?" A cacophony of snickers and mutters rising from the crowd, the malicious looks on their faces made it clear they had something bad in mind. Cody grit his teeth, dropping the nice guy act, "So that's how it is huh!?" He demanded, raising his voice. To his surprise, most of them actually reacted by stepping back, the amusement vanishing from their faces. "You wait till we're beaten then come in to pick up the scraps!? You bunch of cowards!"

"Hrrngh..." Monochromon groaned out weakly, opening one eye. "Goblimon tribes... They're nothing but thugs, picking on anyone they can gang up on- Ngh!" He hissed in pain as a larger green foot was planted on his side.

Cody's eyes widened as he looked up to see the oversized green digimon standing over Monochromon. "Now that's just stupid, running your mouth in your sorry state?" He scoffed, shaking his head. "Hmm?" He tilted his head, spotting Shamanmon. "Is that our little welp I see down there? And he's with the ugliest digimon I've ever seen!"

An uproar of laughter sounded from the peons as their boss mocked Cody, the teen narrowing his eyes up at them. "You know Shamanmon? Then why didn't you help huh?" He demanded, "He's one of yours but you like watch as he gets his teeth kicked in by that thing!?"

To which the larger green digimon shrugged, "Not our business if a bunch of beasts get digitized, but you're right!" He held up a hand, "Lets bring our boy home gang!"

They were on him in an instant, dozens of green goblin digimon swarmed Cody and he was helpless to fight them off while still carrying Shamanmon. He was tied up, separated from his partner, "Hey! Let me go you bastards!"

Within moments both human and partner were being carried off into the jungle.

Totally at the mercy of their new host...

. . .

. . . Thomas and Kokuwamon . . .

"Up there!" Thomas cried out as he pointed towards the Volcano's peak. Where on the cusp of the crater was perched their foe, Lavogaritamon waiting for them. "What is it doing?"

"Making itself an easy target!" Gigadramon answered, raising both hands. "Genocide Gears!" Firing off a barrage of his organic missiles.

But before they could even reach the target, several bright red beams cut through the missiles mid flight causing them to explode. "What was that!?" Thomas' exclaimed, eyes darting to the far side of the volcano, where he could see a metal winged digimon racing towards them. "There's another one!?"

"Hang on!" Gigadramon cried, as out of the smokescreen that the missiles had created between them, Lavogaritamon emerged on burning wings. He crashed into Gigadramon, talons out and pushing him back with even greater force than before! "Gnngh! It's fighting a lot harder than before! This won't be easy!"

Thomas watched as a wave of missiles were fired from the newly arrived machine wyvern, "Incoming!" Kneeling down so as not to lose his footing.

"Oh well that was nice of them!" Gigadramon shifted his weight, spinning around so Lavogaritamon's back was to the missiles. "Your friend has a present for you big guy!"

The beast screeching as the shells made impact with its backside, causing it to lean harder against Gigadramon as the Jazarichmon flew by at high speed. Thomas watching its movements as it weaved through the sky, "Damn that thing is fast!" He cursed, while his partner continued to tumble through the sky with Lavogaritamon. "It's circling around for another attack!"

"Gah!" Gigadramon gasped as his foe got both legs up between them, kicking the cyborg digimon in the center of the chest forcing him to let go. Before it spread its wings and flew further back, "So what do you think?" He asked, watching as both wyverns circled them.

Thomas' heart was racing, trying to put together a solution. "We rushed into this, and now we're paying the price." He mentally kicked himself, looking down to the distant Dum Dum Factory, and the barren lands between here and there. Before his eyes shifted to over the mountains, towards the lush jungles, "Down there!" He pointed to the trees, "We need to regroup and come up with a better strategy, we'll lose them in the jungle!"

"Sounds good to me!" Gigadramon nodded, flexing its wings before it took off with a few might wingbeats. Creating gusts of wind as it began clearing the mountain range.

But the enemy wasn't quite ready to let them go, looking back Thomas could see both wyverns following at a safe distance. "Hurry! I think they're targeting us!"

"On it!" He tilted into angled dive, sweeping low over the surface of the mountain and picking up speed as the wind howled around them.

But behind them, Lavogaritamon and Jazarichmon made their moves. A storm of missiles fired from the mechanical beast, following them with heat seeking power. While Lavogaritamon flapped its massive wings unleashing a hail of molten stone that rained down from above.

Thomas' heart clenched as he saw the incoming attacks, "Faster! We have to lose the missiles in the trees!"

But they would never make it.

As the ballistic shells caught up to Gigadramon, it only took one exploding against his backside to throw off his flight pattern. The cybernetic dragon lurching forward before the others caught up as well. Thomas himself caught in the edge of the blasts as they began to fall, fire raining down and punctuating their crash through the trees. Hammering them into the earth and igniting much of the surrounding trees.

Gigadramon tried desperately to hold on only long enough to make sure Thomas wasn't blown to pieces, but he collapsed mid impact and dedigivolved back to Kokuwamon. While Thomas was thrown from his partners body, hitting the ground hard, leaving him tumbling the dirt. Everything going black as he finally came to a halt as well.

Both human and digimon laid low by the superior firepower of their enemy...