Rise of the Mechanical Digimon

This was terrible. Neku had been tricked by Rayleigh, chained up and had a bit of his hair taken. To make things even weirder, Morrigan was supposed to be joining the two soon.

As expected, Morrigan arrived and said, "Wow, Rayleigh, you really are amazing."

"Maybe so," Rayleigh replied with a shrug, "but the weaker the zebra, the easier it is for the lion to kill it. Even a first grader could figure that out. Now do what you want to him, I'm ready to destroy the others."

Morrigan let out a sigh and said, "Well, Neku, I don't really have any personal quarrels with you, but if I must take my anger out on someone, well, it's convenient."

Neku's eye twitched as he asked, "What do you want from me?" Rayleigh laughing and replying, "Why, your form of course," the man swallowing one of Neku's hairs and changing into an exact duplicate of him, Neku shouting, "HOW IN THE HELL DID YOU DO THAT!"

"I am a shape shifter and taking a sample of your DNA such as a hair can give me the ability to take your shape," the man said, pulling a bottle of beer from his belt and taking a swig.

Suddenly, an alarm sounded throughout the building as Morrigan grinned saying, "Say, I believe that's your cue to hop into your mech, 'Neku'," Rayleigh grinning and replying, "Sounds good to me."

As the others boarded, Neil sighed, "Goddammit, I finally get some alone time that doesn't involve work... Mato, when this is over, do you wanna go out for dinner or something?"

"Oh, we can double-date," Midori said, hopping into Monodramon.

Alejandro blinked and replied, "But wouldn't it be more fun if we went to different places? I'd rather be alone with you than have two others around."

Meanwhile, Rayleigh looked over the mechs and asked, "Which one's mine?" looking over the various mechs.

Mato noticed 'Neku's' confusion and blinked before replying, "Hey, Neku-Chan, Wormmon's over there," pointing at the green worm mech, Rayleigh nodding and replying, "Oh, yes, Wormmon, of course. Sorry, Mato, I'm all sorts of out of it and all that today," thinking, 'Really? Of all the mechs, I'm piloting a freaking Wormmon?'

Neil shrugged as the mechs took off, Nathan out on the job today with Morrigan shortly joining him asking, "Did I miss anything?" as the kid shook his head replying, "Those idiots haven't shown up yet! I'm getting bored!"

With that, the group headed out, marching toward the battlefield, Alejandro now confident that Knight's Javelin would work this time. However, with the number of enemies significantly lower this time, it seemed like the battle would be easier.

Mato grinned, turning to Neku and asked, "Say, Neku-Chan, wanna combine again? I'm sure Paildramon will kick lots of butt," Rayleigh putting on a fake smile and replying, "Sure, sounds good," thinking, 'I stand corrected. I made the best choice ever.'

Seeing the group Nathan gritted his teeth and asked, "Morrigan, why did you ask me to come without the others?" Morrigan replying, "You're the only one rash enough not to question it. Besides, I got a plan that'll end them for good. I just needed you to lure them out."

With that, Agumon became Metalgreymon, Neil saying, "Hey, that was quicker than usual, Agumon!" the mech nodding and giving his visor thumbs up, Neil giving thumbs up back while the others became their Champion levels.

"This plan had better be good," Nathan said with fear, certainly a rare thing coming from him, "Without my allies, I'm not as enthusiastic as I'd usually be."

When Wormmon became Stingmon, Rayleigh's eyes went wide, the man rather impressed by this specimen of a machine. It went from pathetically weak-looking to amazing just like that, and this thing had a combined form? Even better.

Mato looked at Rayleigh muttered, "Well, never have I seen anything this cool..." the girl asking, "Did you say something, Neku?" Rayleigh coughing and replying, "Nope."

Morrigan nodded and said, "Alright, now the mechs themselves are the ones that decide whether or not to Digivolve. Give them a reason to."

"Easier said than done, but I'll do what I can!" Nathan shouted, pressing a button as his Kabuterimon released an enormous shock wave, hitting the mechs as his eyes went wide, Morrigan grinning and asked, "I installed it yesterday. Ya like it?" Nathan's eyes sparkling as he squealed, "I love it!"

This was more than enough to get Stingmon and XV-mon to combine, Rayleigh grinning and laughing wickedly. This couldn't have been more perfect. However, while Morrigan and Rayleigh were pleased with this, Nathan was terrified with no clue how this could be seen as good.

Suddenly, things got really bad as Paildramon's body started to match its outer armour in colour: black. Paildramon's eyes also turned a brighter shade of red as Morrigan grinned saying, "Jackpot," Neil staring and asking, "Uh... what's going on?"

Alejandro and Kotaha stared in absolute shock at this, Midori asking, "I forgot, is it supposed to look like that?" Rayleigh laughing maniacally and shouting, "YES, I GOT FULL CONTROL NOW!"

"MATO, HONEY-BUNCH, WHAT'S GOING ON!" Neil spat with fear, Midori asking, "I'd like to know that too."

Mato stared at 'Neku', blurting out, "I have no idea! Neku-Chan, what's going on?" grabbing him by the collar as the man simply pried her hand off, pushing her to the side retorting, "Quit crying and leave! It's dangerous! I'll try and fix it!" Morrigan knowing he was lying but not the others.

Mato stood silent for a while before nodding and replying, "Alright, but one quick question: who are you?"

"Why, I'm Neku, your co-worker and friendly friend-friend," Rayleigh replied as Mato spat out, "Liar! Neku-Chan's different than that! The Neku-Chan I know is passive, but kindhearted! He'd never give me harsh orders!" With that, the woman gave the fake Neku a big smack in the face.

Rayleigh watched as Paildramon screeched and took Mato's hand, pushing the woman out of the mech, flying it over to Morrigan's side while stating, "Mistress, phase 2 is now complete!" Neil having Metalgreymon grab Mato and save her from falling, Neil sighing with relief.

Morrigan laughed wickedly as Neil growled, saying, "Metalgreymon, let Mato inside," the mech nodding and letting the girl sit next to Neil despite the fact that there was only one seat, so naturally, it did feel a little cramped, but not too much.

"This isn't good," Midori said, "Paildramon's stronger than even Metalgreymon. We might all need to be ultimate if we want to stand a chance at defeating it and those other 3."

However, the mechs didn't seem to think so as they remained in their champion levels, Morrigan and Nathan holding most of them back while Metalgreymon soon found himself tied up by ropes attached to the spikes coming from Paildramon's wrists. Then again, it wasn't like the others had reached ultimate yet.

However, Alejandro was fully confident as he spat, "ALRIGHT, WE'RE GONNA TRY IT NOW!" Knightchessmon rearing his hooves as a cannon of spikes and explosives came from the mech, Knightchessmon shouting, "KNIGHT'S JAVELIN!" opening fire.

With that, Morrigan's eyes went wide as the attack caused both Devimon and Kabuterimon to explode, both pilots flying off with jet packs as Morrigan scowled, shouting, "RAYLEIGH, YOU'D BETTER FINISH THE JOB!"

Rayleigh simply laughed, fully confident that he could as Paildramon proceeded to reel Metalgreymon in, ramming his elbow hard against the dragon mech before using the guns on his hips shouting, "DESPERADO BLASTER!" shooting multiple bullets at Metalgreymon, dealing considerable damage.

Sunflowmon sent a beam toward Paildramon only for the mech to easily dodge it, sending bullets into the sunflower mech as well. Strikedramon attempted to hit Paildramon only to be easily blocked, Paildramon using his energy stinger to strike the dragon mech across the chest, putting a big cut in it.

Needless to say, Knightchessmon didn't have much luck as when Alejandro had him rush in to help Midori, Knightchessmon was easily blocked by the Sting Strike, Paildramon firing a bolt of electricity from his hand into the knight's face.*

Mato let down tears before shouting, "PAILDRAMON, STOP!" the mech hearing her words and stopping his attacks. Seeing this, Metalgreymon took full advantage, striking the combination mech hard with his claws.

Rayleigh flipped back in his chair, rubbing his nose as he started jabbing on controls, shouting, "Why won't it work! Goddammit! Guess I'll have to use the dark spark plug." The man placing a plug into the mech's data stream. Paildramon made noises of pain as it became all black and was forced to have to follow Rayleigh's orders for good.

Megumi had been seeing this from a window, her eyes wide as she gasped, running to a drawer and pulling 3 upgrade USB keys. She then ran out of the building, throwing one to Strikedramon, Sunflowmon and Knightchessmon.

Alejandro grinning as he put his in, Knightchessmon now bursting with power. His horse torso soon tucked itself inward, becoming a pair of legs again, two big square-shaped components jutting out and covering the hooves. Armour resembling a robe of sorts came down from the mech's waist, covering most of his lower body as soon, his arms were covered in a similar material. A cape then flew out of his collar, attaching itself to his neck as a long metal portion covered his front middle section, his spear now looking more like a staff. He had become the ultimate mech, Bishopchessmon.

Kotaha did the same as Sunflowmon also underwent a big change. The sunflower pedals went back into the side of her head, soon replaced by an upside-down flower bud atop her head, her head soon replaced by a more human-like one without a nose. Green strands representing half also appeared as her body became thinner and a lighter shade of green, looking more like a human woman's body. Her arms sunk into the holes for them, soon being replaced by long pink ones with white metal water lilies on the end, her legs undergoing the exact same change. She had become Lilamon.

Midori did the same with Strikedramon as suddenly, a grey armour emerged from his back, soon expanding and climbing up his back before covering the entire back section, moving onto the front and doing the same. Two blades also sprung out of his arms as the mech opened up his chest, pulling out a silver mask and slapping it on his face, red wings jutting out of his back. He had become Cyberdramon.

Midori grinned before saying, "Sorry, Mato, but we might have to take Paildramon apart," Mato sniffing, "Just do it! Save him!"

With that, Cyberdramon used one of his arm spikes to strike Paildramon hard as Metalgreymon unleashed a powerful blast from his chest cannons. Bishopchessmon held out his staff, shooting thunder bolts and lightning strikes at Paildramon while Lilamon fired beams from middle of her flower hands.

Rayleigh freaked as Paildramon made a shrieking sound, retaliating with more shots from his guns. The group took in damage but seemed to ignore it as a light started to surround Metalgreymon, Neil realizing it must have been given extra power when Mato joined the man.

With that, the dragon sent a fierce slash to Paildramon's body, cutting through and stabbing Rayleigh with one of the claws, the mech blowing up and separating back into Wormmon and V-mon, their parts falling to the ground in a heap.

Rayleigh was now lying on the ground in a heap, coughing up blood as his eyes rolled to the back of his head. The once well-known bounty hunter and shape shifter was now dead. Alejandro gave a sigh of relief as Kotaha held her hand over her mouth, not wanting to look at these results, but was happy things had turned out well. Megumi saw this as a nightmare, not because Rayleigh was dead but because V-mon and Wormmon were in pieces.

Seeing the remains of V-mon, Mato let down tears. At that exact moment, Neku had escaped as he ran outside, seeing Wormmon shattered as he stared in shock.

Neil hugged Mato and rubbed her back saying, "It's okay. If you want, we can go out somewhere, maybe clear our minds, or you can spend some time to yourself. Whatever suits you."

Midori let out a sigh and said, "Well, it's not exactly powder. Maybe Megumi can fix it... I mean, she finally got one of our new weapons right."

Megumi laughed nervously, rubbing the back of her head and stating, "I can fix them, no fear! I promise."

Alejandro climbed out of Bishopchessmon as the Digimon reverted to Pawnchessmon. The Latino man kicked at Rayleigh's body with a snicker, taunting, "Dead as a door nail."

Midori then let out another sigh and said, "You know, during that battle, I came to a realization. I figure that since my sister is working for them, maybe the enemy is located in my old hometown."

Alejandro nodded and replied, "That does make sense, but how would you not have been aware of rising evil while you were living there?"

"I don't think anyone would have known about their presence," Midori replied as Yomaki entered the area, nodding and saying, "I heard that this particular group kept themselves hidden from the citizens fearing the government might stop their plans."

Alejandro nodded and replied, "But if we go and Mia-Mor is right about this, they might try to attack the town while we're waging war on them. Then everyone will be in danger."

Mato was listening in on the entire conversation, even wanting to say yes to Neil's earlier question, but she was currently too distracted by V-mon's parts lying all over the place. Neku also looked at Wormmon's remains and growled, "That bastard! How could he do this!"

Looking at the boy, Midori narrowed her eyelids and said, "Hm... this one is showing more fear than the usual Neku... suspicious!" Kotaha sighing, "No, I doubt we'd find another shape shifter like Rayleigh. I'm sure he's just really upset right now."

"But I'm the real one!" Neku retorted, "Rayleigh stole my body and used it for evil purposes! Also, why can't I care about my mech!"

"Well, it checks out," Midori replied, then hugged Mato and said, "There, there, it'll be okay. Megumi will have them all fixed up soon enough. Maybe you should go home and rest," Neil nodding.

"This'll be a long night," Megumi said, holding up her wrench, "I'll have Alejandro help me fix them," the Latino man trying to sneak away upon hearing that.

Neku was silent for a moment before spitting out, "I-It's all my fault!" Mato jumping slightly and looking at Neku, "I...I should've known that Sosuke was a no-good bastard...! So blame me! Hit me to your heart's content!" Neku let down tears of rage, waiting for someone to rebuke him and hit him. But Mato hugged Neku and uttered, "You idiot...!"

Megumi laughed and replied, "Cheer up, you two. I will have them fixed up and as good as ever in the morning! Get some rest and have a relaxing night," then grabbing onto Alejandro's shirt, she added, "Uh-uh, you mister psycho six pack are staying and helping me! It is about time I get muscle to help me and you are going to do that!" trying not to laugh as Alejandro sighed, "Working with you all night, such a horror, but I'll do it for Neku and Mato. Good friends they are."

"Have fun," Midori said with a wink as Neil sighed, patting Mato on the shoulder and said, "C'mon, I'll treat you to a fancy dinner if it'll take your mind off of things," Mato nodding and replying, "Okay..."

Later that night, the two went to the fanciest restaurant Neil could think of as he smiled saying, "C'mon, honey, all's gonna be okay. I hope you can bring yourself to enjoy the evening," then turned to the waiter asking, "Can you bring us a box of tissues? For some reason I think we might need it," the waiter nodding.

However, Mato didn't even respond to any of this. Her eyes were blank as she looked out the window, unsure of what to do now.

Neil waved at her and let out a sigh saying, "Please, honey, I don't like seeing you like this."

Mato turned to him and groaned, "I'm sorry, Neil-Chan. I'm just wondering why someone would want to mimic Neku-Chan."

"I don't know," the boy replied, pondering this, "But whatever it is, the problem's solved now."

He then smiled and ruffled the woman's hair saying, "You're so cute, you know that?" Mato blushing slightly and remarking, "You're just flattering me!"

"No, I'm not," the boy replied, "You're adorable," the waiter rolling his eyes and placing the menus on the table saying, "I'll return when you're done swooning over each other.

"Say, Neil-Chan," Mato asked, her spirits starting to return as she grinned deviously, adding, "Are you jealous of Neku-Chan?"

"Well, I was before," Neil replied, "but that's because I thought you were falling for him or something. Now I don't have a reason to be jealous... cept maybe the combining thing... that still gets me..." Mato giving Neil a peck on the cheek and replying, "Don't worry about it, sweetie."

Neil then kissed the woman on the lips as the waiter rolled his eyes. The night went by as the next day, V-mon and Stingmon were not only fixed, they looked stronger than ever before.

"So Rayleigh's dead?" Aku asked as Morrigan sighed, nodding as the man shrugged, "Can't say I remember him from anywhere. But he did manage to get two of the enemy mechs destroyed. That's a nice step in the right direction." Of course, he didn't realize how wrong he was. If anything, Rayleigh had inadvertently made things better with Megumi and Alejandro's help of course.

Mato's eyes sparkled as she hugged V-mon leg, squealing, "Welcome back, V-Chan!" Neku admiring Wormmon's new shine.

Midori whistled and said, "You know what, Megumi, I don't hate you anymore," as Yomaki laughed at the professor's expense before clearing her throat and saying, "Yes, well, back to business. Midori, you were saying something about the enemy being in your hometown."

Midori then let out a sigh and said, "Right, well, I grew up in the city just North from here. The problem is those guys may have more up their sleeve for us. They have minions. We just got 6."

Kotaha nodded, "When you think about it like that you'd be correct. If only we had more."

Megumi smiled and replied, "Yet you need to remember all of your mechs can go ultimate now. They mainly use rookies and champions. Yet six, well, five mechs when you go ultimate may not work well enough."

Neil then nodded and added, "If I'm not mistaken, though, that Rayleigh guy managed to take control of Paildramon rather easily. What if somehow the guys at work can get the other mechs to work with them? Clearly natural selection doesn't apply if one has a strong enough spirit."

Yomaki thought about this and said, "Well, I suppose so, but if your theory is correct, then I'm totally calling the Gaomon model."

After a while, the group decided to give their theory a go as the other employees picked out mechs to work with. After much focus, a great deal of them actually managed to pull it off, finally convincing the mechs to accept them.

"Now we're ready for war," Yomaki said as she turned to Gaomon, placed a hand on his nose and said, "Gaomon, I would love very much to..." the robot dog turning its head away from her as the woman felt offended, Jasmine asking, "Can I use you?" Gaomon nodding and opening up for her, Yomaki letting down tears as the Kudamon model behind her opened itself up out of pity, the manager shrugging and saying, "The rest of you without mechs keep doing your usual work around here."

Megumi clasped her hands together, squealing, "I totally want the Renamon mech!" facing a two-legged fox robot.

Unfortunately, the fox robot glared at Megumi and backed up, seeming as if it was afraid of her as Yomaki laughed and said, "Seems these other mechs have learned a lesson from watching you perform handiwork."

Megumi then looked down, pouting and feeling neglected. Seeing the woman's sad look, the Renamon mech rolled its eyes and opened up, not willing to deal with Megumi's pathetic sob story any longer, Megumi's eyes sparkling as she climbed in.

As the employees got into their mechs, Yomaki let out a sigh and said, "As much as I love being in charge, Midori, this is your home, so you can be the leader," Midori grinning and saying, "Aw, you're too kind," Alejandro adding, "Take it away, Midorin! Lead us to victory!" Mato, Neil and Neku all giving her fist pumps.

With that, the mechs were released as Midori said, "Alright, I hope you all went to the bathroom and that this battle won't make your water break early, Kotaha," the employees all giving impressed whistles as the woman added, "This may be a long one!"

Kotaha simply smiled and gave Midori thumbs up with Lalamon, actually finding the work easy all things considered. Megumi was simply thrilled to be at the controls, finally getting her chance to do what her grandmother had years ago.

With that, the mechs were headed off to war. It was finally time to take down Aku and his army. This had gone on long enough.

Notes: *1) This battle was kind of a let-down in the RP as for some reason, Mato and Neku's writer wasn't fully focused on having Paildramon do more than just capture Metalgreymon. I figured I'd add these paragraphs just to make it seem like they were in much more danger.