EL Digital Saviors 30
Ok loyal readers now the battle against Etemon is going to get red hot! With his list of minions running low Etemon goes to Datamon for some ideas. But again, our heroes slowly prove limits can be surpassed. We're getting close to the end of the Etemon arc. So very close. Story is still rated the same. Please read and review.
- chapter 30 - Datalore
It was a slow overcast morning at the Inn and JP was hard at work on his truck. It was the thing that helped him to keep sharp and focused. It was very noisy and dirty work, but he loved it. The feel of grease and the enjoyment of fixing a mechanical problem always brought a smile to his face. Going through some assorted nuts & bolts Hagurumon was checking out the toaster, it was yet again on the fritz. The gear-based monster even brought out a box of hand cleanser for his friend's oily hands. Just like before JP's overalls were smeared with the stuff. The only company JP had was little Mayu.
Little Mayu figured she'd get him some refreshments, barley tea which he and his American friends had taken a liking to. All the work on the truck must've made him pretty parched. She filled a glass and brought it to him. She watched as he worked on his truck, while not a car person Mayu knew many people took pride in maintaining them. Considering JP built his truck from... basically junk, it was impressive. The Japanese American boy always seemed to know what tools he needed to fix something. His mechanical skills also helped with the Inn's appliances repair bills.
"Uh JP? You want some barley tea? Looks like you've worked up a thirst." She said to him with tea glass in hand.
He kept working almost like he didn't even hear her calling to him. At first, she thought he was just being a jerk but then she noticed his stereo system wired up to a headset. That meant he was doing the other he did while working. His music collection, he'd been caught a few times blasting it in the living room a few times... much to his embarrassment. Which he was doing now. "For I am Mars, the God of War and I will cut you down! Yeah!"
With his trusty welding torch JP cut that stubborn hexagonal nut clean off. He was just about to solder off another when Mayu aggressively poked his shoulder, spooking him so bad he almost dropped his welding torch. "Geez kiddo don't ever sneak up on somebody holding a welding torch." He scolded, tilting up his welder mask.
Sighing and rolling her eyes she asked him her other question. "What were you singing JP?"
"Oh, just listening to some Motorhead." He told her.
"Huh? But you were already done with the motor." Mayu said perplexed by what he told her, pointing at it.
"It's a band kiddo. Y'know heavy metal? Music? Ok what about Alice Cooper? Anthem? Slayer?" JP asked her, she shook her head no. So, he asked her about a few more bands. "Metallica? Rob Zombie? Ever heard of them?" Again, she shook her head no. "You have no idea what I'm talking about do you?" He finally asked her.
The blank look on her face told him she had no clue what he was talking about. Thus, Mayu simply shook her head no. Deciding to take a break from his work JP got out from under his truck and took a seat in one of the lawn chairs he'd brought with him (set up on the Inn's small lawn).
Before he spoke JP took a moment on how to explain his musical tastes to the young preteen. Finally, after rattling his brain he spoke. "Kid I need to introduce you to a few musical pals of mine, namely Pantera, Megadeth, Drowning Pool, maybe even Powerman 5000. Never heard of them, eh? You are so deprived Mayu."
"Really?" She said with a pouty look on her face. "Don't talk to me like I'm a kid."
Yeah, Mayu hated it when people talked down to her, mostly because of her age. She might be young and possibly a bit naive, but she wasn't stupid. She'd seen and experienced things the majority of girls her age should never have to. Evil data monsters basically orphaned her, and it was only thanks to Renamon she didn't end up homeless on the streets.
The American knew from her reaction Mayu wasn't as sheltered as he thought, but she still was a kid. In fact, her well-being was the older kids' responsibility. "What'd I say? Newsflash Mayu... You are a kid. It's up to the rest of us and be responsible for ya." He said pointing out the obvious.
It was then JP realized he really hadn't spent all that much time with Mayu, much less talked with her. They'd mentioned good morning and niceties during meals but seriously, what do a 12-year-old Japanese girl and a 19-year-old boy from the US talk about, anyway? "So Mayu any decent shounen shows you can recommend for me and the boys to watch?"
"Nope not really." The younger girl's brow went up, she'd heard JP call his friends "the boys" more than once. Come to think of it he'd never mentioned just how they met all those years ago. "The boys? You mean Alex, Jason, and Kouta and how'd you even meet them anyways?"
Awkwardly JP scratched his cheek, because frankly in all honesty he'd go on and on about how they were the best of friends but never told her just how they met. "Oh, that come to think of it I never did tell you how we met, did I?"
Still silent Mayu readied herself for the potentially big backstory he was going to tell her. Scratching his chin JP spoke up thinking back to that day and why he offered the hand in friendship with them. "Well Jason, Alex and I knew each other a long time. We go way back... in fact all the way to third grade and kindergarten. We always looked out for each other. Meeting Alex though that was another story... One day during lunch we saw him just sitting there all alone, all by himself. No one talking to him. Being ignored. In my mind he looked like he really needed a friend. That's how we met him."
Next the older boy recalled the series of events where they first met Kouta & Kanae. "Kept going that way until one summer in Central Park; Jason and me were shooting hoops at the basketball court while Alex was reading some comics in the shade. We ended up meeting Kouta and his sister. They'd gotten lost and luckily for us Alex knew Japanese. Turns out we had a lot more in common than we thought and got along great, eventually their dad showed up. Like you saw before he seemed like a cool old guy. Kanae and Alex were putting on the classic anime waterfall tears but someday we'd promised going to Tokyo and see them again. And that was it." The older boy said looking mighty pleased with himself after telling the story.
Blinking Mayu was left speechless, that was it. That was the great origin story of the older kids first meeting each other? No that couldn't be right the lass thought, and she let JP know it. "Eh? Is... That it? That's all? You're putting me on."
But JP wasn't having any of her precocious lip. "Hey! I never said it was some kind of great grand story. Y'know something remembered for ages."
Suddenly their DigiVices' alarm went off, two blips were roaming around the by a large recycling center. "Huh? That time already eh. Time to kick some hind end kid." JP stated cracking his knuckles.
But aside from JP & Mayu, their Digimon partners, Bokomon and Neemon the Inn was deserted. Just like before if things were any more dead the place would need a coroner. "There's nobody here... What'll we do Bokomon!? What'll we do!?" A panicked Neemon squealed out. "What'll we do!? What'll we do!?"
Knowing it was his turn JP snapped his waistband, making him yelp. "Thank you... I think." He said getting the sense knocked back into him.
"Quit panicking Neemon. Looks like it's up to us kid." JP said again, getting his keys in the ignition.
Seemed the older grease monkey was dead set on taking off and fighting the two rogue Digimon, Mayu thought. But it was only the two of them, would they even be enough? "But it's only us... " She nervously pointed out.
Hopping into the backseat Hagurumon nodded for the young lass to join him in back. "Mayu if JP has faith in ya, I do. What about you Renamon?"
"I'm always ready. I was born to win." Renamon said cracking a few knuckles.
"Alright then let's rev up and roll out!" JP said starting the engine as he drove off towards the recycling center.
-soon
Pretty soon the pair were closing in on the recycling facility, just across a long bridge past an ocean canal. But it seemed there was a welcoming committee... as the two minions of the Network. Peeking out the window Bokomon knew exactly what they were dealing with. "Oh, my word it's a Morishellmon a mollusk Digimon adapted to a forest habitat. They're extremely dangerous and so is the Fugamon."
By now the evil gastropod seeing their human enemy's incoming let his ogre pal in on the info. "Well, well, well the Digibrats are here. Time to squash 'em Fugamon!"
"Roger that!" The orange skinned ogre roared out.
He grabbed a large shipping truck, likely weighing a few tons throwing it right at the bridge, whose fiery explosion blew a huge honking hole in its center.
-begin Take My Hand by Simple Plan
With the bridge out Mayu panicked, a crash imminent! "Oh no! Fugamon took out the bridge!"
Gritting his teeth JP knew there was only thing to do in cases like this, and that was put the pedal to the metal and drive like a demon. The boy shoved the gear shift down hard then pressed the NOS button, he rarely used it because of Japan's congested city roads but here. It was now or never! And he told Mayu to buckle herself in extra secure. "Mayu! Hang on!"
"JP are you insane!?" Renamon yelled seeing his plan was serious.
As his custom truck sped closer to the gaping hole in the bridge, its engine was given a powerful sudden rush of power, its pistons pumped even harder as more oxygen ignited its fuel, increasing speed. The tailpipes blew out huge bursts of fiery exhaust as it soared over the broken bridge. Seeing JP was seriously going through with this Mayu did the only thing she could in this kind of situation, shout at the top of her lungs! "Whoooooooaaah!" Instinctively she grabbed JP's arm in a death grip!
Deep in his mind JP hoped his truck could pull through for him. "C'mon baby don't fail your daddy now... "
With a hard and heavy landing while damaging his truck's shocks, they safely cleared the bridge. And just to show off JP did a speedy U-Turn, rolling down the driver's side window mostly to gloat at Fugamon. "Ya see Fugamon? See that who's the man! I am!" He boasted pointing his thumb at his smirking face.
With a deadpan glare Mayu told him this was no time to gloat. "Enough showboating JP we have business to take care of."
The group jumped out of his truck just as the oversized snail punched a forklift into a large semi, as the youngsters ducked at the last second. The resulting fiery explosion sent tons of shrapnel in all directions, with loads of them headed right for JP's truck! In seconds its doors, hood, windows were basically given a buckshot blast. Numerous dings, pits, dent, and holes were punched through it. Its windshield ended getting a giant hole blasted through it as well. The result? Making his truck looking like it went through a warzone.
And again, JP heartstrings broke, his truck got wrecked. Again! "Ooh not again! My baby! I just fixed it! You are gonna pay for breakin' my truck!"
"How 'bout we give 'em some payback?" The gear-based Rookie suggested.
The two exchanged a few glances then called out their single unified phrase. "You just read my mind. That's exactly what I'm gonna do. Execute! Champion Level Digivolve!'' Both JP and Mayu called out.
"Hagurumon digivolve to... GUARDROMON!" The likes of Guardromon called out first.
"Renamon digivolve to... KYUBIMON!" Renamon now Kyubimon shouted out running alongside Guardromon.
"Alright it's we take out the garbage. Starting with the two of you!" The iron clad robot said pointing at the evil ogre and snail.
If the nine tailed fox could facepalm she would've, that one-liner was really cheesy. A bit much for her tastes, so instead sighed. She'd take Morishellmon and Guardromon would take on the ogre. And with that club Fugamon slammed the ground! "Evil Hurricane!"
But... the iron clad Champion caught it mid swing, but the sheer force was enough to crumble the pavement under Guardromon's feet. It was a struggle, sure; despite Guardromon's great strength. "Arrgghh! I'm not some tin can you simply crush... I crush you!"
Just as quick Guardromon followed up with a power packed left hook, sending the ogre reeling back. With the enemy stunned for a second the Machine type went on the offensive. He quickly fired homing beams from his cylindrical shoulder armor. "Homing Laser!"
The laser barrage did little damage as the evil oni, blocking most of the attack's power with his bone club. "Hah! That all you got!? You pile of junk!"
Looking oddly calm and quiet the Machine type let loose twin laser beams shot from his eyes. "Power Laser!"
The second barrage of laser fire cut right through Fugamon's club, and right through the evil ogre. "Arrrgghh...!"
Meanwhile Kyubimon was continuing her dueling with the oversized forest snail. Every time he had the fox in sight she'd jump away as he smashed through a delivery truck. Perched atop a streetlight naturally the kitsune insulted his sloppy combat technique. "Now, now my poor gastropod. That truck is not your eating disorder."
Enraged the evil snail tried his Mind Fog technique, spewing blasts of dense fog from its mouth that generate illusions. But again, the nine-tailed fox dodged it by swiftly up the recycling center's out wall, jumping to the roof next time. The evil snail blasted Mind Fog at her again who swerved out of its way. She then settled atop a wrecked delivery car. "Stand still you furball!" He roared in frustration.
"That's rich coming from a slimeball." The fox retorted.
"You take that back or I'll kill you!" The gastropod hollered in a rage.
"Make me." The fox deadpanned.
That last insult pushed Morishellmon's last nerve, furious he lunged for the smart mouth fox. She was gonna pay for that insult! One way or the other! "Fox Attack!" But Kyubimon attacked with a fiery headbutt.
Countering the kitsunes Fox Attack Morishellmon used his Drill Spin! Tucking his body inside the shell and spun at a high speed ready to strike down the annoying fox.
The fox's scorching headbutt collided with the spinning shell, it was a struggle! Neither Champion was backing down, but slowly but steadily Kyubimon was pushing back. "Normally I'd find a saltshaker and dump it on you. But then it occurred to me there's another way to get rid of snails. Kill it with fire! "Fox Tail Inferno!"
The fox launched fireballs from its nine tails right for Morishellmon's face, exploding in a massive inferno! The explosion engulfed the oversized snail, and slowly as the smoke started thinning the giant forest snail had seen better days.
The likes of the ogre monster were in the same sorry shape. He was done for. "Argh... We failed... " The snail groaned out.
"Master Etemon... forgive... us. We weren't tough enough... " Fugamon moaned falling to his knees as they both reverting back into fractal data.
Watching the whole battle, the two youngsters also saw its aftermath. "That was almost too easy, kiddo." JP said as the last bits of Fugamon & Morishellmon's data dissipated.
Looking over the charred battlefield the 12-year-old figured that too. It was too easy. Usually, the Network's grunts put up more a of a fight. This battle was an embarrassment. "A lot easier, JP, than figuring out the REAL problem... the Network's plan. I don't like it." Mayu pessimistically added.
"I don't like it either kid. But we're outta leads. All right, so what do you say, Mayu? Pack it in and go home? And fix my truck again. I should start buying those parts in bulk, save me time and money." He grumbled.
As their Digimon partners reverted back to their Rookie forms and settled on heading back home. Despite the beating JP's truck took, it's engine miraculously managed to work. And then they drove off back to the Inn.
-later
Later back at the Inn JP sighed as he looked over the extensive damage his baby had taken. It was going to take a lot of repair work, very expensive repair work. His gear-based partner glanced nervously at his human friend. "It's bad, isn't it?" Hagurumon asked.
"Yup." Was all the boy mechanic uttered. "Let's try to salvage this thing."
And then JP got underneath his vehicle, trying to ascertain where he should even start his repairs. His Digimon partner brought his toolbox which JP gestured for some tools. Yup Hagurumon knew the drill by now. "All right lemme see. Pliers, wrench. needle nose pliers, welding torch, soldering tool, nuts, bolts... and screwdrivers." He gave his human friend each tool.
The work was slow, and painfully at that. Deciding to help him fix up his truck after their little adventure Mayu put on some old worn overalls, an outfit she wouldn't care getting dirty. She even had a large worn-out cloth tied around her head, protecting her hair from foul grease. Something he noticed and puzzled him. "Hey uh... What's with uh... The tomboy outfit?" He asked her, it wasn't her usual look.
After all, Mayu tended to be one the more traditional feminine type of girl, so seeing her wearing them didn't make sense, so she spoke up. "I figured I'd give you a hand or two on your truck. It kinda needs it."
At first, he was kind of speechless, touched by Mayu's sincerity to help him. But he simply brushed it off ruffling her hair a little. "Oh. Well then go right ahead. Just hold that part down and I'll weld it in place. It's nice having a little helper. Especially a cute one." He said as she held down said part.
That compliment had her go beet red in blush. She hadn't even started dating boys and here one just called her cute. "Oh, c'mon JP. I'm not cute." She shyly said trying to play it off.
Still JP stuck to his opinion, and gently patting her shoulder let her know how he saw it. "No. Really. You're a cute kid. When you get older, you'll make someone a nice wife someday."
Getting married someday had very cheesy but welcome thoughts pop into Mayu's head. Walking down the aisle, arm in arm with her hubby to be, surrounded by all her friends and family. But nobody would get that privilege if the Network wasn't stopped. And so, the two went to work together fixing his truck. Again.
-meanwhile
Meanwhile in the deepest levels of Etemon's base Datamon was going over the visual data the DigiDestined had been through with their forces. He was reviewing every battle that had happened up to this point. Despite their overwhelming power the organic partner Digimon continued to oppose the Network.
None of this made sense to Datamon. "Hmm... One by one they defeat our warriors. It isn't logical. We possess far greater power and numbers... Yet these organics continue to defeat us at every turn. What is your secret humans? Diclonii you are just as puzzling. A mutant off-branch of Homo sapiens... subjugated and persecuted. Yet you also resist us. Why? You should be rejoicing the elimination of your human oppressors." He said to himself. "You should be our allies."
How were they doing this? Obtaining victory after victory? The Machine type pondered this question continuously, but answers eluded even his vast intellect. Despite humans and the Diclonii being opposed to each other, the DigiDestined had instead welcomed two no less into their ranks. Even offering one trust, love and friendship. "Instead, you stand with them. United. Perhaps it has to do with that human adage "the enemy of my enemy is my friend". Preposterous nonsense. Why would two enemies consider working against an enemy to them both? It wasn't logical." Datamon said again.
"I do not like the current parameters of this situation. But without actual data Lord Etemon won't even believe me. My research must continue, if I'm going to find answers." Datamon sighed as he went about continuing his analysis of the DigiDestined battles.
-to be continued
Alright finally this story's been updated. Now I chose Mayu and JP to focus on simply because until know they really haven't interacted all that much. Makes the plot more interesting. The two couldn't be any more different from each other. Maybe next chapter Alex will team up with Mayu. And then Jason just to shake things up. And you've probably figured this story's other running gag... JP's truck ends up getting damaged and wrecked a lot. That and snapping Neemon's pants. Ok for references... I'll give 50 points to all the readers, whoever can correctly guess all the references the characters make. Be it anime, manga, comics, books, live-action, animation, or games it doesn't matter. See if you can guess any. Something else many chapters are puns off words or phrases (like the show does/take a look and you'll see it). Hopefully December will be a lot more fruitful.
How's the pseudo soundtrack holding up? I'm keeping it because the songs set the mood listen to them on Youtube while reading I think you'll like the atmosphere they create.
Please read and review this and my other stories which range from: Yokohama Night Monsters, Power Rangers Dimension Legends, ELG The Series, Code Lyoko EL, Loud House: Rise of Akira, Cybertronian Invasion, and Maverick Hunter KLN to satisfy your craving for bizarre crossovers.