EL Digital Saviors 29

Ok loyal readers now we may finish up our detour of Lucy's path into the alternate timelines, the ones where Patamon never appeared, and she developed into her hateful, cruel and sadistic persona. She and Angemon face off against the version of herself from my good friend and loyal fan, LunarSkies2383. Check out his story ''Butterfly Effect'' for a very different take on Elfen Lied. Can our duo stand any chance against this utterly brutal incarnation? Or will a grave be their only fate? Read and find out. Story is still rated the same. Please read and review.

-chapter 29 - Digital Effect Part 2

"It is really weird." Lucy said her eyes glancing nervously around.

"Um... Did we step into a 1950's tv set?" Neemon asked.

Rubbing his temples Patamon wasn't in the mood for Neemon's foolishness and scolded him. "Neemon... What're you babbling abo-... Oh sweet circuitry." Only he took back his intended speech seeing just how weird the world was. How did he not notice this?

Indeed, the world was very eerie to look at, the sun was warming the air and ground, a gentle wind picked up. Tree branches rustled as their leaves fluttered. The city skyline reached towards the clouds, slowly moving through the skies... but there was one thing missing. Something important. The world didn't have one splash of color... ANYWHERE! Everything was set in black, white, and shades of grey.

"Uh for one thing Patamon, where's the color? The world's suddenly gone black and white. I mean our colors are fine. So, what's the deal with... " Lucy said gesturing around at the black and white looking world before them.

"Hmmm... Nothing in my research I recall mentions anything like this." Bokomon said recalling his old research memos.

But suddenly Lucy felt something. It was just a feeling, like the "gut feeling" a cop had towards a difficult case. It was strange, she thought. "Again... Got a bad feeling all of a sudden."

But then the sounds of a fight were coming from a nearby park, the same one Lucy fought Nana something Patamon sarcastically pointed out. "You just had to say something didn't you?"

As Lucy ran headlong into the ensuing battleground, she had no idea the kind of revelation she'd be getting into. Spying the pair again, the alternate Lucy leapt into action tackling her duplicate out of the way. "Get away from her!" She then awaited her foes next move. Needless to say, Nana was in shock.

But Nana wasn't alone... there was another Lucy, something that chilled Bokomon straight to the bone. "Oh dear... Oh dear, dear.'' Bokomon muttered in a state of shock mixed with worry.

Heck even Neemon thought his eyesight was going bad. "I'm seeing double. Snap me." He said hoping he was asleep, as Bokomon snapped his waistband. It hurt which meant one and one thing only. He wasn't crazy. Darn it. "Nope not seeing things."

Quickly Lucy went about helping Nana back on her feet. Then she glared at her cruel copy. "Why you dirty little... Don't you put one vector finger on her! You harm one hair on her head I will kick you into next week!" She barked out.

"You don't scare me.'' The sadistic Queen uttered.

"I should.'' Lucy talked back pointing right at her.

The sadistic Queen retorted to that. "No one tells me what to do. If they try... It's the last thing they do."

Still Lucy wasn't going to just stand there and let her evil copy get away with whatever sadistic schemes she had in her twisted brain. "That's the difference between you and me, I don't need to fight unless I have to. Right now, though? I just want you gone."

The duplicate Lucy simply raised an eyebrow, in fact it was the only facial expression Lucy had seen her do. "Really? Well, Kaede this is a surprise. Usually, you're more of a pushover. You usually try to beat me using the least amount of force."

Apparently, her copy mistook her for someone else, hard to fathom considering she was one of the most unique girls on the planet Patamon thought. "You must have her confused with someone else. Against any and all odds we beat the challenge. If an enemy rises to face us, victory will be ours. All right Luce let's show this freak who she's messin with!''

Taking a glance at Patamon Lucy knew it was time to get to work. "Execute! Champion Level Digivolve!''

"Patamon digivolve to... ANGEMON!" Angemon called out twirling his Angel Staff readying for battle.

"Lucy, you have to get them to safety.'' Angemon told her.

Simply biting her lip, Lucy grew frustrated knowing a cruel ironic fact. "There isn't anywhere safe. I'm staying here, fighting along with you. Argue all you want but I'm staying!''

"It's too dangerous Lucy! Get TO safety!'' The angel ordered her.

But what transpired next shocked the Angel Digimon to his core. Lucy had... almost a hurt expression on her face. She almost looked ready to cry. She gently placed her hands on his gauntlets. "You turned my tears to roses. You brought me hope. Courage and even love. When you rescued me all those years ago, I swore never to let you fight by yourself. Knowing that you'll never be alone. Even when darkness comes, you'll know I'm never far and you'll hear my whispers in the darkest night. Please let me fight with you.''

The extreme level of trust she put into him wasn't flattering, instead it emotionally connected with him. She would loyally follow him to the ends of Earth and beyond. They were a team. A partnership. One whose bond couldn't easily be broken. The Champion in all his life had never had a friend like Lucy. "Lucy... '' He quietly said touched by her trust in him, now turned to trust her. "Alright then, together we fight!''

Smashing her knuckles together Lucy was more than ready to follow his lead. "That's what I wanna hear. You just picked a fight with the wrong queen missy! Now come get us!''

-begin Whispers in the Dark by Skillet

"This place will your graves." The sinister version coldly told them.

As the DigiDestined struck a fighting posture she took close note of her cruel counterpart's movements, since even the slightest mistake could cost Lucy a limb or her life. Shaking her fist Lucy wasn't one to give up so easily. "Ya can beat us into the ground for all I care! But we're not giving up. In fact, lemme giva ya a taste of a really good Digimon dish, knuckle sandwich. Fist of The Beast King!" Lucy roared out launching an aura in the shape of a lion's head from her fist.

The powerful aura enhanced punch hit their opponent dead center, despite being blocked partially via Vectors still sent the alternate version of Lucy back a few feet. She couldn't believe this, just who was this girl? Where'd she get these crazy powers? And her angel minion? Those questions plagued her mind but there wasn't any time to dwell on it as the angel was going on the attack.

"Have you had enough or do want some more?!" The angel growled readying himself for another round with this ''evil'' Lucy. "Holy Shot!" Angemon fired a bullet of holy energy from his Angel Rod.

Again, the cruel copy's Vector were barely able to block that, pushing her back a few more feet. Whomever or whatever these two were, they were very strong. Maybe strong enough to take her on. Still while they were strong, they were blind as to whom they were battling. That would be their only mistake. "No... Not enough. Not yet.'' She hissed.

The alternate Lucy simply flung a stick at the guardian Angemon, who managed to block it with his staff. "Angel Staff!'' He then maneuvered back only he was struck. HARD!

That was Lucy's plan all along, the stick wasn't meant to impale the angel instead boomerang back around and hit him, knocking him out of the sky. As Angemon crash landed onto the nearby staircase. "Add another angel to the list of falling from grace... '' She uttered callously.

Seeing her partner getting knocked out of the air only made Lucy angry, but getting even would have to wait as the cruel version of herself glared in her direction. "Angemon! Please be ok.'' She thought hoping he'd be all right.

Now it was just the two of them, a one-on-one fight. Winner takes all... but mostly the prize was survival. The evil Lucy launched her Vector barrage only this time her counterpart countered. "Oh, yer gonna pay for that one! Nobody takes a swipe at Angemon! Dark Reflection!" Her gloves generated an energy mirror catching said attack and fired it back at her foe.

Unlike the previous blows the impact of getting hit by her own Vector punches sent the sadistic counterpart flying landing hard on the ground. Naturally Lucy struggled to get back on her feet, that blow did a number on her. Something her heroic version taunted called her out on. "There! How do you like your own Vectors hitting you!

"Enough. You die." Her counterpart growled launching another but even more Vector barrage.

But throwing all concern for his life Angemon recovered throwing himself in front of his partner taking the full brunt of the bone crushing punches nearly breaking his body with deadly efficiency. Overwhelmed from the pulverizing attack, he weakly whimpered as he collapsed to the ground.

Rushing over her Digimon partner, she hoped he wasn't fatally injured. If that happened, she shuddered to even think it. He had to be ok, he had to be. "Angemon... Are you ok. Please something. Speak to me."

As she helped him back to his feet, she saw him fall back onto one knee. "I'm... fine. Are you... hurt?"

"Ah... just enough to make me interesting. You saved me again. I'm sorry.'' The Diclonius girl admitted then gazed at the ground saddened. "Sorry I got you involved in this whole mess. I just had to be the hero.''

"Don't be. Without you my life wouldn't had any meaning. If this is it, I'll be fine because I don't have any regrets. Truth is I been honored to have met you and be my friend. " Angemon also disclosed.

''Right back at you buddy. This is it. This is how we go out. Fighting.'' Lucy said ready for the last blow.

"Sunshine Beam! Electro Shocker! Guardian Barrage! Blast Rings!'' Were suddenly heard as the four powerful attacks bombarded the ground in between the warring Diclonii.

"DAGHH!'' The angry queen yelled as the ground shook, dust and smoke filled the air... As Lucy saw who dared fight her next. ''More of them?!''

She saw a huge blue rhino beetle, sunflower, red hawk with ram horns, and finally a bronzed robot coming to the aid of the other Lucy and her angel. "Like I said Guardromon there're times when ya just gotta blow a huge honking hole in something to find what you're lookin' for." JP joked while sitting on his partner's shoulder.

"Hey there! This a private party?'' Alex asked the group.

"Or can anybody join?'' Jason asked too.

"Like little ol' me for instance?'' Sunflowmon joked.

"Let's put these foul scoundrels in their proper place! The garbage! Wait... How're there two Lucy's?'' Guardromon asked confused by the fact he was seeing double.

Somehow two Lucy's were here on the battlefield, but again how? "Figure things out later Guardromon! Right now, we fight!" Alex ordered as Kabuterimon readied himself.

"Yeah? Well bring it toots!'' Sunflowmon growled out glaring at the evil doppelganger.

"Cut your crud!'' Kanae sassed her.

"This battle is still afoot.'' Lucy said coldly.

"Yeah, well let's see how far I ram my size 10 up your... '' Jason yelled to her.

The cruel Lucy cut off Jason right then and there. These fools were getting on the few good nerves she had left. It was time to end them once and for all. "ENOUGH! This field will be your grave!''

From his hakama waistband Bokomon retrieved another grenade-like Proton Vector Scrambler. If Lucy faced off against this counterpart any longer, she'd be killed. "Lucy! Use this Proton Vector Scrambler! It'll disable them!"

The scholar then threw it to Lucy who pressed the trigger. ''Hey whackjob catch this!" She called out throwing it at her.

Luckily the other Lucy had the same naivety about technology that Mariko did, catching the device just in front of her. She thought it was an odd bomb and was about to toss over her shoulder when suddenly huge numbers of energy beams shot out of it ensnaring every last one of her vectors. Yowling in pain the other Lucy dropped the device. Scowling at her alternate version tried attacking her but nothing happened. Somehow the grenade caused her vectors to quit working... Now she was at Lucy's mercy. A drop of sweat dripped down the evil Lucy nervous face. For the first time in a fight in a long time, she felt fear. Fear in what this monster army could do to her.

While JP normally regarded Kouta as the DigiDestined leader, but he wasn't present at the time, so he took up the leadership role. "Everyone together hit her with everything you got!"

"Hand of Fate! Sunshine Beam! Electro Shocker! Guardian Barrage! Blast Rings!'' All five of the Champion's yelled out attacking in unison.

Again, the slew of attacks hit the ground the alternate Lucy was standing on sending her flying, right into a heavy tree trunk knocking the wind out her, as he quickly lost consciousness. "Kurama get her sorry carcass outta here." JP grumbled pointed at her unconscious form.

The scientist could have attacked but thought better of it since Guardromon slammed his fists together and wagged his finger telling the "don't even think about it".

Begrudgingly the man did so as he left the scene with Nana, and thus all the Digimon reverted back to their Rookie level forms. Making things stranger however were the likes of alternates of Kouta, Yuka, little Mayu, and strangely enough two clones of Lucy. "Huh? What's this a welcoming committee?" JP joked seeing them all.

The Lucy partnered with a Digimon took a few steps around the pair of pink haired twins, giving them both a look of high scrutiny. "So... You're supposed to be me, Kaede was it? You look like some private school graduate."

While not liking Lucy's crudeness over her fashion style Kaede still couldn't believe this girl was another version of herself. It was freaky to say the least. "Me? Look at you it's like you're on a safari. This is freaky, even for me."

But when Yuka laid eyes on Patamon her voice squealed, she thought he was adorable, pinching and gently pulling at his ear wings. "Oh, you're so cute! Just wanna hug you!"

"No. Pulling. My. Ears!'' Patamon yelped smacking the other Yuka upside her head with said ears. "Look we'll explain things at the Inn."

-Inn (yet again)

Once everyone was sitting around the table at the Inn Lucy explained just what was going on, the story behind the Digimon, and whom their enemies were. "My name is Lucille Yagami and you two are supposed to be who?" Lucy explained now seated... the group was still in shock that a Lucy was nice. Was it possible?

"I'm Kaede Hikaru this is my sister Nyu." Kaede explained to her copy. She didn't sense any evil or cruel intent from this girl. Whoever or wherever she and her friends were from it seemed in Kaede's personal opinion they weren't enemies.

By now the other alternate Kaede and Nyu finally gathered the courage to get a closer look at this other... Lucy. She saved them, nearly at the cost of her own life. The Lucy they knew would simply kill them. This was a huge confusing mess. "So, you're me? Kaede huh? There's a name I don't go by too much these days.'' Lucy asked offering her hand to shake.

Reciprocating the gesture Kaede shook her hand. "And you're another version of me huh?''

Still this whole mess was too bizarre being real, Yuka thought. Then again, the whole thing with the axe crazy Lucy was bizarre too. This other Lucy was the cherry on the sundae of crazy. "Monsters made from data. Like computer code? Yer putting us on there's no such thing." Yuka scoffed."

"And we're normal?" Kaede pointed out.

"Luce I'm gonna do something don't get mad but do forgive me." Patamon suddenly smacking her upside the head with his wing/ears.

"Oww! Jeez! What the heck was that for?!" She snapped wincing at her sore forehead.

"You're stubborn. That persona of yours was out for blood. You could've been killed.'' Patamon scolded her.

Still Lucy stood by what she said during the previous battle, though her reply was a bit cliche. "But I meant what I said. And I said what I meant; I'd stay by your side no matter what. 100%.'' Lucy stated to him sure as ever.

''That's it no more Dr. Seuss reading to the little ones.'' Palmon said facepalming.

"Patamon, I'm serious. You're my best friend in the whole world! I'd never turn my back on you. We're a team simple as that." Lucy said her voice nearly breaking.

"I was gonna ask the same question. But just who the cotton-picking heck is she supposed to be in all this?'' JP said gesturing at Nyu.

The other Kaede he understood but just who was Nyu in all this mess? How was she involved? Luckily Nyu answered just that question. "Well, I'm Nyu. Can't you tell Kaede, and I are twins.''

Tilting his head along with an eyebrow Alex looked the two over. Yeah, they were twins alright. Replying sarcastically Alex had this to say. "No. Really? I never could've guessed.''

"Twins Nyu. You don't say?'' Tentomon tilting his head agreed dryly.

Evidently Nyu didn't get sarcasm as she simply giggled thinking he was being funny. Plopping himself down on a chair Jason couldn't believe this crazed situation he'd gotten himself into. Even more so than the whole Digimon thing going on. In fact, the whole thing was crazy like Yuka thought. "Different timelines, multiples of one person, and now evil doubles? This is all sounding like some kind of bad comic book plot.''

Naturally Alex had something to say about that one. "Oh, not a bad one, just a common one.''

This cued JP, Jason, Kanae, and even Lucy to do a series of four facepalms. Because the fail was strong right then. Ever the comic book geek Alex just had to ruin the mood. "What? I'm serious. It's a common plot point. Multiple dimensions and parallel realities. Alternate timelines y'know the basics.''

''You gotta stop reading those comics before going to bed Alex.'' Kanae said almost like she was scolding him.

"I'm serious Kanae. Haven't any of you ever heard the multiverse theory?'' The nerdy boy suggested.

"Multiverse?'' JP gaped not even having the foggiest clue what that even was.

"Really Alex multiverse?'' Hagurumon glared at him. But his expression softened, what was a multiverse? He didn't know it even was. "Uh first off what's a multiverse?''

Clearing his throat Alex then went on to explain the scientific principles behind the theory. "Well more or less it works on the scientific principle that there's more than one Earth. In fact, a large number of alternate Earths could exist. Even infinite. Some are a lot like ours. Plenty are completely different. Example... what if the dinosaur extinction never happened? Or the Roman Empire never fell? Or the Sun had a twin? Or what if World War III happened in the 50's? Everything is possible, in one universe where we made a choice and in another where we didn't. Another where my parents never met. Think of it that way.'' Alex explained.

That only had everyone glare at him more, he'd been reading way too much fiction lately. This time they did another set of collective facepalm. "Oh, c'mon guys I'm serious. It's the perfect explanation for all this.''

Surprisingly it Bokomon who vouched for Alex suggestion, after all he was scholar who studied many things from elementary particle physics. To quantum physics and even human mythology. "Actually, I'd like to point out that Alex is right. Everything fits neatly into place. The alternates, the lack of Digimon, and even the lack of JP, Alex, and Jason. Things have proceeded differently in this reality. A wealth of others factor sat play here."

"Really? A time where I never met Patamon? That hateful... 'thing' is what I'd be like? Great the stuff nightmares are fueled by... '' Lucy grumbled hardly believing it.

"You got that one right Luce." Jason agreed.

The other Lucy was a complete blood thirsty psycho, something they hoped to never run into again. As the group contemplated the notion another rift burst forth into existence, right in the Inn's living room! Taking a look over Alex' Digivice Bokomon had a comforting conclusion. "Another rift... The Digivices reading indicate its dimensional vibration is identical to our reality. Everyone we're headed home."

''Finally. This place is giving me the creeps." Patamon grumbled flying through.

"You and me both buddy." Lucy added jumping though.

"Yay!" Neemon cheered jumping headlong into the vortex.

Soon Palmon, Hagurumon, and Kanae went through the vortex, headed for home. "Uh later everybody. Sorry to cause any trouble for you." Alex apologized as Jason & JP glared at him to move his behind as they went through.

-Inn

That night at the Inn things hadn't really cooled down, in fact they got even more confusing after the whole fiasco was explained. After all, if you found out different timelines, multiples of someone, plus evil doubles existed, you'd be shocked. And rightly so. "I wish I coulda met them. Kaede seems nice." Mayu said finishing her salmon-based rice balls.

"But Mayu keep in mind who knows what sorts of evils were going on behind the scenes. Grave evils." Renamon mentioned, but she had a point.

Who knows what kinds of unsavory individuals were working deep in the shadows of that reality? Renamon frankly didn't want to know about any of them. Still the consensus seemed Nyu was nice and few of the Inn residents wanted to meet her. "Same here. Nyu seemed nice too." Nana agreed sipping some barley tea.

''So, JP what did ya think of Nyu eh? Seemed like a nice girl to me.'' Hagurumon said from the dining table.

Getting up and stretching his tired body JP's response wasn't what you'd expect. "Hahah... she's an idiot.'' JP deadpanned shocking everyone when he said it. "Trust me guys I've met some dumb blondes in my life, but she takes the cake. And she ain't even blonde. Faster I forget about her the better. I'm tired and gonna head to bed and forget about this whole thing. While sawing logs.''

If the gear monster could shrug, he would, truth be told Hagurumon was tired too. "I'm joinin' him. Argh my aching gears. Gotta get a lube job on them." The gear monster groaned out following him.

"Oh Lucy... One thing before we head to bed." The data creature said twiddling his thumbs and in shocking turn of events gave Lucy a light kiss on her cheek. Nothing fancy just a little peck was all. He pulled back nervously glancing around. Looking at him the pink haired girl had the dopiest grin on her face. She patted Patamon's head ever so gently. "Guess I'm rubbing off on you eh pal?'' Lucy said trying to keep a straight face starts laughing.

All the times he hated being kissed did he do it to her, as they both laughed, and they hugged. Patamon then looks at his two best friends, Agumon, giving them a thumbs-up, and Renamon is in awe. The orange partner smiled back giving them a thumbs-up right back.

The two were a near unbeatable team, it was only the strength of their bond that they overcame the odds and defeated Lucy's evil alternate. Though neither knew it but it was Patamon personally that changed Lucy for the better. He was the key element that kept Lucy from following a path of cruelty and darkness. "Thank you so much Patamon, for helping me. You're the best friend I could ask for." She thought gazing at him.

He might be small, but he was plenty strong, just like her when they fought side by side. Unlike the original version of herself she walked a path of strength, friendship, love, kindness, hope, compassion, will, and most of all courage. She hoped she never cross paths with that side of herself ever again, but the strings of fate had different plans. The future was coming.

-to be continued

This was a pretty hard chapter to write up because of all the dialogue and character interaction. I wanted to show that despite not being a Digimon Lucy is bonded closely to Patamon. She'd die for him... If things went that far. And he'd do the same for her. Frankly he did rescue her from the orphanage, and here was the perfect time to stand by him right to the bitter end. Thankfully teamwork saved the day. And let's face it having my OCs react to Nyu's bubbly naivete is kinda funny. C'mon admit it, some of you were giggling. Also keep in mind the last few words I typed "The future is coming." That'll come into play later. Anyways we're back on track to wrap up the Etemon story arc, and a teaser for the villain of the next one. Ok for references... I'll give shoutouts to all 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.

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.