Adventures of Impy and Leky - Part 4 [ToT/WCP] [MPC33]
Nov 9, 2016 13:26:57 GMT
Post by Colin, Luke & Bellamy on Nov 9, 2016 13:26:57 GMT
OOC: I'm doing this as a Double MPC for the "Trick or Treat and Candy to Eat" and "Worst Costume Party Ever" options.
The Story So Far:
Frustrated at their financial situation from their jobs as couriers, Impmon and Elecmon have decided to change to the better paid career of Mercenaries. The two rookie level friends now take up jobs acting as hired weapons throughout digital world. Both see it as a way of making the digital world a better place - especially appreciating the Bounty jobs in which they hunt down wrongdoing rookie levels and bring them in.
It's a risky job with frequent bouts of combat and violence, but it paid well for the two digimon. Soon after they began their new job, they brought a small house in the suburbs of Terminus City - mainly as a place to rest and lick their wounds following the more dangerous mercenary jobs they do.
And so the story begins during the week of Halloween.
The Rocket and Rain was always bustling at this time of night. A tavern in the rough end of Terminus City - the unofficial hub of those digimon with less respectable job positions. Impmon and Elecmon were seated on stools at the bar, drinking tankards of honey beer and joining in the positive revelry of the familiar faces here.
It was thanks to this tavern that their new careers as mercenaries had gone off to such a good start in fact. Impmon was already well known here, and thanks to his streetwise charms, he managed to get in the good books of prospective sponsors and employers.
Elecmon meanwhile began this new life very nervously - the naive young beast digimon rather unfamiliar with how things run down here. In fact the first job they went on, he had actually used the word 'please' to the rough looking Nanimon who was looking for some digimon to hunt down a thief that had stole his stash ofbeer soda. At the time, Elecmon was glad that his fur was already red, because he was blushing furiously as the tavern exploded with howls of laughter, some so strong that several digimon collapsed and began to convulse from oxygen deprivation.
However, Elecmon was smarter than he looked and learned fast from his best friend and business partner's ways. The haggling for higher rewards, the cocky stances, the sitting on chairs backwards, even Impmon was impressed at his efforts.
The two digimon were dressed in their usual merc-like outfits - matching leather jackets, equipment belts around their waists, and as a little flourish, matching black mantles over their shoulders, decorated with a little symbol of a lightning bolt within a flame. This was Elecmon's idea, and Impmon loved it. Both were having a good time tonight, catching up with friends and acquaintances, sounding out possible new endeavors. But the stories they were hearing were still entertaining. Right now? They were talking to a Ryudamon friend.
"So yeah, my latest job was a fairly boring one, escorting this Shoutmon through the Cipher Jungle" Ryudamon was saying. "The poor sod was probably on the last of his luck - not even enough money for a Trailmon ticket. Apparently he was some sort of singer, and wanted to head to Whitewater City to get paid as a singer around the bars there. Turns out... he's probably the worst singer I've ever heard!"
"Jesmon Christ Mode, that's some bad luck there, eh?" Impmon asked, grinning. "I take it he made you listen to it?"
"Yyep..." Ryudamon said through clenched teeth, then spoke normally again. "And if he wasn't singing, he was complaining, whining about the Trailmon being so expensive and how he could've easily earned himself a ticket if he was allowed to entertain the passengers - but the Trailmon wouldn't believe him. Anyway, the stupid idiot wasn't watching where he was going and trips into a pit of quicksand".
"Really?!" Impmon asked, not seeing this one coming. Ryudamon nodded.
"...you did pull him out didn't you?" Elecmon asked, a little concerned.
"Of course I did, I don't let my clients die" Ryudamon said. "Well... after I got him to promise me not to sing or whine for the rest of the journey of course. The stubborn git took a while though, insisting he needed to practise, which was true I guess, but once the mud was getting in his mouth he pretty much relented. And he barely said a word afterward, so it all worked out. Hopefully he'll find a better career after all that".
Impmon snickered at this. Elecmon gave a sort of half-smile.
"How 'bout you guys? Any work lately?" Ryudamon asked, drinking his mixed liqueur.
"Nah, not much other than security at the museum" said Elecmon. "Low pay, but reliable work".
"Yep, thanks to Leky here, the curator seems to like us" Impmon said, patting his friend's back. "Anyway, that's why we're here. Got any leads for us, pal?"
"Hmm... I've heard they're looking for some mercs up North" Ryudamon said, scratching his head. "Other than that, not much other than what's on the board".
Following some more friendly smalltalk, the tavern door opened. Elecmon swivelled around to look, and saw a curious sight. A human, dressed in smart clothes with a shirt and tie, looking like he had just walked into the wrong establishment. But he seemed to steel himself and marched purposefully up to the bar.
"Excuse me, sir" he said to the Flamedramon owner. "I'm wondering if this is the place to hire work regarding digimon?"
"Oh yes, indubitably my fine fellow!" Ryudamon said loudly, mocking his refined tone. "Why we all partake in such desires for employment whilst we masticate on our scones and sip our lattes".
There was much snickering. The human looked affronted but thankfully Flamedramon kept his professionalism. Elecmon didn't laugh though.
"Well... I heard just now that these boys here are up for hire" he said, nodding to Impmon and Elecmon. "Why not ask them?".
"...Alright, thank you" said human, looking a little relieved to hear that. He gave a thankful smile at Elecmon for not laughing. "My name is Ichirou Tsugumichi from Earth you see, and I frequently travel here to the digital world so I know about you. And my neighborhood in Shibuya has had trouble with some, well... digimon".
"So why are you askin' us and not your human honchos?" Impmon asked.
"I tried, they wouldn't believe me" said Ichirou. "And, well, I have somewhat of a reputation to uphold, so, if I pursue it further with them, I'd become a laughing stock. Most humans on Earth don't believe in digimon. So... I gathered that if I come to the digital world and hire some digimon to deal with them, it'd result in a better outcome?"
"Hmm... I see your logic" said Elecmon. "But why don't you tell the human police that the thieves are humans?"
"Because I know how dangerous digimon can be, and I don't want to be responsible for our law enforcement to think they're arresting children but end up getting fireballs in the face" Ichirou explained.
"Right, so you wanna get us to take the fireballs instead, eh?" Impmon asked. "Well, it sounds pretty exciting, I'm up for it! So what level are they? Definitely rookies? No deal if they're a higher level than that".
"Oh. Well... I'm fairly sure they're rookies" Ichirou said, unsurely, making Impmon raise an eyebrow suspiciously. "It's just... I'm not very familiar with digimon levels, but they're barely bigger than children, that and they're also wearing costumes".
"They're pretending to be trick-or-treaters, right?" Elecmon asked. The human nodded. "I see. Interesting"
"So lemme guess, you want us to find out who they are and take 'em down?" Impmon asked, absent-mindedly plucking at his leather jacket. The human nodded again. "Alright. How many are we talkin'?".
"They seem to operate in pairs, so, two" said Ichirou.
"Alright then, guess we're goin' to Earth" said Impmon, finishing off his drink and jumped off his stool. Elecmon did the same. "I take it you'll be takin' responsibility for us?". Ichirou nodded. "Right. Lead on, Mr. Shinybutt".
"Its Ichirou" the human said. With that, the party of three headed over to the Trailmon terminal, ready to head to Earth.
One brief and exciting Trailmon journey later, the digimon stepped out on the secret Shibuya station platform, deep underground the real station. They followed their client Ichirou into the elevator that would take them to the surface.
"Alright, you digimon should be alright when you're walking on the street" he said to them in his refined, stern tone. "It's Halloween, so I can simply say that you're my sons, and you're wearing your costumes for trick-or-treating tonight".
"Hmm, sounds reasonable" said Elecmon.
"Heh, now I kinda really do wanna go trick-or-treating" Impmon said, rubbing his hands together excitedly. "Once we take care of these digimon how 'bout we do that, eh, Leky?"
"Sounds great!" Elecmon agreed, nodding enthusiastically. Ichirou didn't seem to approve of the idea, but, there wasn't much he could say on the matter. The digimon were mercenaries after all. Instead, he chose to change the subject.
"So, exactly what do you plan on doing with these thieves?" he asked.
"Provided they are rookies, we'll probably tie 'em up and drag 'em back to the digital world" Impmon said. "Oh, that's after we get our fee of course!"
"Don't worry, I won't let you down in that department" Ichirou assured them. With that, the elevator doors opened, and the three entered the hustle and bustle of the Shibuya station ground level. For the short digimon, they could barely see ahead of them, what with the crowd of humans going around their business. Eventually they made their way out into the street. Impmon stopped to breathe in the fresh air of the human world... and coughed slightly from the vehicle fumes.
"Yeuch! Not exactly what I was picturin', how the heck do you humans live like this?!" he asked Ichirou.
"We manage fairly well" the human said, standing by what appeared to be a Taxi rank. So it seemed they'd have to wait their turn. Impmon and Elecmon waited with him, until someone caught their attention.
"Oh my gosh, those costumes are adorable!"
The two digimon turned to see a trio of girls in school uniforms watching them with expressions of adoration. Impmon immediately grinned, delighted at getting attention.
"Well well, what do you ladies think of the Impster, eh?" he asked, flexing his arms. It was kind of pointless because he had no muscles, but they still cooed with delight and took out their phones to take pictures. "Come on, Leky, get with the program!"
Elecmon was slightly surprised to have Impmon drag him into the routine too, but soon grew to enjoy it, the two digimon making a series of poses. Quite the crowd was assembled before Ichirou could get a taxi for them. Just as Impmon was laying on the ground in a sexy "Paint me like one of your French girls" pose, and Elecmon assuming a cocky Rival Blue pose, Ichirou quickly told them to hurry into the cab.
"Aw, spoilsport" Impmon sulked. He wanted to do a David Bowie impression next, but alas it wasn't to be. The taxiride took them away from the station and toward the more fashionable part of Shibuya.
It was evening by the time they arrived at their destination. It was quite an impressive neighborhood. Shining residential towers dotted the landscape as far as the eye could see - the gleaming glass reflecting the orange glow of the setting sun. And on a hill to the west of the district, large mansions and towers with penthouses could be seen.
"Geez, check out this place!" Impmon said, whistling as he put his hands on his hips, his tail flicking with excitement as they began to prepare for the task ahead. "Kinda makes me wanna take a leaf outta these guys' books and check out some of these places... just kidding!" he quickly added, seeing the expression on Ichirou's face.
"So then. Even though tonight's Halloween, these digimon have been active all week, right?" Elecmon asked.
"That's right. Many in this neighborhood don't fully understand the American tradition of Halloween yet, and they see the costumes as so realistic that they lower their guard with how impressed they are" Ichirou explained.
"So how exactly do they rob people?" Elecmon asked as they accompanied Ichirou down the street.
"One usually knocks at the door to keep the residents occupied, while the other sneaks in and grabs valuables" Ichirou explained. "I was almost a victim myself yesterday, but I saw that they were digimon. My security system caught them on camera if you wish to see".
"That sounds like a good idea" Elecmon agreed. And so they were brought into Ichirou's rather large house. Impmon felt like he had just stepped into a dream as he entered. He was about to check out a gold ornament in the entrance hall, but Elecmon pulled him away.
"Impy, you can't do that" the red digimon scolded, but not angrily. He was also quite impressed by the house. Ichirou led them into a security annex, with computer monitors lining a wall. He executed a program and soon opened a window that was a recording of the theft attempt.
Elecmon and Impmon watched closely. One of the digimon was kind of tall - about a foot larger than Impmon. The other was a short squat digimon with spikes on its back that was smaller than Elecmon.
"Do you know what digimon they might be?" Ichirou asked. Impmon looked closely, scratching his chin.
"Hm. That foxy one looks like a Renamon? I dunno, hard to figure out without color, and that weird Pirate outfit he's wearing" he said, the tall one doing the distraction at the front door.
"And the other one... that could be an, uh... is it an Armadimon? I'm not sure if those spikes are part of the outfit" Elecmon said, seeing the feed of the other digimon attempting to sneak in through the kitchen.
"Welp, this should be enough to go on" Impmon said. "Domo Arigato. Anything else Mr. Roboto?"
"It's Ichirou, and yes, I think that's all I have to tell you" said Ichirou.
"Right then, guess we're gonna start working" said Elecmon. He was feeling fairly confident. After all, he and Impmon were kind of good at what they were employed to do.
As the sun set over Western Shibuya, Impmon and Elecmon roamed the streets. It was kind of exciting if both digimon were honest. By now, other human children were beginning to walk around - dressed in costumes and carrying bags.
"Hmph, these humans got no taste" Impmon remarked, seeing a young brother and sister dressed as characters from One Piece.
"Maybe when they see us, they can get some inspiration for next year?" Elecmon asked. Impmon grinned, nodding with agreement. They approached some children coming in the opposite direction. Impmon decided to test them.
"Heya kids!" he said, catching their attention. They looked at him curiously. "Can ya guess who I am?"
"Uhh..." a boy dressed as Naruto hesitated. "You're from... Yo-Kai Watch aren't you?"
Impmon staggered with exasperation. Elecmon chuckled and sweatdropped.
"NO! I'm Impmon, don't ya get it?!" he snapped. "Haven't you kids ever heard of me?!"
"Are you a pokemon?" a girl asked, looking hopeful. Impmon's temple throbbed. But Elecmon dragged him away before he could speak his mind to her.
"Yeesh, kids these days" Impmon muttered, pouting a little as he folded his arms.
It was nightfall before they began to find signs of the digimon they were looking for. Elecmon's somewhat sensitive nose began to pick up traces of digimon other than themselves.
"Huh, one smells kinda fishy, the other... uh... a bit like a beast digimon?" Elecmon said. Impmon nodded, guessing they'd be up against an Aquatic and Beast digimon.
The two mercenaries got closer and closer to their targets. Until finally, when the sky was black, they found them. This time, the digimon had changed their costumes - no longer looking fun and whimsical, but dressed seriously. The tall beastlike one was dressed in a black turtleneck with sunglasses, while the small squat aquatic one was dressed with an equipment belt and night vision goggles. They were probably now equipped for some serious burglaries tonight - yet to humans they would still probably pass for children trick-or-treating.
"Stop right there!" Elecmon shouted. The digimon turned to look at them. Impmon and Elecmon approached steadily, until finally, they were close enough to identify them.
"...Impmon? Is that you?" one of the digimon asked, taking off his sunglasses, revealing a wolfish face with red eyes. Impmon recognized him at once.
"...Strabimon?!" Impmon asked, eyes wide. "It's... it's you isn't it?"
"Heh! Well well, so this is what you've been doing with yaself lately is it, Impy?" the digimon asked, grinning at him. "Nice to see you, buddy"
Impmon was very uncomfortable by this. Elecmon looked up at him with a curious expression.
"You know this guy, Impy?" he asked. If Impmon knew he'd end up in this situation he would have never accepted this job, but, here he was.
"Yeah... we used to be in the same gang" Impmon explained. Elecmon's expression changed from confusion to concern as he realized what he was talking about.
"What do you mean 'used to'?" Strabimon asked. By now his partner had joined his side. Elecmon saw that this was in fact a Gizamon. "You should join in, Impy, we've made a freakin' fortune out of these humans!"
"Yeah, do this and we'll vouch for you with the boss" Gizamon added. "We'll even let your friend in if ya want"
"I..." Impmon began, trembling a little. Elecmon looked up at him hopefully. "I'm... not like that anymore!" he said through clenched teeth. "Guys, I just wanna lead a good life now, I don't wanna be a thief or be in a gang or go around attacking innocent digimon!"
"Oh, that's rich" Strabimon said, his expression slowly turning into disappointment. "So what, you think you're better than us now?"
"Hey, don't talk to him like that" Elecmon said, stepping forward to defend his friend. "Impy's a good digimon now, and he is better than you lowlife criminals"
"You're callin' us lowlifes?!" Gizamon asked, laughing. "Hey Impy, did you tell this sweet cinnamon roll about the time you attacked a human and her in-training partner just for callin' you cute?"
"S-SHUT UP!!" Impmon shouted, suddenly furious. Elecmon was slightly startled by this. "I told you I'm not like that anymore!"
"Or the time you threw a fireball at the fireworks platform at New Year's a couple of years ago in Terminus City?" Strabimon asked, mocking innocence. "Quite a few digimon got injured as I recall, but you said it was awesome"
"GOD DAMN IT I SAID SHUT YOUR FACE!" Impmon snapped, conjuring a fireball in his hand, but Elecmon still didn't waver, standing firm, folding his arms.
"Yeah, I know Impy messed up. But I've given him a second chance" he said. "And you know what? I don't regret it. Impy's the best digimon in the world to me, and nothing you say will make me change my mind. Because he's a good digimon and my best friend. And you two are nothing but a pair of dirty thieves. So I think you should both shut up and come back with us to the digital world before things get ugly here".
Impmon was speechless. Despite knowing what a disgusting monster the devil digimon had once been, Elecmon was still here, defending him like he had against that Gaomon when they first met. He didn't feel like he deserved it, and yet... there were few moments in his life where he had felt happier than he was now.
"...You know what I think?" Strabimon said, slowly. "I think I wanna make you ugly, Elecmon" he extended his claws. "When I'm done with you, they won't be able to put your face back together"
This was a step too far. Impmon's green eyes flashed with anger as he clicked his fingers. Immediately, a flash of fire shot from his hand straight into Strabimon's torso, the Semper Fire attack knocking him back.
"Alright we're doin' this!" Gizamon shouted, jumping in the air and curling into a ball, spinning rapidly. "Spiral Edge!"
"Sparkling Thunder!" Elecmon immediately responded by leaning down on all fours, striking the attacking Gizamon with a bolt of lightning. The attack stunned him, forcing him out of his attack.
"Licht Bein!!" faster than either of them could register, Strabimon moved like a flash, charging into Elecmon, raking his claws down his back. Elecmon cried out in agony. The leather jacket he was wearing was torn open, and the fur beneath flew, data from his wounds rising.
"You bastard!" Impmon roared, a light blue spell circle forming in front of him as he raised his hands. The spell circle began to spin fast. "Freeze Lancer!"
Immediately, a volley of ice spears began to fire at Strabimon, several of them piercing him. Such was the intensity of the attack that several of the spears pinned Strabimon's clothes to a nearby wooden fence. But right away, his partner retaliated.
"Water Cure!" a jet of water sprayed from the Gizamon's mouth. Elecmon was preparing another attack as the high pressure water soaked him and Impmon to the skin. Then as he discharged another Sparkling Thunder, the worst happened. The water on the ground conducted the electricity, and Impmon cried out in agony as he was electrocuted. Gizamon was too, but it satisfied him to see Impmon hurt as well.
"Oh my god Impy I'm sorry!" Elecmon cried in horror, looking at his friend.
"LEKY WATCH THE DAMN BATTLE!" Impmon shouted as Gizamon attacked Elecmon with another Spiral Edge. This one hit Elecmon in the belly, nearly tearing him open. This was the final straw. As Gizamon uncurled himself, Impmon stormed up to him, a fireball conjured over his fist. But he didn't throw it. Instead, he punched Gizamon hard in the face, the fireball exploding at point blank range.
"Y-you... bastard!" Gizamon spat, but this only made Impmon angrier.
"DON'T..." he snarled, punching him again, a second fireball bursting in his face, continuing a strike at every word. "YOU... EVER... HURT... MY... FRIEND... AGAIN!!!"
The final fireball erupted with such intensity that Gizamon shattered into data in front of them, almost immediately reconstituting as a yellow egg speckled with brown. Impmon's eyes widened as he realized what he had just done. His eyes turned to Strabimon, who was staring down at him with shock and horror. The wolf digimon was so terrified that he didn't move.
"Leky..." Impmon said, running to his friend. Impmon was almost afraid of what he condition he was in - being struck by a digimon sawblade in the torso like that. "Are you okay...?"
"I'm... not so good" Elecmon admitted, a large gash visible on his white belly, data rising from it.
"It'll be fine, I've got this for ya" Impmon said, taking out a bottle from his equipment pouch. Both digimon knew the risks of being mercs, so they didn't come unprepared for this. Impmon had several vials of Labramon Cure Liqueur at the ready, which could heal him or Elecmon from battle wounds fairly quickly. Impmon poured the contents of the bottle over Elecmon's wound. Immediately, the hide began to mend and heal, the bleeding data stopping.
"Oh... that feels better" Elecmon said, sighing happily. Impmon breathed with relief, glad his friend would be okay. He turned to Strabimon, who by now was attempting to struggle free from the Freeze Lances that had him pinned to the fence, but Impmon's look of fury made him freeze again.
"Are you gonna come quietly?" Impmon asked, in a deadly whisper. "Or am I gonna have to do that again?"
"...I'll give in for now" said Strabimon, getting enough courage to stare back at him. "But I swear... you will pay for that, Impmon".
"Whatever" Impmon scoffed, taking a rope out of his equipment pouch. Either way, their job was done for now. One thing was for sure, they'd be charging Ichirou double. With Gizamon's digiegg in one arm and Strabimon's leash in the other, they made their way back to their client.
Impmon and Elecmon disembarked the Trailmon they had taken back to the digital world, a spring in their step. While Elecmon's chest was still hurting, with exposed pink skin where his fur had been ripped, the Cure Liqueur had saved him from critical injury, stopping the bleeding.
"Aw, cheer up, Leky, you've got some badass scars now" Impmon said, patting his shoulder. "That's always good for business, heh heh".
Elecmon gave a smile and nodded with agreement.
"Still though, I think we should take a break for a week after that" he said. They had received enough money to last for several after all.
"Yeah, that's alright, buddy" Impmon said, nodding. "And, Leky..." he hesitated with what he wanted to say next, but in the end decided to just come out with it. "You meant what you said, right? That you're serious about the slate bein' wiped clean with me?"
"Yeah, that's right" Elecmon said, grinning up at him. "I mean it. You might have messed up once, but I'll always think of you as my friend".
"Heh..." Impmon was delighted to hear that, but he was a bit embarrassed with how much he was blushing. "Geez, Leky, we're mercs, you don't have to do that friendship and rainbows routine on every job we do".
"Aw, Impy's embarrassed is he?" Elecmon asked, giving a friendly slap on his back as they arrived at their home.
"Ah, shaddup, bunny-boy" Impmon scoffed back, but returned the gesture, putting an arm around his partner. Tired from their long day, the two digimon settled in for the night, glad to have succeeded at their latest endeavor.
The End.
[Requested reward: Bits]
The Story So Far:
Frustrated at their financial situation from their jobs as couriers, Impmon and Elecmon have decided to change to the better paid career of Mercenaries. The two rookie level friends now take up jobs acting as hired weapons throughout digital world. Both see it as a way of making the digital world a better place - especially appreciating the Bounty jobs in which they hunt down wrongdoing rookie levels and bring them in.
It's a risky job with frequent bouts of combat and violence, but it paid well for the two digimon. Soon after they began their new job, they brought a small house in the suburbs of Terminus City - mainly as a place to rest and lick their wounds following the more dangerous mercenary jobs they do.
And so the story begins during the week of Halloween.
The Rocket and Rain was always bustling at this time of night. A tavern in the rough end of Terminus City - the unofficial hub of those digimon with less respectable job positions. Impmon and Elecmon were seated on stools at the bar, drinking tankards of honey beer and joining in the positive revelry of the familiar faces here.
It was thanks to this tavern that their new careers as mercenaries had gone off to such a good start in fact. Impmon was already well known here, and thanks to his streetwise charms, he managed to get in the good books of prospective sponsors and employers.
Elecmon meanwhile began this new life very nervously - the naive young beast digimon rather unfamiliar with how things run down here. In fact the first job they went on, he had actually used the word 'please' to the rough looking Nanimon who was looking for some digimon to hunt down a thief that had stole his stash of
However, Elecmon was smarter than he looked and learned fast from his best friend and business partner's ways. The haggling for higher rewards, the cocky stances, the sitting on chairs backwards, even Impmon was impressed at his efforts.
The two digimon were dressed in their usual merc-like outfits - matching leather jackets, equipment belts around their waists, and as a little flourish, matching black mantles over their shoulders, decorated with a little symbol of a lightning bolt within a flame. This was Elecmon's idea, and Impmon loved it. Both were having a good time tonight, catching up with friends and acquaintances, sounding out possible new endeavors. But the stories they were hearing were still entertaining. Right now? They were talking to a Ryudamon friend.
"So yeah, my latest job was a fairly boring one, escorting this Shoutmon through the Cipher Jungle" Ryudamon was saying. "The poor sod was probably on the last of his luck - not even enough money for a Trailmon ticket. Apparently he was some sort of singer, and wanted to head to Whitewater City to get paid as a singer around the bars there. Turns out... he's probably the worst singer I've ever heard!"
"Jesmon Christ Mode, that's some bad luck there, eh?" Impmon asked, grinning. "I take it he made you listen to it?"
"Yyep..." Ryudamon said through clenched teeth, then spoke normally again. "And if he wasn't singing, he was complaining, whining about the Trailmon being so expensive and how he could've easily earned himself a ticket if he was allowed to entertain the passengers - but the Trailmon wouldn't believe him. Anyway, the stupid idiot wasn't watching where he was going and trips into a pit of quicksand".
"Really?!" Impmon asked, not seeing this one coming. Ryudamon nodded.
"...you did pull him out didn't you?" Elecmon asked, a little concerned.
"Of course I did, I don't let my clients die" Ryudamon said. "Well... after I got him to promise me not to sing or whine for the rest of the journey of course. The stubborn git took a while though, insisting he needed to practise, which was true I guess, but once the mud was getting in his mouth he pretty much relented. And he barely said a word afterward, so it all worked out. Hopefully he'll find a better career after all that".
Impmon snickered at this. Elecmon gave a sort of half-smile.
"How 'bout you guys? Any work lately?" Ryudamon asked, drinking his mixed liqueur.
"Nah, not much other than security at the museum" said Elecmon. "Low pay, but reliable work".
"Yep, thanks to Leky here, the curator seems to like us" Impmon said, patting his friend's back. "Anyway, that's why we're here. Got any leads for us, pal?"
"Hmm... I've heard they're looking for some mercs up North" Ryudamon said, scratching his head. "Other than that, not much other than what's on the board".
Following some more friendly smalltalk, the tavern door opened. Elecmon swivelled around to look, and saw a curious sight. A human, dressed in smart clothes with a shirt and tie, looking like he had just walked into the wrong establishment. But he seemed to steel himself and marched purposefully up to the bar.
"Excuse me, sir" he said to the Flamedramon owner. "I'm wondering if this is the place to hire work regarding digimon?"
"Oh yes, indubitably my fine fellow!" Ryudamon said loudly, mocking his refined tone. "Why we all partake in such desires for employment whilst we masticate on our scones and sip our lattes".
There was much snickering. The human looked affronted but thankfully Flamedramon kept his professionalism. Elecmon didn't laugh though.
"Well... I heard just now that these boys here are up for hire" he said, nodding to Impmon and Elecmon. "Why not ask them?".
"...Alright, thank you" said human, looking a little relieved to hear that. He gave a thankful smile at Elecmon for not laughing. "My name is Ichirou Tsugumichi from Earth you see, and I frequently travel here to the digital world so I know about you. And my neighborhood in Shibuya has had trouble with some, well... digimon".
"So why are you askin' us and not your human honchos?" Impmon asked.
"I tried, they wouldn't believe me" said Ichirou. "And, well, I have somewhat of a reputation to uphold, so, if I pursue it further with them, I'd become a laughing stock. Most humans on Earth don't believe in digimon. So... I gathered that if I come to the digital world and hire some digimon to deal with them, it'd result in a better outcome?"
"Hmm... I see your logic" said Elecmon. "But why don't you tell the human police that the thieves are humans?"
"Because I know how dangerous digimon can be, and I don't want to be responsible for our law enforcement to think they're arresting children but end up getting fireballs in the face" Ichirou explained.
"Right, so you wanna get us to take the fireballs instead, eh?" Impmon asked. "Well, it sounds pretty exciting, I'm up for it! So what level are they? Definitely rookies? No deal if they're a higher level than that".
"Oh. Well... I'm fairly sure they're rookies" Ichirou said, unsurely, making Impmon raise an eyebrow suspiciously. "It's just... I'm not very familiar with digimon levels, but they're barely bigger than children, that and they're also wearing costumes".
"They're pretending to be trick-or-treaters, right?" Elecmon asked. The human nodded. "I see. Interesting"
"So lemme guess, you want us to find out who they are and take 'em down?" Impmon asked, absent-mindedly plucking at his leather jacket. The human nodded again. "Alright. How many are we talkin'?".
"They seem to operate in pairs, so, two" said Ichirou.
"Alright then, guess we're goin' to Earth" said Impmon, finishing off his drink and jumped off his stool. Elecmon did the same. "I take it you'll be takin' responsibility for us?". Ichirou nodded. "Right. Lead on, Mr. Shinybutt".
"Its Ichirou" the human said. With that, the party of three headed over to the Trailmon terminal, ready to head to Earth.
One brief and exciting Trailmon journey later, the digimon stepped out on the secret Shibuya station platform, deep underground the real station. They followed their client Ichirou into the elevator that would take them to the surface.
"Alright, you digimon should be alright when you're walking on the street" he said to them in his refined, stern tone. "It's Halloween, so I can simply say that you're my sons, and you're wearing your costumes for trick-or-treating tonight".
"Hmm, sounds reasonable" said Elecmon.
"Heh, now I kinda really do wanna go trick-or-treating" Impmon said, rubbing his hands together excitedly. "Once we take care of these digimon how 'bout we do that, eh, Leky?"
"Sounds great!" Elecmon agreed, nodding enthusiastically. Ichirou didn't seem to approve of the idea, but, there wasn't much he could say on the matter. The digimon were mercenaries after all. Instead, he chose to change the subject.
"So, exactly what do you plan on doing with these thieves?" he asked.
"Provided they are rookies, we'll probably tie 'em up and drag 'em back to the digital world" Impmon said. "Oh, that's after we get our fee of course!"
"Don't worry, I won't let you down in that department" Ichirou assured them. With that, the elevator doors opened, and the three entered the hustle and bustle of the Shibuya station ground level. For the short digimon, they could barely see ahead of them, what with the crowd of humans going around their business. Eventually they made their way out into the street. Impmon stopped to breathe in the fresh air of the human world... and coughed slightly from the vehicle fumes.
"Yeuch! Not exactly what I was picturin', how the heck do you humans live like this?!" he asked Ichirou.
"We manage fairly well" the human said, standing by what appeared to be a Taxi rank. So it seemed they'd have to wait their turn. Impmon and Elecmon waited with him, until someone caught their attention.
"Oh my gosh, those costumes are adorable!"
The two digimon turned to see a trio of girls in school uniforms watching them with expressions of adoration. Impmon immediately grinned, delighted at getting attention.
"Well well, what do you ladies think of the Impster, eh?" he asked, flexing his arms. It was kind of pointless because he had no muscles, but they still cooed with delight and took out their phones to take pictures. "Come on, Leky, get with the program!"
Elecmon was slightly surprised to have Impmon drag him into the routine too, but soon grew to enjoy it, the two digimon making a series of poses. Quite the crowd was assembled before Ichirou could get a taxi for them. Just as Impmon was laying on the ground in a sexy "Paint me like one of your French girls" pose, and Elecmon assuming a cocky Rival Blue pose, Ichirou quickly told them to hurry into the cab.
"Aw, spoilsport" Impmon sulked. He wanted to do a David Bowie impression next, but alas it wasn't to be. The taxiride took them away from the station and toward the more fashionable part of Shibuya.
It was evening by the time they arrived at their destination. It was quite an impressive neighborhood. Shining residential towers dotted the landscape as far as the eye could see - the gleaming glass reflecting the orange glow of the setting sun. And on a hill to the west of the district, large mansions and towers with penthouses could be seen.
"Geez, check out this place!" Impmon said, whistling as he put his hands on his hips, his tail flicking with excitement as they began to prepare for the task ahead. "Kinda makes me wanna take a leaf outta these guys' books and check out some of these places... just kidding!" he quickly added, seeing the expression on Ichirou's face.
"So then. Even though tonight's Halloween, these digimon have been active all week, right?" Elecmon asked.
"That's right. Many in this neighborhood don't fully understand the American tradition of Halloween yet, and they see the costumes as so realistic that they lower their guard with how impressed they are" Ichirou explained.
"So how exactly do they rob people?" Elecmon asked as they accompanied Ichirou down the street.
"One usually knocks at the door to keep the residents occupied, while the other sneaks in and grabs valuables" Ichirou explained. "I was almost a victim myself yesterday, but I saw that they were digimon. My security system caught them on camera if you wish to see".
"That sounds like a good idea" Elecmon agreed. And so they were brought into Ichirou's rather large house. Impmon felt like he had just stepped into a dream as he entered. He was about to check out a gold ornament in the entrance hall, but Elecmon pulled him away.
"Impy, you can't do that" the red digimon scolded, but not angrily. He was also quite impressed by the house. Ichirou led them into a security annex, with computer monitors lining a wall. He executed a program and soon opened a window that was a recording of the theft attempt.
Elecmon and Impmon watched closely. One of the digimon was kind of tall - about a foot larger than Impmon. The other was a short squat digimon with spikes on its back that was smaller than Elecmon.
"Do you know what digimon they might be?" Ichirou asked. Impmon looked closely, scratching his chin.
"Hm. That foxy one looks like a Renamon? I dunno, hard to figure out without color, and that weird Pirate outfit he's wearing" he said, the tall one doing the distraction at the front door.
"And the other one... that could be an, uh... is it an Armadimon? I'm not sure if those spikes are part of the outfit" Elecmon said, seeing the feed of the other digimon attempting to sneak in through the kitchen.
"Welp, this should be enough to go on" Impmon said. "Domo Arigato. Anything else Mr. Roboto?"
"It's Ichirou, and yes, I think that's all I have to tell you" said Ichirou.
"Right then, guess we're gonna start working" said Elecmon. He was feeling fairly confident. After all, he and Impmon were kind of good at what they were employed to do.
As the sun set over Western Shibuya, Impmon and Elecmon roamed the streets. It was kind of exciting if both digimon were honest. By now, other human children were beginning to walk around - dressed in costumes and carrying bags.
"Hmph, these humans got no taste" Impmon remarked, seeing a young brother and sister dressed as characters from One Piece.
"Maybe when they see us, they can get some inspiration for next year?" Elecmon asked. Impmon grinned, nodding with agreement. They approached some children coming in the opposite direction. Impmon decided to test them.
"Heya kids!" he said, catching their attention. They looked at him curiously. "Can ya guess who I am?"
"Uhh..." a boy dressed as Naruto hesitated. "You're from... Yo-Kai Watch aren't you?"
Impmon staggered with exasperation. Elecmon chuckled and sweatdropped.
"NO! I'm Impmon, don't ya get it?!" he snapped. "Haven't you kids ever heard of me?!"
"Are you a pokemon?" a girl asked, looking hopeful. Impmon's temple throbbed. But Elecmon dragged him away before he could speak his mind to her.
"Yeesh, kids these days" Impmon muttered, pouting a little as he folded his arms.
It was nightfall before they began to find signs of the digimon they were looking for. Elecmon's somewhat sensitive nose began to pick up traces of digimon other than themselves.
"Huh, one smells kinda fishy, the other... uh... a bit like a beast digimon?" Elecmon said. Impmon nodded, guessing they'd be up against an Aquatic and Beast digimon.
The two mercenaries got closer and closer to their targets. Until finally, when the sky was black, they found them. This time, the digimon had changed their costumes - no longer looking fun and whimsical, but dressed seriously. The tall beastlike one was dressed in a black turtleneck with sunglasses, while the small squat aquatic one was dressed with an equipment belt and night vision goggles. They were probably now equipped for some serious burglaries tonight - yet to humans they would still probably pass for children trick-or-treating.
"Stop right there!" Elecmon shouted. The digimon turned to look at them. Impmon and Elecmon approached steadily, until finally, they were close enough to identify them.
"...Impmon? Is that you?" one of the digimon asked, taking off his sunglasses, revealing a wolfish face with red eyes. Impmon recognized him at once.
"...Strabimon?!" Impmon asked, eyes wide. "It's... it's you isn't it?"
"Heh! Well well, so this is what you've been doing with yaself lately is it, Impy?" the digimon asked, grinning at him. "Nice to see you, buddy"
Impmon was very uncomfortable by this. Elecmon looked up at him with a curious expression.
"You know this guy, Impy?" he asked. If Impmon knew he'd end up in this situation he would have never accepted this job, but, here he was.
"Yeah... we used to be in the same gang" Impmon explained. Elecmon's expression changed from confusion to concern as he realized what he was talking about.
"What do you mean 'used to'?" Strabimon asked. By now his partner had joined his side. Elecmon saw that this was in fact a Gizamon. "You should join in, Impy, we've made a freakin' fortune out of these humans!"
"Yeah, do this and we'll vouch for you with the boss" Gizamon added. "We'll even let your friend in if ya want"
"I..." Impmon began, trembling a little. Elecmon looked up at him hopefully. "I'm... not like that anymore!" he said through clenched teeth. "Guys, I just wanna lead a good life now, I don't wanna be a thief or be in a gang or go around attacking innocent digimon!"
"Oh, that's rich" Strabimon said, his expression slowly turning into disappointment. "So what, you think you're better than us now?"
"Hey, don't talk to him like that" Elecmon said, stepping forward to defend his friend. "Impy's a good digimon now, and he is better than you lowlife criminals"
"You're callin' us lowlifes?!" Gizamon asked, laughing. "Hey Impy, did you tell this sweet cinnamon roll about the time you attacked a human and her in-training partner just for callin' you cute?"
"S-SHUT UP!!" Impmon shouted, suddenly furious. Elecmon was slightly startled by this. "I told you I'm not like that anymore!"
"Or the time you threw a fireball at the fireworks platform at New Year's a couple of years ago in Terminus City?" Strabimon asked, mocking innocence. "Quite a few digimon got injured as I recall, but you said it was awesome"
"GOD DAMN IT I SAID SHUT YOUR FACE!" Impmon snapped, conjuring a fireball in his hand, but Elecmon still didn't waver, standing firm, folding his arms.
"Yeah, I know Impy messed up. But I've given him a second chance" he said. "And you know what? I don't regret it. Impy's the best digimon in the world to me, and nothing you say will make me change my mind. Because he's a good digimon and my best friend. And you two are nothing but a pair of dirty thieves. So I think you should both shut up and come back with us to the digital world before things get ugly here".
Impmon was speechless. Despite knowing what a disgusting monster the devil digimon had once been, Elecmon was still here, defending him like he had against that Gaomon when they first met. He didn't feel like he deserved it, and yet... there were few moments in his life where he had felt happier than he was now.
"...You know what I think?" Strabimon said, slowly. "I think I wanna make you ugly, Elecmon" he extended his claws. "When I'm done with you, they won't be able to put your face back together"
This was a step too far. Impmon's green eyes flashed with anger as he clicked his fingers. Immediately, a flash of fire shot from his hand straight into Strabimon's torso, the Semper Fire attack knocking him back.
"Alright we're doin' this!" Gizamon shouted, jumping in the air and curling into a ball, spinning rapidly. "Spiral Edge!"
"Sparkling Thunder!" Elecmon immediately responded by leaning down on all fours, striking the attacking Gizamon with a bolt of lightning. The attack stunned him, forcing him out of his attack.
"Licht Bein!!" faster than either of them could register, Strabimon moved like a flash, charging into Elecmon, raking his claws down his back. Elecmon cried out in agony. The leather jacket he was wearing was torn open, and the fur beneath flew, data from his wounds rising.
"You bastard!" Impmon roared, a light blue spell circle forming in front of him as he raised his hands. The spell circle began to spin fast. "Freeze Lancer!"
Immediately, a volley of ice spears began to fire at Strabimon, several of them piercing him. Such was the intensity of the attack that several of the spears pinned Strabimon's clothes to a nearby wooden fence. But right away, his partner retaliated.
"Water Cure!" a jet of water sprayed from the Gizamon's mouth. Elecmon was preparing another attack as the high pressure water soaked him and Impmon to the skin. Then as he discharged another Sparkling Thunder, the worst happened. The water on the ground conducted the electricity, and Impmon cried out in agony as he was electrocuted. Gizamon was too, but it satisfied him to see Impmon hurt as well.
"Oh my god Impy I'm sorry!" Elecmon cried in horror, looking at his friend.
"LEKY WATCH THE DAMN BATTLE!" Impmon shouted as Gizamon attacked Elecmon with another Spiral Edge. This one hit Elecmon in the belly, nearly tearing him open. This was the final straw. As Gizamon uncurled himself, Impmon stormed up to him, a fireball conjured over his fist. But he didn't throw it. Instead, he punched Gizamon hard in the face, the fireball exploding at point blank range.
"Y-you... bastard!" Gizamon spat, but this only made Impmon angrier.
"DON'T..." he snarled, punching him again, a second fireball bursting in his face, continuing a strike at every word. "YOU... EVER... HURT... MY... FRIEND... AGAIN!!!"
The final fireball erupted with such intensity that Gizamon shattered into data in front of them, almost immediately reconstituting as a yellow egg speckled with brown. Impmon's eyes widened as he realized what he had just done. His eyes turned to Strabimon, who was staring down at him with shock and horror. The wolf digimon was so terrified that he didn't move.
"Leky..." Impmon said, running to his friend. Impmon was almost afraid of what he condition he was in - being struck by a digimon sawblade in the torso like that. "Are you okay...?"
"I'm... not so good" Elecmon admitted, a large gash visible on his white belly, data rising from it.
"It'll be fine, I've got this for ya" Impmon said, taking out a bottle from his equipment pouch. Both digimon knew the risks of being mercs, so they didn't come unprepared for this. Impmon had several vials of Labramon Cure Liqueur at the ready, which could heal him or Elecmon from battle wounds fairly quickly. Impmon poured the contents of the bottle over Elecmon's wound. Immediately, the hide began to mend and heal, the bleeding data stopping.
"Oh... that feels better" Elecmon said, sighing happily. Impmon breathed with relief, glad his friend would be okay. He turned to Strabimon, who by now was attempting to struggle free from the Freeze Lances that had him pinned to the fence, but Impmon's look of fury made him freeze again.
"Are you gonna come quietly?" Impmon asked, in a deadly whisper. "Or am I gonna have to do that again?"
"...I'll give in for now" said Strabimon, getting enough courage to stare back at him. "But I swear... you will pay for that, Impmon".
"Whatever" Impmon scoffed, taking a rope out of his equipment pouch. Either way, their job was done for now. One thing was for sure, they'd be charging Ichirou double. With Gizamon's digiegg in one arm and Strabimon's leash in the other, they made their way back to their client.
Impmon and Elecmon disembarked the Trailmon they had taken back to the digital world, a spring in their step. While Elecmon's chest was still hurting, with exposed pink skin where his fur had been ripped, the Cure Liqueur had saved him from critical injury, stopping the bleeding.
"Aw, cheer up, Leky, you've got some badass scars now" Impmon said, patting his shoulder. "That's always good for business, heh heh".
Elecmon gave a smile and nodded with agreement.
"Still though, I think we should take a break for a week after that" he said. They had received enough money to last for several after all.
"Yeah, that's alright, buddy" Impmon said, nodding. "And, Leky..." he hesitated with what he wanted to say next, but in the end decided to just come out with it. "You meant what you said, right? That you're serious about the slate bein' wiped clean with me?"
"Yeah, that's right" Elecmon said, grinning up at him. "I mean it. You might have messed up once, but I'll always think of you as my friend".
"Heh..." Impmon was delighted to hear that, but he was a bit embarrassed with how much he was blushing. "Geez, Leky, we're mercs, you don't have to do that friendship and rainbows routine on every job we do".
"Aw, Impy's embarrassed is he?" Elecmon asked, giving a friendly slap on his back as they arrived at their home.
"Ah, shaddup, bunny-boy" Impmon scoffed back, but returned the gesture, putting an arm around his partner. Tired from their long day, the two digimon settled in for the night, glad to have succeeded at their latest endeavor.
The End.
[Requested reward: Bits]
