5320 words

Done by the excellent;
https://x.com/ribbon_tail
 Aonik

And featuring as characters;
Levin/Statmon - from me.
Headmon -  Xhhy
Alephmon/Furvusmon -  alephgon https://x.com/rebel_azure
Nekozukimon -  Leo.The.Ninja.Lion
Jack the Monzaemon - Tukaram, currently not on FA anymore.

Where after successfully armor evolving before Levin and Aleph decide to use their new forms in a mission. The Freelancer castle is starting to reach its energy capacity limit with all the facilities and Digimon they are hosting to try and help the Human and Digital World. They need a new power supply. But things are beyond their capacity to make. But 'nearby' Factorial City, ruled over by a massive Metal Tyranomon X, is known for how much power they use but never run out. Would they be willing to share? Not a single tripple AAA battery. But it was the best option. So time for sneakin! A small team of Freelancers sent out to fact find and see what it would take to get one of these power supplies. They find something valuable for sure!

---

Modularity has its uses and benefits. Much easier to store. Can be configured for so many different situations. Able to be molded and refined for a specific use and then with some work changed to something else! Good for the owner of the tool. Not so much for the tool itself. But work needed to be done, and at least according to the Commandramons that were currently flashing lights and calling for Up! Up!, the tools got benefits too. Protection from the world outside Factorial City. A place to stay and work inside of it. For the good of all Digital Machine kind. Surely there was some truth to that it was just...hard to see it sometimes. With the long hours and not much time to recharge or get the required maintenance that a Cyborg Digi really needs. But the calls had been made. So Headmon would roll around before finding his hands. And then using them to grab his torso and feet to bring them near his body where they shook before being magnetically pulled into place around him. Finally picking his errant head up and placing it atop the torso. Work had to be done. For the Glory of Metal Tyranomon X - and all the others here.


"For the Glory of Machine based, aligned, and employed Digital Monsters, keep out or be forced out?" Levin humming as he tapped his nose at the large sign the posse was moving past. "Are we sure this is the right place? It doesn't seem that friendly really."

"Very sure!" Alephmon would comment as he hung back to make sure Levin didn't get left behind. Nekozukimon and Jack up ahead with some basic gear as the group seemed to be heading toward a bridge underpass for setting up. "Its just...part of the digital world really to have factions and places like this." Aleph added with a sad shrug before tugging Levins Gazi tail to tug him along. "We can talk as we set up!"

And setting up they were soon doing as Jack hummed along as he set out some blankets on stands to try and camouflage themselves in this little space. His large Monzaemon arms making it easy work as the three smaller Digi worked on the smaller things for the forward camp. Mainly the reinforced cradle for something obviously large. Something they were here to try to get - or at least find out where it was. But hey; "Better to be prepared in case we do extra good today!" Jack commenting before he set up a little fridge and pulled out a popsicle. Sticking it in his mouth like a cool little cigar as Aleph brought out a backpack and pulled out two Digimentals - Darkness and Lightning.

"Are you sure using those right at the start is wise? Won't that make us more visible for the sneaking?" Levin querying as Neko tossed an arm around his shoulder and pointed up as Aleph got out the Syphon too. The ninja cat pointing up at the very large wall that surrounded the city proper rather than just the far outskirts.

"Well Levin perhaps but you need to also get inside first. And I have my doubts that either of us could get over that wall in our Rookie forms." Jack swirling the stick around in his mouth before he pulled it out with the popsicle itself entirely gone.

"I could throw you up you know."

"Now now Jack!" Aleph squeaked as he tripped over the backpack of all his tools to try and intercept that plan! "We trialed that before and you powderized the testing flour sacks! None of that!" The big bear giving a very exaggerated frowny face before fixing it with a new popsicle from the fridge.

"You're no fun." But the happy laser eyes showed he was mainly playing as Neko gave another gesture at the wall.

"So...yeah! Big form to get over. And that way if anything does happen and you need to get out you can still do that. We don't really know if there are other ways in." Neko giving his head and roll to floof out his mane. "I'll be checking that out while you two go in." Levin taking a deep breath and nodding as he reached over to take the Lightning Mental.

"To help and look for the power supply," glancing over at the cradle. "Are we sure that's how big it is? Or was that just a guess?" Aleph err umming as his ears danced atop his head before he quickly held out the Syphon.

"Here you go Levin! We'll find out soon enough!" That getting a flat brow from the Virus type before he sighed and nodded. They were here after all. No point waiting around when there was information to gather. Both from Aleph and himself, Neko sneaking around the exterior, and Jack to make sure they had an exit should things go south. Sure he was currently about to start his third popsicle but all that energy would be gleefully used should a more explosive laser eye escape be needed.

"Fine fine," Levin taking the Syphon in one hand as his other held the Mental as Aleph did the same with his opposite hands to Levin so they both had hands on the Syphon.

"Gazimon! Digimental, Up! Armor Shinkaa!"

"Alephmon! Digimental, Up! Armor Shinkaa!"

The light of evolution over taking both of them as Neko happily clapped! Jack just chewing away as he started to make a little stick figure out of his growing collection of popsicle sticks. The two now glowing Digimon keeping the Mental close to their chests as they turned toward each other and raised the Syphon over their heads each with a hand on it still. The metallic clanking and shnnking of the armor and gear forming around them as their glowing forms jumped upwards to their evolved forms height. Levins ears slapping down against his back as they extended rapidly before kinking into a right angle just below his head. The tips of his ears crackling with electricity as the fur at the end stuck up like hair. The light coalescing around his head, torso, and hands as his equipment was formed for himself. Meanwhile Alephmons handkerchief exploded off his shoulders before billowing behind him as a cape. Eyes darkening before the darkness spread to over his face and hardening into a mask of Darkness.

The light dying away as both continued to hold the Syphon but their Mentals were now nestled safely inside their code. Both Trying to strike a cool pose with one arm up still holding the Syphon between them.

"Shocking Salvation! Statmon!"

"Shroud of the Night! Furvusmon!"

"Oooh grape! Excellent." Jack now with two stick in his mouth like he was a big yellow walrus as he sat near the fridge just with a massive smirk on his face. Neko at least clapping for the two armor evolutions before the Syphon was handed to Neko to keep hold of. Just in case they needed to run and couldn't come back to camp. The pose and name were required after all. Both armormons pulling out their baton or staff for a quick test before Stat made sure his defibrillator was ready as Furvus did a little juggle of his smoke balls. They were ready! Well were after Neko hopped up onto the shoulders of Furvus and then Stat to slip ear pieces into their ears so he could chat with them just in case something went wrong. Jack choosing instead a big walkie talkie he sat next to him. The old ways.

And both would soon be carefully climbing up the metal walls of Factorial Town. Their new strength easily allowing them to make small indents in the metal to act as hand and foot holds as they clambered up. The spot and neon lights of the city rising up to meet them as they peaked after the top of the wall. Busy. But lots of corners and alley ways. "Remember what Neko taught us both," Furvus commented as both maneuvered themselves up and over to begin the descent. "Lack of movement is often the sneakiest thing to do. They are dinosaur based after all - their vision is based on movement!" A small spark of the bluebois former life there! Statmon just rolling his eyes as he flipped his head down to lower his goggles.

"Sure Furvus - but I'm sure their cameras are not."


Due to his ability to not have the tightest grip on his limbs Headmon was back on lever duty today. Being able to have his hands far apart on two separate levers while his feet could push on extra pedals. One Mon to do the work of three! But would he get extra energy for this? Extra maintenance? No. After all he was made for this. It was his purpose with his body shape and skills. Doing the task you were made to do was expected of a machine. The normal. "Reduce power by 14.2 percent!" Called up from the workers below him. His left hand and right food gently shifting in alternating directions as the forge slightly dimmed. The metal being heated passed through the heat chamber before it was moved over to the impact hammer. Headmon just waiting for the next order as his head rotated around to make sure his limbs were still looking good.


Having taken Nekos advice the two Armormons would stop about twenty feet off the ground as two Commandramon moved below them. Before down they dropped. Quickly skittering into an alleyway before it was time to begin the searching. Statmon crouching down and cupping his hands before Furvus jogged forward, crouched and hopped, before planting his feet into Stats before being thrown up. Easily making it to the top of the building before hanging down to pull up Statmon after he jumped up off a dumpster.

Both of them only noticing after their cool climb that there was a fire escape. But it was cool!

Scanning around as the lights and sounds reflected off his shiny goggles and helmet Stat would humm before putting the goggles back up again. They were not helping. "Ok do we at least know where we need to go to search for the power source? Do we at least know that?"

Furvus making a fake gasp as he held his none armored hand to his chest. "Statmon you wound me! I do at least look up some information. Just sometimes it isn't that easily found." Stat ehhhh but shrugging before he waited to be told. And Furvus would do a spin before pointing at one of the larger box buildings that seemed to be steaming from how warm the air was on top. "Thats the one."

"Ok good," both scanning over the many streets of different levels to get there. The general smoke and smog really made this place seem unwelcoming to him. But then again to mechanical Digi the heat was probably welcome. And they likely didn't mind about the cold walls and sharp corners all over. Not nice and curved and warm. "Not too far from the wall if we can't get it this time."

"Thats why I picked the underpass to work from!"

"Well done Furvus, thinking ahead!" Getting a shocking shoulder pat from the evolved Gazi which just got a tongue out from the Shroud before both crouched down to try and plan out a way to get there. Some pointing and chatting by each about streets or going from building to building. Maybe the power lines? Before their ears would rattle. Both tapping the ear piece before they were greeted by a burp.

"Just letting you both know - all quiet out here. And good on you both for packing Peppermint Bark! Good fluffbutts." Jack then clicking off as Neko spoke up next.

"So far I've found one main gate that is heavily watched and a few smaller doors that look like service hatches," potential. Before Neko clarified. "The only issue is they are about half way up the wall. There must be some kind of ladder that comes out when they open. Besides that nothing good for a way to get in or out once we get the power supply." A few hups and hyahs heard before the ninja continued. "Just had to get up a tree. Even if you two manage to get your hands on a supply unless its way lighter than its size would suggest you should leave it. I don't think we would be able to get it out fast enough to avoid conflict."

"Thats a good point, we've never touched it so no idea how heavy it is." Stat musing as Furvus added.

"Or fragile. Dropping it may cause a lot of collateral damage that we cant accept if it...explodes or something."

"Agreed."

"I also agree. So be careful you two. This is just a fact finding mission." Neko clicking off his comms before the two Armormons nodded and agreed to try and go under the streets. Using the fire escape this time to make it back down to street level before quickly moving across the street and then hopping down into a service drain. To try and avoid the open streets.


A short allowed break. His hands and feet sliding off the levers and clattering to the floor as Headmon closed his eyes. It was so hot up here above the furnace. But the control machines didn't care about the heat. So neither should be. His head flopping on its side and then rotating so he could look down at the factory floor. It seemed like the metal was being made into more big sheets today. Likely for more construction. Or to be later cut up into smaller parts. The head rolling back to looking up so he could gaze up at the darker roof. It was still hot even all the way up there. But it would be away from the light at least. For the glory of the City however the break was soon ended. And Headmon worked to pull his appendages back up to their spots and return to adjusting power. His shift was almost over. Before there was a bleep bleep next to him? The rough sheet presser outside had been activated?

"Go make sure it is not malfunctioning, that could hurt our citizens." Sealsdramon commanded as he dropped onto Headmons platform, causing the poor boy to fall apart from fright before his limbs rolled back to his body to stand up. "The forging is almost complete and then retire for recharging and resting." The officer commanded as Head just saluted where his head would be if he wasn't currently holding it to his side before quickly jogging off toward the door. What luck! Early off his shift!


Peaking out from a storm drain cover Furvus would nod to himself and remove the grate. Quickly hopping up and helping Stat up too as they replaced the grate and ducked as they moved to a corner of a small storage shack it looked like. Full of scrap metal judging by the sound of it. And right next to the factory in question. Things had been really going well so far.

"We should," Stat whispered as they stacked up at the corner of the storage shack with the factory just ahead. "Decide now on our way out so we don't need to decide under stress." Furvus trying to peak down the alley way as he waved a hand in Levins general direction.

"If we are under stress that means we just go to the quickest possible exit and go from there. If we go underground again we could get stuck."

"Fair...still remember what outer wall is closest to us." Furvus nodding before he gestured for the big Gazi to follow him as both moved into the alley toward their goal. Though Levin would glance down at their feet to see them running over some word and then a solid white line? Something about caution? Before there was a brrrm and a deep rumble next to him. That cant be

PLAFCLANG

psssst thunk.

The two large pressure plates, the rough sheet presser, retracting back into the walls as it waited for further material to be inserted from either side. Good design as long as one respected the caution lines. Leaving the two Armormon standing there very flat and shocked at the sudden arrival of those two walls to sandwich them. The quiet plink of their blinking about the only sound for a few seconds before Furvus managed to speak. "F...forward. In case again." Both then trying to hop forward as best as they could in case it came back. And once past the second white line they seemed to be alright? Hopefully? Either way balancing while so narrow proved too much for Statmon as he crumpled to the side. Floating for a moment before he lay flat on the floor. Eyes a little swirly at the sudden squishing of him as Furvus managed to stay standing as he looked around for something to help them both here. "Statmon..th...there." he would gasp out and pointing a wavy accordion arm to the side at a power outlet on the side. This was something that Statmon would need to do. The electric battery nodding as he pushed with his tail and wriggled back and fourth to slowly move himself over toward it before reaching up to stick one of his claws into it. The sigil on his back starting to slowly glow before there was a giggle.

Furvus looking up as quick as his flat and injured form would allow to reveal who had done that. Were they about to be attacked when so weak? The flat shadow hopping to the side as he tried to pull out a smoke bomb and stand in front of Statmon. Though trying to do all that at once just resulted to him being blow over from his own turning. And fluttering down to land on top of his fellow armormon. At least it was the gentle impact of paper if anything. Causing even more giggles.

Headmon on a platform above the both of them trying to hold it together but clearly having a real problem doing that as his head flopped forward into his hands before he managed to turn it around and stuff his mouth into his own fluffy stomach to muffle the laugh at least a little. But this was good? It wasn't shouting of alarms and weapons being pointed at them.

"Oh you two!" Headmon finally saying as he turned his head around. Still with a massive grin on his face as he held it at stomach level. "Getting caught in the presser and getting so flat!" More snickering as Furvus felt Levins tail curl around his shoulder and down to his chest as the charge started to pass into him. Energy slowly returning. "Goodness thats great. I really needed a laugh after today." The floating lad leaning over the railing above them as he kept smirking before pointing at the both of them. "Not from around here though - snuck in did ye?"

"Uhhh...maybe?" Furvus replied with a stronger voice at least as Statmon worked on getting them both back up.

"Well better be careful then. The bosses won't like you two being in here. Especially so close to the powe...err...totally normal factory."

"We know what it is," Statmon would respond at the ground as his helmet slowly started to pop into a more circular shape. Thankfully somewhat muffled which Furvus tried to quickly cover.

"We were just exploring is all!"

"Around here? Did you not see all the Commandramon and walls? I really doubt that." Headmon tapping his thumbs against his cheeks as he held his head. They must have gotten in here somehow. No wings so didn't fly over even if the zappy one had ears that could likely make him glide if anything. Maybe they could get out too... "I don't see any wings so must have climbed over the walls. Thats uhh...impressive."

"We did," Furvus responded quickly as he smiled in his flat state. He knew that look; the pauses, looking at the two of them, then around the smokey city of work. This floaty lad was conflicted. Levin had been the same when he and Neko found him in the Human world. "We were looking for items to help our cause. The Freelancers." A little feeler. See if they knew of them. And judging from the widening eyes he had. Gooood.

"The umm...castle group? Who deal with the Human World?" He had been warned about them from Metal Tyranomons' addresses. But he had been told a lot of things from the Overlord about the world. And the constant work made those words ring more and more hollow.

"Thats us!" Furvus giving a flat thumbs up before there was a pop! as his paw expanded back into the normal full size! Almost there. "We contacted the city before for possible help but were told very loudly."

"And with fireworks." Statmon adding as he was about half back to normal.

"That we were going to get no help. But this city has many stories about it. So we wanted to come check them out!"

"To steal from here?" Oh - he got that pretty quick. Not good.

"Uhh..." Furvus side mouthing a little as he thought about how to explain this.

"Well you would need to. The bosses won't let none machines get anything besides a few missiles and leaving in pieces." Statmon pressing his hand deeper into the socket to try and get more. That didn't sound friendly. "I'm sure they are on their way now." Even less. Before Headmon would sigh and shake his head. "But isolating ourselves here will only cause problems later. We are draining the Digimon we have here slowly and for what? A fight from outside? I really doubt it." Drumming his hands on the railing. As Furvus would pop up to his full form and quickly got into a crouching position as he rested a hand on his baton. "So," Statmon popping up too as he took longer to hop up and only slightly raised himself up before Headmon spoke again. "I want out too. You two are in no position to take anything from here. I can help you set up a real chance for that."

Oh that was helpful.

Furvusmon now beaming as he opened up his arms. "We welcome any and all to the Freelancers! And this was mainly a fact finding mission really but I'm sure you will have a lot of facts to share." Headmon hopping off his higher platform and landing in those open arms. Thankfully pretty light without most of the limbs other Digimon would have! Statmon finally using the wall to stand up himself as he adjusted his lopsided helmet. Before he quickly stumbled toward the other two. "Welcome to the Free,"

"Stop them!" Statmon just managing to intercept the shots fired at them with a yellow barrier from a patrol of two Commandramon who came upon the three of them. "They are kidnapping a brave citizen!"

"We are no," Before Headmons hand floated up to close that shadow snoot.

"Pretend you are, explain later!" Hed hiss before he flailed his floaty feet and hands. "Oh no! These terrible mon!" Another series of shots that both Armormon were able to dodge by leaping toward the wall of the scrap metal storage spot and quickly leaping up and over the wall. Furvusmon keeping hold of their new buddy as Statmon rolled once they hit the ground before smacking his helmet to turn on the ear piece.

"We are under fire! Coming out with important package. Prepare to leave quick!" The two quickly jamming their hand and toe claws into the next small wall to clamber up and over so they were now back to near the roads. It was then that the alarm sirens started to blare. Not good.

"Try to get to one of those service spots! We are moving to be near where you both went over!" Neko would respond as he ninja sprinted over to near where their camp had been. But not going back to it. Hopefully they could leave that to return to later.

"Heading over eager and full of food!" Jack would respond as the trundling of himself could be heard through the ear piece as the two Armormon leapt over the guard rail for the road itself and took off running. There had been very few cars on the roads before besides transport vehicles for raw materials. But some Tankmon were quickly making their way down toward the Sirens now. At least the Commandramon were unable to keep up with the two so they had a small grace period to get distance before the Tanks were in range to fire accurately.

"I know how to open the service gates, just get me to one!" Headmon would squeak as he clung around Furvusmons' chest.

"Easily," both Armormon responded as they hopped and leapt across the road divider before taking off running again. Statmon reaching out to pass some energy into his shadow buddy who pulled out his smoke bombs and dropped one before booping the other against his own nose. "Misdirection is the best thing to direct." He muttered before throwing the ball high in the air. The first one popping into just normal smoke to draw a bit of attention as the two hopped and slid down the side of the road embankment toward the large wall itself.

The second ball bursting and the smoke within it falling down very quickly to turn into...themselves! Who were running down the road perpendicular to where the group had actually gone. And the explosions shortly followed by the shadows running toward the Tanks showed it to be a good distraction. Though Headmon had a concerning thought. "T...they would have blown me up too!" Before he was held up near a console.

"Concern later, console now!" And a bleep boop click later the gate above them opened. And there was even a nice if steep ramp to get the two up top. So up they strode. Statmon rubbing his hands together as they ran up before slapping both down as they reached the top. The ramp gently glowing yellow before it faded away. An extra little slowness for their chasers. Before they looked down and realized that there wasn't a ladder or anything. At least Nekozukimon and Jack were out there waiting for them. So both would carefully sit and slid off the edge before digging in claws to try and slowly descend at least closer to the ground before they dropped. They may be able to take some fall damage but their new friend may not be. Safety was needed. And the hagugug from above them of the shock trap going off at least gave them more time. Before finally they touched the ground again. And set off running again. Away from the camp to hopefully save that for later as Neko joined them. Though Jack stood his ground as he looked up at the service door. Hands resting in his jacket pockets as he narrowed his eyes a little. A Tankmon finally showing himself as he looked at the running perusers before a shout made him look over at the jacket and hair toting Monzaemon instead.

"You are dead!" A large blast of red from his eyes slamming into the Tankmon and the door surround itself which sent that tank rolling back down the ramp and half way collapsing the door itself. Jack giving it a smirk before he turned and started to walk back after his fellows. "Not big surprise."

And with the door itself closed off and with injuries in the city to deal with it seemed like there was going to be no chasing. At least for now. Still the group tried to get out of visual range before they stopped. Nekozukimon having been picked up by Statmon for the run as while he was a fast lil shinobi the longer legs were hard to out pace. But they were seemingly safe for now. And the slowly approaching trundling footfalls of Jack let them know he was the only one coming. So both smaller Digimon were set down as the Armormons breathed deeply and sat down. Neko taking out the Syphon and holding it out to both who placed a hand on it before the evolution energy was transferred back into the device. The bright glows of both of them shrinking down to their Rookie size before it faded away to be normal Alephmon and Gazimon again.

"Phew...that was close at the end there." Levin grunted as he flopped onto his back and spread out his limbs. Neko scooting over to start to pat and rub at his joints to help loosen them. At least he wasn't rendering the Gazimon flop with one pressure point strike this time!

"It was, but we made it. With a new friend!" Aleph tossing an arm around the rough torso area of Headmon before he wah-ed! as Headmons head came right off to plop into his lap! But the head just smirked up at him as the torso and hand gave a thumbs up.

"I sure hope I can be! Headmon." The hands pointing to his head before he started to do a little jig. "I'm looking forward to seeing how you lot are in reality compared to what Metal Tyranomon told us about you. Especially after they almost blew me up! So much for unity...oh and I told you all to pretend to be going after me so they wouldn't suspect what you were actually there for." Patting Alephs ears with his floating hands before he added. "Happy to help however I can. Speaking of." The headless body wandering over to Neko as he held up his hand to rest roughly where his chin would be as he was thinking. "Can I see that Syphon? I occasionally did design work back in the city and I've not seen one like that before."

Neko worridly looking over at Aleph before he nodded. He trusted this boi. And so the device was handed over. Headmon walking it back over to Aleph and his head before he asked Aleph to lift him up. Turning it around and to the side in his hands as he looked over it. "Solid work here. But I can see where it bleeds a little energy. Not fully efficient." His head being taken by his body and plopped into place as he nodded and looked it over some more. "Also a little fragile. But I'm sure we can improve it." Now with a big smile as he held out a hand to the sitting down Aleph. "Together."

Which Aleph quickly grabbed and eagerly hopped up as he and the other smaller Digimon jumped a bit from the approaching Monzaemon. "Together! Already got the right spirit to help people Headmon!" Levin and Neko scooting over to join in their hands too as those massive yellow teddy bear mits came down toward the four of them too.

"Together! Epp!" Before they were all scooped up into Jacks arms and hugged to his squishy tummy.

"And together you should all take a rest now for a good days work." Jack would comment with a nod before he transferred the four from his arms to the big pockets of his jacket. Easily fitting all four of them as he started to walk off back to base. No power supply. But now they had a new buddy - who also knew a lot about the city for attempt number two - who would help with all sorts of things!