Chapter 14: Summons, Stories, and Shared Noodles
[Destiny Shop – The Summoning Circle]
The shop glowed with shifting starlight as Jake stood center stage, arms wide. Behind him, Alphamon sipped tea like a samurai on vacation, while Arceus floated in a hammock made of actual clouds.
Jake grinned. "Alright, you legends. Summon time."
A pulse of rainbow energy radiated through the shop. Circles lit up. And then—POP!BOING!SPLASH!
CRASH!
Three very confused boys, three very chaotic creatures, and a puff of spicy smoke landed in a pile.
Naruto sprang up first. "WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!"
Luffy peeked out from under a straw hat. "Did someone say 'food'?"
Harry adjusted his glasses. "Er… where are we?"
Veemon, Dratini, and Vulpix all blinked in confusion.
Vulpix was the first to speak. "This doesn't smell like any dimension I've marked."
"Welcome," Jake said with a bow, "to the Destiny Shop Lounge! Think of it as the universe's… break room."
"You kidnapped us?" Naruto asked.
Jake raised a brow. "Invited. With flair."
Kurama rumbled from within Naruto. "And you didn't warn us why?"
"I forgot," Jake replied cheerfully. "Who wants ramen?!"
[Snack Table Shenanigans]
Soon, they were all seated on a long cosmic picnic blanket, munching on bizarre snacks from across dimensions.
Luffy tried biting into a glowing jellyfruit. "Tingly."
Naruto shoved three ramen bowls into his mouth. "Mmfmmf good!"
Harry cautiously sipped pumpkin juice while eyeing a floating cookie. "I don't trust that biscuit."
Veemon and Dratini were locked in a minor staring contest. Vulpix just curled up smugly between them.
"So what's the point of this?" Harry asked.
Jake leaned back. "Bonding. And story sharing. And maybe a little insight."
"Insight?" Naruto blinked.
Alphamon stepped forward. "Each of you stands at the edge of your own storm. You are being tested—not by enemies, but by choices."
Arceus floated lazily. "And you need friends who understand. Even if they're from different worlds."
[Campfire Conversations – A Night of Reflection]
Later, a soft fire crackled. The trio sat around it, partners beside them.
Naruto poked the flames. "I wanna be Hokage… but sometimes it feels like everyone already gave up on me."
Harry nodded. "People judge before they know you. I get it."
Luffy was lying on his back, hands behind his head. "I don't care what they say. If I wanna be King of the Pirates, I'll just become it."
Veemon grinned. "That's the spirit!"
Dratini nuzzled Harry's arm. Vulpix flicked her tails at Naruto's side.
Jake watched from the side, eyes thoughtful. "Each of you carries more than you know. Trauma, hope, destiny… All I can do is bring you together. The rest is yours."
Arceus sipped from a teacup. "Poetic."
Alphamon added, "...But he's right."
[The Gift]
Before the summoning ended, Jake handed each hero a small token.
To Naruto: A compass that always points toward those who believe in him.
To Harry: A locket that whispers one truth every full moon.
To Luffy: A straw ring that never burns, no matter the flame.
They said no dramatic goodbyes.
Just grins.
And a three-way fist bump that shook the lounge.
"See ya in the next mess," Jake said, waving.
And just like that—whoosh!—they were gone.
Back to their stories.
Back to their chaos.
But not alone anymore.