"Score! Looks like we're getting a new teammate," I say, excitement bubbling up inside me. I tap the Digivice screen, and the Digi-Egg materializes in my hands. It's bigger than I thought, maybe a foot tall, with a smooth, white shell and bold red stripes swirling around it. Not gonna lie, it looks pretty damn cool.
Gatomon and BlackGatomon practically trip over themselves to get a closer look. "A Digi-Egg? Really?" Gatomon asks, her blue eyes wide.
BlackGatomon circles me, tail twitching. "Another Digimon? This is gonna be fun."
I grin, holding the egg up for them to see. "Yep! Looks like you two are gonna have a younger sibling."
Gatomon's whiskers twitch, and BlackGatomon just stares at the egg like it's the most interesting thing she's ever seen.
"Are we gonna wait for it to hatch naturally?" Gatomon asks, tilting her head. "That could take days, maybe weeks."
I shake my head. "Nah, we got a Digi-Lab for a reason, right? Let's speed things up a bit." I start heading toward the lab, the Digi-Egg cradled in my arms. "Besides, I'm way too impatient to wait that long. Let's see what kind of crazy critter we've got in here!" Gatomon and BlackGatomon follow me. I can't wait to see what Digimon is born from this Digi-Egg.
The Digi-Lab is pretty high-tech. I set the Digi-Egg carefully onto the designated platform—a glowing disc in the center of the room that looks like it's straight out of a sci-fi movie.
"Alright, here we go," I mutter, fiddling with the controls. I press the big, inviting 'Hatch' button, and the platform hums to life. The egg starts to glow, those red stripes pulsing with energy. Cracks spiderweb across the shell. This is way more exciting than any unboxing video I've ever watched.
With a final crack, the egg splits open, revealing...a tiny, black ball with two floppy ears and the cutest pair of small, yellow eyes I've ever seen. Seriously, this thing is adorable. It's a Botamon!
The Botamon wobbles a bit, then looks up at us and squeaks, "（＾∀＾）"
Gatomon melts. "Oh my goodness, it's precious!"
BlackGatomon's tail twitches as she stares. "Hmph, it's alright, I guess."
The Botamon, apparently unfazed by our reactions, happily bounces toward us. I kneel down and it launches itself into my arms. The thing is surprisingly squishy, like a stress ball filled with warm jelly.
"Hey there, little guy," I coo, and the Botamon responds with another string of Kaomojis. Too cute! I gotta know more about this little dude.
I put on my Digi-Goggles, point them at Botamon, and scan. The data pops up on the screen.
[Botamon]
[Level: Fresh]
[Type: Slime]
[Special Move: Acid Bubbles]
[A newborn Digital Monster. Dark peach fuzz bristles across the surface of its slimy body. This new addition to the Digital World can't fight, but it can shoot bubbles from its mouth to intimidate foes.]
"Acid Bubbles, huh?" I say, looking down at the Botamon.
The Botamon gurgles and shoots a tiny bubble that pops harmlessly on my nose. "（＾∇＾）"
My mind races. This is amazing! Botamon evolves into Agumon. Freaking Agumon! The OG Digimon, the star of my childhood! I still remember watching Agumon digivolve into Greymon for the first time. That iconic scene is etched in my brain forever!
"Botamon, meet your big sisters." I hold him out for Gatomon and BlackGatomon to get a better look.
Gatomon gently strokes Botamon with her paw, and he nuzzles into her touch, clearly enjoying the attention. "He's so soft!"
Even BlackGatomon can't resist. She hesitantly pets Botamon's head, a rare, softer expression on her face. Botamon squeaks happily, loving the attention.
"Alright, you two," I say, grinning. "You're in charge of looking after him. No fighting, got it? He's family now." I know they'll bicker, but I also know they'll protect him with everything they've got. This is going to be fun!
I hold Botamon close and ask, "You hungry, little buddy?"
He looks up at me with those giant, yellow eyes and nods enthusiastically. "（＾ｕ＾）"
"Alright, then. Let's get you something to eat." I turn toward the house. "Come on, everyone, chow time!"
Gatomon and BlackGatomon follow me inside, already starting to bicker about who gets to help feed him. Honestly, they are too much.
I head into the kitchen area and rummage through the digital pantry. I find a carton of digital milk—looks like it'll do the trick. I pour some into a small bowl and hold it out to Botamon. He latches onto the bowl and starts gulping it down, making happy little noises.
"Easy there, champ," I chuckle. "Don't wanna make yourself sick."
The little guy's got a big appetite for a slime. He polishes off the bowl in seconds. I was planning on taking him to the Digi-Training area so he could get stronger and evolve, but the dude looks like he's about to pass out.
Botamon yawns, then starts snoring softly, right in my hands. Guess training's gonna have to wait.
"Alright, easy there, buddy," I whisper, carefully carrying him to the bedroom. I gently lay him down on the softest bed I can find in this place. I watch him sleep, he is seriously the cutest.
As I back away, my Digivice buzzes.
[New Mission Available: Eliminate Tombstone. ]
[Reward: Supply Boxes x10, Digi-Gloves.]
Digi-Gloves, huh? Wonder what those do? This mission is a whole different ballgame. I mean, taking down gang hideouts is one thing, but straight-up eliminating Tombstone? This just got real.
I check the System's intel. It has the guy's location pinpointed – a swanky penthouse downtown. Figures. I whistle. That's gonna be tough to get to, let alone crack. "Gatomon! BlackGatomon!"
They come running, ready for action. "What is it, Ethan?" Gatomon asks, her eyes shining.
"New mission," I say, holding up the Digivice. "We're going after Tombstone himself."
BlackGatomon's grin is wider than usual. "Finally, a real challenge."
I'm going to sleep on this one. A good night's sleep, then a solid plan. We'll hit him where it hurts.
***
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