Let's reach 300 Power Stones for an extra chapter
***
I have to find this Digimon before SHIELD does. I don't trust those guys as far as I can throw them. They're all about secrets and control, and I highly doubt they have the Digimon's best interests at heart.
I slap on the Digi-Goggles, adjusting the focus. The world around me shimmers, the digital overlay kicking in. Cyberspace is a trip, even more so when layered over reality. I can see the ebb and flow of data, the invisible connections that bind everything together.
I scan the area, searching for any digital anomalies. And there, just past a group of tourists snapping selfies, I see it. Faint, shimmering tracks, like heat rising off asphalt on a hot day. These aren't just any tracks, they are digital footprints, the residue left by a Digimon passing through.
"Bingo," I whisper to myself. "Now, let's see where you went, little guy."
The tracks lead me deeper into Times Square, past the flashing billboards and costumed characters. I stick to the shadows, Digi-Camo doing its thing. I can feel the minutes ticking away. Five minutes of invisibility is not a lot, and I don't want to get caught with my pants down, metaphorically speaking.
The tracks curve around a newsstand and disappear into a side street. I follow, my heart pounding. The air here is thick with the smell of exhaust and hot dogs. I weave through the crowds, careful not to bump into anyone. It's tough navigating while invisible; people tend to get freaked out when they feel a sudden chill or sense something nearby.
As I turn the corner, I spot it. A flicker of digital energy, hidden behind a dumpster. That has to be the Digimon. It's huddled there, small and scared, and it doesn't look like a fighter.
I peek around the corner of the dumpster, Digi-Goggles giving me a clear view. My eyes go wide. It's Cutemon. What is a cute little bunny doing here?
The pink Digimon cowers, its big, round eyes darting around. It spots me and trembles.
"Who's there?" Cutemon squeaks, its voice trembling.
I deactivate Digi-Camo and become visible again. I take a step forward, hands raised in a gesture of peace. "Hey, there. Easy, little guy. I'm not going to hurt you."
"Chu?" it asks, tilting its head. "You're not with the mean people?"
"Mean people? You mean SHIELD?" I take another step closer. "Nah, I'm not with them. I just want to talk. I promise, I mean no harm."
I try to sound as gentle as possible. "My name's Ethan. What's yours?"
"I'm Cutemon, chu~!" The bunny takes a tentative hop forward, still wary, but a little less scared.
"Nice to meet you, Cutemon," I say, keeping my voice low and even. "What are you doing all the way out here?"
"I don't really know, chu~," Cutemon replies, its ears drooping slightly. "I was just playing, and then, poof! I'm in this… scary place."
"Scary place?" I repeat. "What's so scary about it?"
"I don't know why," Cutemon says, looking around nervously. "Some mean Digimon started chasing me, chu~! So I'm hiding."
Digimon chasing Cutemon? Wait a minute… "You mean those guys in the dark suits? The ones with the badges?"
"Yes, chu~!" Cutemon exclaims, nodding vigorously. "Those ones! They looked really mean!"
"Those aren't Digimon, Cutemon," I explain. "Those are humans. I'm a human, too." I gesture to myself. "See?"
"Human?" Cutemon asks, its head tilting again. "What's a human, chu~?"
I sigh. This is going to be a long conversation. "Okay, well, it's kind of hard to explain. But trust me, those guys are humans, and they're not friendly. Listen, I have some friends who can help you feel more at ease."
I pull out my Digivice. "Agumon, Gabumon, can you guys come out for a sec?"
A burst of light later, Agumon and Gabumon materialize beside me, looking alert. Agumon surveys the alley.
"What's up, Ethan?" Agumon asks, his eyes narrowing.
Gabumon looks at Cutemon. "Is everything alright?" he asks gently.
Maybe having some friendly faces around will put Cutemon at ease.
And it works. Cutemon's eyes widen, but this time, it's not from fear. It seems to relax.
"Are you guys also stuck here, chu~?" Cutemon asks, its voice a little brighter.
"Nope!" Agumon grins, puffing out his chest. "We're with Ethan. We're his partners!"
"Partners?" Cutemon asks, tilting its head. Gabumon nods in agreement.
"That's right," he says. "We help Ethan out, and he helps us. We're a team!"
I figure it's time to step back in before Cutemon gets too confused. "Hey, Cutemon, how about you come with us for now? This place isn't exactly safe, and those mean people are still out there."
Agumon bounces on his feet. "Yeah, you should come! We have lots of tasty food back at our place! And we could play games!"
"Really?" Cutemon asks, its eyes lighting up. "Delicious food, chu~?"
Agumon and Gabumon nod. They look like children trying to convince a friend to come over for a playdate. Seriously, they really are just big kids.
"Sure thing!" I say, smiling. "We've got all kinds of good stuff. Plus, it's way safer than hanging out in a dark alley."
Cutemon hesitates for a moment, glancing back at the street. "Okay, chu~! I'll go with you."
"Really?" I ask.
"You seem kind, and I don't sense any bad intentions from you, chu~!" it says, its gaze settling on me. "And Agumon and Gabumon seem to trust you, so… okay!"
Well, that's settled then. "Alright! Let's get out of here."
I pick up the pink bunny, cradling it gently. It snuggles into my arms, its fur soft against my skin. It feels safe.
"Thanks for trusting me, Cutemon," I say softly. "I promise, we'll take good care of you."
I'm about to turn and head back toward Times Square when a low voice cuts through the air.
"Freeze. SHIELD. Don't move."
Crap.
I glance around, and the alley is suddenly filled with black-suited agents, guns raised and pointed directly at me. They seem to have appeared from nowhere. Digi-Camo would have been useful, but now it is too late.
Cutemon squeaks, burying its face in my chest, trembling even harder.
"Mean people!" it whispers, its voice muffled.
"It's okay, little guy," I say, trying to sound reassuring. "I won't let them get you."
Agumon and Gabumon take a step forward, positioning themselves between me and the agents. They glare, baring their teeth. They are ready to protect.
Right on cue, Agent Exposition steps into the spotlight. Coulson strolls forward, cool as a cucumber, his eyes scanning us all.
"Hello," he says, his voice smooth. "I'm Agent Phil Coulson, with SHIELD. We've been trying to reach you, but you've been rather difficult to locate."
Oh, this just got even more complicated. He doesn't know who I am, or what I'm doing. This is definitely not going to be fun. It's going to be a headache.
***
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