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Chapter 31 - Chapter 31

Week reset let's reach 100 powerstones for an extra chapter

***

"Great, just my luck," I mutter, tugging uselessly at the sticky webbing. It's like trying to escape from super-strength cotton candy. "Agumon, Gabumon, can you guys break free?"

"I'm trying, Ethan, but this stuff is really strong!" Agumon grunts, his claws scraping against the silk. "It's like it's made of steel!"

"I can't get through it either, Brother," Gabumon says, his voice strained. "My claws just slide right off."

So much for my super-powered Rookie Digimon. I guess I overestimated their abilities. Dokugumon must be stronger than I thought.

My eyes scan the cavernous soundstage, taking in the full extent of our predicament. It is then that I notice them. Hanging from the ceiling like grotesque ornaments, several other figures are encased in similar cocoons of webbing. They're all human, their faces pale and lifeless behind the translucent silk.

"Oh, crap," I whisper, my blood turning to ice. "Those are people… They must have been kidnapped!"

Dokugumon begins to descend, its massive bulk slowly lowering itself towards us on a silken thread.

[Dokugumon]

[Level: Champion]

[Type: Insectoid]

[Attribute: Virus]

[Special Move: Venom Blast]

[A cursed Digimon in the shape of a spider, whose entire body is infested with a computer virus. Although originally a spider type, Dokugumon was a gentle Digimon that behaved more in a typical Insect Digimon fashion. One day, however, it was caught in a powerful electromagnetic storm, and was infected with a computer virus lurking around the network. From that moment on, it became a lump of venom known as a computer virus, corroding everything with a simple touch. Dokugumon's eight-legged mobility is worthy of special mention. Even if someone runs from it at full speed, this Digimon will be right on their heels, pursuing them until they tire themselves out. And when its foe sleeps peacefully, it will end them with a dreadful Venom Blast from its fiendish fangs.]

It's like a scene from a nightmare. Each step is slow and deliberate. Its fangs glisten in the dim light, and its eyes fixate on us with cold, predatory hunger. This isn't good. Not good at all. I need a plan, and fast, before we all become spider food.

"Agumon, Pepper Breath! Burn this crap off us!" I shout, hoping he has enough juice left.

Agumon nods, takes a deep breath, and unleashes a concentrated blast. The flames lick at the webs, slowly charring the strands. The webbing burns away. We drop to the dusty floor in a heap.

I stagger to my feet, brushing off the remnants of the sticky prison. The others aren't looking too hot either. Gabumon wobbles a bit, and Agumon shakes his head, trying to clear the daze.

Dokugumon looms over us, its shadow engulfing us. "You think that pathetic flame could stop me?"

"You guys gonna be okay?" I ask, my voice laced with concern.

Agumon steps forward, a determined glint in his eyes. "We can do this, Ethan!"

Gabumon nods, his usual timidity replaced with a newfound resolve. "We're with you, Brother!"

"I trust you guys," I say, meeting their gazes. "Go get 'em!"

With a roar, Agumon charges forward, flames erupting from his mouth. "Pepper Breath!"

The blast of fire slams into Dokugumon's face, momentarily stunning the Champion-level Digimon. Gabumon follows close behind, blue flames flickering around his horn. "Blue Blaster!"

Gabumon's attack strikes true, impacting Dokugumon's thorax. The blue flames sear the chitinous armor, leaving a smoking, blackened scar.

Dokugumon recoils, its many eyes filled with rage. "Insolent insects! You dare defy me?!"

The spider Digimon retaliates, its fangs dripping with venom. "Stinger Poration!"

A stream of corrosive fluid launches from its mouth, arcing towards Agumon and Gabumon. They leap away, barely dodging the attack as it splashes against the floor, hissing and dissolving the concrete.

Agumon lunges, claws extended. "Sharp Claws!" He slashes at Dokugumon's legs, attempting to cripple the giant spider.

Dokugumon easily bats him away with a foreleg, sending Agumon skidding across the floor. "Pathetic! You are but gnats to me!"

Gabumon seizes the opportunity and unleashes another Blue Blaster, striking Dokugumon's face again. The spider rears back, momentarily blinded, before unleashing a torrent of webbing from its abdomen. "Arachno Batoto!"

The sticky threads ensnare Gabumon, restricting his movements. He struggles, but the webbing holds fast, binding his arms and legs. The tables are turning, and fast.

This is bad. Agumon and Gabumon are giving it their all, but the Champion-level power difference is too much. They are rookies. The levels make a difference, and the skill is not enough to overcome the difference. Dokugumon is simply too strong, too fast, and too experienced. I can't just stand here and watch them get destroyed.

I need to do something, anything, to help even the odds. I open my Digivice and swipe furiously at the screen.

"Digi-Modify, activate!" I shout, hoping the thing works. "Card Scan! Strength Plug-in W!"

Agumon's body faintly glows red, bathing the soundstage in an eerie light. "Woah, I feel…stronger!" He flexes his claws, testing his newfound power. "Let's see how you like this, spider-breath!"

"What? What did you do?!" Dokugumon hisses, momentarily taken aback by the sudden shift in power.

"Consider it a little…boost," I smirk. "Now get him, Agumon!"

With a renewed ferocity, Agumon throws himself at Dokugumon. Each strike of his claws connects with the spider Digimon's armor, creating a loud crack. The Strength Plug-in W has definitely leveled the playing field. They exchange blow after blow, a flurry of claws and fangs in a whirlwind.

"Not so tough now, are ya?" Agumon taunts, landing a solid kick to Dokugumon's mandibles.

The Champion Digimon, however, is not to be outdone. Its movements become more precise, more calculated. Even with Agumon's increased strength, it's clear this boost is only temporary, and Dokugumon knows it. The spider needs to end this, now.

"Enough games!" Dokugumon snarls, its eyes glowing menacingly. "You'll be stuck to my web soon enough!"

With unnatural speed, Dokugumon spits a thick, viscous stream of web directly at Agumon's feet. The reptile Digimon is caught off guard, his feet ensnared. Before he can react, more webbing shoots out, wrapping around his legs, his torso, his arms, until he is completely immobilized.

"Brother!" Gabumon cries, charging forward, horn blazing with blue energy. "Blue Blaster!"

He fires a concentrated stream of mystical fire at Dokugumon. But the spider Digimon is ready, swatting Gabumon away with a massive foreleg. Gabumon is sent flying, crashing into a stack of old film props.

I can't sit still anymore, watching my partners get thrashed. I clench my fists, feeling the Digi-Gloves beneath my fingers. They thrum with stored energy, ready to unleash a devastating blow. This is what they're for. I sprint towards Dokugumon, adrenaline pumping through my veins.

"Hey, web-head!" I yell, drawing its attention. "Catch this!"

I leap forward, channeling all my strength into a single punch. The Digi-Gloves amplify the force, and my fist connects with Dokugumon's face with bone-shattering force. There is a satisfying crunch as the spider Digimon is sent hurtling backwards. It crashes into a wall with a resounding thud, leaving a spiderweb-shaped crater in the decaying plaster.

"Damn," I pant, flexing my hand. "That felt good."

I check on Agumon and Gabumon, concern twisting my gut. They're both battered and bruised. I move to return them to the Digivice, gotta tag in Gatomon and BlackGatomon, who can actually handle this creep.

"Alright, you two, you did your best," I start, holding up the Digivice.

"No, Ethan, wait!" Agumon protests, struggling to his feet.

"We're not done yet," Gabumon adds, his voice surprisingly firm. "We can still fight!"

I hesitate, looking at their determined faces.

"You really think so? I can tag out the girls, who can definitely handle this, you know?" I ask, doubt creeping in.

"We can do this, Ethan!" Agumon shouts, his voice full of fire. "We won't lose!"

"Yeah," Gabumon says, nodding firmly. "We can't always rely on our elder sisters. This time, we do it!"

Their words strike a chord within me. They're right. Agumon and Gabumon are more than just sidekicks; they're my partners, and they deserve a chance to prove themselves. Plus, I have to admit, their courage is seriously contagious.

"Alright, you're on!" I declare, a grin spreading across my face. "We'll fight together. Whatever it takes, we're taking down this spider freak!"

"Yes!" Agumon and Gabumon shout in unison, their eyes burning with renewed determination.

Suddenly, my Digivice glows with an intensity, bathing the room in an orange light. "What the heck?" I exclaim, staring at the device in astonishment.

Then I see it, emblazoned on the screen in glowing letters: [EVOLUTION]

My eyes widen in disbelief. "No way," I whisper, my heart pounding in my chest. "It's time! Agumon, Gabumon! Let's show this bastard our power!"

Dokugumon, recovering from my punch, roars, its voice filled with rage and disbelief. It can sense the shift in energy, the rising power, and it doesn't like it one bit.

"You think some trick can save you?" it snarls. "You are fools!"

I ignore the spider's taunts. My focus is solely on my partners, on the power coursing through the Digivice. "Agumon! Gabumon! Digivolve!" I yell, channeling all my energy, all my hope, all my belief, into the command.

***

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