Let's reach 200 Power Stones for an extra chapter
***
-Ethan-
Ugh, not again. Seriously, a new mission already? I was actually sleeping this time, too.
I crack open an eye and squint at the Digivice. What fresh hell is this?
"Save Tony Stark?"
Seriously? I blink a few times, thinking I'm seeing things. I gotta be dreaming. This can't be real.
[New Mission: Save Tony Stark]
[Reward: 20x Supply Boxes and Digi-Boots]
Okay, the System is definitely screwing with me. What the heck is going on? I mean, I get hunting rogue Digimon. That's, like, the whole point of this Digimon Tamer gig. But saving Tony Stark? That's way out of left field. And, frankly, way above my pay grade.
"Why am I getting this mission? This has nothing to do with Digimon," I mutter to myself, scratching my head.
Twenty supply boxes and some Digi-Boots are a tempting reward, but still. This is Tony Stark we're talking about. He's Iron Man! He usually saves everyone else. And now I have to save him? This comic book reality is getting weirder by the minute.
I mean, not that I have anything against the guy. It is just this whole situation is so random! Why is the system all of a sudden telling me to save him? Is there some secret Digimon connection I am missing?
"Gatomon! BlackGatomon! Wake up! We got a problem!"
Gatomon and BlackGatomon jolt upright, eyes wide. "What is it, Ethan? What's wrong?" Gatomon asks, concerned.
"Yeah, spill it! What's got you so freaked?" BlackGatomon asks.
"We have a new mission," I announce, holding up the Digivice.
"And?" Gatomon asks.
"To save Tony Stark," I state.
Gatomon and BlackGatomon exchange a look. "That's it?" Gatomon asks.
"Seriously? That's what you woke us up for?" BlackGatomon asks, rolling her eyes. "I mean, come on. We have Agumon. This should be easy for him."
Gatomon nods in agreement. "Yeah, just send Agumon. We can stay here and catch up on our beauty sleep."
Huh. They have a point. Agumon did just become Greymon. And Tony Stark is usually more than capable. I guess.
"You know what? You're right," I say, finally processing their words.
I roll my eyes at their laziness. "Alright, fine. I guess I could just send Agumon."
I turn to the couch, where Agumon is snoring away. "Hey, Agumon! Wake up, buddy! We got a job for you."
Agumon groans and rolls over, burying his face in a cushion. "Five more minutes, Ethan," he mumbles sleepily.
"No time for that, sleepyhead! We gotta go save Tony Stark," I say, shaking him awake.
Agumon sits up, rubbing his eyes. "Tony Stark? What's he got to do with us?"
"Apparently, everything. Come on, let's go," I say, grabbing his hand and pulling him up. I am going to leave those lazy cats in the Digi-Home.
I connect jump and materialize outside the apartment with Agumon. Behemoth sits there. I straddle Behemoth, and Agumon climbs on behind me. "Hang on tight, Agu," I say, revving the engine.
I pull up the map on the Digivice, and it leads us straight to Stark Industries. I follow the directions, weaving through traffic, until we reach the warehouse.
As we approach, I see a blur in the sky. I slow down. Two figures plummet from the heavens, crashing into the warehouse. It's Tony and Stane, locked in battle. What a mess.
I gun it toward the warehouse, spotting a makeshift ramp. I don't even think twice. I hit the ramp, and Behemoth soars over the fence.
I scan the scene. Stane is towering over Tony, ready to deliver a final blow. I can't let that happen. "Agumon, time to even the odds! Digivolve!" I shout, channeling every ounce of energy I have into the Digivice. I feel it surge.
A blinding light erupts from Agumon, and the air crackles with energy. When the light fades, Greymon stands tall. He lands between Stane and Tony with a ground-shaking thud.
I steer Behemoth around Greymon, pulling up beside him.
I can only imagine the looks on their faces under those metal masks. Stunned is probably an understatement. Greymon is huge. I can tell that his size is more than either of those armored suits. The orange scales and blue stripes contrast sharply against the gray asphalt and the metallic glint of Iron Man and Iron Monger.
Greymon takes a step toward them. His footsteps crack the asphalt.
"Alright, Greymon, let's-" I start to say, ready to sic him on Stane, but I'm cut off.
"Who the hell are you? Another one of Stark's lackeys?" Stane booms, his voice distorted by the Iron Monger suit. "Did he send you to finish me off?"
Wait, what?
Then, Tony chimes in, his voice equally distorted. "Who are you? Stane sent you, didn't he? Here to make sure I'm really dead?"
I gape at them. Seriously? They both think I'm working for the other guy? These two are hilarious!
A grin spreads across my face. This is too good to pass up.
"Woah, woah, hold on a sec, fellas," I say, raising my hands. "I'm not on anyone's side, alright? I'm just here to… well, let's just say I'm a free agent. My loyalty goes to the highest bidder."
"So, what you're saying is…" Tony starts, a note of calculation in his voice.
"Whoever can offer me the most money gets to walk away from this," I finish, cutting him off. "The other guy… well, let's just say Greymon here gets hungry."
The bidding war starts immediately.
"I'll give you ten million!" Stane roars.
"Twenty!" Tony snaps back.
The numbers keep climbing, faster and faster. It's insane! We're talking about real money here!
"A billion!" Stane shouts, his voice cracking with desperation.
"Two billion!" Tony retorts, not even hesitating.
Internally, I'm losing it. I have to stifle a laugh. This is the craziest thing I have ever done.
"Greymon," I whisper, leaning closer. "What is happening?"
I put on my best menacing face. "Just stand there and look big and scary, buddy. I got this."
"Three billion!" Stane screams, desperation lacing his voice. "That's all I got!"
Tony pauses for a second, then says, "I can't match that, but how about 5% of Stark Industries?"
My jaw nearly hits the floor. Five percent? That's not just some chump change. That's a lifetime supply of fancy dinners, penthouse suites, and maybe even my own private island! I was going to save Tony anyway. That is too good to pass up.
"Alright, Stark, you got yourself a deal!" I exclaim, a huge grin spreading across my face. "Greymon, take out the tin can in the bulkier armor!"
Greymon roars and charges at Stane, who raises his arms in defense. The Iron Monger unleashes a barrage of bullets, gatling guns and rockets, but they bounce harmlessly off Greymon's scales. It's like Stane is trying to swat a fly with a feather duster.
Greymon lowers his head and slams into Stane.
"Great Horns Attack!"
The Iron Monger suit buckles under the impact. The force of the blow lifts Stane off his feet. Before Stane can recover, Greymon bites down on the Iron Monger, his teeth crunching through metal. He thrashes his head back and forth, ripping chunks of armor. Pieces of metal rain down around us.
With a final heave, Greymon throws Stane to the ground. The Iron Monger suit lies in a heap, completely wrecked. Stane lays there, groaning, his armor nothing more than scraps of metal. Looks like he's not feeling so tough anymore.
***
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