Let's reach 150 Power Stones for an extra chapter
***
-Ethan-
Ugh... my head. Where am I?
My eyes flutter open, adjusting to the familiar sight of the Digi-Home. The open field stretches before me, the sky a calming shade of blue. I sit up, a wave of dizziness washing over me.
What happened?
I rack my brain, trying to piece together the fragmented memories. Stane... Golemon... Devimon. We were fighting at Midtown High. Then Devimon showed up, stronger than anything we'd faced before.
I recall Gatomon and BlackGatomon attacking, protecting me from his Touch of Evil. And then... nothing. Everything faded to black.
I clutch my head. I thought I was going to die. I heard a voice... a familiar one, but I can't quite place it.
"You're awake, chu~!"
I look to my left and see Cutemon sitting beside me, a worried expression on its face.
"Cutemon? What... what happened?"
"We were so worried, chu~! You suddenly appeared here, all beat up! Gatomon and BlackGatomon were really hurt, too!"
My heart sinks. Gatomon and BlackGatomon! I remember Devimon hitting them with Guilty Claw. A surge of guilt courses through me. If I hadn't been so reckless, maybe they wouldn't have gotten hurt.
"Gatomon and BlackGatomon... are they okay? What happened to Devimon?"
Cutemon nods, its big eyes shining with relief.
"Don't worry, chu! They're resting now. I healed them as best I could. They took a lot of damage, chu! They're tough cookies, though!"
"I need to see them," I say, pushing myself up.
"But, Ethan, chu~! You're hurt too! You should rest, chu!" Cutemon protests, tugging at my sleeve. "You need to save your energy, chu!"
"I'll be fine," I insist, ignoring the throbbing in my head. "I just need to know they're okay."
I carefully make my way towards the little house that serves as our base here in the Digi-Home. I push open the door and see Gatomon and BlackGatomon lying on a makeshift bed of blankets and pillows. Their usually sleek fur is matted, and I can see bruises blooming on their bodies, even beneath their gloves.
My stomach twists. I kneel beside them, gently touching Gatomon's arm. I see Cutemon following me.
"I'll heal them as best I can, chu~! But they'll need to rest for a couple of days, chu!"
"Thanks, Cutemon."
I pat both of them, feeling a wave of self-reproach wash over me. Their breathing is shallow, and they don't stir. I should have been stronger. I should have protected them. Instead, they risked their lives for me, and nearly paid the ultimate price. We got lucky this time, but what about next time?
"I'm so sorry," I whisper, my voice cracking. "This is my fault. I failed you. I failed as a Tamer."
Just then, Agumon and Gabumon trot into the house, looking a little worse for wear themselves. And what's this? Gabumon carefully cradles a Digi-Egg in his furry paws.
"Ethan!" Agumon exclaims, his eyes widening with relief as he spots me. "We're so glad you're safe!"
Gabumon nods in agreement, his gaze shifting to the injured felines. "We were worried about Gatomon and BlackGatomon, too, Ethan. Are they going to be alright?"
"Cutemon is healing them," I say, gesturing towards the little healer, "They're tough, they will be back to normal soon."
Agumon and Gabumon exchange a concerned glance. It's clear they're shaken up by the sight of their "older sisters" laid out like this.
"Did we defeat Devimon?" Agumon asks, tilting his head.
"I don't know," I admit, feeling a fresh wave of frustration. "One minute, we were getting our asses kicked, and the next, I was waking up here."
I glance at my Digivice, tapping the screen. "System, was Devimon eliminated?"
[Affirmative.]
"Who eliminated Devimon?" I press, eager to know who saved my bacon.
[The System is unable to provide that information.]
"What the hell does that mean?" I ask out loud.
[An external factor interfered at the moment of your return to the Digi-Home. The identity of the entity responsible for Devimon's defeat has been concealed.]
That's... not helpful. So someone, or something, powerful stepped in and saved us, but the System can't, or won't, tell me who? That's just great. Another mystery to add to the pile.
"What external factor?"
The System is silent.
"System?"
Still nothing. Great.
Whoever it was, they saved my life, and the lives of Gatomon and BlackGatomon. One day, I swear I'm going to figure out who they are, and I'm going to thank them. I owe them everything.
My gaze drifts back to Gabumon, who's still holding the Digi-Egg. I narrow my eyes, focusing on the swirling patterns of data on its surface.
"Hey, Agumon," I say, gesturing towards the egg. "Is that Golemon's Digi-Egg?"
Agumon nods solemnly, his usual cheerful demeanor replaced with a look of concern. "Yes, Ethan. After Golemon was defeated, this is all that remained."
Well, that's just great. The last thing I need is another Digimon running around, especially one connected to Obadiah Stane. I need to get rid of that egg ASAP.
"Can you give it to me?" I ask, reaching out my hand. "I need to send it back to the Digital World before it causes any more trouble."
Agumon hesitates for a moment, clutching the Digi-Egg tightly. But after seeing the serious look on my face, he carefully places it in my outstretched palm.
I take a deep breath and hold the egg in my hand, feeling its strange energy pulsing against my skin. This thing is nothing but trouble. Pointing the Digivice at the egg, I activated the "Transfer" function. The Digi-Egg shimmers with digital energy, then vanishes in a flash of light, leaving my hand empty.
"Alright," I say, sighing with relief. "One less thing to worry about."
Just then, the System's voice blares through the room, breaking the tense silence.
[Mission: Stop Obadiah Stane and the Evil Digimon from Destroying Midtown High! COMPLETED!]
[Reward: Supply Boxes x20!]
[Level Up!]
[Level 7 -> 8]
I can't say I'm thrilled. Okay, yeah, technically the mission is done, and we're all still alive, which is a plus. But let's be real here – it was a fluke. Pure, dumb luck. We were outmatched, outgunned, and completely at the mercy of some random good Samaritan who decided to swoop in and save our necks.
That's not a situation I ever want to be in again. Ever.
I clench my fists, a new resolve hardening my gaze. No more half-assing it. No more relying on blind chance. I am going to become stronger. I need to be stronger.
I need to make sure this never happens again.
I'm not going to sit back and wait for someone else to bail me out. I'm going to take control, to push myself to the limit, and become the kind of Tamer who can handle anything the universe throws my way. No matter what the cost.
I glance at the prone forms of Gatomon and BlackGatomon, their faces peaceful in slumber. They're counting on me, even if they don't say it. I won't let them down again.
***
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