Extra Chapter
Let's reach 450 Power Stones for an extra chapter
***
"Ugh, my butt is killing me," I groan, shifting in the saddle. MailBirdramon's back is about as comfortable as sitting on a metal park bench for hours. "Are we there yet?"
MailBirdramon's voice echoes from the Digivice. "Approaching Peruvian airspace, Ethan. ETA fifteen minutes."
"Fifteen more minutes of this torture," I mutter. "I swear, next time, I'm bringing a cushion."
I stare down at the landscape below, a patchwork of green fields and rugged mountains. Peru looks pretty awesome. Maybe after I deal with this Rogue Digimon, I can take some time to be a tourist.
"Alright, MailBirdramon," I say, "find me a secluded spot outside of whatever the nearest city is. I need to stretch my legs before we go hunting."
"Acknowledged," MailBirdramon responds, adjusting course.
A few minutes later, we land in a dusty field miles away from any sign of civilization. The air is hot and dry, a stark contrast to the humid jungle I just left in the Digi-Home. I hop off MailBirdramon's back, wincing as my muscles protest.
"Thanks, big guy. You earned a break."
With a flash of light, MailBirdramon dematerializes, returning to the Digivice. I stretch, cracking my back. "Okay, Peru, let's see what you've got."
The Digivice is telling me that the nearest city is about 30 miles that way. I shrug. Might as well hoof it. It's better than nothing.
After a few hours of walking, I finally reach a bustling Peruvian city. The air is filled with the smells of street food and exhaust fumes, and the sounds of vendors hawking their wares. I take it all in, trying to soak up the local atmosphere. Maybe I can pick up a souvenir or two before I have to deal with another rogue Digimon.
"Alright, time to play tourist," I say to myself, pulling out the Digivice. I check the map to see if the Rogue Digimon is nearby. It isn't. "Good, that means I can explore for a bit."
I wander through the crowded streets, checking out the local shops and admiring the colorful architecture. The Digivice is still in my pocket, and I hope I can get some clues about the Rogue Digimon. Maybe I can find some locals who have seen something strange. I'll try to see if there is anything worth seeing in this city.
I make it a point to chat with a few locals, trying to casually steer the conversation toward the Amazon. I ask about anything weird happening in the rainforest recently.
I order a drink from a street vendor, a sweet, milky concoction that actually isn't half bad. "Say, amigo," I ask, trying to sound like a harmless tourist, "you hear anything interesting about the Amazon lately? Any strange animals or anything?"
The vendor shrugs, wiping down the counter. "Just the usual stories, señor. The jungle is a dangerous place. Always has been."
I press a little more. "Yeah, but anything new? Anything out of the ordinary?"
He pauses, thinking. "Well... there was that group of zoologists. Went on an expedition a few weeks ago. Never came back. Found their bodies... dismembered. Real nasty stuff."
"Dismembered, huh?" I try to keep my voice steady. "Any idea what did it?"
"Some say it was a jaguar, gone mad," he replies, lowering his voice. "Others say it was something... bigger. Something they've never seen before. A giant animal, they say."
"Interesting." That definitely sounds like a Digimon. I need more info.
I move on, asking similar questions at a few other shops and stalls. The story is mostly the same, but then a shopkeeper adds another layer to the mystery.
"There's also been rumors about some military group," she whispers, glancing around nervously. "Heard they've been going in and out of the rainforest. No one knows who they are or what they're doing."
A military group? Now that's definitely interesting. Are they hunting the Digimon? Or are they after something else entirely? Either way, it doesn't sound good. I have to make my move before they capture the Digimon or start racking up a body count.
"Thanks for the info," I say, giving her a nod. "I appreciate it."
I turn away, pulling out my Digivice. "Alright, time to head into the Amazon,"
I find a secluded spot on the outskirts of the city. I can't wait to find that rogue Digimon.
"MailBirdramon, let's go!"
In a flash of light, my avian partner materializes. I hop onto his back, gripping his metal feathers for dear life. "Amazon, here we come!"
We soar into the sky, leaving the city behind. As we approach the rainforest, I hear a. It sounds like explosions and gunfire, which makes me wonder who the military group from the store was.
"What the heck is going on down there?" I ask, peering over the edge.
Below, I see the source of the commotion. A massive, insectoid Digimon is tearing through a convoy of military vehicles. It's got a crimson carapace and black musculature, four arms, and two huge, mandible-like pincers where its head should be. It looks like a warrior stag beetle from hell.
[Kuwagamon]
[Level: Champion]
[Type: Insectoid]
[Attribute: Virus]
[Special Move: Scissor Claw]
[An Insectoid Digimon with giant pincers on its head. Like Kabuterimon, Kuwagamon possesses combat abilities far surpassing those of its kin inhabiting File Island. While Kuwagamon enjoys the protection of its strength and sturdy shell, it uses the power of its pincers to squeeze the life out of any foe it catches. It has a completely hostile relationship with the Vaccine-type Kabuterimon. It can use its special move Scissor Claw to easily cut through tough objects.]
"Guess I don't need to search for it after all," I say to MailBirdramon. "Looks like it found us."
This Kuwagamon is definitely strong enough to leave a dent on Earth.
"Okay, MailBirdramon, let's get its attention," I order. "I want you to use your Plasma Cannon."
"Plasma Cannon!"
MailBirdramon obeys instantly, unleashing a blast of energy. The attack connects with the Kuwagamon, staggering it back. The blast must have hurt because the Kuwagamon roars in fury. It stops attacking the soldiers and swivels its head towards us.
Oh, crap. Now it is really angry.
With a furious shriek, the Kuwagamon takes to the air, its wings buzzing. It starts to fly straight towards MailBirdramon and me.
"Alright, MailBirdramon, brace yourself. This is gonna be a tough one."
"Understood, Ethan," MailBirdramon says. "Locking onto target."
The Kuwagamon closes the distance fast, its pincers snapping. MailBirdramon banks sharply, narrowly avoiding the attack. The air screams as Kuwagamon gives chase. MailBirdramon is fast but the Kuwagamon is faster.
"Plasma Cannon!" MailBirdramon shouts.
A barrage of energy blasts erupts from MailBirdramon's mouth, forcing the insectoid Digimon to dodge and weave. The sky is now a web of light and metal as the two battle. The blasts are close, but no cigar.
"It's too agile," I mutter, clutching MailBirdramon's back. "We need an edge."
The Kuwagamon suddenly dives, attempting to ram MailBirdramon head-on. At the last second, MailBirdramon twists, narrowly avoiding the blow. The Kuwagamon goes careening past, losing altitude. I see an opportunity.
"MailBirdramon, now! Nighthawk!" I yell.
MailBirdramon flips into a dive, gaining speed. The tables have turned as we start trailing the other Digimon. Just as we get close enough, Kuwagamon whips around, and we are face-to-face with the bug again.
The Kuwagamon's scissor claws meet MailBirdramon's metal armor. Sparks fly as the two Digimon collide. We are forced to break off the assault. It looks like it has been doing some damage.
The dogfight is intense, with both combatants exchanging blows and near misses. The military convoy is now just a distant memory. All the focus is on winning this fight.
The momentum shifts again when the Kuwagamon manages to get behind MailBirdramon. It clamps its pincers onto MailBirdramon's wing. The metal groans under the pressure.
"MailBirdramon, break free!" I shout.
MailBirdramon struggles, but the Kuwagamon's grip is too strong. We are going down.
"Not if I can help it," I growl.
I quickly open the Digivice app, scrolling through my Digi-Modify cards. I find the Speed Plug-In H a new Digi-Modify card he got. It's time to give us an edge.
"Here goes nothing," I say, tapping the card icon. "Digi-Modify, activate!"
The Digivice flares with energy as I hold it aloft. "Card Scan! Speed Plug-In H!"
A surge of power courses through MailBirdramon, and his form glows with a blue light. I can feel the increase in speed as his wings beat faster.
"Alright, MailBirdramon, let's see what you can do with that extra juice!" I yell.
MailBirdramon roars, breaking free of the Kuwagamon's grip with newfound speed. We are zooming through the sky. The Kuwagamon looks shocked and struggles to keep up.
With our increased speed, MailBirdramon launches a relentless assault. Plasma Cannons rain down on the Kuwagamon, each blast hitting with greater force. The Kuwagamon tries to dodge, but MailBirdramon is too fast, too precise.
Finally, one of the Plasma Cannons strikes a critical hit, hitting Kuwagamon right in the chest. The insectoid Digimon cries out, its body convulsing. Its form dissolves into data, and a DigiEgg falls from the sky.
"Yes!" I pump my fist in the air. "You did it, MailBirdramon!"
I leap off MailBirdramon's back, snagging the DigiEgg. It felt warm in my hands, the essence of a defeated foe.
MailBirdramon circles beside me, graceful as always. I land back on his back, the thrill of the victory still coursing through my veins.
My Digivice pings, and I get a notification.
[Level Up!]
[Level 8 -> 9]
"Alright, that's one down, a couple more to go," I say to MailBirdramon, grinning. Level nine? Not bad. Just one level away from being able to use the Human Spirit of Thunder, which is something that I was hoping to do.
***
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