Let's reach 400 Power Stones for an extra chapter
***
I follow Coulson deeper into the ship, and it's like stepping into a sci-fi movie set. The control room is a whirlwind of blinking lights, holographic displays, and agents barking orders into headsets. It's way more intense than any LAN party I've ever been to.
The SHIELD agents eye me as I walk past. Curiosity is written all over their faces. I can practically hear their thoughts: Who's the kid? Where'd he get the bird?
I ignore them, focusing on Coulson as he leads me to a central console. This place is a sensory overload, but I can't let them see me sweat.
"Alright, Cipher," Coulson says, gesturing to the screen. "This is what we've got."
The screen flickers to life, displaying a map of the Pacific Ocean. A single red dot pulses erratically.
"As you can see, it's not much," Coulson admits, a hint of frustration in his voice. "We've been tracking its movements for weeks, but it's like chasing a ghost. It's fast, it's elusive, and it seems to disappear at will. It would be easier if we could figure out its patterns or even why it is doing this."
"So, you're telling me you have nothing?" I ask, raising an eyebrow. "Just a blip on a screen? That's it?"
"We have more than that," Coulson retorts. "We have this."
He taps a button, and the map disappears, replaced by a grainy video feed. The footage is shaky, dark, and clearly taken from a submarine.
"This is from the submarine we lost a few days ago," Coulson explains grimly. "It's the last transmission we received before they went silent."
I brace myself. I've seen some messed-up stuff in this world, but something tells me this is going to be on a whole other level.
The video starts, showing the interior of the submarine. Two SHIELD agents are huddled around a sonar screen, their faces illuminated by the green glow. They are talking to each other but their voices are muted.
Suddenly, the sonar screen explodes with chaotic energy. A massive shape appears, dwarfing the submarine.
"What the hell is that?" one of the agents mouths.
Then, all hell breaks loose.
A screech of metal fills the video, followed by the sound of alarms blaring. The lights flicker and die, plunging the submarine into darkness.
The camera shakes violently. The sound of crushing metal is deafening.
"We're under attack! I repeat, we're under attack!" a distorted voice shouts over the radio.
Then, silence.
The video feed cuts out, leaving only static. I stare at the screen, my stomach churning. Even though I knew it was coming, the gruesome nature of the footage still got to me.
"Damn," I mutter, shaking my head. "That's… that's rough."
Coulson nods grimly. "It's worse than rough, Cipher. That was a team of experienced SHIELD agents. They didn't stand a chance."
"So, what exactly did they see?" I ask.
"That's what we're hoping you can tell us," Coulson replies. "We know it was big, we know it was strong, and we know it was capable of taking down a state-of-the-art submarine. But beyond that… we're in the dark."
He turns back to the screen, his eyes narrowed. "All we know is that something out there is hunting."
I think back to the codex on the Digivice. There are many aquatic Digimon, but if I had to guess, it would be one of the more well known. A serpent, a sea dragon?
"Can you pull up the footage again?" I ask.
Coulson glances at me, a hint of surprise in his eyes. "You think you saw something?"
"Maybe," I shrug, trying to play it cool. "Just want to take another look."
He nods and rewinds the video, his fingers flying across the console. The shaky footage replays, and I focus on the sonar screen, trying to ignore the screams and the sound of crushing metal. This time, I am prepared. I know where to look.
As the massive shape appears, I hit pause. The image is blurry and distorted, but it's enough. I squint, recognizing the long, serpentine body, the sharp teeth, and the cold, predatory glint in its eyes.
"That's a Seadramon," I state, pointing at the screen. "Champion level. Aquatic type. Big, mean, and loves to freeze stuff."
Coulson's face scrunches up in confusion. "Champion level? What does that even mean?"
"It's like... a power ranking," I explain. "Think of it like this: You got your rookies, which are like street-level thugs. Then you got Champions, which are a step up, strong enough to take down tanks, on average. Then it gets worse, with Ultimates, like a localized disaster. But the Mega level? Now that's an extinction event waiting to happen. Of course, the strength varies, but that's just a generalization."
Coulson's face hardens as he listens, his eyes narrowing. I can practically see the gears turning in his head, as he thinks about the implications of what I'm saying. "So, what you are telling me is that are more powerful Digimon than this Seadramon?"
"Yeah, but as long as the trouble is Digimon, you can leave it to me. I got this. You guys deal with aliens, super soldiers, and whatever else you weirdos handle. Let me take care of the digital monsters." I say, flashing a cocky grin.
It's time to drag this overgrown sea snake to the surface and give it a taste of Tamer justice.
I turn and head back to the top deck, leaving Coulson and his agents to ponder the implications of my words. Honestly, they're probably thinking I'm some kind of super-powered weirdo. And, well, they're not exactly wrong.
The wind whips through my hair as I reach the deck. I stare out at the vast expanse of the Pacific, trying to figure out how to lure Seadramon out of hiding. I need bait, something that will pique its interest and draw it to the surface.
Then, it hits me. I rummage through my Digivice, pulling up the Digi-Memory function. I recall I have a Betamon Digi-Memory, that ought to work.
One Betamon is not going to cut it, and, luckily, the System shop is surprisingly cheap when it comes to those little guys. I spent a few coins and now I'm ready to get this show on the road.
"Alright, time to make some noise," I mutter to myself, smirking.
I raise the Digivice, pointing it at the ocean, and activate the Digi-Memory function. "Come, Betamons!"
With a flash of light, fifteen Betamon materialize on the deck, flopping around like confused green tadpoles.
These little guys are pretty goofy. Their bodies are bluish-green and slick, like a mix between a frog and a lizard. They have these cute, stubby legs, and fins run down their backs, adding to the tadpole vibe. Their eyes are big and round, and they are looking around all over the place.
[Betamon]
[Level: Rookie]
[Type: Amphibian]
[Attribute: Virus]
[Special Move: Electric Shock]
[An Amphibian Digimon that walks on four legs. Betamon is a docile Digimon with a mild temperament, although it won't hesitate to unleash its special move Electric Shock when angered, attacking its enemies with over a million volts of electric current.]
"Alright, you little spark plugs," I yell, gesturing at the water. "Time to earn your keep! Go find that Seadramon and tell it Cipher says 'hi!'"
Coulson's jaw drops as he watches the scene unfold. His eyes dart from the cluster of Betamon to me, a mix of confusion and disbelief etched across his face. I can almost hear his internal monologue: Did he just summon an army of digital tadpoles? What is going on here?
Before he can ask, I give the order, "Alright, kids, into the drink! Let's go fishing!"
The Betamon seem to understand me perfectly. Maybe it's the Tamer connection, or maybe they just sensed the urgency in my voice. Whatever the reason, they waddle to the edge of the ship and, without hesitation, dive into the ocean. The water churns as they disappear beneath the surface.
Now all that is left is to wait.
***
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