Let's reach 250 Power Stones for an extra chapter
***
"Alright, let's get some answers," Daredevil says, his tone all business. "See if you can find any scientists who aren't completely freaked out."
Easier said than done.
The remaining Oscorp employees are a mess. Some are huddled in corners, muttering to themselves, while others are openly weeping. The Fear Gas really did a number on them. I spot a guy in a lab coat sitting amidst the rubble, staring blankly ahead. He seems like as good a place to start as any.
"Hey, you okay?" I ask, approaching him cautiously.
He flinches, his eyes widening with terror. "Stay back! Please! I don't want to go back there!"
"Hey, hey, it's alright. It's over," I say, trying to reassure him. "We're here to help."
Daredevil steps forward, his presence somehow both calming and intimidating.
"Tell us what happened," he says, his voice low and steady.
The scientist looks up at Daredevil and recoils in horror. "The devil! He's here! He's come for me!"
Okay, this guy is definitely not alright.
"Uh, maybe this isn't working," I say to Daredevil. "He's too far gone. Got any other ideas?"
Daredevil shakes his head. "We don't have time for this. We need information, now."
I consider our options. Then, it hits me. There's one Digimon who can fix this.
"Cutemon, get out here!" I call, summoning the little pink rabbit from the Digivice.
Cutemon materializes in a burst of light, looking around with wide, innocent eyes. "What's wrong, chu~? Is everyone okay?"
"Not really," I say. "This guy's been hit with some kind of fear gas, and he's not making any sense. Can you help him?"
Cutemon nods eagerly. "Of course! I'll do my best, chu~!"
The little Digimon hops over to the scientist and gently places a paw on his forehead. A soft, pink glow emanates from Cutemon, enveloping the scientist in a warm light.
"Healing Aura!" Cutemon chirps.
I watch, amazed, as the scientist's eyes begin to clear. The terror fades from his face, replaced by confusion.
"What… what happened?" he asks, blinking. "Where am I?"
"You're safe now," I say. "We're here to help."
He looks at Daredevil, then at me, then at Cutemon. His confusion only deepens.
"What… what is that thing?" he asks, pointing at Cutemon.
"That's Cutemon," I say. "He's a friend."
Daredevil is silent, his senses probably going haywire trying to process what just happened. I can practically feel his skepticism radiating off of him.
"You alright now? Can you remember anything that happened?" I ask the scientist.
He nods slowly. "I… I think so. There was a man… with a skull mask. He broke into the lab… with that… thing."
"Soulmon," I supply.
"Yes, that's it," the scientist says. "They were looking for something… a device. They knew exactly what they wanted."
"What kind of device?" Daredevil asks, his voice sharp.
The scientist frowns, trying to recall. "It was… the Atmospheric Dispersal Unit, a water evaporation device. Something we were working on for… large-scale desalination."
"Desalination?" I ask, confused. "What would he want with that?"
Daredevil's expression hardens. "I have an idea."
Before we can press him further, the sound of approaching sirens fills the air. The NYPD is on its way.
"That's our cue," Daredevil says. "We need to go."
I nod in agreement. "Right. Let's get out of here before we have to explain the Digimon to the cops."
We make our way out of the ruined lobby, leaving the dazed scientists to deal with the authorities. We need to talk more.
We reach the roof and jump to the next, where Behemoth is waiting.
"So," I say, once we're safely on the roof, "what was that about? What does Fear want with a water evaporation device?"
Daredevil is staring out at the city, his expression grim.
"I don't know for sure," he says, "but I have a feeling it's not about making clean water."
"Any thoughts on how to track Fear?" I ask, holding out the Digivice.
Daredevil shakes his head. "Can't say I can."
"Yeah, well. So much for having a cheat code," I say, then I look at Daredevil, "Any thoughts?"
"I can track him."
"How?"
"Smell. The Fear Gas, the mixture that he is making has a very... distinct scent. Not a good one. It's lingering in the air," Daredevil says. "I can follow it."
My mind is blown. This guy can smell where the bad guys went? That's insane!
"Alright, that's kinda cool," I admit. "So, where to?"
Daredevil pauses, his head tilted slightly as he concentrates. "That way," he says, pointing to the east. "Toward the docks."
"Alright, cool," I say, "Need a ride?"
I summon Behemoth, the motorcycle left outside of Oscorp stands and revs on its own. Behemoth started moving and arrived in front of me.
Daredevil raises an eyebrow, looking at the motorcycle. "That thing… it moves on its own?"
"It's got, uh, auto-navigating functions," I say, waving my hand dismissively. "Yeah."
"Auto-navigating, huh?" Daredevil asks, his voice laced with skepticism. "Does it also have a driver's seat that dispenses sarcasm?"
"Hey, the future is now, old man," I reply. "So, you want a ride or not?"
Daredevil hesitates for a moment, then shrugs. "Alright, let's go. But try to keep it under the speed limit."
"Sure thing, Officer," I say, grinning. "Hop on."
Daredevil swings his leg over the motorcycle, settling in behind me. I start the engine and with another question.
"Oh, hey. Quick question, do you have a license?"
"What? I've been driving since I was a kid!" I snap back.
"Mmm-hmm," Daredevil says.
I decide to ignore that.
"Hold on tight," I say, revving the engine. "This is gonna be a wild ride."
I hit the gas, and Behemoth shoots forward, weaving through traffic with unnatural agility. I glance in the mirror to see Daredevil holding on for dear life.
"So, uh, you sure about the docks?" I shout over the roar of the engine.
Daredevil nods grimly. "The scent is getting stronger. He's heading underground."
"Underground?" I ask, confused. "Where would he go underground?"
"There," Daredevil says, pointing to a dark, narrow alleyway. "The sewers."
I look at the alley, then back at Daredevil. "The sewers? Seriously?"
"Unless you have a better idea, Cipher, I suggest you just get down there and stop complaining," Daredevil says.
I groan, thinking about the last time I was in a sewer, "Ugh, sewers, why does it always have to be sewers?"
Gatomon grimaces. "Don't remind me. I still haven't gotten all the crud out of my fur from that time in Brazil."
BlackGatomon cackles, "Aww, did the little kitty get her paws dirty? You know you liked it."
"Shut it!"
"Alright, alright, enough!" I say. "Let's focus, people. This is not a field trip down memory lane."
I steer Behemoth into the alley and toward the open manhole cover.
"Hold your breath," I say to Daredevil as we plunge into the darkness. "This is gonna stink."
The stench hits us like a wall, a disgusting mix of sewage, mildew, and something indefinably foul. I can only imagine what Daredevil's enhanced senses are picking up.
Daredevil, however, remains unfazed. "He's close," he says, his voice barely a whisper.
We press forward, deeper into the labyrinthine tunnels. The air grows thicker, the stench more overpowering. Rats scurry in the shadows, their eyes gleaming in the darkness.
Finally, we reach a large chamber, the walls slick with moisture and grime. In the center of the chamber, I see them: Mr. Fear and Soulmon.
Mr. Fear is hunched over a massive tank, pouring large quantities of Fear Gas into the opening. Soulmon stands guard, its shadowy form flickering in the dim light.
"Well, well, well," Mr. Fear says, straightening up as he spots us. "Looks like we have company."
Daredevil steps forward, his fists clenched. "It's over, Fear. This ends now."
"I'm afraid you're mistaken," Mr. Fear says, a manic grin spreading across his face. "This is only the beginning."
Before Daredevil can react, Soulmon lunges forward, intercepting the Man Without Fear.
"Foolish heroes," Mr. Fear says, his voice dripping with disdain. "Did you really think you could stop me? You have no idea what I'm about to unleash."
He gestures to the massive tank, his eyes gleaming with madness.
"Behold," he says, "the culmination of my life's work! Soon, all of New York City will be bathed in a symphony of fear!"
"What is all that gas for?" I ask.
"Oh that, Chosen Child is Oscorp's Atmospheric Dispersal Unit. I plan to distribute the gas all across New York, everyone will get a dose! No one will be safe, even you!" Mr. Fear says, maniacally.
A shiver runs down my spine. This is it. This is his grand plan. He's going to use the stolen device to evaporate the Fear Gas into the city's atmosphere, blanketing New York in a wave of terror.
I look at Daredevil, his jaw tight. The situation has just gone from bad to apocalyptic. This is going to be a hell of a fight.
I look at BlackGatomon and Gatomon, who are ready to unleash their holy and unholy hell on Soulmon.
"Are you ready, Cipher?" BlackGatomon asks.
"Hell yeah."
***
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