Let's reach 500 Power Stones for an extra chapter
***
Okay, so, Mr. Fear is locked up, Phantomon is chilling in the Digital World as a Digi-Egg, and Daredevil is back to patrolling Hell's Kitchen. On the surface, things are back to normal. But that fight, that Shadowstone thing… it's got me freaked out. It isn't enough to know that this world is full of super powered humans, I need to be ready for what happens when that is fused with digimon.
If a low-rent psycho like Mr. Fear could cause that much damage with a freakin' Soulmon, what happens when a real supervillain gets his hands on a Shadowstone?
I shudder, picturing it. Loki, bonded with some mega-powerful Virus type? Killian, juiced up by a dark Digimon, actually managing to take down Tony? Thanos, with a literal army of corrupted monsters at his command? The power levels would be catastrophic. Unimaginable. Game over, man. Game over!
And that's not even mentioning the whole Shademon thing. That creeping despair, that insidious corruption… the Abyssal Abomination was a freakin' nightmare. And all this because of a Shadowstone, and its master Jokermon. That clown. The last time that I saw a clown I thought was menacing was Pennywise.
The biggest problem, though, is that I'm basically flying blind here. The Digivice is awesome for finding regular rogue Digimon, but this Shadowstone energy, this dark influence… it's like static on the radar. It doesn't know what to look for, can't filter it out from all the other craziness that's floating around this city. The Digivice can't tell me where Jokermon and his Shadowstones are hiding.
I need a better way to track this crap. And fast. The digital world is vast and expansive, I am but one guy with a couple of cats.
I pace my apartment, running a hand through my hair. Gatomon and BlackGatomon watch me, their expressions a mix of concern and curiosity. Agumon is in the Digi-Home, sleeping off what had happened. It has been an eventfull night.
"We'll figure it out, Ethan," Gatomon says softly, her voice cutting through my thoughts. "We always do."
"Yeah, what's the big deal?" BlackGatomon chimes in, a hint of her usual sass returning. "We took down that freakshow in the skull mask, didn't we? We can handle whatever's next."
I appreciate the vote of confidence, but I know this is different. This isn't just about raw power. It's about tracking something hidden, something insidious, something that's already starting to corrupt the world around us.
Then it hits me. The Ancient One.
I pull out my Digivice, scrolling through my contacts. I remember her giving me her number, saying she could help. A master of the mystic arts… if anyone knows how to track down dark energy and twisted magic, it's her.
Yeah, it's a long shot, but it's the best lead I've got. And honestly, at this point, I'm desperate enough to try anything.
I take a deep breath and tap the screen, dialing the Ancient One.
The line rings once, twice… and then a calm, serene voice answers. "Ethan Kepler? I was wondering when you might call." Her voice is even more serene than the last time.
"Hey, uh, Ancient One," I stammer, a little thrown off by her knowing I was going to call. "It's Ethan. Look, I know this is kinda out of the blue, but I could really use your help."
"I suspected as much. Tell me, what troubles you?"
I quickly explain the Shadowstone situation, the Mr. Fear incident, and my growing fear of what's to come.
When I'm done, there's a moment of silence. Then, she speaks, her voice grave. "I see. This is indeed a grave matter, Ethan. The Shadowstones… they are a corruption of the balance, a perversion of the natural order."
"So, can you help me?" I ask, my voice laced with hope. "Can you track down this Jokermon and these Shadowstones?"
"Perhaps," she says, her tone measured. "I may have something that could assist you. It is not specifically designed for such a task, but it may prove… useful."
"Really? What is it?" I ask, my heart skipping a beat.
"A meeting is required. I will open a gateway to my location."
And then, just like that, a swirling vortex of orange and gold light tears open in the middle of my living room, right in front of my dusty TV. Seriously? I just cleaned this place.
On the other side, I see a tranquil courtyard bathed in sunlight. Lush greenery surrounds a small stone table where the Ancient One sits cross-legged, calmly sipping tea from a delicate porcelain cup. It's like a damn commercial for inner peace.
"Well, that's convenient," I mutter, shaking my head.
"Come, Ethan," she calls, gesturing with her free hand. "Time is of the essence."
With a wary glance at Gatomon and BlackGatomon, who look just as bewildered as I feel, I step through the portal. The transition is seamless, like walking through a warm curtain. One moment, I'm in my cramped, messy apartment; the next, I'm in a serene, sun-drenched oasis. Talk about a serious upgrade.
"Thanks for seeing me on such short notice, Ancient One," I say, trying to sound a little more composed. I try to focus on the task at hand and get down to business. "So, this thing you have… what is it?"
She sets down her teacup with a gentle clink, her gaze piercing. "It is an artifact passed down through generations of sorcerers. It was crafted to locate demonic energies." She states it plainly, as if this is a daily discussion she has.
"Demonic energies?" I raise an eyebrow. "So, it's like a demon detector?"
"In essence, yes," she confirms. "However, I must stress that its effectiveness on Digimon, particularly those corrupted by the Shadowstone, is… uncertain. It has never been tested on anything quite like this."
She reaches into the folds of her robes and produces a small, intricately carved wooden box. It looks ancient, the wood worn smooth with age, with symbols etched into its surface that I can't even begin to decipher.
With a flick of her wrist, she opens the box, revealing a smooth, obsidian stone that pulsates with a faint, inner light. "This is the Amulet of Azazel. It is attuned to the frequencies of dark energies. If the Shadowstone, or those connected to it, emit a similar signature, this may guide you." She states it with a little hope, and a small air of uncertainty.
She hands me the amulet. It's surprisingly warm to the touch, and I can feel a faint tingling sensation as I hold it. It feels ancient and powerful.
"Whoa," I murmur, examining the artifact. "This is… intense. Thanks, Ancient One. Seriously, I really appreciate this."
"Gratitude is welcome, but action is paramount, Ethan," she says, her voice firm. "This task is of vital importance. Not just to the world, but to many others."
"I understand," I say, my grip tightening on the amulet. "I won't let you down. And I'll keep you posted, I promise."
"I trust that you will," she says, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "Now, return. Time is fleeting."
With a nod, I turn and step back through the portal, finding myself once again in the familiar chaos of my apartment. The gateway vanishes behind me, leaving only the faint scent of incense and a renewed sense of purpose. I'm back in my apartment, with Gatomon and BlackGatomon still watching me. I give them a nod.
"Alright," I say, a surge of determination coursing through me. "Time to go hunting."
I stare at the amulet in my hand. It feels heavier now, as if it's absorbing some of my own resolve.
This is going to be a long, hard fight. But with this little piece of ancient tech, I feel like I have a real chance of evening the odds. It is something that may actually work, or not. I feel a spark of hope.
***
Donate Power Stones to support this novel
Advance chapters in patreon.com/Najicablitz