Let's reach 250 Power Stones for an extra chapter
***
This past week has been a major pain in the ass. Each night, I'd slap on the Digi-Camo, grab the Amulet of Azazel, and hit the streets. The goal? Track down Jokermon and those damn Shadowstones before some other loser got their hands on them. The Amulet of Azazel was supposed to be my secret weapon, but it's more like a temperamental GPS. I'd spend hours chasing after the faintest blips, convinced I was about to bust some major operation.
Instead, I get nothing. The energy signature just fades away, leaving me standing in some dark alley, wondering if I'm going crazy. On a few occasions, the amulet actually worked, leading me to some small-time thugs who'd bonded with corrupted Digimon. Honestly, they were more annoying than dangerous. I'd send their Digimon back to the Digital World and swipe the Shadowstones. They never knew anything about Jokermon, just that some weirdo offered them power.
Level 17, and still nothing. What a waste of time! I'm still frustrated as hell, and I know that every Shadowstone out there is a ticking time bomb. Sooner or later, some real psycho is going to get one, and then I'll have a real problem on my hands.
This wild-goose chase is getting me nowhere. Besides, I've been skipping school for a week now. Gwen's probably starting to think I'm ditching her again.
Stepping back into Midtown High felt weird. It's only been a week, but after everything that's happened, it feels like a lifetime. As I walk through the halls, I see Gwen and Peter standing by their lockers.
"Ethan! Where have you been?" Gwen asks, her voice laced with concern. "We were so worried!"
Peter nods, adjusting his glasses. "Yeah, man. Everything okay?"
I shrug, trying to play it cool. "Just dealing with some stuff. Nothing to worry about."
"Easy for you to say, you are always disappearing," Gwen retorts, narrowing her eyes. "You missed the Oscorp field trip, and Peter got sick that day."
Peter sick? So Peter got the Spider bite, huh? I missed the whole radioactive spider drama, but I guess it's no surprise that Peter got tagged. I knew it was coming eventually.
"You okay, Peter?" I ask, trying to sound casual.
Peter shifts uncomfortably. "It wasn't a big deal. I just felt a little sick afterward, but I'm fine now."
Yeah, "fine" as in about to develop superpowers and become Spider-Man. I try to hide my amusement. Peter is going to be the Spider-Man of this world, and is a main event that I have to stop.
"You been hitting the gym or something, Pete?" I tease, bumping his shoulder. "You look like you could bench press a car."
Peter flinches, nearly denting his locker. "Uh, no. Why?"
I smirk. "Just saying, you seem… stronger than usual."
He shrugs, his cheeks flushing slightly. "Maybe I've been carrying Aunt May's groceries more often."
Right. Groceries. I definitely buy that.
"Alright, alright," I say, holding up my hands. "Just looking out for my boy."
Before the conversation continues, some teacher calls my name, "Ethan Kepler!"
I look over and see Mr. Warren, tapping his foot impatiently. "Kepler, my office. Now."
I sigh. "Looks like my vacation is over. I'll catch you guys later."
Gwen gives me a sympathetic look. "Good luck."
As I head toward Mr. Warren's office, Gwen and Peter were in a discussion. The teacher wants to know why I have been absent for the last week. After I give him some lame excuse, he hands me a detention slip.
"Kepler, you can't just skip school whenever you feel like it. This is a warning. Another absence, and I'll have to report you to the principal."
"Yes, sir," I reply.
I find Gwen waiting for me outside the office. "Detention?" she asks.
"Yep," I say, "Guess I pushed my luck."
"I tried to cover for you, but I couldn't keep making up excuses forever," she says. "Sorry."
"It's cool, Gwen. I get it," I say, trying not to sound too annoyed. "I should have known better."
Well, this sucks.
As I walk through the halls, I realize something. Uncle Ben. I need to check on Uncle Ben. In every Spider-Man origin story, Uncle Ben gets killed. It's like a canon event, a necessary sacrifice for Peter to become the hero he's meant to be. But this isn't a comic book, it is real life. And I'm not going to let that happen.
"Hey, Peter," I say, catching up with him at his locker. "I was wondering, is it cool if I stop by your place after school? I haven't seen Aunt May and Uncle Ben in a while."
Peter smiles. "Sure, Ethan! They'd love to see you. You know how much they like you."
"Great, I'm going to be late because I got some detention."
"Alright! See you after school."
As Peter walks away, I can't help but feel a sense of urgency. Uncle Ben's death is a fixed point in the timeline, a tragedy that sets Peter on his path. I need to make sure that the same thing does not happen in this world.
The school day drags on, and I can't focus on anything. My mind is too preoccupied with Peter and Uncle Ben. Every time Peter laughs or makes a joke, I can't help but think about the tragedy that's supposed to be in his future. I won't let it happen.
Finally, the bell rings, signaling the end of the day. I rush out of class and find Peter waiting for me by the entrance.
We start walking toward Peter's house, and just as we hit the sidewalk, we run into Gwen. Figures.
"Hey, guys! What are you up to?" she asks, falling into step with us.
"Going to my place," Peter says, grinning. "Ethan hasn't seen Aunt May and Uncle Ben in forever."
"Oh, can I come too?" Gwen asks, her eyes widening slightly. "I haven't seen them in a while either."
I shoot Peter a look, but he seems oblivious. "Sure, Gwen! The more, the merrier!"
As we walk, Gwen leans in close to me, lowering her voice to a whisper. "Hey, Ethan, something weird happened the other night."
"What's up?" I ask, trying to sound nonchalant.
"Remember how I said that I had to take the long way home the other day?"
"Yeah, why?"
"Well, I think I met a Digimon."
I stop walking and stare at Gwen with concern, "You okay? Did it hurt you? Are you sure you're alright, Gwen?"
"I'm fine, Ethan," she says, waving her hand dismissively. "It didn't attack me or anything. It seemed kind of… nice, actually. Just seemed lost."
I frown, processing this. "Lost, huh? Well I'll look into it, don't worry."
"Really?" Her face lights up. "Can I come with you? I want to talk to her."
I raise an eyebrow. "You sure about that, Gwen? It could be dangerous."
"I'll be fine. I can take care of myself," she says, puffing out her chest slightly. "Besides, I want to see her again."
I sigh, knowing that arguing with her is pointless. "Alright, fine. You can come along."
"Great!" she squeals, grabbing my arm excitedly.
***
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