Let's reach 250 Power Stones for an extra chapter
***
The metal door's slam reverberates through the warehouse, the sound cutting off my hope for an easy infiltration. The space shifts from a place of potential intel to a claustrophobic prison in a heartbeat.
Damn it!
"This is just great," I say, my voice echoing in the darkness. "Right when I thought I was being sneaky."
BlackGatomon's eyes pierce the gloom, twin crimson points of light. "Showoff."
"It's not my fault someone wanted to play house," I replied. "Okay, what's going on?"
The distorted voice crackles through hidden speakers, answering my question before I can even finish asking it. "Welcome, Chosen Child. You have stumbled into my little game. A game of survival."
The Amulet of Azazel warms against my chest, a frantic pulse against my skin, as I look for the source.
"What is this place?" I demanded.
"A maze, Chosen Child. A death maze, custom-designed to neutralize a pest like you. Consider it a…final exam." The voice morphs into a chilling digital laugh. "There is no escape."
I scowled. A maze? Seriously? "Yeah, I don't think so," I said. "I'm not trapped in here with you; you're trapped in here with me." I summoned. "Gatomon, BlackGatomon, let's go!"
Gatomon and BlackGatomon materialize beside me, their battle instincts already kicking in.
"A maze? How cliche," Gatomon says, her blue eyes narrowed, scanning the dimly lit corridors. "I thought villains were supposed to be original."
BlackGatomon snorts. "Please, Gatomon. This is child's play. I'll tear this place apart."
"Oh, please," Gatomon retorts, flicking her tail. "You'll probably get lost and end up triggering all the traps yourself."
"You wanna bet, goody-two-shoes?"
"Ladies," I say, trying to diffuse the situation before it escalates, "save the sisterly love for later. We need to focus."
Before they can argue, a glitching figure flickers into existence at the end of the corridor. It's Datamon, his single yellow eye gleaming malevolently.
"Well, well, well," Datamon's voice echoes through the warehouse, distorted and digital. "The Chosen Child. I've been expecting you."
Crap, he knows.
"Such predictable partners you have," Datamon says, tilting his head, his mechanical body creaking. "The holy feline and its corrupted counterpart. I have studied your Digimon extensively, Ethan Kepler, and have prepared countermeasures specifically designed to…neutralize them."
My gaze hardens, focusing on Datamon's form. Countermeasures or not, I wasn't about to back down. "Let's see what you've got, bucket of bolts."
The warehouse transforms. Sections of the walls slide open, revealing a network of twisting corridors. Red laser grids crisscross our path, humming with lethal energy. The floor vibrates ominously, hinting at dangers below.
"Looks like our tour starts now," I quip, trying to keep my tone light.
"Showtime," BlackGatomon says, a savage grin spreading across her face. "Let's paint this maze red."
Gatomon nods, her expression serious. "Stay alert, Ethan. Who knows what this maze has."
We advance into the maze, the air thick with tension. A pressure plate clicks beneath my foot, and the corridor ahead slams shut. Laser beams converge, forming a near-impenetrable barrier.
"Well, that's just rude," I remark, taking stock of the situation. "No exits in sight, and a limited supply of luck. Datamon's betting on attrition."
A rhythmic thumping grows louder. We spin around to see massive metal pistons descending from the ceiling, threatening to crush us.
"Think fast!" I yell.
Acting on pure instinct, I shove Gatomon and BlackGatomon towards a narrow alcove. The pistons slam down, pulverizing the section where we stood mere seconds before.
"That was close," Gatomon pants, her fur slightly singed from the heat.
"Thanks, Ethan," BlackGatomon says, a rare note of gratitude in her voice.
"No time for thank yous," I say, already assessing our escape options. The alcove is too small to stay in for long. I spot a section of weakened wall, riddled with cracks.
"Girls, cover me!" I yell.
Focusing all my strength, I launch myself at the wall. My fist connects with a satisfying crunch, and the weakened section crumbles, creating a small opening. I widen the hole with a series of powerful blows, the concrete dust stinging my eyes.
"Get through!" I shout.
BlackGatomon and Gatomon squeeze through the opening, and I follow, narrowly avoiding another set of descending pistons. We find ourselves in a storage room filled with crates. Pressure plates are visible on the floor, forming a deadly minefield.
"Think we can jump across?" I asked.
Gatomon shakes her head. "Too risky. One wrong step, and we're toast."
"I can see a pattern in the plate placement," BlackGatomon said. "I think I can lead us through."
BlackGatomon moves with feline grace, nimbly leaping across the crates, testing each landing before signaling us to follow. We navigate the treacherous path, our hearts pounding in our chests.
A low growl fills the air, and a section of the floor gives way, revealing a pit filled with spikes. We skirt the edge, our breath catching in our throats.
"This guy really wants us dead," I said.
"No kidding," Gatomon said. "He's not playing around. Whatever we do, we need to be ready for it."
I take point, scanning for danger. BlackGatomon leads the way and Gatomon hangs back, always watching our six. Suddenly, the storage room lights flicker and die, plunging us into complete darkness.
Not good.
Then, a high-pitched whine pierces the air, growing louder, closer. The crates around us begin to vibrate, rattling precariously.
"What's happening?" I shout over the din.
"Trap!" BlackGatomon yells, but her warning is too late.
With a deafening crash, a reinforced steel wall slams down from the ceiling, slicing through the storage room. I dive to my left, BlackGatomon right behind me, barely escaping being crushed.
Where's Gatomon?
I look up, and horror grips me. The wall has separated us. Gatomon is on the other side. Before I can react, the floor beneath her gives way, revealing another pit, but this one is filled with some kind of energy field. Gatomon plunges into the glowing pit.
"Gatomon!" I scream, scrambling towards the wall, desperate to reach her, but it's too late.
The wall is sealed tight, and the energy field flickers, then fades. Gatomon is gone.
"Gatomon!" BlackGatomon screams, clawing at the steel door.
I pound against the unyielding metal, my heart pounding in my chest. Datamon's distorted laughter echoes through the warehouse.
"Did you really think it would be that easy? Now, let's see if you can survive without your precious partner."
"You'll pay for this, Datamon!" I shout, rage boiling within me.
"I'm counting on it," Datamon responds.
BlackGatomon turns to me, her crimson eyes blazing with fury. "He's going to regret ever messing with us. Let's make him hurt."
Now it's just us.
***
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