Let's reach 250 Power Stones for an extra chapter
***
"Alright, BlackGatomon," I say, my voice echoing in the empty corridor, "time to get payback."
Her crimson eyes flash. "Let's tear this place apart."
But I know we can't just bulldoze our way through. Datamon's traps are designed to exploit our weaknesses, to wear us down. He's a cunning bastard, and we need a plan.
I wish Gatomon was here.
I clench my fist, pushing aside the worry. Gatomon's counting on us, and we can't let her down.
"Listen, I've been thinking," I begin, trying to keep my voice steady. "We can't keep fighting like this. We are running low on stamina. We can't just rely on brute force. What if you just digivolve to your ultimate form?"
BlackGatomon shakes her head, her expression grim. "It's too risky, Ethan. If I digivolve to Ultimate now, I won't be able to sustain it for long, and it'll leave me too drained for the final fight. If we encounter Datamon, I am not sure if I will win, and that can take a huge chunk out of my strength. We need to conserve our power."
She's right, of course.
Damn it.
I need to think smarter, not harder.
Our journey through this death maze takes us through winding corridors, each one more treacherous than the last. I feel the burn in my muscles with each passing moment, and I can see the strain etched on BlackGatomon's face. We can't keep going like this for long.
I have no choice. I need to find a weakness, an exploit, anything to turn the tide.
Meanwhile, in Datamon's control room, Gatomon is trapped inside a cage constructed of thick, energy-resistant bars. The cage hums with power, and Gatomon slams against the bars, testing their strength.
They are surprisingly solid, and don't budge.
Damn it!
Gatomon digs her claws into the metal, trying to find a weak point, but the bars are seamless, impervious to her attacks. She tries to focus her energy, attempting to break through with raw strength, but her strikes lack their usual force. Something is off.
She realizes it.
My Her Holy Ring is gone.
The source of her power, her spiritual anchor, is missing.
Damn that Datamon!
Datamon's distorted voice echoes through the control room. "Enjoying your new accommodations, Gatomon? I trust you'll find them… secure."
Datamon shuffles into view, holding Gatomon's Holy Ring, its surface gleaming with dark energy. He studies it like it is a new toy.
"I must say, I'm impressed by your power, even without this trinket. But with it… you were a true force to be reckoned with. Now… you're just a house cat."
Gatomon glares at him, her blue eyes blazing with defiance. "You think taking my ring will stop me? You underestimate the strength of my bond with Ethan."
"Oh, I don't underestimate anything," Datamon sneers. "I've analyzed your data, Gatomon. Your strengths, your weaknesses, your pathetic attachment to that human child. You see, you are a pawn in a larger game, and I am about to win. The Darkness is coming, and there is nothing you can do to stop it."
"What about Ethan? What about BlackGatomon?" Gatomon asks.
Datamon chuckles, a chilling sound that reverberates through the room. "Oh, they're still alive… for now. But their time is running out. The maze is designed to break them, to exploit their flaws. And once they're weakened, I'll be there to finish the job."
"Ethan is more resourceful than you think," Gatomon says, her voice filled with conviction. "And BlackGatomon… she won't give up. They'll find a way to stop you."
Datamon scoffs. "Hope? Such a pathetic human trait."
Gatomon's voice is filled with conviction. "I know they're safe. Even that dark, feral cat has a soft spot for Ethan. They will come through this."
Gatomon's words seemed to get to Datamon. He grew furious and starts to yell.
"Soon, the Chosen Child will be gone, the Digimon will be under my control, and all of this… will be mine!"
Datamon turns and shuffles away, his laughter echoing through the control room, leaving Gatomon alone with her thoughts.
We enter a vast chamber, and the door slams shut behind us. Before us, a chasm stretches, filled with what looks like electrified water. Above, a network of pipes spews steam, obscuring our view.
"Great," I mutter. "Just what we needed."
BlackGatomon sniffs the air. "This isn't just steam, Ethan. It's laced with something… corrosive."
"Yeah, I get that," I retort. "What about the giant death pit of electricity?"
"Focus, Ethan. We need to find a way to get through this," BlackGatomon says, more calmly than I expect.
That's when I see it. The steam isn't random. The vents are positioned at precise intervals, and the pipes themselves vibrate with a low hum. And there are pressure gauges all around the room.
"I think I have an idea," I say, a spark of excitement igniting in my mind. "It's a long shot, but…"
I explain my plan to BlackGatomon, pointing out the pressure gauges, the vents, and the rhythmic vibrations of the pipes. It involves manipulating the room's air pressure system to create a localized vacuum, drawing the corrosive steam into the chasm. It is a plan to essentially reverse the flow and create a momentary window for us to cross.
BlackGatomon listens intently, her crimson eyes narrowing as she processes the information. "And how do you propose we do that, genius? We are fresh out of levers to pull."
"We are the levers, aren't we?" I say, grinning. "We just need to be at the right place at the right time."
It's audacious, bordering on insane.
I run to the first pressure valve and start hammering it, and tell BlackGatomon to do the same with her claws. She moves to the second valve. I can see the understanding dawn on her face. She is not just a brawler, she is also a warrior who understands the plan.
"Ready?" I yell, positioning myself near the edge of the chasm.
"Let's go," she replies, her voice a low growl.
We time our actions perfectly, slamming the valves with all our might, creating a sudden drop in pressure. The pipes groan and sputter, and the steam flow reverses, creating a small pocket of clear air above the chasm.
"Now!" I shout, and we sprint forward, leaping across the chasm.
KRA-KOOOM!
Behind us, the pressure equalizes, and the corrosive steam floods back into the chamber. But we are already on the other side, scrambling to our feet.
I glance back to see the maze shift, and the steam becomes even more dense.
On the other side, the walls begin to glow with red light.
"Time to go, and fast," I say.
BlackGatomon nods, and together, we run. I pull out the Digi-Camo and activate it. We phase out of existence, blending in with the digital surroundings.
In the control room, Datamon stares at his monitors, his mechanical eye twitching. The cameras in the steam chamber are completely obscured, showing nothing but white.
"What… what's happening?" he sputters, slamming his fist on the console.
He frantically tries to recalibrate the sensors, but it's no use. The steam is interfering with the signals, creating a massive blind spot. He frantically switches cameras.
"Where did they go?!"
In the cage, Gatomon is silent. The frustration and fear, morphing into the will. She glances at one of the screens. It flickers with static. Datamon appears, his face contorted with rage.
He can't see them.
It's a tiny glitch, a fleeting moment of clarity amidst the chaos. But it's enough. Hope flares in Gatomon's chest. They made it through. Ethan and BlackGatomon are still in the game. And now, it's her turn to believe. It is up to her to get out of here and help them.
"We're coming for you, Gatomon!"
Ethan, his voice distorted through the Digi-Link, calls out to Gatomon.
"Just hold on a little longer, Gatomon!"
This gave Gatomon an extra burst of hope.
***
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