Extra Chapter
Let's reach 250 Power Stones for an extra chapter
***
"This is getting old," I mutter, as BlackGatomon and I pick our way through the maze, hugging the walls.
Another dead end.
It seems like an hour has passed since we crossed the steam chasm, and still, there's no sign of Datamon, or even any newly activated traps. The maze is eerily quiet, as if Datamon just gave up. That's what worries me. He's not the kind to throw in the towel. This has to be part of his plan.
"Think he's lost us?" BlackGatomon asks, her crimson eyes scanning our surroundings.
"Maybe," I say, cautiously. "But I doubt it. Datamon's too meticulous to lose track of us this easily. He is probably waiting for us."
A cautious sense of relief washes over me, but I know better than to let my guard down. This battle is far from over. We're still trapped in his maze, and Gatomon is still his prisoner. Speaking of which...
I tap the Digi-Link, activating the comm channel to Gatomon. "Gatomon, you there? Report."
A moment of static, then Gatomon's voice, clear but tinged with worry, fills my ears. "Ethan? I'm… I'm still in the control room. He's got me caged, but I am okay."
"Are you hurt?" I ask, my heart pounding.
"No, just… powerless," she says, her voice strained. "He has my Holy Ring. Without it, I can't break free."
"Damn it," I mutter. "Hold on, Gatomon. I'm coming for you."
"Hurry, Ethan," she pleads. "I don't know what he's planning, but I can tell that it is bad."
Hearing her voice, knowing she's trapped and vulnerable, solidifies my resolve. I won't let Datamon hurt her.
"BlackGatomon, we need to find Gatomon, and fast. Datamon must have the upper hand."
BlackGatomon nods grimly. "Lead the way, Ethan."
Okay, new plan. No more wandering aimlessly. It's time to take the fight to Datamon. Now I just need a plan. I take out the Digivice and scan the schematics of the warehouse. It takes only a moment to locate the control room's location. I look for the fastest way to get there. I glance at the ventilation system.
"I have an idea," I say. "According to these schematics, there's a ventilation system that leads directly to Datamon's control room. It's tight, but it's our best shot."
BlackGatomon raises an eyebrow. "Ventilation shafts? You sure about this, Ethan? I am not a fan of tight spaces."
"It's the fastest route. Besides, I don't see any other way of getting there."
BlackGatomon sighs dramatically. "Fine, but if I get stuck, I am blaming you."
The entrance to the ventilation system is hidden behind a loose panel in the wall. I pry it open with a grunt, revealing a narrow, metal shaft. The air inside is stale and dusty, and the space is barely wide enough for us to crawl through.
"Ladies first," I say, gesturing towards the opening.
BlackGatomon shoots me a glare, but she doesn't argue. She slips into the vent, her lithe body moving with surprising grace in the cramped space.
I follow close behind, my muscles straining against the confines of the shaft. The metal walls are cold and rough, and the air is thick with the scent of mildew. It's claustrophobic as hell, but I push onward, driven by the thought of Gatomon trapped and helpless.
The ventilation shaft twists and turns, forcing us to crawl on our hands and knees. At one point, a section of the shaft is blocked by a metal grate, but I manage to pry it open with my bare hands, my partially digital strength proving invaluable.
After what feels like an eternity, we reach our destination. A faint light spills from a narrow opening in the vent wall, indicating that we're overlooking Datamon's control room.
"This is it," I whisper. "Control room, just ahead."
I carefully remove the vent cover, creating a small peephole. The control room is exactly as I pictured it: a cluttered space filled with computer consoles, blinking lights, and tangled wires. Datamon is hunched over one of the consoles, his mechanical eye glowing intently as he manipulates the controls.
And there, resting on a nearby table, is Gatomon's Holy Ring.
Perfect.
"Okay, BlackGatomon, it is time. Let's get ready to break in."
I can feel BlackGatomon getting ready.
My heart pounds in my chest as I take a deep breath, preparing myself for the coming confrontation.
"Here's the plan," I say, my voice low and urgent. "I am going to create a distraction, so you can knock him away from the console. After that, I am going to grab the Holy Ring. Got it?"
"Got it," BlackGatomon says, her crimson eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Let's cause some chaos."
I take one last look at Datamon, then I kick the vent cover, sending it crashing to the floor.
Showtime.
I burst from the vent, Dual Rayguns blazing. Beams of energy streak across the room, targeting the table where Datamon had put Gatomon's Holy Ring.
"What?!" Datamon cries, spinning around in surprise.
BlackGatomon is right behind me, a blur of black fur and sharp claws. She launches herself at Datamon, executing a perfect Lightning Paw. Her claws connect with Datamon's chassis, sending sparks flying and disrupting his focus. The force of the blow knocks him away from the controls, sending him sprawling across the room.
Success!
The Holy Ring, freed from its resting place, flies through the air and lands a few feet away from me. I rush forward, snatching it up before Datamon can recover.
With the Holy Ring in my grasp, I turn my attention to Gatomon's cage. It's a cylindrical structure made of energy bars, with a complex locking mechanism. I look for the control panel. I see the release panel and aim the Dual Rayguns.
"Sorry for the mess!" I yell, and then blast the release panel with the Rayguns. The energy beams overload the mechanism, sending sparks flying and causing the cage doors to swing open.
Gatomon is free!
She stumbles out of the cage, her blue eyes wide with relief. "Ethan!"
"Gatomon!" I say, rushing to her side. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, now that you're here," she says, a grateful smile gracing her lips.
I hold out the Holy Ring, and her eyes light up. She takes it from me, slipping it back onto her tail. A surge of energy courses through her body, restoring her power.
"Thank you, Ethan," she says, her voice filled with emotion. "You came for me."
"Of course, I did! I will always come for you." I grin, then I turn back to face our foe. "Now, let's finish this."
Gatomon nods, her eyes blazing with determination. She steps forward, joining BlackGatomon and me. The three of us stand side-by-side, ready to face whatever Datamon throws at us.
"You…" Datamon says, struggling to his feet. His mechanical eye glares at us, simmering with rage. "You interfered with my plans!"
"You got that right," I say, smirking. "We are like the mosquitoes in your soup."
He is not smiling.
"You will pay for this," Datamon snarls. "You will all pay!"
The air crackles with energy. Before I unleash our trump card, I need some info.
"Where is Osborn, Datamon?" I demand, trying to keep my voice steady. "What did you do to him?"
Datamon's single eye twitches, a flicker of something unreadable crossing his face. "Do you think I would answer you, Chosen Child? He is tying up loose ends."
Tying up loose ends? What does that mean? A chill runs down my spine.
"What do you mean by that?" I press, my grip tightening on the Dual Rayguns. "What loose ends is he tying up?"
He just laughs. "You will find out soon enough. Although I doubt you will care. You are as good as dead."
He looks around and looks above. The machines around Datamon whir and click, responding to his command. The computer consoles shift and rearrange themselves, forming a protective shell around his body. Cables snake out from the walls, wrapping around his limbs, and welding themselves into place.
The machines transform, becoming a mechanical suit and weapon system. I glance at BlackGatomon and Gatomon. What is about to happen will not be good.
"You thought you could stop me?" Datamon says, his voice now distorted through a vocoder. "You are nothing. I have bigger goals than you could imagine."
I'm undeterred. The stakes are too high.
"Then let's do this," I say, stepping forward. I pull out the Crest of Destiny, holding it aloft.
The Crest of Destiny glows with power, bathing the room in golden light. It is destiny time. Gatomon and BlackGatomon start to glow. I look at them.
"Let's go!" I shout to Gatomon and BlackGatomon.
"Right behind you, Ethan!" Gatomon shouts, with BlackGatomon in agreement.
The light intensifies. A familiar warmth spreads through me, that feeling of connection, of amplified potential. It's more than just Digivolution; it's something deeper, something fated. I see Gatomon and BlackGatomon surrounded by light.
"Gatomon Digivolve to... Angewomon!"
"BlackGatomon Digivolve to... LadyDevimon!"
Before my eyes, Gatomon and BlackGatomon change into the Ultimate forms. The transformation is blinding. When the light subsides, there stand Angewomon and LadyDevimon. Eight wings sprout from her back. Alabaster skin and ruby red eyes, as LadyDevimon emerges, the darkness intensifies.
I grin, a surge of excitement coursing through me. My partners are stronger than ever. I know they will have Datamon beat.
"Show them what you are made of, " I yell. "Give it everything you have got!"
Their eyes lock on Datamon, and I know this fight is about to get serious.
***
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