Let's reach 500 Power Stones for an extra chapter
***
A couple of days creep by, filled with dodging Gwen's calls and spending my days training with the Digimon. I needed to level up faster, especially with that Royal Knight lurking around somewhere. Also, it was important to find out who attacked Jessica.
The morning sun streams through my grimy window, illuminating the chaos of my apartment. Breakfast is a free-for-all. I'm trying to shove down some cereal, but it's a losing battle against the Digimon.
"Hey, that's my Lucky Charm!" I yell, as Agumon snatches the last frosted O from my bowl.
"Finders keepers, Ethan!" He retorts, scarfing it down with a mischievous grin.
Gatomon rolls her eyes, swatting Agumon with her gloved paw. "Honestly, you two act like toddlers."
"Says the cat who just stole my salmon," BlackGatomon fires back, licking her chops.
"It's called resource management, darling," Gatomon retorts, giving her dark counterpart a smug look.
Gabumon, bless his heart, tries to mediate. "Maybe we could all just share a little more?"
Cutemon, perched on my shoulder, chimes in, "Yeah, Ethan, we can always get more, chu~!"
We're in the middle of this ridiculous food fight when a knock echoes through the apartment. The sudden sound stops the banter in its tracks.
"Who is it?" I ask, warily approaching the door. I hope it isn't SHIELD.
"Ethan? It's Gwen," comes the reply.
I take a peek through the peephole, confirming it's just Gwen. I sigh with relief. No black SUVs, no stern-faced agents, just a cute blonde in jeans and a hoodie. Still, I gotta be careful. I don't want her caught in the crossfire of my crazy life.
I crack the door open. "Hey, Gwen."
"Hey, Ethan," she replies, all smiles. "Just thought I'd come by, see what you're up to."
I raise an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corner of my mouth. "You mean, see what kind of weirdness these guys are up to?" I jerk my head back toward the Digimon, who are now pretending to be totally normal, as if they weren't just battling over breakfast cereals.
Gwen sticks her tongue out cutely, and my heart does a little flip. "Maybe," she admits.
I roll my eyes, but I'm definitely happy she came. It's nice to have some normal human interaction, even if "normal" is a relative term these days. "Alright, come on in," I say, opening the door wider. "Just try not to step on any stray claws."
"Look who came to visit!" I announce, as Gwen steps inside. "Say hi to Gwen, everyone."
"Hey, Gwen!" Agumon shouts enthusiastically, nearly knocking over a stack of comic books.
Gabumon offers a shy wave. "It's nice to see you again."
"Hello there," Gatomon says, with a purr that could melt glaciers.
BlackGatomon just gives Gwen a knowing smirk, like she knows all my secrets, which, let's be honest, she probably does.
"Hi, Gwen, chu~!" Cutemon chirps from my shoulder.
"Hey, guys!" Gwen replies, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "It's great to see you all too."
I clear my throat. "So, uh, you want to join us for breakfast? We've got... well, we had cereal, but Agumon ate most of it."
Gwen giggles. "Sure, why not?"
She plops down at the dining table, which is still covered in spilled milk and stray cereal flakes. "This is quite the welcoming committee," she remarks, taking in the scene.
"Speaking of the welcoming committee," I begin, seizing the opportunity to formally introduce everyone, "you didn't really get a proper introduction during the whole subway situation. Gwen, this is Agumon, Gabumon, Gatomon, BlackGatomon, and the fuzzball on my shoulder is Cutemon."
"It's nice to meet you all," Gwen says with a genuine smile, her gaze lingering on each Digimon. "They're so cute! Especially you, Cutemon," she gushes, reaching out a hand. "Can I hug her?"
Cutemon beams and jumps from my shoulder, landing gently in Gwen's open arms. "Of course, chu~!"
Gwen squeals and gives Cutemon a gentle squeeze, the little Digimon nuzzling into her embrace. I can't help but smile at the sight. Gwen's always been a sucker for cute things. Now she has a real-life digital critter.
"So, Ethan," Gwen says, looking up from her cuddle session with Cutemon, "where did you even find these guys? I mean, they're not exactly something you see every day."
I internally curse myself for not anticipating this question. How do I explain this without sounding completely insane? I can't exactly say, 'Oh, you know, the System gave them to me,' except for Cutemon. That would definitely land me in a psych ward faster than I can say 'Digivolve.'
I rack my brain for a believable story, settling on a slightly embellished version of the truth. "Well," I begin, "it's a long story, but basically, they're from… another dimension. They kind of… accidentally crossed over to our world."
I continue, "I met Gatomon and BlackGatomon first, totally by chance. We just clicked, you know? And then Agumon, Gabumon, and Cutemon came along later. They needed some help, and I was happy to lend a hand, so it's been quite the time."
Gwen's eyes widen, absorbing my explanation. "Another dimension? You mean, like, a parallel universe?" She runs a hand through her hair, clearly trying to wrap her head around it all. "That's... amazing! But what's it like there? You called it... the Digital World, right? I think I heard you say something about it during the subway incident, I'm just curious about it!"
Before I can answer, Gwen turns to the Digimon, her curiosity piqued. "So, what's the Digital World actually like? Is it all computers and wires?"
Agumon puffs out his chest, eager to share. "It's way more than that, Gwen! It's got everything! Huge plains, mountains that touch the sky, and oceans of data that sparkle like crazy! And it's always changing, ya know?"
Gabumon nods in agreement, adding his own shy perspective. "It can be a bit… overwhelming at times. Some areas are peaceful and serene, with beautiful forests and clear streams. But there are dangerous places too, filled with powerful Digimon."
Gatomon chimes in, a hint of nostalgia in her voice. "The Digital World is a reflection of this one, but shaped by data and imagination. It is a world filled with endless possibilities and challenges. Every area has its own type of Digimon too."
BlackGatomon leans forward, a mischievous glint in her crimson eyes. "And plenty of chances to get into trouble," she adds with a smirk. "It's not all rainbows and sunshine. There are places where the data gets twisted and corrupted, creating all sorts of nasty Digimon. But that's where the fun is, right?"
Cutemon, still nestled in Gwen's arms, perks up. "And there's lots of friends, chu! So many friendly Digimon all over the place! Some of them are a little scary at first, but they're all nice once you get to know them, chu!"
Her expression was a mix of awe and longing, but as she absorbed the tales of digital landscapes and dangerous creatures, the sparkle in her eyes began to shine even brighter.
"Wow, that sounds amazing! I wish I could go there someday," Gwen blurts out, hugging Cutemon tighter.
I frown. "Hold up, don't get any crazy ideas. It's not all sunshine and digital daisies. It's super dangerous. Unless you suddenly develop superpowers or, like, get your own partner Digimon, going to the Digital World is basically a suicide mission."
She stares at me, then at Cutemon, before determination hardens her features. "Then I'll just have to get one of my own!"
I scoff. "It's not like adopting a puppy, Gwen. These guys are intelligent, like people. They're not something you can just get. They choose you, or maybe you choose them, but there has to be a connection. These guys aren't pets; they're companions, partners."
Understanding dawns on her face, quickly followed by a pout. "Oh," she murmurs, then turns her attention to the small, pink Digimon still in her arms. "Hey, Cutemon," she asks, batting her eyelashes, "would you, maybe, want to be my partner?"
Cutemon's ears droop, and she gives Gwen an apologetic look. "Oh, Gwen, I'm so sorry, chu! I really like you, but I'm already Ethan's partner, chu. He's my bestest friend!"
Gwen's shoulders slump, and she lets out a dramatic sigh. "Ugh, it's not fair! You have so many Digimon, and I don't even have one!" She dramatically gestures to my team of digital monsters.
I can't help but laugh, but feel bad for her. "Hey, it's okay," I say, reaching out to pat her hand. "It's not something you can force. Just be open to it, and maybe someday, you'll find your own Digimon partner."
I watch her carefully, and then realize the obvious: I am her friend, and I can hang out with her whenever she wants. Also, the whole point of her hanging out was that she was in love with me, before.
It's not like she suddenly gained the power of Spider-Man, after all, so there was no need to feel on edge around her.
Before I could say anything else, though, the ever-practical Gatomon speaks up. "Well, are we going to eat, or are we just going to sit around talking about Digimon all day? I, for one, am starving."
And with that, we resume our chaotic breakfast, the topic of Digimon partners temporarily forgotten in the face of growling stomachs and a shared love of pizza.
***
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