Let's reach 500 Power Stones for an extra chapter
***
We advance slowly, my hand never leaving Gwen's. The place is a labyrinth of tunnels and makeshift rooms, each one filled with more strange objects and discarded technology than the last. I can practically feel Drimogemon's personality stamped all over this place. It's quirky, resourceful, and a little bit unhinged.
"Alright, people, keep your eyes peeled," I say, my voice echoing slightly in the cavern. "This place is a maze. We need to stick together and watch each other's backs. I don't want anyone getting lost or… worse."
As if on cue, a deep, rumbling voice cuts through the air. "Who dares trespass in my domain?"
Everyone freezes. I feel Gwen tense up beside me, her grip tightening on my hand. I try to give her a reassuring smile, but I know I'm not fooling anyone. I'm just as on edge as she is.
From the shadows, Drimogemon emerges. It's even bigger and more imposing up close, its steel drill glinting menacingly in the dim light. It surveys us with a look of utter displeasure. "You humans… you always ruin everything. Can't you just leave me alone?"
I step forward, placing myself between Gwen and the Digimon. "Sorry to burst your bubble, pal, but you've been causing a lot of problems. Destroying subway cars, terrorizing civilians… It's gotta stop."
Drimogemon snorts, sending a cloud of dust into the air. "Those fools were in my way! I need to expand my tunnels! This city… it's all built on top of the best digging spots. You have no idea how hard it is for me to find a good spot to dig!"
Okay, so it's a real estate dispute. Great. Still gotta stop him.
I glance around the cavern. It's definitely bigger than the subway tunnel. Wide enough, at least. It's time to bring out the big guns. "Agumon, Gabumon," I say, my voice firm. "You know what to do."
Agumon and Gabumon exchange a look, a spark of excitement igniting in their eyes. "Right, Ethan!"
They step forward, their bodies glowing with a bright, digital light. I can feel the energy in the air building, the power of Digivolution about to be unleashed. This is gonna be awesome.
"Agumon, Digivolve to… Greymon!"
"Gabumon, Digivolve to… Garurumon!"
The light intensifies, blinding for a moment. When it fades, Greymon and Garurumon stand tall, their Champion-level forms towering over the cavern. Drimogemon recoils slightly, its eyes widening in surprise.
"Alright, mole-rat," I say, a grin spreading across my face. "Let's see how you like dealing with some real power."
Greymon roars, unleashing a Nova Blast that illuminates the cavern in a fiery glow. Drimogemon, clearly not expecting such a potent attack, scrambles to dodge, diving into the earth with surprising speed. The ground trembles as it tunnels away, leaving a trail of dust and debris in its wake.
"Garurumon, after him!" I shout, pointing towards the newly formed tunnel. "Don't let him get away!"
Garurumon, with its lupine agility, leaps into the tunnel, its blue fur disappearing into the darkness. Greymon, too large to fit in the hole, lets out another Nova Blast, attempting to collapse the entrance, but Drimogemon is already too far gone.
"Gatomon, BlackGatomon, you're with me," I say, summoning them from the Digivice. "Let's flank him. He can't be everywhere at once."
"Finally, some action!" BlackGatomon purrs, her crimson eyes gleaming.
Gatomon nods, her expression more serious. "Let's be careful, Ethan. This Digimon is unpredictable."
We split up, Gatomon and I heading left, BlackGatomon going right. The cavern is a network of tunnels, each one leading to an unknown destination. The air is thick with the smell of dirt and metal, and the sounds of digging echo from all directions.
Suddenly, the ground beneath me shifts. I react instantly, shoving Gwen out of the way as a massive drill bursts through the floor, narrowly missing us. Drimogemon emerges, its steel snout covered in dirt. It swings its drill with surprising force, aiming to take us out.
"Gatomon, now!" I yell, and Gatomon responds immediately, launching herself at Drimogemon with a Lightning Paw. The attack connects, sending the mole-like Digimon staggering back. It retaliates with a Drill Spin, its snout whirling at high speed, but Gatomon is too quick, dodging the attack with ease.
Meanwhile, BlackGatomon is engaged in her own battle, trading blows with Drimogemon in a narrow tunnel. Her Lightning Paw clashes against its steel drill, sending sparks flying. She's agile and ferocious, but Drimogemon's sheer power is proving to be a challenge.
"This is getting us nowhere!" I shout, dodging another spray of dirt as Drimogemon tunnels away. "We need to corner him!"
Working together, Gatomon and BlackGatomon force Drimogemon into a dead end. Greymon's too big to get in there. Good thing GM and BGM are here! Garurumon bursts through another tunnel, cutting off its escape. The Champion level Digimon is trapped, surrounded by its foes.
Drimogemon snarls, its eyes filled with a mixture of anger and desperation. It knows it's outmatched, outmaneuvered. It has to do something drastic. The air crackles with energy as Drimogemon's body begins to glow. The cavern trembles, and the ground shakes.
"What's happening?" Gwen asks, her voice filled with alarm.
"I don't know, but it can't be good," I reply, grabbing her hand tightly.
The light intensifies, becoming blinding. When it fades, Drimogemon is gone. In its place stands a Digimon unlike anything I've ever seen before.
"Whoa…" That's the only word I can muster.
Its body is encased in golden armor. Drills protrude from its hands. And a much larger drill spikes out from its nose, the thing looks like a gigantic, armored insect. It looks like a freakin' Transformer. And its eyes glow with an eerie, digital light.
"Digivolution," Gatomon says, her voice filled with awe and concern. "It's Digmon."
[Digmon]
[Level: Armor]
[Type: Insectoid]
[Attribute: Free]
[Special Move: Big Crack, Gold Rush]
[As its unique form suggests, Digmon never loses against other Digimon in underground combat. Digmon uses its signature move Big Crack to strike the earth with rotating drills and cause a fissure to form. It uses its special move Gold Rush to unleash a concentrated attack with the drills rotating at high speeds on its nose and hands.]
Armor evolution? Seriously? I didn't even know that was possible! In the old Digimon Adventure 02 anime, armor evolution was a special form of transformation. It happened when a Digimon used a Digi-Armor, also known as a DigiMental. This was different from regular evolution, which depended on a strong bond with a human partner. Armor evolution allowed Digimon to evolve even when they couldn't normally, usually because of some disruption in the Digital World. It was a temporary boost, a way to overcome obstacles, but it wasn't something I expected to see here.
Digmon surveys us with an air of newfound confidence. "You thought you could defeat me? You were wrong. I am the embodiment of knowledge and power! Now, you will all suffer!"
***
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