Let's reach 500 Power Stones for an extra chapter
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[SkullGreymon]
[Level: Ultimate]
[Type: Undead]
[Attribute: Virus]
[Special Move: Ground Zero, Oblivion Bird]
[This skeleton Digimon is nothing but skin and bones—minus the skin. Singularly fixated on fighting, this Digimon extended its life through combat instinct alone as its body deteriorated, eventually resulting in the birth of SkullGreymon. With not a scrap of intelligence or reason left to restrain its instinct, SkullGreymon's existence is a threat to other Digimon. Its special move Ground Zero is an organic missile fired from its spinal cord. The latest research suggests that this attack is what eventually evolved into Oblivion Bird, which adds a new tracking function and dramatically upgrades both power and range.]
The notification on the Digi-Goggles fades, but the information is seared into my brain. I made a mistake. A big one.
SkullGreymon throws back its skeletal head, the roar that rips from its nonexistent throat sending a tangible pulse that makes my teeth rattle. It's a sound of pure, unadulterated aggression, a sonic boom of murderous intent that levels everything in its path. Even the wind seems to cower before it.
The Abyssal Abomination answers with a roar of its own, a guttural bellow that's equal parts pain and rage. The sound is so low, so resonant, that I feel it more than hear it, vibrating in my bones and stirring up a primal fear I never knew I possessed.
Then they collide.
It's like watching two titans clash. Each punch, each kick, each earth-shattering impact creates shockwaves that ripple outwards, pulverizing concrete and sending cars flying like toys. SkullGreymon fires Ground Zero, the missile streaking across the sky like a dark comet, only for the Abyssal Abomination to swat it away with contemptuous ease. The resulting explosion rocks the street, sending debris raining down around us.
"Everyone, focus on damage control! We need to protect these people!" I yell, my voice barely audible over the din of destruction.
Gatomon, battered but unbowed, nods grimly.
"Right!"
BlackGatomon spits out a mouthful of blood.
"Let's go!"
Despite their injuries, they throw themselves back into the fray, guiding terrified civilians to safety and erecting makeshift barriers against the falling debris.
Garurumon, limping and favoring one leg, snarls as he deflects a chunk of concrete that threatens to crush a group of fleeing bystanders. MailBirdramon, wings tattered and sparking, weaves through the air, using its body to shield others from the worst of the devastation.
I watch, my stomach twisting with a potent mixture of horror and helplessness. I can't just stand here; I have to do something. But what? Every instinct screams at me to run, to hide, to get as far away from this insane battle as possible. But there are people who need help. And these are my partners. I won't leave them.
The Abyssal Abomination grabs SkullGreymon by the spine, the sound of grinding bone echoing sickeningly through the air. SkullGreymon retaliates with Oblivion Bird, a barrage of missiles that explode against the Abomination's shadowy form, momentarily staggering him. The buildings around them continue to crumble. This is out of control!
"How the hell are we supposed to stop this?!" Gatomon asks, her voice tight with worry.
BlackGatomon, ever the pragmatist, just shakes her head.
"I have no idea. You screwed us big time!"
I grit my teeth, racking my brain for a solution. There has to be something, anything, I can do.
Suddenly, a familiar whine pierces the air, growing louder with each passing second. I look up, squinting against the dust and smoke, and there he is: Tony Stark, descending in his Mark IV armor, a gleaming beacon of red and gold against the apocalyptic backdrop.
"Well, this is a bit more dramatic than my usual Tuesday," Tony quips over the comms, his voice crackling with static. "Missed the memo about the kaiju convention, I guess."
I can't help but roll my eyes, even as a surge of relief washes over me. At least someone competent is here.
"Stark? What are you doing here? Are you insane? This is not the place for you!" I shout over the noise.
"Saw the news, kid. Giant monster fight in Harlem? Couldn't miss it. Though, I gotta say, the broadcast did not do this justice," Tony responds, sounding genuinely surprised as he assesses the situation. "What are those things?"
He circles in the air. The Abyssal Abomination is still pummeling SkullGreymon, but SkullGreymon is able to do some damage as well.
"Trust me, you do not want to get in between that fight. You'll be squashed like a bug!" I yell, waving my arms to get his attention. "Just help with damage control, okay? Get those people out of here! That's what you are good at, right?"
"Damage control? Kid, I'm Tony Stark, not a freaking paramedic," he retorts, but even as he says it, I see him change course, his repulsors flaring as he scoops up a group of civilians trapped beneath a pile of rubble. "But...I guess even I can play the good samaritan for a few minutes."
Despite his initial reluctance, Tony throws himself into the rescue effort, his armor cutting through debris and his repulsors blasting away obstacles with pinpoint accuracy. He moves with a speed and efficiency that's breathtaking, his sardonic quips somehow managing to reassure the terrified civilians even as he shepherds them to safety.
But the Abyssal Abomination and SkullGreymon's battle is only intensifying. The Abyssal Abomination grabs SkullGreymon and starts slamming him into buildings. SkullGreymon's skeletal frame creaks and groans under the assault. A sinister grin spreads across the Abyssal Abomination's face as he unleashes Deep Sorrow, a wave of pure, unadulterated negativity that washes over SkullGreymon, momentarily paralyzing him with despair.
But SkullGreymon isn't one to go down easy. With a surge of raw power, he breaks free of the Abyssal Abomination's grasp and retaliates with Bone Crush, a series of brutal strikes that send the Abyssal Abomination staggering backward.
Then, it happens.
SkullGreymon rises to its full height, the missile launcher on its back whirring to life. A dark, organic mass begins to coalesce, glowing with an eerie, otherworldly light. It's Ground Zero, and I know, with a sickening certainty, that this attack is on another level.
"Everyone, get clear! Now!" I shout, my voice amplified by the Beetlemon armor. "That thing is about to blow, and it is not going to be pretty!"
Panic erupts as my words reach the ears of those below. Civilians, heroes, even Tony Stark—everyone scrambles for cover, driven by a primal instinct to escape the impending doom.
SkullGreymon unleashes Ground Zero, and the world explodes.
The organic missile hurtles toward the Abyssal Abomination, a dark comet trailing a wake of pure destruction. It strikes the Abyssal Abomination dead center, and for a split second, everything goes silent.
Then, the silence shatters.
A blinding flash engulfs everything, followed by a shockwave that hits like a physical blow, ripping through the air and sending me tumbling end-over-end. The very ground beneath me trembles, and the air fills with the deafening roar of escaping energy.
It's like a mini-nuke went off. Buildings are vaporized, reduced to nothing more than dust and ash. Cars are tossed into the air like toys, their metal frames twisted and contorted beyond recognition. The air crackles with heat, and the stench of ozone fills my nostrils.
When the light finally fades, I look down and see nothing but a crater, a gaping wound in the heart of Harlem. The Abyssal Abomination is gone, reduced to nothing more than a memory. The surrounding blocks are a wasteland, a testament to the destructive power of SkullGreymon's attack.
And standing amidst the desolation, bathed in the eerie glow of the aftermath, is SkullGreymon, its skeletal frame silhouetted against the smoke-filled sky. It throws back its head and lets out a triumphant roar, a chilling sound that echoes across the ruined landscape, a sound that proclaims its victory…and my failure.
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