Let's reach 500 Power Stones for an extra chapter
***
The scene after SkullGreymon's Ground Zero is one of stark devastation. The air hangs thick with dust and the stench of ozone. Buildings are reduced to rubble, cars lie overturned and burning, and the faces of those who survived are masks of shock and horror. The weapon that a mere Champion-level Digimon unleashed is unfathomable.
Even Tony Stark, a man who has seen and created wonders and terrors beyond most people's comprehension, feels a cold dread creep into his heart. He can replicate that kind of firepower with his technology, sure, but the fact that a living being could generate that much power on instinct...that's something else.
SkullGreymon slowly pivots, its glowing red eyes scanning the crowd. The skeletal form is nothing like its cute Rookie form. What stands before them now is a creature of pure instinct, a monument to destruction. It's nightmare fuel given form.
Beetlemon stands his ground, the armor crackling with electrical energy. He must end this, and quickly. Gatomon and BlackGatomon flank him, their expressions a mix of worry and determination. Garurumon stands slightly behind them, his teeth bared in a silent snarl.
"Greymon, snap out of it!" Beetlemon yells, his voice amplified by the armor. "That wasn't you! That isn't who you are!"
Gatomon steps forward, her voice soft. "Greymon, please. It's us. It's Gatomon and BlackGatomon. Don't let the darkness control you!"
BlackGatomon's tone is more aggressive, laced with concern. "Hey, lizard brain! Remember all those burgers we ate? Remember the training? Don't tell me you're gonna let some bad juju turn you into a pile of bones for good!"
Garurumon adds his voice, quiet but firm. "Brother, I know you are in there. You are our friend, a comrade, a brother. Please come back."
The pleas fall on deaf ears, or rather, hollow eye sockets. SkullGreymon lets out a horrifying shriek, a sound that grates against the soul, and it throws itself at Beetlemon.
"What do we do, Ethan?!" BlackGatomon shouts, barely dodging a swipe of SkullGreymon's razor-sharp claws.
Ethan's mind races, the options narrowing with each passing second. There is only one way to deal with the beast in front of him. It's a gamble, a dangerous one, but it's the only play he has left. "Keep him attacking! Wear him down! He's running on fumes, we just need to make him exhaust himself!"
Gatomon nods grimly, her blue eyes hardening with resolve. "Alright, let's give him a workout he won't forget."
The battle is joined. Gatomon and BlackGatomon, a whirlwind of white and black fur, dart around SkullGreymon, delivering swift blows to its bony frame. Garurumon circles, snapping at its heels, trying to distract the undead beast. MailBirdramon soars above, harassing it with bursts of Plasma Cannon fire. Their attacks stung, but it was as if they were nothing more than mosquitos on a rhino.
"Stark, I could use a little help here!" Ethan shouts, trusting that the genius billionaire playboy philanthropist heard him.
Tony, without missing a beat, unleashes a barrage of repulsor blasts, each one slamming into SkullGreymon's chest. "Just trying to keep things interesting, kid! Wouldn't want you to have all the fun."
But SkullGreymon is relentless. Its attacks are wild, fueled by pure rage and instinct, but they carry the force of a runaway train. A single swipe of its claws can shear through steel, and its Ground Zero attack threatens to level what is left of the city. Each successful hit sends a tremor through their ranks. Gatomon is sent sprawling, and only a last-minute dodge saves Garurumon from being impaled.
The tide of battle turns back and forth. A few moments later, SkullGreymon stumbles, its movements becoming sluggish, its roars losing some of their power. Hope flickers, but then it unleashes a devastating Bone Crush, sending MailBirdramon spiraling out of the sky.
Beetlemon knows they are running out of time. Every near miss, every shattered piece of debris, is a testament to SkullGreymon's immense power. And the power is quickly depleting.
SkullGreymon, in its weakened state, lunges toward Beetlemon and by extension, Ethan. Ethan prepares for the worst. He can't dodge this one. He braces himself, the Human Spirit of Thunder ready to make one last stand. But then, something changes.
Mid-lunge, SkullGreymon freezes. The crimson eyes dim, the skeletal frame shudders, and a brilliant light erupts from within, eclipsing the monster. The light shrinks, becoming smaller and smaller, compacting until the skeletal monster in front of Beetlemon disappears entirely.
Where the towering SkullGreymon once stood, there now lies a small, pink, ball-shaped Digimon with floppy ears. Koromon.
Ethan, forgetting his own safety, rushes forward, Beetlemon dissolving into streaks of blue and yellow light as he reverts to human form. He kneels beside the In-Training Digimon, gently scooping him up into his arms.
"Koromon? Hey, buddy, are you okay?" Ethan asks, his voice filled with worry. He looks at the small Digimon in his arms, scared.
Koromon stirs, his bright red eyes slowly opening. He looks around, confused, taking in the devastation, the burning buildings, the wreckage, and the worried faces of Ethan and the other Digimon. "Wh-what happened?" he asks, his voice small and trembling. "Did…did I do something bad?"
Ethan sighs, relief washing over him in a dizzying wave. The sweet and gentle rookie is back. But guilt immediately replaces relief. He clutches Koromon close, his heart heavy with regret.
"No, buddy, you didn't do anything wrong. It was my fault, Koromon. All my fault. I'm so sorry for turning you into that monster."
"No, Ethan, it wasn't your fault," Koromon insists, his voice barely a whisper. "I don't know what happened, but I know you would never hurt me on purpose."
Gatomon, BlackGatomon, and Garurumon gather around them, relief etched on their faces. Gatomon gently touches Koromon's head, her expression uncharacteristically soft. "We're just glad you're okay, Koromon," she says. BlackGatomon nods in agreement, her usual bravado replaced with genuine affection. Garurumon offers a reassuring nuzzle.
Suddenly, the whirring of repulsors cuts through the tense quiet. Tony Stark lands nearby, his Iron Man armor gleaming amidst the destruction. "Okay, spill," he commands, his faceplate retracting to reveal a raised eyebrow. "What happened to the bone-ified beast? I thought I saw a walking skeleton a minute ago."
Ethan rises, cradling Koromon in his arms. "It's over, Stark. Thanks for the assist. I appreciate the back-up."
Tony waves a dismissive hand. "Please, kid. That's what I do. Although, I gotta admit, you've got a talent for attracting the weirdest things. Seriously, what are these creatures?" There was a genuine curiosity in the billionaire's eyes, a scientist's mind itching to dissect the unknown.
Ethan's senses sharpen. In the distance, he hears the unmistakable sound of approaching sirens, growing louder with each passing second. Military vehicles are inbound. Even more concerning, he spots a familiar face in the back of one of the transports. Bruce Banner, with Betty Ross at his side. Time to go.
"Stark, I gotta run. Things are about to get complicated," Ethan says, his voice urgent. "Thanks again for the help. Seriously."
Tony nods, his expression turning serious. "Understood. Go, and don't mention this to anyone. You owe me one for cleaning up your mess here, kid." Then, a mischievous glint enters his eyes. "Although, if you really want to repay me, you could always hand over that sweet ride of yours. That motorcycle looked pretty sweet."
Ethan chuckles, shaking his head. "Behemoth is still not for sale, Stark. Sorry to disappoint."
Tony feigns disappointment. "Fine, fine. At least let me take it for a spin? Just once? I promise I'll bring it back in one piece… maybe."
Ethan hesitates for a moment, then relents. "I won't stop you, but don't say I didn't warn you. You're gonna regret it."
With a final nod to Tony, Ethan gently puts his Digimon back into the Digivice, a wave of relief washing over his face as they disappeared into data. He then turns to MailBirdramon, who waits patiently nearby. He hopes on the Digimon's back, gripping tight to the armored wings. With a burst of speed, they launch into the air, disappearing into the smoke-filled sky, leaving Tony Stark to deal with the incoming military and, perhaps, the temptation of a certain cursed motorcycle.
***
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