Let's reach 250 Power Stones for an extra chapter
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A few months have zipped by since the whole Queensboro Bridge ss. It's been a blur of rogue Digimon popping up all over the city, and Gwen and I have been keeping them in check. She's gotten seriously good, too. Renamon's a natural, and Gwen's really stepped up as a Tar. anwhile, Peter's been doing his thing at Stark Industries, supposedly "interning" but mostly just helping Tony tinker with that arc reactor. Uncle Ben and Aunt May were over the moon when they heard about Peter's gig. They even gave a huge hug, thanking for helping Peter get the internship. It felt good, you know? Making a difference.
Horoom's dismissed. Mr. Harrison's voice drones on about graduation, sothing about six months and "preparing for the future." Feels like I've been living in this future for over a year already. Ti really does fly when you're dodging laser grids and fighting giant digital lizards.
I catch Peter by his locker, stuffing textbooks into his backpack. "Hey, Pete, you and Gwen free later? Thought we could grab so burgers."
Peter zips his locker shut. "Ah, man, I'd love to, Ethan, but I've got a huge project for Stark Industries. Mr. Stark's got buried in blueprints." He flashes that familiar, slightly overwheld grin.
Gwen walks up then, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "Sorry, Ethan. My dad wants to help out at the precinct tonight. Paperwork's piling up."
"Ah, bumr," I say, trying to keep the disappointnt out of my voice. "Guess it's just and the Digimon then." I shrug. "Later, guys."
They wave, already caught up in their own orbits. I head out of school, the afternoon sun warm on my face. Just another day in New York, I guess.
The afternoon sun beats down on the sidewalk as I head towards my apartnt. Just as I turn the corner onto my block, I see Olivia watering her wilting petunias. She looks up, a smile spreading across her face when she sees .
"Ethan! Fancy seeing you here," she calls out, wiping her hands on her apron. "Co on in, I just baked so cookies."
I hesitate for a second, rembering the last ti I was here, but the sll of fresh cookies is hard to resist. "Sure, Olivia. Thanks."
Inside, her apartnt is just as cozy as I rember, filled with the scent of cinnamon and sothing vaguely floral. She gestures to the kitchen table, piled high with golden-brown cookies. "Help yourself. Coffee?"
"No, thank you, Olivia," I say, a little too quickly. Her coffee is... an acquired taste. "These look amazing, though."
She chuckles, pouring herself a mug. "You're graduating soon, aren't you? What's next for you, Ethan? College? A job?" She eyes curiously. "Anything exciting planned?"
I take a cookie, the chocolate chips still warm and gooey. It's damn good. What do I want to do? Back in my old life, writing light novels and playing strategy gas was my jam. It paid the bills, but it wasn't exactly fulfilling. I always dread of sothing more, sothing… epic. And now I'm here, in a universe where superheroes and digital monsters are real, and I'm a Tar. I have the power to protect people, to make a difference. But beyond that? It's a blank page.
"Honestly, Olivia," I admit, taking another bite of the cookie. "I'm not really sure."
Olivia smiles, a gentle, knowing expression. "That's perfectly alright, Ethan. It's a big world out there, and it's okay not to have everything figured out. Honestly, most people don't, even in their forties." She sips her coffee. "Just keep thinking about it. Explore your options."
She gestures around her cozy apartnt, a subtle invitation. "If you're still stumped, you know you can always work for . I've got a few businesses, and I can always use an extra hand. We'll find sothing for you until you figure out your next big move."
"I appreciate the offer, Olivia, really," I say, finishing the last bite of cookie. "But I'm good on the job front for now. I've got… well, let's just say I've got so investnts that are doing pretty well."
Olivia raises an eyebrow, a playful glint in her eye. "Investnts, huh? Fancy that. Still, Ethan, money isn't everything. You can't just sit around and do nothing with your life." She leans forward, her tone softening. "You're a smart kid. You need to do sothing aningful, sothing that makes a difference. Don't just waste away."
I nod, thinking about the rogue Digimon I've been taking down, the people I've saved. If only she knew. Idle? I'm literally saving the world from interdinsional monsters in my spare ti, I think, a smirk playing on my lips. "I'll think about it, Olivia. Seriously. Thanks for the cookies, and thanks for the advice."
She smiles, satisfied. "Anyti, Ethan. You know where to find if you change your mind."
As I step back out into the bustling New York afternoon, my phone buzzes. Unknown number. Probably another scam, I figure, but I answer it anyway.
"Hello?"
"Is this Ethan Kepler?" a calm, professional voice asks.
"Speaking," I reply, my brow furrowing.
"Mr. Kepler, this is Dr. Evans from Midtown General. I'm calling about Jessica Campbell."
My stomach drops. Jessica. The girl who confessed she was in love with a few months back. I haven't seen her since the Oscorp incident. "Jessica? Is she okay?"
"She's… she's awake, Mr. Kepler. She woke up this morning."
A wave of relief washes over , so strong it almost buckles my knees. Awake. That's… that's incredible. She was in a coma. A serious one. "Oh, wow. That's… that's fantastic news. Is she alright?"
"She's stable. We're running so tests, but she's conscious and responsive. It's quite remarkable, given the circumstances."
"That's… that's really great. Thank you for calling." My voice feels thick. I need to see her.
"Of course. If you'd like to visit, her room is 312."
I end the call, my mind racing. Jessica. Awake. I need to go. Now.
***
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