Let's reach 250 Power Stones for an extra chapter
***
The limo glides through the streets of New York, the city a blur outside the tinted windows. Tony's been surprisingly decent, considering he's a billionaire who probably has better things to do than ferry a bunch of teenagers around.
"Alright, kid," Tony says, clapping me on the shoulder. "Stark Internship details are gonna be in your inbox. Think of it as your golden ticket to the future. Plus, it looks killer on a resume." He winks. "Don't screw it up."
Peter's practically vibrating with excitement. "Thanks, Mr. Stark. Really. This means everything."
Gwen just smiles, a little shyly. "Thank you, Tony. It was… quite an experience."
"Don't mention it," Tony waves a dismissive hand. "Just try not to break any more bridges, alright?" He turns to Happy, who's been silently navigating the city. "Happy, drop these guys off. I've got a date with destiny. Or at least, a very important meeting."
We get dropped off near my place. A few days have passed since the bridge incident, a welcome break after all the chaos. School's back in session, though my perfect attendance record took a hit. Can't say I'm losing sleep over it.
Just as I'm about to head inside, Gwen's phone buzzes. Her face falls as she reads the message. "Oh no…" she mutters. She looks up, her eyes wide with worry. "It's my dad. He's really worried. He's been trying to reach me since… well, since the bridge. And he can't get a hold of me. He wants us to come over. He sounds… really upset."
Peter and I exchange a look. We know what she means. Explaining the whole Digimon, Cipher, Spider-Man, and Chosen Child thing to Captain Stacy is going to be a fun time.
"Yeah, we can go," I say, already heading for the car. "No problem."
Peter nods in agreement. "Of course, Gwen. We'll go with you."
Gwen's house is quiet, almost unnervingly so. The porch light casts long shadows as we approach. The door creaks open, revealing Captain Stacy. He looks exhausted, lines etched deep around his eyes, but his relief at seeing Gwen is palpable. Helen, her mom, is right behind him, her face etched with the same worry. They pull Gwen into a tight hug, a silent storm of emotion passing between them.
Captain Stacy's gaze shifts to Peter and me. He recognizes Peter, of course, from school events and seeing him around with Gwen. Me? He's only known me for a few months, mostly through Gwen's stories.
"Peter, Ethan," he says, his voice rough with fatigue. "Glad you're both here." He looks back at Gwen, his eyes softening. "Are you two… are you also involved in this?"
Gwen shifts uncomfortably, looking down at her feet. "Dad… it's complicated."
Captain Stacy sighs, a heavy, weary sound. He ushers us inside, the door closing behind us, shutting out the night and the secrets we carry. The air in the house is thick with unspoken questions.
We step inside the Stacy house, and it feels like walking into a different world from my own grubby apartment. It's clean, super clean, with that faint scent of lemon polish and old books. Family photos line the walls – Gwen as a kid, a younger Captain Stacy with a full head of hair, and two boys I don't recognize. The living room is cozy, a worn leather couch facing a TV, with bookshelves overflowing with titles I've only seen in libraries. It's… normal. The kind of normal I'm not used to anymore.
"Where are my brothers?" Gwen asks, her voice barely a whisper, scanning the room.
Helen, her mom, sighs softly. "They're at school, honey. Still at school." She gestures toward the couch. "Why don't you all sit down? Please."
We sink into the cushions, the springs groaning in protest. Captain Stacy sits across from us, his gaze fixed on Peter and me, then flicking to Gwen. He takes a deep breath, his shoulders slumping slightly.
"So," he begins, his voice hesitant, "about those… creatures."
I cut in before Gwen can even stammer out a reply. "They're Digimon, Captain Stacy. That's what they're called."
Captain Stacy just stares. The silence stretches, thick and uncomfortable. Gwen and I exchange a look. It's time. I pull out my Digivice, its familiar glow a small comfort. Gwen pulls hers out too. I tap the screen, and with a faint whirr, Renamon, Gatomon, and BlackGatomon shimmer into existence beside us.
George and Helen's eyes go wide. Captain Stacy's jaw actually drops. Helen lets out a small, choked gasp.
Renamon inclines her head gracefully. "Greetings, Mr. and Mrs. Stacy."
Gatomon adds, a bit more brightly, "Hi! It's nice to meet you!"
BlackGatomon just smirks, flicking her tail. "Yeah, hi."
Helen stares, her mouth working silently for a moment before she manages to find her voice. "They… they can talk?"
I can tell Captain Stacy is a bit freaked out, but he's a cop, so he's seen weirder, I guess. He takes a deep breath, rubbing his temples. Helen, though, she looks like she might faint.
"So," Captain Stacy starts, his voice a little shaky, but firm. "Gwen… Ethan… Peter… How did you all get so… into all of this?" He gestures vaguely, encompassing the talking cats and the fox-like creature now sitting calmly on the rug.
Gwen opens her mouth to answer, then closes it, looking at me with those big, worried eyes. "Well…"
"Let me explain, Captain," I cut in, figuring it's better coming from me than letting Gwen stumble through it. It's not like I have a choice now. They've seen the Digimon, they know something's up. Might as well lay it all out.
I explain how I'm Cipher, how Peter's Spider-Man, and how these creatures are called Digimon. I tell them about the Digital World, how we met, and that they're partners. I explain how we ended up in this universe and the dangers we face. It's a lot to take in, I know. But they need to understand what's going on.
Captain Stacy rubs his temples, looking like he's aged ten years. "So… these… Digimon… they're real?"
"Yeah," I say, trying to keep my voice steady. "They can help us, but they can also be dangerous. That's why we need to be careful."
Gwen jumps in, "Dad, Renamon won't hurt me. She's my partner, just like Gatomon and BlackGatomon are Ethan's, and Agumon and Gabumon are too." She looks at Renamon, who nods her elegant fox head in agreement.
Captain Stacy eyes Renamon skeptically, but Helen squeezes his hand, a silent plea to trust Gwen. He sighs, a long, drawn-out sound. "Alright, Gwen. I… I'll try to trust you on this. But I'm still worried." He looks directly at Renamon. "You promise no harm will come to my daughter?"
Renamon meets his gaze, her icy blue eyes unwavering. "I give you my word, Captain Stacy. Gwen is under my protection. No harm will come to her."
He nods, a reluctant agreement passing over his face. He still looks like he's seen a ghost, but at least he's not ordering us to be arrested. Small victories, right?
Captain Stacy looks between Peter and me, his expression a battlefield of duty versus paternal concern. He's clearly wrestling with it, and I can practically see the gears turning in his head.
"You two," he starts, his voice low, turning his gaze from Gwen to us. "I understand you feel like you have to do this. But you can't just go around playing vigilante. It's too dangerous."
"I have to, Captain," I say, my voice firm. "Feasibly, I'm the only one who can stop these rogue Digimon. The police… they just can't handle them. Not like this."
That hits him hard. I see it in the way his shoulders slump, a flicker of pain crossing his face. He's a good man, and he's trying his best, but he's in over his head with this whole Digimon thing.
Peter steps forward, his voice earnest. "Sir, I want to help too. I mean, I have these… gifts. And I want to use them to help people. You know, 'with great power comes with great responsibility.'" He throws the classic line out, and I can tell he means it.
Captain Stacy just sighs, a long, weary sound. I can practically feel his internal struggle. One part of him, the cop, wants to haul us both down to the station. The other part, the uncle who clearly cares about Peter and probably sees a bit of himself in us, doesn't want to put us in danger.
Helen, bless her, cuts through the tension. She gives Captain Stacy a knowing look. "George," she says softly, her voice gentle. "We can't stop them. We can only watch over them." She even manages a small, teasing smile. "You used to be so young and full of passion, just like them."
He looks embarrassed, and I can't help but smirk. It's a good point, though. He knows he can't win this argument. He settles for a compromise. "Alright," he says, looking directly at Peter and me. "Every now and then, you report to me. Let me know what you're doing. Just so I know you're… not getting yourselves killed."
We both nod, relief washing over us. It's a win-win. For me, it's like having the NYPD watching my back, which is a huge plus. For Peter, it's a way to keep Gwen's dad from worrying too much. A positive development, for sure.
***
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