Let's reach 250 Power Stones for an extra chapter
***
A few months have zipped by since the whole Queensboro Bridge mess. 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 Tamer. Meanwhile, 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 me a huge hug, thanking me for helping Peter get the internship. It felt good, you know? Making a difference.
Homeroom's dismissed. Mr. Harrison's voice drones on about graduation, something about six months and "preparing for the future." Feels like I've been living in this future for over a year already. Time 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 some 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 me buried in blueprints." He flashes that familiar, slightly overwhelmed grin.
Gwen walks up then, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "Sorry, Ethan. My dad wants me to help out at the precinct tonight. Paperwork's piling up."
"Ah, bummer," I say, trying to keep the disappointment out of my voice. "Guess it's just me 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 apartment. 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 me.
"Ethan! Fancy seeing you here," she calls out, wiping her hands on her apron. "Come on in, I just baked some cookies."
I hesitate for a second, remembering the last time I was here, but the smell of fresh cookies is hard to resist. "Sure, Olivia. Thanks."
Inside, her apartment is just as cozy as I remember, filled with the scent of cinnamon and something 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 me 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 games was my jam. It paid the bills, but it wasn't exactly fulfilling. I always dreamed of something more, something… epic. And now I'm here, in a universe where superheroes and digital monsters are real, and I'm a Tamer. 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 apartment, a subtle invitation. "If you're still stumped, you know you can always work for me. I've got a few businesses, and I can always use an extra hand. We'll find something 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 some investments that are doing pretty well."
Olivia raises an eyebrow, a playful glint in her eye. "Investments, 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 something meaningful, something 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 interdimensional monsters in my spare time, 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. "Anytime, Ethan. You know where to find me 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 me 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 me, 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 some 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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