\-Ethan-
The usual Midtown chaos hummed around us, but my focus was entirely on Gwen and Peter. I had heard snippets of the story already, the news reports flashing blurry images of a white-clad hero and a small, purple Digimon.
Now, I was getting the full story, the unedited version of their encounter with Impmon and the mysterious Jewel. Gwen recounted the agents, the frantic chase through Central Park, and the narrow escape, her voice still holding a hint of lingering shock. Peter added details about the Winter Soldier, his voice hushed with the weight of that encounter.
"So, Impmon got away, huh?" I asked, leaning back in my chair.
Gwen nodded, a worried frown on her face. "Is that okay, Ethan? I mean, he was causing all that trouble."
"It's fine for now," I reassured her, trying to sound as casual as possible. "As long as the little imp isn't causing too much trouble, a little freedom won't hurt anyone. We'll have to send him back to the Digital World eventually, but he probably just needs some time to blow off steam before being contained."
I figured a little unsupervised fun might make him more agreeable when it was time to send him back. It was a strategy that sometimes worked with BlackGatomon when she got too restless.
"What about Jewel?" I asked, my curiosity finally winning out. "You two actually met her. What was she like, under all that… sparkle?"
I wanted a real assessment, not just the media's gushing reports. They had seen her up close, fought alongside her, and that was the kind of information I needed.
Gwen and Peter exchanged a look, a silent conversation passing between them that I couldn't quite decipher. It felt like they were trying to be diplomatic, or maybe just really careful with their words.
"She seemed… nice," Gwen offered, a little too quickly. "Really wanted to help, you know? A true hero."
Peter nodded in agreement, his usual enthusiasm a little subdued.
"Yeah, she was… good at fighting," he added, almost as if he was thinking of a school report. "And her costume was really… bright."
They avoided any specifics, any real details that could paint a clearer picture. It was a general, almost rehearsed response, and it told me they were hiding something. I didn't push, though. If they weren't ready to share, I wasn't going to force it. Besides, there was a more immediate problem to focus on.
"Alright, forget Jewel for a second," I said, leaning forward. "Let's talk about those agents. The ones with the guns. What do you remember about them? Anything specific about their gear, their movements, anything they said?"
This felt bigger than a simple Digimon hunt. SHIELD was one thing, but these guys sounded like something else entirely. I needed details, anything that could give me a lead on who they were and why they were after Impmon.
"Okay, so these guys were… professionals?" I asked, trying to get a clearer picture. "Like, well-trained, not just some random goons?"
Gwen nodded, her brow still a little furrowed with the memory. "Absolutely. Their movements were too precise, too coordinated. And their gear was military-grade. Not like anything I've seen with the NYPD or even SHIELD."
Peter chimed in, "Yeah, they definitely weren't playing around. They moved like a well-oiled machine. And the leader… he had this really weird metal arm. Like, shiny and almost glowing in the dim light."
The words hit me like a splash of cold water. A metal arm. That detail, so casually dropped, snapped everything into focus. The pieces of the puzzle, which had been scattered across my mind, clicked together with a chilling finality. I knew exactly who they were. It was the Winter Soldier.
(Flashback)
I had devoured those comic books and light novels in my past life, filling my head with the intricate lore of the Marvel Universe. The Winter Soldier was a name etched into that knowledge base. He was James Buchanan Barnes, Bucky, Captain America's best friend, but twisted and brainwashed by HYDRA. He was a ghost, a legend, a shadow asset used for assassinations and covert operations for decades. His metal arm was his signature, a terrifying emblem of his transformation into a living weapon.
(End of Flashback)
This wasn't just some random rogue faction; this was HYDRA. The insidious organization, a cancerous growth within the very fabric of global security, was now operating openly, hunting Digimon in Central Park. This explained why they were so efficient, so ruthless. They weren't after Impmon for study or containment like SHIELD. They were after him for something darker, something I couldn't yet fathom. The realization sent a cold shiver down my spine. The stakes had just escalated dramatically. This wasn't just about protecting Digimon anymore; it was about protecting this world from a threat I knew was far more dangerous than anyone realized. I needed to be careful. I needed to be smarter. And I needed to make sure my friends didn't get caught in the crossfire of a war they didn't even know was happening.
"Okay, look, just… be careful these days," I told Gwen and Peter, trying to keep my voice light. "Things are getting a little crazier out there, even for New York. And Peter, if you see that metal-armed guy again, don't try to be a hero. Just run. Seriously."
Peter nodded, a serious expression on his face. "I got it, Ethan. I'm not stupid. I know when I'm outmatched."
"Good," I said, feeling a slight relief that he was taking it seriously. "And Gwen, you too. Don't go chasing after anything that looks too big for Renamon, okay?"
Gwen scoffed. "I can handle myself, Ethan. Renamon and I make a pretty good team, you know."
"I know, I know," I replied, a small smile playing on my lips. "Just… be smart about it. Call me if anything feels off."
I had to protect them. That was the bottom line. Telling them about HYDRA and the Winter Soldier would only put a target on their backs. They didn't need that kind of weight on their shoulders. They were already risking enough just by being around me and the Digimon. My responsibility was to keep them safe, even if that meant keeping them in the dark for now. It was a strategic decision, a calculated risk. I knew I could handle this on my own.
My mind raced, already formulating a plan. The Winter Soldier. HYDRA. This wasn't just a simple rogue Digimon hunt anymore; it was a deep dive into the shadowy corners of this world. I needed to investigate them, to figure out what their true agenda was, and how deeply they were entangled with the Digimon situation. This was a mission I had to tackle alone, using my unique abilities to uncover the truth.
***
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