As Henry and Tesla approached, they realized the Frigimon was not their real opponent. A sudden movement caught their attention, and their heat vision picked up a smaller but equally menacing figure hiding behind a snowbank. Emerging from the snow, the true enemy revealed itself—a BlackGabumon.
BlackGabumon stood with a sinister confidence, its black pelt adorned with eerie white markings that seemed almost alive in the storm. Its yellow belly bore strange white symbols, and a sharp black horn jutted from its head. Its brown eyes glinted with malice, and even amidst the freezing environment, its presence radiated a chilling, predatory aura.
Unlike its normal counterpart, BlackGabumon's reputation was one of cruelty. This wasn't just a battle—it was a fight against a Digimon that enjoyed the suffering of others. Its reputation in the cold regions preceded it, known for tormenting weaker Digimon and forcing them into horrifying choices, such as betraying their tamers to survive.
In these cold regions it was one of the strongest rookie digimon and a normal Gabumon would lose against it most of the time in the wild because of its ferocity.
One of its special moves was to slightly remove its mask and terrorize other beings. If someone wasn't used to disgusting things, they would be paralyzed by the sight.
The foes level was 20.
Henry observed Tesla's nervous but determined demeanor with a calm, unwavering expression. He knew his composure was essential. Any sign of weakness or hesitation from him could seep into his partner and amplify Tesla's already evident anxiety. His responsibility as a tamer wasn't just strategy—it was being the anchor that Tesla could draw strength from.
The cold wind howled as Henry's boots crunched against the icy ground. The bitter chill pricked at his exposed skin, but he ignored it. His focus remained entirely on Tesla, the small, armored figure at his side.
Tesla, though tiny and seemingly fragile compared to his opponent, carried himself with as much courage as he could muster. The silver and green armor encasing his body shone faintly against the snow, its design both functional and reflective of the advanced technological bond he shared with Henry. His small Gatling guns gleamed under the overcast light, and the bombs strapped to his back rattled softly as he adjusted his stance.
The terrain was an immediate disadvantage. The snow was thick, uneven, and unyielding. Every step Tesla took felt heavier under the weight of his armor, and he could feel the energy it drained from him with every passing moment. His solution was ingenious—using his interface to adjust the armor's configuration, he activated a ski-walking mechanism that allowed him to glide over the snow rather than sink into it.
Henry watched the adjustment with approval. "Good thinking," he muttered, more to himself than to Tesla.
"I'm ready," Tesla said, his voice trembling but resolute.
Henry knelt down slightly, his hand resting firmly on Tesla's back in a gesture of reassurance. The cold steel of the armor felt frigid against his palm, but the warmth radiating from Tesla's nervous energy was palpable.
"Relax," Henry said gently, his tone steady but commanding. "It's just a weak Digimon. Don't let its appearance or behavior get in your head. Remember, this isn't just about strength—it's about knowing when to strike and when to adapt. You've got this. Don't overthink it, and don't try to connect with it. He's not someone you can reason with—he's a virus in the system. You're here to delete him."
Tesla's ears twitched, his wide, adorable eyes narrowing as he tried to process the advice. The term "delete" echoed in his mind, making him uneasy. Images flashed in his imagination—blood, screams, data fragments scattering like a shattered hologram. He gulped, shaking his head vigorously to dispel the horrifying thoughts.
Henry noticed the shift in Tesla's demeanor and regretted his choice of words. He wanted to say something to reassure him but held back, deciding Tesla needed to find his footing on his own.
Suddenly, Tesla let out a small but fierce cry, snapping himself out of his spiraling thoughts. "To victory and beyond!" he shouted, his tiny but determined voice carrying surprisingly far across the snowy expanse.
The shout seemed to ignite something in Tesla. He surged forward, the ski-like adjustments to his armor allowing him to glide smoothly over the snow. His opponent, BlackGabumon, had been observing quietly from a distance, but now it began to move.
BlackGabumon sneered as Tesla dashed toward him. He could smell the nervous energy radiating off the small Digimon, and his laughter echoed through the frozen landscape.
"Ha! A little bunny comes hopping right onto my plate," BlackGabumon sneered, baring his sharp teeth. The icy wind swirled around him, but the cold didn't faze him. This was his domain, and he thrived in it. His sharp claws flexed, and his dark pelt rippled as he prepared to make his move.
As Tesla's boosters carried him forward, BlackGabumon's sharp gaze caught sight of Henry in the distance. His grin widened. "Oh, a tamer! This just keeps getting better. A weak Digimon and a weak human. This'll be fun."
With a sudden burst of speed, BlackGabumon activated his Ice Dash ability. The snow beneath his feet hardened to ice, allowing him to glide effortlessly toward Tesla like a missile. Tesla, seeing the rapidly approaching foe, immediately shifted into action.
Bullet Storm
Tesla locked onto BlackGabumon and opened fire with his twin Gatling guns. Bright, rapid bursts of energy bullets shot toward his opponent as Tesla moved laterally, trying to avoid a head-on collision.
BlackGabumon, however, was quick on his feet. He zigzagged across the icy terrain, dodging the bullets with practiced ease, and retaliated with a volley of Blue Flame Balls. The glowing orbs of fire shot through the air, leaving trails of heat in their wake.
Tesla stopped firing and calculated his next move. The flames were heading straight for him, but rather than avoid them, he decided to plow through. Activating his boosters to maximum, Tesla surged forward, his small armored body crashing through the flames. The heat licked at his armor, but he pushed through, his determination unwavering.
BlackGabumon's eyes widened in surprise as Tesla emerged from the flames unscathed. "What?!"
Tesla didn't hesitate. As BlackGabumon prepared to strike with his flaming horn, Tesla used his sharp, armored ear as a deflective weapon. The spiky edge collided with the horn, causing sparks to fly.
Bunny Blast
Tesla released a powerful blast of heated air directly into BlackGabumon's face at point-blank range. The impact forced BlackGabumon back, his screeches of pain echoing as the searing heat burned his face and disoriented him.
Tesla didn't waste the opportunity. He immediately followed up with another round of Bullet Storm, unloading his entire clip into BlackGabumon. The bullets struck home, shredding the dark fur and tearing into flesh. Blood sprayed across the snow, staining the pristine white landscape crimson. BlackGabumon howled as the barrage blinded him, taking out his eyes.
The enemy staggered, his once-mocking demeanor replaced by enraged desperation. As he charged up another Blue Flame Ball, Tesla hesitated. The sight of BlackGabumon writhing in pain triggered something in the small Digimon. For a moment, he froze, the thought of inflicting more harm weighing on his kind heart.
The hesitation cost him. BlackGabumon launched the flame ball, striking Tesla squarely. The impact sent him flying backward, the armor absorbing most of the damage but leaving him winded and stunned. Tesla hit the ground hard, sliding across the icy surface.
BlackGabumon roared, seizing the chance to finish the fight. With his horn blazing, he charged at Tesla, intent on skewering him.
As Tesla lay dazed, Henry's words from earlier echoed in his mind: "I trust you, Tesla. To me, you're family."
Those words reignited Tesla's spirit. He pushed himself up, his eyes narrowing with resolve. "For Henry!" he cried out, shaking off his hesitation.
Terrier Tornado
Tesla spun into a fierce cyclone, the sharp edges of his ears glowing as he launched himself at the incoming BlackGabumon. The rotation allowed him to narrowly evade the horn strike, and his bladed ears sliced into BlackGabumon's throat with deadly precision.
Tesla didn't stop there. He continued spinning, tearing into BlackGabumon with every rotation. The enemy's roars turned to gurgles as blood sprayed in all directions. By the time Tesla stopped, BlackGabumon lay in a mangled heap, his body shredded and lifeless.
Tesla stumbled as he landed, his movements uneven. The adrenaline was fading, and he felt the weight of what he had just done.
"Tesla, don't look!" Henry shouted, running toward him.
But it was too late. Tesla's wide eyes took in the gruesome scene—the torn flesh, the blood-soaked snow, and the lifeless body of his opponent. The sight was too much for the gentle-hearted Digimon. His knees buckled, and he collapsed unconscious into Henry's arms.
Henry caught Tesla just before he hit the icy ground, cradling the small Digimon in his arms. His breath came out in heavy puffs, but his focus remained solely on his partner. Tesla's tiny body trembled, his face pale even beneath his silver-and-green armor. Henry felt his heart sink; he had been dreading this moment.
Tesla's battles often ended in blood and gore—something the gentle Digimon was never equipped to handle emotionally. Despite his determination to become stronger, Tesla's kind and soft-hearted nature clashed with the brutal realities of combat. Henry had always known this, but he had been too afraid to confront it. He should have prepared Tesla better, but deep down, he had been hesitant to force his partner to face the uglier sides of their journey.
"It's not your fault, Tesla," Henry whispered, his voice heavy with guilt. He gently brushed some snow off Tesla's armor. "You're not meant for this... but I should have made you ready. I should have stepped in when you hesitated."
He looked down at Tesla's small, unconscious form. Even in sleep, Tesla's body shook as if reliving the horror of the battle. Henry's grip tightened protectively. He had pushed Tesla into this fight, thinking it was necessary for growth, but now he wondered if he had made the wrong choice.
In the wild, Terriermon species like Tesla were known to follow stronger, kinder Digimon for protection. They were naturally inclined toward peace, only fighting when absolutely necessary. Tesla had grown stronger through training, but Henry realized now that strength wasn't enough. He hadn't prepared Tesla to face the emotional aftermath of battle, especially against a foe as cruel and sadistic as BlackGabumon.
"Maybe... I should have stepped down," Henry muttered to himself, the words bitter on his tongue. He thought about Naruto, who had supported him without pushing, leaving the choice entirely to Henry. And Henry had chosen to follow—chosen to keep up with his team and prove himself. But was that choice fair to Tesla?
Henry's chest ached as he looked at his partner, still shaking in his sleep. "I'm sorry, Tesla. I promised to protect you, but I let you face this alone. I won't let it happen again."
The blood-soaked battlefield was behind them now, but its memory lingered. As Henry carried Tesla away, his Digivice beeped softly. The data left behind by BlackGabumon had been absorbed and transferred to Tesla. The Digivice glowed faintly, feeding the energy into Tesla's unconscious body. The process was automatic, but Henry felt no satisfaction in the victory.
"Don't worry, Tesla," Henry whispered as they moved through the snow. "It's just a bad dream. Don't let it haunt you. We'll face the next challenge together, and I'll make sure you're ready for it."
He held Tesla closer, shielding him from the cold wind as they returned to the base. The battle had been won, but the cost was heavier than Henry had anticipated. Tesla's performance had been enough to pass the trial, but his decision was postponed. Henry needed to prove that Tesla was emotionally ready for the dangers of the Digital World. If he failed to do so, Tesla wouldn't be allowed to accompany the team on their journey.
Henry wasn't disappointed in Tesla—he was disappointed in himself. He had let his partner down, and the pain of that failure cut deeper than any wound. As he trudged through the snow, Henry silently vowed to do better. For Tesla's sake, he would become the partner his Digimon deserved.