Disclaimer: This fic uses Japanese terminology, such as Child, Adult, Perfect and Ultimate for Digimon levels, as well as names based on the Japanese names of Digimon. It is also based on the Japanese sets of the new Digimon TCG, instead of the Western version.

Digimon Chronicle CX: Digi-Duel

Chapter 0

The tapping on the keyboard and clicking of a mouse were the only noises in the dimly lit room, with the sole source of light being the computer's screen as Amane Takuto sat on his chair cross legged, eyes focused on the screen in front of him. His fingers flew across the keyboard, shifting to the mouse time and again as he aimed to finish his paper after days of procrastination. Takuto understood full well it wasn't a good habit, but his interests and being lazy got the better of him every time.

Takuto hastily took a half-assed skim through the whole paper, and pushing his glasses, quickly attached the reference page to the file and uploaded it to the university platform.

"Ha…" Letting out a relieved sigh full of regret and fatigue, Takuto closed his laptop and took a peek at the D-Bracelet's screen on his wrist.

3:40 AM.

The junior year young man rolled over onto his bed, and throwing the blanket over his body, quickly fell into a much needed slumber as his body and brain finally surrendered to the fatigue.

Takuto felt his surroundings in the pitch-black nothingness. Or at least, he tried to.

There was no floor, no ceiling, no wall, as Takuto flailed his arms and tried to balance himself. It was, alas, to no avail, as he was suspended in what seemed to be mid-air.

What the hell…?

He tried to say something, but no sound escaped his lips as pure silence surrounded him, suffocating any question or attempt to call for help.

He was alone, left hovering in some unknown dimension, with no one or anything within close proximity. It made no difference whether his eyes were open or not.

As anxiety tightened its clutch on his heart, Takuto heard a faint voice that seemed to resonate in the distance.

"…help…"

Help? Takuto tried to repeat the word, but he couldn't.

"…world…help…"

What world? What help? What is this? Questions sprang up in Takuto's mind, but he was met with no answers.

Is this all a dream?

"…counting… you…companions…"

Me? Why me…?

The voice seemed to fade further away as the faint shimmers of light started to break through the darkness.

Wait... Just what are you trying to tell me?

"…Soon…."

That was the last word he heard before the darkness was consumed by light.

"Aaaagh!" Takuto shielded his eyes frantically as his curtains were flung wide open, the sunlight streaming directly into his room and illuminating the less-than-tidy interior. "What the…"

"You better drag your ass out of bed, Takuto. It's already 10 in the morning."

The voice was all too familiar to Takuto's ears.

"Taiga…?" Groaning, he fumbled for his glasses and sat upright, and standing by his bed was the girl with semi-long blond hair he knew for so long, in a loosely buttoned white shirt under a checkered cardigan and long pants.

"Your mother asked me to get you out of bed so you don't shut yourself in during the holidays." Nagasone Taiga twirled the spare key with her index finger. "I know you've just submitted your last paper, so you're technically on holiday starting today. You gotta get up, tidy up your shit, and go enjoy your university holidays outside."

Takuto groaned as let himself fall flat back on the bed. He considered asking where the hell did she find the key, but that was an answer Taiga already told him.

"Why did mom have to send you here…?"

"What did you say?"

"Nothing…"

"I brought some easy breakfast, so get your ass up. And clean up your trash!" With that, Taiga left for the tiny kitchen within the apartment.

"Ughh…" Takuto dragged his palm down his face as he bemoaned his misfortune. While still sleepy, he was unwilling to get dragged forcefully out of bed by Taiga, and reluctantly he clambered out from under his blanket after another minute.

Takuto munched on the convenient store sandwich as Taiga set down the hot coffee in front of him before sitting beside the small table.

"Thanks…" Giving another yawn, he raised the mug to his lips to have a small sip. The hot drink moistened his throat that was dry from the lack of liquid and consuming the sandwich.

"You're really look a lot more tired since the last semester. What the hell were you doing all this time?" Taiga savored her own drink as she peered at her childhood friend.

"Nothing much…" Takuto ruffled his short brown hair. "You know…just being lazy and playing too many games."

"…I know I'm not one to say this, but you need to get your shit together."

"Yeah yeah…"

"And by games, you mean Digimon?" Taiga eyed the black D-Bracelet on Takuto's wrist.

"Oh, you noticed." Taiga brandished her own red D-bracelet in response. "Figures."

"Gotta commend Elysion for making such high-tech stuff for card games." Tapping on her D-Bracelet, Taiga invoked the bracelet's holographic screen that showed her deck. "You don't even need to have physical cards by this point. Hehe. And granddad was complaining that card games aren't orthodox cards played on the table anymore like in the old days when he played Duel Masters."

"…Ragnalord huh." Takuto gulped down the last bit of sandwich before scrunching up the packaging and hurling it into the convenient store plastic bag.

"I figured you'd know." Taiga smirked as the decklist disappeared back into her bracelet. "So? Got any plans for the holidays? I'm here to make sure you aren't shutting yourself in and doing nothing, on behalf of your mother."

"Getting to the local Digimon tournaments, I guess." Takuto replied absently-mindedly as he downed more of his coffee. "Been wanting to test out this new Ultimate Control I've put together."

"Oh? Ultimate Control huh?" A smile crept onto Taiga's lips, one that signaled she found prey. "I've heard about it, but I haven't gotten the chance to play against that deck yet. Seems like we found the perfect opportunity to test our decks."

"Seems you're very confident in your deck huh?" Takuto rubbed the sleep out of his eyes, as the prospect of testing out his deck got his spirits motivated. "Let me go get my deck logged onto this thing."

The young man quickly snatched the Digital Deck Modifier card from his computer and attached it to his D-Bracelet, loading its contents into the device and granting him a new deck to use in battles. While he was at it, he also grabbed the D-Gear visor lying on his messy bed sheet that was essential to Digimon Card Battles.

"So you're ready?" Taiga donned her own D-Gear over her eyes as well, which had a goggle type design that differed from Takuto's, as both of their D-Bracelets connected to register a battle.

"Like hell I am."

"Heh, you're only so energetic when it's some form of entertainment you enjoy."

"You make it sound like a bad thing."

"It's better than no motivation all the time."

"Touché. Well then…"

""Digi-Gate, Open!""

The holographic battle sheet spread out over the table, as the virtual decks appeared on their respective owner's fields, shuffling themselves. Of course, it wasn't real shuffling as they're actual random number generators, but having some form of "shuffling" at least made it feel more like a card game to pertain to those who enjoyed the orthodox card-on-table days. The same happened to the Digi-eggs in the Nursing Area, as 5 security and 5 hands were prepared from the decks. The Memory Gauge separated the two fields for both players.

The D-Gear acted as a HUD display, showing important information, as well as the means of controlling the cards, and was vital in playing the game in reality. Elysion really knew how to market their merchandise by separating the all these essential parts.

"Coin flip?"

"Sure. Tails."

Takuto tapped on the coin function, and the virtual coin flipped itself, landing on the battle sheet.

"Heads. I'll go first."

"Be my guest."

Active Player: Takuto

Memory: (0)

"No draws for first turn. Hatching phase. I hatch Chibimon (BT3-002) into my Nursing Zone. Then I summon HolyAngemon (BT1-060)." The small holographic vision of the Archangel Digimon with 8 radiant, silver wings and clad in holy armor appeared on Takuto's side of the field, as the Baby Dragon Digimon stayed nice and safe within the Nursing Zone.

Active Player: Takuto

Memory (0) - (-7)

"HolyAngemon's On Play effect grants me 1 security card." A card was added from the top of Takuto's deck to the top of his security zone. "Memory's moved onto your side, so turn end."

Active Player: Taiga

Memory (7)

"Alright then. My turn, and draw. I hatch…Kakkinmon." The small yellow baby Digimon with a shield-like helmet materialized virtually from a series of binary codes. "You're gonna regret playing all those large Digimon soon."

"We'll see." Takuto smirked as he took another sip of his coffee.

"I summon Ludomon (BT3-062). With his effect I reveal the top 5 cards of my deck and add 1 Ragnalordmon and 1 Legend-Arms Digimon from among them to my hand."

On Taiga's field, the Child level Legend-Arms Digimon clad in green armor and shields appeared.

Memory (7) - (4)

"I guess you haven't shaken off the habit of saying summon." Takuto raised an eyebrow at her usage of terminology.

"Can't help it. You know I rubbed it off my gramps." Revealing the top 5 cards of her deck, Taiga added a Ragnalordmon and a Bryweludramon from among them to her hand, increasing the size of her already plentiful hand.

"Then I digivolve Kakkinmon into Toyagumon (ST5-04) with 0 cost. I draw 1 from the Digivolution Bonus. Then I digibolve ToyAgumon into Greymon (BT2-057) with 2 memory, and then into Metalgreymon (BT2-063) with 3 memory." The small child Digimon rapidly evolved into the virus-type ToyAgumon made out of toy bricks, and immediately into the orange Dinosaur, to be succeeded by its Cyborg form equipped with organic missiles and a mechanized left arm, as Taiga drew 3 cards in total from digivolving 3 times.

Memory: (4) – (-1)

"That's some rapid progression." Her opponent clicked his tongue. "And I see you're making use of Reboot Digivolve Effect support."

"Heheh. I told you you'd regret playing large monsters with your deck. Turn end."

"Not that I have a choice with this deck… My turn, draw."

Active Player: Takuto

Memory: (1)

"I digivolve Chibimon into Veemon (BT3-021), and draw 1 from Digivolution Bonus." Takuto pursed his lips. He needed something to could stop the onslaught of the inevitable Ragnalordmon next turn. "I play Pinocchimon (ST2-049) with 11 memory."

Memory (1) – (-10)

The Green Puppet-type Digimon wielding a flint hammer appeared, and with a swing of his hammer, Rested Ludomon.

"Now Ludomon can't be Unsuspended during the Unsuspend Phase. Turn end."

Active Player: Taiga

Memory (10)

Taiga tongue disappeared back into her mouth after rolling briefly along her lips.

"Heh. Time for onslaught then. My turn, draw. I send Metalgreymon from my Nursing Area into the Battle Area."

The gates of Nursing Area opened, allowing the small vision of Metalgreymon to come stomping out, ready for combat.

"I suppose you know what's gonna happen next. I evolve Metalgreymon into Bryweludramon (BT3-072) with 3 memory. I draw 1 and immediately evolve him into Ragnalordmon (BT3-019)!" Taiga grinned as Metalgreymon evolved into the Level 7, Ultimate-level Jogress form of Durandamon and Bryweludramon. The blue Unique Legend-Arms knight wielding the strongest sword and strongest shield, and a long flowing red cape behind his back, appeared on the field in Metalgreymon's stead.

"I draw 1. Ragnalordmon allows me to put a Bryweludramon or Durandamon from my hand on top of his Digivolution cards to gain 3 memory. But since I don't have either right now in my hand, I'll leave him at that."

Memory (10) – (4)

"Then I play the option Final Zubagon Punch on Ragnalordmon. It first grants him +3000 DP, and when the targeted Digimon has more than 16000 DP, the Digimon gets Security Check +1, Reboot and Blocker." More binary codes swirled around Ragnalordmon's vision, boosting his power to 18000.

Memory (4) – (2)

"Ragnalordmon already has Blocker thanks to Bryweludramon and Reboot from himself, so the only real benefit is the power increase and another security check." Takuto observed.

Taiga nodded in response. "Ragnalordmon, attack Takuto's security. 4 Security Checks thanks to his own effect, Metalgreymon's Inherited Effect and Final Zubagon Punch. On top of that, he has Jamming as well thanks to Greymon, but that doesn't matter when Ragnalordmon has 17000 power."

Ragnalordmon's tilted sideways as the vision charged.

"Go, Ragnalordmon. Direct Smasher!"

The small vision jumped into the air, smashing down on Takuto's security with Durandamon's weapon form.

"4 checks…" Takuto's securities revealed themselves one by one.

"Holydramon… Volcanicdramon… Omegamon Alter-S… Taichi!" The young man exclaimed as the last check revealed itself to be a Tamer card. "With Taichi's (BT2-089) security effect, I put him into play. During your turn, all my Black Digimon gain +1000 DP, and during the start of my turn, if my memory gauge is lower than 3, it goes directly to 3."

"4 cost Tamer huh… That doesn't change my absolute advantage here." Taiga scoffed as the memory gauge moved to 4 on Takuto's side. "I summon Raijiludomon for 6 memory. I turn end here."

Active Player: Takuto

Memory: (4)

"Draw." Takuto started his turn as Ragnalordmon's Reboot allowed him to Unsuspend. "I push Veemon from the Nursing Area to the Battle Area."

The small dragon digimon bounded out from the gates of the Nursing Area.

I don't have a good enough hand… "I attack your security with Veemon. Veemon has Jamming, and Chibimon's IE grants me 1 draw on attack if the evolved Digimon has Jamming." Another card was added to Takuto's hand as Veemon's Rested itself.

"Ho? Alright then, I block with Ragnalordmon." Taiga declared the block, as Ragnalordmon's vision made short work of the charging Veemon with a swift slash.

"Heh, now I have the right cards to take care of your Ragnalord." Takuto grinned. "With 3 memory, I digivolve HolyAngemon into SlashAngemon (BT1-062). SlashAngemon's On Digivolve effect gives Ragnalordmon -8000 DP." The Powers Angel Digimon, equipped with twin blades and sharp wings evolved from the Archangel surrounded by binary codes, and with a quick slash weakened the opposing Ragnalordmon.

Memory: (4) – (1)

"Ho? And then what? Pinocchimon is only good for taking Ragnalordmon down with him." Taiga scoffed.

"Oh you'll know soon. First I attack the Rested Ludomon with Pinocchimon. Pinocchimon's On Attack effect grants me 1 memory. Blit Hammer!" The Puppet Digimon charged at the small Legend-Arms Digimon, and with a heavy blow with his hammer, smashed it into pieces of shattered data.

Memory: (1) – (2)

"I haven't finished yet." Takuto brandished his next card. "I digivolve Pinocchimon into Chaosmon (BT4-090)!"

Memory: (2) – (-4)

Pinocchimon raised his hammer as he was surrounded by binary code, and soon digivolved into the white chaotic knight transcending both good and evil, sporting Bancholeomon and Darkdramon's heads on both his arms and clad in pure white cloth.

"Chaosmon's On Digivolution effect. I Unsuspend him, and I can attack an opponent's Digimon right afterwards!" Takuto grinned as Chaosmon extended his BANTYO-Blade on his right arm. "I attack Ragnalordmon with Chaosmon. Ragnalordmon now has 10000 DP, so Chaosmon destroys him with 14000 DP." Takuto dragged Chaosmon's attack targeting towards Ragnalordmon. "Haou! Ryoudanken!"

Chaosmon's vision sped forward, and with a swift stroke, cut clean through Ragnalordmon and split him in two. Ragnalordmon dissipated into data, his digital cards dropping into Taiga's trash along with the whole digivolution stash.

"Heh. How's that?" Takuto smirked. "Chaosmon also has Penetration, so when he deletes Ragnalordmon through battle an survives, he does a security check as well. Dark Prominence!"

Chaosmon, this time extending the Gigastick Cannon from his left arm, fired a shot at Taiga's top security card, revealed to be Tankmon (BT3-067). The brief projection of Tankmon fired a shot at Chaosmon, who simply cut through it with his BANTYO Blade with ease.

"I turn end here."

Active Player: Taiga

Memory: (4)

"Not bad Takuto, just what I'd expect from a card gamer like you." Taiga's lips curved upwards. "But don't get ahead of yourself yet. My turn, draw. I hatch another Digitama…Kakkinmon again."

Takuto took another sip of his coffee, which was nearing depletion.

"I digivolve Kakkinmon into Commandramon (BT3-059) and draw 1." This time the small dramon camouflaged with splitter paint and wielding a rifle appeared in Taiga's Nursing Area. "Then I digivolve Raijiludomon into Durandamon (BT3-016) with 3 memory and draw 1 again."

Memory: (4) – (1)

"Bingo. I digvolve Durandamon into Ragnalordmon with 3 memory, and put Bryweludomon on top of his digivolution stack to gain 3 memory." Once again, the jogressed knight made his appearance on the battle zone from a cyclone of binary code that enveloped Durandamon. "I attack Chaosmon with Ragnalordmon, and I activate Raijiludomon's DE upon attack. While this Digimon is Level 7, I de-digivolve one of your Digimon. Of course, I choose Chaosmon and he's reverted back to Pinocchimon! Ragnalordmon! Duel-Edge Flosion!"

Takuto's Chaosmon was hit by a blast of virtual energy, and devolved back into Pinocchimon, who was subsequently impaled by Ragnalordmon's sword and burnt into data crisps from the fiery flames that enveloped it, joining Chaosmon in Takuto's trash. "Durandamon grants Ragnalordmon Penetration with his IE, so he breaks 2 more of your security!"

"I wouldn't be so hasty." Takuto's first security revealed itself to be Chaosmon. "Don't forget you don't have Jamming and you're only 14000 DP right now."

"Tsk…"

"Chaosmon is 14000 DP as well, so your security check stops there." Ragnalordmon is blasted by Dark Prominence and deleted from the Battle Area, moving automatically to Taiga's trash.

"Not bad, I didn't expect to hit another Level 7 in your security. I evolve Commandramon in my Nursing Area to Tankmon for 1 memory. Then I summon Chumon (BT3-061)." The Beast-type Digimon modeled after a cartoonish mouse appeared from a series of binary codes. "Now you can't gain memory aside from Tamer effects. Turn End."

Active Player: Takuto

Memory: (3)

"Heh, I take it that your deck is slowly running out of breath?" Takuto's hand increased by 1 as his turn started.

"You're joking. I've still got plenty of cards to make a comeback." Taiga retorted as she rolled her eyes.

"You'd better. I hatch Chibimon in my Nursing Area. Then with 11 memory, I play Holydramon (BT2-039)." The vision model of the Holy Dragon sporting 2 black horns and 10 wings of pure white like her serpentine body appeared from binary codes, and with a howl, 2 cards from Takuto's deck were added to his security zone. "Holydramon's On Play effect grants me Recovery +2 from my deck while I have 3 or less security. Let's see you get through this. Turn end."

Active Player: Taiga

Memory: (8)

"I'll punch through that in no time." Taiga's hand count increased by 1 as well. "I push Tankmon into the Battle Area, and I digivolve him into Metalmamemon (BT3-071) and draw 1." Tankmon quicly digivolved into the smaller Cyborg Digimon derived from Mamemon, a tiny round figure equipped with a steel helmet and Psycho Blaster on his left arm. "Metalmamemon's On Digivolution effect. I salvage a Level 7, Virus type Digimon from my trash and add it to my hand. Of course, I choose Ragnalordmon." 1 of the 2 Ragnalordmons in Taiga's trash slid from the pile back to Taiga's hand.

Memory: (8) – (5)

"Then I summon Ludomon again and use his On Play effect." Much to Taiga's disappointment, Ragnalordmon wasn't among them, so she could only retrieve Durandamon while the rest were returned to the bottom of her deck.

Memory: (5) – (3)

"I evolve Metalmamemon into Durandamon to draw 1. Then I evolve him to Ragnalordmon again to draw 1 again. I don't activate his effect and thus turn end."

Active Player: Takuto

Memory: (3)

"Draw. I attack with Holydramon, and with her On Attack effect I play Lucemon from my hand." The highest-ranking Angel Digimon growing 12 shining wings and enveloped in white holy cloth descended upon the Battle Area. "Holydramon allows the played Digimon to activate its effect, so with Lucemon's effect I gain another security."

Another card was added to Takuto's security zone, pushing the number back to 4.

"Heh, let's see you dwindle the number of my securities again. Holydramon, Holy Flame!" Holydramon's fiery breath of hole flame burned through Taiga's 2nd security card, revealed to be Cogmamon (BT4-072).

"8000 DP, that can't take down Holydramon. Then I attack with Slashangemon." Takuto slid Slashangemon's attack targeting towards Taiga's security zone. "Heaven's Ripper!"

Upon command, Slashangemon slashed downwards at Taiga's 3rd security card, and the Powers Digimon was met by a short vision of Greymon from the security. The dinosaur blasted a large fireball at Slashangemon, but it was easily evaded and the vision faded away as the Greymon dropped from the security zone to Taiga's trash.

"Then I play Bryweludramon as well with 10 memory. Turn End." The Ultimate Armor Legends-Arms Digimon compromised of shields and bound together by flames to form the shape of a dragon joined the other Digimon at Takuto's disposal.

Active Player: Taiga

Memory: (7)

Taiga quickly returned from the short trip to refill her coffee. "My turn, draw." She brushed through her blonde hair as she analyzed the situation. She was at a very disadvantageous state despite having her ace Digimon out, who was hardly at full power without the right IEs backing him up, against 4 large Digimon, 3 of which were Ultimate and 1 Child who boasted power rivaling that of Ultimates. That meant that unless she got rid of them or get some Blockers on the field, she'd be vulnerable to a direct attack next turn.

"Seems I underestimated that Ultimate toolbox you have there." Taiga acknowledged. "But I won't be going down without a fight! I hatch another Kakkinmon and evolve him into Toyagumon to draw 1. …Good timing. Then I use my second Final Zubagon Punch on Ragnalordmon! He now has 17000D DP, and gains Blocker in addition to another security check until the end of your next turn! I attack your security with Ragnalordmon! 3 checks!"

Memory: (7) – (5)

Ragnalordmon cut down Takuto's securities one by one, revealed to be Volcanicdramon (BT2-018), with 10000 DP, Holyangemon and Chaosmon, none of which had the power to stand up to Ragnalordmon. Alas, the current game doesn't even have a Digimon with DP that high by themselves. The 3 projections hurled their attacks at Taiga's trump card, but they were all easily stopped by Durandamon's and Bryweludramon's weapons forms as they fell into Takuto's trash after the check.

"I digivolve Chumon into Greymon for 2 memory, and into Metalgreymon again for 3! Go Metalgreymon, attack Takuto's last security!" An organic missile fired from Metalgreymon's chest smashed through Takuto's last security card, which was Shakkomon (BT3-040), its counterattacks rendered useless by Greymon's IE Jamming.

Memory: (5) – (0)

"…Hm. Then I summon another Commandramon. Turn end. Ragnalordmon and Metagreymon Reboots on your Unsuspend Phase."

Active Player: Takuto

Memory: (3)

Takuto's grin grew wider as he started his turn. "You've only got 2 securities left and a Blocker, while I got 4 Digimon that can attack. I hope you're ready to lose."

"Oh yeah? Who says there won't be an Option card in the last 2?" Taiga replied nonchalantly, although the small twitch of her finger didn't escape Takuto's eye.

"We'll see then! I attack your security with Slashangemon!"

Taiga's 4th security was revealed to be Durandamon, which made short work of Slashangemon before sliding into Taiga's trash, as did Slashangemon on his owner's field.

"1 less Digimon huh, but that doesn't matter. Lucemon, security attack!"

Lucemon fired his Grand Cross at Taiga's last security, but Ragnalordmon swiftly moved in and blocked the assault. Immediately retaliating with his Direct Smasher, the Ultimate Digimon cleaved Lucemon in 2 from high altitude and deleted the Angel Digimon into Takuto's trash.

"Alright, Bryweludramon , security attack." Firing the AI Shield Bits, Gause and Fay, Bryweludramon smashed through Taiga's last security.

"Security Check… Option card. Gaia Force (ST1-16)!" Taiga let out a sigh of relief as she dragged the virtual target console onto Takuto's remaining Digimon which was able to attack. "Since Ragnalordmon is a Red Digimon, his presence lets me cast a Red Option, and with Gaia Force's effect, I destroy Holydramon!"

Takuto facepalmed as Holydramon dropped into his trash. "You must be shitting me…"

It was Taiga's turn to grin again. "I wasn't expecting Gaia Force to be there at that point… but there it is."

"So much for luck… With 6 memory I evolve Bryweludramon into Omegamon Alter-S. With his On Evolution effect I De-Digivolve 1 on all of your Digimon, and destroy all of our Digimon with 5000 DP or less after that.

The transcendent Holy Knight, another species of the famous Omegamon, appeared on Takuto's Battle Area as he took Bryweludramon's stead. With a powerful slash from his Garuru Sword on his right arm, Taiga's Digimon were reverted to a lower level, and 2 shots from the Grey Cannon vaporized both Commandramon and Greymon.

"Ha… I guess it's game." Takuto shook his head in defeat and disbelief.

Active Player: Taiga

Memory: (3)

"This was a good battle, I would've lost if it wasn't for Gaia Force. My turn. I send Toyagumon from my Nursing Area into the Battle Area, and I attack you directly with Durandamon!"

The small vision of the Sacred Sword Digimon leapt over all of Takuto's Digimon, and with a powerful slash, ended the game as he faded along with everything on the virtual playing area.

"Damn, that was stupidly lucky of you." Takuto complained as he took of the D-Gear.

"It was a definitely a close game for sure." Taiga did likewise, her grin on her face unfading. "But I guess my deck won out in the end."

"Attacking was the only option I had at the time… Mugendramon and Alter-S couldn't save the game for me at that moment." Takuto sighed as he sat back in his chair.

"Guess luck was the major factor that decided the outcome of that Digibattle. But hey, that's card games for you." Taiga snickered as she stood up and stretched, and Takuto couldn't help but peek at her well-matured figure that couldn't be completely hidden under her clothing. He turned away, cheeks slightly red as Taiga finished relieving her muscles' stress.

"So? Was that enough of a test battle?" The young woman inquired.

"That was just one game. Plus, I need to get used to this deck and face more opponents to see which matchups work best for it." Takuto stretched as well, heading back into his bedroom to get his clothes changed. "Just wait here, I'll get changed and we can head over to the local tournament location. You're free for the day right?"

"My vacation started yesterday."

"Yeah yeah…"

The air was starting to fill with the scent of Spring, as Japan entered the 2nd week of January. The chilliness was starting to wear off and both Takuto and Taiga weren't in their warmest of clothes, as they slowly walked towards the local card shop while exchanging small chat.

A street magician, a young woman with long black hair and in her mid twenties, performed in front of a small crowd, garnering applause from them, especially the children, for her latest trick.

"Huh, she's got a D-Bracelet too huh. Digimon's really getting popular isn't it." Takuto observed as they passed by the small crowd, taking off his glasses to clean them with his shirt.

"God, use your glasses cloth. But yeah, I guess Elysion really did their marketing campaign well." Taiga had her hands behind her head, walking a little lazily beside Takuto. "Lots of people are falling for it, for better or worse. It's difficult for a digital card game to get this big, after all."

"Guess your granddad told you that from first hand experience."

"Well, yeah. You know him."

The duo headed towards their destination as the magician bowed, finishing her final illusion and garnering a sizable donation from the audience. Unbeknownst to all of them, their D-Bracelets' screens flashed faintly, as if in resonance, but faded as quickly as it started. They were too occupied with their objectives, and no one noticed this strange phenomenon, as the distance between them grew, eventually where they could no longer see each other.

"This world needs heroes…and we must summon them soon. Or else, the world will fall into absolute decay like how it did decades ago…"