Mikayla skipped up to the third floor of the main building on her way to her Biology Class, continuing to be whimsical thanks to her recent promotion. Back when she and Nick first arrived at Riverbed Academy the previous school year, freshmen were given an assignment in their English classes where they were tasked with writing their dreams for graduation and their desired career paths. If Mikayla was honest with herself, she never really considered life outside of her current present. And while her answer was relatively basic—and relatively childish—by authoring a poem indicating that she wanted to have plenty of friends and overall happiness, she caught the attention of Dion Allister and one thing led to another.
Nick however couldn't shake the fact that something about the sudden promotion seemed off and cautioned her to watch her back and be careful, to which Mikayla shrugged off. Compared to Mikayla's extroverted naiveite, Nick was introvertedly skeptical quite a bit and only spoke up when necessary. Mikayla though assured that he was being too much of a worrywart.
She then remembered that Kenny, her fellow writer had his free period around this time as well and he usually spent it in the Library on this floor. Feeling the necessity to thank him personally, she slowed down a bit and opted to pop her head in as she got closer.
Arriving inside the library, she scanned her ID and was allowed access, entering the spacious room. Kenny tended to seclude himself in the back of the library where it was quiet so he could concentrate without any distractions. Despite that, she did take it upon herself to check every aisle anyway, leading to the back area. As she did so, several students greeted her as she passed, and she happily waved back all the same.
"Have you guys seen Ken around by any chance?" Mikayla asked a classmate, who just so happened to be a library monitor that she ran across.
"In his usual spot." She answered. "Isabella was also looking for him too."
"Isabella?" Mikayla questioned. "Isabella is usually working alongside the Botany Club around this time. What would she need Kenny for?"
The monitor shrugged. "She said she was looking for a book on lilacs and saw Kenny pass by. After that, it was like she remembered something urgent and went after him.
That struck Mikayla as rather odd, to say the least. "I'm gonna look for them."
"Any reason in particular?"
"Nothing really; Just wanted to thank him for something he did for me." She gave a smile.
"Aww, that's cute." The monitor smiled.
Mikayla shyly waved her off. "We're just friends!"
"For now, at least." The monitor said, beginning to stack the shelf back.
Mikayla waved the monitor goodbye and continued down the aisle. As far as she was concerned, Kenny was a sweet guy but was a total bookworm. Like any artist, he was married to his craft and that was that.
"By the way…I REALLY appreciate you forgoing the promotion and giving it to that brat instead…"
Isabella's voice was muffled between rows of books, but it was enough to make Mikayla stop. It took a moment for the words to process and for a moment, Mikayla thought she was hearing things.
"Dion tried to persuade me to reconsider. Told him my school load is too heavy to go through with it…"
Mikayla was taken aback. That was…that's Kenny's voice.
Mikayla stopped at the edge of the row of books and peered over. This section of the library was barren, with several empty desks, one of which was being sat on by Isabella.
What were they talking about…?
Isabella giggled, "I'm not that much to handle, am I?"
"No, of course not. I live to serve my queen, after all…"
Mikayla's heart skipped. Queen…? To further add to her shock, she watched as Isabella jumped from the desk, leaned in, and locked lips with Kenny.
No…that…what was happening right now…?
Isabella pulled away, the boy's lips a little glittery from her lip gloss, "…Good boy. Keep your word for just a little while longer and I promise you'll be rewarded in kind…"
No way…Isabella's…? Mikayla pulled back behind the bookcase.
Kenny…and Isabella? Why are they…? What are they…? What did they mean by…? There were so many questions racing in her head that she struggled to process them.
Isabella turned her head, noticing something rustling behind the bookcase and her gaze narrowed. Pulling away from Kenny she made her way over to the shelf, only to find the monitor stacking books on the shelf. Once she noticed Isabella standing there, she waved her over.
"I found the book you were looking for." She said, reaching from under the cart and pulling the book out.
Isabella paused, remembering her intent on coming here, and took the book from the monitor. "Thank you."
"Anytime."
As the monitor rolled past, Isabella turned her attention to the direction of the front, having a sneaking suspicion that someone saw her.
And it was only a matter of time before she tracked them down…
Meanwhile, Mikayla managed to escape the library and found herself curled in a bathroom stall, quietly trying to process what she just witnessed, and what she just heard. Her heart was pounding, and she almost wanted to cry. There was no way she could keep this to herself, she thought. But the risks that would come out of it…
She didn't go to her Biology Class that afternoon.
Chapter 3: Dirty Little Secret
Mikayla's hand at some point re-cuffed itself onto Zack as she led him into the school. The bell had just rung, and students were pouring out of their classrooms, some leaving for the day, while others dragged themselves towards their final periods. This would make it difficult for Isabella to follow them if she tried to.
"Where are we going?" Zack asked, managing to get his arm back.
"Somewhere private where we can talk." Mikayla replied. She quickly retracted that statement, reminding her of what she saw. "Not like that, I mean, but—"
"Like what?" Zack furrowed his brow.
Mikayla's face was turning red. "No! It's just—like—ah!" She was growing frustrated with her words.
"Hey!" Zack grabbed her shoulders. "Breathe first, then talk."
"I'm fine!" She backed off. "I'm just…"
"Breathe…" Zack reminded, causing the latter to concede and listen.
"Look, it's nothing major. Just, watch out for Isabella, okay?"
Zack wasn't too oblivious to what that meant, but curiosity trumped. "Yeah, I kinda got the impression that she's flirty."
That was an understatement if there ever was one, Mikayla thought. "At least I don't have to explain it."
"Yeah, you don't have to worry about that. She's pretty, but I'm not a fan of girls who have that sole trait and nothing else."
"Still, Isabella has just as much influence on the students as the Vice President as Wallace does; especially since they're considered the Power Couple of the school."
Zack pondered that thought. Even though she calls herself 'Queen', that's probably more accurate than not.
"You didn't…happen to want to join the council to get close to her, right…?"
Zack was caught off guard by the question. "What? Who do you take me for?"
"Sorry, I mean it's just…lots of students I've noticed applied just to be in the same room with her. Rumor has it that she likes the attention and uses it to her advantage whenever she can."
"Yeah, well, you don't have to worry about that. I have a specific reason as to why I'm trying to join, and it has nothing to do with anyone on the council itself," Zack told her.
Mikayla was willing to accept that. "Good to know."
"Wait; did Nick join for that very reason?" Zack asked, as the idea suddenly sparked to life in his head.
Mikayla began to laugh, "Nick and people don't mix. He's only on the council to keep an eye on me. And the Council needed a treasurer."
"Really?"
"Yup. Aside from being tall and brooding most of the time, he scores consistently high on math tests."
"That's…actually good to know, in case I need a tutor."
Mikayla smiled, "You'll even get the friend discount of 'Free 99'
Zack smirked, finding the corny joke a little humorous. It was then the late bell rung, sparking the pair on alert.
"Crap! We're late!" Mikayla exclaimed. "I'll see you around! Oh, and good luck on your interview!" She waved before dashing off into a staircase.
Zack waved back until she was officially gone, digging his hand into his pocket afterward. It was obvious something was off about her just then, but whatever it was, it seemed to have passed. With all of that addressed, he too made his way to class, not wanting to be any later than he was…
Unfortunately, Mikayla's enthusiasm didn't last long, as when the school day was officially over, she didn't hesitate to make it back to her dorm room and lock herself in. As a result, she spent the entire afternoon into the evening buried in her pillow. She laid there in the silence of her thoughts, hoping to fall asleep and wake up like everything was a bad dream. Her phone was on silent, resulting in missed calls from both Nick and Dion who were trying to reach her as she was a no-show for her shift. Nick went so far as to come to her room, to which she pushed him away. Despite telling him it was a stomachache; it was obviously much more. Not only was she burdened with the thought that her new position was bought and not rightfully earned, but she was the keeper of a secret that would shake the dynamic of the school as they knew it. Wallace and Isabella were the faces of the school. And everyone knew their story.
Working on the school council from their freshman year, they both strove to reach the top, and now in their senior year, they are the top. The "King and Queen of Riverbed," as Isabella—and honestly everyone else—liked to call them. Mikayla wasn't fond of pompous manipulators like Isabella, hence her initial animosity, as it made everything she did feel unearned. And it was clear that Isabella didn't like her overly cheerful personality either but continued to put up a show of friendliness to save face. The pair respected their mutual distaste for one another and kept it moving.
Which made it all the more confusing as to why she talked Kenny into forgoing the position, especially in the manner implied. Because of it, if people found out, it was going to make Mikayla look bad too. Granted, rumors lingered about how Isabella was using her relationship with Wallace for social gains in the school and out; the problem was though, was that these were made by spiteful students who couldn't get themselves on the council.
A knock at her door prompted Mikayla to sit up. Making her way to the door she opened it and felt her heart skip as Isabella was revealed to be on the other side.
"'Hey there!" Isabella said, oddly enthusiastic.
An unusual sense of fear coiled around Mikayla's throat. "Isa…what are you…?"
Isabella invited herself into the room, filling Mikayla with dread. Closing the door, she attempted to speak, "Look, I didn't know—I mean—!"
"How much did you see?" Isabella asked.
"I—I…" she continued to stammer.
"Did you hear anything?" She asked pushing Mikayla up against the door. Mikayla felt chills down her spine as Isabella's perfume entered her lungs, making her feel nauseous. It was then Isabella cracked a smile and came up with an idea. Her hand raised close to Mikayla's face, just enough to make her wince and force a tear from the innocent girl.
This brought Isabella a sense of enjoyment.
"Relax…I'm not going to hurt you." She pulled away and walked into the middle of the room to the small table on the other side of the room. Mikayla felt her lungs open up, taking in deep breaths of air to ease her nerves. "Since Wallace is in his interview, I figured I would stop by and check on you. You seem to be doing okay for now…"
"…Look, I won't say anything…!" Mikayla said, catching her breath.
"Oh, I know you won't." Isabella said confidently. "You're too disgustingly sweet to make enemies intentionally."
Mikayla was confused by that, not knowing whether or not that was a compliment. Isabella looked up at her and smiled a little. "Willing to entertain me for a little bit?"
"What…are we going to do?" The words came out of Mikayla's mouth.
"Isn't it obvious?" She pulled her sleeve up, revealing the green and purple D-Streamer. Battle, of course."
Mikayla exhaled, "Oh…right."
"You can relax," Isabella repeated. "I'm here to have fun. You should too."
Mikayla almost didn't want to reply to that, opting to go over to her dresser and grab her own D-Streamer, an orange and white device. It was a gift that all members of the Student Council were granted. A secret 'perk' for being a part of the group. Strapping it on her arm, she returned to the table and sat before Isabella.
"Ready?" Isabella asked.
Mikayla nodded, albeit hesitant.
"Alright; Digi-Gate: Open!"
Both of their devices adhered to the command and from them, a small virtual gate appeared a few feet above the table, along with a mini counter. Since they didn't have physical cards, this tabletop mode the device offered, gave them virtual cards which appeared on the table as well as zones for each of them as well. Each of their hands lined up in a row of five before them, suspended on nothing except for the generated projections.
Following Wallace's instructions from earlier, Zack found himself approaching the Administrator building where the Student Council office was. While it wasn't as big as the main building, it was by no means small either. This gave the impression that it was specifically filled with office spaces for faculty, as well as for non-physical extracurricular activities like the Student Council.
He reminded himself that he was only doing this to see what he could gather regarding the Digimon.
"What other reason is there other than to become an influence among your peers while you strive to obtain the goals you have. You still have an interest in joining AEGIS correct? Imagine how higher your chances to get into their academy will be if you had the Student Council backing you?"
AEGIS has connections to the Digimon. That was a fact. Wallace must know that which may explain why he mentioned it when trying to recruit him before. Even though he would get a chance to talk to BanchoLeomon and Darkdramon about AEGIS's side of things, what he needed to do in the meantime is figure out how the Student Council is involved in that…
"You're gonna be late you know…" Nick's voice echoed from some feet away.
Zack looked over his shoulder, seeing the boy approach him from behind.
"Where're you coming from? Aren't you supposed to be upstairs too?"
"Mikayla's been acting weird since lunch. Just came from her dorms because I was worried. You haven't happened to see her lately, have you?"
Zack was about to answer, but a sudden thought held his tongue. "No, I haven't actually. I took care of what I had to take care of and went to class. Afterward, I was chilling out in my room before the interview."
Nick sighed, approaching the sliding doors and making his way inside. "Was hoping you had an idea."
As Zack followed him inside, he suddenly got the feeling as if he was being watched and turned. He took a quick scan and dismissed the notion, the door closing behind him. The inside of the building itself was neat and pristine, the shine of the white-tiled floor shining moreso due to the ceiling lights above. The security guard at the desk took note of both boys and scanned Nick's ID.
"He's a guest." Nick pointed to Zack, as the guard went to scan his identification.
The guard nodded, printing out a guest ID and handing it to Zack, which he was required to put on his jacket.
"Students aren't allowed inside the building after school hours unless they have permission or an escort. That's why Wallace wanted to have the interview earlier during Study Hall," Nick explained as the pair continued towards the elevator down the hall. "Can't tell you why though."
"It wouldn't be surprising if Headmaster Lancaster wanted to keep some things to himself," Zack mentioned.
"Can't say I care to know what they are," Nick said, pressing the button to the elevator.
"Speaking of, regarding Mikayla, I wouldn't worry too much. She seems like she can handle herself no matter the situation."
"She may seem like it, but she has a bad habit of keeping things to herself though," Nick pointed out. "She hates making people upset with her or worry. Then when it gets to be too much, she explodes and then ends up making everyone upset and worried anyway. But honestly, it's nothing to worry about, like you said. Just focus on your interview. I'll head back to her room once everything's over," Nick said.
Zack nodded, as the elevator door opened on the 3rd floor of the building. Stepping out, Nick led him off to his right, down the corridor where a double door awaited them. The path towards it as well was aligned with photos and portraits of various students, likely past Student Council members and others who had impacts on the school in varying, successful ways. Zack couldn't help but look at some of them, finding himself stopping at a specific one.
The girl in the picture had her black hair tied in a bun, and was mixed, the features in her face showing hints of Asian heritage despite looking fairly Caucasian. In the photo, she was dressed in a purple gown, and she was posing with other teens like her in what looked to be a ballroom. One of them was in fact Dion of all people.
"That's Layla Saiba." Nick highlighted, noting that Zack stopped. "She graduated about two years ago. She was the Student Council President before Wallace, but from what I hear, Lancaster only put her there because it looked good for the school's image and nothing else. The VP did most of the heavy lifting.
Zack stared a bit longer. "Layla Saiba…as in SAIBA Enterprise?"
Nick nodded, "You know her?"
Zack shook his head. "My Family may have been invited to a gathering or two, but nothing major. My Mom tried to keep me and my Sister out of stuff like that whenever she got a chance. Negative influences and all of that. Whatever happened to her? She sorta dropped off the radar after Millennium Day."
Don't know. Once news broke that she and others were victims of the Beta Testing accident from eight years ago, AEGIS has made it a priority to keep their whereabouts under wraps for the most part.
"And yet they couldn't stop Emily Parker from becoming a New York Times Bestseller?" Zack scoffed.
"That I can't answer. At this point, Layla Saiba is nothing more than a legend in Riverbed Academy's lore; a pretty face hiding ugly truths."
Zack stared at the picture a bit longer before breaking off from it. Layla Saiba was the heiress of the Digimon, which adds another piece to the puzzle of Wallace's cryptic words. Plus, now that Zack knows that Dion knew her to some degree, that's another person of interest to consider.
It was almost eerie how things were lining up in his favor…
"I play Floramon from my hand to end my turn." Isabella flicked the holographic card from the row before her, summoning onto the field a flower Digimon which had the body structure of a bipedal reptilian. She was green with whitish purple arms resembling flowers, and her head and the petals around her neck were ruby red in shade.
Floramon (ST4-02)
Color: Green
Level: 3
DP: 4000
MEMORY
1-1 (Turn Change: Mikayla)
Mikayla drew. Her anxiety remained steady as she studied her cards. Up to this point, She currently had an Agumon which digivolved from a Gigimon in her Raising Area, and a Monodramon in her Battle Area, while Isabella had a Weedmon—a green variant of Veggiemon—in her raising area, which evolved from a Budmon and Lalamon. To end her turn, she summoned Floramon in her Battle Area, which passed the counter over to 1 for Mikayla.
Even with 1 Memory though, she found, after a moment of concentration, that she could do plenty with it. "I digivolve Monodramon into Monochromon!"
Monodramon let out a tiny roar as the raptor reformed into a large, quadrupedal triceratops Digimon, its purple skin turning grey, black armor covering its backside, legs, and face completely. Several red striped horns grew around the face of its head as well.
Monochromon (BT5-012)
Color: Red
Level: 4
DP: 5000
MEMORY
1-0
"Finally, I play Flamemon from my hand." Mikayla finished, summoning a humanoid-beast Digimon to her side. It resembled a young boy, its spiky red hair and missing horns resembling goggles, it wore red braces on its arms with matching pants, as well as having white markings on its body all over. On its belt buckle, it had the markings of a symbol similar in style to the Japanese kanji character for "fire."
Flamemon (BT4-009)
Color: Red
Level: 3
DP: 2000
MEMORY
0-3 (Turn Change: Isabella)
"When Flamemon is played, I reveal the top 3 cards of my deck; from them, I can add one Tamer card as well as a Digimon with Hybrid as its form, from among them into my hand." Mikayla tapped the top of her deck three times, revealing the three cards: Sora Takenouchi, Agunimon, and Guilmon.
"Sora and Agunimon go to my hand, while Guilmon returns to the bottom. I end my turn from there."
Isabella took her turn and drew. "Weedmon moves to the Battle Area, then digivolves into Lilamon."
The bundle of weeds had binary rain on top of it, transforming it into a lilac-themed fairy Digimon. She looked up at Mikayla and narrowed her gaze, unsettling the girl.
Lilamon (BT4-059)
Color: Green
Level: 5
DP: 7000
MEMORY
3-0
"Now then…I activate Lilamon's Digi-Burst. By trashing Weedmon and Lalamon, I suspend Monochromon!"
Mikayla watched as Lilamon began to glow green, summoning the green holographic silhouettes to paralyze Monochromon with their digital toxins. The dinosaur Digimon struggled to stand upright as a result.
"When Weedmon is used in Digi-Burst, he gains me one memory. Meanwhile, Lalamon returns to my hand instead of the trash.
MEMORY
0-1
"Lilamon then attacks Monochromon. Thanks to Budmon's IE effect, as long as my Digimon has Digi-Burst, they gain +1000 DP.
Lilamon: 7000-8000 DP
Monochromon: 5000 DP
Mikayla watched as Lilamon flew over the tabletop and dusted Monochromon with even more toxic pollen, causing it to slowly break down into binary code after a few seconds.
"Floramon attacks your Security." Isabella suspended the smaller Digimon, sending her forward. Floramon lashed out its stamens in its hands like whips, breaking the first of Mikayla's Security.
Mikayla
Security: 5-4
"Security check," Mikayla revealed the card. "Security Trigger: Trident Revolver. I delete Floramon, then play Sora Takenouchi from my hand."
The trio of bullets flew from the remaining shards, and all make their mark, dispersing the flower Digimon into binary. Following that, A brown-haired girl wearing a pink shirt and blue helmet materialized on Mikayla's side, determined to do her part.
Sora Takenouchi (BT2-084)
Color: Red
"I end my turn by digivolving Lilamon into Lotosmon," she said, setting the card on top of Lilamon. The lilac Digimon responded, transforming into a purple-toned regal-themed fairy Digimon, also sporting the flowery motif as well.
Lotosmon (BT4-060)
Color: Green
Level: 6
DP: 12,000
MEMORY
1-3 (Turn Change: Mikayla)
"Someone's quiet…" Isabella commented as Mikayla drew.
Mikayla looked up, hesitant to respond. She contemplated her choice of words. "I'm sorry…"
"Are you wondering why I did what I did?"
Mikayla didn't respond directly. "Flamemon digivolves into Monochromon."
The humanoid Digimon quickly became the triceratops blocker, standing directly between the two girls.
MEMORY
3-2
"I heard you say…that you talked him into giving up the position for me…" Mikayla uttered. "Does that mean…"
"That you deserved it over him?" Isabella questioned.
"That's not what I—"
"I did what I thought was fair." She answered her question. "I think you're a much better writer than that half-wit."
"So then why were you two…" Mikayla began to blush, as innocent as she was.
"Because it doesn't take much to bend a person to your bidding..." Isabella answered with an honest smirk.
Mikayla felt her skin crawl. While it was easy to think of her words one way, Isabella's tone indicated something much more sinister in mind. "Sora… Spirit Digivolves into Agunimon!"
Isabella was taken aback as Mikayla's Tamer walked forward. Sora threw her hand into the air, calling the binary to descend upon her. In moments, she was replaced by a large, humanoid Digimon in a black body suit and red and white armor. Sora's brown hair was replaced by a mane of blonde hair, and the helmet was now a red mask with a trio of horns sticking from the forehead.
Agunimon (BT4-011)
Color: Red
Level: 4
DP: 5000
MEMORY
2-0
"Look, it's none of my business what you do to assert your power here. But I thought I was promoted because I earned it. I don't want it if it means you have to do disgusting things behind the backs of people you claim to care about," Mikayla stated, catching Isabella even more off guard. "Agunimon digivolves into Aldamon to end my turn!"
Agunimon roared as more binary rained. Agunimon's armor grew into a crimson shade, becoming more draconic, sprouting a pair of fiery orange wings, a tail, and a pair of triangular weapons on its gauntlets as well.
Aldamon (BT4-016)
Color: Red
Level: 5
DP: 7000
MEMORY
0-3 (Turn Change: Isabella)
Isabella drew, considering Mikayla's words. "Well, aren't you grateful?"
Mikayla's voice caught. "Have you no shame?!"
"I hatch Yokomon." Isabella tapped her Digi-Egg deck, producing a pink flower bulb Digimon with a blue flower protruding from the top of its head.
Yokomon (BT5-004)
Color: Green
Level: 2
"Yokomon digivolves into Lalamon, and then I play the Option Card, Pollen Spray."
MEMORY
3-0
Mikayla watched as Lotosmon began to move. The Digimon waved one of her two staffs in the air, summoning three cards from the top of Isabella's deck, revealing Rosemon, Kabuterimon, and Sunflowmon.
"Pollen spray reveals the top 3 cards of my deck, and I add all of which have the Digi-Burst Ability." She flicked Rosemon and Sunflowmon, the pair being added to her hand. "For each card added, I suspend one of your Digimon."
"What did you say?!" Mikayla exclaimed as she watched as both Monochromon and Aldamon were paralyzed before her.
"Consider it your punishment," Isabella replied. "Lotosmon attacks Aldamon."
Lotosmon: 12,000 DP
Aldamon: 7000 DP
Lotosmon crossed both of her staffs as an energy ball clad in rainbow began to glow. Once fully charged, she unleashed it, a spectrum of colors firing off and blasting the immobile dragon man Digimon. Having her blocker rendered useless a 2nd time around especially stung Mikayla.
"I end my turn by digivolving Lalamon into Togemon," Isabella said, turning the small Digimon into the hulking, boxing-glove-wearing cactus Digimon.
Togemon (ST4-06)
Color: Green
Level: 4
DP: 4000
MEMORY
0-2 (Turn Change: Mikayla)
Losing Aldamon so easily was not part of her plan. Mikayla drew, hoping to recover, though it was feeling one-sided as time went forward. "Agumon digivolves into GeoGreymon, and then into MetalGreymon."
She didn't want to take the chance and lose this Digimon too. Agumon roared and reformed into a larger version of itself, growing a brown faceplate, lined with red-striped spikes, as its body slimmed and grew muscular, the blue stripes adding on to its spiked forearms and shoulders. Following that, more binary came down onto it, covering its body in metallic armor, along with purple wings and a metallic left arm.
GeoGreymon (BT4-012)
Color: Red
Level: 4
DP: 5000
MetalGreymon (ST1-09)
Color: Red
Level: 5
DP: 7000
MEMORY
2-0
0-3 (Turn Change: Isabella)
She was hating the fact that it was the best she could do, given the current state of the game. She watched as Isabella drew, studying her movements. Compared to her, it was as though her opponent was contemplating the most brutal way to hurt her.
And this was scaring Mikayla inside.
"Togemon moves to the Battle Area, then Digivolves into Lillymon." Isabella opted to go with this, as the cactus marched forward and reformed into a smaller fairy by comparison, based on a lily, compared to a lilac like her counterpart.
Lillymon (BT1-079)
Color: Green
Level: 5
DP: 6000
MEMORY
3-1
"I then play Hidden Potential Discovered," Isabella continued. "By suspending Lotosmon, I can decrease the cost of Lillymon's digivolution by as much as 5. With that, I digivolve her into Rosemon."
Lillymon gave a wink, twirling in the air while the binary transformed her into a rose-themed fairy Digimon, carrying about it a more femme fatale aesthetic compared to the regal Lotosmon.
Rosemon (BT5-057)
Color: Green
Level: 6
DP: 11,000
"I activate Rosemon's Digi-Burst. Trashing Yokomon, Lalamon, and Togemon, all of my Digimon including itself gain Security Attack +1. Yokomon and Lalamon's IE effects trigger, Yokomon passing along an extra +2000 DP, and Lalamon recycling back to my hand, both due to activating Digi-Burst."
Rosemon powered herself up, expelling the three holograms and boosting herself with their power.
Rosemon: 11,000-13,000 DP
"Double Security Attack!"
Mikayla quickly reacted. "Monochromon—!"
"Don't you dare!" Isabella barked, causing Mikayla to stop midmotion. This allowed Rosemon to whip away the first of her security, revealing RizeGreymon, an alternate armored Greymon variant, as well as BurningGreymon afterward, a dragon Digimon sporting similar armor to the draconic aspects of Aldamon prior.
Rosemon: 13,000 DP
RizeGreymon: 7000 DP
BurningGreymon: 6000 DP
Both draconic Digimon took aim at Rosemon, who evaded their barrage and whipped them both with her vine whips, dispersing them into binary.
Mikayla
Security: 4-2
Mikayla all the while was questioning her hesitation. She realized her hand was shaking.
"I end my turn by playing the Tamer Yoshino Fujieda. When I play her, I can return one Digi-Egg from my trash to the bottom of my Digi-Egg deck," Isabella explained, keeping her eyes trained on Mikayla. "I return Yokomon."
A teenage Tamer with short brown hair, wearing a purple shirt along with a matching jean jacket and short shorts materialized on Isabella's side. She snapped her fingers and re-added the card back to the deck.
Yoshino Fujieda (BT4-095)
Color: Green
MEMORY
1-2 (Turn Change: Mikayla)
"Beginning to understand yet?" Isabella asked.
Mikayla gripped her hand and lowered it. "Understand what?"
"How badly you screwed yourself."
Mikayla gritted her teeth. She swallowed her fear and drew. "MetalGreymon moves to the Battle Area!"
She wasn't going to fall for Isabella's mind games. "MetalGreymon, Slide Digivolves into MetalGreymon: Alterous Mode!"
Yet another trick. Isabella focused on MetalGreymon, who raised its unarmored arm towards the stream of binary that descended. Its arm was then converted into a railgun-like weapon.
MetalGreymon: Alterous Mode
Color: Red
Level: 5
DP: 8000
MEMORY
2-1
"Where did you get these Digimon from…?" Isabella questioned, looking back at her.
Mikayla continued her turn, ignoring her. "I end my turn by playing the Tamer Marcus Damon."
Marcus Damon was another teenage Tamer with slightly long brown hair that was tied into a small ponytail. He wore a black tank top along with a red and white vest, dog tags, and cargo pants.
Marcus Damon (BT4-092)
Color: Red
MEMORY
1-3 (Turn Change: Isabella)
"I said, where did you get that Digimon?!" Isabella demanded.
"Does it matter?" Mikayla asked. "After all, we're just having fun, right?"
Isabella's eye twitched. "Watch your mouth if you know what's good for you."
Mikayla raised an eyebrow. "Or what? Are you're gonna kick me off the student council? I'll just tell Wallace what I saw."
Isabella's voice caught. Mikayla grew a small smile.
"You…!"
"You can threaten me all you want Isabella," Mikayla began, "But I'm not going to let someone like you hold power over me. When this is over, I'm going to get in touch with Dion and tell him that Kenny deserves that position."
"But you deserved it!"
"I do? Or is it that you want to control me? Do me a 'favor' so that I become one of your toys? That's not happening."
Isabella was beginning to feel the tables turn. She couldn't stomach the fact that this little girl grew a backbone all of the sudden. Who the hell was she to defy her?
"I'm going to break you." Isabella hissed, "I hatch Yokomon!"
Yokomon appeared in the raising area, awaiting Isabella's upcoming plays.
"I digivolve Yokomon into Palmon, then into Sunflowmon! I then suspend Yoshino, who decreases the digivolution cost of a Digimon with Digi-Burst by one."
Yokomon cycled through its middle evolution and straight into Sunflowmon, a large sunflower Digimon with reptilian features, particularly with its body, including a tail.
Sunflowmon (BT4-054)
Color: Green
Level: 4
DP: 5000
MEMORY
3-2
"Lotosmon, Security Attack! Lilamon's IE effect activates, suspending Monochromon as I have a Tamer on my side of the Battle Area."
Mikayla stayed resilient, as Lotosmon blasted away another Security with the blast of the rainbow.
Mikayla
Security: 2-1
"Security Trigger: Transcendent Sword!" Mikayla exclaimed. "While normally it deletes one of your Digimon with 11,000 DP or less since I have MetalGreymon in my Battle Area, I can delete one Digimon with up to 15,000 DP instead. I delete Lotosmon!"
The power of the security card empowered MetalGreymon, its railgun arm shifting open and expelling a beam of energy, which it used as a blade. It swung, slicing Lotosmon in half, causing the Digimon to scream into nothingness.
"Now I can play my Digimon without the risk of losing them immediately…" Mikayla sighed in relief.
"I'm not letting you get that chance!" Isabella continued. "Rosemon!"
Rosemon, seeking vengeance, swung her whip and lashed out at Mikayla's final Security, shattering it.
Mikayla
Security: 1-0
"Security Trigger: I play the Tamer Nokia Shiramine." Mikayla revealed, the Tamer's color taking Isabella aback.
"A…white… Tamer?"
Nokia was a red-headed teen girl with a nearly skin-tight teal dress underneath a pink hoodie and stockings. She appeared with a triumphant aura about her, enough to unsettle Isabella a bit.
Nokia Shiramine (BT5-092)
Color: White
"When Nokia is played, I can play either an Agumon or Gabumon from my hand directly into the Battle Area without paying its cost." Mikayla explained, summoning another Agumon onto her side.
"It won't matter any," Isabella assured. "I end my turn by playing Kabuterimon from my hand."
Kabuterimon appeared in her Battle Area, standing beside Rosemon to show that she wasn't backing down in this fight.
Kabuterimon (ST4-08)
Color: Green
Level: 4
DP: 5000
MEMORY
2-4 (Turn Change: Mikayla)
Mikayla drew. "I hatch Koromon!"
A pink ball Digimon bounced itself into Mikayla's Raising Area, eager to join in on the action.
Koromon (BT5-001)
Color: Red
Level: 2
I'll Digivolve Koromon into Monodramon, then Agumon into Monochromon to follow up."
As she did so, both Digimon converted and transitioned smoothly into the familiar forms.
MEMORY
4-3
"Alterous Mode, Security Attack!" Mikayla declared. "Since one of my Greymon Digimon is attacking, Marcus suspends to gain me a Memory."
MEMORY
3-4
"No, you don't!" Isabella reacted, suspending Kabuterimon to block.
MetalGreymon: Alterous Mode: 8000 DP
Kabuterimon: 5000 DP
MetalGreymon roared, holding out its Alterous Cannon as the teeth in the middle opened and charged. Kabuterimon fired its electro shocker, only for it to be reflected once MetalGreymon fired. Kabuterimon didn't stand a chance.
Mikayla all the while was smiling, grabbing Isabella's attention.
"What's so funny?" She snarled.
"Was hoping you'd do that. MetalGreymon's IE says that when Alterous Mode is blocked, I gain +3 Memory."
MEMORY
4-7
Mikayla watched as the color drained from Isabella's face as the tables continued to turn.
Mikayla took flicked a card onto the field, the table suddenly erupting in a pillar of holographic fire. "When I Digivolve into a Digimon with "Greymon" in its name, Nokia can suspend, reducing its cost by one. Now, Ancient Warrior of Flames, come to my aid! MetalGreymon: Alterous Mode digivolves into AncientGreymon!"
A massive dragon Digimon carrying along with the features of Agunimon and BurningGreymon suddenly emerged from the pillar of flames, asserting its overwhelming dominance, despite being a hologram on a table.
AncientGreymon (BT4-113)
Color: Red
Level: 6
DP: 13,000
MEMORY
7-3
"And to end, I play a second Transcendent Sword to delete Rosemon!"
AncientGreymon unleashed a roar of flames that made quick work of Rosemon, who like Lotosmon before her, fell victim to the wrath of the burning power.
MEMORY
3-4 (Turn Change: Isabella)
Isabella was now feeling the pressure of Mikayla's beast, finding her slowly losing her grip on the situation.
"I forgot to mention…" Mikayla began, causing Isabella to stiffen, "When AncientGreymon attacks, it gains Security Attack +1 for each "Greymon" or Hybrid Digimon in its sources. With both MetalGreymons, and GeoGreymon, that's an additional +3."
Isabella didn't need Mikayla's explanation further than that. That meant that Mikayla could very well win the following turn if she didn't do something to slow that thing down.
This could not be the outcome. This girl…this brat deserved every bit of punishment for defying her.
Isabella drew. She smirked, catching Mikayla's attention. "Sunflowmon moves to the Battle Area."
Sunflowmon floated into the area and awaited Isabella's play.
"I play the Option: Wisselen. Up to two of your Digimon are forbidden from Attacking or Blocking until the end of your turn. I choose AncientGreymon and Monochromon."
Mikayla gritted her teeth again, watching as both her Digimon were rendered powerless temporarily.
MEMORY
4-2 (Turn Change: Mikayla)
"I'm not done!" Isabella scolded as Mikayla went to draw.
"What are you talking about? It's my turn."
"Wisselen has a 2nd ability. After using it, if I have a Digimon with Digi-Burst present, I regain 2 Memory."
Mikayla looked down, her heart stopping when she realized Sunflowmon was influencing the counter, shifting the 2 back down to 0.
Which meant Isabella's turn wasn't over.
"Direct Attack, Sunflowmon," Isabella ordered, sealing the game in her favor.
Mikayla watched on silently as the virtual items slowly disappeared from the table top. So lost in thought that she was caught by surprise when Isabella suddenly pushed her onto the floor and pinned her. She couldn't help but get out a small yelp that made Isabella grin.
"Aww, what happened? Not so tough now are you?!" She leaned in, causing the fear in Mikayla to suddenly rush back. Gone was the spike of confidence she had before, for now, she was yet again at the mercy of Isabella.
"Let me go…!" Mikayla struggled to break free of the girl's grip, to no avail. Just as she was about to scream for help, Isabella's hand clamped on her mouth, silencing her. Isabella twinged a bit, feeling Mikayla's teeth sink into her finger, but even so, she wasn't letting go until she got her words out.
"Remember…you saw nothing, understand? Or else…" she leaned in and whispered in Mikayla's ear. Whatever she said, Mikayla reacted in kind, Isabella's words firmly taking effect. "Are we clear?"
Mikayla's expression shifted to resistant to docile in a matter of seconds, shrinking back into the fearful girl from before. She nodded vehemently, resisting the urge to cry at this point.
"I want to hear you say it!" Isabella removed her hand and curled her fingers around her throat, forcing a scream out of her. The tears she tried to keep in slid down the side of her face.
"I prom…se!" she squeaked out. Isabella released her grip a little to hear her clearly, "…I promise…I won't say anything…"
"Good girl…" Isabella released her and stood up. Mikayla meanwhile was catching her breath, once again attempting to regain her composure. "Oh, and you're welcome for the position by the way."
Mikayla sat up, remaining shaky as she looked towards Isabella. The girl hovering over her, Mikayla nodded, trying to remain calm. "Thank you very much…"
"My Queen…"
With a triumphant, and sinister grin, Isabella took her victory out the door behind her. Mikayla all the while broke down, the pressure of the last several hours finally collapsing from within…
"Well, given your responses to our questions, I don't really see any issues with joining us," Wallace stated. "Your transcripts from your previous school show that you're an excellent student, something that the school takes pride in as you know, and on top of that, you seem like you consider the values of the school a great deal."
Zack shrugged, "I mean, is it really that hard to understand that success is only what you make of it?"
"You'd be surprised how some students feel about that," Dion chimed in, pacing the room. "Even with the school's mantra, some students choose to rely on their identities to get them ahead in life. Meanwhile, others twist the message, use corrupt tactics, and claim that they succeeded thanks to hard work when in reality it was on the backs of others."
"Absolute power corrupts absolutely, after all," Zack stated. "That's why I was initially hesitant on coming here. I hate that elitism attitude."
"As do my Grandfather. Which is why he's making an active effort in recruiting Student Council members who have varying perspectives to break that aspect of our community." Wallace highlighted. "We all have things we need to work on, but at the very least having the right-minded members is a step in the right direction."
Zack nodded in agreement. Wallace couldn't help but look over, noticing Nick was staring intently at his phone. "Something the matter?"
Nick didn't answer him, rising from his chair. "It's my sister. I have to go."
"Is she alright?" Dion asked, voicing his concern.
"She's fine," Nick answered, not stopping his advancement towards the door.
"I asked Isabella to check on her before. She should be on her way back now." Wallace mentioned.
Zack turned in his chair towards Nick who was near the exit "Should I—"
"No!" Nick snapped, causing Zack to hush. Once the former opened the door, he was startled by Isabella who happened to pop up on the other side.
"Oh, I'm sorry." She apologized. Nick ignored her and shoved past her, taking off down the hall. She snickered and made her way into the room, "rude."
"You were with Mikayla this whole time?" Dion asked.
"Mhmm," Isabella answered. "She was sick this afternoon, so I brought her some ginger ale and hung out for a bit." She explained as she came into the room. Her hand grazed Zack's arm, the slightly cold graze sending a brief chill. "Actually, I was stopped by one of the library monitors on my way back. We may have a situation on our hands that needs looking into."
Wallace took a moment to process that, turning to Zack with an awkward smile, "I'm sorry but…we need the room."
"Oh. Yeah, sure, understandable." Zack nodded. There went his opportunity to learn about their connections, he thought to himself. Zack proceeded to leave the room, leaving the trio to discuss their private matter.
As he headed back to his dorm, he thought about the day's events overall. Despite the minor setback just then, he made more progress than he thought. He earned a spot on the Student Council, made some "friends" in Nick and Mikayla, and got the Morphomon and Darkdramon situation handled for the time being.
Now, hoping that his room wasn't about to instantaneously combust once again, He figured he could actually look forward to tomorrow.
Whatever that was gonna bring along with it, of course.