Ben's body ached. Heat and rubble surrounded him as he struggled to sit upright. Smoke invaded his lungs with each grunt and screams out in the distance weighed him down moreso.
How did things end up like this…?
Clothes torn and scorched, he got onto his feet, his left arm slacking to the side, motionless and numb. The device strapped onto it was broken, cracked pieces falling off as he rose. He grunted as he tried to move it, only for the numbness to be replaced by a searing pain that he managed to withstand.
A low bellowing voice hummed from above him, the ground shaking as each giant step moved about. Feeling the reassurance, Ben proceeded to stand his ground, taking note of the human-looking figures and their oncoming army of creatures approaching in the distance.
"You ready…?" Ben asked his partner, in which he listened to the giant raise its massive bone-carved weapon.
Before Ben could move, a bright light began to shine out in the distance, blinding him. Its radiance surrounded the area in a vibrance of colors, its intensity holding steady as Ben attempted to move ahead.
This was suicide, he thought. But this was his only shot.
"Captain…" A voice made out, causing Ben to hesitate.
"Captain…!"
"Captain!"
The familiar voices threw him. Just enough for him barely notice the massive energy blast that was careening for him. Unable to avoid it, the voices continued to call out to him until it made contact…
"Captain Merlo!"
Ben jerked awake, disoriented, and heavily breathing. He was shaking as well, his fingers vibrating on the console before him.
"Captain Merlo…?"
Ben snapped back, looking through the glass and finding the trio from the Monitamon mission standing below in the gym in their training gear. He pressed the button on the computer to unmute.
"Yes, what is it?"
"Nothing, it's just…you were snoring up there."
Ben blinked, looking down and seeing some of the computer keys wet with saliva. The three looked exhausted themselves, but clearly not as bad as he was. He cleared his throat, opting to ignore his insomnia for the moment. "How are those laps coming?"
"We've finished the set you told us to do."
"In that case you are dismissed," Ben replied. "Remain on standby and await further orders."
"Yes, Sir!"
"Oh and…keep the snoring thing between us."
The trio all gave looks as if they were going to need time to contemplate that, which made Ben unmute. "That is…unless you want a week's worth of drills."
And just as quickly the trio straightened up and marched out of the training room, leaving Ben alone at the console above. He sighed, realizing that in hindsight this punishment was moreso on him than those agents. Melissa, his fiancé, even noted that he was overworking himself lately and it was beginning to catch up to him.
"This is nothing…" he whispered to himself, rising from the console to find something to clean it. As he began wiping it down, his D-Streamer beeped, in which he tapped his Bluetooth to answer it. "This is Merlo…okay. Agent Saiba and I will head out this morning personally. Yes, Ma'am." Ben hung up and took a deep breath.
"Showtime?" Beelzemon quipped through the tech.
"We're bound to find out," Ben replied, setting the cleaning wipes back on a nearby table. "The traces led the Monitamon to Riverbed Academy."
"Ahh, Layla's stomping ground. No wonder you want to bring her along."
"To be honest, if I could avoid it, I would. But we don't have time for second chances."
"That we do not," Beelzemon agreed. "Just itching for a fight after so long."
"If things turn out how I expect, you may not have to wait long then."
With that, the pair left the room, bracing themselves for the day ahead.
Chapter 4: Wolves in Sheep Clothing
"Glad to hear everything worked out," Zack said in the speaker of his phone while he tied his shoes. Since he didn't have time to return to the house after the interview, he made it a point to call the house that morning to check up on the "houseguests." To his fortune, BanchoLeomon was currently the one in control, answering the phone promptly and indulging Zack for a few minutes.
"Yes, surprisingly Darkdramon has been quiet, so Morphomon and I have been able to get ourselves acquainted with your home. We appreciate your hospitality if I haven't said anything before." BanchoLeomon said on the other side.
"Like I said before, I never turn away someone in need. Besides, aside from trying to figure out why AEGIS is creating Digimon, I also need to figure out why Morphomon chose to disguise herself as my little sister; or how she even knew what she looked like."
BanchoLeomon pondered that for a moment before speaking. "Truthfully, the fact that she has the ability to disguise herself and others is unique among Digimon."
"Is it really?"
"Based on Darkdramon's memories, it seems AEGIS has conducted experiments with other AI-based programs outside us Digimon, including beings known as Saibatars, if I understand correctly."
"Original name," Zack replied as he grabbed his book bag. "Any idea on what those are?"
"Hmm…" BanchoLeomon thought deeply for a moment. "As their name suggests, they were created by SAIBA Enterprise as a method to control the Digimon when they still existed. Data on them is classified it seems, as even Darkdramon seems to have been denied access to it."
"From what I can tell, he's a mercenary, right? AEGIS likely didn't fill him in because it wasn't necessary," Zack said, walking through the door out of his dorm room.
"That's plausible. The D-Brigade troops are a strike force created by AEGIS to hinder the operations of cyber terrorists and hackers. A sort of 'extreme anti-virus' if you will."
An ironic comparison considering Darkdramon hacking all of the electronics in his room, Zack remembered.
"And what were you created for?" He continued.
"I was actually not created by AEGIS, but rather SAIBA Enterprise."
Zack stopped midway down the staircase, "wait! Is that why AEGIS sent him after you?"
"They sent the D-Brigade after me for kidnapping Morphomon. I was taken into custody during Millennium Day and since then have been collaborating with them under a common goal."
"Which is what exactly?"
"To—!" BanchoLeomon let out a hard grunt.
"You okay?"
"What do you want?!" The voice boomed through the speaker, forcing Zack to pull his ear back.
"Hey… you're awake…" Zack said, disappointed that he couldn't get BanchoLeomon's answer. By this point, he was completely down the stairs and approaching the door to the lobby.
"Yeah I'm awake, why are you bugging me?"
"Actually, I was on the phone with BanchoLeomon, just checking up on you guys and making sure the house was still intact."
"Have you found a way to separate us yet?"
"It's only been a day."
Darkdramon snickered, "Humans, I swear…"
Zack sighed, as he continued down the hallway into the main lobby. He saw no point in dragging the conversation further. "Look, I'm dropping by after school. Since you're gonna be awake for a while, continue to stay put and try not to tear up the place, all right?"
"I can try, but for my amusement, I may just not."
"Why do you have to be so difficult?"
"Why do you have to take your time getting us separated?!"
Zack's eye twitched. "Look, how hard is it to just stay put and keep from getting…into trouble…?"
Zack slowed down, approaching the group of students gathering in the main lobby who were watching the virtual displays with varying emotions. Girls were whispering amongst themselves, while some of the guys felt their hopes and dreams shatter in an instant. And somewhere in the middle were students cackling at the sheer embarrassment this was to bring about.
"…Good boy. Keep your word for just a little while longer and I promise you'll be rewarded in kind…"
The familiar, yet oddly soothing and attractive voice rung into the air, sending the crowd into a various uproar. Zack, however, was left simply speechless.
"Hey human! What are you on about?! Hey!" Darkdramon howled in the speaker.
"I gotta go!" Zack quickly said and hung up, racing out of the lobby of the dorm building, and racing off straight to the Admin Building.
Was this the "situation" that Isabella mentioned the night before?
In a matter of minutes, Zack managed to get to the building, and, after verifying with the Security Guard on shift that he was a part of the Student Council, he was granted access to the upper floors. He made it to the end of the hall, pulling the doors open, and interrupting Dion midsentence. His sudden appearance gathered the stares of everyone in the room. Mikayla and Kenny were in the center of the other members, the former having an anxious expression on her face, which only grew more bewildered by the appearance of Zack.
"Can we help you?" Dion asked, his harsh tone completely shifting to the one Zack remembered from the day prior.
"What's up with that video circulating all over campus?" Zack asked, still trying to catch his breath.
"That's what we're trying to figure out." Wallace rose from his chair. "Someone recorded Ms. Brandt and Mr. Maxwell in the library and leaked it for the school to see. The IT department is having their hands full trying to take it down, but they've encountered a virus that's keeping it protected."
"That aside," Dion brought up, "What we're focused on now is this situation at hand. Mr. Maxwell has admitted to surrendering his appointment to Ms. Brandt, with the promise of something in return."
"But I never asked him to do that!" Mikayla exclaimed. "I was on my way to class!"
"Mrs. Englewood marked you absent." Dion countered.
"So what? How does that prove anything?" She turned to Zack, "You remember seeing me yesterday, right? Remember?"
Nick looked up, causing Zack to take a step back. "I thought you said you didn't see her yesterday…"
Zack got quiet. Then without thinking, he gave them an answer. "I saw her around 7th period. She seemed nervous about something, but she didn't tell me what it was about."
Mikayla shrunk in her seat. "Zack…"
"Look! I'm not wrong am I?" he argued, continuing to mindlessly defend himself. "Besides, I barely know you so what reason do I have to lie for you?"
Mikayla's eyes widened, exposing the tears that were welling up. Zack stuck to his guns despite how screwed up he realized he sounded. The evidence was damning and the last thing he needed was to go down with the ship before learning anything.
"I suppose you should be brought up to speed, since you came all the way here," Isabella who was quiet up to this point stood and began to make her way to Zack. "One of the library monitors on shift approached me yesterday afternoon and brought up the conversation and seeing the two together. I reported it to Wallace and the other members, as it's one thing to be in a relationship, but another entirely to use or manipulate students for personal gain.
"I'm telling you that's not me…!"
Isabella shot a glare at Mikayla, silencing the girl instantly. Like a small, docile animal, Mikayla whimpered in her seat.
"As I was saying…" Isabella continued, "We summoned them both privately to alert them of the matter, as up until this morning these were nothing short of rumors. But now that the footage has been leaked and made known across the entire body, this escalates the matter on a whole different level."
"Does it really have to be though?" Kenny finally spoke up, bringing silence to the room. Mikayla turned to him, the boy showing frustration and embarrassment. "I didn't even want the position in the first place, so what does it matter, let her have it."
"But…" Mikayla began to protest.
"But what?"
"I didn't…" Mikayla's lip contorted and wrinkled, her eyes visibly growing heavy. "I mean…I wouldn't…do that…"
"Oh jeez, was it really that bad?!" Kenny snapped. "You're the one who kissed first, alright; not the other way around!"
"But why would I lead you on like that?! It doesn't make sense!" she sniffled, trying harder to hold her emotions in.
Ken pondered the thought for a second and scoffed. "You're right. It doesn't make sense."
A sense of relief finally graced Mikayla's senses, only to be ripped away by Kenny's follow-up. "It didn't make sense to think that you were this nice person all the time. Should've known better when you approached me. But I was dumb and let my emotions trick me into thinking you liked me…"
The words felt like knives in her chest, the pain spreading through her being with searing heat. She couldn't think of anything, let alone say words to mend the pain the boy was feeling.
Not that he would listen to them anyway.
"Am I dismissed?" Ken turned his attention away from his target and directly at Wallace, the one responsible for summoning him.
Wallace quietly nodded, giving Ken the okay to leave. The boy silently took his leave, passing Nick who was keeping his anger controlled.
"What do you suggest then?" Nick asked, wanting to know the fate of his sister after Ken departed.
Dion turned to Wallace, the latter letting out a heavy sigh. "Unfortunately, it's rather simple. Mikayla's relieved of her duties as of this moment."
Mikayla, reacted as such, curling up in the chair and giving up in the struggle to hold back her emotions. She finally broke, crying profusely right where she sat.
"And as for her role among the Student Council, she is hereby suspended until further notice."
"That's not fair!" Zack stepped forward. "Why punish only her and let that other kid walk out of here?!"
"Seems someone's already forgot his contribution towards this decision…" Isabella highlighted.
Zack hesitated, realizing that he did do just that. He backed off, turning to Mikayla who was completely distraught.
"As for Mr. Maxwell, while he's disqualified from the position, his role amongst the school body doesn't hold as much weight as Ms. Brandt. Ms. Brandt represents the Student Council in everything she does at the school. As such, if she's committing illicit acts which will reflect badly on us, then the punishment should be as just."
"You might as well expel her then!" Zack exclaimed, continuing to speak up. "If she's going to be such a burden to the precious Student Council then why—"
Mikayla suddenly shot up from her seat and proceeded to make her way out of the room. Nick threw one final glare towards Zack before going after her.
Realizing his current lack of restraint caused her to storm out, Zack turned back toward them. "You know Mikayla isn't that type of person."
"The video evidence doesn't lie…" Isabella leaned against Wallace's desk. "Besides, it's like what Nick said; what good is it if you take her side now..?"
Zack narrowed his gaze towards Isabella, who remained smirking. Without answering her, he also took his leave, Wallace staring intently as the door closed behind him.
"Home sweet home!" Ben exclaimed, standing in the front of the Riverbed Academy gate.
"Those are not the words I would use to describe this place," Layla said, closing the SUV door.
Ben put his hands to his hips and leaned over, the sun's rays reflecting off his sunglasses. "Come on, I thought you would be excited coming back to your old stomping ground."
Layla looked at him with a raised brow. "Are you feeling okay?"
He couldn't help but give a poorly timed yawn. "I may be a bit sleep deprived; trying to make the most of the day as is."
"Explains the shades." Layla pointed out. "Anyway, are you sure the Monitamon's search led them here? Last I checked there was nothing special about this place outside of it being, y'know, a school."
"The Monitamon don't lie," Ben replied. "They're like digital bloodhounds."
Layla remained skeptical, though granted if this was a situation involving Digimon, who was she to complain? At this point, it was best to take any opportunity that presented itself.
As the pair walked into the gates of the school, Layla felt a small rush of nostalgia hit her. It's only been a year and a half since she graduated from the school, the remaining two years of school were spent dealing with the aftermath of the fall of her father's company, wavering PTSD thanks to two variations of digital apocalypses and her training to become an AEGIS Agent, the latter of which she had to keep secret.
As a result, her grades slipped, not to the point where she would outright fail, but enough to have several Guidance Counselor visits. She was able to blame her performance on the stress of losing everything, and once Director Whitaker caught wind of this, she arranged for Layla to have tutoring sessions to keep her grades passable at the very least. The girl's focus though was on preparing for what was to come, as well as protecting the Digimon and their wellbeing. School became an afterthought and while she kept in touch with her friends, her involvement with AEGIS kept any real interactions with them to a minimum. Even after three years, they were none the wiser, except for her best friend Emily, who Layla had to go to more than once to vent out her frustrations when Ben wasn't available.
"Hmm…" Ben muttered as he studied his D-Streamer. By this point, they were in the main courtyard, the point where the path branched in different directions, between the Main Building, the Admin Building, Dormitory, and Exit. "The Monitamon split after reaching this point."
"Split?" Layla stopped behind him. "So instead of one signal, they're tracking three?"
"Guess there's more to this school than our missing Digimon case," Ben concluded.
"Like I said, Riverbed's always been quiet. If anything, Cisco City was the one with the Digimon incidents."
"It was…until AEGIS obtained the Digimon, right?" Ben reminded.
Layla grew quiet. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Ben paused and realized what he said. "That came out wrong."
"Are you sure? Because you're not wrong. Cisco City's been calm since I handed the Digimon over to AEGIS. Meanwhile, here in Riverbed we had how many issues in the last three years?"
"Layla, I'm sorry, I didn't mean that! I'm not blaming you for—"
"Whatever, I'm going back to the car." She dismissed herself, with Ben attempting to grab her. He barely missed, and snickered, realizing that was yet another thing he needed to address later on.
That matter aside for the moment, he turned back to his device and followed the direction of the current signal. Turning to his left, he took several steps only to stop short. He looked up and saw the tan-skinned boy standing directly in front of him, the device on Ben's arm reacting as if it was a metal detector striking gold.
Zack took a moment to process what was happening, realizing the man standing before him was dressed in an AEGIS uniform. On top of that, the device on his arm matched the one on his, the silver and dark purple compared to the black and green.
"Can…I help you?" Zack asked, burying his hands in his pockets to keep his own device hidden.
Ben lowered his arm. "Actually, you just might. My name is Captain Benjamin Merlo of AEGIS, and we've received some reports about Digimon sightings recently. Have you noticed anything out of the ordinary?"
Zack could think of several instances. But given that he didn't know Mr. Merlo's intentions, he wasn't quick to divulge that information. "Digimon? They're still a thing?"'
"Mostly false alarms, but AEGIS isn't willing to take any chances. So, I'm guessing you're not aware of anything?"
"Aside from rumors here and there, not really."
"I see…what kind of rumors?"
"Well, some students were talking about how the Student Council President may know about the Digimon. But being that Digimon haven't been seen in the last several years, nothing ever came out of it."
"Well like I said, any information about Digimon is taken very seriously by AEGIS. With everything that's happened, they're classified as dangerous weapons and run the risk of being used in cyber-attacks, or even domestic terrorism if the situation arose to that."
"I'm aware of that."' Zack nodded. "I wouldn't know why rumors like that would spread outside of maybe trying to slander the Student Council. Honestly, I'm not a fan of the school or the people so I just ignore it and go about my day."
"Well of course, as the saying goes: 'if you see or hear something, you say something,' right?"
This guy was persistent, Zack thought. "With all due respect, I'm running late for class. Is there anything else you need?"
"I'm sorry about that," Ben apologized. "If possible can you point me in the direction of the Headmaster's office?"
Zack obediently pointed to the Admin Building. "3rd floor, make a left the second you get off the elevator."
"Appreciate that. And your name was…?"
"Is it relevant to your investigation?" Zack asked, continuing to be skeptical.
"About as much as that D-Streamer you were trying to hide," Ben smirked.
Zack looked at his arm, noticing that he subconsciously pointed to the building where the device was strapped. He sighed in defeat and answered him properly. "Zachary Sullivan," he replied. "Can I go now?"
Ben nodded. "If I need any further information I'll be sure to reach out to you one way or another."
Zack nodded, proceeding to break from Ben and make his way to class. Ben then turned his attention to the building and took a deep breath.
One mystery down, two to go…
Zack, however, didn't go to class. He attempted, but the lingering conversations and criticisms of how fake Mikayla was now as a person, slowly got to him the closer he got to the main building. He couldn't let this pass without at least attempting to apologize.
He ended up back at the dorms, where some students still floated by, just as lost in the conversations.
"Hey!" A student called out to Zack, catching his attention. "You should know, right? Is she a good kisser?"
Zack had to resist reacting to that. "What do you mean?"
Another student scoffed, "He means is she really that easy?"
"For real, I mean, she's cute and all, so I wouldn't mind her roping me in."
The students cackled on, so much that Zack couldn't take it. He threw common sense out in the wind, walked up to the instigator, and slammed his fist into the boy's jaw so hard he spun out onto the floor, the inhabitants tensing from the impact.
"The hell's your problem, bro?!" Another student called out, keeping his distance.
"It's hilarious watching how you guys turn on someone so quickly," Zack said. "Mikayla's one of the most honest people in this place, and she's a part of the Student Council, so show some respect!"
The victim got up, blood leaking from the side of his mouth. Realizing he was bleeding, his eyes locked onto Zack, "and who the hell are you to tell us what to do?"
"Her friend," Zack replied sharply.
The victim walked up to Zack and got close to him. "Then maybe you should keep a leash on her before someone else takes a—"
Zack punched him again, the students tensing even harder, with the addition of cackling. With the student fading in and out, Zack turned his attention to the other students who quickly silenced themselves, suddenly regarding the boy as a threat. Zack radiated with a powerful aura that instilled legitimate fear.
"What the heck are you doing Zack?!" Mikayla's voice made out from behind him. By the dry tears and red eyes, she hasn't stopped crying.
Zack's breath caught as he reactively turned, finding the girl standing before him in shock. He realized very quickly that he just made the situation a whole lot worse for her.
"I—" Before he could get the words out, she stomped forward and smacked him across his face, earning another tensing from the small population of stragglers.
"You've already done enough, so mind your business!" She made out, nearly breaking down again.
Zack felt that. It reminded him of his words that he shouted at her from that lost moment in time.
"I'm…sorry." Zack retreated.
Mikayla wanted to believe that. In her heart, she wanted to. But instead, she turned her back and headed for the staircase to head back to her dorm room.
Zack on the other hand had to go to class with both the side of his face red and his pride bruised…
"You seem stressed…" Isabella curled herself around Wallace as he stared down at the tablet on his desk.
"My grandfather was approached by AEGIS this morning…" Wallace admitted.
Isabella hesitated. "What would they be doing here?"
"What do you think?" Wallace's gaze turned. "One thing after another."
Isabella pulled away, sensing the hostility emanating from her boyfriend. "It would seem that way wouldn't it."
"It's nothing to stress about," Dion said with his legs crossed. He flicked his finger across his tablet, reading about the recent article on the school's blog, detailing the events of the morning. A slight smirk crossed his face. "Punishment was served, and things proceed as normal."
Wallace exhaled, reluctant to admit that. "Are you sure this was a wise decision?"
"Having doubts in my abilities?" Isabella asked.
Wallace shook his head. "I mean…"
"Relax…"' She assured him, leaning back in.
The doors to the room burst open revealing Nick, who was visibly angry. "DION!"
"…Things are proceeding just as I expect them to…" Isabella grinned devilishly.
"Nicholas," Dion replied, setting the tablet down.
"Bad enough you kick my sister off Homeros but now you have to slander her?!" Nick revealed the article that Dion was reading prior. He highlighted the author.
"All news, good or bad is reported, you know this."
Nick stomped forward towards the couches, "You call this reporting?! This is a hit piece at best!"
"You're overreacting."
Nick grabbed Dion by the collar, the latter still smirking in triumph. "Pull it. NOW!"
"Or what? I'm not a student so I can have you expelled with a few words." Dion threatened.
"Settle down, the both of you!" Wallace snapped. "I agree with Nick, there was no reason for you to do that. Pull the article now."
Dion looked over to Wallace, continuing to hold the same uncaring expression on his face. "If he can beat me in a battle, I'll consider—"
"Not consider, will." Wallace enforced.
Dion's expression relaxed, and he rolled his eyes. "Fine." He moved to the other side of the coffee table and sat down. "Have a seat."
Nick reluctantly sat, not being a fan of having to do all of this to save what was left of his sister's reputation. He pulled his sleeve up and activated the white and blue D-Streamer, while Dion revealed his black and crimson-colored one. Both devices activated, the gameboard setting up between them.
"Digi-Gate: Open!" they both exclaimed.
"I'll start by hatching Bukamon!" Nick stated as he tapped the top of his Digi-Egg deck. In response, a small baby aquatic dinosaur Digimon appeared, the tuff of orange hair sticking out on a body of pale gray.
Bukamon (BT4-002)
Color: Blue
Level: 2
"Bukamon digivolves into Gabumon, then from my hand I play Strabimon.
Bukamon inherited the stream of blue binary and evolved into a yellow reptilian Digimon with a white and blue wolf pelt over it. Meanwhile, a light-purple-furred Lycan-like Digimon wearing white leather pants, gloves, belts, and chains materialized, eager to fight.
Gabumon (ST2-03)
Color: Blue
Level: 3
DP: 2000
Strabimon (BT4-023)
Color: Blue
Level: 3
DP: 2000
MEMORY
0-3 (Turn Change: Dion)
"When Strabimon is played, I reveal the top three cards of my deck and add a Digimon with Hybrid in its form and a Tamer from among them while the rest return to the bottom."
Strabimon reached for the air and slashed it, binary code lining the small airspace and reforming into three cards from the top of Nick's deck. They revealed themselves as the Hybrid Digimon Lobomon, the Tamer Thomas H. Norstein, and the Digimon known as Coelamon. Nick took the initial two and send the remaining card to the bottom of his deck, before passing it over to Dion.
Dion drew. "I'll also hatch," he said tapping his deck. "Xiaomon, come forth."
A small bean-shaped puppy Digimon with two floppy maroon ears and matching paws and tails materialized, it's cute demeanor only emphasized by its fluffy exterior.
Xiaomon (BT4-006)
Color: Purple
Level: 2
"Xiaomon digivolves into Demidevimon, then into Devimon."
The cute puppy Digimon absorbed the descending binary, and as a result of it, its fangs grew, while navy-black wings ripped from its back. Its disfigurement only continued until it began to glow briefly and reform into Devimon, a devilish Digimon dressed in all black with a red bat-like stamp on its chest.
Demidevimon (P-034)
Color: Purple
Level: 3
DP: 2000
Devimon (ST6-08)
Color: Purple
Level: 4
DP: 5000
MEMORY
3-2
"I'll end my turn by playing Musyamon from my hand as well," Dion said, flicking the card onto the field, and summoning an aggressive oni-like samurai warrior with battle-ridden armor and a cracked sword.
Musyamon (BT5-075)
Color: Purple
Level: 4
DP: 4000
MEMORY
2-2 (Turn Change: Nick)
Dion studied Nick while the latter drew his card. "How about we make this a bit more interesting?"
Nick looked up. "Not interested. Gabumon digivolves into Coelamon."
Gabumon took in the binary code, reforming into an aquatic fish-like Digimon with a metallic skeleton as well as hands and feet protruding from its fins.
Coelamon (BT5-026)
Color: Blue
Level: 4
DP: 5000
MEMORY
2-1
"I end my turn by playing Thomas H. Norstein from my hand. When he's played, I get to draw a card from my deck." Nick played the Tamer, summoning a modestly dressed, blonde-haired teenage Tamer wearing a blue tie, green vest, and blue khaki pants. Afterward, he drew his bonus card.
Thomas H. Norstein (BT4-093)
Color: Blue
MEMORY
1-2 (Turn Change: Dion)
"You're not the least bit curious as to why I decided to pen the article?" Dion drew, trying to provoke Nick.
"I already know why. Because it would attract attention. Shame you can't rely on your own skills as a writer, you have to resort to stirring drama."
Dion smirked finding the diss humorous. "All right, I deserve that one. But no, that's not the reason. Musyamon, Security Attack!"
Musyamon roared, summoning blue flames to coat the blade. Slashing the air, the blaze soared forward, catching the first of Nick's Security.
Nick
Security 5-4
"Security Check," Nick said, revealing the card. "Gaogamon with 5000 DP deletes Musyamon."
"Ah-uh. Musyamon's has Jamming. Gaogamon's powerless against it."
Nick snickered as the card greyed itself out and fizzled into binary.
"Musyamon, to end my turn, will digivolve into LadyDevimon," Dion stated, digivolving the samurai into a feminine variant of Devimon. Dressed in similar attire, she licked her red lips in anticipation.
LadyDevimon (BT3-088)
Color: Purple
Level: 5
MEMORY
2-1 (Turn Change: Nick)
"LadyDevimon, when digivolved, allows me to draw two cards, then send any two to the trash," Dion said, drawing two. "With her effect, I discard both NeoDevimon and DanDevimon."
Nick watched as Dion discarded both the Level 5 and Level 6 Digimon, respectively. For him to discard DanDevimon like that seemed odd, as he could've digivolved LadyDevimon the following turn if he wanted to. The blue Tamer drew and decided to act upon the opportunity.
"Coelamon moves to the Battle Area, then I play the option card, Full Moon Blaster. With it, one of your Level 5 or lower Digimon is bounced back to your hand. I bounce LadyDevimon back to your hand, trashing all of its sources as well."
MEMORY
1-4 (Turn Change: Dion)
Dion seemed slightly troubled by the result, watching as the binary-built moon blasted his Digimon with a beam of light, sending the data stream splitting, one end of it flowing back to his hovering row of cards, while the other to his trash. He drew his next card and played it almost immediately. "I play Tsukaimon, then digivolve it into Devimon."
A purple mammal-like Digimon resembling a guinea pig with wing-like ears and a mischievous smile appeared in Dion's Battle Area briefly before turning into a second Devimon.
Tsukaimon (BT3-079)
Color: Purple
Level: 3
DP: 2000
Devimon (BT2-074)
Color: Purple
Level: 4
DP: 4000
MEMORY
4-1
1-1 (Turn Change: Nick)
"One can only wonder what you're trying to get at," Dion noted.
"Says the one who instigated this challenge." Nick countered as he drew.
"Would it be alright if I tell him?" Isabella chimed in, she and Wallace watching silently up to this point.
Nick's attention shifted, and the boy could feel his chest tighten. He now suddenly found himself interested.
Isabella took note of his expression and grinned. "This is punishment."
"Punishment?" Nick repeated.
"Punishment," Dion repeated. "For defying our Queen."
Nick took a moment to process what Dion said. A long, moment at that. "Your…are you serious?"
Dion leaned back, "What other crime could there be that would deserve such a—"
Nick burst out in hysteric laughter, taking the trio aback. It was unusual for Nick to show any level of emotion past neutrality and at this point, anger.
Isabella quickly reacted. "How dare you—!"
"Strabimon, Security Attack!" Nick interrupted her, ordering his Digimon to attack Dion. The latter was still in shock to the point where the shattering of the Security snapped him back.
Dion
Security: 5-4
The card revealed itself to be DemiDevimon, a small, bat Digimon resembling a similar aesthetic to the pair of Devimon.
Strabimon: 2000 DP
DemiDevimon: 2000 DP
Strabimon landed back on the tabletop bracing itself for DemiDevimon's swarm of smaller bats. Strabimon gathered dark energy around its claws, slicing the bats as well as DemiDevimon into binary before the stragglers latched onto it and turned it into binary as well.
"Of all the petty things I've heard…" Nick said, afterward turning to Wallace who continued to be silent. "You're not gonna say anything about this?"
"He's not…" Isabella said, returning to his side. Wallace avoided looking at Nick, giving Nick all the information, he needed.
"Whatever. I end my turn by Spirit Digivolving Thomas into Kendo Garurumon!"
"Spirit what?" Dion repeated, unfamiliar with the term.
Nick flicked the card forward, Thomas' card shifting forward on its own to allow the other card to overlay on it. Thomas meanwhile flexed as binary began to surround him. In a quick flash, Nick's Tamer became that of a cyborg wolf Digimon, white in color with bluish-purple stripes and gold claws. Matching swords were docked on its back as well, connected with joints in its back.
KendoGarurumon (BT4-027)
Color: Blue
Level: 4
DP: 6000
MEMORY
1-2 (Turn Change: Dion)
"You have those weird Digimon too…?" Isabella asked.
"Is there a problem?" Nick asked.
"There is! Since when was it possible that Tamers could digivolve into Digimon?" Dion demanded.
"Who knows; if I had to guess, it was probably around the time you two lost your dignity to that wench over there."
Isabella gritted her teeth, while Dion's tried to keep his composure. Wallace continued to remain silent, not bothering to react at all.
"You have no idea the kind of mistake you just made saying that." Dion drew. "I move Devimon to the Battle Area, then Digivolve the other into Lady Devimon. Once again, I draw two and discard two."
The original Devimon moved forward, while LadyDevimon took the spot of the newer ones. Dion, as stated drew two, then discarded another DemiDevimon and then his own Gabumon.
MEMORY
2-1 (Turn Change: Nick)
Nick drew, "By all means, since you want to talk so much, enlighten me! KendoGarurumon, Security Attack!"
The wolf Digimon howled, extending its blades, and using the wheels on its heels to dash across the tabletop. With the blades glowing with light, it took off into the air and sliced the Security in half.
Dion
Security: 4-3
Gazimon, a weasel-looking Digimon appeared, but it was immediately taken out by the light of the blade, which cut so deep that there was no chance for it to retaliate.
KendoGarurumon: 6000 DP
Gazimon: 2000 DP
"I end my turn by digivolving KendoGarurumon into BeoWolfmon," Nick said as KendoGarurumon accepted its reward. The additional binary reformed the cyborg, causing it to become bipedal and more humanoid, its' tail and blades combining to be a massive sword weapon, while the armor reorganized itself to reveal the human aspects of its counterpart Lobomon.
BeoWolfmon (BT4-030)
Color: Blue
Level: 5
DP: 7000
MEMORY
1-2 (Turn Change: Dion)
Dion exhaled, taking the moment to collect himself. "There's no need for words any longer. I gave my reasons for penning the article. And you've made your statements loud and clear."
"Meaning what?"
A twisted grin came on Dion's face as if he were tossing away a façade that he kept hidden. "Meaning…it's your turn to feel the same level of despair as I've inflicted on your sister."
Nick braced himself as Dion drew. The latter then rolled his neck, popping between gestures, and chuckled likely. "Let's begin…"
LadyDevimon seemed to share his sentiments as she locked her red eyes on the suspended BeoWolfmon.
"Attack!" he ordered, causing the feminine Digimon to unleash a slew of bats towards BeoWolfmon.
"Sorry, but that's not gonna work." Nick countered to Dion's surprise. "Since BeoWolfmon has a Blue Tamer in his sources, he's impervious to attacks."
Dion grit his teeth naturally, "Fine! Then the attack will go towards your Security!"
BeoWolfmon took its sword and swung the air, dispersing the wave of bats, who redirected and went for the Security behind it.
Nick
Security: 4-3
LadyDevimon, initially feeling triumphant, quickly lost her glee when faced with the other side of the Security card. Isabella shared the same sentiment as the massively armored Lycan Digimon, bearing a strong resemblance to BeoWolfmon, minus the humanoid features.
AncientGarurumon: 13,000 DP
LadyDevimon: 8000 DP
The predatory grin that was permanently engraved on the helmet of the titan was enough to instill fear in the devilish queen, as she cowered as its blade rose overhead. In one fell swoop, LadyDevimon was no more, her data and everything belonging to it flowing straight into Dion's trash.
"Tsukaimon's IE effect grants me an extra Memory when deleted," Dion noted as the counter ticked up for him.
MEMORY
2-3
"My remaining Devimon now will digivolve into NeoDevimon and attack your Security once more!"
Devimon roared as purple binary infused into it, the black suit it wore ripping open, revealing its bare, grey torso, while its claws and face were now covered in golden tips and a mask, respectively. Short, grey hair also exploded from the back of its head, while red spikes jutted from its forearms and its tattered black wings turned crimson in color.
NeoDevimon (BT4-084)
Color: Purple
Level: 5
DP: 7000
MEMORY
3-0
NeoDevimon, now fully Digivolved went in for the attack as per its Tamer's wishes. Its red eyes on the side of its mask all lit and fired a concentrated shot at Nick's security, shattering it.
Nick
Security 3-2
Nick revealed it, getting another Tamer for his side in the form of Matt Ishida, a dirty-blonde-haired boy with a purple shirt and grey pants.
Matt Ishida (BT1-086)
Color: Blue
"And finally… I play the Option card Revive From the Darkness!" Dion exclaimed, excitedly for Nick's taste. "I delete NeoDevimon to revive one Level 5 Digimon from my Trash. I will revive itself."
MEMORY
0-4 (Turn Change: Nick)
Nick found that odd as NeoDevimon dispersed into binary, floated into the trash, only to reverse and re-appear in Dion's Battle Area. He kept his eye trained on the trash; he was sure there was an ulterior motive for doing that.
And as it turned out, he was right.
Dion's trash pile began to glow purple as a massive geyser of binary exploded and directed itself in the center of his Battle Area. Dion at this point cackled like a mad man, completely discarding his calm and cool demeanor for one of pure insanity. "Arise Mad King of the Digital Underworld!"
Nick waited to see what was to come out of this, only for Wallace to finally speak. "DemiDevimon's IE effect. When it's deleted, as long as Dion has at least seven Digimon with 'Devimon' in its name, he would be able to summon DanDevimon from his trash for no cost."
That explained why he never did anything with that Devimon up until now, Nick concluded. He wanted his trash-filled so he could play that level 6 for free.
DanDevimon emerged from the geyser of binary, a black mass in the form of a grotesque being of evil, its face comprising of a red face with wide, blank eyes and a mouth that nearly wrapped around its head. Its wingspan overshadowed Nick's BeoWolfmon and Coelamon and hovered over the tabletop like a menacing, silent figure.
DanDevimon (BT4-088)
Color: Purple
Level: 6
DP: 12,000
"Now…what shall you do when faced with Hell Incarnate?" Dion asked, curiously.
Nick drew in response. "'I'll hatch." He tapped the card and flipped over an orange furry ball Digimon with a claw coming out of its head.
Tsunomon (BT5-002)
Color: Blue
Level: 2
"Then, I'll digivolve." Nick flicked the card, turning the small orange ball into a blue, bipedal wolf with boxing gloves and a bandana.
Gaomon (BT4-021)
Color: Blue
Level: 3
DP: 2000
"And I'll digivolve again…" He continued, flicking a card, and turning Coelamon into an aggressive-looking werewolf Digimon that wore ripped blue jeans, a spiked kneepad, brass knuckles, and dog tags.
WereGarurumon (ST2-08)
Color: Blue
Level: 5
DP: 7000
MEMORY
4-1
"And again…Slide Digivolve into Sagittarius Mode!" Nick commanded as WereGarurumon embraced the stream of binary once more. On its back, emerged six diamond-shaped metallic wing-like enhancements that opened slightly unleashing a cyan-blue light to explode from them. All of them shining made out to be a full set of glimmering wings that stood in contrast to the miasmic black that was DanDevimon.
WereGarurumon: Sagittarius Mode (BT5-029)
Color: Blue
Level: 5
DP: 8000
MEMORY
1-0
"I'll keep going until I make you feel the same despair you inflicted on my sister. And then I'll beat you back into the hole you crawled out of."
Dion cackled, "Do you worst then wolf-boy!"
"Gladly! BeoWolfmon, Security Attack!"
BeoWolfmon raised its blade and sent a wave of light careening into Dion's Security Card, shattering it.
Dion
Security 3-2
The massive samurai Digimon, Tactimon emerged from the card, but BeoWolfmon's light jammed the Digimon causing it to gray out and disperse. Though, this didn't faze Dion, who scoffed at the sight. "DanDevimon, return the favor…"
The Digimon cackled as well, commanding the shattered binary to freeze in place. It then formed into smoky appendages and flew back towards Nick, taking out his Security card in retaliation.
Nick
Security 2-1
As the Option Card called Supreme Cannon found its way into Nick's trash, Dion went on to explain what happened, "Once during your turn, when a Security Card is removed from my stack for whatever reason, your Security stack is also reduced as well."
"Not that it matters. Since you have a Digimon with no sources, WereGarurumon's IE grants Sagittarius Mode with Security Attack +1. And since Sagittarius Mode has a WereGarurumon in its sources, It gets Jamming!"
Dion's enthusiasm slightly deflated as WereGarurumon howled, dispersing its wings so they convert into a volley of lasers. The group of blue lasers fired forth, burning away the remaining two Security on Dion's side, those being Trump Sword, which lacked a target to be effective, as well as a Vilemon which was jammed.
Dion
Security 2-0
"I end my turn by playing Elecmon from my hand," Nick concluded, summoning the red and blue mammal Digimon to his side.
Elecmon (BT1-028)
Color: Blue
Level: 3
DP: 2000
MEMORY
0-2 (Turn Change: Dion)
As Nick relaxed, Dion smirked, feeling victorious.
"All of that bravado, and for what? An opportunity to make empty threats?" Isabella spoke, unimpressed by the end of everything.
Nick turned to her, "glad you finally realized those words were directed towards you."
Dion's eye twitched.
"Just wait, I'll turn you into one of my playthings yet." Isabella threatened.
"You can try. I've dealt with people like you; you don't scare me."
"Big words. For someone who's about to lose, that is…" Dion inserted himself. Isabella switched her stare over to the older boy as Nick scoffed.
"How did she get you?" Nick asked.
The question caught Dion. "What?"
"How did she get you? What does she have on you to make you swear loyalty behind closed doors?"
Dion was hesitant to answer.
"That's none of your concern." Isabella defended.
"Whatever… my heart's desire…" Dion suddenly uttered, taking the girl back. "She promised me…whatever I desired."
"Interesting…" Nick said. "So, because she promised you your 'desire,' whatever that may be, she had you go after my sister and ruin her reputation in the school? Why, were the Digimon not enough for you?"
"What are you getting at?!" Isabella demanded.
Nick shrugged, "Just needed a confession is all." He then reached into his pocket and pulled out a recorder, pressing the pause button on it, to the horror of the three of them.
"You…son of a—!" Dion yelled, DanDevimon mimicking his cry by lashing out, its shadow hands barreling towards Nick's last security.
Nick
Security: 1-0
"NeoDevimon, Finish him—!" Dion was interrupted by the sight of the binary moon before him, as the Security card flashed the Option card underneath it.
"Security Trigger: Full Moon Blaster. Since you have eight cards in your hand this time around, NeoDevimon gets blown to the bottom of your deck."
"What?!" Dion exclaimed as the light exploded more intensely than prior. NeoDevimon screeched as the light burned it away, leaving him with no options to defend, let alone finish him off.
Defeated, Nick took his turn and suspended WereGarurumon. "Direct Attack."
Sagittarius Mode's blades broke from its back and skewered DanDevimon, symbolizing Nick's defeat of Dion. As the Digimon dissipated from the tabletop, Nick rose and turned to Wallace.
"Kill the article, or I leak this for the entire school and take the whole Student Council down with me." Nick's threat was straightforward.
Wallace didn't oppose. "You have until the end of the day, Dion."
"But—!"
"You heard him!" Isabella barked, silencing the man.
Dion retreated, surrendering fully. With that, Nick turned to Isabella, who raised a brow.
"You got what you wanted," she said as Nick came closer. "What else do you need from—!"
Nick's grip latched onto Isabella's throat so quickly, causing an immediate reaction by Dion. Wallace responded to the latter, blocking Dion from making any drastic movements.
"I didn't forget about what you did to her." Nick's snarled with his tone deepening. The girl gasped for breath, attempting to fight the tightening of her windpipe.
"Ple…ase…I'm…sorr..y!" She choked.
"If you ever threaten her again…" Nick released her and pulled her forward by her collar.
"I'll delete you…" He whispered, sending a cold chill through the girl, not giving her a moment to catch her breath.
Nick backed off, allowing the girl to drop to the floor as she coughed violently.
"You've made your point," Wallace stated. "If there's nothing else—"
"There is, one more thing," Nick said. "Consider all of this, my resignation."
Wallace stared into the boy's eyes and acknowledged it. "Duly noted."
With his objective completed, Nick exited the room, leaving the trio to stew in defeat. As he exited the building and crossed the pathway to the main junction, he crossed paths with Zack, who was lost in thought, guilt written on his face. The boy also took note of Nick, and after a brief pause, it was as though they knew what the other was thinking.
"Going to go see Mikayla, aren't you?" Nick asked him.
Zack nodded. "You?"
Nick motioned. "Let's go."
Meanwhile, Dion helped Isabella onto the couch while Wallace returned to his desk. The Student Council President opened his desk drawer and retrieved his own gold and silver D-Streamer.
"How dare he…" Isabella coughed hard. "I'm going to make him suffer for this…!"
"No…as President, the responsibility falls on my shoulders," Wallace replied, grabbing the pairs' attention while he strapped the device on. He pressed a button on the device, displaying a large golden-armored dragon warrior armed with two claw-like gauntlets. "It's only a matter of time before AEGIS learns about the Digimon. I intend on quelling any chances of that happening…"
"…even if that means going to war."