[Cisco City, Many years ago…]
"I learned something recently about you," Trevor said, watching Talbot sipping the coffee in his hand casually.
The older gentleman set his mug down and smirked at the concept of Trevor's curiosity. In the last three months, they've spent time getting to know one another. Being the first time he's ever been curious about him, Talbot decided to humor his young prodigy to see what was on his mind.
"Do pray tell," Talbot motioned. "What seems to be troubling you?"
Trevor paused before he asked, thinking of a diplomatic response in case this went in any other direction. "Blake, Claire, and Melanie Whitaker; any of those names familiar to you?"
As expected, he got a bite. Talbot, however, didn't react negatively, holding onto his smile while taking another sip. "What about them?"
"I've researched you."
"You've said that already."
"And I've come across something unexpected. It's one thing for Eve—the so-called "Savior of Two Cities" to resemble a human, but another for her to resemble the late child prodigy—your daughter."
Talbot looked up at him. "And your concern lies where…?"
"You were never intending on letting me know that information, were you?"
"My boy, understand our relationship is but a business venture. We both share one common goal and have committed to helping one another see to it. If it's all the same, I would much rather not explain my boring past to someone who would be quick to turn on me for the sake of a desperate gamble."
Trevor's gaze narrowed, with Talbot scoffing at it. "Oh, come now, I jest, of course. I can assume that if you know about Mel, then you know what AEGIS did to her and how Eve was the result of it."
"All information connecting the two has been deleted by AEGIS. It seems they were covering their steps to eliminate any connection to the two parties."
Talbot flagged down a waitress who came to them with a bill in her possession. After taking it and scanning his D-Streamer over the reader, the waitress printed out the receipt and handed it to him. With the payment squared away, Talbot rose from his seat. "I expect nothing less from them. As the representative task force concerning Cyber Security, nothing looks more incompetent than them tripping over themselves with their specialty. That said, I can tell that there's a reason why you were doing your private investigation on me."
"Your reasons for taking out Eve. They used your daughter for her model somehow, and you're far from pleased with it, am I right?" Trevor deduced.
Talbot had to give the boy credit on that one; he was incredibly sharp despite appearances. As the pair walked out of the small diner and down the street, Talbot took the opportunity to answer.
"My wife, Claire, and I specialized in different fields when we first met. I, neuroscience, and she, sociology. In the decades that've passed, the further along technology grew in our society, the more curiosity flourished. It seemed that we were on the brink of a golden age at one point, with countless concepts that seemed limitless in potential. What do you suppose one would do when granted seemingly limitless prospects?"
Realizing the question, Trevor answered as such. "Do the impossible?"
"Correct; or, how we in the fields would call it: "Play God."
Talbot activated his D-Streamer, and in moments the pair suddenly vanished from the streets and onto a nearby, secluded rooftop. It was here that Trevor could see the skyline better, the fracture in the sky laying a faint, green tint in the atmosphere, giving it a turquoise color in some areas. Materials in buildings and such that had also blended in with the after-effects also began to show a mix of augmented appearances, combining steel with cybernetics. Since Millennium Day, society itself in Cisco City—for better or worse—was forced to adapt to the change in their daily lives, with cybernetic technology and assistance from Arcadia becoming more of a necessity.
Talbot strolled along the rooftop while binary faded in and out around him, the more prevalent group up higher, closer to the fracture. "Once the notion that we could achieve powers akin to godhood took root, we became obsessed. Countless men and women stepped up to create life, be it through cloning and robotics; the list goes on and on. When it came to Artificial Intelligence, like the other forms, results would be rudimentary. Unfortunately, it doesn't matter how advanced the current technology is; without the imagination to see beyond godhood will continue to be out of reach."
"So, how do you tie in with Eve then?"
"My daughter Melanie was a bright child with an active imagination. It could've been her growing up around scientists or just genetics passing on, but whatever the case was, she had the natural ability to see beyond what the lab coats couldn't. We knew the child was gifted, and yet we made the mistake of verifying it. After others took note of her natural genius, colleagues talked me into the idea of exploiting her intellect, not just for her benefit but for my research. Claire objected to this, noting from time to time the negative behavioral effects this had on Melanie. Yet, I was too blind to notice, for I was far too entranced by the concept of godhood myself—or rather, the idea of creating a god."
Trevor stopped for a moment. "You wanted to create a god?"
"Like a child creates an imaginary friend," Talbot chuckled, turning around. "Melanie was so enthralled at the thought of having an imaginary friend in real life that my wife found herself tailing behind us in this crazy endeavor. Soon, years passed, and with more competition entering the forefront and Artificial intelligence taking further steps to fruition, we eventually started to see the tree of our endeavors bear fruit. Tell me, have you ever given thought to how memories in the human brain act like saved data?"
"Not actively, but it makes sense."
"So, like data, it should be able to have copies, correct?"
"If such technology exists to do so."
"Naturally, it does, but where it pertains to the public, it remains in the realm of science fiction," Talbot continued. "SAIBA Enterprise was the first to make a breakthrough with this, using the data farmed from Beta Testers like yourself as models for the Tamer Cards in their game. In addition, we ran experiments attempting to convert brain waves into functioning data for an AI to copy and therefore adopt as their own. In terms of the latter, it almost always failed until it didn't, for Melanie came up with an idea: 'just like how babies grow and learn, why not teach an AI similarly?' That one idea is what led us down the path to Eve."
"So, you taught Eve to be human."
Talbot scoffed, and at this point, Trevor noticed something in his mentor's tone that was off-putting. "No…actually, Melanie's idea never got off the ground. Tragically, she died before we could even implement it."
Trevor didn't say anything for a moment, feeling the sense that Talbot intended to follow up on his statement. Off to the corner of his eye, Trevor looked over at a billboard, watching as Eve interacted with the public of Arcadia during a recent press conference. Recently, she's been making more and more public appearances, attempting to provide herself as a beacon for the two cities affected by cyberterrorism—even though she was connected to them. Despite his personal opinion, she was ever popular across the board because people romanticized the concept of a "beautiful goddess" like herself, though she was forever modest about the attention.
"If you are to take anything out of this conversation, let it be this," Talbot walked towards Trevor. "AI may have ruined lives at the end of the day, but we humans are stronger in every sense. Never let them get the upper hand on you unless you want to fall victim to them."
"You don't have to tell me twice," Trevor confirmed. "When I agreed to join you, I swore for the sake of my friends that I would avenge them by undoing everything that Eve has and will establish. I will ensure that she falls one way or another."
"I look forward to the day where I watch you live up to that prospect," Talbot patted him on the shoulder, content with his response. In a stream of binary, Talbot took his leave, allowing Trevor to exhale.
Looking at the billboard once again, Trevor gripped tightly. The two men beside her were obvious obstacles, as they never left her side. While Talbot had supplied information for the one known as Tyrian, her right hand, Vantus, was still a mystery. As powerful as they were, getting to her would be far from easy.
Yet somehow, for the first time in a long time, he felt a little excited about the challenge.
Chapter 24: Kindred Spirits Part 2
"Fist of Athena!" Arylide's voice carried over the Arcadian airspace, the pink-clad knight making a solid impact against Alter-S' Garuru Sword. Twisting the blade, Axel broke from her and dove in to counter her. Their following results created sonic booms that went off like sparkling, exploding stars, decorating the night sky. At one point, finding an opening, Axel reached point blank with his Grey Cannon and charged.
"Transcendent Cannon!" Plasma energy erupted from the barrel of the crimson dragon head, firing forth to knock LordKnightmon spiraling backward. While she tried to recover, her body stiffened from the shock.
"I'm enjoying this," Axel rolled his neck. "Been in that cell so long I thought I forgot to fight."
"I will admit… you are far more formidable than I initially anticipated," Arylide replied, forcing herself through the brief paralysis. "However, I will not… let anything, or anyone… get in the way of the Creator's will."
"Well, aren't you an obedient lapdog?" Axel readied his blade. "Tell you the truth; I don't have an issue with you as much as I do the others. It was thanks to you that we've even reached this point."
"Then I would suggest you show your gratitude by standing down," Arylide responded, holding her weapon up in kind.
"I said I didn't have a problem with you guys. I never said my companions didn't." He crossed his arms, the eyes of both respective gauntlets illuminated.
Arylide naturally took that as a challenge, but instead of charging in, she snapped her fingers. Suddenly an assortment of Yellow Faction Digimon rose and lined the rooftops around them, all fixated on Axel.
"This is your final warning," Arylide stated. "Stand down now…!"
Not that he was one to admit it, but their stares did add on pressure. Contemplating whether to stand his ground or otherwise, he suddenly felt a mighty sensation pass through him, followed by words.
"Just let us know when!"
The familiar voice suddenly chimed in Axel's head. He lowered his arms and chuckled to himself. "That blind son of a…" he was too humored to finish the statement. With a deep breath, he called out so all of Arcadia could hear.
"Have at it!"
Arylide immediately felt the presence now herself and quickly spun to her troops. However, in the next instant, she was sent careening towards the earth, shooting through a skyscraper in the process. In their shock, the Yellow Faction members were taken advantage of by the might of Gundramon's barrage from a distance, with both Magnakidmon and Beelstarmon cleaning up behind it.
Arylide's assailant was none other than Gankoomon, Garretson's Digimon form. The Digimon sported fiery red hair and a black body suit, along with red geta and a white jacket he wore as a cape over his shoulders. Crossing his arms, the golden, fiery draconic aura, Hinukamuy, emerged from his back, further adding to his intimidation factor.
"Couldn't help but be dramatic, huh?" Axel called out.
"Couldn't help but be impatient, hm?" Garretson countered.
Axel couldn't argue, not that he would, being that the reinforcements were more than welcome.
Beelstarmon, with Layla in tow, approached Axel, the woman getting close to the Digimon's face.
"It's been a while, Layla." Axel acknowledged her as she approached.
"I'm glad to see you still alive." Layla smiled. "Thanks to you, the others were able to set us free. With any luck, we may have a chance to turn this situation around now." Axel's silence gave her a brief pause. "Something wrong?"
Axel shook his head. "You've changed, is all. You're not the girl who sought to destroy her father's life's work out of revenge."
"And you're not the tortured 'bug' who was also seeking revenge either." Layla returned the comment.
Garretson whistled towards the conversating pair. "Eyes up, you two. Arylide doesn't look so happy."
Both Axel and Layla turned their attention to the sight of Arylide, in her Saibatar form, riding on the back of a Unimon. Her mask cracked. She removed it to reveal her angered golden eyes, as well as send a shock through Layla.
"Seriously…?" Layla was at a loss for words at the sight of her counterpart.
Axel looked at her face and laughed a little, "Trevor had the same look on his face when he saw my face for the first time too."
"How dare you push me to this point…!" Arylide hissed, forgoing her calm demeanor. She snapped her fingers again, along with a proclamation. "All surviving Liberators! Heed my call, and join alongside me against our invaders! Tonight, we stand our ground in the face of our adversaries and lift our weapons in honor of our Creator!"
"Lady Arylide!" Lancaster as Dynasmon swooped in between Arylide and the small band of rebels, drawing all attention to him. "Stop this now!"
"Stand aside Dynasmon, or be marked a traitor as well!" She snarled.
"Who's he?" Axel asked, not expecting the new face.
"No clue," Layla answered honestly.
"Captain Saiba!" Wallace's voice followed soon after, causing Layla to turn back. WarGreymon approached them, along with both Mastemon and Sakuyamon in tow, adding more faces to the situation. "So, this is where you were."
She nodded but quickly turned her attention to the familiar face. "You're the same Mastemon from before, aren't you?"
"Layla Saiba," Mastemon nodded. "It seems I require your assistance this time around."
Layla agreed, not up for arguing that fact. "You saved my life that time against Darius. I've long since been in debt to you."
"You two are traitors as well…?" Arylide's voice hinted at surprise. "What is the meaning of this?"
"Master Vantus is!" Sakuyamon blamed. "He has caused all of this chaos to ensure that his plan to assassinate the Creator went without disruption."
The shock wasn't left unnoticed by the others. As Grey and Marco joined them as well, they caught wind of the sudden statement, resulting in the new revelation taking root in their minds. As for Arylide, her voice caught upon hearing those words.
"Assassinate…? That's not possible. On what basis do you stake such a claim?"
"Surely you've sensed it," Mastemon continued. "Both Vantus and Reseda's signatures were in close proximity to one another when Reseda suddenly went cold. The same could be said for Alizar and Zantia's from several days ago."
"Alizar's ceremony was set as a lure for the rebels to abandon Neo Babylon and now, thanks to Vantus, what Eve worked to rebuild thousands of years ago…is now ash," Lancaster added to the thought. On top of that, Eve has been silent since the chaos started. Normally she would've long since acted, correct?"
Arylide tried to argue but suddenly felt a tearing pain in her head, causing her to clench it. Her two companions, as well as Lancaster, reacted, flying over to her. Wallace, meanwhile, looked to Axel and Layla. "We'll fill you guys in once we get back to the Blue Faction territory."
"What's over there?" Layla questioned.
"Majorelle's base of operations. We've been using that as a hideout during all of this. Don't worry; she's trustworthy. She helped save my girlfriend and me from Reseda after all."
Layla wasn't a hundred percent on that, given first impressions. Even so, she was willing to go along with it based on Wallace's defense. "Okay, lead the way then—look out!"
Garretson's Hinukamuy deflected a blast that came from below them. The group turned their attention, finding a Meramon the source of the attack, before reverting into Shawn. Soon after, Saibatars marked in Red Faction uniforms began to build behind him. At the same time, both Black and Purple Faction groups joined from other angles, some of which jumped straight into their Digimon forms, all of whom were responding to Arylide's previous call to arms. With Saibatars pinning them from below and Digimon rising into the airspace to meet them, the small band of rebels and their allies soon found themselves surrounded.
"Should've figured getting out of here wasn't going to be easy," Grey snickered, fixated on Shawn's gaze from below him.
"Is Grey Sterling finally backing out?" Marco taunted, filled with adrenaline and a chance at redemption from his last major bout.
Grey grinned, "You're out of your mind if you think that, right captain?"
Layla hovered in between them. "As soon we know which direction to head, we make a path. It's that simple."
"I like simple." Grey punched his palm. "Let's blast them away Gundramon!"
"You too, Magnakidmon. Let's show them why we're the Three Musketeers!"
Layla's spine shivered at the sound of it. She didn't know if it was a quick shot of adrenaline or an embarrassing reminder of the lame title she came up with. Either way, it was enough of a motivation to get ready.
Axel held up his golden blade, steadied himself against the building army of Liberation Digimon, and proceeded to take off into battle, with the others trailing behind him.
The tear that slid down Vantus' face didn't go unnoticed by Majorelle. She slowly reached out for his shoulder, only for him to angrily smack her hand back.
"What do you get out of this?!" He seethed. "Why are you trying to appeal to something that's not there?!"
Majorelle rubbed her hand while she thought of a reply. "I could tell back then…you regret what you did to Reseda, don't you?"
"Nonsense…" He snarled. "She was a traitor and I dealt with her. It was that simple."
"So then, are you going to delete me too? Just like you did to Alizar?" She asked, looking into his eyes.
Vantus hesitated to answer, only growing angrier. Majorelle took his silence as an answer, put her mask on, and raised her arm. "For the sake of the woman whose form I take…I'm going to save you, Trevor."
Vantus raised his arm as well. "Trevor dead…and has been for all this time…!"
"Don't say that!" Majorelle challenged. "You're in there somewhere, and I'll do whatever it takes to bring you back…even die if I have to."
"Suit yourself then."
"DIGI-GATE: OPEN!"
"I'll start by hatching Kapurimon, who then digivolves into ToyAgumon."
ToyAgumon appeared in a small stream of black binary, its multicolored appearance contrasting with the black affiliation.
Kapurimon (BT2-005)
Color: Black
Level: 2
ToyAgumon (BT2-055)
Color: Black
Level: 3
DP: 1000
"To end my turn, I play Gotsumon from my hand." Vantus swiped, summoning the child-sized rock golem Digimon.
Gotsumon (BT2-054)
Color: Black
Level: 3
DP: 3000
MEMORY
0-3 (Turn Change: Majorelle)
Majorelle drew. "I hatch Kyaromon, and I digivolve it into Blucomon."
A small vanilla-furred mammal Digimon with a purple striped tail appeared before reforming into a child-like ice dragon Digimon, a white mane covering its neck like a scarf.
Kyaromon (BT6-002)
Color: Blue
Level: 2
Blucomon (BT5-022)
Color: Blue
Level: 3
DP: 3000
Next, I play Gabumon to draw a card per its effect, and then I end by digivolving it into Frigimon."
Gabumon made its appearance, and then after Majorelle drew her card, it reformed into a larger snowman-like Digimon in the shape of a teddy bear.
Gabumon (BT1-029)
Color: Blue
Level: 3
DP: 1000
Frigimon (BT1-032)
Color: Blue
Level: 4
DP: 4000
MEMORY
3-0
0-2 (Turn Change: Vantus)
Vantus drew and smirked afterward. "ToyAgumon digivolves into BlackGaogamon."
Majorelle watched as the building-block Digimon reformed into a black variant of the blue wolf Digimon, its pale blue mane a deep golden blonde, and its red feelers now greyish black.
BlackGaogamon (BT5-068)
Color: Black
Level: 4
DP: 5000
MEMORY
2-0
"I end my turn by digivolving Gostumon into DarkTyrannomon."
Gotsumon subsequently transformed into the black-scaled dinosaur, who roared with ferocity at Majorelle.
DarkTyrannomon (ST5-08)
Color: Black
Level: 4
DP: 5000
MEMORY
0-1(Turn Change: Majorelle)
"Not used to seeing Gaogamon that color," Majorelle commented as she drew. "I imagine you're planning on building something in your Raising Area?"
"Naturally, I know your tactics. Even if you trash my Digivolution Cards, I can dictate which of my Digimon will be targeted and the rate of it."
"We'll see about that now, won't we? I play the Double Tamers Sora Takenouchi and Joe Kido!"
Vantus's gaze narrowed as the streams of blue binary began to erupt, materializing into the pair of tamers. Sora and Joe stood side-by-side ready to get into action.
Sora Takenouchi & Joe Kido (BT5-088)
Color: Blue
MEMORY
1-3 (Turn Change: Vantus)
Vantus drew, "We will indeed. DarkTyrannomon digivolves into MetalGreymon and performs a Security Attack!"
DarkTyrannomon roared and began to charge, transforming into the cyborg Digimon mid-sprint. With a forceful slash, the first of Majorelle's Security broke apart.
MetalGreymon (BT2-063)
Color: Black
Level: 5
DP: 7000
MEMORY
3-0
Majorelle
Security: 5-4
Ikkakumon emerged from the Security, though with 6000 DP, it just barely missed the mark to be an effective counter. MetalGreymon fired off missiles to counter its torpedo and effectively deleted it.
"And now, to end my turn, MetalGreymon will digivolve into the draconic left hand of the Obsidian Overlord, BlackWarGreymon!"
MetalGreymon, celebrating its triumph, accepted the black binary that rained down onto it, transforming into BlackWarGreymon.
BlackWarGreymon (BT5-069)
Color: Black
Level: 6
DP: 12,000
MEMORY
0-4 (Turn Change: Majorelle)
"BlackWarGreymon naturally has Reboot and Security Attack +1," Vantus explained. "In addition to MetalGreymon's IE effect, BlackWarGreymon can take out three of your security before you can remove its sources completely."
Majorelle didn't like the sound of that at all, though why was she surprised? She knew this would be far from easy after all. "So that's how that works…can't say I'm thrilled to learn that."
"Now's your chance to reconsider your position," Vantus stated. "So long as you end this pathetic attempt at rebellion, I'll not only place you by my side, but I'll even make amends with the rebels, therefore causing all of this chaos to cease once and for all."
"No matter what you believe, Trevor, with Eve removed from her position; this city will fall just like Neo Babylon did; under your watch."
Vantus shook his head. "Don't you understand? Eve is the one responsible for all of this; she always has been! She's puppeted everyone, pulling our strings of fate for what?! How is this hellscape ideal for anyone?!"
Majorelle resisted the urge to respond, taking a breath and drawing. "Blucomon moves to the Battle Area, and then I play Matt Ishida from my hand!"
As the small ice dragon marched on, Matt made his appearance, joining the pair of tamers as well.
Matt Ishida (BT1-086)
Color: Blue
MEMORY
4-0
"Frigimon, Security Attack! Using their ability, I suspend Sora and Joe to discard two sources from BlackWarGreymon!"
Vantus felt a moment of shock hit him while Frigimon lined a pathway with ice along the floor. Sliding across it, it held its hands forward and fired off snowballs that pelted Both BlackWarGreymon and Vantus' security until it shattered.
Vantus
Security: 5-4
Megadramon emerged, but immediately its card greyed out, jammed on the spot. Vantus begrudgingly watched as it, as well as Gotsumon and DarkTyrannomon, went into the trash.
"That's fine," Vantus reassured himself. "MetalGreymon remains, so BlackWarGreymon is still set to do massive damage."
"I'm far from done," Majorelle continued, drawing from Kyaromon's IE effect. "I end by playing ModokiBetamon; by playing a Blue Digimon, I suspend Matt to discard MetalGreymon!"
Vantus grit his teeth as his reassurance immediately deflated. The sudden appearance of the sea creature Digimon forced a wave that disrupted BlackWarGreymon further, now becoming completely de-powered.
ModokiBetamon (BT6-021)
Color: Blue
Level: 3
DP: 2000
MEMORY
0-3 (Turn Change: Vantus)
"Eve loved humans and did everything she could to ensure their safety," Majorelle defended. "Believe it or not, the events of the past shaped her resolve and her goal of the Idealistic Future itself!"
Vantus scoffed as he drew, "BlackGaogamon moves to the Battle Area." BlackGaogamon dashed forward while he turned his attention to his Level 6. "BlackWarGreymon, attack Frigimon!"
BlackWarGreymon: 12,000 DP
Frigimon: 4000 DP
Frigimon hardly had time to react, throwing its hands onto the ground to summon a wall of snow. BlackWarGreymon, boasting three times the power, melted it away with no effort, crushing Frigimon right after. As blue binary flew, Vantus swiped a card in his hand.
"BlackGaogamon digivolves into BlackMachGaogamon!"
BlackGaogamon howled as the binary entered into it, digivolving it into a black variant of MachGaogamon. The most significant difference, aside from the golden-blonde fur carrying over, was its belt, appearing black and gold rather than red and silver like its counterpart.
BlackMachGaogamon (BT5-068)
Color: Black
Level: 5
DP: 7000
MEMORY
3-0
"After everything that's happened, and after what I've done, do you honestly expect me to believe that she had every intent on preserving humanity?!"
Majorelle nodded. "And she has you to thank for that..."
Vantus grew quiet upon hearing that. Instead of coming to a realization, he dug his feet into his anger and roared. "Now digivolve into the bestial right hand of the Obsidian Overlord: MetalGarurumon!"
BlackMachGaogamon howled once more as binary infused itself. Majorelle watched as the binary reformed the bipedal Digimon back on all fours, turning it into the black variant of MetalGarurumon.
MetalGarurumon (BT5-070)
Color: Black
Level: 6
DP: 11,000
MEMORY
0-3 (Turn Change: Majorelle)
"Digi-Burst 2!" Vantus declared. "I delete ModokiBetamon!"
Majorelle stood her ground while MetalGarurumon summoned the silhouettes of Kapurimon and ToyAgumon into its black ice beam attack. "My turn," she drew and pointed to the Tamer Pair. "Sora and Joe grant me 2 Memory on account of you having a Digimon with no sources underneath it."
MEMORY
3-5
"Next, I'll hatch another Kyaromon, digivolve it into Gizamon, and then also digivolve Blucomon into Paledramon!"
While the newly hatched Kyaromon digivolved into a predatory, amphibian Digimon with yellow/orange fur and black spike-like fins, Blucomon embraced the incoming binary as it rained down like snow. From it, it grew in size, with its white mane growing out, its ice claws turning sapphire in color along with silver braces and developing bits of armor across its body, and finally, a pair of sapphire-tipped ice wings protruding from its back.
Gizamon (BT6-020)
Color: Blue
Level: 3
DP: 2000
Paledramon (BT5-025)
Color: Blue
Level: 4
DP: 4000
MEMORY
5-3
"Paledramon's effect: When it digivolves, the bottom two cards of your Digimon are trashed!"
Paledramon opened its jaws and fired off a stream of ice that pierced MetalGarurumon, knocking away its two remaining sources from underneath it, leaving it just as bare as its draconic counterpart.
"Blucomon's IE effect: When a source is trashed from your side during my turn, I gain a Memory, while Kyaromon's IE draws me another card."
MEMORY
3-4
"Paledramon digivolves further into CrysPaledramon!"
Getting an intensive stream of binary caused the ice dragon to grow empowered, becoming a white-scaled ice dragon humanoid with contrasting cyan and sapphire armored plating across its body, its claws now becoming gauntlets of ice armor. The white mane became hair on the back of its head and neck, as well as the wings, becoming thrusters capped by a pair of icicles.
CrysPaledramon (BT5-028)
Color: Blue
Level: 5
DP: 7000
MEMORY
4-1
"Finally, CrysPaledramon, unleash the frozen might that is the Blue Pillar! Become Hexeblaumon!" Majorelle exclaimed, swiping the card. Before Vantus and his two Level 6 arose Hexeblaumon in place of Cryspaledramon. The titanic ice knight stood its ground beside Majorelle.
Hexeblaumon (BT5-025)
Color: Blue
Level: 6
DP: 11,000
MEMORY
1-2 (Turn Change: Vantus)
Before Vantus began his turn, Hexeblaumon took one of its ice blades and slammed the floor, sending a wave of ice towards both his level 6 Digimon. To his disappointment, both BlackWarGreymon and MetalGarurumon were frozen solid before him.
"So long as your Digimon don't possess sources, Hexeblaumon keeps them on ice, not being allowed to attack or block. Not only that, but when it attacks, it gets Jamming so as long as it stays like that." Majorelle broke down.
Vantus drew, hatched another Kapurimon, and digivolved it into Junkmon afterward.
Junkmon (BT6-055)
Color: Black
Level: 3
DP: 2000
"What did you mean before? How is it that I'm responsible for her actions?!"
"You and I, as well as those rebels that have posed a "threat," were all chosen as Pathfinders. Our roles in her grand scheme of things all lead to one thing: her downfall."
Vantus paused, eyes widening and voice catching. His last conversation with Eve suddenly resurfaced, adding to his shock.
"Did you predict this?"
"Are you asking that to be coy or to see if I intended for this to happen? I've known for a long time that you are not the Vantus I appointed."
"And yet you've not said anything?"
"I merely decided to humor myself, wanting to see how far you would go before you unveiled your treachery. At this point, no matter what scenarios I run, they all have the same result. Therefore, I accept what's to come."
"…No…" Vantus' voice shuttered. "She meant for us to turn on her."
Majorelle nodded. "As an act of redemption, as well as to ensure humanity's survival, she painted herself the villain. In reality, no matter what paths the world took, what simulations she ran, what she did to fix her mistakes, it all comes down to one future," she held her finger up. "Her very existence is the catalyst to the extinction of humanity. Therefore, what she deemed to be the True Idealistic Future, is one where she doesn't exist."
Vantus felt floored upon hearing that. The idea that everything that's taken place, between his friends leaving him behind, to him working with MOD and manipulating his way through the ranks of the Liberators all to reach her…all of it was planned, just for her to get the final say in the end…
"…I don't believe that," Vantus uttered.
"It's the truth," Majorelle insisted. "All of us were components to her sacrifice. We were never fighting for a world for AI, but one for humanity."
"So then why are we fighting now?!" Vantus yelled. "She's gone already, so why do you still resist me?!"
"Because I also learned that she's wrong in her prediction," Majorelle continued. "Despite what she thought, all Artificial Intelligence is built by imperfect humans. Therefore they could never be perfect themselves."
"Are you saying…there's another possibility?"
She nodded. "A world where humans and AI exist in harmony with one another. Where no one has to be sacrificed any longer, I'm fighting for that future, and to reach it, it requires you to surrender and help put an end to this millennium-long conflict."
Vantus took a moment to contemplate her words before he smirked. He began to chuckle before bursting into hysterical laughter. "It's a shame…as much as I would like to believe there's an alternative…do you really think I'd fall for something like that…."
Majorelle's face scrunched. "Don't you realize we have an opportunity for an even better future here?!"
"Ah-uh," Vantus wagged his finger. "Based on what you said, humanity is in the clear one way or another. Which means, you're trying to stop me, not for co-existence, but out of fear."
"That's not…" Majorelle hesitated.
"Don't deny it," Vantus smiled contortedly. "You just don't want to die."
"It isn't true!" Majorelle insisted, firmer in tone. "Alphamon has shown me what the true future holds! He—!"
"Shhhh…" Vantus could see the subtle fear in her face, his grin widening around his finger. "It's fine…it'll be over soon, I promise…" he pulled a card from his hand. "Reckless flames and apathetic ice merge to become the almighty Obsidian Overlord!"
Black binary erupted around MetalGarurumon in an intense storm that sent strong gusts towards Majorelle. Shielding herself, she could hear Vantus howl alongside his Digimon, his sanity beginning to show signs of waning.
"MetalGarurumon digivolves into Omnimon Zwart!" He exclaimed wholeheartedly, slamming the card. The black silhouette emerged from the storm while MetalGarurumon reconfigured itself to become its right arm. BlackWarGreymon stood on standby while Zwart's other arm formed. Now rivaling Hexeblaumon in height, the black variant of the Royal Knight started with menacing, crimson eyes.
Omnimon Zwart (BT5-087)
Color: White
Level: 7
DP: 15,000
MEMORY
2-4 (Turn Change: Majorelle)
Majorelle was left stunned, facing off against the Level 7 up close like this. Its mere presence set the tone in the room, and she watched as the ice melted off its Garuru Arm. Now that it had a source, it was free to attack her for the time being.
"When my Digimon becomes Zwart, I trash the top three cards of my deck, and from it, I can play up to two Black and/or Purple Digimon with a cost of 8 for each of them from my trash." Vantus snapped his fingers, sending Greymon, Chikurimon, and the A Blazing Storm of Metal Option card. Following that, MetalGreymon and DarkTyrannomon rose from the trash, each having Cost 8 and Cost six, respectively.
Majorelle shook off her intimidation afterward, her body glowing blue and following it up by turning into binary, fusing herself with Hexeblaumon. Now in possession of the titan, Majorelle proceeded to stab the ground with her weapon, freezing the two newly summoned Digimon per Hexeblaumon's effect. Then she started her turn.
"Please don't make this any harder on yourself!" the card drew while the counter kicked up by 2.
MEMORY
4-6
Vantus scoffed, causing his body to glow with a black aura as well. He also turned into binary and infused with Zwart before responding. "I can say the same for you. Of course, you're free to join Eve as well as everyone else who chooses to defy me."
"Gizamon moves to the Battle Area, and then I play Gomamon!" Majorelle called out, summoning the purple-marked white sea lion Digimon while the former hopped forward to join it.
Gomamon (EX1-012)
Color: Blue
Level: 3
DP: 2000
MEMORY
6-3
"Gomamon's effect trashes MetalGarurumon from your source when played Blucomon's IE gains me a memory for it as well." Majorelle slammed the weapon down once more, causing Vantus to stagger and forcing MetalGarurumon's data to expel. Ice crept up his legs to keep him still.
MEMORY
3-4
"Now, Security Attack!" Majorelle called out, raising her weapons in the air. "Since you have Digimon with no sources, I gain Jamming. Also, CrysPaledramon's IE grants me Security Attack +1!"
Slamming the weapons on the ground caused tall icy stalagmites to erupt in a furious trail leading up to Vantus, who was shielded by the two Security that appeared for him. The first revealed itself was Volcamon, a 7000 DP Level 5 Digimon who was jammed regardless. As for the second…
"Security Trigger!" Vantus countered. "I play my own Double Tamer, Tai Kamiya, and Matt Ishida!"
The reveal caught Majorelle off guard, the iconic pair of tamers leaping from the card image and onto the icy floor and besides Vantus; Tai on the WarGreymon side and Matt on the MetalGarurumon side.
Tai Kamiya & Matt Ishida (BT5-093)
Color: White
Vantus
Security: 4-2
"Keep going! Gizamon, Security Attack!"
Gizamon rolled up into a ball and flew in Vantus' direction, sawing away at his Security until it broke into binary as well.
Vantus
Security: 2-1
As Gizamon slid back into position, Majorelle was suddenly blindsided by a massive orange blast that she was barely able to block. Feeling herself pushed back so abruptly, she struggled to put up with it.
"What…is this?" She struggled, feeling binary peel from her person.
Vantus, all the while, drew glee from her struggle and decided to answer. "Infinity Cannon. Upon triggering, you're forced to De-digivolve by four levels, reducing you back to Blucomon!"
The blast became too overwhelming, and Majorelle flew back. Hexeblaumon's binary exploded apart, unveiling her Saibatar form and leaving her without a cushion for the wall she collided with. Falling face-first, the remaining blue binary reformed back into an equally disoriented Blucomon. Her arms strained while she lifted herself, half of her mask falling off and dispersing into binary as well. Looking up at Omnimon Zwart, the menacing figure stared down with a condescending gaze. Even so, she forced herself on her feet, though her balance was wavering.
"Gomamon…digivolve into Ikkakumon, then…into Majiramon…!" Majorelle said, causing her seal lion Digimon into one resembling a green, centaur-like eastern dragon, its upper serpent-like half conjoined with a more western-style body.
Ikkakumon (EX1-016)
Color: Blue
Level: 4
DP: 6000
Majiramon (BT6-027)
Color: Blue
Level: 5
DP: 7000
MEMORY
4-2
2-1 (Turn Change: Vantus)
Vantus drew. The look in Majorelle's exposed eye caught his attention and made him hesitate, seeing Megan in her briefly. After a few seconds, Majorelle felt the need to speak up.
"What are you going to do…?" She asked, exhaustion present in her voice.
Vantus turned his head away while he aimed his Garuru Cannon. Majorelle had her answer.
Vantus fired off two shots that Majorelle's Security blocked. Plesiomon, a white Plesiosaurus Digimon, emerged alongside the Option Card Howling Crusher. Plesiomon was unable to counter Vantus, and the Option Card had no current targets. She questioned how it was that he took out two, only to guess that his Double Tamer had something to do with it.
Majorelle
Security: 4-2
"I won't let you change my mind," Vantus stated, turning over to BlackWarGreymon afterward. "Go."
BlackWarGreymon didn't hesitate, jumping into the air and generating a red Gaia Force overhead. Casting it downward, Majorelle's final Security swooped in to block the attack. The two Security did their best to resist the giant mass of burning energy, but slowly they began to wear down.
Majorelle, ever resilient, reached out as the first Security finally broke. It generating, it revealed itself.
"Security Trigger: Absolute Blast!" Majorelle exclaimed, the blue blast firing off towards MetalGreymon. "Your Digimon without sources is sent to the bottom!"
MetalGreymon ushered a final roar before it was sent to the bottom of Vantus' deck. Meanwhile, BlackWarGreymon succeeded in breaking through the last Security.
"Security Trigger!" Majorelle repeated. "Absolute Blast to send DarkTyrannomon away!"
Majorelle
Security: 2-0
Vantus grew shocked as both his remaining Digimon disappeared before him. Had it not been for his brief pause prior, he would've remembered to move Junkmon forward to end the game here. With both Zwart and BlackWarGreymon done with their respective attacks, nothing was stopping Majorelle from ending things.
On the other side of things, with the stroke of luck that was back-to-back Absolute Blasts, Majorelle reached to pull the remaining half of her mask off. "Trevor…let's stop this. It's over…"
Binary poured from Zwart and rebuilt itself into Vantus, whose face showed all kinds of emotions, from anger, denial, sorrow, and so on. Watching him drop to his knees in despair, Majorelle felt the strings of empathy begging her to console her opponent, but she had to stay resilient for his sake.
"Trevor, please…!" Majorelle pleaded.
"No…" he replied finally. "There's…there's no turning back…" he looked up at her with reluctant, bitter eyes. "You want to save me…? Then do it. Put me out of my misery."
Majorelle bit her lip, the emotions welling up inside her. Despite that, she convinced herself to honor his request regardless. After all, she wasn't the girl he was in love with. She was just a shadow, born from the memories of a time that once passed.
MEMORY
1-3
3-5
After taking a deep breath, she was ready. Drawing a card, she swiped it afterward. "Majiramon, become the white pacifist who brings sorrow to your enemies. Digivolve into Plesiomon…"
With the subtle declaration, Majiramon, with the aid of the binary, reformed into the Plesiosaur Digimon, screeching lightly upon the appearance, coming across like a soft whale-like song.
Plesiomon (EX1-020)
Color: Blue
Level: 6
DP: 11,000
MEMORY
5-2
"Plesiomon, Final Security Attack. When it attacks, Majiramon's IE unsuspends it so long as you have a Digimon with no sources." Majorelle explained, to which Plesiomon unleashed soundwaves from its jaws that flew towards Vantus' unresponsive state.
The final Security took on the impact and shattered before Vantus, leaving him open for Plesiomon's last attack…however, that wouldn't be the case.
Vantus, awaiting the final attack, looked up after noticing that Majorelle grew quiet. Looking up, he was surprised to see the Security glowing before him.
The next thing he knew, a barrage of missiles exploded from the card, centering on Plesiomon, to which they made their target. Plesiomon was subsequently stunned by the attack, and Majorelle was knocked off her wobbly feet and onto her back. Looking up, she watched as the Option card: A Blazing Storm of Metal disappeared after its Security Trigger activation.
Vantus
Security: 1-0
It seemed she overextended on her luck. Vantus, who realized that he now was granted a glimmer of hope, rose. Now was his chance to be rid of Majorelle and any opposition that may try to stop—wait!
What if, what if this was a part of Eve's goal? If her demise was her goal, then what was to happen afterward? Did she mean for Majorelle to be deleted like the other pillars? Was she aware of this; was all of this her attempt at baiting him to delete her? No, that can't be the case. He wanted to avenge Megan, Adam, and the others who died because of Eve. It was her fault that both the tragedy in Arcadia and Millennium Day happened. He did all of this so that he could take what she controlled and fix what she broke! That's why he created the Saibatars in the image of his friends, after all, to remind her of the blood on her hands! To haunt her and to make her feel what he's felt for all of this time!
Before he realized it, Vantus' hands curled around his head. Thoughts and theories flooded his mind and were driving him insane. He began to hyperventilate as he desperately tried to keep calm, though it was a losing battle. He wanted to scream. He wanted to so badly it was excruciating to hold it in.
He was terrified of his thoughts, these dark thoughts that had been growing in him for what was hundreds upon hundreds of years; hundreds of years spent plotting revenge, driven by a vendetta against someone who, in the end, welcomed death with little resistance and still had him wrapped around her finger.
The moment he turned on her was the moment she declared checkmate.
"I struggled to come forward because I didn't want to lose you too... The truth is, I was scared to be left alone... Even now… I'm terrified. But now I understand why I've been able to push forward…"
Vantus' chest ached, the words reverberating within. He looked up and saw as Majorelle began staggering over to him, all the while reciting Megan's final words. Tears began to stream down his face, all the while shaking his head. "No…"
"He told me to keep it a secret… but you should know…the last thing Adam told me was that he felt like a burden to you and your family… That he was hiding his true self to keep you all worried free… He wanted to repay you all but felt powerless to do so. He said… you were the reason that he was able to push forward all this time…you were his hero.
Majorelle dropped to her knees before Vantus and embraced the broken man, Vantus only pleading for her to "stop" in a hoarse tone.
"And you know…that inspired me." She continued, beginning to tear up herself.
"Please…no more…" Vantus tried again.
"And when the time called for it, I didn't hesitate…"
I'm begging you to stop!"
"I resolved to be your hero…somehow, some way."
"STOP IT!"
"And because of that… I've realized that I—!" Majorelle's abruptly gasped, and her eyes suddenly went wide, her body losing all sense of feeling.
Vantus broke down, finally noticing the Grey Sword protruding from Majorelle's back. He couldn't take it. He couldn't bear to hear any more of it.
Majorelle's hands struggled up his back and onto his shoulders, providing little strength for her to get closer. "…I…lo…lo…yo…u…"
The sapphire glint in Majorelle's eyes dimmed as the slurred words were left incomplete, though the meaning carried through into Vantus. Realizing what he had done, he hugged Majorelle and began to howl uncontrollably in anguish…