[Several Years Ago…]

"Security Trigger: Cocytus Breath. I return Unimon to your hand, and all cards underneath are sent to the trash." The young boy stated as he moved the card to his trash.

He then drew. "Since you have a Digimon with no Digivolution cards, both my Tamer Matts add onto my memory, pushing me to 4. I move Bearmon from my Breeding Area to the Battle Area; then I digivolve WereGarurumon into MetalGarurumon for 4 Memory.

He set the card on top of WereGarurumon and moved the counter from 4 to 0 on the matt. WereGarurumon grants Security Attack +1 since you have a Digimon with no cards. MetalGarurumon, Double Security Attack!"

His opponent flipped the first card over, revealing a Patamon, followed by a Tapirmon. Neither of them had the power to stop MetalGarurumon.

"Once per turn, MetalGarurumon can unsuspend itself, allowing for a second attack. MetalGarurumon, Direct Attack."

With that final move, the room exploded into excitement, as the young eleven-year-old Trevor McKnight, the underdog of the local TCG Towers tournament upstaged the current champ of the card shop.

To his credit, as the weekend went on, making people keeping track of the matches weren't surprised. Being the younger cousin of Cynthia McKnight of Duel Masters fame, many of the regulars were rather excited to see if the skills ran in the family. Safe to say they weren't disappointed.

As Trevor collected his cards, he felt two heavy hands plop on his shoulders, which startled him slightly. He looked over his shoulder, seeing his father, a man in his late 30's with a slight tint of silver around his facial shadow. He was smiling from ear to ear at the feat his son pulled off.

"You did great! I'm so proud of you!" Mr. McKnight gleamed.

Trevor nodded, "Wish Mom came to watch me too."

Mr. McKnight retreated, "Well…you know how your mom is. Which is why we'll just keep this as our thing. Speaking of which, how about we stop by McDonald's to celebrate before we get home?"

"What about Pizza instead?"

"We'll have to share with your Mom."

"Then we'll order 2 pies then," Trevor suggested.

"With what money?"

Trevor motioned over to the counter, where it clearly stated "$500 store credit" prize for 1st place.

"Uh…Trev? That's only store credit. You can only use that money here."

Trevor turned and looked at the sign closer, seeing in fact that it specified what his father said. "How did I miss that…?"

"Too focused on winning to see that?" his father laughed.

Trevor laughed along with him, feeling rather silly on his part.

"It's alright. I'll buy her her own pizza as a thank you for letting me pull you away from schoolwork."

Trevor groaned. "Don't remind me…it'd be nice if I could be like those pro players who get paid to play. Kinda like Cousin Cindy and her team."

"Your cousin has a day job on top of being a pro."

"She does? All this time I thought she and everyone else just focused on playing as their careers."

"She's the type to have a plan B. In case things in the pro-life don't work out she has a job to fall back on."

Trevor pondered the thought for a second, but shrugged it off, "If I were her, I'd just play the game and live off that."

Mr. McKnight laughed, "The world doesn't work like that. Not yet at least. Until that day comes—if ever, you have to put your studies ahead, just in case."

Trevor looked at his dad, seemingly unconvinced.

"Well then do it for your mother and me I. Especially her."

With that insert, Trevor realized arguing further wasn't gonna work so he let it be.

"I'll just go and assume you agree with me, right?"

"Yeah, fine. I promise." He admitted defeat.

"Good; now let's order this pizza and get home before it's too late. You have school in the morning."

Trevor nodded, throwing his plastic deck case into his bookbag, and following his father to the front counter of the store.


Chapter 2: Beauty and the Beast


"I thought we had an agreement…" Ashley McKnight, arms crossed, stared down her son who sat at the kitchen table, still groggy from the impromptu nap he had to take on a school desk.

This was a recurring thing in the McKnight household. A lecture that went nowhere, followed by back and forth arguing, followed by both parties giving up and going into their separate rooms until morning.

"Technically, detention doesn't affect my schoolwork so you can't blame the game for—"

"I didn't raise you to get detention!" She cut him off.

Trevor pulled one eye open. The temptation to immediately counter her argument was growing by the second. He would've, had it have not been for the bottle of Dolcetto sitting on the counter in the distance.

Mrs. McKnight pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed heavily. "I don't know why I agreed to take you to that place those years ago. Ever since that day that's where your head's been."

She took a sip before he got into the house. This told Trevor this conversation wasn't going to last long.

"Look, Tyrone was messing with my friends. Sorry for turning out to be a model citizen for a son."

"'Model citizen?!'" His mother stood astonished. "Trevor, your grades are slipping! You spend more time with those friends of yours and that stupid game for what?!"

"So, I can have some breathing room!" Trevor howled back. Glancing at the bottle again, he wished he weren't a minor because this conversation was driving him to need to relax somehow. "I'm going to bed," he ultimately decided.

As he walked off, his mother went to grab his arm, but she missed. "Trevor McKnight we're not done! TREVOR!"

Trevor's response was the door to his room slamming behind him.

"She cares about you. You do realize that?"

"Gabumon I don't need your opinion right now," Trevor said, walking over to his bed.

On his nightstand laid his deck case, where Gabumon materialized itself on top of. "I'm only stating the truth. She's only trying to provide for you the best future she can, given the circumstances."

"I'm doing that just fine on my own, thanks." Trevor countered. "As long as I stay committed to the Pro Circuit, SAIBA will provide the scholarship that'll help me ride my way through college. My future has been long since been in stone and in the five years since she refuses to acknowledge that. That's her problem, not mine."

Trevor laid back, looking over to his alarm clock which read 7 PM. It was still too early to go to bed. Far too early. But at the same time, he was so burnt out from everything that going to bed now wouldn't be out of the question.

As he laid contemplating, his phone began to ring. He leaned back over and reached out for it, hitting the button on the screen, causing a holographic imagine to project. A brown-haired young woman appeared atop his phone, dressed business-casually, a wide smile glued on her face.

"Hey there!" she said. Her smile shrunk slightly. "Catch you at a bad time?"

Trevor shook his head, "not important. What's up?"

"Heard that you got Adam back into the game! How did you do it?"

"Surprisingly, it lined itself up for me. Didn't really have to do much other than use myself as bait for him to swoop in and save the day. That being said…the MetalGarurumon you lent me got ripped to shreds…"

The woman on the line felt the enthusiasm expel in one quick shot.

"It was a minor setback I swear!" Trevor tried to explain. "Look, what happened was—"

"Relax…MetalGarurumon's data was recorded during your match so we got the data. We can remake it and issue a new pair for you."

Trevor exhaled a sigh of relief.

"Just…don't lose these this time, okay?"

"Yes, ma'am." Trevor acknowledged.

"That aside, Adam coming back to the game…that makes me happy." The woman's enthusiasm returned.

"He said you were the one who gave him the deck. Question, the Agumon in the deck, is it…?"

"The one from five years ago? What gave it away?"

Trevor thought back to the match earlier that day. "Agumon…smiled. Is it…?"

Melissa shook her head. "R&D is still modifying the programs. As far as I know, the AI's in the decks are still rudimentary as ever. The goal is to have them be more 'sentient' to a degree but until then…"

"They're just AI programs dressed in Digimon costumes, got it," Trevor concluded, looking over to his deck case. "So, then what would explain the Agumon smiling?"

Melissa shrugged. "maybe you were seeing things? You did have like what, 4 hours of sleep over the weekend?"

Trevor leaned back in bed. "Surprised I'm not dead, what with everything's that happened over the last several days."

"One last thing. The CEO wanted me to tell you thanks for helping test Babylon's newest patch."

"Just as long as I get paid for my services, then I'll gladly do it again."

Melissa laughed, "don't worry about it, you know you're covered. But seriously though, you've been a major help for SAIBA in the last several years, truly. Your dad's proud of you too, for what you've done so far as well."

Trevor smirked, "Glad to know I have at least one parent proud of the work their kid's putting in."

Melissa grew quiet. "Ah. Well…tell your mom then that we appreciate all of your help."

"Assuming she's not drunk yet, I'll be sure to let her know."

Melissa bit her lip. "…you can pick the card up tomorrow after school, okay?"

"Sure thing. I'll drag Adam along so you can be reunited with that brat yourself."

Melissa smiled, "I'd like that."

Trevor nodded. "Have a good night."

"Same to you, talk to you tomorrow." She nodded back.

Trevor hung up the phone and turned to face the ceiling. That comment stewed in his head for a moment before he turned over away from his phone and closed his eyes.

As far as he was concerned, he wasn't wrong…


"Thanks for coming along with me to SAIBA today guys," Trevor thanked his two companions as they stood across from him on the subway.

"Yeah well, you know…" Adam shrugged before giving him an annoyed look, "…not like I had a choice."

"Technically you did. But you decided to play hero yesterday and forfeit your choice."

Adam scoffed and looked over to the girl sitting next to him. "What made you tag along?"

Megan looked up at him, "who would want to miss a field trip to SAIBA? Got nothing better to do this afternoon anyway."

"Mr. Morris isn't asking for any more favors?" Trevor joked.

Megan shook her head, "which means I'm all yours this afternoon."

Trevor reacted, causing the other two teens to stifle themselves. "I hate you both."

"How's your dad doing, by the way, Trev?" Adam spoke up as the train pulled to the stop.

"He should be working today," Trevor answered. "He didn't tell me anything different. Why?"

Adam shrugged, "just came to mind. Been a while since I've seen him since…you know."

"Yeah, well, needless to say, home life's gotten pretty better since then." Trevor took point, leading them out of the train car.

"Has it really?" Megan asked curiously.

Trevor stopped and about-faced, "nope!"

"Oh," Megan retreated.

Trevor turned back forward, "Mom leaves for work before I wake up in the morning, comes back home stressed, drowns herself in imported grape juice, and passes out. Rinse and repeat. Occasionally blames me and the game for her failed marriage."

"And your Dad?"

"According to Melissa, he hides in his office doing God-knows-what. The CEO has half the R&D department working on some secret project rumored to be unveiled soon. Since they started, I've barely heard from him."

"Kinda makes me afraid about how she may've reacted to you getting detention…" Adam muttered.

Trevor laughed, "she couldn't wait for me to get home before she got tipsy. I didn't bother to argue with her, so I went straight to bed. Found her passed out on the couch several hours later and I had to help her to bed."

By this point the group was topside, facing the SAIBA Enterprise main office building across the street from where they were standing. The tallest skyscraper on the city block, it towered before them, the SAIBA Enterprise logo plastered on the front of the building, and the doors in front of them in bright red letters.

"If it's any consolation, at least it's not affecting your performance in your matches…" Megan said.

He unhooked his case and flashed it in the air, "Well, everyone needs an escape from the real world. Fortunately, I found mine right here."

"You and I both…" Megan thought silently.

The trio made it into the building, coming into a spacious lobby area, featuring monitors and holographic displays of various Digimon featured in the game, advertisements, and game tables similar to the one that Adam remembered from his first time being here years ago. It didn't really strike him until he saw two younger kids playing with two of the game's starter decks, how he and Trevor were in the same position years ago. A warm feeling lit inside him, the idea that his testing the game helped so that younger kids could enjoy it as well as he did at their age.

Trevor approached the security desk, where he scanned his ID card and Adam and Megan received visitor passes. From there, they were granted access to the facility and Trevor lead them upstairs to the main offices where Trevor was to meet with Melissa Reinhardt, SAIBA's Enterprise Community Manager.

"From intern to Community manager…" Adam contemplated. "Five years makes a difference doesn't it?"

"You'd be surprised," Trevor replied. "Only thing different about her is the title."

They approached the door and Trevor knocked three times.

"Just a sec…!" The voice announced from the other side.

"Hey, Melissa, it's me," Trevor responded.

"Trevor? What time is—oh crap! It's that late?!"

"Uh…you good in there…?"

There was a pause… "define 'good.'"

Not liking the sound of that, Trevor opened the door, and the trio was shocked to see papers scattered throughout the small office room.

"What…" Megan's voice trailed, rendered speechless by the mess in the room.

"Hey…Mel?" Trevor repeated.

They heard muttering coming from behind the desk across the room. Adam took the liberty of taking point, as the other two teens entered as well, Trevor closing the door behind them. As Adam slowly approached the desk, papers crunching between his sneakers and the carpet, a frazzled head of hair sprung up from underneath the desk, causing the pair to jump back.

Eyes came over the top of the desk next and after a second to process it, the head of hair became a complete woman, albeit her clothes were a bit disheveled.

"Adam…?" the woman blinked, taking a moment to process the boy standing before her.

Adam likewise took a moment to process the face. "Hey, Melissa…"

A wide grin crossed her face and she excitedly skipped around her desk to squeeze the boy. "Oh my gosh, how are you?!" she pulled away and her enthusiasm shrunk as she realized the small little boy had several inches on her. "Were you always this tall?"

"I'm like 5'9." Adam shrugged, "not that big of a deal is it?"

Megan, who sat comfortably at 5'3 patted him on the back. "God only knows I wish I had your height." She turned to Melissa. "Hi, I'm—"

"Megan Jones, right? Trevor talks about you all the—"

"Ahem!" Trevor cleared his throat.

"Don't worry, I know he does." Megan grinned, having new ammo to tease her friend with.

"Anyway, more to the point…" Trevor inserted himself, "I'm here to pick up the replacement cards?"

"'Replacement cards?'" Adam repeated. "You mean we ended up in detention for nothing?!"

Trevor shrugged, "I mean…SAIBA still needs additional data on how it performs before they mass produce it so…yeah.

"So…this whole time you could've got replacements, but…you opted to get us detention instead?" Megan deduced. "How is it you're the smartest one out of the three of us?"

"Look! The point is Tyrone destroyed a really important piece of SAIBA property yesterday and I needed replacement cards that I had to beg Melissa to get me."

"Yeah, about that…" Melissa began to say.

Trevor slowly turned to the woman.

"I may have…misplaced them." She reluctantly admitted.

The three teens stood dumbfounded.

"Look I can explain!" She attempted to defend herself, quickly responding to their reactions. "I've been jumping in between meetings all morning and what with you coming I ran to the R&D department to get them printed and now…I can't find them, and I've been tearing my office apart for the last hour looking for them!"

"Okay, Ms. Reinhardt? Breathe." Megan managed to get a hold of the anxious woman. "We'll help you find them."

"If my boss finds out I'm so screwed…!" Melissa whimpered.

"I can kiss that scholarship goodbye at this rate…" Trevor muttered.

"Okay, how about we split up?" Adam suggested. "Megan, you help Melissa search in here, Trev and I will split up between the R&D department and this floor."

"Sounds like a plan." Megan agreed.

Adam nodded. "Ready bro?"

"Not like I have a choice."

"You did, but you decided to fib and forfeited your choice," Adam said.

"Very funny." Trevor opened the door. He moved to his right and pointed in the opposite direction. "R&D is in that direction, 2nd floor. I'll work my way down to the lobby and meet you back up here."

"Gotcha." Adam agreed. With that, the pair split from one another.


As Trevor said, he searched the entire 4th floor and retraced every meeting room he knew about. Over a few minutes, he slowly realized how well-versed he was in the building's layout, not realizing how much time he spent here. As he trekked across the 2nd floor, a sign caught his attention:

"Michael McKnight, Department Manager; Research and Development."

Trevor stopped, staring at the sign for a moment. Even if he knocked, he doubted he'd get an answer. As if that really mattered anyway.

As Trevor turned away from the door, he was approached by a young girl coming from the opposite direction. She had raven black hair and wore a purple top under a black denim jacket and skirt. She had a visitor's pass stamped on the breast pocket of her jacket as well. The girl had her face in her phone to not notice the boy and ended up bumping into him, causing her to jump back.

"Oh, sorry I—!" Her eyes grew, "Oh my god, you're Trevor McKnight!"

Trevor, taken aback slowly nodded.

"I'm like, such a huge fan!" the girl continued. "Can I have your autograph?!"

Still processing what was happening, he took a slight step back. "Listen, I'm a bit tied up at the moment. You haven't happened to have seen some cards lying, around have you?"

The girl backed off. "Cards?"

"Yeah, a pair of MetalGarurumon's." Trevor pulled out his phone and typed something into it, a projection popping up displaying a holographic image of the card. "Looks something like this?"

The girl leaned in and looked at it. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a pair of cards. "These, right?"

Trevor's eyes nearly popped out of his head. "Yes, those! Please, I need them, they're super important!"

The girl, taken aback herself took a step back and looked down at the cards. "How…important?"

Trevor paused, letting out an exhaled sigh. "Okay, fine. What do you want from me?"

"What? If they belong to you, why would I keep them?"

"Wait, seriously?"

The girl nodded, handing the cards over, "here."

Trevor looked down at the two cards, "You sure?"

"I mean if you're gonna keep insisting, then maybe a match or two as a thank you?"

"You play Digimon?"

"Just started about a week ago," the girl admitted. "All I have at the moment is the Yellow Starter Deck I bought, so I can imagine it doesn't compare to what you have."

Trevor thought for a moment. The deck he made to utilize this MetalGarurumon still needs tweaking so a quick match wouldn't hurt. Not only that but hanging out here longer will keep him from home longer.

Trevor took the cards from her. "Fortunately for you, I'm building a new deck myself that I'm sure still needs some tweaks here and there; how about you be my test partner?"

"Seriously?!" She squealed. "Oh my god that's so awesome, I get to play against my idol!" she quickly covered her mouth, as Trevor's cheeks flared up. "You weren't supposed to hear that!"

"Le—let's—just get downstairs." Trevor quickly sped ahead of her, heading to the elevator. The girl, who was still flustered from her outburst quickly followed behind him.

Trevor and the girl returned to the lobby of the building and found a terminal to play at. Shuffling their decks and setting them in their spots, they drew their cards.

"Ready to get started?" Trevor asked.

"I am if you are." She responded.

Trevor nodded and together they called out: "Digi-Gate: Open!"

The terminal whirled to life, the memory counter projecting the 21-numbered counter across each end of the table between them.

"Ladies, first." Trevor offered.

The girl giggled a bit, "such a gentleman. Alright then, I'll hatch Tokomon."

On the girl's side materialized a snow-white, stubby Digimon with a very innocent appearance, like a cross between a hamster and a bunny rabbit.

Tokomon (ST3-01)

Color: Yellow

Level: 2

"I digivolve Tokomon into Patamon." She continued.

Tokomon had the binary code encircle it as it digivolved into a slightly bigger mammal-like creature, its underbody white while its tip half sporting a bright orange with two wings protruding on its upper back.

Patamon (ST3-04)

Color: Yellow

Level: 3

DP: 1000

The girl drew for Digivolving. "Lastly, I play Salamon in my hand for 2 Memory."

In the Battle Area, materialized a puppy-like Digimon with cream fur and a gold ring around its neck like a collar.

Salamon

Color: Yellow

Level: 3

DP: 3000

MEMORY

0-2 (Turn Change: Trevor)

"My move then," Trevor said, drawing his first card. He moved to his Digi-Eggs. "I hatch Tsunomon."

Tsunomon materialized a miniature projection on the tabletop, the small orange puffball bouncing about.

Tsunomon (ST2-01)

Color: Blue

Level: 2

"Then for 1 Memory, I digivolve Tsunomon into Monmon." Trevor took the card in his hand and set it over Tsunomon, causing the Digimon to evolve into a bipedal green monkey with a leopard-printed smock, gloves, and a slingshot the size of its own body.

Monmon (BT1-031)

Color: Blue

Level: 3

DP: 1000

MEMORY

2-1

Trevor drew, "And for 3 Memory, I play Gabumon from my hand, who's On Play effect allows me to draw a card."

Gabumon materialized in the Battle Area, howling in response to its effect activating. Trevor subsequently drew.

MEMORY

1-2 (Turn Change: Girl)

"My turn," the girl said, drawing her card. "I move Patamon into the Battle Area, and pay 2 Memory to play the Option Card, Heaven's Charm, which minuses 2000 DP from Gabumon."

A bright ball of light materialized on the field, the silhouette of a feminine angel-like figure appearing as the source of it. the rays of light beamed onto Gabumon who grew weaker.

Gabumon

DP: 1000-0

Gabumon was instantly deleted the moment its DP reached zero, forcing Trevor to send it to the trash.

MEMORY

2-0

"Tokomon's Inherited Effect gives Patamon +1000 power whenever one of your Digimon are deleted via DP reduction." She explained. "Patamon, Security Attack!"

Patamon

DP: 1000-2000

Patamon flapped its small wings upward and took a deep breath, inflating itself like a balloon, before releasing the pent-up air in one quick shot. It soared towards Trevor, but a Security Card appeared and broke in place of it.

Trevor

Security: 5-4

"Security Check," Trevor said, flipping the top of the stack over. "Security Trigger! I play the tamer, Matt Ishida."

Matt's holographic projection materialized next to the Monmon sitting in the Breeding area.

Matt Ishida (ST2-12)

Color: Blue

"Don't breathe easy; Salamon, Security Attack!" The girl continued with her assault.

The little pup Digimon mustered energy within itself and unleashed a small light beam from its mouth, which pierced a second security card as it blocked Trevor.

Trevor

Security: 4-3

"Security Check…" Trevor flipped the card over, "Ikkakumon." Trevor revealed the walrus-like Digimon.

Salamon: 3000 DP

Ikkakumon: 5000 DP

The Security Card reformed into the walrus Digimon who fired a small missile from its horn that took out Salamon in one hit, causing the girl to move it to the Trash.

"To end my turn, for 2 Memory, I digivolve Patamon into Angemon."

Patamon flapped its wings once more and became wrapped up in the binary code, which itself turned into the body of an angelic Digimon with six wings and a human-like appearance, a helmet covering its eyes as ginger hair draped from behind.

Angemon (ST3-05)

Color: Yellow

Level: 4

DP: 4000

MEMORY

0-2 (Turn Change: Trevor)

"You know, I was gonna take it easy being that you're new and all, but two security cards went like that doesn't sit right with me."

"You don't have to hold my hand through this you know. I can take care of myself." She responded drawing her card.

"I'll take that as the OK to go all out then." Trevor drew. "I move Monmon to the Battle Area, and then digivolve it into Leomon!"

Monmon bounced into the Battle Area and jumped into the building vortex of binary above it, re-emerging as a muscular bipedal lion-like Digimon, wearing black pants with a sword strapped across its waist.

Leomon (BT1-035)

Color: Blue

Level: 4

DP: 5000

MEMORY

2-0

Trevor drew, "Leomon attacks Angemon!"

Leomon: 5000 DP

Angemon: 4000 DP

Leomon charged the angelic Digimon, who used its staff to block Leomon's initial strike. After trading several more times, Angemon attempted to come down on Leomon, but the Beastman knocked Angemon back and landed a punch square into its chest so hard that Angemon deleted on impact.

"I'll end by Digivolving Leomon further into LoaderLiomon," Trevor said, setting the card on top of Leomon.

Leomon subsequently roared upward as the binary code took over and turned him into a quadruped machine-like lion. Its mane was equipped with saw-like blades and the tip of its tail was a morning star.

LoaderLiomon (BT1-042)

Color: Blue

Level: 5

DP: 10,000

MEMORY

0-3 (Turn Change: Girl)

"Yikes, he's big…" The girl said, staring at the large cat-like Digimon.

"You said not to hold back, right?"

"Yeah but…" she shook it off, "Whatever. My turn." She drew, hatching a 2nd Tokomon in her Breeding Area. "I digivolve Tokomon into Tapirmon."

The small Digimon reformed into a brown tapir-like Digimon with its head covered in an armor-like faceplate and its hind legs showing a ghostly-like appearance.

Tapirmon (ST3-03)

Color: Yellow

Level: 3

DP: 4000

She drew. "And for 5 Memory, I'll play Unimon from my hand."

A winged unicorn Digimon materialized on the Girl's side, sporting a red mask and a gold mane going down it's back.

Unimon (ST3-07)

Color: Yellow

Level: 4

DP: 6000

MEMORY

3-2 (Turn Change: Trevor)

"Trying to stall?" Trevor asked as he drew.

"I'm allowed to try and defend myself, aren't I?"

Trevor smirked, "you are. The question is will I let you?"

"Working out so far in my favor given the circumstances."

Trevor moved to his Breeding Area, "let's see if we can fix that then. First off, Matt's effect grants me +1 Memory because your Unimon doesn't have any Digivolution cards underneath it.

MEMORY

2-3

"Then, I hatch Upamon."

A new small Digimon hatched, being a cream-colored ball with feather-like ears.

Upamon (BT1-003)

Color: Blue

Level: 2

"Now: howl, champion of the Net Space! For 3 Memory, LoaderLiomon digivolves into MetalGarurumon!"

Trevor set the card on top of LoaderLiomon as the latter roared as it felt the infusion of power. LoaderLiomon's body reconstructed itself until it transformed into the metallic canine Digimon, whose roar now became a piercing howl of triumph.

MetalGarurumon (BT1-044)

Color: Blue

Level: 6

DP: 11,000

MEMORY

3-0

Trevor drew. "MetalGarurumon, Security Attack! Now, MetalGarurumon's effect activates: Whenever he attacks, I'm allowed to play one Level 4 or lower Digimon from its Digivolution Cards without paying its costs. I bring back Leomon from its sources."

MetalGarurumon took to the air and began to glow blue, as a beam of light left its body and came down to the surface. Leomon reformed from the light as MetalGarurumon unleashed a breath of cold blue energy towards the girl's Security.

Girl

Security: 5-4

"Security Check…" She flipped the card over. "Security Trigger: Seven Heavens! One of your Digimon gets -10,000 DP for the turn. Being that MetalGarurumon would survive, I use it on the Leomon that was just played."

Trevor snickered as the beams of light left the security card and both he and MetalGarurumon were forced to watch Leomon as it was eviscerated by the forceful light energy.

"Leomon's effect: if it's deleted, I gain +2 Memory," Trevor explained as he set the card to Trash.

MEMORY

0-2

Trevor exhaled. That's what he gets for being reckless. "Upamon digivolves into Bearmon, then into Garurumon. And finally, I'll play Elecmon for 2 Memory."

Upamon cycled through his initial evolution and jumped straight into the blue-striped wolf Digimon. Meanwhile beside MetalGarurumon, materialized a small red and blue mammal-like Digimon with nine tails.

Bearmon (ST2-04)

Color: Blue

Level: 3

DP: 4000

Garurumon (ST2-06)

Color: Blue

Level: 4

DP: 4000

Elecmon (BT1-028)

Color: Blue

Level: 3

DP: 3000

MEMORY

2-2 (Turn Change: Girl)

"So much in one turn…" The girl sounded hesitant after witnessing all Trevor did.

"Sorry, but you're playing pretty well for someone who just started."

"Well, I've just been playing a lot in the last week."

"That's what worries me."

"Oh? To think I can make a pro like you hesitant. Cute."

"It's your move by the way."

She nodded, "noted." She drew, "Shame that Yellow can't play with the counter as you can. Regardless…" she moved Tapirmon to the Battle Area, "…I'll make do. Tapirmon digivolves into Unimon.

Tapirmon as said, digivolved into a second Unimon, joining the one already present and giving the girl 2 blockers to work with.

MEMORY

2-0

She drew and took another card in hand. "Then, I'll play the Tamer T.K. Takaishi from my hand for 2 Memory.

A small boy dressed in a striped, green shirt, brown shorts, green and yellow sneakers, and a large green hat materialized near the Breeding Area.

T.K. Takaishi (ST3-12)

Color: Yellow

MEMORY

0-2 (Turn Change: Trevor)

"T.K. boosts your Security Digimon by +2000 DP…" Trevor examined.

"And with the two Blockers, it'll be even harder for you to swing at me." She added. "Really making it hard on me to be as offensive as I was earlier."

"In that case, I'm doing my job right."

"If only your job was going easy on me."

"I offered, by the way."

"And yes, I realize that's on me. But then again, the fact you're making me think is exciting."

Trevor smiled. She smiled as well.

Trevor drew his card, "Matt gives me +1 Memory due to your first Unimon, pushing me to 3 Memory."

MEMORY

2-3

"Garurumon moves to the Battle Area, then Digivolves into WereGarurumon!" Trevor set the card on top of it, as the wolf Digimon reformed itself into the larger, bipedal, commando variant of itself.

WereGarurumon (BT1-040)

Color: Blue

Level: 5

DP: 7000

MEMORY

3-0

"WereGarurumon, Security Attack! WereGarurumon's effect gives me an additional +3 Memory when it attacks."

MEMORY

0-3

"Following that, Upamon's Inherited Effect lets me draw a card because you have a Digimon with no sources." Trevor states as he drew, "Also Garurumon's Inherited Effect triggers too, removing Tapirmon from Unimon's Evolution Sources!"

WereGarurumon threw its arms out, its red claws sharpening as he approached the Girl. WereGarurumon volleyed above the first Unimon, slashing it in its maneuver, and knocking the source away from it.

"My other Unimon blocks that!" The girl countered.

As WereGarurumon straightened up and brought its claw upward, it came down on the Security card, only for the 2nd Unimon to come and slide in between them.

WereGarurumon: 7000 DP

Unimon: 6000 DP

WereGarurumon landed, as Unimon's Data rained down from above. It retreated to Trevor's side as the girl moved her blocker.

"Not finished. MetalGarurumon, Security Attack! I use its effect to move Monmon from its sources onto the field."

Like before, Monmon materialized alongside Elecmon and the returning WereGarurumon as MetalGarurumon went in for the attack. Unimon patiently waited this time, the girl opting not to block this one.

Girl

Security: 4-3

"Security Check…" She flipped the card over, revealing a 12-cost knight-like Angel Digimon. "Seraphimon!"

Trevor snickered.

"In a normal circumstance, MetalGarurumon would've survived Seraphimon's counter, but because of T.K.'s effect, my Security Digimon gains an extra +2000 DP which is higher than MetalGarurumon's 11,000 DP

MetalGarurumon: 11,000 DP

Seraphimon: 12,000 DP

As the armored Angel materialized, MetalGarurumon unleashed an artillery of missiles and rockets to take it out, but each of them fizzled by the barrier that the Security Digimon created. Afterward, the Digimon concentrated the force into a small ball and threw it back at MetalGarurumon, who was decimated by the explosion of power experienced once it made contact.

Trevor exhaled as he moved MetalGarurumon to the trash. "I digivolve WereGarurumon into SaberLeomon for 3 Memory, who'll remove the last Evolution source from Unimon. Then, Elecmon will Digivolve into Grizzlymon for 2 Memory. WereGarurumon's effect also forces me to give back the 3 Memory it gained before.

WereGarurumon transformed into a massive yellow and red Sabretooth Digimon, while Elecmon digivolved into the larger bear Digimon, giving Trevor A new Level 6 to use as well as two blockers to work with as well. Which seemingly he would need due to the massive memory boost the girl received through his explosive assault.

SaberLeomon (BT1-043)

Color: Blue

Level: 6

DP: 10,000

Grizzlymon (ST2-07)

Color: Blue

Level: 4

DP: 6000

MEMORY

0-5 (Turn Change: Girl)

"Guess it's my turn to do something spectacular too, right?" She asked as she drew. "For 3 Memory, Unimon will digivolve into Angewomon."

The girl set the card on top of Unimon and the Digimon galloped into the air as a portal of light materialized overhead. It ran into it, re-emerging as the figure from the Option card earlier, a feminine angel with a similar appearance to the previous Angemon, only with blonde hair and a pink sash wrapped around her arms.

Angewomon (ST3-09)

Color: Yellow

Level: 5

DP: 7000

MEMORY

5-2

The girl drew. She then took the top card of her deck and set it into her Security. "Angewomon's effect: When she's digivolved into, Recovery +1 replaces a lost Security Card with a card from the top of my deck as long as I have 3 Security or less."

Angewomon spread her arms out, generating before her a new Security Card which vanished before them, to indicate her effect.

"Then, I digivolve her one more time, into Magnadramon."

Angewomon's sash expanded and wrapped around her body, covering her completely from head to toe. A brief pink light began to emanate from her, and like a cocoon, a pink lion-like dragon with six pairs of wings descending its serpent-like body.

Magnadramon (ST3-10)

Color: Yellow

Level: 6

DP: 12000

MEMORY

2-0

Yet another reason for Trevor to grow irritated; that 12,000 DP was higher than MetalGarurumon and SaberLeomon, the two strongest Digimon in his deck. At this point, all he could do is hope his line up could outspeed her before that giant beat stick of hers could do anything major to him. But being that she gained a new Security and is back at 4, that might prove hard if he doesn't get what he needs when he needs it.

"Magnadramon, Security Attack!" The girl commanded.

Trevor decided to hold off from blocking in case he needs the Evo Bait. Magnadramon's pink flames escaped its jaws as it built up, being unleashed towards Trevor's remaining Security.

Trevor

Security: 3-2

"Security Check…Security Trigger!" Trevor exclaimed, revealing Matt. "I play the Tamer Card, Matt Ishida!"

The 2nd Matt materialized alongside the first one.

Matt Ishida (BT1-086)

Color: Blue

"A four-cost tamer…There a reason for that?" she asked, noticing the subtle difference.

"You'll find out soon enough, trust me," Trevor said, building confidence in a comeback.

"Well, hopefully, it won't be anytime soon. I pay 2 Memory to play the Option Card Holy Flame. Until the end of your next turn, SaberLeomon gets Security Attack -3, meaning he's not getting through any Security any time soon."

"Nice counter. But with Matt on my side, step 1 of my comeback is already complete."

"Really? Looking forward to showing me what you have in store then."

MEMORY

0-2 (Turn Change: Trevor)

Trevor drew. Kaiser Nail, one of the essential cards appeared. Now all he needed was Hammer Spark and his Counterattack would be underway. "The 4-cost Matt's effect activates at the start of my turn. If I have anything less than 3 Memory at the start, he automatically sets it to 3 for me."

MEMORY

2-3

"I play the Option Card Kaiser Nail, for 4 Memory. It allows me to move 1 of my Digimon from another's source directly to play. I move WereGarurumon from SaberLeomon into play." He said, sliding the card from under Saber Leomon into its own spot.

MEMORY

3-1 (Turn Change: Girl)

"That was admittedly anti-climactic." The girl said.

"Who said I was done?" Trevor asked her.

The Girl blinked. "The counter…?"

"Matt's effect activated the moment WereGarurumon entered play. All pending effects have to be resolved before the turn switches over."

"Oh…okay." The Girl slowly nodded.

"When a Blue Digimon is played, I can suspend Matt to remove one source from your Digimon in play. I remove Angewomon from Magnadramon."

The Girl acknowledged, moving Angewomon to the Trash.

"Now you may go." He passed the turn over to her.

The Girl drew, "You know what, I'm not gonna attack this turn."

"Why not?" Trevor asked.

"Because," she said hatching Tokomon and Digivolving it into Patamon. "I'm curious to see what this grand plan of yours is. Patamon digivolves into Gatomon for 2 memory."

In her Breeding Area, Patamon was morphed into a bipedal white cat with yellow-clawed gloves and purple-tipped ears and tail.

Gatomon (ST3-06)

Color: Yellow

Level: 4

Power: 5000

MEMORY

0-2 (Turn Change: Trevor)

"You sure?" Trevor asked.

The Girl shrugged. "Listen, I just got to play against my idol; Getting beat by him in probably the most humiliating fashion possible is better than an autograph for sure."

Trevor, chuckled, not know what to say. "You do realize we're like the same age, right? I'm not that special."

"Depends on who you ask. First time I saw you at the tournament in TCG Towers several years back I've been a fan of yours ever since. I never played the game prior because I didn't really have a lot of friends then, but from time to time I would go to your matches if you were playing locally."

"And what brought you here?"

"Oh…I have family who works here so I just came by to drop something off for them. Of course, I didn't expect to run into you of all people…I'm not making this awkward, am I?"

Trevor slowly nodded. He then realized what she said and quickly corrected himself. "No no no, it's…" he chuckled, "never mind. My friends are probably looking for me so let's wrap this up."

The Girl smiled. "Okay."

"Right then, my move!" Trevor drew and looked at the drawn card. "Gotcha! Alright, here we go!" He moved his hand to the Breeding Area, "Matt increases my starting Memory to 3. After that, I hatch…Upamon, who'll then evolve into Gabumon!" Trevor drew. He looked at the card drawn and pulled another card in his hand. "Following that, I play two Hammer Sparks, each of them giving me a combined +2 Memory bring my total up to 5.

MEMORY

2-5

"WereGarurumon, Security Attack! When he attacks my Memory increases by +3!"

MEMORY

5-8

Magnadramon roared at WereGarurumon in an attempt to instill intimidation, but the Wolfman swerved around it and came up to destroy a Security.

Girl

Security: 4-3

"Security Check…Angemon. T.K. boosts him to 6000 DP

WereGarurumon: 7000 DP

Angemon: 4000 DP-6000 DP

WereGarurumon returned, surviving the attack.

"Now Grizzlymon, Digivolve into WereGarurumon too!"

The Girl noticed the artwork on this specific one was different. Trevor drew and looked up, smirking when he saw her face.

The second WereGarurumon was born from Grizzlymon, who slimmed down and gained the balance to be on two feet.

WereGarurumon (ST2-08)

Color: Blue

Level: 5

Power: 7000

MEMORY

8-5

"Not letting up, WereGarurumon, Digivolve into MetalGarurumon!"

The new WereGarurumon was overtaken by the power and re-emerged as the familiar metal wolf.

MEMORY

5-2

Trevor drew one last time. "SaberLeomon, Security Attack! Garurumon's IE Effect removes Unimon from Magnadramon!"

SaberLeomon dashed forward, shooting through Magnadramon, who lost its last source, and slashing the Security card to shreds.

Girl

Security: 3-2

"Security Check…Security Trigger: Heaven's Charm is added to my hand."

"Last but not least, MetalGarurumon, with WereGarurumon's IE Effect now activated, Double Security Attack! Grizzlymon also moves from the source into the Battle Area."

The girl watched helplessly as the wing blades on MetalGarurumon's back extended outward, taking him skyward and into the last two Security she had remaining.

Girl

Security: 2-0

"Security Check… MagnaAngemon.

MetalGarurumon: 11,000 DP

MagnaAngemon: 7000-9000 DP

"Second Check…Gate of Destiny: All my Digimon and Security Digimon gains +5000 for the turn…crappy timing's crappy." She added the Option card to her hand.

"WereGarurumon's effect takes the 3 Memory borrowed putting you at 1 Memory and ending my turn…" Trevor uttered, realizing how hard he went in on that last move.

MEMORY

2-1 (Turn Change)

"Does it even matter? No chance I could come back after that." The girl explained, feeling overwhelmed. She drew and moved Gatomon to the Battle Area. "I end my turn. Thanks for the opportunity to let me battle you."

"Thanks for finding the cards for me." Trevor thanked as he drew. "MetalGarurumon attacks you directly."

"And that's game." The girl exhaled as the Memory Counter proclaimed Trevor as the winner. "I can go to sleep happy tonight."

"Same here, oddly enough. By the way, what's your name?"

"Why you ask?"

Trevor didn't anticipate to lock up by that response. "Just saying—I—I mean if you ever wanna have a rematch at some point we could—"

"Layla." She answered. "My name's Layla."

"Layla…" Trevor repeated, committing it to memory. "Got it."

Layla nodded, packing her deck up and sliding it in the plastic deck case on her. "I'll see you around Trevor."

"Likewise, Layla." Trevor nodded, also cleaning up his deck. At which point, they broke off, both going in their separate directions.


Trevor headed back upstairs to Melissa's office where he found the three of them awaiting his arrival.

"Any luck? You were gone for a while." Megan asked him.

"Yeah, turns out someone picked them up in the lobby. Had to battle them to get it back."

"Seriously? Wonder who the poor sap was who had to put up with you for 30 minutes." Adam joked.

"No one you need to concern yourself with."

"Why not? Was she that cute?"

Trevor staggered, "How did you know she was a girl?"

"Because you just told me, genius!" Adam grinned.

Trevor caught himself. "It's not like that!"

"If it isn't why you getting so defensive?" Adam continued to tease.

"I'm not defensive you doofus!" Trevor snapped.

"You're getting worse!"

"I said shut up!"

As the pair continued to go back and forth, Melissa crossed her arms, humored by the thought that their bickering turned them back into the ten-year old's she remembered all that time ago.

But then her gaze shifted some, making note of Megan's subtle lack of enthusiasm. After a moment, she dismissed it as her own thoughts playing tricks on her.


That night, Trevor opened the door to his apartment, where his Mother stood, seconds from blowing a second gasket a consecutive night in a row.

"Don't tell me you—" She was interrupted by the plastic bag and the aroma coming from it.

"I had to stop by SAIBA after school to take care of some work-related stuff. Also, I got paid, so…Chinese tonight? You don't have to cook, and…I bought it already so…"

His mother stood quiet for a moment and relaxed. "I'd like that."

Trevor smiled. "Good."

Trevor entered the apartment as his mother closed the door. From that point, a quiet evening of good food and welcomed company between the pair, made for a rarely peaceful evening in the McKnight household…

One of which, both of them silently wished would continue going forward...