[Babylon, Saturday Afternoon...]
With the agility granted in Babylon, Emily found herself skipping across building after building as if she was a parkour prodigy. All of this was in the effort to catch up to the black-haired girl who broke from the group before. Emily noticed the girl in SAIBA's lobby and noticed her once again when they entered the prep area before their injection into the cyber world. For all she knew, she could've been chasing down an innocent girl who coincidentally looked familiar…
…otherwise, this was a reunion that she's waited far too long to have.
The girl ahead of her eventually stopped running, noticing that Emily wasn't giving up. She stood and awaited her, as the latter closed in.
"Can I help you?" the dark-haired girl turned, revealing herself to be Layla, the Tamer that Trevor ran into days prior.
Emily landed on the skyscraper roof where Layla stood. She looked up, Layla's arms crossed and awaiting a response to her question. "After five years… you decide now of all times to show your face?"
Layla smiled. "Has it really been that—"
"Cut the crap!" Emily snarled. Layla grew silent, her smile retreating.
"You're still blaming me I see…" Layla said, her voice hinting at disappointment.
"Who else could I blame? All signs point to you and they always have. You brought us to that stupid Beta Test, and SAIBA covered up what happened. You continue to play dumb and pretend that you don't see the blood on your father's hands!"
Layla's voice grew to a whisper. "What happened to Ivan…I only invited you guys because—"
"None of that matters!" Emily screamed. "No matter what you say isn't going to bring him back…! Whatever it takes I'm going to expose the crimes of your family if it's the last thing I—"
An explosion went off along a trail of buildings off in the distance, taking Emily by surprise. Layla looked over and affirmed what was happening to herself.
"Five years…since that day, and that's what you plan on doing...?" Layla said as the two girls watched the fragmented data mixed with realistic smoke from the buildings spiral upward. "In that case, I don't understand…" she turned to Emily, Layla's eyes giving off a red glow in a quick flicker. "…how you still hate me?"
Emily didn't know how to respond. And then...
What felt like hands...fell on her shoulders. An icy sensation rode down her spine, the mysterious feeling leaving her paralyzed and anxious for it to go away from her.
Emily fell back, horrified by the sensation that finally broke from her. Layla meanwhile looked down towards her one final time, smirked, and took a step off the building. Emily still in shock, watched as MetalGarurumon materialized suddenly and jumped off the building to catch Layla. As the pair dashed off out of sight towards the explosion, Emily's voice erupted in a furious scream.
Chapter 7: Reunion
The room was shaken by the abrupt accusation. Emily continued to seethe with rage the longer Layla stayed silent.
"Why…is she here?!" Emily hissed, pointing squarely at Layla.
Trevor stood up, "Alright back up a sec. Can we talk outside?"
Emily reacted, pushing Trevor back when his hand went out towards guiding her out of the room. "Don't touch me!"
"Maybe…I should go," Layla said, clearly uncomfortable.
"No, you stay here," Trevor instructed. "Emily, let's go!"
"Not until you explain to me why she's here! Do you have any idea who she is?!"
"I do and that's why—" Trevor felt Adam's hand land on his shoulder.
"Dude; stop talking for a sec," Adam told him. "How about we talk?"
Emily scoffed, "what difference does it make? The both of you are siding with—"
"I barely understand what's happening myself. And you seem to know more than I do, so let's talk. Besides, you were saying something yesterday that's been bugging me."
Emily paused for a moment, remembering that Megan dragged her out of his hospital room before she could get her questions out. Reluctantly, she nodded and followed Adam out of the office.
Once they were outside the room and the door closed behind him, Adam motioned towards the stairwell.
"Where are you taking me?" Emily asked.
"Somewhere away from this place. Trevor can fill us in later if need be."
"Is this the reason why neither of you was in school today?"
"In my defense, I was on my way to school. But Melissa suddenly popped up at my house this morning and brought me here. The R&D department spent the whole day running tests on me and checking my brain-waves or something, to make sure I didn't suffer any side effects."
"Like what exactly? Did it help you remember anything at least?"
"If by 'remember' you mean I dreamt I was facing down a giant WarGreymon that wasn't mine, then sure, let's go with that."
Emily stopped and pondered the thought for a moment.
"In the mood for Starbucks or something?" Adam asked. "I'll treat?"
Emily perked up after hearing the offer. She nodded, willing to agree if it meant getting the information she might not otherwise get from Trevor; especially considering that he's involved with her of all people. And now that she was thinking about it in retrospect, she's glad that Megan went home. It kept her from seeing the way she reacted just then.
Depending on how things play out, it would be nice if she kept the one person, she's willing to trust at this point.
The coffee shop was several blocks from the building, one of the benefits of living in a large metro area after all. Emily sat at a table awaiting Adam while being surrounded in a room full of office workers, some lucky enough to be leaving the office early and others making rounds for themselves and their co-workers, who needed a bit of a push to get them through the last few hours.
"Thought it was crazy enough I'd see her in Babylon but the real world too…?" Emily silently muttered, working on the mental puzzle in her head.
"Hey so…I was wondering." Adam's voice spoke up as he approached the table.
Emily took the Vanilla Frappuccino from him as well as the straw and waited for him to sit down before she responded. "What's up?"
"So…that girl that was with us before. Why did you get so upset? And why did you call her a murderer?"
Straight to the point. Emily didn't expect that. "Didn't you have questions about what we tried to talk about yesterday?"
Adam's expressions indicated that he realized he may have touched a nerve and followed suit in changing the subject. "Right; Yeah, about that too…why were you so curious about my dream?"
"Because…it wasn't a dream," Emily stated.
Adam paused. "What do you mean?"
"That day…was the day of the Beta Tests from five years ago. The room you were in, surrounded by fire, that was the testing room you and Trevor were in."
"How…do you—"
"Because I was there that day too. Me and my friends, we were also Beta Testers." Emily's voice grew softer, "I remember because you were that over-excited kid who couldn't wait to meet Agumon, right?"
Adam's eyes widened. "Wait! I remember the day of the Beta Test. You were there too?"
Emily nodded. "'Agumon is gonna be my partner, I've already decided! I'm so excited to finally meet him, you have no idea!' Sound familiar?"
Adam blushed, being reminded of his child-like enthusiasm. Emily couldn't help but crack a smile.
"It's almost annoying that you remember what I said…"
"Yeah, but I'd be lying if I said we all didn't feel like that." Emily continued. "My best friends, Layla, Ivan, and I were scheduled to be the Beta Testers for the Purple, Black, and Yellow decks."
"So that's what Trevor meant when he said you were a Beta Tester before, like him."
Emily shook her head. "Trevor may have heard of me in passing I'm sure, but like I mentioned my parents pulled me out of the program after the incident. It got to be too much for me to handle so they thought it best to just keep me from participating further. Honestly, I'm surprised I'm even allowed to set foot in the place after the commotion I caused back then."
"You mean like what happened earlier?"
Emily looked at him and the boy took a deep sip of his Caramel Macchiato. Furrowing his brow and awaiting a response, Emily conceded. "Promise me you won't tell Megan about that?"
Adam laughed, "You guys became friends faster than I expected."
"Not like I had a choice," Emily muttered. She looked back up and got serious. "Anyway, what did Ms. Reinhardt explain to you guys?"
"Basically, that the Cyberterrorist group Trojan was who hacked Babylon and caused the chaos that happened. Apparently, I battled someone who was affiliated with them, but I can't remember the entire thing."
"And Layla?" Emily asked as she sipped.
"A friend of Trevor. She was in Babylon when things went down and they were thinking she may have been caught up in everything as well, what with everything considered.
Emily bit her straw. "Do you know that's the daughter of SAIBA's CEO right?"
Adam was taken aback. "You're kidding me! Man, talk about a small world."
"You're telling me."
"So, going back to it, why call her a 'you-know-what' out of nowhere like that?"
"Do you happen to remember how they reported the accident itself from five years back?"
"Barely. After all, it was a literal nightmare up until I started talking to you."
"News outlets reported the fires as a malfunction within the systems. In reality, SAIBA covered up the true culprit."
"Culprit?"
"It was Trojan who set the fire. And SAIBA covered it up."
Adam understood. "That's why you said what you did…"
"I admit… seeing Layla after five years was something I didn't expect. And my reaction wasn't ideal but…just know that it was five years coming." A tear dropped onto the table. "I don't care how screwed up I may have sounded; I…just needed her to hear it."
Adam stood silent, handing the girl a napkin to wipe her face. The napkin slid underneath the frame of her glasses as she dried her eyes and after a sniffle or two, she regained her composure. "Sorry…"
"You're good. I get it. Guess, SAIBA has screwed over everyone in some way or another, huh?"
"Looks like it." She sniffled.
"I know this may seem crazy but, have you talked to her since then?"
Emily was reminded of the moment they first met up in Babylon. That cold, icy feeling crept onto her once more, making her feel bitter. "No. And I don't have any intention of doing so either."
Adam sensed that this was the end of the conversation. "By the way, where is Megan? I thought she was supposed to come along with you?"
"This weekend's been rough on her. For several reasons."
"I know her Dad's anniversary's coming up, but what could be—" he paused, and facepalmed himself. "Trevor that idiot…! What did he do?"
Emily shook her head. "This is all on her. She'd rather fight with her feelings than be upfront about it. Trevor's too oblivious to notice."
"Not even; Trevor may be a bit clueless when it comes to girls but it's Megan's fault for teasing him for so long."
"Teasing?" Emily stifled herself. "What do you mean?"
Adam nodded, "When we were kids, Trevor let it slip that he dreamt that he and Megan were some world-famous tamer couple, and Megan rode that joke into the ground. I'm guessing Trevor built up the nerve to tease her back because when he did the other day I saw it work a little too well."
Emily couldn't help but laugh, almost to the point of tears. Adam watched as the girl lost herself in the scenario and finally interrupted her laughing session. "I know I've known you for barely a week but…you don't smile a lot, do you?"
Emily calmed down, using the same napkin to wipe her face. "I mean…yeah, I guess I can start doing that more often. It's just that after what happened as a kid I found it hard to make friends. With Ivan gone and Layla breaking my trust, I push people away to avoid getting hurt. Feeling vulnerable like that isn't a feeling I like so…"
"So, what's changed? I know Megan forced you to admit it before but…"
"I guess…relatability?" Emily said, thinking about it for the first time. "Or…you guys just seem real."
Adam scoffed, "I mean, there's no reason not to be. The three of us try to have each other's backs no matter what. My uncle taught me a saying: 'Honesty is rare nowadays, so strive to be in the minority.'"
Emily agreed with a small smile.
In the back of her mind, part of her wished that Layla could hear those words as well…
Trevor waited patiently for Layla to exit Melissa's office, the two having a one-on-one conversation between themselves. What he went through the other day with Layla stuck with him, causing him to pursue this rabbit hole the way he has. Not to mention, after the conversation that he had with his father, things have become even more complicated. As much as he wanted to speak up about it earlier, hesitation kept him from bringing it up to Melissa. If anyone, Layla would be best for the sake of verifying what his father said.
That aside, it was great that Adam's awake and that he was slowly catching up with things, but curiosity hung in the back of his mind where Emily was concerned. He knows they're both on the same page when it comes to Trojan, but what was her relationship with Layla, for her to accuse her of being a murderer? And why was Layla, despite everything, working with Trojan?
What is Trojan exactly, and what direct ties does it have with SAIBA?
Layla finally exited the room, surprised to find Trevor awaiting her. "Trevor…"
"Got a sec? I wanna talk about what just happened before."
Layla shied away from as if she was ashamed. "What does it matter?"
"Innocent until proven guilty right?"
"You already deemed me guilty, remember? I am a terrorist after all."
"And I also told Emily that this situation isn't as black and white as I figured it be. Besides, my father told me some things that I want to run by you."
"About what?"
"Trojan's objective; how they want to use the Digimon SAIBA created to cause massive Cyberterrorist attacks throughout various parts of the world."
Layla looked up. "What?"
"But what I can't figure out yet is why SAIBA's willing to keep this hid—wait." Trevor stopped. "What do you mean 'what?'"
"That's not Trojan's objective, where did he get that from?" Layla inquired.
"Okay, so if that's not their objective, why the attack five years ago and the one recently? Why help Trojan get the data of the purple and black decks then?"
"Because the Trojan I know is targeting SAIBA specifically to bring them down."
Trevor thought about it for a moment. "…And you're a hundred percent okay with this?"
"…Do you hate me?"
Not this again, Trevor thought to himself. "Why does that matter?"
"If I told you the reason why I'm working with Trojan, would you treat me any different?"
Trevor got quiet, remembering their conversation back when he first learned who she really was. Her tone carried with it pain. It unsettled him the longer he stalled to answer.
"My father ruined my life…" Layla spoke up. "He got me to be a Beta Tester for the game and invited my friends to join me. One of them died in the accident and instead of taking fault he covered it up because his company's image mattered more than my feelings…!" her fists clenched as she tried to hold back the tears that were leaking. "Despite what the world saw, my family suffered. I lost Emily, and rumors spread about the cover-up. I struggled for five years... having those thoughts roam my head. I wanted... so bad to make it stop!"
Trevor continued to be silent, listening to the girl vent out her frustrations. His empathy was telling him to embrace the girl, but a small sense of fear held him back from approaching. No matter her reasoning, she was a member of Trojan.
She cleared her throat, in an attempt to regain composure, "…when I found myself at my lowest point…Trojan gave me an opportunity. Ever since I've wanted nothing more than to expose my father for his crimes and bring him to justice." Layla continued. "So yeah, I'm a thousand percent okay with this. And I'm also willing to be labeled a terrorist, a murderer, or whatever. I'll bear it all as long as this place burns to the ground."
Once she finished, Trevor took a deep breath and took a moment to process his plan of action. "Trojan attacked SAIBA five years ago. Your father covered for you the other day instead of turning you in. Even with all that you're still okay with bringing this place down?"
"SAIBA had it coming all those years ago. And he wasn't—"
"Had it coming?!" Trevor snapped. "My life was ruined five years ago and you're saying SAIBA had it coming?!"
"He was covering himself, not me." Layla continued, ignoring Trevor's outburst. "He only cares about this company and nothing more. You honestly believe any of the Beta Testers were more than expendable?"
Trevor couldn't refute that. Emily's words about him being a "SAIBA lapdog" came back to mind as well. He was growing agitated at this point.
Layla sighed, also exhausted by the back and forth. "This is so stupid."
"It is." Trevor agreed. "I mean, you're still a minor, so what power do you have? And can you even trust Trojan to help you?" He was echoing Megan's argument.
"I have about just as much trust in them as you do being Pro Tamer for SAIBA." Layla countered, crossing her arms.
"You're gonna hurt yourself."
"I've lost everything before. I literally have nothing else driving me forward."
As Trevor crossed his arms, one last thought crossed his mind. "How did Trojan access the servers the night before the demo? To steal the data for the decks?"
"Someone in Trojan supplied us with a program that allowed us to slip through the security. Basically, like a literal Trojan virus, we cloaked our digital selves as data related to the R&D department. From there, we were able to swipe the data for the decks themselves."
"And you had your partner hide in the system while you continued in the real world as if nothing happened."
"Sounds right…" Her voice trailed before she looked back at him. "Do you want the program?"
Trevor looked back at her. She was expecting a response.
"Hey, did we miss anything?" Trevor heard Adam's voice from down the hallway. Both he and Layla looked up, seeing him and Emily walking down the hallway up to them.
"Actually, perfect timing," Trevor said, able to dodge Layla's question. "The four of us need to talk about some things.
The four of them found themselves back in the lobby of SAIBA Enterprise, sitting together in the waiting area across from one another. With everyone calm, for the moment, Trevor felt now was ample time to get all grievances out there as well as make sure everyone was on the same page.
Adam likewise felt the same, being that he managed to cheer Emily up and all, it would be a shame for her to get upset all over again. At most, he'd settle for mild anxiety, something that was evident by her subtle fidgeting and her lingering gaze at the girl across from them.
"After the match, you had with my partner, I did a force-eject on you to kick you out of Babylon. As for why you didn't immediately wake up, I planted a suppressor program in your mental data to make it seem like you imagined the events."
Trevor leaned back in the chair, trying to imagine how that would work. "The fact that something like that is possible is…"
"Neat?"
"Unsettling," Adam answered. "Like what does Trojan get with messing with my head?"
"It's not what Trojan gets, but more so what SAIBA can't," Layla explained. "Do me a favor and take the Tamers out of your decks."
Trevor and Adam looked at one another, then turned their attention to Emily who rolled her eyes. The three of them followed instructions and took a copy of each Tamers out: Matt from Trevor's deck, Tai and Sora from Adam's and T.K., and Kari from Emily's. They laid out the five cards on the table before Layla and awaited a response.
"Notice anything?" Layla asked.
The three looked at them. Trevor and Emily didn't see anything out of the ordinary, but Adam stared a bit longer. "Hey Trev, is it me, or are all the current Tamer cards in the game like elementary school kids?"
"It's a card game directed towards kids, doofus," Trevor replied. It then clicked in Trevor's head. "Kids…the Beta Testers!"
Layla nodded. "As the Digimon are digital entities themselves, they are supported by Tamers, who were created based on the data that SAIBA was able to record from the Beta Testers."
"But if that's true, then is there an ulterior motive for Babylon then?"
"If so, then be assured that Trojan is eager to get their hands on the secrets my father's hiding. They're not gonna stop until SAIBA's exposed for their dark dealings.
Emily who was quiet up until now chuckled, grabbing their attention. "So, let me get this straight; you're working with Trojan to bring down your family's company? Why? It's not going to change the fact that you're guilty."
"Emily, drop—" Trevor attempted to speak but Layla cut him off.
"Let her continue. I wanna hear what you have to say."
Emily shook her head and collected her cards, "I'm good, thanks." She looked at Trevor and Adam. "I can already tell you're buying into this crap so if you don't mind, I'll see myself out of this circus."
Emily shot up before either of the two could respond to her statement. As she turned around and began to walk, Layla herself shot up out of her chair. "Don't you dare take another step!"
Emily stopped, and the two boys could see the anger in Layla's face. Emily turned around, also agitated at the sight of the fellow girl.
"I have every right to defend myself, don't I?! So, let's get this over with! I challenge you, right now!"
The two boys looked back over to Emily, who didn't seem to expect a challenge but wasn't entirely put off by the idea either. With a smirk, she turned her body back forward. "Bring it!"
Adam glided downward towards the rooftop where everyone else landed on. A second time around Babylon, he was able to anticipate the drop into the cyber world and was able to control his speed. The futuristic landscape was beautiful the second time around, and he wished he had an opportunity to explore the landscape.
Once he landed, he joined Trevor, who had his arms crossed, patiently waiting to see what was to unfold through this unexpected trip into Babylon.
Layla threw to Emily a D-Brace, to which the latter caught. Emily examined the device, feeling as though this wasn't the first time she saw it.
"Put in on your wrist as well as your D-Case," Layla instructed.
Emily looked up, seeing Layla was all ready to go and was waiting on her. Emily strapped the D-Brace on her arm and docked her D-Case as well.
"So, random question…" Adam quipped.
"What's up?"
"Nothing it's just…don't you find it a bit weird that we were able to easily get into this place?"
"Layla has special access because she belongs to the SAIBA family."
"Yeah but even then, she's also a part of Trojan, right? So, assuming she wasn't lying about that, why would you give Trojan the keys to the most expensive project in SAIBA's history? Even if they're trying to hide the fact…"
"Look man, I don't have all the answers. Let's cross that bridge when we get to it and make sure these two don't try to kill each other before that."
Adam exhaled and dug his hands in his pockets. "Good thing Megan's not here to hear you worry about another girl."
Trevor's eye twitched. "One thing at a time…!"
"Leave it to you to put yourself in these situations."
"Y'know I liked you better when you were still knocked out!" Trevor snapped.
"Both of you shut up!" Emily snarled, quieting the pair of boys. "Let's go already!"
Layla nodded. "Ready?"
"Digi-Gate: Open!" Purple and Yellow constructs expanded from their cases and surrounded the area in its formulaic fashion, followed by the hands as well as Security Cards generating themselves in their respective manners.
Emily closed the tutorial screen, having an understanding of how to battle in this state. She readied herself and made the first move. "I hatch!"
Tokomon materialized on her side of the field, its small white body landing on the rooftop.
Tokomon (ST3-01)
Color: Yellow
Level: 2
"Then, I'll digivolve it into Patamon." She took the card from her hand and scanned it over, the data of the card transferring to Tokomon, who subsequently reformed into the orange and cream-colored wing Digimon.
Patamon (ST3-04)
Color: Yellow
Level: 3
DP: 1000
She drew her bonus card, "then, to end my turn, I play the Tamer T.K. Takaishi for Four Memory."
T.K. materialized in the area, ready to fulfill his role. The thought about him and other tamer cards being based on them as Beta Testers made Emily feel a bit uneasy, but not enough to distract her from beating Layla.
MEMORY
0-4 (Turn Change: Layla)
"T.K.'s effect allows me to look at my Security Cards. From it, I can add one to my hand, and replace it with the top card of my deck." Emily explained. She looked down at her D-Brace, watching as the Security cards lined on the side of her arm rose up and exposed their contents.
She saw Seven Heavens, Magnadramon, Darcmon, Unimon, and Labramon. Emily didn't know what to expect out of the Purple deck, but she didn't think much of it, opting to leave her stronger counters in security. "I take Darcmon from my Security and recover one security."
Emily did as she said, taking the card and letting the D-Brace generate a replacement, shuffling the stack afterward and redisplaying them. Layla took her turn, drawing. "I hatch!"
Pagumon materialized on Layla's side, the gray, mischievous ball of fur bouncing about.
Pagumon (BT2-007)
Color: Purple
Level: 2
"Pagumon digivolves into Tsukaimon!" She revealed and then scanned the card, Pagumon then began to reconfigure into a purple version of Patamon, it's piercing yellow eyes replacing the crystal blue ones of its counterpart.
Tsukaimon (BT3-079)
Color: Purple
Level: 3
DP: 2000
Layla drew her card, "I play Gabumon from my hand." Layla stated as Gabumon materialized before them.
Gabumon (BT2-069)
Color: Purple
Level: 3
DP: 2000
MEMORY
4-1
"Then finally I digivolve Gabumon into Garurumon to end my turn."
Gabumon, as stated reformed into the larger wolf Digimon, making its presence the strongest one amongst them.
Garurumon (BT2-073)
Color: Purple
Level: 4
DP: 4000
MEMORY
1-1 (Turn Change: Emily)
"Garurumon? Isn't Gabumon and the Digimon it digivolves into supposed to be blue?" Adam questioned, seeing the familiar Digimon in the newer color before him.
"Her Purple deck takes inspiration from Blue. If Emily gives her the opportunity, you'll see what I mean by that."
"I wonder… if Black is any different…" Adam pondered, recalling bits of his experience.
Emily drew. "T.K. sets my Memory to three at the start of my turn."
MEMORY
1-3
"Patamon moves to the Battle Area, then Digivolves into Seasarmon!"
Patamon flapped its little wings heading up into the air and landing back down, now in the form of the lion-like dog Digimon, Seasarmon.
Seasarmon (BT1-052)
Color: Yellow
Level: 4
DP: 4000
MEMORY
3-1
"Seasarmon, Security Attack! Use your Jammer effect to knock back whatever comes your way!"
Seasarmon roared and charged ahead towards Layla. The latter threw her arm up, the first of her Security expanding to block Seasarmon. Seasarmon, with the horn in the center of its forehead, headbutted the Security Card, causing it to fracture and eventually shatter.
Layla
Security: 5-4
"Security Check!" Layla called out as the Security Card's content revealed itself. "Security Trigger!"
Trevor saw and instantly recognized the card. "Darkness Claw!"
"Darkness what?" Adam repeated.
"Remember what I just said about how Purple takes inspiration from Blue? Darkness Claw's Security Effect works identical to Hammer Spark's."
Adam immediately understood. "She gets Two Memory and shuts Emily's turn down just like that?"
Emily snickered, watching the Memory Counter above switch over to her. "Delaying the inevitable?"
"I'm prepping for it, actually." Layla countered.
MEMORY
1-1 (Turn Change: Layla)
Adam exhaled, realizing that Layla only had one Memory to work with. "Anti-Climatic when you think about how you were kinda shaken just now, don't you think?"
"This is only the start." Trevor commented, keeping his focus on what's about to unfold.
Layla drew. "Tsukaimon moves to the Battle Area, and then I play the Option Card Darkness Claw from my hand."
MEMORY
1-0
"More Memory?" Adam looked over.
"I said its Security Effect was the same." Trevor clarified.
Adam blinked and looked back over, seeing Tsukaimon's wings glow in a pinkish-purple hue.
"Tsukaimon gains +3000 DP. Attack Seasarmon! Pagumon's IE effect also sends the top card of my deck to my Trash." The card revealed itself to be Pumpkinmon.
Tsukaimon: 2000-5000 DP
Seasarmon: 4000 DP
Tsukaimon flapped its wings and broke off like a rocket, its wings cutting straight through Seasarmon before the latter could process what was happening. Tsukaimon went so quick it stopped short in front of Emily who didn't expect that and cackled before returning to Layla, flying through Seasarmon's dispersing data particles and scattering them further.
"I end my turn by Digivolving Garurumon into WereGarurumon."
Garurumon allowed the binary to overtake it and reform it into the bipedal werewolf Digimon.
WereGarurumon (BT2-078)
Color: Purple
Level: 5
DP: 7000
MEMORY
0-3 (Turn Change: Emily)
Emily drew. "Wipe that smirk off your face you cheap imitation."
Tsukaimon reacted, realizing Emily was talking to it. It stuck its tongue back at her in response.
"I hatch!"
Cupimon materialized on Emily's side, the small marshmallow-like angel Digimon fluttering about.
Cupimon (BT1-006)
Color: Yellow
Level: 2
"Cupimon Digivolves into Tinkermon!"
Cupimon reformed itself into the blonde-haired pixie Digimon. She twirled her lance and pointed it forward in the direction of Tsukaimon, who in response grew hesitant to charge ahead.
Tinkermon (BT1-047)
Color: Yellow
Level: 3
DP: 3000
"Then, I'll play Petermon from my hand. When he comes into play, I can play one Tinkermon from either my hand or my Trash. So from my hand, I play a second Tinkermon!"
The fairy pair of Digimon both materialized together, giving Emily a sizable army to get herself back on some kind of equal footing to Layla, who silently watched what she was doing.
Petermon (BT1- 056)
Color: Yellow
Level: 3
DP: 5000
MEMORY
3-2 (Turn Change: Layla)
Layla drew for her turn. "Alright; time to get things started then." She looked up at Emily, who grew defensive of whatever she was about to unleash. "I Hatch Pagumon!"
A second Pagumon materialized on her side of the field.
"Pagumon Digivolves into Demidevimon!"
Pagumon curled itself into a ball and reformed into a small bat-like Digimon with a navy-blue stapled mask with a skull sewn on the forehead, as well as matching wings. Its pale-blue talons landed on the floor beneath it, and along with it, carried the same mischievous smirk that was becoming trademark of the purple Digimon.
Demidevimon (BT2-067)
Color: Purple
Level: 3
DP: 3000
"Tsukaimon, Security Attack!" Layla ordered. "Pagumon's IE effect discards the top card of my deck." The card revealed was Vilemon.
Emily likewise braced herself as Tsukaimon inflated itself and expelled a purple smog that headed straight for Emily. The Security Card took the hit naturally, corroding and then dispersing into data to reveal its contents.
Emily
Security: 5-4
"Security Check: Magnadramon, with 10,000 DP!" Emily stated.
Magnadramon emerged from the purple smoke and clamped onto Tsukaimon, who frantically attempted to escape but to no avail as it was overpowered by the Security Digimon.
"Garurumon's IE effect also kicks in now. Once per turn, whenever one of my other Digimon is destroyed, I gain one Memory.
MEMORY
2-3
Layla pulled a card from her hand, "Eclipse the Moon with peerless intellect and awaken the armies from the depths below; WereGarurumon digivolve into MetalGarurumon!"
WereGarurumon howled as the binary infused itself and transformed it into the metallic wolf Digimon.
MetalGarurumon (BT2-081)
Color: Purple
Level: 6
DP: 11,000
MEMORY
3-0
"Real quick, is here's any more annoying than your MetalGarurumon?" Adam had to ask Trevor.
"Depends on what you mean by annoying!" Trevor answered.
"Security Attack, MetalGarurumon! Use your effect to bring back the Level 3 Tsukaimon from the Trash!"
Tsukaimon re-materialized from Layla's trash as MetalGarurumon charged the cannon inside its mouth.
"WereGarurumon's IE effect: Whenever my Digimon Attacks, I can destroy one other Digimon to unsuspend it!"
"What?!" Emily exclaimed, not expecting that.
Tsukaimon cackled as it gave itself up to empower MetalGarurumon. MetalGarurumon fired its cannon, the blast careening forward for Emily. The girl shielded herself, as the Security Card took the hit.
Emily
Security: 4-3
"Security Check…!" Emily said as she continued to withstand the pressure of the attack. "Labramon… with only 1000 DP."
The Security Card fell apart, the blast knocking Emily on her back. Adam reacted, but Trevor held him back, forcing the both of them to watch as Emily attempted to force herself back up. MetalGarurmon meanwhile began to charge once more.
"Each time MetalGarurumon attacks, I can bring back one Level 3 from my Trash," Layla explained. "Combine that with the 'On Deletion' effects, MetalGarurumon becomes a cannon of destruction while I reap the benefits of the ammo," Layla explained, "Like so!"
MetalGarurumon unleashed its second charged round as Tsukaimon re-materialized once again. Emily reacted quickly, bracing for impact as the third Security Card expanded to shield her at the last second.
Emily
Security: 3-2
The impact resulted in an explosion of smoke that covered the virtual landscape. From the smoke, Unimon stood in front of the staggering girl before dissipating from where it stood.
"I end my turn by Digivolving Tsukaimon into Devimon."
Tsukaimon reformed itself into the devil-like Digimon, sporting an appearance of a humanoid with bat-like wings and horns on the side of its head.
Devimon (BT2-074)
Color: Purple
Level: 4
DP: 4000
MEMORY
0-2 (Turn Change: Emily)
"Three Security just like that…" Adam said, surprised at the brutal attack Layla demonstrated.
"Purple's no joke." Trevor noted, "If Emily doesn't shape up this match is as good as over."
Emily, overhearing them smirked, "Isn't it funny though? She's so relentless in her attack. Did Trojan teach you to be so aggressive, or could it be you're showing your true colors?"
Layla hesitated. "All I'm doing is defending myself…"
Emily cackled, "You just want to be right so badly… you want to believe that you're the good guy, right? That you're just being misunderstood?" Emily started directly at her, her voice dropping in tone. "You're so pathetic…"
Layla's eyes widened. Her fist clenched and her teeth gritted. "Who…in the hell you think you are?!"
"A girl seeking revenge…" Emily drew. "T.K. sets my Memory to Three."
MEMORY
2-3
"Tinkermon moves to the Battle Area, and Petermon Digivolves into Angewomon!"
Tinkermon followed instructions to move out while Petermon floated up to the air. In a brief flash of light, it descended and revealed itself as the beautiful blonde-haired angel Digimon.
Angewomon (ST3-09)
Color: Yellow
Level: 5
DP: 7000
MEMORY
3-0
"Angewomon recovers one of my Security when she's Digivolved into."
Emily
Security: 2-3
"Tinkermon Security Attack!"
The Tinkermon that was brought from the Breeding Area charged ahead, with her staff. She zipped around, spiraling towards Layla who went to shield herself. Tinker whacked a Security Card that expanded to protect Layla.
Layla
Security: 4-3
"Security Check…" She stated as Tinkermon braced herself. Tapirmon popped up before them, being at 2000 DP, just shy of Tinkermon's 3000 DP. She flew back as the Security Card disappeared.
"Now the second Tinkermon!" Emily continued as the second one flew forward to test her luck. Layla braced for this one as well, as it pierced the Security with the tip of her staff.
Layla
Security: 3-2
"Security Check…" Layla revealed the Security, Vilemon, with 6000 DP, springing from the card like a jump scare, latching onto the frantic Tinkermon and pulling her into it with her as they both went to their respected Trash piles.
Emily's apathethic expression paid no heed to the data stream of her fallen Tinkermon as she scanned the last card for her turn. "Angewomon Digivolves into Seraphimon."
Angewomon spun upward into the air and cocooned herself in her wings, the binary feeding into her before turning her into a silver and blue armored angel Digimon with radiant gold wings.
Seraphimon (BT1-063)
Color: Yellow
Level: 6
DP: 10,000
"Seraphimon, when he Digivolves, also recovers a Security for me. And as long as I have three or more Security, he gains Security +1."
Emily
Security: 3-4
MEMORY
0-3
"She managed to flip thing around in one turn just like that?" Adam was a bit speechless.
"Emily not messing around here," Trevor noted. "Driving Layla into a corner, you'd think Emily's in the wrong here."
"For real; good thing everything is virtual."
"We can't bank on the outcome of this being fine just because we're in Babylon though," Trevor explained. "If things get too far, we need to step in."
"Right."
"The both of you stay out of this!" Layla suddenly snapped at them.
"But—" Trevor tried to speak up.
"She's right!" Emily added. "Don't butt in in our business."
"Says the one who made things escalate to this point!" Adam retorted.
Layla drew. "DemiDevimon moves into the Battle Area, and attacks Tinkermon! Pagumon's IE effect discards the top card of my deck."
DemiDevimon: 3000 DP
Tinkermon: 3000 DP
As Tapirmon was sent to the Trash, DemiDevimon charged forward with Tinkermon bracing herself. She swiped and stabbed the air attempting to catch DemiDevimon. Once she finally did, her staff punctured the spherical bat, only for it to grin and explode in a purple gas that swallowed Tinkermon and turned the both of them into data.
"Garurmon's IE effect grants me an extra Memory."
MEMORY
3-4
"MetalGarurumon, Security Attack! Revive Tapirmon and use WereGarurumon's IE effect to convert it into energy to unsuspend! And when Tapirmon is deleted, I can draw a card from my deck."
Tapirmon materialized and immediately was absorbed into MetalGarurumon for its attack. MetalGarurumon fired its cannon, making Emily shield herself once again. She stood steady as she took the brunt of the attack.
Emily
Security: 4-3
"Security Check…" The card revealed itself: Security Trigger: Seven Heavens! Minus 10,000 DP from MetalGarurumon!"
Seraphimon crossed its hands and summoned seven glowing spheres around it, casting it towards MetalGarurumon and unleashing their might, lighting up the metallic beast in a wave of holy, violent light. MetalGarurumon was left staggering as its systems began to reboot themselves.
Metal Garurumon: 11,000 DP-1000 DP
"Two can play that game," Layla said. "I pay seven Memory to play the option card, Trump Sword. One of your unsuspended Digimon is deleted, and guess who I pick?"
Emily reluctantly watched on as swords pairs of swords materialized and turned the armored titan into a pincushion. Seraphimon was deleted before it could unleash its power, to Emily's disappointment. Regardless, she was far from out of the game. She assured herself this would be hers to grab.
MEMORY
4-3 (Turn Change: Emily)
"I've always wondered how things would've been like, if we would've ran into each other at some point…" Layla spoke up, catching Emily mid-draw.
Emily looked up and saw Layla staring upward into the virtual sky. Layla continued on, "…Certainly I didn't expect you to hold a grudge. I didn't expect you to call me a murderer either…some part of me wished things were different…"
Emily went back to drawing, ignoring Layla. "I Hatch Cupimon!"
Cupimon materialized awaiting further action.
"…I wished that Ivan was still here…and you and I were still friends…"
Emily gritted her teeth. "Cupimon Digivolves into Salamon!"
Cupimon turned into the cream-colored puppy Digimon, scurrying about and waiting to be moved into the Battle Area.
Salamon (ST3-02)
Color: Yellow
DP: 3000
"…but life was never fair to begin with…"
Emily felt a tear escape her notice. "Shut…up…"
Layla also began to cry. "…and that's why…I'm done with it all…"
"Darcmon!" Emily exclaimed as the valkyrie Digimon exploded onto the scene, eating away at four memory.
MEMORY
3-1 (Turn Change: Layla)
The top card of Layla's deck materialized, hovering over her D-Case. After a few moments it began to chime to alert her to draw. Her head tilted forward, and she finally took notice. "I'm done…trying to convince everyone. Done with trying to fix the past…"
Layla looked up at Emily, and the latter felt the coldness return and skip down her spine. Layla's chilling glare was locked onto Emily, who felt a shift in the atmosphere, as did the two boys.
"…Layla…?" Trevor spoke up.
Layla didn't respond, only drawing the card. She looked at it, and her eyes flickered. A twisted grin crossed her face, and she whipped her head up, what was once a pained expression was replaced with a humored, sadistic one. Before anyone could say anything, her hand shot upward. "MetalGarurumon!"
Emily, forced to shift her gaze back, watched as the wolf Digimon readied the artillery laced on its body. Unleashing the barrage, Emily braced herself for impact as missiles rained down. The Security Card expanded to shield her from the onslaught. MagnaAngemon emerged from the Security Card, but its 7000 DP wasn't enough to keep it from blowing anything back. It dispersed once it was sure that the barrage stopped.
Emily
Security: 3-2
"You blinked…" Layla pouted. "Oh well, guess we just gotta try again! Right, MetalGarurumon?"
MetalGarurumon howled, standing back up and readying it's artillery once again.
"In case you missed it, MetalGarurumon gobbled up Tapirmon to unsuspend itself. I got to draw a card and Garurumon's IE effect gave me an extra Memory to use!" Layla's abrupt, whimsical tone was unsettling to the confused teens, who didn't know how to react to her sudden change in personality.
MEMORY
1-2
"MetalGarurumon, let her have it!" Layla exclaimed, giggling as MetalGarurumon unleashed its reloaded arsenal. Emily screamed as she was overtaken by the barrage of fiery metal.
"Emily!" Adam exclaimed. He started running towards the tidal wave of molten fury, not waiting to see what kind of effects this would have on her out of Babylon. As he got closer, he was stopped by a forceful hand that docked itself on his shoulder.
Adam was yanked back and pushed aside, stumbling away from the fire. Trevor got a hold of Adam and the both looked up, seeing the Stranger from before standing in between them and Emily.
Adam's mind went into overdrive at the sight of the Stranger, all of the memories of his battle with him hitting full force. He was filled with both fear and anger, about as much as Emily had throughout the afternoon.
Meanwhile, the Stranger chuckled and put a finger up to where his mouth would be beneath his mask.
"We're just now getting to the good part…"
