Adam and Trevor could only stare in horror at what was before them.

They were everywhere—buildings as far as they could see were threaded by the tendrils of the purple cocoon Digimon. Like an actual infestation, the Digimon hung about, strung along in endless rows of broken buildings that more or less decayed in real-time as they continued to feed on the data that made them up.

Omnimon slowly examined the area as they moved in between, the pit in both boys' stomachs sinking deeper and deeper as the realization became all the more horrific. This was far beyond what they were expecting. And the guilt that Adam felt weighed down on him as well, his desperation to save his friend creating this scene of destruction.

"These bugs seem to extend from one end of Babylon to the other…" Omnimon pondered afterward. It took the boys to the top of one of the stable buildings for them to see for themselves. From above, they could see blips of purple between buildings as far as they could tell, which meant that the one little Digimon that Adam planted multiplied and digivolved.

"How long do you think it'll take before Babylon's completely wiped out?" Trevor asked curiously. He looked to Adam who reacted to the concept. "Just saying."

"Yeah, I get it, I messed up!" He ruffled his brown hair in frustration. "All I wanted to do was save Megan…I didn't want all this to happen!"

"And no doubt we'll fix this." Trevor reminded. "All we need is a plan of action. There's too many to hit all at once, and we don't know how quickly it multiplies either."

"I believe I may have a suggestion." Omnimon politely interjected.

"Go for it." Trevor replied.

"Every organism has an origin point," Omnimon pointed out, "Physical and Digital alike. With that in mind, with the way this Digimon behaves, it could very well be the case of a hive mind mentality amongst them."

"Like bugs!" Trevor exclaimed, understanding quickly where Omnimon was going. "In that case, all we have to do is find the "Queen" and delete it."

"Precisely," Omnimon nodded, "Deleting the leader of them should set off a chain reaction and delete all of its spawns as well."

"That's all well and good, but there's like a million of these things! Where are we gonna find the—"

A hard slam rocked the rooftop across from them, drawing the trio's attention over to their right. The hissing of the white and red spider-like Digimon drew their attention as it stared back with its blank, mask-like face.

"—queen at…" Adam finished his sentence, his gaze locked on the new Digimon before them.

"Infermon, stand down…" Layla's voice rung in the pair's ears as the girl materialized beside the Digimon. Dressed in her Trojan Uniform, Layla looked up and removed her goggles, revealing the red eyes beneath.

"Get out of her head you damn clown!" Trevor snarled.

"Not while I'm having this much fun." Layla replied, under Piedmon's influence.

Trevor nearly lunged forward; had it have not been for Omnimon getting in front of them.

"What are you after exactly?" Omnimon questioned them.

Layla looked over to Infermon, the latter producing a white rectangular-like object with data spiraling around it. "This."

Omnimon scanned the particular data in question and found itself taken aback. "You're not leaving here with that."

Layla looked over to the titanic Digimon. "If a magnificent being such as yourself is afraid of the contents of this file then how could I not?"

Omnimon had its blade pointed at the tip of Layla's nose in blinding speed. Her hair flew back from the wind exerted, yet she didn't lose the smirk traced on her face. "Careful now, This girl and I have a much more intimate relationship than you realize…"

Omnimon retracted its blade allowing Layla to take steps back. Trevor went forward to face Omnimon. "What does that mean?!" He flipped over, "What did you do to Layla?!"

Layla chuckled as she went to lean back on Infermon. She waved her hand and made the data file dissipate. "How's Emily doing…?"

"Don't change the subject!" He shouted getting up closer to her.

Layla raised her eyebrow. "Are you sure…? As we speak, she should be finding herself in a…enlightening circumstance, if you will."

Adam immediately made the connection and began running up to Trevor.

"Emily can take care of herself! What's important now is—"

"Morris!" Adam exclaimed.

Trevor stopped and turned to him. "What are you talking about?"

"Mr. Morris!" Adam repeated. "She's with him now!"

"And…?" Trevor thought to himself and his expression relaxed in a state of exhaustion. "You've got to be kidding me…"

"Better run along before it's too late." Layla tilted her head back, resting it on the hard shell of Infermon.

Trevor gritted his teeth, finding himself at the unfortunate ultimatum. Layla leaned forward and shooed them away. "Go on, we'll be here waiting for you to come back."

"How can we be sure of that?" Adam spoke for Trevor.

"Because imagine how much fun it'll be to watch multiple hearts shatter at once? Especially when you're the one who'll cause it…?"

Layla laughed hysterically as Adam and Trevor were scooped up by Omnimon. Before either of them could have a say the three of them vanished in streams of data, leaving Layla and Infermon waiting for their return.

"…After all, despair by any other name will taste as sweet…"


Chapter 10: Twilight's Gambit


As Mr. Morris' class began to make their way as per the ringing of the bell, the former watched as Emily slowly walked past his desk towards the exit.

"Ms. Parker?" He spoke up, stopping Emily short and causing the student directly behind her to crash. One apology later and she stepped off to the side near the blackboard, free of the flow of students.

"Yes sir?"

Mr. Morris rose from his chair and approached her. Emily could feel an odd sense creep up her arms as the unusual atmosphere encapsulated the small space between them. "I was just wondering if you heard from Ms. Jones. With everything that's happened over the last several days, rumors are spreading like wildfire."

Emily felt the weight lift from her chest, allowing her to exhale. With the anxiety subsiding, Mr. Morris took a seat back at his desk, inviting Emily to step closer just as the remaining students exited.

"To be honest, everyone's been on edge. The rumors especially aren't helping." Emily said, grabbing a nearby chair to take a seat. "Adam and Trevor breaking out into a fight was also something unexpected…"

"Yes, well that was something else that took me by surprise as well. With the timing of events, I can only imagine what you kids are going through."

Emily's gaze trailed over to the draw once more. Mr. Morris noticed.

"Like I said before if you need me for anything—"

"What are you hiding in your desk?" Emily interjected.

Mr. Morris grew silent. Emily looked back up at him, expecting an answer. Conceding he leaned back and reached for the draw, opening it to reveal its contents in full display.

"Emily, get away from him!" Adam's voice snapped into her consciousness, abruptly interrupting the intense moment. The two looked back towards the doorway, finding Adam and Trevor resisting the security guards that got a hold of them.

Without saying anything, Mr. Morris sprang into action breaking the security guards and the pair up, pulling the pair inside, and closing the door behind him from the outside. He then began to attempt to talk down the security guards who were attempting to come after them.

"What the—what are you two doing?" Emily asked, rattled by the passing moments.

"Explain later, right now we need your help." Adam began to explain.

"With what?"

"Layla. Babylon's on the brink of collapse and…actually back up, what were you and Morris talking about just now?"

"Nothing important, what about Layla, is she in Babylon right now?!"

"What do you mean? Did he say anything about where he took Megan?"

"Took Megan…?"

"Guys hold up a second." Trevor spoke up, his eyes locking on the contents of the desk draw. "Is that what I think it is?"

Adam and Emily stopped talking for a moment, looking over to what Trevor saw.

Inside the drawer, an olive-green and black D-Case and D-Brace stared back at them, though the way they were both designed seemed older and more rudimentary than what they were used to. Growing silent, the questions began to race in their heads as to how that was possible for a D-Brace to exist outside of Babylon.

"Ahem, sorry about that. I told them that I will take responsibility for you two once we're done." Mr. Morris's voice froze the teens in place as the former made his way back into his classroom. "I see you've found my little secret?"

Fear kept them silent. As he approached, the trio scattered away from his desk, not knowing what to expect from him. Morris, rather surprised by their reactions, sat back at his desk, and took the device out in full display, not hiding it from them. He then folded his hands. "Ask away."

They were taken aback. Emily was the one to respond. "What do you mean by that?"

Mr. Morris motioned towards them. "I mean ask any questions you may have. Anything weighing on your mind, let me hear it."

Adam scoffed, "are you going to kill us afterward?"

Trevor jabbed him on his side.

Mr. Morris chuckled, "You children were unfortunately wrapped up in a situation that you have no control over. It wouldn't be fair for you all to pay for SAIBA's mistakes."

"So, you're with Trojan then. Glad that's established." Trevor took the liberty of sitting on the desk.

"Why did you kidnap Megan?!" Adam exclaimed.

"Calm down!" Trevor snapped.

"I won't! You saw what Trojan's doing to Babylon right now! Had he have not taken Megan we wouldn't even be in this mess!"

"She's fine." Mr. Morris confirmed for them.

"How can we trust that?" Emily asked.

"Because Ms. Jones is one of best students I've had since I've begun at this school. The last thing I'd wish is harm upon her. Besides, once Piedmon confirms the extraction of the data that I've been searching for, she'll be returned to her family unharmed."

Trevor was taking deep breaths to contain his anger, though it was wearing thin. "Who are you exactly?"

"My name is Doctor Anthony Morris; Former Head of the Research and Development department at SAIBA Enterprise…"

"…and the creator of the Digimon."

A long pause filled the room. As the teens processed the information, even more questions began to surface within their minds.

"Well—let me rephrase that," Mr. Morris chuckled after noticing their silence dragged longer than he expected. "It was my son, Ivan, who came up with the original idea for them."

Emily felt her heart skip. "Ivan…?"

Mr. Morris nodded. "You didn't know that Ivan was my son?"

Emily retreated. "He never told us his last name…does this mean that everything that Trojan's done…?"

He nodded once more. "SAIBA Enterprise took my life's work and my son away from me. Trojan has provided me the tools to see to it I avenge him. Where I've failed five years ago, I will achieve today."

"Five years ago?" Adam repeated. "The explosion that happened during the Beta Test…"

"Was the initial attempt at striking back at Akiyoshi Saiba for ruining my life."

"But Ivan was killed in Trojan's attack!" Emily snapped.

"But his blood is on Akiyoshi's hands; he took the concepts of the Digimon and Babylon and perverted my son's dreamworld all to make a profit! If at all else, it's evident Akiyoshi couldn't give a damn about his kid so it simply does me good in the long run."

Adam glanced at each of the two to make sure that they didn't fly off from their spots. "You won't get away with this, you know that?"

Mr. Morris leaned back in his chair, "Five years and counting. If there's one thing I know about my former employer, it's that the last thing he needs is to be outed as the corrupted fraud he is. The image of his company takes precedence over anything. Layla Saiba, being the naïve child she is, shares no sympathy for him. Hence why she approached me for help."

"You manipulated her!" Trevor barked.

"Of her own volition. She wanted power, Piedmon granted it."

"Don't justify it!"

"I don't have to justify anything. She had every opportunity to back out, but she stuck along with every step."

"So, what is Piedmon exactly? And what is he doing to her?" Adam asked.

"A virus I initially designed as insurance to keep Layla in her place. It was, of course before I realized that she was working with me of her own will. But unfortunately, Piedmon has grown sentient enough to take matters into its own hands. It doesn't affect my goals either way, so I left it be."

Trevor went to snap again but Adam interjected. "So basically, it won't matter if we destroy it?"

"Once I have the data I'm looking for, you are free to deal with Piedmon as you see fit. Layla will have served her purpose as well."

"So that's what we'll do. We'll delete Piedmon, save Layla, and find a way to deal with the infestation. And then afterward, Trojan will have what it wants right?"

"I'll have what I want."

"And what is that exactly?"

"Defeat Piedmon and you'll find out."

"What do you mean it went 'sentient'?" Trevor forced his way back into the conversation. "Digimon aren't capable of self-awareness."

Mr. Morris scoffed, "That's where Trojan and SAIBA differ. The latter will do whatever it takes to keep you kids in the dark. Alas, I have a class waiting for me." He grabbed the device from his desk, stood up, and began walking to the doorway. "The invitation I've extended to Ms. Parker is open to you two as well. Feel free to drop in and ask any questions you may have. My door is always open."

"But we're not done!" Trevor snapped.

"For the moment, we are." He pressed a button on his device and each of the other's D-Cases chimed. "In case SAIBA deems re-entering Babylon to be too dangerous, I'm handing over a special program for you all."

The trio looked at their D-Cases, the small display indicating the completed installation. The icon that accompanied this new program, was a stylized "CD" Icon."

"CD…Cyber Drive?" Adam realized.

"Trojan has its hands in more places than not." Mr. Morris replied. "A word of caution; That icon will conduct a wireless Cyber Drive, syncing your consciousness directly with Babylon's network without having to be directly inside SAIBA. However, it's experimental so if anything is to happen to your digital selves, it could very well cause physical damage. So, exercise caution if you find yourself desperate."

He opened the door and the room flooded with impatient teenagers who quickly took their seats in their respected areas. Emily took lead, leading the other two reluctant boys out of the room.

"So, Layla is in Babylon, right now, right?" Emily asked once again.

"Yeah, but Morris brought up something that I didn't think about before." Trevor said. "Things have gotten so bad in Babylon that there's a huge chance that my father will keep us from getting back inside."

"Well, that won't matter now because we can just use Cyber Drive wirelessly."

"Didn't you hear what he just said though?" Adam mentioned. "This isn't like how we would go into Babylon at SAIBA. We don't know how different this will be, let alone what it'll do to us."

"You guys said it yourself how bad Babylon is right? The risk is worth it if it means saving both Babylon and the others." Emily continued to argue.

"Look, all I'm saying is that maybe it'll just be better if we take what he told us and plan things out like that?" Adam offered, trying to assert what's left of his sensibility as of recent.

Trevor couldn't argue with that. With all the new information presented the smart thing to do was to make a plan of action. "My Mom's not home. We can crash there for a bit while we plan this out."

"Sweet, let's do that."

Emily rolled her eyes, "Fine; you two do that. Meanwhile, I have class." Emily said.

The pair looked at her confused. "You were ready to jump in blindly a few seconds ago, why flip so suddenly?"

"Because it's two against one; if we're not on the same page then I might as well wait for you two to come up with an actual plan and follow through with that. I'll meet up with you two after school.

Adam was getting ready to say something, but Trevor cut him off, "sure thing. I'll text you my address so you can meet us there when school lets out."

Emily nodded in agreement. "See you two in a bit."

The two boys nodded and watched as the blonde girl broke from them. Adam leaned over to his friend and crossed his arms. "She's totally gonna sneak into Babylon, isn't she?"

"Give her credit. She's reckless but not stupid." Trevor replied.

"The same can be said for us and look where we are now?"

Trevor rolled his eyes and began to make his way to the side emergency exit. "Let's just go before Ozera catches us."

Adam nodded following him. He took one final glance at the girl in the far-off distance, putting faith in Trevor's words.


Layla lied on the back of the Infermon, who patiently watched as its offspring continued to sap the data from buildings, some of which were gone completely and replaced by younger Infermon, who began to crawl up the side of buildings further out. The infestation was steadily getting worse as time passed, and while Layla could've left a long time ago, having acquired the data needed, Piedmon's obsession kept her anchored. What was its desire was slowly becoming hers. Negative feelings were amplified by its influence; Layla was craving the sight of Emily's eventual mental break. The adrenaline that filled her being when Piedmon cut down the small fairy Digimon, Emily's final defense before the match ended.

It taught Piedmon so much about humans. He needed more of it. He made Layla, want more of it.

Footsteps clacked along the rooftop, growing louder as they came closer. Layla leaned her head up, and an eager smile curled her lips in a twisted shape.

"You actually came…!" She said, staring into the eyes of the young girl willing to do what it took to rectify the situation.

"I'm taking my friend back." Emily stated, her tone clearly refusing to accept "no" for an answer.

"Haven't you heard? We're a packaged deal."

"Not for long you aren't. I'm cutting you out of her, you sociopathic circus freak."

Layla gasped to emphasize her offense. "Me? This coming from the one who driven this poor girl to the brink of despair with her words? From the one who made this poor girl feel that she was forever demonized for actions, she had no control over? Actions that she's spent years trying to rectify, knowing that it wouldn't change anything between you two?"

Emily stood defiantly. "You're making her think those things."

"The seeds in her heart were already there. I merely watered them and watched them bloom into delicious fruit. Accept that this is the product of your own ignorance and stubbornness and fall into despair alongside her. Continue to demonstrate to me the fallacy of you humans…!"

Emily grew defensive. That last statement taking root in her mind. What did that mean exactly?

Putting the thought aside, she resolved in her heart to kill the clown and get Layla back. No matter what it took. She grabbed her D-Case from her side and attached it to the D-Brace on her arm, the two devices syncing with one another and prepping themselves for the impending battle.

Layla jumped off Infermon, who of its own volition took its leave, giving her ample space to work with. Layla as well slid her goggles back on, attached her own D-Case onto her brace and the two devices likewise whirled to life.

The constructs on their respective sides began to whirl about, awaiting the declare to fully act.

"DIGI-GATE: OPEN!"


"Gabumon, I need you." Trevor spoke to his D-Case.

The Digimon came to life, materializing on the coffee table where both boys stood. Gabumon looked at the pair and waited patiently for instructions.

"Was wondering when I was gonna meet it in person." Adam noted.

"We have before. That was of course before I was modified for verbal communication."

Adam blinked. "You can talk?"

"Weren't you paying attention to the Demo the other day?" Trevor reminded. "The AI that runs on the D-Cases can take the form of a Digimon that the user chooses to overlay it."

"Being that I was specially made to be an aid for Trevor and his responsibilities at SAIBA I have slight advantages over a normal Digimon AI." Gabumon continued. "The same can be said for Ms. Reinhardt's Biyomon."

"Okay, so where were you when all of this mess with Trojan was going down?"

"My Dad had me deactivate it since the attack for security purposes. But at this point, it doesn't really matter if he's on or not." Trevor said. "In any case, we're gonna need your help sorting out the information we gathered from the last several days."

"Very well then." Gabumon agreed. "Does this include how you will explain to your mother why you were suspended from school?"

Trevor cleared his throat, "one bridge at a time."

Gabumon, like a disappointed guardian, sighed and turned its attention to the task at hand. "Whenever you both are ready then."

"Alright, let's start with the newest info we got: Doctor Anthony Morris." Trevor reached over to grab his tablet. He tapped on the screen and a holographic projection appeared from the camera while a keyboard took over the touch screen near his fingers.

As he typed, Adam leaned back on the couch and thought back to the conversation. "He said he was the former head of the R&D department at SAIBA, who created the Digimon Concept, making him your Dad's predecessor."

"My Dad started working at SAIBA shortly after the game was released. He never mentioned anything about his predecessor, but that doesn't mean that he wouldn't have an idea what happened."

"Guess we can put a pin in that one." Adam suggested. "What else was there?"

"The Six Beta Testers…" Trevor's fingers glided across the keyboard. "We have the both of us, Emily, Layla…and Morris' son Ivan, who apparently was killed the day Trojan first attacked.

"Wait, that's only five…Red, Blue, Yellow, Purple…"

"Emily mentioned they tested the Yellow, Purple, and Black decks. Assuming that Emily and Layla are using the colors, they tested, that would mean Ivan was our black user."

"Would that make him the Stranger then?"

Trevor stopped typing. "Possibly, but if Morris is doing everything for revenge, then that wouldn't make sense. Even if it's a front, there's too much going on at the same time for him to be pulling a complicated stunt. He's smarter than that."

"Let's come back to that anyway." Adam said.

Trevor put a star next to the typed question: "Who is the Stranger?" alongside, "What does Trevor's Dad know?" from the previous point. He then typed the third question: "Who was the Beta Tester for the Green Deck?"

"Trojan's attack ended up with Emily with a vendetta against SAIBA, Layla joining Trojan, also, because of a vendetta against SAIBA, and me with PTSD-induced nightmares of the events themselves." Adam listed as he thought back to the people who found themselves directly affected.

"Megan was affected too; you know, with her Dad and all."

"Right." Adam nodded, the detail slipping his mind. "That also happened…" he looked up at Trevor, "What kind of plot armor allowed you to come out of that unscathed?"

Trevor shrugged. "I mean I did have to watch all you guys suffer. Why do you think I dove headfirst into the competitive scene? The game, for what it's worth, has provided a great distraction all things considered."

"Okay; still, put a pin in that just in case something happens before all this is over."

Trevor rolled his eyes and made a note of it; "'Did Trevor face any side effects from the Beta Test Incident?' Okay, what else?"

"Piedmon." Adam answered. "Morris said he created Piedmon as insurance to keep Layla under his control in case she tried to back out. But we know that Layla's so desperate to bring down her family's company that she willingly stuck with Trojan despite everything. Piedmon, is probably like that Digimon that Trojan made me plant; a virus that's been modified to look like a Digimon."

"Explains why it has that abnormal sense of sentience." Trevor was willing to concur following that line of logic. "SAIBA's hasn't developed a way to make Digimon self-aware, but Trojan did."

"Can self-awareness even be created?"

"What do you mean?"

"Think about it. You said yourself during the Demo that the Digimon's AI is tied with SAIBA's servers. At best they're basically no more intelligent than a phone's assistant app. So…I guess what I'm getting at, is if we create 'free will,' is it really that, or is it still just an installed program in the Digimon?"

Trevor blinked. "…What's gotten into you?"

"Late night thinking." Adam answered in a straight-forward manner. "Been wracking my brain for days trying to figure everything out on my own. Between Agumon recognizing me that first battle, to when I fought the Stranger in Babylon, where Flarerizamon declared it was going to protect me…those didn't feel artificial…if that makes sense."

Trevor blinked again and made a note:

"'Can the Digimon achieve "Free Will" on their own?'"


"Eclipse the Moon with peerless intellect and awaken the armies from the depths below; WereGarurumon digivolve into MetalGarurumon!"

MetalGarurumon arose behind Layla and howled, emphasizing its presence in the area around them.

MEMORY

0-3 (Turn Change: Emily)

Emily was approaching the sixth turn overall in the battle between her and Layla—or rather Piedmon, as she chose to view her opponent. As far as she was concerned, Layla was asleep within herself, puppeted by the demented clown who held her captive. And up to this point, their opening moves were near mimicry with one another, both of them having a Level 4 Blocker of their respective colors in Unimon and Vilemon, respectively.

Where Emily had the numbers advantage, with Petermon bringing out Tinkermon from hand and a Labramon brought from the Breeding Area, Layla had brute strength, more focused on bringing up her Garurumon from the Breeding Area into the Battle Area, following up with an acceleration into the Level 6 MetalGarurumon. It was now Emily's turn, finding herself in a position to go on the offensive as she drew.

"I hatch Tokomon!" Emily declared as Tokomon materialized in her Breeding Area

Tokomon (ST3-01)

Color: Yellow

Level: 2

"I then digivolve it into Tinkermon!" She slid the card over the scanner and drew when the replacement card appeared.

Tokomon meanwhile reformed into the fairy Digimon, waiting patiently for its time to move outward.

Tinkermon (BT1-056)

Color: Yellow

Level: 3

DP: 3000

"For one Memory, I play the Option Card Heaven's Gate; Petermon gains a +3000 DP boost.

Petermon: 5000-8000 DP

MEMORY

3-2

"Security Attack!"

Petermon drew its blade from its side pouch and dashed forward towards Layla. Vilemon however swooped in and intercepted the empowered fairy Digimon.

Petermon: 8000 DP

Vilemon: 6000 DP

Vilemon was sliced in half by Petermon's blade, dispersing in a burst of purple data that found its way back into Layla's D-Case. Labramon and Tinkermon readied themselves to charge ahead while Petermon floated back to their side.

"Labramon, Security Attack! With Cupimon's IE effect, I draw a card for the five security cards I have. Go for it!"

Labramon charged ahead, and with no blockers to stop it, it lunged towards Layla and headbutted the Security Card that separated them.

Layla

Security: 5-4

"Security Check: Tapirmon!" Layla countered. The purple Digimon's 2000 DP getting over Labramon. Purple mist poured from the image of the card and took over the Digimon, turning it into data as a result.

"Not done yet, Tinkermon, you're up!"

Tinkermon nodded, taking to the air whilst twirling her staff. She threw it down like a spear, it shattering the next Security Card like glass.

Layla

Security: 4-3

"Security Check; Security Trigger: Night Raid! Come back to me, Tapirmon!"

Tapirmon, per the effect of the Option card, returned to the Battle Area as a new soldier to Layla's disposal.

Tapirmon (BT2-070)

Color: Purple

Level: 3

DP: 2000

"To end my turn, I'm Digivolving Tinkermon into Unimon, and Petermon into MagnaAngemon.

Both Digimon in the Battle Area underwent their respected digivolutions, Tinkermon becoming the unicorn blocker Digimon, and Petermon gaining the wings and purple armor of the powerful angel Digimon.

Unimon (ST3-07)

Color: Yellow

Level: 4

DP: 6000

MagnaAngemon (ST3-08)

Color: Yellow

Level: 5

DP: 7000

MEMORY

2-3 (Turn Change: Layla)

Layla drew her next card as the turn flipped to her. Vilemon stared back at her, waiting for a move on her part. Instead, she stared at it for a moment longer until Emily spoke up.

"Things aren't going in the way you expected are they…?"

Layla looked up, seeing Emily's smirk. A sensation of heat tingled near the top of her head.

"What makes you think that?" She asked.

"The way you're looking at me right now." Emily continued. "Infuriating isn't it? That I haven't bought into your mind games…"

Layla scoffed, "you think you can outwit me?"

"What's to say I haven't already?"

Layla couldn't help but burst out laughing, throwing her head back cackling away like the deranged puppet master that Emily imagined in her head. "Your overconfidence is simply adorable…!" she leaned back forward, her hair throwing itself over her face, leaving nothing but her left side of her goggles visible. "I've already imagined a dozen ways I plan on breaking you!"

Emily shook her head. "Try harder."

Layla scoffed. "Fine; I'll humor you then." She drew. "I hatch Pagumon!"

Pagumon materialized on her side, the grey ball bouncing and eager to get into trouble.

Pagumon (BT2-007)

Color: Purple

Level: 2

"Digivolve into Tsukaimon!"

Tsukaimon materialized over Pagumon, carrying along with its signature smirk.

Tsukaimon (BT3-079)

Color: Purple

Level: 3

DP: 2000

"And then into Devimon!"

Devimon (BT2-074)

Color: Purple

Level: 4

DP: 4000

MEMORY

3-1

"Tapirmon, Security Attack!" Layla declared, sending the anteater Digimon forward.

"Unimon blocks!" Emily countered with her unsuspended Unimon intercepting the smaller Digimon.

Tapirmon: 2000 DP

Unimon: 6000 DP

Unimon knocked Tapirmon to the side, the latter flying until all was left was data particles. The stream returned to the D-Case and generated a card for Layla.

"Aside from Tapirmon's effect, Garurumon's IE grants me another memory."

MEMORY

1-2

"MetalGarurumon, get rid of that Unimon! Pagumon's IE effect discards the top card of my deck, while its own effect revives Tapirmon from the trash as well."

MetalGarurumon: 11,000 DP

Unimon: 6000 DP

While Devimon from the top of the deck took the place of the reviving Tapirmon, MetalGarurumon was already on the hunt for the unicorn Digimon who had no defense to protect it. MetalGarurumon's jaw latched onto Unimon and crushed it into data with such ferocity. Emily, while slighted that her blocker was taken out, wasn't ignorant to the attitude of the giant mechanical wolf.

"I'll end by Digivolving my revived Tapirmon into Vilemon."

Vilemon materialized over the Tapirmon, taking its place as Layla's new blocker.

Vilemon (BT2-072)

Color: Purple

Level: 4

DP: 6000

MEMORY

2-0 (Turn Change: Emily)

The Memory Counter setting itself to a solid three, Emily drew her card. She looked at what she drew and took a moment to stare at it. It was a last-minute addition to her deck, a card that she kept with her that for reasons known to herself she kept herself from using. She looked up and Layla, the latter raising her brow in wonderment.

"Give me the strength to save her…Ivan." Emily took a deep breath and prepared herself. "Tinkermon moves to the Battle Area, then she digivolves into Seasarmon!"

Tinkermon's shimmering wings took off ahead, binary surrounding her and transforming her into the mythical lion-dog Digimon.

Seasarmon (BT1-052)

Color: Yellow

Level: 3

DP: 4000

MEMORY

3-1

"MagnaAngemon…with your iron will of justice, become the sword that will expel the darkness in one's heart!"

A ring of light suddenly began to radiate from beneath MagnaAngemon, taking Layla by surprise. The wind stirred, blowing around everything in reach of MagnaAngemon's radius, as the Digimon grew empowered by the incoming power.

"Digivolve…into SlashAngemon!"

The ring of light erupted, encasing MagnaAngemon within it, binary spiraling within as it completely reformatted the Digimon. The radiance of the light grew stronger and brighter, so much that Layla realized too late as Vilemon was instantly cut down without so much as a warning.

When the light cleared, she brought her arms down and stood in awe at the Digimon, whose bladed cyan and silver armor hovered as a spectacle before her. Its bladed wings unfurled only to further intimidate, as though it could see through the guise of a teenage girl and could see the anxious clown beneath.

SlashAngemon (BT1-062)

Color: Yellow

Level: 6

DP: 8000

"If you're wondering what happened to Vilemon…" Emily started, dragging Layla's shocked expression back to her, "…SlashAngemon's effect deals -8000 DP when its digivolved into."

Layla didn't have a response to that. She found herself too distracted by the Digimon, taking a second look at its immaculate stature. "Where…where did you get this…?"

"Familiar right?" Emily asked.

"Why…do you have it…?!"

"Because you-know-who gave it to me. It was a gift from Ivan." Emily explained.

"I…Ivan…?"

Emily nodded. "Yes. And right now, it's going to help me bring you back."

Layla grew quiet, a tear trailing down her face and through the goggles. "I'm…sorry…"

Emily shook her head, finding herself growing emotional. "No…I am. I'm sorry for pushing you away. I'm sorry for not believing you…none of this wouldn't have happened if I just listened…!"

Layla continued to stay silent, fighting back her emotions. She was forced to remove her goggles, revealing her normal-looking eyes filled with tears. "All I wanted…was to avenge him…to have you back…I…I was so desperate for you two."

"I know! I know…and I'm sorry!"

The goggles dropped to the ground, bouncing away a little. "But…you both left me…I never had a say…I never have a say…I'm always abandoned…and I never have a say…" She couldn't help but bury her face into her hands. She was near-ready to finally break down, the sobbing growing with the moment.

"But you have one now! Please, just call out to me! Let me know you're there! I'm coming for you so… one more time just call out to me…!"

Emily reached out to Layla, the physical distance weighing on her agonizingly.

"…and there it is…" Layla said, sending a wave of cold through Emily, as Layla's tone switched almost instantly. Layla looked up, her eyes glowing red once again, showing that Piedmon was in control.

Emily gritted her teeth, ready to declare an attack but Layla waved her finger. "Nuh-uh-uh, your turns over sweetheart."

MEMORY

1-2 (Turn Change: Layla)

"Gotta hand it to you though, I was moved by your display of affection towards your friend. Makes me almost jealous of the bond you two—"

"GET OUT OF HER!" Emily screamed as she could feel her heartbreaking. "GET OUT GET OUT GET OUT GET OUT GET OUT!" She dropped to her knees and screamed into the ground beneath her, the pain finally reaching a point. Layla, cackled, enjoying Emily's agony. With each wail, and with every tear, Piedmon drew in the negative energy, feeling so invigorated by it.

"By the way, do you want to know a secret…?"

Emily felt her chest tightened.

"Layla and I…are one and the same now…" She said with a twisted grin. "In other words…you delete me…"

"…and I take her down with me."

Emily didn't pay it any mind, lost in the sound of her crying. Layla shrugged and drew her card, opting to not waste time. "Devimon moves to the Battle Area and performs a Security Attack! Pagumon's IE effect discards the top card as well."

As Pumpkinmon was discarded, Devimon warped to the front of Layla and extended its arm towards Emily as she rose. The Security blocked for her, taking the hit.

"…if I win…she dies, huh?"

Layla hesitated as TK materialized from the Security Card.

T.K. Takaishi (BT1-087)

Color: Yellow

Emily

Security: 5-4

The remaining Security presented themselves in front of Emily and her sore eyes looked upon them. Angewomon revealed herself amongst the chosen cards and it was replaced by the top card.

"…Fine; I'll humor you then." Emily smirked and looked up at Layla. "I'll just go after you."

Layla was taken aback. "Did you not understand what I just said?!"

"I did…" Emily replied. "I wouldn't be here if I wasn't willing to die after all…"

Layla didn't follow but then it suddenly clicked. "Morris…that son of a…" She gritted her teeth. "METALGARURUMON!"

Pagumon's IE effect underneath discarded the top card, which was Trump Sword. MetalGarurumon meanwhile charged its cannon and fired towards Emily who stood her ground as the Security Card intercepted the blast. Salamon flashed briefly in the blue light before fading off.

Emily

Security: 4-3

"WereGarurumon's IE Effect: Devour Devimon to unsuspend! Tsukaimon's IE effect from Devimon, as well as Garurumon's IE effect, grants me an extra Memory!"

MEMORY

2-4

"Again! Security Attack!"

MetalGarurumon charged its cannon for a second time and fired, incinerating yet another Security Card, this time revealing Kari.

Kari Kamiya

Color: Yellow

Emily

Security: 3-2

Emily laughed a little. "Falling into despair, are we…?"

Layla's eye twitched.

"Drives you crazy, doesn't it? How can you break someone already broken?" Emily posed the question.

"Don't you mock me human!" Layla snarled.

"Morris warned us that using the Cyber Drive would have untold side effects and could very well put us in danger. Of course, when you have nothing to lose, nausea and disorientation aren't as bad as they could be."

"You're…"

"Insane? At this point that wouldn't be so bad. See, that's where you messed up. You thought you could drive me to despair by manipulating Layla. Thanks to that, you showed me the fallacy of the way an AI thinks."

Emily rolled her neck and looked at Layla in her eyes. "You ignored the fact that we humans are very unpredictable."

Layla erupted. She slammed the card onto her deck case, bringing out the clown himself, Piedmon, the latter of which carried the expression of rage with it. A pair of Vilemon from the Trash materialized alongside it.

Piedmon (BT2-080)

Color: Purple

Level: 6

DP: 10,000

MEMORY

4-8 (Turn Change: Emily)

"You humans are nothing but imperfect beings!" Piedmon snarled. "Flawed, pathetic, selfish, naïve creatures! You would do anything to serve your interest and nothing more!"

"You're not wrong…" Emily replied.

"SO WHY? Why give your life to this dumb brat who you were so quick to abandon before?! How could you change your stance about her? After everything, she's done to you!"

"Because she's my friend." Emily stated. "A virus, something that was designed solely to destroy, will never be able to comprehend what a human will go through to save someone dear to them. Either I'll bring her back, or I'll die along with her; either way, I refuse to abandon her again! And no one, especially you will take that away from me!"

"…Yeah, can we do without the whole 'dying' bit…?"

Emily stopped, hearing the familiar voice. She turned around, taken aback by the towering figure that was Omnimon behind her. On its shoulders, was Adam and Trevor who stood on their respective sides.

"You two…but?"

"Told you she'd be stupid." Adam looked over to Trevor.

"Whatever." Trevor rolled his eyes.

"Oh look, more of you brats are here. I take it you as well are willing to die along with her?"

"No room to fit suicide pact on the to-do list, unfortunately." Trevor said landing on the rooftop. Adam jumped down as well, the pair approaching them afterward.

"Did you two…?"

"We used Morris' program." Trevor replied.

"But don't you remember what he said—"

"If it wasn't going to stop you why did you think it would stop us?" Adam asked realistically.

"But…"

"But nothing." Trevor turned her back around. "Kick the crap out of this clown, get Layla, and then we'll move on from there."

Emily stood quiet and took a deep breath to keep control of her emotions. "Right." She drew. "Since Kari is in my Battle Area, if I'm at 3 or less Security, she grants me a Memory.

MEMORY

8-9

"I Hatch!"

Tokomon heeded the call and emerged in the Breeding Area.

"Tokomon digivolves into Patamon!"

The orange and white mammal Digimon materialized afterward.

Patamon (ST3-04)

Color: Yellow

Level: 3

DP: 1000

"Seasarmon, Digivolve into Angewomon!"

Seasarmon howled, transforming into the angelic beauty.

Angewomon (ST3-09)

Color: Yellow

Level: 5

DP: 7000

MEMORY

9-6

"Angewomon's effect: While I have three Security or less, she grants me Recovery +1!"

Emily

Security: 2-3

"Ruler of the Sky, I call upon thee to shield the world from those who oppose it! Angewomon, Digivolve into Magnadramon!"

Angewomon heeded the command and took to the sky, spinning rapidly in the process. The wind current turned into a spiral shape as it grew solid and formed into the large lion-like serpentine dragon.

Magnadramon (BT2-039)

Color: Yellow

Level: 6

DP: 10,000

MEMORY

6-3

"Finally, Fire Tornado to minus 3 security attacks on MetalGarurumon!"

Magnadramon took a deep breath and unleashed a spiral of pink flames towards MetalGarurumon, which bound itself around the wolf.

MEMORY

3-1

"Do your worst!" Piedmon exclaimed.

"Glady! SlashAngemon, Security Attack! MagnaAngemon's IE Effect -1000 DP from Vilemon!"

"That same Vilemon will block!" Piedmon countered.

SlashAngemon: 8000 DP

Vilemon: 5000 DP

"Magnadramon! Its effect activates, allowing me to play one Level 3 Digimon from my hand. I play Labramon!"

Labramon materialized from her hand as Magnadramon unleashed another pink fire spiral. The Second Vilemon however took the hit instead.

Magnadramon: 10,000 DP

Vilemon: 6000 DP

"Labramon will Digivolve into Darcmon to end the turn…"

Darcmon replaced Labramon soon after, the dog Digimon becoming the valkyrie-like Champion Digimon as a result.

Darcmon (BT1-053)

Color: Yellow

Level: 4

DP: 4000

MEMORY

1-1 (Turn Change: Layla)

"Just what are you trying to pull, huh?" Piedmon demanded, pointing out that Emily's efforts were thwarted. "Moments ago, you bragged about how I couldn't break you and now after a pep talk, you're all happy again?"

"That should speak to your ability to drive people to despair I'm guessing." Trevor said.

Piedmon looked over to him, "Don't you start boy. You had a hand in driving this poor girl down this path, same as her."

"I know. And I'll work to fix my mistake, same as her. Free will allows us to make changes to how we see things."

"Free…will?" Piedmon looked confused.

Trevor smirked and looked over to Adam. "Guess we can put that theory to rest."

Piedmon's eye twitched. "Explain yourself."

"Nothing important. Just wondering if you were a sentient being; but if you don't know what free will is, then all that means is you're just programmed to follow orders; namely to keep Layla motivated to do her job. Your only function is to destroy and encourage her to destroy."

"I don't understand…" Piedmon became unsure what they were getting at.

"Like I said it wasn't important. Fact is, you're done."

Piedmon scoffed, "Are you sure about that?"

"I am…" Layla spoke up.

Piedmon felt an unusual sensation come upon it. Suddenly a sharp object stabbed it from behind and through its torso as the jolt of excruciating pain surged through its body. With gritted teeth and dilated eyes, it looked down, seeing the Kabuterimon horn extending from it.

"What…how…?" It gasped in pain.

"Didn't you hear her…" Layla looked up with exhausted eyes. "Humans are unpredictable."

Kimeramon (BT2-077)

Color: Purple

Level: 5

DP: 7000

MEMORY

1-6 (Turn Change: Emily)

Piedmon attempted to look over, Kimeramon throwing its head upward to unleash its evil cry. "You…do you realize what you've done…?!"

Layla looked up at it and smiled. "Save me a spot wherever you're heading." She raised her hand and snapped. Kimeramon roared and concentrated its power into its horn, deleting Piedmon as it howled in horror, leaving nothing but a stream of data that flowed into its gullet. Kimeramon belched, sending the blast towards Darcmon, deleting it as a result.

"Sorry about Darcmon…Kimeramon needed a target…" Layla apologized.

Emily and the others, who stood speechless at what just occurred, simply nodded. "Right…"

"It's your turn." Layla added.

"Yeah…yeah, it's…" Emily couldn't find the words.

"Just…just win already." Layla insisted.

Emily fighting tears at this point nodded. "Kari adds a memory because I have three security remaining…" She drew and ordered Patamon to move to the Battle Area. "Magnadramon, Security Attack!"

Magnadramon conjured up flames and blew them in Layla's direction, shattering a Security Card in the process.

Layla

Security: 3-2

Garurumon was the first card revealed, being sent to the trash afterward.

"SlashAngemon, Security Attack! MagnaAngemon's IE effect decreases MetalGarurumon's DP by 1000.

MetalGarurumon: 11,000 DP-10,000 DP

SlashAngemon swooped in, its blades glowing cyan. It swung its arms and the energy waves sliced through the Security Card, revealing WereGarurumon this time.

Layla

Security: 2-1

"Patamon, Final Security Attack!"

Patamon took the last one, shooting an air bubble that careened towards the stoic girl as the final Security Card swooped in. It broke, Demidevimon materializing and throwing back at it a group of small bats that fired off like mini-missiles at Patamon, deleting it.

Layla

Security: 1-0

"And finally, just for added measure, Seventh Heaven on MetalGarurumon to deplete the rest of its DP to 0."

MetalGarurumon: 10,000 DP-0 DP

MEMORY

7-0

The light beam shot forward and MetalGarurumon humbly accepted its fate, as the light vaporized its metallic being.

"I end my turn." Emily stated, passing it to Layla, whose counter was set to 3 Memory.

Layla only drew and ended her turn. A comeback at this point was impossible, so there was no point in trying.

"Thank you…for not giving up on me." Layla spoke out.

"Thank you for putting up with me." Emily countered her.

The two girls looked at one another and for the first time in years, smiled at one another.

Not…yet…!

Suddenly, Layla's eyes went wide, and she clutched her chest in pain. A cry escaped her as she dropped to her knees. The boys began to run but were halted by the large black shadow that emerged from her back. A giant silhouette of Piedmon formed its glowing red eyes looking down at them.

"DID YOU FORGET SO QUICKLY?" Its voice boomed. "IF I DIE, THEN SO DOES SHE!"

Black tendrils emerged where its swords would've been and began to surround Layla in an attempt to encase her in a dome of shadow. Piedmon cackled as it took a hold of its prey…only to halt its motion, taking note of the new visitors.

Adam and Trevor turned around, finding both the Stranger and Morris approaching them.

"What are you two doing here?!" they demanded.

Ignoring them for a moment, Morris put his fingers to his lips and whistled. All of the sudden, Infermon, who departed earlier flew through the sky, barreling towards the shadow giant. Piedmon was overwhelmed by Infermon's sudden attack, losing its grip on Layla.

Adam, seeing that the mark Kimeramon left was still present on this version of Piedmon shot his attention towards Emily: "Do it!"

Likewise, seeing the opening, Emily pointed towards Piedmon. "SlashAngemon, Direct Attack!

SlashAngemon nodded, taking its bladed appendages, and dashing off in blinding speed. In a matter of seconds, the virus was struck in the presumed weak spot and Piedmon howled in agony, staggering about and unable to hold its shape. Infermon took advantage of the crashing titan and helped itself to the data presented. Other newly digivolved Infermon and some Kurisarimon who noticed the buffet of data, came over to indulge in the feast.

The lead Infermon turned to them, and as expected, began to Digivolve. Going from a white and red spider, Infermon was now a monstrous, ogre-looking Digimon covered in navy blue armor over its olive-brown limbs. Its mask had horns and it covered locks of bright orange hair underneath as well.

The Kurisarimon as well slowly began to digivolve into Infermon, whereas the former Infermon went off to search for additional data to become the newly formed Digimon themselves.

Morris began to walk up to the Digimon that stood before him, taking out a blank card from his pocket, holding it out before him. To their amazement, the Digimon was absorbed into the card with little issue. What remained, was the rectangular data file that Infermon produced earlier. "Finally, back where it belongs."

"Just what is that?" Trevor demanded.

Morris turned to him and nodded, "For defeating Piedmon, I suppose I owe you that explanation, don't I?" Morris held his hand up. "This is all the data on Project Millennium."

"Project Millennium?" Adam repeated stepping up as well. He looked at Trevor whose demeanor changed at the sound of that.

"That's right. Everything from the first concept arts of the Digimon, to the formation of Babylon and beyond…are contained here. "As well as the key for the ultimate digital weapon: Millenniummon."

They were taken aback by the sound of that. That implied there was something even worse than Piedmon and the Infestation coming up.

"Axel, show them." Morris ordered.

Adam spun around, only to find the Stranger responding to Morris' command, holding Machinedramon's card in his hand. Before any of them could respond, Machinedramon came upon them like the roaring thunderclap. Kimeramon, who happened to remain took note and charged Machinedramon like the ravage beast it was. Machinedramon responded by throwing its arms outward, embracing the monster as the pair were sent falling into the cyber street below.

An explosive collision rang out, shaking the space violently and causing the teens to lose their balance. As they tried to regain their bearings, they watched as Morris and the Stranger both walked to the edge of the building.

"Wait!" Adam was the first to get up, grabbing Morris' attention.

"If you want to try and stop us, you are free to do so. If not, leave now and live normal lives. For the last time, I apologize for getting you children involved in my desire for revenge all those years ago. So, accept my gift of mercy."

With that, the pair jumped, and with Trevor regaining himself, the pair went after them, stopping at the edge of the building, to see the large crater below them, leading them to god-knows-where.

"Omnimon, can you see where they went?" Adam asked.

Omnimon took a crack at it, scanning the underground workings of Babylon. "There's framework underneath the streets. Almost as if there's another interface entirely…"

"Another Interface? Underneath Babylon?" Trevor repeated, his voice denoting that to be impossible.

"Whatever it is, that's where they've run off to. Adam noted. "Either we go after them or we let them destroy SAIBA for good."

"Right. And who knows, we may finally get some more answers out of Morris about what happened back then. And then some."

"But first…" Adam turned to Emily and Layla.

"Right." He patted Adam on the shoulder. "You go. I'll go on ahead of you."

"You're not going to check up on Layla?" Adam asked surprised.

Trevor stood quiet. "Megan's already mad at me as it is. Besides, she has Emily by her side. I'll get my turn to start over soon enough."

"Fair enough." Adam nodded, holding his fist up.

Trevor bumped it. "No matter what happens, don't end up dead."

"You first," Adam laughed.

The two boys got serious and turned their backs towards one another.

Adam began walking, while Trevor jumped. The two boys, eager to put an end to the chaos once and for all…