[Five Years Ago…]
"I pay 8 memory to play the option card, Gaia Force!" Adam exclaimed. "I get to delete one of your Digimon with it! Bye-bye MetalGarurumon!"
Trevor was caught off guard as the room lit up in bright orange. Trevor and his Digimon looked up, looking in awe at the massive sun-like orb of light coming down at them. It locked onto MetalGarurumon and swallowed the metallic canine until there was nothing left.
MEMORY
1-7 (Turn Change: Trevor)
Trevor was left dumbstruck. "Why…why would you play something so risky, knowing you'd give me this much—!"
"Because THAT…! Was for Agumon." Adam stated defiantly.
Trevor blinked. It took him a moment to contemplate his reasoning, and before he knew it, a chuckle escaped him. Adam picked up on it and let one out himself. Eventually, both of the boys started laughing together, almost hysterically in fact.
"Okay then. Leave it to a doofus like you to do something reckless like that." Trevor wiped a tear from his eye.
"Oh yeah? At least I'm not a nerd like you!" Adam stuck his tongue out.
"Well, this nerd is about to get his revenge, so get ready!" Trevor grinned.
"Bring it!" Adam challenged.
Trevor nodded and drew. "The two Matts push me to 9 memory due to your Digimon. I Hatch: Tsunomon; then, I'll pay 3 memory to Digivolve Grizzlymon into WereGarurumon, and then another 4 to Digivolve further into MetalGarurumon!"
MetalGarurumon howled to announce its re-emergence.
MEMORY
9-2
"MetalGarurumon, Final Security Attack!" Trevor commanded.
Adam flipped the last card over and looked down at it, his eyes widening at the sight of it. "Whoa…!"
As MetalGarurumon came down to break the last security, a large gold claw shot from the card, forcing it to abruptly dodge. It slid on the digital landscape as the card came and formed before it; a larger muscled armored dragon, clad in gold, silver and red armor materialized, resembling the Greymon that Adam grew familiar with prior.
This one was WarGreymon.
WarGreymon (ST1-11)
Color: Red
Level: 6
DP: 12000
Standing his ground, Trevor stood defiant. "Tsunomon's Inherited Effect grants MetalGarurumon +1000 DP! Go for it! Beat that doofus!"
"You can do it, WarGreymon! Kick that nerd's butt!"
MetalGarurumon: 12000 DP
WarGreymon: 12000 DP
WarGreymon and MetalGarurumon stood their ground, awaiting a move from the other. They took their stances and pounced towards one another, their weapons soaring ahead of themselves…
...When suddenly the room was enveloped in a sea of fire…
Trevor's ears ranged, his young eyes peering open from the small flashlight that the EMTs were waving over his face. Loud chatter came from all directions, it wouldn't let him sleep.
"Come on buddy, stay with me…! You can do it…!" The distant voice of the EMT told him, as Trevor gave back small blinks of consciousness.
"Where's Adam?!" Another voice exclaimed. "There was another boy in the room, where is he, is he okay?!"
"Miss you shouldn't be here it's dangerous!"
"I work here! I was in charge of these two, where's the other one?!"
The voice sounded familiar to the semi-conscious boy. As well as the name she said. As he continued to regain consciousness, he felt his motionless body be hoisted up and rushed out into cold fresh air, being passed over to another adult before being inserted into an ambulance. Once inside and situated to where he had a steady flow of oxygen going into his lungs, he rested his eyes and allowed himself to be transported to wherever he was being taken, oblivious to the events that would eventually take place…
Chapter 11: Sorrow Blue
Trevor pushed himself off the cold floor where he landed. A digital headache was what greeted him as he came to, as he lifted his head to see the darkness surrounding him. His immediate thought was that this was basically Babylon's sewage system if it was safe to assume that an underground base did in fact exist. He looked over his shoulder and around, nothing but darkness at each end. Waving his arms around, the tips of his fingertips caught cold air all around, which said there weren't any walls trapping him.
With his deductions, he picked a direction and took a step forward. Immediately his footstep caused a wave of green light to expand, similar to a rock hitting a body of water. Seeing how far it expanded, he took another step forward and another. This went on for about a minute until the light ceased expanding ahead. Where he stopped, he reached out, assuming a wall was directly in front of him. He reached forward, feeling his fingers graze against a bulge against a solid wall-like structure. He pushed against it, and his finger sunk into the supposed button, causing the space to illuminate spontaneously, blinding him in the process.
He turned around in his disorientation, bringing his arm down and peering his eyes so they could adjust. After several blinks, he looked up…
And his heart stopped.
The Testing Room. The very room from five years ago, and the room where they all were the day of the Babylon test. He found himself standing within it, looking exactly as it did when he first stepped into it as a child. The shock and confusion he felt were well understated, as he tried to piece together why something like this existed.
"Seem familiar?" The Stranger's voice called out behind Trevor.
The latter spun around, watching as Axel, the Stranger made his way into the room. Trevor naturally got defensive, causing the Stranger to stop in his tracks. "Bringing back memories, isn't it?"
"Where's Morris?" Trevor demanded. "And what happened to Kimeramon and Machinedramon?"
"Naturally putting an end to five years of torment. You should be happy that someone has the means to do it."
"Morris is going to kill everyone if he has his way. He's nothing but a grieving man who's willing to take the world with him. That crap about us leaving him be and living normal lives is just his poor attempt of justifying his actions."
Axel rubbed his chin and pondered the thought, "What if…he's doing all of this to protect his child's legacy?"
Trevor paused.
Axel noticed Trevor's hesitation. "Digimon were his son's creation after all, and SAIBA stole that from them. So, what if he kills people to get his revenge? If SAIBA didn't do what they did then none of us would be in this mess right now."
Trevor scoffed, "How did SAIBA screw you over? Everything you've done up to this point has been to your benefit. Bet you're in it for the thrill of it all, right?"
Axel laughed, "You'd think so. But the truth is, SAIBA's held me, prisoner, for five years…"
Trevor got quiet. His body grew cold as Axel began to strip his goggles and mask to reveal his identity underneath.
"…and experimented on me to unlock the untold potential of Morris' creations." Axel looked up at Trevor, his face resembling Adam's to the smallest detail.
Adam nervously approached the two girls as they sat intimately together, exhausted, but relieved that their personal nightmare finally came to an end. Emily looked up, noticing Adam come up to them.
"Trevor talked you into using Morris' program, didn't he?" Emily asked him.
Adam looked away, "Actually…it was my idea."
Emily blinked. "Guess that would make sense in retrospect…"
"Gee thanks." Adam reacted, taking slight offense. "Didn't think I was that predictable."
"I may've only known you for like a week, but it wasn't hard to figure that out." Emily replied. "Trevor is smart and calculative, but his emotions make him rash as much as he hates to admit it. You try to be the voice of reason and avoid conflict, but when it comes to people, you're cool with, it's hard to resist stepping in."
"You're basically saying we're one and the same."
"Not exactly; The difference is obvious; Trevor has a hero complex. He needs to be the one to fix every situation, and he insists he has everyone's best interest at heart. Megan's pushiness probably influenced that side of him ironically. Meanwhile, you're honest."
Adam blinked. "Honest?"
"'Honesty is rare, so strive to be in the minority,' right?" Emily recited, ending it with a smile.
Adam turned slightly red, "Stop remembering things I say please?"
"My point is you don't act with ulterior motives. Which is why you would be more likely to take a risk over Trevor in this situation. You did the same for Megan after all."
"Yeah, and look where it got us?"
"And yet you used a sketchy and illegal Cyber Drive App to come here, putting your life at risk, why?"
"Because I was worried about you! Why else would I—" Adam paused.
"Case closed." Emily smirked.
Adam cleared his throat. "This conversation doesn't leave this rooftop."
"Don't have to tell me twice."
Layla let out a giggle, reminding the pair that she was still with them. Adam used her to his advantage, kneeling to her.
"Are you okay? Can you stand up?"
"I'm fine." Layla said, getting her head together as she sat up. "More importantly, what happened to Trevor?"
"He went after Morris and your partner. They ran off to some underground area beneath Babylon."
"Did you know something about that?" Emily asked.
Layla nodded. "This Babylon that we're currently in, believe it or not, is still in its beta phase. To create a realistic environment, it's overlayed with real-world images, kind of like what digital artists use with layers."
"So, in other words, beneath our feet are layers of old data?" Emily asked thinking about it.
"More specifically, the very base of Babylon currently, is the image data created from the Beta Testing from five years ago. Altered of course, by Trojan for their purposes."
"But how could Trojan edit Babylon unless—they were in SAIBA, to begin with…?"
"SAIBA didn't cover up Trojan's attack for PR…did it?" Emily grew silent as the truth emerged. "SAIBA had a hand in it…"
"That's right. I joined Trojan for revenge against SAIBA Enterprise…
…only to find out they were basically one and the same…"
Trevor's knees went weak, and his head was spinning. Adam was staring back at him. But that was impossible because Adam was with Emily and Layla. Adam was standing next to him when this guy and Morris showed up—this guy attacked Adam…!
So how…how could Adam be standing in front of him…?
Axel crossed his arms, waiting for Trevor to snap back into it and for reality to set in. "Need some help putting the pieces together?"
"How? What—who are you? What are you?!"
"I don't know exactly what I am, but if I had to guess, I'm basically a Digimon, if that makes sense." Axel shrugged
"It doesn't make any sense! Where did you come from? Why do you look like Adam?!"
Axel looked around the room and threw his arms out. Trevor took a moment to do the same and it clicked. "Adam's memories…the nightmares, the reason why he couldn't remember anything until he ran into you the first time…you're Adam's Tamer Data given a body…"
"Not all of it; after all, Adam's memories were left fragmented. Through some miracle, the attack by Morris five years ago crashed the computer that was recording the data and not all of it was retrieved. As for the data that was salvaged, it became what I am. A sentient cybernetic entity; or what the CEO dubbed: a Saibatar."
"A Saibatar…?"
"Clever name, I know. In any case, Mr. Saiba had his team dissect and analyze every inch of my being, in an attempt to replicate whatever, the heck I was. I was nearly driven insane by it all. Five years of experimentation and imprisonment feels like centuries when your brain moves like a supercomputer. Oh, and you can only imagine what that's like; born with the insane idea that one minute you're some bratty kid coming to test a game, and the next minute you're trapped behind a screen, not knowing what you are, or if it matters to anyone except the people trying to tear you apart!"
Trevor gritted his teeth, shivering at the thought of it. Of all the theories that he and Adam came up with, between the mannerisms, his deck, his motives, and actions. None of their theories remotely entertained something like this. Maybe if they had more time, they would've come back to the Tamer thing a little more closely but…
"Sorry, it's not often I'm free to vent." Axel said. "Point is, Morris had the opportunity to sneak in and out of Babylon to get an idea on the layout, days later, they staged the first strike to steal the Purple and Black data for the decks, and during that he discovered me. He offered me freedom if I helped with SAIBA's takedown and I accepted. From there, Layla and I attacked during the Demo and I happened to run into my twin."
"Layla said she intervened before it got worse."
"She exaggerated. All I wanted to do was get an idea of who he was. He made friends with my friend after all."
"So, what did you do then?"
"Battled him. And studied him as well; got a feel of his personality traits."
"You're nothing like him."
"Of course not. Unlike me, he hasn't been a prisoner for five years."
Trevor got quiet, realizing his words. At this point, he felt as though he heard enough. He reached for his deck case and docked it on the brace.
"You really want to go for it?" Axel asked.
"It's best if Adam doesn't know about you." Trevor stated.
Axel grew quiet. "I see…you're going to try and delete me then?"
"Not 'try.' I will."
Axel smirked. "Alright, if it'll help you sleep, I'll gladly put you to rest."
"DIGI-GATE: OPEN!"
"I'll start things off." Axel started waving his hand. "I Hatch: Tsumemon!"
A Digimon sharing a resemblance to the original jellyfish-like Digimon materialized, taking on more of an appearance of a sentient claw, with its small tendrils now grown into full limbs with sharp nails at the end of each tendril.
Tsumemon (BT2-006)
Color: Black
Level: 2
"Tsumemon will Digivolve into Keramon, and afterward I'll play Gotsumon from my hand." Axel wasted no time, swiping each card one after another. Tsumemon digivolved into the alien-like Digimon, and the small rock-like Digimon materialized in front.
Keramon (BT2-053)
Color: Black
Level: 3
DP: 2000
Gotsumon (BT2-054)
Color: Black
Level: 3
DP: 3000
MEMORY
0-3 (Turn Change: Trevor)
"Your move." Axel said, awaiting to see how Trevor was going to respond.
"Black is all about defense, right?" Trevor asked curiously.
"Sounds like someone did their homework." Axel acknowledged.
"Helps when you share your answers with the whole class." Trevor replied, "Ever since the day you fought Adam, SAIBA's been on alert in case another attack was incoming. So needless to say, I rewatched your fight several times to get an understanding as to how your deck works."
"And yet it took you up until a few minutes ago to figure out who I was?"
"You're a terrorist; who you are doesn't matter. Only your actions."
Axel scoffed, "Well aren't you a big ball of self-righteousness."
Trevor drew. "It's my turn. I hatch: Tsunomon!"
Tsunomon materialized on Trevor's side, eager to get to fighting.
Tsunomon (ST2-01)
Color: Blue
Level: 2
"Tsunomon Digivolve to Elecmon! Following that, I play Gabumon from my hand, who draws me 1 card!"
Tsunomon let out a small roar as it was reformed into the red and blue mammal Digimon. Gabumon also materialized in the Battle Area, getting into a stance to oppose Gotsumon.
Elecmon (BT1-028)
Color: Blue
Level: 3
DP: 3000
Gabumon (BT1-029)
Color: Blue
Level: 3
DP: 1000
MEMORY
3-0
"Gabumon will also Digivolve into Grizzlymon!"
Gabumon howled, the binary taking it over and turning it into the large bear Digimon, giving Trevor a sizable blocker to start with.
Grizzlymon (ST2-07)
Color: Blue
Level: 4
DP: 6000
MEMORY
0-2 (Turn Change: Axel)
Axel drew. "Alright. Keramon moves to the Battle Area, and Digivolves into Kurisarimon!"
Keramon moved forward and embraced the stream of binary that turned it into the purple cocoon Digimon.
Kurisarimon (BT2-059)
Color: Black
Level: 4
DP: 4000
MEMORY
2-0
"And I'll play Numemon from my hand."
The green slime monster materialized, its jaw swagging about grotesquely as well.
Numemon (BT2-056)
Color: Black
Level: 4
DP: 3000
MEMORY
0-3 (Turn Change: Trevor)
"A 3-cost champion?" Trevor noted.
"Thought you said you did your homework?" Axel pointed out.
"I did."
"Then you should've known about Numemon."
"You say that like I should be worried."
"There's plenty of reasons why you should be worried, my friend."
"Noted, but I don't plan on you being one of the reasons." Trevor drew. "I Play the Option Card Hammer Spark to gain an extra Memory."
MEMORY
3-4
"Elecmon move to the Battle Area!"
Elecmon obeyed the command, joining alongside Grizzlymon.
"Elecmon, Digivolve into Leomon!"
Elecmon grew tense and let out a roar, as it was infused with binary code and in turn reformed into the bipedal lion warrior.
Leomon (BT1-035)
Color: Blue
Level: 4
DP: 5000
MEMORY
4-2
"Leomon, start us off with a Security Attack!" Trevor declared, sending his warrior towards Axel.
"Gotsumon, block it!" Axel countered as the smaller Digimon braced itself.
Leomon: 5000 DP
Gotsumon: 3000 DP
As it got closer, Leomon drew its blade and lunged, only for Gotsumon to intercept. It blocked the blade, but the shockwave of the impact caused it to disperse into data as a result.
"I'll end my turn by playing the 4-Cost tamer Matt Ishida."
Trevor's Tamer Card materialized, looking over its shoulder towards Trevor. The latter gave a nod, where Matt did the same.
Matt Ishida (BT1-086)
Color: Blue
MEMORY
2-2 (Turn Change: Axel)
"You're trying to keep my plays limited so I don't summon my blockers, right?"
Trevor nodded, "looks like you know how to read the board better than Adam does, at least."
"I'm technically a computer, after all, right?" Axel joked. "That said, that was your first mistake."
Trevor paused. Meanwhile, Axel drew his card and threw his arm out again. "I Hatch!"
Kapurimon materialized the familiar Digimon hopping in eagerness, especially when it caught sight of Axel. Trevor noticed the expression and it bothered him how it resembled Adam and Koromon but on a deeper level.
Kapurimon (BT2-005)
Color: Black
Level: 2
"Kapurimon digivolves into ToyAgumon."
ToyAgumon formed over Kapurimon, the being made of building blocks rotated its joints to assure all was well in its movements.
ToyAgumon (BT2-055)
Color: Black
Level: 3
DP: 1000
"And now for the kicker, Digivolve, into Greymon!" Axel exclaimed as he swiped the card over.
Trevor watched as the imitation Agumon emerged as Greymon and roared with triumph. While it may have looked like Adam's Greymon, it didn't feel familiar whatsoever. It's presence felt lacking…it felt fake.
Greymon (BT2-057)
Color: Black
Level: 4
DP: 4000
MEMORY
2-0
"One can only wonder…" Trevor began, not taking his eyes off of Greymon, "what you get out of imitating Adam…"
Axel paused. "Imitate?"
Trevor nodded. "ToyAgumon for starters. Couldn't get yourself a real one so you had to build one out of Legos? Talk about lonely."
Axel crossed his arms. "You just want me to trip up, don't you?"
"All I want is answers. Layla copied MetalGarurumon's data for her Purple Deck, but what's your excuse? At least she had a legitimate Gabumon."
"I'm a terrorist, right? By your definition, my backstory shouldn't matter. I was being nice the first time you contradicted yourself but twice ain't gonna cut it. Just admit that this is driving you nuts."
Trevor's expression shrunk. "You going to finish your turn?"
"Kurisarimon digivolves into Infermon."
The purple cocoon Digimon took note and reformed itself into the spider-like Digimon, staring at Trevor and his Digimon with a crazed glaze in its eyes.
Infermon (BT2-062)
Color: Black
Level: 5
DP: 6000
MEMORY
0-3 (Turn Change Trevor)
"What's driving me nuts is that—"
"Is that I look like Adam." Axel interjected. "You're trying to convince yourself that I'm not him, therefore you don't have to hold yourself back. But you can't bring yourself to do it, knowing that I'm that fragment of him that's been missing for five years. I'm that piece of that hyperactive kid that wanted to meet Agumon so badly. Who told you that Coredramon wanted to protect its allies…"
"…I'm the ghost that's been lurking in your shadow."
"LEOMON DIGIVOLVE!" Trevor exclaimed as power erupted from the lion Digimon, reforming into WereGarurumon.
WereGarurumon (BT1-040)
Color: Blue
Level: 5
DP: 7000
MEMORY
3-0
"Security Attack! Use your effect to grant me +3 Memory!"
MEMORY
0-3
WereGarurumon charged ahead, its nails glowing and leaving streaks of magenta in his wake as he dashed. It took off into the air and slashed forward, sending the waves downward towards Axel. The Security expanded and took the hit, shattering in front of him.
Axel
Security: 5-4
"Security Check…" Axel stated as the system acknowledged the command. From the security, WarGreymon reached out and pierced WereGarurumon with its claw, sending the wave of shock through Trevor. The image of WarGreymon emerging from Adam's security five years ago suddenly rushed to his mind. The joy he and Adam shared was the first moment that they actually got along. The sight of their deck's aces, clashing; a representation of their future friendship.
And yet here…seeing the Security Digimon mercilessly destroy WereGarurumon, while the Tamer resembling his friend smiled in glee, didn't fill him with joy like back then.
Only an odd sense of dread as to what was to proceed it.
Trevor's gaze fell back towards Axel. This infuriating sense of fear clamped onto him, filling his mind with thoughts he never once entertained but felt as though they were purposely shut out. Everything was finding its way back to him.
"Is that the reason why you became friends with him?"
Axel's question sent the teen into even further shock. The realization hit Trevor like a truck, and it scared him senseless if that was one of the—if not THE reason—that he befriended the short-term amnesiac five years back.
"That's…that's not true. We became friends…"
"Because…?" Axel pushed. "Because you felt guilty of all the messed-up stuff you said? Pity over the kid who got hurt instead of you?"
"Shut up!"
"Bad habits are hard to admit, aren't they, Hero? Trying to fix problems and save the day all for a metaphorical pat on the back. Guess it must've dawned on you as of recent how much you suck at your job, huh?"
Trevor gritted his teeth, recklessly taking a card from his hand and turning Grizzlymon into LoaderLiomon. "Security Attack!"
LoaderLiomon (BT1-042)
Color: Blue
Level: 5
DP: 10,000
MEMORY
3-0
The large yellow machine-like Lion roared and used its mane-like turbines to blow a tornado-like spiral towards Axel. Another Security Card popped up to block the attack.
Axel
Security: 4-3
"Security Check!" He declared as the card revealed itself. "Security Trigger: Infinity Cannon!" LoaderLiomon De-Digivolves down to its Level 3 form!"
Trevor's heart stopped, hearing the declaration. Before he could react, the orange beam was already blasting LoaderLiomon. Trevor covered his eyes, being blinded by the onslaught as a result. Once it was over, he lowered his arms, seeing a weakened Gabumon remaining. His breathing became heavy, seeing his partner Digimon in such a weakened state.
Another thing for him to feel guilty for.
MEMORY
0-3 (Turn Change: Axel)
Axel drew. "Greymon moves to the Battle Area, followed by Numemon attacking Gabumon.
Numemon: 3000 DP
Gabumon: 1000 DP
"Grizzlymon—!" Trevor quickly realized his lack of blocker, leaving his partner defenseless to the slime monster that burped a foul yellow cloud that surrounded Gabumon. Trevor could do nothing but watch as his partner was taken over by the poisonous cloud.
Axel took a moment to look at the crumbling teen and snickered. "To be honest, I expected more from you after five years."
Trevor didn't answer, taking note of Greymon who was being reformed into its metallic variant.
MetalGreymon (BT2-063)
Color: Black
Level: 5
DP: 7000
MEMORY
3-0
"MetalGreymon, Security Attack! Due to Greymon's IE effect, MetalGreymon gains Jamming as long as it has Reboot. And for added measure, while my Digimon has reboot, Kapurimon's IE effect gives it +1000 DP!"
MetalGreymon: 7000-8000 DP
Trevor braced for impact the Security Card shielding him as MetalGreymon's missiles launched and crashed into him. To his dismay of all cards to appear, SaberLeomon emerged from the Security Check, unable to do away with MetalGreymon due to its Jamming.
Trevor
Security: 5-4
"At the end of the day, you were nothing but a self-righteous kid who bit off more than he could chew. Too busy trying to fix the problem when in reality you should've just kept your nose out of it."
Megan's words of course rung in his ears now of all times, Axel's words piercing Trevor in his already wounded being. Tears began to form in his eyes as the image of the girl took residence in his head. He should've listened to her. He should've been there for her.
Once again, everything came back to him…
"Being of chaos and destruction, lay waste to my enemies and bring the world to the absolute brink…" Axel recited.
Trevor looked up, noticing the card he held up. Axel swiped it over his brace and Infermon responded.
"Infermon when digivolved into this Digimon can decrease the cost down by 1 Memory. So now, come forth, destruction incarnate: Diaboromon!"
Infermon's limbs retracted into its being as it rose above their heads. In a matter of moments, the Digimon itself cracked apart like an egg, revealing the monster underneath. Diaboromon landed hard, shaking the room upon impact. And with a howl, it made itself known as the de-facto power in the room.
Diaboromon (BT2-082)
Color: White
Level: 6
DP: 10,000
Diaboromon's emotionless gaze captivated the room, standing patiently and awaiting its further orders. Trevor couldn't stop staring at the beast, and the longer he stared the easier it was to remind himself that this must have been the 'Queen' that was put into the card.
The gears started turning from that point forward: Even if he lost the match, as long as he could kill Diaboromon, then all would be fine. He could still fix this mess.
…there was still hope…
Adam, Layla, and Emily sat across from one another as they tried to fit this new information into the insane puzzle they faced. With the revelation that Trojan had deep connections with SAIBA, it flipped everything they knew on its head. Was SAIBA Enterprise their enemy? Were Trojan the good guys all along? What did it mean for an infamous cyberterrorist group to be in control of one of the biggest gaming companies in Cisco City?
All of those thoughts had to be put on hold, as yet more figures materialized on the rooftop. Adam and the two girls turned back, watching as Michael and several others, presumably, Babylon Moderators, began to make their way towards them. Instinctively, Adam stood up and got in between the girls and Michael's group.
"Look I know this looks bad, but we can expla—"
"No need explaining yourselves; we've seen everything." Michael cut him off.
That didn't make Adam feel any better.
"And while I have lots of questions for all of you, my main concern is the crisis at hand." He continued. He walked past Adam and approached Omnimon, the titan turning his focus towards Michael. Like Morris, Michael took a card from his pocket and held it in front of Omnimon. "Download yourself into this card."
Omnimon took a moment to acknowledge the request, glowing in the orange and blue light that made up its being. In a brief flash, the knight turned into a being of pure energy which flowed directly into the card in Michael's possession. Afterward, the card appeared with an illustration, as well as its name and card text, a white border tracing the bottom of it, as well as marked with the unique level of 7.
Michael turned and approached Adam, handing him said card. Immediately, Adam noticed the high DP of 15,000, the level of 7 as well as the Digivolution Costs being open to two colors: Red and Blue.
"Omnimon, as you've named it, was the last resort if someone like Morris or anyone else for that matter dealt SAIBA a blow that would utterly devastate it as a whole. Project Millennium was one of two secrets that SAIBA kept hidden from even the most trusted shareholders in the risk that it would ruin the company.
"Even more than the true purpose of the Beta Test…?"
Michael hesitated. Adam looked up at him, expecting an answer. "Or was that also tied to Project Millennium? You joined SAIBA right after, right? Was that to pick up where Morris left off? Is that why you let Trojan into Babylon? Because you were hoping that Morris would reclaim it and expose SAIBA for what it truly was?!"
"That's enough!" Michael exclaimed. "I took over as head of the R&D department, not because of happenstance because I was qualified for the job! I learned about Project Millennium after Trojan's initial attack days ago and have worked tirelessly to build something in case of a worse-case-scenario, such as this! And against all of my better judgment, I'm entrusting it to you because if anyone can stop what's to come…it's you, Adam Russo."
Adam was shaken by Michael's retort. He stared at the man for a moment and waited for him to calm down. "I understand…you kids are in a situation that we failed to prevent and I'm sorry. And it seems as, with each passing moment, things continue to spiral further and further out of control. Once you stop Morris, all of your questions will be answered, and you will have all the liberty to explain your side of things.
Adam looked down at Omnimon's card once again. "But…why me?"
"Because of SAIBA's second dark secret…"
MEMORY
0-3 (Turn Change: Trevor)
Tsunomon materialized in Trevor's Breeding Area as he pulled a card from his hand. "Digivolve into Gomamon!"
Gomamon took Tsunomon's spot, the seal Digimon eager to fight
Gomamon (BT1-030)
Color: Blue
Level: 3
DP: 3000
"I then play Bearmon from my hand; When a Blue Digimon is played, I can suspend Matt to trash the bottom digivolution card from your source."
Bearmon materialized into the Battle Area while Matt took a knee. Bearmon felt the blue aura surround it, giving it the ability to throw its hat towards MetalGreymon, knocking Kapurimon out of it as a result.
Bearmon (ST2-04)
Color: Blue
Level: 3
DP: 4000
MEMORY
3-0
"And then I play the Option Card Sorrow Blue, to freeze MetalGreymon. Now until the end of your turn, MetalGreymon can't attack or block!"
MEMORY
0-2 (Turn Change: Axel)
Axel drew, paying no heed to Trevor's move. "Diaboromon, Security Attack! Diaboromon's effect activates: Whenever it attacks, I generate a 3000 DP Diaboromon token."
Trevor paused. "A…token? This game doesn't have something like…" he was cut off by the sudden batch of binary that poured out of Diaboromon and formed next to it. Said batch became an off-colored version of the Digimon, bringing further disbelief to Trevor.
Diaboromon (Token)
Color: White
Level: 6
DP: 3000
Trevor didn't have time to gaze as the original was on top of him, its claw raised high into the air.
"And just to add, now that a Digimon that shares Diaboromon's name's been played, He gets a whole bunch of IE effects: Tsumemon boosts him up by 2000 DP, Keramon draws me a card, and Kurisarimon gives me an extra memory."
Diaboromon: 10,000-12,000 DP
MEMORY
2-3
The slam of Diaboromon's claw sent Trevor flying into the air, the Security Card being obliterated from the force of the attack. Garurumon didn't stand a chance as it faded out without any hint of relevance.
Trevor
Security: 4-3
"MetalGreymon, Digivolve into WarGreymon." Axel swiped the card over the top, granting MetalGreymon the ability to transcend into its final, strongest form.
WarGreymon (BT2-065)
Color: Black
Level: 6
DP: 11,000
MEMORY
3-0
"And I'll end by Digivolving Numemon into Infermon as well."
MEMORY
0-3 (Turn Change: Trevor)
Trevor by this point was finally able to stand back up, the impact disorienting him somewhat. Once his senses came back, he was able to acknowledge the monsters before him. WarGreymon stood out from the bunch, despite not being the immediate threat. The feeling that WarGreymon exerted, didn't feel like a cheap imitation compared to ToyAgumon from the beginning. It was clear what this was.
"Had I known…about you…" Trevor uttered.
Axel looked up at the boy as he moved in a worn manner. "Had I known…I could've done something…right…?"
Axel's eye twitched. "You can't be serious…"
"You were lonely…you were scared too…" Trevor looked up; tears were welling up in his eyes. "I get it…If only I knew…I could've helped…right?"
Axel was taken aback. "You honestly think that…you could've done something…?"
Trevor, through his emotions, was able to move Gomamon to the Battle Area and digivolve his pair of rookies into Grizzlymon, passing the turn back over to Axel, who was trying to figure out himself what was happening.
MEMORY
3-1 (Turn Change: Axel)
"You honestly believe yourself to be a hero after all…" Axel deduced. As the moments passed, a smirk, turned into a smile, then a chuckle, and finally full-blown hysteria. "Bwahahahahahah!" Axel found himself hysterically laughing, clutching his sides till his own tears drew. "I can't…I can't…! Oh… oh, I am done." His tone suddenly shifted to an aggressive seriousness. "Absolutely done humoring this! Diaboromon, Security Attack! Generate another token and let your IE effects repeat!"
A second token spawned, triggering yet another card as well as another Memory
MEMORY
1-2
The initial Diaboromon dashed ahead and swung its arm towards Trevor, only for one of the Grizzlymon to intercept.
Diaboromon- 12,000 DP
Grizzlymon- 6000 DP
Gomamon's IE effect triggered, pushing the Memory counter one space towards Trevor.
MEMORY
2-1
"WarGreymon, let's go! Use MetalGreymon's IE effect for a Double Security Attack!"
WarGreymon clapped its gauntlets together and took to the sky, spiraling downward like a drill towards Trevor's Security. The 2nd Grizzlymon stood on standby as WarGreymon made contact with the first of two.
"Greymon's IE effect gives him Jamming, so it doesn't matter what you get because WarGreymon will—"
"Security Trigger…Hammer Spark." Trevor replied.
Axel snickered, forced to surrender 2 memory and with it the turn. "WarGreymon's reboot unsuspends it at the end of the turn." He stated this as the dragon returned to his side.
Trevor
Security: 3-2
MEMORY
1-1 (Turn Change: Trevor)
"I'm…going to save you…" Trevor muttered. With Matt setting his Memory to 3, Trevor drew, and swiped the card on his case, revealing the expensive 7-cost Option Card: Cocytus Breath. It went without saying, that the blast shot past Diaboromon and all those affiliated with it, and blasted WarGreymon out of existence, the Level 6 Digimon returning to Axel's hand and sending the other cards into the trash.
MEMORY
3-4 (Turn Change: Axel)
"You should do yourself a favor and stop pretending you're some hero…" Axel said flat out.
Trevor looked at Axel, and the latter's expression was far from humored. Then without warning, A Diaboromon Token landed before him, a Security Card popping up to block the impact. WereGarurumon emerged and kicked the weak token into data.
Trevor
Security 2-1
"You survived. That's it. No one asked for you to step up and to try and fix everything. Everything you've done up to this point is for self-satisfaction, to make yourself believe that you are an empathetic person. But you never were. You were guilty."
The Second Token struck, taking out the last Security. MetalGarurumon emerged and howled, cutting down the clone to show support for its tamer.
Trevor
Security 1-0
You're always guilty of your actions, but you pretend that you're not to avoid the fact that in reality, you're a Narcissist. You don't do things because it's the right thing to do, you do things because it's the logical thing to do."
Diaboromon arched its back, the gem in its chest charging with energy. Grizzlymon hinted that it had every intention of throwing itself at it, yet Trevor's arms dropped at his sides.
Axel scoffed, "why should I bother? You're just like him in ways that you don't even realize, and it shows." He looked back at him. "Die with your twisted sense of justice…"
Diaboromon unleashed the building energy a wide beam that encompassed Trevor's vision from all angles. Accepting his fate, Trevor closed his eyes and awaited the inevitable…
[Five Years Ago…]
"According to the doctors, it seems that that boy doesn't remember what happened. He believes that everything that happened during the Beta testing was just a dream."
Young Trevor was too busy lost in thought to pay attention to his parent's conversation in the front seat. He had an idea why his parents were bringing him to his house, but if he didn't remember anything then what was the point?
By this point, it was a week since the accident. Trevor's arm was able to leave the cast, but the sling was still needed for a bit longer, per his mother's request. Her overprotectiveness and strive for perfection got to be overbearing at times, which is why he preferred his Dad in terms of just being the laxer of the two.
"Why are we going to his house anyway if he doesn't remember what happened?" Trevor built the nerve to ask, though the way his question was expressed still carried the bored monotone he adopted for the moment.
A younger Michael McKnight took a moment to find the words. "Because it's the right thing to do."
"You're just trying to save face, aren't you?" Trevor quipped, causing his mother's neck to snap around.
"Watch your mouth!"
"No, we're doing it because it's the right thing to do, Trevor. You were just as much of a victim, so it's only right that we check on the other one. Being there for one another is what keeps the peace in the world after all."
"I'm not friends with that kid." Trevor reminded.
"But you both are Beta Testers. So that means something."
"Does it have to?"
Michael hit the blinkers on the dashboard and pulled up to the house in question. "Guess we'll have to wait and see."
The family of three exited the car and walked down the stone path up to the steps that lead to the front door. Michael took point and rang the bell, waiting for a response. On the other side, stood a young man, around his late teens with short brown hair and glasses. He took note of Michael and drew a smile. "You made it!"
"You must be Lucas Russo. My name is Michael, this is my wife, Ashley, and my son Trevor."
"Pleasure to meet you all. My sister and her husband are in the backyard along with the rest of the guests. Adam and his friend are upstairs if you're wondering where he is."
Trevor felt as if he was left without a choice, so while his parents followed Lucas to the backyard, he went up the staircase that sat directly to his right. Once he made it to the top, the voices of fellow children filled the hallway, leading to a door at the end of the hallway that was left cracked. Slowly, Trevor walked downward until he reached the door.
"…I mean it was crazy! Like the Digimon were ginormous! And they were all like 'Rawr!' and 'Pow!' and 'Ka-Ching!'" Trevor could see the supposed amnesiac doing a bunch of ridiculous poses, imitating the battle between their Digimon.
"Oh, but then the kid I was facing?" young Adams scoffed, "such a sore loser. He was all like: 'not to be rude but can we start already?' and 'draw your card so I can do my turn!' and 'you're such an idiot!' The nerve of that kid. I hope I find him so I can—
"So, you can what, you doofus?" Trevor entered the room, making the other boy jump out of his skin. The young girl that witnessed this already proceeded to crack up.
"What are you doing here?!" Adam exclaimed.
"What do you mean? My family was invited." Trevor replied.
"I didn't invite you!"
"Not like I wanted to come in the first place!"
"Nerd!"
"Doofus!"
"Hey hey break it up you two!" The chocolate girl inserted herself. She turned to Trevor. "Hi there, the name's Megan."
"Trevor." He acknowledged. "You're friends with him?"
Megan turned around, finding Adam on all fours on his bed, seething like a threatened animal, while he kept his gaze locked on Trevor. "Someone's has to be, right?"
"How dare you enter my private abode unannounced…!"
"Down boy!" Megan directed him. She turned her attention back to Trevor, who stood slightly confused. He leaned into Megan and whispered, "How hard did he hit his head?"
"He's always been like this. You'll get used to it." She whispered back.
"State your business intruder!" Adam once again declared.
Trevor groaned. "Why should I? You're too dumb to greet people properly anyway."
"Is that a threat?!"
"If you insist!"
"Okay okay! Break it up!" Megan stepped between them again. "Man, you two are hopeless."
"He's just mad I whopped his butt in Digimon!"
"Oh, give me a break Dino Boy! You couldn't tell the difference between an Option Card and an octopus!"
"That didn't even make sense!"
Trevor found himself growing frustrated. He turned his back, causing Adam to react. "Where are you going?!"
"To get a hamburger! Your stupidity's making me hungry." Trevor made his way out of the room and close to the staircase when Adam reacted again.
"But we're not done! Come back here!" The second boy chased after him leaving Megan exhaling sharply. "Daddy was right; boys are a handful…"
Megan reluctantly found herself following after them, closing Adam's bedroom door behind her…
Axel waited for the smoke to clear before he took his leave. If Morris was right, he used the modified CD App to log into the Netspace, which means that blast likely deleted him. If that was the case, then that was one less nuisance to worry about at the end of the day, and one step closer to freedom.
Axel turned his back and began to leave, stopping suddenly by the forceful gust of wind that nearly knocked him forward. He turned back, seeing the titanic Omnimon standing between him and Trevor, the latter of which was crumbled on the floor, broken from the looks of it.
Though, that's not where Axel's focus was. A smile grew as he locked eyes with Adam's angered expression.
Giving him his full attention, Axel turned completely around and threw his arms outward, as if he were welcoming him.
"Hey there…"
