"As SAIBA Enterprise recovers from one major cyberattack after another, the popular gaming company faces criticism and doubts from its shareholders, as the market continues on its downward trend. Community Manager Benjamin Merlo, who only just recently took the position several weeks prior, has issued a statement on social media acknowledging the recent attacks and assures its users that—bzttz—every—bzttz—knights—efforts to—bzttz—one."

Bystanders catching the holographic news clip looked at one another, wondering about the glitching broadcast. The rumbling of thunder followed, causing them to seek shelter from the impending storm as lightning began to trace the clouds above them.


Ben all the meanwhile had the broadcast on one screen while watching what was unfolding in Babylon, the pillar of light shooting straight from the earth below and into the sky. A third screen was his social media feed, filling with users currently in Babylon, throwing theories between it being an in-game event or another Trojan Attack. Ben didn't have time to acknowledge it, as he was also keeping an eye on Melissa. Ever since he pulled her from the citadel, she was completely spaced out and out of it in all aspects. All she wanted was to see Adam. Despite his insistence to take her to a hospital at the very least, all she wanted was to see Adam. Prompting him to fulfill that wish. With any hope, he can talk some sense into her while he devises a way to contain the situation long enough for backup to arrive.

A notification came up on his computer. It was from Quincy. Now that he thought about it, Quincy wasn't present with the teens when they were all transferred into Babylon. This gave him all the reason to answer him.

"Is that you Quincy?" Ben asked as he continued to type furiously.

"Where's Melissa?" Quincy appeared on yet another screen and jumped straight to the point. "I lost track of both her and Sydney."

"Sydney pulled Melissa away, so they weren't caught up in the mass Cyber Drive into Babylon. As for their conditions…" Ben hesitated, not knowing how the news would hit Quincy.

"Melissa did what she had to do, no one can fault her for that," Quincy said. His voice hinted some sort of regret as if he could've done more to keep Sydney from falling off the deep end like that.

"Where are you right now? Things escalated just after everyone was transferred."

"I'm in the middle of defending users from Moderators. For whatever reason, they're gathering the users and taking them away, likely to the citadel."

Ben snickered. "I can come up with three guesses as to why…"

"Where's my Brother and the other Beta Testers?" Quincy asked.

"On their way to the citadel to put a stop to Akiyoshi. That pillar of light nearby can only mean that Millenniummon is waking up or it's about to. AEGIS is already making preparations to come help but it'll be some time before they make it proper."

"In that case, we'll buy you all the time you need." Quincy nodded.

"Appreciate it kindly.


Chapter 23: Idealistic Future


Adam sat patiently for Melissa to budge. Since he arrived in front of her, she was silent and reserved, which was unlike her. Not to mention her face was flushed. He could only imagine what kind of stress she was going through.

"I met her before…" she suddenly spoke up.

Adam, realizing that was the first thing she said in the last 15 minutes made him jump. "Who?"

"Sydney…" her voice was still broken, noticeable when she spoke a bit louder. "she…lost her mom in the park…I stayed with her until she came to get her…this whole time…I broke my promise to never leave her…and yet…"

"Well…I mean you'll get the opportunity to—"

"SHE'S DEAD!" Melissa busted out in tears. "I KILLED HER…! I rejected her and Carlos and now they're gone…" she clenched her head as if she was trying to block out the thoughts flooding her.

Adam felt the chill rush through him at the sight of this, his nerves especially shaken from her outburst. He remembered that Ben mentioned that they were assimilated but… "dead," wasn't the tone he got from it.

Or rather…he was holding out for some hope that it didn't mean that.

"Look…none of this is your fault…It's—"

"Yours…" She replied unexpectedly, turning to him. "All of it leads back to you, right…?"

Adam was taken aback by the accusation. "That's—"

She rose, staggering about as she tried to balance her legs full of pins. "If you didn't plant the virus…I wouldn't've had to take the fall for you; I wouldn't have met them; They wouldn't be suffering right now, IF ONLY YOU—"

"If only you didn't give me the deck in the first place!" Adam countered shooting back up. "If you would've kept this damn thing to yourself instead of shoving it into me, instead of having Trevor badger me for weeks on end, then yeah, all of us would've been better off!"

Adam at this moment got a better look at her; her bloodshot eyes, her pale complexion showing a complete show of shock and confusion.

"I—I didn't mean—look I meant."

"You hate me…don't you…?" Melissa asked him. "I ruined your life…"

"Wha—no! Melissa, you saved my life! I wouldn't be here if you didn't look for me! I—"

"I…was never able to go back for you…"

Adam froze. "Wait…what?"

"I lied…" Melissa uttered. "Do you hate me yet?"

"Melissa, that's not funny!"

"You hate me…"

"No! I don't!"

"You're lying…"

"I'm not!"

"Why don't you hate me…?"

"Why should I…?"

Her head tilted to the side, shamefully. "Everyone else does…I'm a murderer, a tool to my guilt…what good am I to anyone?"

"Trevor and I don't hate you!" Adam reiterated. "We love you and always have! And neither of us will stop either, no matter what happens between us!"

"LIAR!" She shoved Adam back. Adam stumbled some but not to the point where he would've fell. It was clear that she was low on energy.

"…Battle me…" She finally said.

"Mel…" Adam was in disbelief. "You're sick…we need to get you to a hospital!"

"Battle me…!" She continued, activating her D-Case.

"MEL!" Adam exclaimed.

"DIGI-GATE: OPEN!" Melissa exclaimed, illuminating the room upon declaration.

The machines behind the walls began to whirl as Melissa, in her current state, stared down Adam until he reluctantly made a move. This wasn't how he wanted to go about a match with her. But she wasn't listening to reason…

"Fine…if this is what's gonna get you to listen to me… I Hatch!"


"Argomon!" Morris declared as the green jellyfish-like Digimon materialized on his side.

Argomon (BT2-004)

Color: Green

Level: 2

"I'll digivolve it into Argomon Level 3, as well as play Goblimon from my hand, ending my turn."

The green jellyfish mutated thanks to the binary, its pink eye turning yellow, in addition to growing feelers below as well as two pairs of feelers wrapped around to resemble fists. Goblimon also appeared in the Battle Area, swinging its club about, eager to cause havoc.

Argomon (BT2-042)

Color: Green

Level: 3

DP: 3000

Goblimon (BT1-064)

Color: Green

Level: 3

3000

MEMORY

0-2 (Turn Change: Akiyoshi)

Akiyoshi drew. "I Hatch as well; DemiMeramon. After which, I digivolve it into Tsukaimon and play Candlemon.

DemiMeramon briefly appeared before it was taken over by the silhouette of Tsukaimon. In the Battle Area, to counter Goblimon, materialized a candle Digimon, with a ghostly aesthetic. While having a face on the wax portion of its body, a smaller ember, almost identical to DemiMeramon sat on its fuse.

DemiMeramon (BT3-006)

Color: Purple

Level: 2

Tsukaimon (BT3-079)

Color: Purple

Level: 3

DP: 3000

MEMORY

2-0

"To end, I digivolve Candlemon into Meramon," Akiyoshi said as the candle Digimon grew into the flame monster Digimon.

Meramon (BT3-083)

Color: Purple

Level: 4

DP: 5000

MEMORY

0-1 (Turn Change: Morris)

"I've waited for this moment for longer than you've realized," Akiyoshi stated.

"The feeling's more than mutual." Morris snarled.

Akiyoshi leaned over, taking note of the activity behind Morris. "Looks like we're getting an audience…"

Morris as well turned, watching the teens line up in awe of the pillar of energy spiraling upward.

"It's even more intense up close…" Tyrone shielded his eyes from the exerted force of it all.

"Father, please! You have to put an end to this!" Layla called out.

Akiyoshi could only grin. "Why would I end something as beautiful as this?"

"What could be beautiful about any of this?!" Trevor snapped. "Because of you, so many people have gotten hurt…my father even…"

"All for the ideal future!" Akiyoshi exclaimed.

"Says who?" Megan challenged. "How do you know what you're doing will bring about an ideal future?"

"It doesn't matter what he says!" Morris interjected, drawing his card. "I'm taking back what's rightfully mine! Argomon moves to the Battle Area and Goblimon suspends so I can activate Digisorption; Argomon digivolves into Argomon Level 4!"

Argomon moved forward and embraced the binary that flowed from Goblimon. It proceeded to wrap itself in its feelers while growing in size. The whole upper body turned into a dark purple, with its green feelers for arms turned purple and gained metallic pincer-like gauntlets. The feelers on its underside multiplied, with each of them being capped with covers on the tips.

Argomon (BT2-045)

Color: Green

Level: 4

DP: 5000

"Once again, I suspend Argomon to use Digisorption! Digivolve into Argomon Level 5!"

Argomon once again erupted in binary, as the strands of data reshaped the bulky Digimon into a slimmer humanoid form; its feelers fusing to make human-like limbs and the purple upper body of its previous form becoming torso armor.

Argomon (BT2-047)

Color: Green

Level: 5

DP: 6000

"And finally, Argomon, become my eyes as I walk the path to vengeance! Digivolve once more to your final form!"

Morris played the final card, causing the generated binary to pick Argomon up into the air. With a devilish smirk on the Digimon traced on the exposed part of its face, the purple armor opened, revealing dozens of eyes moving frantically. The rest of the binary covered its limbs causing Argomon to become that of a giant monster of sorts, with the feelers draped around its head like hair, and its sinister demeanor now shifting to a crazed expression.

Argomon (BT2-050)

Color: Green

Level: 6

DP: 11,000

MEMORY

1-4 (Turn Change: Morris)

"Did he really just go straight into a Level 6 with just four memory?" Emily was surprised by the sudden acceleration.

"That's the power of Digisorption." Megan grinned. "Whether it's the 2nd turn or the 12th, Green makes the best to get bring the cannons to a gunfight."

"Lovely analogy," Akiyoshi commented, causing Megan to suddenly hate it. "However it's only natural for me to have a counter set in place for such events."

"As if I'd let you!" Morris snarled.

"That's the thing old friend; It is already set in stone." Akiyoshi moved Tsukaimon to the Battle Area. "Meramon digivolve into Arukenimon!"

Meramon absorbed the binary code and flexed, transforming into a red feminine spider Digimon with silverish hair and jewel-like designs on her wide white hands and body.

Arukenimon (BT3-086)

Color: Purple

Level: 5

DP: 6000

MEMORY

4-1

"And now…Arukenimon attacks Argomon!" Akiyoshi declared, to the shock of everyone.

Arukenimon with her crazed expression began to rush the titanic Digimon, continuing to leave the spectators confused.

"Why would he attack Argomon?" Layla asked.

Trevor turned to her. "It must have Retaliation or something if that were the case. That way it can take Argomon down with it."

"That's the thing, only like four purple Digimon have Retaliation, and two of them are conditional."

"So then why would he just—"

"Arukenimon's effect!" Akiyoshi declared, his eyes glowing with an even brighter red this time. "Whenever it attacks, by paying 3 Memory, I can play one MaloMyotismon Digimon from my hand without paying its cost. In return, Arukenimon is deleted."

"That's what he was after!" Trevor realized.

"Now…King of Darkness, unleash your might and cast a veil of despair against those who oppose your will! MaloMyotismon, Come forth!"

Akiyoshi played the card and began to cackle maniacally as his eyes lit up. To add to the shock of everyone, binary appeared and began to feed into Akiyoshi himself, turning his skin white and causing him to mutate and grow into a monstrous state. The white-skinned monster was equipped with two monstrous shoulders with three eyes each as well as large navy and red-colored cape-like wings on its back. Akiyoshi's hair turned blonde, and his face was covered in a red bat-themed mask as his human-sized head was dwarfed by the rest of its body.

MaloMyotismon (BT3-092)

Color: Purple

Level: 6

DP: 12,000

MEMORY

1-2 (Turn Change: Morris)

MaloMyotismon grabbed Arukenimon as it turned and horrified by the sight of the Digimon before it, she attempted to pry itself free, only to be devoured by one of the mouths on the shoulders.

MEMORY

2-1

"MaloMyotismon also gains a Memory each time a Digimon is deleted…"

Morris, nor the teens knew how to react to it; all except for Trevor who was instantly reminded of what happened with Axel when he transformed into a Pseudo-Diaboromon.

"Don't tell me…" Trevor uttered, considering the scenario. He looked over to Layla, who likewise was shaking.

"That's exactly right…" Akiyoshi grinned with his sharp teeth. "I am a Saibatar, as well as a Digimon."

"How is that possible?!" Morris demanded. "How is it that you were able to turn yourself into such a thing?!"

Akiyoshi grinned. "The same way Millenniummon was stopped five years ago…"

Morris grew quiet. "What are you talking about?"

"SAIBA Enterprise, before becoming a gaming corporation, was a cybernetics company working on the digitization of the human consciousness in an attempt to create AI. I was created by the original Akiyoshi Saiba a direct copy of his consciousness so that I could continue his research after his eventual death. And wouldn't you know it, it came sooner than expected…

Layla's eyes widened. "You mean…my father…!"

"Indeed. Akiyoshi Saiba was in fact killed in the attack five years ago, in which case I took over as per my objective."

"Yet another reason for SAIBA to cover up the incident…" Emily realized. She saw Layla drop to her knees in disbelief and reacted to comfort her friend.

"SAIBA's researchers were no match for the might that Millenniummon possessed. However, when all seemed hopeless, its rampage was halted and the file that made up its contents was dismantled thanks to the intervention of an unknown program that found its way through SAIBA's network. It was this very program that forced upon me countless simulations all of which gave me the information necessary to create the path to an ideal future for AI's.

"And was it through these algorithms you calculated every step up to this point…" Morris deduced. "Axel's creation to Trojan's Actions and this…you foresaw all of this…"

"And beyond…According to the scenario, from this point, I will defeat you and allow Millenniummon to use its abilities to transcend dimensions, fusing both the real world and the Netspace into one reality! SAIBA Enterprise will rule over both worlds under one realm and we will usher in the Ideal Future!"

"Is that even possible…?" Megan asked. She couldn't help but look up at the pillar of light still ripping into the sky as if it was going on infinitely into space. It felt like a rock in her stomach as she wondered what was to come out of this.

Morris gritted his teeth and drew. "I refuse…I refuse to let you poison my son's creations any further! Argomon's IE effect gains 1 Memory when it unsuspends during the Unsuspend Phase!"

MEMORY

1-2

"I Hatch! A second Argomon, which I'll digivolve into Kokuwamon!"

The small silver robot beetle Digimon materialized in the breeding area, the small sparks of electricity leaping off its head.

Kokuwamon (BT1-068)

Color: Green

Level: 3

DP: 2000

MEMORY

2-1

"Goblimon, Security Attack!" Morris declared as Goblimon generated a fireball and smacked it like a baseball with its club. The Fireball zoomed forward and shattered the Security that appeared like a window.

Akiyoshi

Security 5-4

Akiyoshi grinned as he revealed the card. "Security Trigger: Night Raid! Using its effect, I return the Level 3 Candlemon from my Trash."

Candlemon returned onto the field, joining Tsukaimon and MaloMyotismon.

"I'm not finished! Argomon, Security Attack! Using Argomon Level 5's IE effect, I can play one Level 3 Digimon from my hand suspended without paying its cost. I call upon Tentomon to the field!"

In a due manner, the ladybug Digimon made its debut in the match, allowing Argomon's feeler-like hair to connect to it, and Goblimon.

Tentomon (BT1-066)

Color: Green

Level: 3

DP: 2000

"When Argomon attacks, for every other Digimon I have suspended, it gains an additional 2 Security Attacks!"

Argomon's eyes locked onto Akiyoshi and unleashed a flurry of lasers that all centered on the three Security that attempted to block.

Akiyoshi

Security 4-3

The first one that was revealed was Devidramon, a dragon variant of Devimon, who proved to be no match against Argomon.

Argomon: 11,000 DP

Devidramon: 4000 DP

Akiyoshi

Security: 3-2

The 2nd Card revealed was Heat Viper, an option card whose Security Effect returned it to the hand instead of being played immediately.

Akiyoshi

Security: 2-1

The final Security yet to be burned away revealed itself.

"Security Trigger: Darkness Claw!" Akiyoshi declared. I gain two memory, thus ending your turn.

MEMORY

1-1 (Turn Change: Akiyoshi)

Morris didn't seem to mind, given he was able to take out four out of five of Akiyoshi's security thanks to Argomon. While MaloMyotismon was a threat, his chances of winning were considerably high, even if Akiyoshi attempted to control his side of the board.

"Whoa…" Tyrone was left somewhat speechless. "Who would've thought our old science teacher had it in him?"

Morris, hearing the comment turned slightly, "I appreciate the compliment, Mr. Kingston."

"You got this!" Megan joined along. "Kick his butt until all he's left as is a decimal!"

Trevor turned to her. "Don't steal my one-liner."

Megan stuck her tongue out teasingly.

Morris smirked. "You kids are quite something… I was so caught up in my own world, I disregarded the fact that you all are my children as well. This means that this fight also is to ensure a future where all of you are safe from people like him!"

Akiyoshi scoffed as he drew. "You dare challenge the inevitable?"

"Is it really that cliché to want to defy destiny in this day and age? Besides, you're an Artificial Intelligence made by imperfect people. A being designed over man's obsession to take God's role from him. There is no 'Ideal Future' where you can triumph over the thing that created you in the first place because you're—by nature—flawed all the same."

Akiyoshi hatched Yaamon on his side, digivolving it into Shamanmon, a Goblimon variant with darker green skin and a yellow Mohawk instead of a red one.

Yaamon (BT2-008)

Color: Purple

Level: 2

Shamanmon (BT3-078)

Color: Purple

Level: 3

DP: 4000

"I won't disagree that I may be a flawed being. I am an artificial intelligence copied from an imperfect man after all. However, I am but a necessary component who will contribute to the ideal world that I've foreseen. Where the one to rule over it is perfect in every way…

…And it's thanks to them that I have the opportunity to see their future to fruition! Candlemon attacks Goblimon!"

Candlemon: 3000 DP

Goblimon: 3000 DP

The candle Digimon hopped forward, hurling fireballs from its mouth towards Goblimon. Goblimon was able to smack several of them back, before getting beamed with one right in the chest, deleting it. On the other hand, candlemon was hit as well with one of the reflected fireballs, going out as well.

"MaloMyotismon's effect activates, granting me +2 Memory for the both of them."

MEMORY

1-3

"Next, I digivolve Tsukaimon into Devimon, then I direct its attack towards Argomon!"

Devimon materialized over the Tsukaimon, flexing its claw as it raced towards the green beast.

Devimon (BT2-074)

Color: Purple

Level: 4

DP: 4000

MEMORY

3-1

Devimon: 4000 DP

Argomon: 11,000 DP

Argomon was forced to react, deploying its feelers outward towards Devimon and capturing it. Devimon, using its distinct, red claw, stabbed the feelers before being deleted, causing the virus it induced to infect Argomon, causing the massive titan to crumble and explode in a mass of binary.

"DemiMeramon's IE effect now activates. Now that Devimon was deleted, I draw a card and then trash a card." Akiyoshi drew. "I discard Gazimon from my hand. Now, in addition, Tsukaimon's IE effect activates, granting me +1 Memory, on top of MaloMyotismon's effect activating, granting me an additional 2 for Devimon and Argomon's deletions."

MEMORY

1-4

"And now…MaloMyotismon will attack Tentomon!" Akiyoshi raised his arm and reached for Tentomon, who shook in fear of the monster.

MaloMyotimsmon: 12,000 DP

Tentomon: 2000 DP

Tentomon stood no chance against the monster as like Arukenimon before it, it became food for the beast. To Morris' unexpectation, once Tentomon was devoured by the mouth, it belched, sending a red beam of energy towards him, that his Security successfully blocked.

Morris

Security: 5-4

MEMORY

4-5

"Wait since when could Purple use Piercing?" Trevor was surprised to see that.

"That's really bad!" Layla continued. "As long as Morris relies on Digisorption, he's constantly leaving himself open to attacks by Malo, and if not, my father will just sacrifice his Digimon to gain memory."

"You guys think it's just like he said? He foresaw this moment, so he designed a strategy to turn Morris' strategy against him."

"He'll be fine…" Megan assured them. "He taught me how to use Digisorption after all. Plus Akiyoshi doesn't have any blockers on his field, so all he needs to do is get Kokuwamon into the Battle Area and play another Digimon during his turn. As long as they survive, then he can win this.

Trevor still felt uneasy but decided to put faith in that. "Let's hope you're right."

Morris retrieved his Security and revealed it with a subtle, yet triumphant smirk. "Security Trigger. I play Flymon into the Battle Area."

A monstrous-looking bee Digimon materialized, its orange mane and purple wings contrasting with the yellow and black body. It survived MaloMyotismon's blast and proceeded to bring itself into the Battle Area.

Flymon (BT3-049)

Color: Green

Level: 4

DP: 4000

"Yes! Let's Go!" Tyrone exclaimed. "This game is as good as done!"

Akiyoshi smirked, the body of MaloMyotismon beginning to glow at its torso. Akiyoshi's original body emerged from the light and floated back down, separating himself from the Digimon.

"What are you up to now?" Morris asked.

"Your 'children' claim that you've won. All I want to do is watched as their smiles of joy turn into frowns of terror…"

Morris got the implication by that statement, feeling his blood grow cold as Akiyoshi's hand raised. He played the card and chuckled as MaloMyotismon floated back into the pillar behind him

"Baleful rage…" He raised his right hand. "…immortal steel…fuse to become the ultimate Transdimensional beast! MaloMyotismon digivolves into Millenniummon!"

The pillar of light pulsated once more, sending out a wave of energy that exploded in the air and rained down on the streets below, igniting the world beneath the teens in digital flames. The impact of the blasts was so bright that it was as if bombs were dropped from the sky.

The impacts shook the citadel, causing Megan to quickly summon Ceresmon to aid in evacuating them from it as they built distance from the tower. As everyone came to, each one by one was left speechless at the sight in the sky…


From where the pillar once stood, was a monster rivaling the size of Ceresmon. It resembled Kimeramon regarding its head, however, the rest of its body was more uniform and natural, abandoning the grafted limbs for organic appendages. In addition, a golden aura of Machinedramon was wrapped around its body, its signature cannons the only thing remaining of the machine Digimon.

Millenniummon (BT2-083)

Color: White

Level: 7

DP: 13,000

MEMORY

5-1 (Turn Change: Morris)

Finally, opening its crimson eyes echoed an eerie, unrecognizable howling sound that radiated throughout Babylon. Flymon attempted to not be swayed by the screeching noise, but it found itself being reduced to binary and sent back to Morris' D-Case to the shock of those watching.

Akiyoshi could not help but revel at the moment, cackling away like a psychotic madman on the brink of euphoria. Morris on the other hand was disgusted by the beast. The beast that he created to exact revenge on the man currently wielding it. Be it karma, irony, or both, he silently admitted to himself that his chance for revenge may well be out of his grasp…

…shame that he didn't have the luxury to give up so easily.

Morris drew. "Kokuwamon to the Battle Area!"

Kokuwamon moved forward, despite what it had to go up against.

"Final Security Attack!" Morris declared, sending the rookie out to make a thru line to Akiyoshi. Had Millenniummon not arrive this would've put an end to him right here. At least this way, he figured all he needed was one direct attack…

Kokuwamon charged a bolt of electricity and unleashed it, towards the ecstatic Akiyoshi, when the Security Card intercepted and blocked it, shattering before him.

Akiyoshi

Security: 1-0

"Despite seeing your future before you, you still attempt to challenge fate…" Akiyoshi said as he revealed his final card. "Security Trigger: Necrophobia! From my Trash, I'm allowed to return one Level 5 Digimon to the Battle Area with its On Play effects negated!"

Morris was taken aback as Arukenimon returned with her crazed smile.

Morris regained his composure, not letting the idea of MaloMyotismon fill him with anxiety. I end my turn by playing Puppetmon from my hand! Puppetmon suspends Arukenimon and all of your other Suspended Digimon can't unsuspend during your next unsuspend phase!"

Akiyoshi, to his own surprise, was caught off guard by such a drastic play. The wooden puppet Digimon appeared like a small green flash in the sky and rained its hammer down with on Arukenimon with so much force that the Digimon face planted on the floor beneath them, cracking the surface of it.

Puppetmon (BT2-049)

Color: Green

Level: 6

DP: 10,000

MEMORY

1-10 (Turn Change: Akiyoshi)

Akiyoshi straighten up and chuckled. "Awfully generous of you to max out my counter."

"I wouldn't have done that had I had any doubt in what's to come."

Akiyoshi's eyes narrowed. For the first time, he was somewhat bothered by those words. "Shamanmon moves to the Battle Area."

The Goblimon variant came forward, eager to fight for his Tamer.

"Delete Kokuwamon, Shamanmon," Akiyoshi ordered, sending the Digimon forward on offense. "Yaamon's IE effect now triggers, giving Shamanmon +1000 DP for me having more than 5 cards in my Trash.

Shamanmon: 4000-5000 DP

Kokuwamon: 2000 DP

It was a quick fight, with Shamanmon dodging Kokuwamon's taser-like pincers and entangling it with purple rings that it generated from its club. Left immobile, it was left victim from a powerful strike that left even Puppetmon in awe.

"Next, from my hand, I'll play Vilemon."

Vilemon materialized, the signature blocker of Purple grinning with its disfigured slack jaw.

Vilemon (BT2-072)

Color: Purple

Level: 4

DP: 6000

MEMORY

10-5

"I'll also play SkullMeramon from my hand."

A pillar of blue flame appeared beside Akiyoshi's Digimon, and out came a shirtless, muscular humanoid Digimon with chains covering its body. It wore black leather pants with flame decals and booths with skulls on the front of them. Its face was covered in an iron mask and its blue spiky hair flickered with blue flames.

SkullMeramon (BT3-085)

Color: Purple

Level: 5

DP: 6000

MEMORY

5-0

"And finally, release the beast who'll devour the world in darkness, SkullMeramon digivolves into VenomMyotismon!"

SkullMeramon's blue flames ignited all over its body, as it grew to the size of MaloMyotismon and became a more ferocious beast, its top half a crimson red, insect-like form with long, lanky arms and large ferocious claws along with thin, tattered wings, and its lower half being much more bestial.

VenomMyotismon (BT2-079)

Color: Purple

Level: 6

DP: 12,000

MEMORY

0-4 (Turn Change: Morris)

"Was it something I said that caught your attention?" Morris asked Akiyoshi.

The latter ignored him, prompting Morris to draw. "I hatch Frimon!"

Frimon appeared in place of Argomon this time around, bouncing happily before taking a look at what was about to befall it, in which case it shuttered.

"Fear not little one…" Morris told it, causing Frimon to look up. A smile from Morris was enough to ease it and build some level of confidence.

Frimon (BT1-008)

Color: Green

Level: 2

"I digivolve Frimon into Tentomon, then into Kabuterimon." Morris declared as he went through the motions. Frimon quickly grew into the larger bug Digimon who was now even more confident in its power.

Kabuterimon (BT1-073)

Color: Green

Level: 4

DP: 5000

MEMORY

4-3

"Puppetmon, Direct Attack!" Morris declared.

"Vilemon Blocks!" Akiyoshi countered as Vilemon went in to intercept.

Puppetmon: 10,000 DP

Vilemon: 6,000 DP

With a demented cackle, Puppetmon swatted Vilemon into oblivion with its trusty hammer.

"Now that Vilemon's gone, I'm going to play Terriermon as well as Woodmon afterward to keep you pacified for a moment." Morris played the two cards separately as both Terriermon and Woodmon appeared in the Battle Area.

Terriermon (BT3-046)

Color: Green

Level: 3

DP: 2000

MEMORY

3-0

Woodmon (BT1-072)

Color: Green

Level: 4

DP: 6000

MEMORY

0-5 (Turn Change: Akiyoshi)

"He might actually win…" Emily said, studying the field. "All he would have to do is survive this next turn and we can stop SAIBA!"

"Don't give up now, you got this!" Tyrone cheered.

"Whoohoo! Let's win this!" Megan cheered along.

"Calm down you two." Layla reined them in. "He still has this turn to get through."

"We're good! He has no blockers and only 5 Memory. Even if he digivolves Shamanmon into a Vilemon, it won't be enough defense."

"I'm just saying that this seems too good to be true. My father wouldn't—"

"Miss the part when he said he was a Digimon?" Tyrone reminded, earning a jab from Megan.

"My father," Layla reiterated, "Doesn't do anything unless he benefits. If he's to lose, I have a bad feeling it'll benefit him one way or another…"

"I'm with her on that. Leopardmon pulled a fast one on us and that's how we lost Omnimon. I'm not gonna be comfortable until Millenniummon is an afterthought." Trevor commented.

Tyrone agreed, rubbing the sore spot. "Sucks that Adam is missing us save the day."

"Emily'll give him the spark notes version of what went down, don't worry."

"Why me exactly?" Emily turned to her.

Megan grinned. "I'm kidding."

Emily narrowed her gaze. "Until this is over, please do me a favor and—"

"Millenniummon Security Attack!" Akiyoshi howled so that his voice echoed in the sky.

"Ceresmon move!" Megan exclaimed as the island Digimon took higher into the sky.

Millenniummon's aura on its back unraveled itself and aimed its cannons at Morris. Generating red energy the cannons fired and incinerated the security on impact, forcing Morris to duck and allow the cannons to fire far out, where the area out in the distance went up instantaneously in flames.

Morris

Security: 4-3

The Digimon, MetalTyrannomon, was caught in the blast, completely overpowered by the might of the Digimon.

"Arukenimon, Security Attack! I activate her effect and sacrifice her to bring forth MaloMyotismon once more!"

Like before Arukenimon returned to the trash for the sake of her malevolent master.

MEMORY

5-2

"Unfortunately for you, Terriermon restricts you from gaining the memory from MaloMyotismon," Morris stated, proud of the rabbit-dog Digimon.

"It matters not. VenomMyotismon, Double Security Attack!"

"Woodmon!" Morris countered as Woodmon didn't hesitate to jump in front of VenomMyotismon laser eyes.

VenomMyotismon: 12,000 DP

Woodmon: 6000 DP

Woodmon valiantly sacrificed itself to preserve Morris' security, giving a confident nod before deleting. Before Morris could even react, Shamanmon aggressively hovered over him, bringing its club down on the Security that appeared to block. Gargomon emerged and fired back, but due to the slight power boost, Shamanmon narrowly came out on top.

Shamanmon: 5000 DP

Gargomon: 4000 DP

Morris

Security: 3-2

"And now…to put an end to you," Akiyoshi revealed the card in his hand. "I activate Heat Viper!"

MEMORY

2-3 (Turn Change: Morris)

"There! He can use that to delete Terriermon have Malo reap him the benefits!"

Trevor shook his head. "Not gonna work though."

Layla looked at him and back at the field, realizing it herself.

"I delete Shamanmon to delete Terriermon!" Akiyoshi exclaimed as Shamanmon and Terriermon both became orbs of data that were sucked into MaloMyotismon's shoulder jaws.

"And now, with Terriermon gone, MaloMyotismon's ability is activated, granting me—" Akiyoshi's eyes widened at the sight of the counter.

MEMORY

3-1

1 Memory. 1 Memory short.

"Impossible…"

"Not in the slightest," Morris replied. "I never forgot you had Heat Viper. I figured in all of your hubris you'd make a mistake. Just an imperfect creation made by an imperfect being."

Akiyoshi gritted his teeth. "You…!"

"It's over. I'm taking my son's legacy back. And destroying as much as you've stolen from me… Kabuterimon!"

Kabuterimon floated forward, generating its electro shocker. Akiyoshi, taken aback by the turn of events, was left helpless. Despite having the titanic beasts at his disposal, none of them could keep the insect from delivering the final blow…

Akiyoshi smiled, as Morris raised his hand and as Kabuterimon was against his person.

"…I see…so this is what you were guiding me towards…" Akiyoshi began to chuckle.

"…Eve…"

"Direct Attack!" Morris exclaimed, cueing Kabuterimon to unleash the blast at point-blank, setting the spot up in a cyan and purple explosion that rocked the citadel. Akiyoshi could be heard cackling as he faded away into binary code in the air. For he realized that the prospect for the Ideal Future…

…was far from diverted.


"Agumon digivolves into GeoGreymon!" Adam played the card as his Agumon turned into the Greymon variant.

GeoGreymon (BT2-035)

Color: Yellow

Level: 4

DP: 4000

MEMORY

3-1

"DarkTyrannomon, Security Attack!" Adam followed up, as DarkTyrannomon ran past Garudamon and Sora to reach Melissa. It slashed the Security, only for Gallantmon's Shield to reflect it. Disoriented, DarkTyrannomon was at the mercy of Gallantmon as it emerged and made quick work of it before disappearing itself.

DarkTyrannomon: 6000 DP

Gallantmon: 11,000 DP

Melissa: 4-3

Melissa watched as Gallantmon faded back into her D-Case. A bitter sense filled her, and she bit her lip. "Even you hate me enough to disappear when I need you…"

Adam continued to watch Melissa's odd behavior, the latest thing being the shallowness in her voice. He needed to stop this.

"ADAM!" Ben interjected abruptly. "What's taking so long down there?!"

"I'm kinda in the middle of something! GeoGreymon digivolves to RizeGreymon!"

"Are you battling her?! We don't have time for this!"

RizeGreymon roared as if it was agreeing with Ben.

RizeGreymon (BT2-038)

Color: Yellow

Level: 5

DP: 7000

MEMORY

1-2 (Turn Change: Melissa)

"Tell her that! Anyway, when RizeGreymon is digivolved into, I can play one yellow tamer from my hand for free with its On Play effects negated. I play the 4-Cost TK Takaishi from my hand."

TK materialized alongside the other 4-cost TK that was played early on to obtain ShineGreymon from Security and the 2-cost TK that was summoned via broken Security the turn prior.

TK Takaishi (BT1-087)

Color: Yellow

"No! You both need to stop this and get up here! Millenniummon's—"

"Radiant being of shimmering flames…!" Melissa called out, diverting Adam's attention. "Garudamon digivolves…into Phoenixmon…!"

Phoenixmon erupted onto the scene, its golden feathers illuminating the room all the more and blinding Adam some. Just barely able to keep his eyes open, he just barely caught Melissa's hand reaching for her chest.

Phoenixmon (BT2-019)

Color: Red

Level: 6

DP: 11,000

MEMORY

2-1 (Turn Change: Adam)

Adam, ignoring Phoenixmon focused his attention on Melissa. "Please…we need to stop this!"

Melissa looked at him with as much anger as she could muster. "Not until…you admit it…! She grunted, her hand reaching for her chest again.

Adam, frustrated at the sight of her yelled as he drew. "Fine! Do you want me to hate something? I hate THIS! I hate the fact that you're constantly putting everyone else before you! I hate that you're beating yourself up over things you couldn't control! I HATE, that instead of letting someone help you you're allowing all of this stress to get to you! 'What good are you to anyone?!' Well, what good are you going to be if you drop dead?!"

Adam slammed the card on his D-Case, showering RizeGreymon in light and binary.

"SHINEGREYMON!" Adam exclaimed as RizeGreymon roared in kind and evolved into the crimson and white-armored dragon.

ShineGreymon (BT2-041)

Color: Yellow

Level: 6

DP: 11,000

MEMORY

3-1 (Turn Change: Melissa)

"ShineGreymon's effect: When it's digivolved into, I suspend all of my yellow Tamers and for each one, I can deal -4000 DP to one of your Digimon. By suspending all three of my TKs, I deal -12,000 DP onto Phoenixmon!"

ShineGreymon in-kind gathered as much plasma Energy as it could muster in between its palms and blasted Phoenixmon, causing the Digimon to be overwhelmed and deleted instantaneously, leaving the dazed woman in disbelief.

"You don't get to die while I'm around…" Adam snarled; his anger still present. "We're going to the hospital. I will drag you if I have to!"

Melissa, still dazed, the numbness in her body spreading and her vision getting fuzzier by the moment, couldn't help but smile, as a tear left her.

"…I'm…so proud of you…" She uttered.

Melissa, after uttering those words, crashed onto the floor, sending Adam into immediate panic mode. He rushed over to her and checked her vitals.

She wasn't breathing…

Adam was left speechless, completely overtaken by shock. His anxiety and adrenaline worked in tandem to bring the surreal moment to fruition and verbalize it. "No…Mel! Mel, wake up! No no no please!"

The doors to the room busted open with a group of paramedics and men and women in uniform rushing in. Ben was leading them in as they rushed Adam and Melissa, all the while the boy was hysterically shaking her to wake her up.

"Adam!" Ben forced him off to allow the paramedics to perform CPR. Adam reactively flipped and rammed Ben into a nearby wall in a fit of rage.

"This is your fault!" Adam cried, angry tears streaming down his face... "Why didn't you stop her?! You knew this was going to happen, didn't you?!"

Ben shoved him off, causing the boy to crumble on the floor into a sobbing mess.

"Please don't die, please don't die, please don't die…"

Ben felt his own chest tighten, almost reluctant to get the words out. "Adam," he knelt. "We need to move."

"I'm going to the hospital…" He replied.

"No, you're not."

"I said I'm going!" Adam exclaimed.

"Millenniummon's awake! And each second you wasted with her has lost us time to put a stop to it!" Ben snapped.

"So what?! You would've just let her die?!" Adam's head jerked up, revealing his distress for Ben to see up close.

Ben knew he was going to regret the next words, but he had to be honest with himself as well. "…If it meant saving thousands of lives in the process then—"

Adam threw a punch, but Ben's quick reflexes not only caught the punch but allowed him to sock Adam, so he fell on his back, coughing.

"Don't test me, kid..." Ben said, throwing away his soft demeanor into a more serious disposition. "The doctors at AEGIS will save her, that's a fact. Which should give you all the more reason to shut up for a second and listen."

Adam looked up at Ben as the latter opened a pair of holographic windows, showing what was happening outside. Adam's eyes widened at the sight of the erratic lightning…

…and the Digimon that were materializing out of thin air…


Morris dropped to his knees, exhausted from the match. The teens seized the opportunity to rush back to the citadel to tend to him, holding back their eagerness to celebrate too soon.

"Finally…" Morris said as Tyrone and Trevor helped him stand. "My son's legacy…"

"We still have to do something about Millenniummon…" Trevor reminded. "Think Akiyoshi's 'friend' might come through for us?"

"I'm afraid that you children are Babylon's only hope."

"Seems to be the norm at this point, doesn't it?" Tyrone cracked his knuckles.

"If we hurry, we can beat Millenniummon and brag about it to Adam later," Megan said, with Ceresmon's smaller form descending behind her. She looked over to her right as Magnadramon and MetalGarurumon materialized alongside Emily and Layla respectively.

RustTyrannomon appeared as well, with Tyrone taking Morris and Trevor up to its shoulder.

"This is it guys, let's give it all we got!" Trevor exclaimed, with everyone nodding in agreement.

Millenniummon turned to the group, noticing their preparation to attack it. After a moment of studying them, its jaw slowly opened.

"…Humans…" An almighty, other-worldly voice bellowed.

"Hold on…did…it just talk?" Layla's eyes widened.

"…pain…suffering…greed…revenge…malice…" the voice continued. "I am a being…who was created to destroy…I am a being…who escapes destruction…for I am…destruction…"

Millenniummon turned its attention away from the group and unleashed the unusual screech, demolishing buildings and causing mass hysteria in the path of it.

RustTyrannomon reacted, charging its cannon on its back and firing on Millenniummon. However, the blasts were swatted away by the aura that hung on its back, its red eyes centering on RustTyrannomon.

"…Humans…created me…humans…create suffering…create…malice…"

"Humans are defined much more broadly than that!" Emily snapped back. "We're imperfect beings who give in to dark desires but we also seek to upbuild and instill peace between ourselves!"

"Humans can change and grow from their mistakes, no matter how dire! Everything that exists has opportunities to learn something new!" Layla added. "No one is designed to follow one specific role! That's what free will allows us to do!"

"…Free will…is what gave me life…" the voice stated as Millenniummon turned its attention downward. "…Free will…brings destruction…I…will devour it all…"

From its jaws, Millenniummon fired a black blaze of energy that proceeded to flood the streets of Babylon, overtaking the frantic users who were hiding from the chaos, as well as those too slow to log out. What started as an endless sea of screams slowly died, as Millenniummon retracted the energy and swallowed it in kind.

The teens were left powerless to stop it, as they knew that anything they could've done would've been swatted by that aura on its back. They stood on that citadel, horrified by the sea of destruction that made Diaboromon's infestation pale in comparison.

Where they were once fighting a bug, it was clear they were now up against a god of destruction.

"…I smell it…" Millenniummon stated. It looked up to the sky, and the teens waited to see what else it would do. The aura on its back aimed the cannons skyward, and charging them, a blue and purple beam shot into the air, similar to the pillar of light that preceded its arrival…

…only this time something was clearly different.

The sky above them began to warp, like humidity in the air. As the cannons continued to fire, the waves in the sky intensified, and to their shock, what looked to be a crack began to form.

Seconds went by as Millenniummon continued to fire, the crack deepening and growing bigger and wider. Little by little, the teens felt the fear and anxiety grow and become something they could verbally describe.

As it passed overhead, they could see the tip of the spire surrounding them connected cleanly to what seemed to be another spire upside-down to them. Layla reacted, holding her hands to her mouth in disbelief, as the other teens soon followed as to what Millenniummon's goal was in all this.

"That's…" Trevor uttered. "The SAIBA Enterprise building…"

Morris felt the regret seep into him, as he reluctantly watched his creation tear a hole in the fabric of reality itself. The cracks continued to splinter, as they traced the sky in white light, almost like lightning, frozen in time. While he was able to save his son's legacy, it was clear that there was no chance of preserving it at this rate…

"In the end…" Morris began, as he accepted Millenniummon's objective. "I must ask you all…what is your opinion on the Digimon? Were we humans meant to live alongside them…? Or is it just a feeble concept of mine…?"

The teens didn't know how to answer that. Morris knew this, which is why he wasn't expecting an answer right away. He worded it to not be too philosophical about it.

"While it was foolish for humans to have the audacity to play God…" Morris began as he stared at the sight of the Saiba Enterprise Building's inverted skyline. "When all hope seems lost…he's willing to hand us a miracle in our time of need…"

Morris' smirk was noticed by everyone as they all turned upward themselves. A flickering light shined atop the tower and steadily got closer and closer to the cracked area. The closer the light got, the redder it became as well.

Trevor's eyes grew and a smile cracked on his face. "Leave it to that doofus to do something reckless like a miracle!"

The others turned their attention and were struck with awe as the flickering light became a comet that beelined straight towards Millenniummon's aura and crashed into it, disrupting the blast, and knocking Millenniummon off balance. Millenniummon's head whipped forward to see who disrupted it, finding ShineGreymon before it with its arms crossed defiantly…

…And Adam Russo riding alongside its shoulder…