A/N: Welcome one and all to Digimon TCG: X-Stream! If you're reading this, that means you opted to start with Riley's story. She tends to keep to herself for good reason, as you all will soon find out. Will her interactions with the rest of the cast help her break out of her shell? Or will her demons take hold of her once and for all…? We'll soon find out. If that isn't your cup of tea, Kaden's waiting in Imperial Advent, ready to tear up the Battle Area every which way. Either way, I hope you guys tag along with this ambitious project of mine, as, one way or another, I fully intend to push my creativity to the limit. With that said, Let's get to it.
This is: Digimon TCG X-Stream: Twilight Requiem…
[Central District, Omnia…]
"Lady Azurena said I'd find you here…"
As the purple shinobi left the Luxury Box, she took note of the fairy girl that stood before her. The two guards at the door were silent but alert, ready to jump in if need be.
"Why would she?" the purple shinobi asked.
"I would've found you one way or the other, Raven." the fairy said. "You're not that sneaky."
"What do you want?" Raven demanded.
The fairy, known as Syl, bit her lip. "I wanted to say goodbye."
"We've already done that."
"You did," Syl corrected. "You never gave me a chance to. Was it…because you don't want to?"
"Get away from me…" Raven snarled.
Syl approached closer. "I understand your pain. This situation isn't easy for me either, you saw that for yourself."
"What makes you think I care?!" Raven screamed. "I didn't ask for any of this!"
"Neither did I!" Syl argued, growing tearful. "It's not my fault…! I swear I don't want this…"
In an attempt to hide her emotions, Raven shoved Syl and walked past. Syl watched and reacted, reaching for her arm.
"Raven, please!" Syl attempted to grab her, but Raven charged ahead. Watching her dash in the darkness, Syl crumbled. "Raven…don't—don't leave me…! Please…!"
"RILEY!" Hearing her name made her jolt out of her covers, heaving and teary-eyed. Finding herself in her bedroom, she wasn't allowed to collect herself before a bang against her door made her jolt again.
"What?!" the black-haired girl shrieked in anger.
"Just making sure you're up." The female voice said on the other side. "I have class, so I'll see you later at the store."
"You're not going to give me a ride Sierra?" Riley wiped the sleep from her eyes.
The door opened, and a woman several years older than Riley popped her head in, her French-braided brunette hair hanging on her shoulder. "Now you know our job doesn't pay me to take anything other than the #6 Train."
"Yes, it does," Riley argued. "You're just cheap."
"Careful, or I'll have the new kid take this room."
Hearing that made Riley perk up. "What new kid?"
"We have a new hire; you'll meet him later on."
"Do I have to train him?" Riley furrowed her brow.
"If I said yes…?" Sierra's voice raised a little.
Riley rolled her eyes. "I'll see you later."
"You're the best, love ya," Sierra blew a kiss and closed the door. "Have a good day at school!"
Riley groaned and got out of bed. Taking the D-Streamer from her nightstand, she looked at the time. She had to pick up the pace a bit, but she had enough time to make it for the 7:30 AM Train. With that said, she left her room and took several steps into the two-bedroom apartment toward the bathroom to shower. Afterward, she got dressed, consisting of a black rocker t-shirt, choker, ripped black jeans, black and purple long gloves, and matching converse, the shade of purple reflecting in her short nails as well. She also applied black eyeliner and set several piercings in her ears, after which she shuffled her short black hair and made it look as neat as possible despite the shaggy look she was going for.
Finally, she went to the kitchen to grab a glass of water as well as a pill divider. She took her dosage of pills and exhaled, the bitterness taking her aback as it usually did. "Okay…" she took a deep breath. "Okay…" Absentmindedly looking at the wall clock, she saw it was 7:20 AM. Reacting naturally, she raced back into her room to grab all of her necessities, and out the door she was, ready to embrace the day as it came.
Chapter 1: Raven
Riley Ocasio sifted through the sea of students making their way to Claude Shannon High School, conducting herself like a shadow. She tended to avoid crowds if at all possible and wasn't on board with making friends, though she's been encouraged to. It wasn't her fault she had social anxiety. Her roommate and legal guardian, Sierra Levan, got her a job at the TCG Tower in Times Square, as she is one of two assistant managers stationed at that location. Riley spent the entire summer easing her way into it to the point where she could tolerate people.
The sounds of sirens going off drew the attention of the group of students surrounding her. As they turned to see what happened, she used their distractions to break out of the crowd and race into the school. She breathed a sigh of relief and continued to her locker.
As she walked past a virtual bulletin board, the advertisement of sports tryouts garnered her attention—specifically the track team tryouts. She was always a fast runner ever since she was little. She loved to run, in fact. But she hated crowds. And glaring eyes. And crowds that glared.
The bell rang, signaling to her that she had to run, ironically enough. As she did, she made a sharp turn and collided with someone coming from the opposite direction. They both fell back, Riley hitting the cold tile floor and immediately finding herself reactively heated. "Watch where you're going!"
"I'm sorry!" the other person exclaimed, fear lacing his voice. Riley sat up to get a look at the kid. He was a young husky kid—possibly a freshman, with black-rimmed glasses, curly brown hair, wearing a grey t-shirt and an open red plaid shirt, blue jeans, and white sneakers. The kid was left trembling as if he had seen a ghost.
Standing up, Riley allowed herself to offer him a hand, to which the boy sheepishly looked up at her. As he reached out, Riley reactively pulled her hand back and stepped back as well. A taller teen hovering behind the boy yanked him onto his feet.
"There you are, Milo!" he said, "I've been looking all over for you."
Riley took another step back, the presence of the new pair making her uneasy. The brute of a teen was Barry Marshall, a feared bully that Riley was sure was compensating for something. His lackey was also with him, Dexter Marwood, likely a victim of Barry's persuasion that was just as guilty of everything.
"W—what's up, B—Barry?" The kid known as Milo trembled a bit.
Barry smirked, and not wanting to get entangled in the ensuing mess, Riley dismissed herself, reminding herself that she had a minute until class started.
"And where do you think you're going?" Barry called out to her.
The chill that ran up her spine only made Riley pick up her pace, praying that Barry wouldn't follow her into her class. It was only after the late bell rung, and she was in her classroom, that she felt a twinge of guilt for abandoning that poor kid.
Though if she was being honest, it was better him than her…
Rather than go to the lunchroom, where the chaotic chatter would get the better of her, Riley took herself to the school's library to decompress. Aside from the situation that was this morning, her English Teacher, Mr. Salvatore, gave them a poetry assignment for homework.
He knows I'm not creative, so why would he do this to me? she thought as her head leaned up against the table. Even if she did have a starting point, her brain was on fire. She needed to decompress. Her D-Streamer reflected a little from the sunlight coming through the window next to her.
That was an idea.
Checking her surroundings, she took her headphones, synced them with her wrist device, and booted it up. She crossed her arms on the table and nuzzled herself in them, relaxing as she slowly drifted…
Riley soon came to. The bleak library aesthetic had now changed into the main street of the Eastern District's square. The fountain's running water behind her confirmed her location, and she stood, her purple shinobi attire fitting around her like a glove.
She was feeling better already.
After stretching her tense limbs, she bounced into the air, catching a bird's eye view of the surrounding area before landing on a rooftop. The Eastern District pulled a lot of Asian influences in its aesthetic, reflected in the buildings and culture. With her Saibatar Persona, Raven, being modeled after a shinobi, she felt right at home in the blue-affiliated territory.
And just like that, inspiration hit her.
It was a seed of an idea, but an idea, nonetheless. She took some steps back, then charged ahead, jumping off from one rooftop to another, twisting and twirling like a parkour enthusiast. She felt unrestrained, the wind rushing past her, throwing her long hair all which ways. If people were staring, she didn't care. She wasn't putting on a show for them. She wasn't dependent on their attention.
This was for her. It always has been and always will be.
"Hey, Nadir!" A sharp tone cut through the air, throwing Riley off as she landed. She took a hard landing but being that this was a virtual body, she was fine.
"Nadir, get down here!" That sharp tone came about once again; this time, Riley knew it was directed toward her. Looking down, a burly older man with a scowl stood, staring daggers into her. "Yeah, I'm talking to you!"
Riley jumped down from the building. Upon closer examination, she was able to tell this was a Palace Guard based on his uniform. "Is something the matter?"
"Yeah, something's the matter," he stomped forward. "Where does scum like you get off coming into our district? You get lost on your way to Central or something?"
"I have a special Visa," Riley said, revealing the pass.
"You mocking me?" he snarled, ignoring the documentation. "You know damn well your kind ain't allowed here!"
"What's your deal?" Riley said, stepping back. "I just told you I have permission!"
"That doesn't mean jack where you're concerned!" he matched her steps. "You low-life swamp dwellers cause nothing but trouble for the rest of us!"
"Says the one antagonizing me!" Riley spat.
The burly man growled. "I'll say it one more time; get out of my district."
"Or what?" Riley challenged, wanting to see how far he would take this.
The question triggered him into lunging, in which he ran straight into the wall instead. Riley dispersed into a clump of purple binary, whereas the real one was found looking down on the rooftop.
"I don't know what your problem is, but I'm not bothering anyone."
"You little brat!" He snarled. He reached for a whistle under his garments and blew into it, summoning several blue serpents Digimon with red tattered wings. Realizing the small army of Airdramon surrounding her, Riley grew hesitant.
"What are you thinking? This is a Neutral Zone, isn't it?!" Riley protested.
"It is. However, I'm placing you under arrest," he stated. "After her!"
Riley attempted to log out, but the Airdramon armada forced her to run instead. Continuing to hop off of rooftops, she eventually ran out and was forced to dive into the spectating crowd, continuing to run from the grotesque dragons that chased her.
Clearly, this was not what she had in mind when she came here initially.
She forwent her senses of direction, prioritizing getting to a safe place to log out. Eastern District Citizens all dove out of their way, not wanting to be caught in the crossfire, despite the burly man's insistence to stop her. She cut around corners and through alleyways, yet they remained persistent.
Eventually, Riley went so far north of the Eastern District that she hit the lake border between the East and Northern Districts. Lake Ryutei was an expansive lake that sat in the middle of the massive valley, where legend had it that it was created after a massive clash between the Eastern District's ruler Slayerdramon and the mechanized beast known as Breakdramon, back in ancient times. The Zenith District put a stop to the clash and helped each District come to an agreement, and they've been allies ever since.
The expanse itself was too big for Riley to cross without an aquatic Digimon. And the sight of a purple Digimon might be seen as retaliation, even if it's warranted…
"Thought you could escape, didn't you?!" The burly man's voice boomed, followed by the strong wingbeats of the dragons. Riley spun back, watching as the guard approached her. She took steps back, feeling her anxiety encroach.
"Stay back…" Her voice shook a little.
The guard grinned, savoring her fear. "Not so tough now, are you, kid?"
Riley was succumbing to his intimidation. Her legs began to buckle, and her heart was beating out of her chest. The amount of fear she was feeling for this guy was suffocating.
She swallowed and raised her arm. The burly man stopped and chuckled. "You think you can battle your way out of this, huh?"
Riley gritted her teeth and tried to stand her ground. "I…I won't surrender to you."
The burly man scoffed. "Very well then. As Captain of Lord Slayerdramon's Sapphire Squadron, I, Regaleus Khan, shall personally purge you from our district." He raised his arms and centered his gaze on his prey, "Prepare yourself, Nadir, for you've brought this punishment onto yourself."
Riley wasn't going to argue that. Though, she wasn't going to let him push her around, either.
DIGI-GATE: OPEN!
"I'll start by hatching Kokomon!" Riley stated, summoning a small brown-toned blob with floppy ears and three small horns.
Kokomon (BT7-006)
Color: Purple
Level: 2
"Kokomon digivolves into Lopmon, then I play Gazimon to end my turn."
Kokomon, through the use of the purple binary code, transformed into a small rabbit-dog Digimon with pink accents to compliment the brown aesthetic. Meanwhile, a grey bipedal weasel appeared as well, snickering and crossing its arms.
Lopmon (BT7-068)
Color: Purple
Level: 3
DP: 2000
Gazimon (BT3-077)
Color: Purple
Level: 3
DP: 2000
MEMORY
0-3 (Turn Change: Regaleus)
Regaleus drew. "I hatch Hiyarimon."
On Regaleus' side appeared a snow blob-like Digimon, resembling a bear with an ice beak.
Hiyarimon (BT8-002)
Color: Blue
Level: 2
"Hiyarimon digivolves into Gizamon, then into Ikkakumon!"
The small ice bear Digimon then cycled through its evolutions into a burly walrus Digimon with a black horn.
Gizamon (BT6-020)
Color: Blue
Level: 3
DP: 2000
Ikkakumon (EX1-016)
Color: Blue
Level: 4
DP: 6000
MEMORY
3-1
"I then end my turn by playing ModokiBetamon from my hand." Regaleus finished, summoning a neon-green variation of the amphibian Digimon.
ModokiBetamon (BT6-021)
Color: Blue
Level: 3
DP: 2000
MEMORY
1-2 (Turn Change: Riley)
Riley drew. "Lopmon moves into the Battle Area, then it will digivolve into Wendigomon!"
Lopmon was infused with binary and said infusion caused the small rabbit to undergo a monstrous transformation, becoming a large muscular creature covered in brown fur. Its upper body had red fur, complimenting its red eyes and pink lips. It had horns jutting from its shoulder blades, in addition to three coming from its head, of which was coming through a skull it wore on its head.
Wendigomon (BT7-070)
Color: Purple
Level: 4
DP: 5000
MEMORY
2-0
"When my Digimon digivolves into Wendigomon, I reveal the top five cards of my deck and discard any Tamers from among them. As for the rest, they go to the bottom of the deck." Riley explained. Wendigomon slammed the ground with its brawny fist, summoning binary through the fractures to make up the five cards: NeoDevimon, Devimon (ST6), Koichi Kimura, Kari Kamiya, and Gabumon. Koichi and Kari were sent to the trash while the rest went to the bottom.
"What a waste of your Tamers," Regaleus remarked.
"That's what you think," Riley said as she swiped a card over her device. "Wendigomon will now digivolve into Antylamon!"
The monstrous beast took the binary code and, as such, reformed into a slim, tall figure resembling a bipedal rabbit. Notably, its forearms were large with diamond patterns, it had red armor around its small torso, and it had baggy-footed pants. Opposed to its lesser counterpart, its red eyes stared rather blankly toward Regaleus as if it was silently studying him.
Antylamon (BT7-074)
Color: Purple
Level: 5
DP: 7000
MEMORY
0-3 (Turn Change: Regaleus)
"Upon Digivolving, Antylamon can pull one Purple Tamer from my Trash for free into play. I play Koichi Kimura from my Trash!"
Antylamon pressed against the fractured ground with its hands, drawing a purple binary to come through. Said binary reformed into a young boy with short black hair, wearing a mahogany long-sleeve, an open green button-down, white pants, and dark green/yellow sneakers.
Koichi Kimura (BT7-091)
Color: Purple
"When Koichi enters play, I draw, then discard a card," Riley said, drawing. She set the card in her hand, then discarded a second Lopmon. "It's your move."
"Gladly," Regaleus said, drawing. "You may think all of that you did just now is going to make a difference, but watch as I gut your Digimon before your eyes. Ikkakumon moves out!"
Ikkakumon crawled, heaving as it dragged its blubbery body forward into the Battle Area.
"Ikkakumon can attack unsuspended Digimon that don't possess sources. Ikkakumon, attack Gazimon!"
Ikkakumon: 6000 DP
Gazimon: 2000 DP
Riley braced herself as Ikkakumon fired its horn off its head. The black broke apart, revealing a small torpedo beneath. It flipped and crashed into Gazimon, stirring up dirt in Riley's face.
"ModokiBetamon now digivolves into Paledramon!" Regaleus announced, causing the amphibian to transform into a burly ice dragon covered with a white mane.
Paledramon (BT5-025)
Color: Blue
Level: 4
DP: 4000
MEMORY
3-1
"Paledramon's effect trashes the bottom two sources from Antylamon! I then digivolve it into Zudomon to rid you of the last source!"
Paledramon transformed further into a muscular gray seal Digimon with a spiked shell and orange fur covering its face, hands, and feet. It raised its hammer and slammed it onto the ground, sending a bolt of lightning to come careening down on Antylamon. All three sources were stripped, weakening it severely.
Zudomon (EX1-018)
Color: Blue
Level: 5
DP: 8000
MEMORY
1-2 (Turn Change: Riley)
Regaleus smirked as Riley processed her current situation. Nothing satiated him more than seeing a Nadir thug be backed into a corner. "By the way, during all turns, Hiyarimon gives Ikkakumon +1000 DP since you don't have a Digimon with sources beneath it."
Ikkakumon: 6000-7000 DP
"Trust me, it won't last." Riley hissed as she drew.
"Oh? Bring it then; show me what you got!" Regaleus challenged.
"I hatch Kokomon, then digivolve it into Gabumon!" Riley hatched and digivolved her Digimon into a yellow reptilian Digimon with a wolf pelt over its head.
Gabumon (ST6-03)
Color: Purple
Level: 3
DP: 2000
"Now my Tamer Koichi will embrace the power of the Darkness to Spirit Digivolve into Loweemon!"
Regaleus was caught off guard, watching as the boy flashed a black and grey device in his hand. He scanned the binary circling around him, which allowed him to transform into a tall, black-armored knight Digimon with a lion theme, his shoulder pads and chest plate resembling lion heads.
Loweemon (BT7-071)
Color: Purple
Level: 4
DP: 5000
MEMORY
2-0
"Since I have a Digimon with a source now, that means Ikkakumon loses its boost. Antylamon, it's time for some payback!"
Antylamon: 7000 DP
Ikkakumon: 7000-6000 DP
Ikkakumon attempted to fire more missiles at Antylamon, but the agile bunny cartwheeled around them and leaped into the air, delivering a solid axe kick that took down Ikkakumon.
I end my turn by digivolving Antylamon into the Fallen Beast King: Cherubimon!" Riley announced, causing a massive wave of binary to enrapture Antylamon into the air. soon the massive infusion of energy caused it to mutate into a massive beast Digimon, its body becoming purple with a green vertical stripe going down its torso. Its massive arms were veiny and its cold demeanor was now sinister as its piercing eyes locked onto Regaleus.
Cherubimon (BT7-079)
Color: Purple
Level: 6
DP: 12,000
MEMORY
0-4 (Turn Change: Regaleus)
"Cherubimon's effect plays Kari from my Trash," Riley stated, summoning the Tamer from her trash. She was a young brown-haired girl with a yellow shirt and suspenders. Very innocent looking, all things considered.
Kari Kamiya (BT4-097)
Color: Purple
Regaleus drew. "Nice try, kid. I hatch another Hiyarimon and digivolve it into Bulucomon."
Hiyarimon appeared and quickly transformed into a more child-like variation of Paledramon.
Bulucomon (BT5-022)
Color: Blue
Level: 3
DP: 2000
"Next, I play SnowAgumon, who will trash the top card of your digivolution stack. I target Loweemon!"
As the white-scaled Agumon materialized, Riley snickered, having an idea of what was coming.
SnowAgumon (BT8-022)
Color: Blue
Level: 3
DP: 2000
MEMORY
3-1
SnowAgumon huffed and blew a chilling wind at Loweemon, causing ice to develop around it and for it to stiffen. Zudomon afterward marched forward.
"Zudomon also can attack unsuspended Digimon without sources. Waste it, Zudomon!"
Zudomon: 8000 DP
Loweemon: 5000 DP
Raising its hammer, Zudomon swung down on Loweemon, causing it to disperse into a purple binary upon impact. Riley stood her ground regardless, though Regaleus wouldn't give her time to cope. "I end with Howling Memory Boost. I trash Antylamon from Cherubimon."
MEMORY
1-2 (Turn Change: Riley)
Zudomon crossed its arms and unleashed a forceful roar that shook the titanic Digimon, stripping it and leaving it de-powered, to Riley's disappointment.
Regaleus exhaled, feeling dominant in this situation. On the other hand, Riley looked at her building trash: eight cards so far and steadily counting up. As a purple player, it wasn't the worse thing in the world; but what good would stacked trash be if she couldn't survive past a turn?
"You're toying with me, aren't you?" Riley accused. "It's obvious you're more powerful than I am, so why prolong this?"
Regaleus wagged his finger. "After all the trouble you're kind has put us through, you can't blame me for wanting to savor this."
"Well, I don't think it's fair to punish me for something I'm not responsible for," she drew.
Regaleus' face relaxed. Riley could tell her words touched a nerve in him. "Tell that to the scum you call your brethren."
Riley didn't respond to that. She kept in mind that no matter what issues he had with the Nadir District, she wasn't involved, nor wanted to be. She just needed to escape from this guy, and to do that, she needed to beat him. "Gabumon moves out, then digivolves into Loweemon."
Gabumon adhered to the command and transformed into a new Loweemon as well.
MEMORY
2-0
She drew for digivolving and hesitated, the yellow card staring back at her. Its illustration depicted an angel Digimon resembling a young blonde-haired, blue-eyed angel boy wearing white robes with purple markings all along the left side of his petite body. The thought of Syl came to her mind, as this card served as a memento from her.
"Given up so soon?" Regaleus called out to her.
Riley shook herself out of her daze and firmed up. "Cherubimon attacks Zudomon!" she declared.
Cherubimon: 12,000 DP
Zudomon: 8000 DP
Conjuring a large ball of darkness, Cherubimon fired toward Zudomon. The Digimon used its hammer to attempt to smack it away, but the hammer phased through, swallowing Zudomon as a result. Loweemon was in the air as the darkness dispersed, coming down on Regaleus, armed with a lance.
"Loweemon, Security Attack! I forgo Kokomon's IE effect but activate Gabumon's, drawing and discarding a card from my hand!" She drew, then discarded the yellow card she had drawn prior. Loweemon, coming into striking distance, thrusts its lance forward, only intercepted by Regaleus' Security.
Regaleus
Security: 5-4
Emerging from it was a white Devimon that swiped back at Loweemon. Loweemon beat it back, causing the first damage in their altercation.
"Deleting my Cherubimon allows the cost of this card to be reduced by 8 Memory! Now, Cherubimon, purge the darkness from your being, and unlock your true power!" Riley played the card, causing a yellow binary to erupt around Cherubimon. Regaleus was naturally thrown as Cherubimon's evil aura mellowed out dramatically. Its purple skin became a creamy-pink hue, gaining gold accents and rings around the base of its ears. Its sinister glare was now soft and inviting, giving it a very warm appearance.
Cherubimon (BT8-043)
Color: Yellow
Level: 6
DP: 12,000
MEMORY
0-3 (Turn Change: Regaleus)
"This version of Cherubimon gives minus two Security Attacks to your Digimon for each Tamer I have in play. Since I have Kari, SnowAgumon gets the debuff," Riley explained as Cherubimon cast a small ring to restrain SnowAgumon. "In addition, my other Cherubimon, upon deletion, can play one Level 3 Digimon from my trash for each tamer I have. Since I have one tamer in Kari, I'll play Lucemon from my trash."
The name truly shocked Regaleus. "What did you say?!"
"Come forth! I summon you, Prince of the Zenith!" Riley called out. From the Digital gate above them came the angelic Digimon in all his glory, descending slowly and gracefully onto Riley's side. Lucemon silently opened his eyes, and smirked, sending a chill down Regaleus' spine.
Lucemon (BT4-115)
Color: Yellow
Level: 3
DP: 10,000
"Lucemon, when played, grants Recovery plus one," Riley said, gaining a Security.
Riley
Security: 5-6
Regaleus stood in awe, not able to comprehend this. How was it possible for a Nadir to have such powerful Zenith Digimon on her side? What was the meaning of this?
"How is it that you've gained the support of such powerful Digimon?!" Regaleus demanded to know.
"I told you before, I'm not what you assume I am." Riley defended herself.
Regaleus snickered, "It matters not. For all I know, you could've very well manipulated them to do your bidding."
This man was insane. "Believe what you want. They're gonna help me be rid of you."
"Is that so? Well then, have them deal with this since you're so confident in their abilities to rescue you!" He drew and threw his hand out. Bulucomon moves out, and I also activate the Delay ability of Howling Memory Boost, giving me two Memory!"
MEMORY
3-5
"SnowAgumon digivolves into IceDevimon, and Bulucomon into Paledramon, its ability trashing Loweemon's sources! Because of that, Bulucomon's IE will Trigger, regaining a Memory."
Both Digimon grew into their respective forms, with the latter sending a wave of ice to weaken Loweemon.
IceDevimon (EX2-014)
Color: Blue
Level: 4
DP: 4000
MEMORY
5-3
3-1
1-2
"Even though IceDevimon still has the minus Security Attack, I can still target it! Go now!"
Riley was surprised by such a play. That was until IceDevimon cast its claw out, targeting Lucemon. The misty appendage shot through the angel, turning it into yellow binary code, to which it returned to Riley's hand.
"IceDevimon bounces a source-less Level 4 or lower Digimon on your side of the Battle Area whenever it attacks, regardless of it connecting with its target," Regaleus explained. "I end my turn by digivolving Paledramon into Frozomon."
Paledramon roared as a clump of blue binary surrounded it, turning hard and encasing it in red steel. It eventually turned into a massive, sentient cyclops snowblower with triangular track wheels and two mechanical arms, one armed with a smoldering blade and the other a mechanical claw. Bits of ice shards decorated its body as well.
Frozomon (BT8-029)
Color: Blue
Level: 5
DP: 7000
MEMORY
2-1 (Turn Change: Riley)
Riley drew. IceDevimon was a problem, no doubt, but Frozomon, being a blocker, would stop Loweemon dead in its tracks if she tried to swing at it. If she didn't do anything, the IceDevimon would bounce Loweemon back to her hand.
The only option she had was to make use of that Devimon then.
"I hatch another Kokomon and digivolve it into Lopmon. Then, Cherubimon, Security Attack!"
Cherubimon conjured a spear of lightning and threw it toward Regaleus. It shot past Frozomon, confirming to Riley that Regaleus was taking the hit to ensure Loweemon stayed put.
Regaleus
Security: 4-3
From the Security came an equally sized walrus Digimon dressed as a Viking. Vikemon took its morning stars and clashed with Cherubimon as a result.
Cherubimon: 12,000 DP
Vikemon: 12,000 DP
With both Digimon securing a clean knockout on one another, Riley reluctantly cast the Level 6 to the trash and continued her turn. "With eleven cards in my trash, Lucemon's Play Cost is reduced by 8 Memory. Once more, I play it, recovering another Security as a result.
Just like that, Lucemon returned to the Battle Area and conjured another Security for her to add, putting her at 7.
Riley
Security: 6-7
MEMORY
1-4 (Turn Change: Regaleus)
Regaleus growled as he drew. To him, the fact that Lucemon's effect benefitted from a Nadir's strategy rubbed him the wrong way. It was definitely a trick if there ever was one. "I hatch another Hiyarimon, digivolve it into Gizamon, the Security Attack with IceDevimon, bouncing Lucemon back to your hand!"
Gizamon appeared in the Raising Area, with IceDevimon doing what it did before, sending Lucemon back, while also making contact with the Security, freezing it into shattering.
Riley
Security: 7-6
"LadyDevimon with 7000 DP!" Riley countered as the feminine Devimon variant made her appearance.
IceDevimon: 4000 DP
LadyDevimon: 7000 DP
In retaliation, LadyDevimon unleashed a swarm of bats that assaulted the ice devil, aggressively dispersing it into a blue binary cloud.
"Also, since a card was removed from my security stack, Kari suspends to gain me a Memory.
MEMORY
4-3
"I end by digivolving Gizamon into Ikkakumon and then into Frozomon." Regaleus finished, transforming his aggressive amphibian into a second aggressive snowblower.
MEMORY
3-1
1-2 (Turn Change: Riley)
Riley drew. Two 7000 DP blockers meant that she had a wall to break through. Fortunately, she was drawing into wall-breaking tools. "Loweemon Slide Digivolves into KaiserLeomon!"
Loweemon's chest lion head roared as binary surrounded it. Leaping into the air, Loweemon's body contorted and landed back onto the ground, the humanoid Digimon now looking like an armored lion version of itself, cannons protruding from its shoulder blades.
KaiserLeomon (BT7-073)
Color: Purple
Level: 4
DP: 6000
MEMORY
2-1
"KaiserLeomon, Security Attack!" Riley declared.
"Frozomon, go in and block it!" Regaleus countered.
KaiserLeomon: 6000 DP
Frozomon: 7000 DP
KaiserLeomon roared, charging forward towards Regaleus, clad in a black aura. Before it made it to the Security, Frozomon intercepted it and brought its flaming knife down on KaiserLeomon, resulting in a struggle. Despite its attempt to push further, Frozomon brought its other arm up and slammed KaiserLeomon on its back, staggering it enough to make the aura falter and for it to collapse, allowing Frozomon to deal the death blow.
"Nice try, but you're not getting past—!" Regaleus stopped, seeing the building corrosion on his Digimon.
Riley grinned, "I should've mentioned: since KaiserLeomon digivolved on top of a Hybrid Digimon, it gained Retaliation."
"Why you little—!" Frozomon's explosion interrupted Regaleus, the latter shielding himself from the small blast. "BRAT!"
"My Lopmon in my Raising Area digivolves into Devimon, then I play another Kari to end my turn."
Lopmon transformed into Devimon, the skinny devilish Digimon standing like a dark pillar. Meanwhile, a second Kari made her appearance next to Riley's initial one.
Devimon (ST6-08)
Color: Purple
Level: 4
DP: 5000
MEMORY
1-0
0-3 (Turn Change: Regaleus)
Regaleus drew. "Frozomon moves into the Battle Area. Now that you don't possess a Digimon with sources, the combined IE effects of Gizamon and Hiyarimon boost Frozomon by +3000 DP."
Frozomon: 7000-10,000 DP
"Security Attack!" Regaleus ordered, sending Frozomon ahead. Riley welcomed the attack, as this would trigger both of her Kari's. Frozomon, with its molten knife, slashed the Security in half.
Riley
Security: 6-5
And a trigger to boot; twice the luck. "Security Trigger! Grave Memory Boost to the Battle Area! On top of that, both Kari suspend, giving me two memory!
MEMORY
3-1
"I can guarantee you that won't save you," Regaleus stated. "Now, Frozomon, becoming the Frozen Marauder of the Tundra: Vikemon!"
Frozomon, after returning to Regaleus' side embraced the binary shower, transforming into Vikemon, who roared upon its completed transformation.
Vikemon (BT2-031)
Color: Blue
Level: 6
DP: 12,000
MEMORY
1-3 (Turn Change: Riley)
Riley drew. "I activate the delay effect of Grave Memory Boost to gain the extra two Memory. Then, I play Lucemon once more to regain my security!
Grave Memory Boost traded its place with the angel, the latter re-creating the security for Riley.
MEMORY
3-5
5-0
Riley
Security: 5-6
I end by digivolving Devimon into LadyDevimon." Riley finished transforming Devimon into its feminine counterpart.
LadyDevimon (EX1-060)
Color: Purple
Level: 5
DP: 7000
MEMORY
0-3 (Turn Change: Regaleus)
Regaleus drew. "I hatch one last Hiyarimon and digivolve it into Gabumon."
As stated, Regaleus' own Gabumon appeared on his side; all the while Vikemon readied itself to strike.
Gabumon (ST2-03)
Color: Blue
Level: 3
DP: 2000
"Vikemon, Double Security Attack!" Regaleus ordered, causing the massive Viking to retrieve its morning stars and stomp ahead. It then swung, taking out the first one.
Riley
Security: 6-5
"Security Trigger: Kari to the Battle Area!" Riley exclaimed, summoning the third tamer.
Vikemon then swung at the next one.
Riley
Security: 5-4
A pink variant of Gabumon, known as Psychemon, appeared, blown away by the force of the Security with its meager 2000 DP.
"All three Karis suspend because I lost a security, so that's plus three Memory!"
MEMORY
3-0
"Gabumon digivolves into IceDevimon, and I end my turn…" Regaleus said, evolving his Digimon.
MEMORY
0-2 (Turn Change: Riley)
"What's wrong?" Riley asked as she drew.
Regaleus furrowed his brow. "What?"
"You could've long since beaten me, yet you've continued to drag this out. Why?"
"You expect me to answer any more than what I already told you ?" he snarled.
"Could it be you underestimated me?" Riley asked. "You said you were savoring this; could it be I gained the upper hand before you could?"
Regaleus glared. "So what if you did? Regardless, I intend on making each and every one of your kind suffer, starting with you."
Riley was quiet while she formulated her next words. "Why do you hate the Nadir District so much?"
Regaleus scoffed, "Why? Because they're thugs and criminals. They take pleasure in nothing but terrorizing us citizens of Omnia. You want my opinion, it's because they lack a Sovereign."
"The Zenith District doesn't have a Sovereign either," Riley pointed out.
"Do you think they need one? Those 'holier than thou bureaucrats?' The day they subject themselves to anyone is when Omnia burns to the ground."
"Yet I don't hear you calling them criminals and thugs."
"That's because the Zenith District wasn't responsible for crippling my squadron!" Regaleus roared, silencing Riley.
Riley figured it was something similar, but it was clear now that she had confirmation. "I'm sorry that happened to you."
"I don't wanna hear it. Just accept that those lowlifes made you a scapegoat for my rage against them."
Riley hesitated upon hearing that. "Just…accept it?"
"That's right. Accept it."
Riley balled her hand into a fist. "No…"
Regaleus raised a brow as Riley's demeanor changed steadily. "LadyDevimon moves into the Battle Area and Security Attack! Kokomon's IE reveals the top three cards of my deck, and from among them I discard a Tamer from them!"
LadyDevimon smirked as she slowly floated forward, turning her left arm into a lance-like weapon to which she pierced the security. Meanwhile, the top three cards of Riley's deck revealed themselves: Koichi, Gazimon, and Wendigomon. Koichi was discarded and the latter two went to the bottom.
Regaleus
Security: 3-2
Mojyamon, a yeti-like Digimon, appeared, but quickly fell from LadyDevimon's strength.
"Lucemon, Security Attack!" Riley followed, the angel Digimon summoning a circle of yellow orbs that fired forth Arrows to pierce Regaleus' Security.
Regaleus
Security: 2-1
Zudomon appeared and stood up to its minuscule enemy, yet Lucemon flicked his wrist, summoning more arrows from above, and waved them down to rain hell upon Zudomon.
"Kari Spirit Digivolves into Loweemon! Go, Final Security Attack!"
One of the Karis began running, transforming into Loweemon, leaping into the air. It smashed Regaleus' security.
MEMORY
2-0
Regaleus
Security: 1-0
"Piranimon, counter it!" Regaleus revealed the 7000 DP Security Digimon chomping down on Loweemon upon landing. As the binary cleared, they were both staring one another down. "Got whatever that was out of your system yet?"
Riley gritted her teeth. "LadyDevimon, I grant you the power of the Ancient Warrior of Darkness! Swallow my enemy in eternal shadow as you digivolve into AncientSphinxmon!"
A massive ring of binary expanded around LadyDevimon, the force powerful enough to envelop the sky in shadow. Regaleus felt the cold chill come upon him as he watched LadyDevimon undergo her transformation. She turned into a lion-like Digimon, similar to KaiserLeomon but twice its size, and donned Loweemon's shield for its face. Gold, mechanical wings also extended from its back, making the Egyptian sphinx aesthetic more pronounced.
AncientSphinxmon (BT7-078)
Color: Purple
Level: 6
DP: 13,000
MEMORY
0-5 (Turn Change: Regaleus)
"When my Digimon digivolves into AncientSphinxmon, I can delete one of my Ten Warriors or Hybrid Digimon to delete one of your Digimon with a matching level as it. I delete AncientSphinxmon to delete Vikemon!"
Regaleus seethed as AncientSphinxmon roared forth a black hole behind Vikemon. Feeling the pull from it, Vikemon attempted to stand its ground, only for AncientSphinxmon to charge it, enveloping itself in an aura for added power. The pair flew into the void, which then sealed itself.
"And when AncientSphinxmon is deleted," she said, flashing KaiserLeomon. "I can play one Level 4 Hybrid from my hand for no cost."
KaiserLeomon appeared, taking the place of its ancient counterpart. Regaleus examined the field. He lost. There was no denying that.
"I have to admit, you're strong for a Nadir." He said, deactivating his device.
Realizing he was conceding, Riley did the same, the Digimon all disappearing. "So that means you'll let me go?"
"For now. But, if I see your face around here again—!" Regaleus paused, hearing the crunching of leaves. From the shrubbery appeared a blue-haired woman dressed in an elegant Chinese dress. She stood before them, arms crossed.
"La-Lady Azurena!" The brute crumbled onto his knees and knelt.
Riley also swallowed hard.
"I was wondering what all of this commotion was about. What is the meaning of this, Captain Khan?
Regaleus looked up. "Well, you see this intruder—!"
"Is my guest," Lady Azurena snarled, "both Slayerdramon and Azulongmon have granted her special permissions. She is not a threat."
"My apologies! I didn't know—!"
"Because you chose to be ignorant." Lady Azurena glared. "As you did her, I will do the same and overlook this. However, if you so much as speak to her without my permission, I'll personally see to it that you are dealt with…is that clear?"
The brute tensed and prostrated himself. "I'm terribly sorry! Please have mercy!"
"You have it," she stated. "Now, disappear from me at once!"
"Thank you!" The brute said, quickly getting up, summoning one of his Airdramon, and flying off back in the direction of the Eastern District.
"Now then, as for you, my friend…" Lady Azurena started, turning her attention to Riley. "Aren't you supposed to be in class?"
Riley knew what was coming next as she swallowed and turned to the woman. Lady Azurena's gaze was fixated on her, and there was little hope of escaping. "It's my lunch period…"
"Not only that, I'm positive that D-Streamers are banned at your school as well."
"People bring them to school anyway, and the teachers don't say anything…"
"So that makes it all right?"
"Okay, first off, you're not my mom. Second, don't you have class around this time?"
"I have a break, thank you very much." Lady Azurena defended. "And unlike you, I have two hours to kill. You have about twenty minutes at best."
Riley couldn't argue with that. Omnia was more than a virtual space—it was an alien world with severe time dilations. She read once that early testing proved that Beta Testers had negative experiences due to time disorientation, among other factors. Saibatar Personas are designed to mitigate that, providing an avatar to traverse and interact with the world instead of physically going in yourself. Each District has specified hub spaces that allow the Saibatar Personas to interact safely, ensuring user protection across the board. However, these areas were small and didn't extend to the borders like where they are now.
"If I were you, I'd wrap up whatever you're doing and get ready for your next class."
"Hey, in my defense, I'm doing homework right now." Riley defended.
"What homework—?" Lady Azurena paused as a notification appeared before her. She exhaled sharply. "Great…Miranda has to leave early so I have to head to work earlier..."
"Sorry to hear that; wish I could listen to you rant but…" Riley quickly spun around and leaped into the air. "I got class!"
"Hey, wait! I'm not done with you!" Lady Azurena screamed.
"Yell at me later!" Riley shot back, landing in a treetop. "See you later at work!"
As Riley bounced off, Lady Azurena growled, forced to give up her disciplinary tactic for the moment. She looked back at her notification and trudged her way back to her palace to enjoy what time she had left for herself.
Not long after that, the moment it hit 1:15 PM, Riley was gone and out of the school. She liked the fact that she didn't have a full eight-period schedule as others did because school in of itself was like a prison. Not only that, but after the day she's had, both that morning and in Omnia, she needed to be away from it.
Hopefully, the few hours she has of work that day would mitigate that somehow.
She and Sierra worked at the TCG Towers, located in Times Square, Manhattan. TCG Towers was a famous chain of stores that were a hobby shop, café, and arcade all-in-one. It was the Dave & Busters of Trading Card Games. The building, as are most TCG Towers had multiple levels: The Main level, which was where the front desk was, the display cases and Card Terminals (renamed from K-Terminals when card games outside of Duel Masters adopted MR support), the lower arena level, where players could use the massive Mixed Reality simulator (which only supported Duel Masters at the moment, unfortunately), and the upper level, which was the food court.
After she moved in with her, Riley was employed to work there as Sierra thought it would be a good way to help Riley work on her social anxiety. And while obstinate, several months into it has given Riley the opportunity to make some baby steps. She's cordial with customers and enjoys what she does, and has Sierra deal with the obnoxious customers wanting to start something.
After arriving at the store, Riley made an immediate beeline through the counter door and into the small hallway leading toward the back. Before going into the locker room, she popped her head into the breakroom, finding Sierra scarfing down a Subway sandwich and skimming her phone. Upon noticing Riley staring at her, she swallowed.
"I didn't have time to eat." She defended herself.
"You could've used your break to eat lunch, you know?"
"Hush," Sierra shooed her away. "Go and punch in, I'll be done in a few minutes."
Riley nodded and went to the locker room to change. The uniform was just a black TCG Towers polo and a nametag worn on the other side of said logo. She changed and headed back outside, using the POS computer to punch in. Afterward, she grabbed a box near her foot and brought it out to the empty floor to start stocking shelves. Mornings and early afternoons were quiet like this usually, despite being in such a busy area. In the mornings at least, people ventured upstairs to the food court. It was around the time after school that it would get busy, as kids from around this side of Midtown would frequent mostly. This also helped some because the fewer faces from school she recognized the better off she was.
It was about an hour or so into her shift when a customer walked in. As she went to greet him, she hesitated, recognizing him immediately. At first, she thought she was seeing things, this blonde-haired boy resembling that blonde-haired knight. But the longer she stared the more she couldn't shake it.
That was Cobalius…
A/N: That makes chapter 1 of Twilight Requiem complete! Admittedly this is the first time I've written a female lead for a full series, so hopefully, I can do her justice. I feel as though her side of the story may present itself a little darker, but time will tell how well that executes. That said, = as a reminder, Imperial Advent is also out to start for those who want to see Kaden's adventure begin. But of course, if you want to stay blind for him and just read through this first as well, nothing's stopping you. For this project, both chapters will be released simultaneously, so it may take longer to release chapters, but time will tell, we'll see how things play out. Until next time though, thanks for reading, and I'll catch you guys later!