The first few days of October brought along more than just the changing leaves and flowing winds for Riley...
Exiting the train at the station near TCG Tower, she found herself fixated on the text sent by Sierra. Like poetry itself, they were a few words that carried a lot of meaning. Four syllables that carried the weight of her destiny on its shoulders.
We need to talk
Not only did she not want to talk about this, but she knew that if she didn't go through with it, Sierra would have her head. After all, things have been tense since that Sunday a few weeks back. Apologies were said, but that's about it. From then on, intentional or otherwise, little things turned into arguments. Riley snapped at little things she'd otherwise ignore. Sierra was acting more like a parent unwilling to listen to her. They were best friends before; sisters even. Now, it felt like living with a disagreeable roommate, the difference being that they were stuck with each other.
She tried venting to Nico about it, but he'd always take Sierra's side. It happened so often that she questioned if it was retribution for taking advantage of his kindness with the free coffee. He would deny it and tell her that it's because she's being a brat for the sake of it. Whether that was true or not, Riley was convinced she didn't start this. She called out Sierra about her sabotaging Kaden and she got slapped for it. Her reaction was proof enough, and it became Riley's trump card if need be.
Arriving at the front of the sliding doors, Riley could see Sierra at the counter, sweeping around it. She took a reluctant, deep breath and embraced what was to come...
Chapter 6: Tutoring Session
The hour since Riley arrived to work was filled with silence. Sierra greeted her with a brief nod, but outside of that, she was silent. Riley brought up the text message, but Sierra brushed it off, saying that it could wait until later. However, Riley's anxiety wasn't going to let it go, and after a while, she snapped.
"Tell me, what did I do this time?" Riley's frustrations conveyed the words in a rude tone.
Sierra stopped what she was doing at the register, bit her tongue, and took a deep breath. "It's not what you have done, but what you haven't been doing."
Riley didn't respond, prompting Sierra to continue, "I got a call from your Math teacher this afternoon."
"And?" Riley crossed her arms.
"You should be in his class now, not here." Sierra also crossed her arms.
Riley remained silent, which frustrated Sierra further. "Well? Are you going to explain yourself?"
"There's nothing to explain," Riley stated.
"You've been cutting your last-period class since the first day of school!" Sierra slammed the counter. "What do you mean there's nothing to explain?!"
"I've told my guidance counselor that I wanted out of his class, and they didn't do anything about it!"
"So you thought it was smart to lie to me and schedule you to work?! Don't you understand how much trouble Miranda and I can get in because of this?!"
Riley didn't say anything, knowing that she was in the wrong. However, she was too stubborn to say that bit out loud to Sierra.
Kaden and Milo walked through the doors, drawing the girl's attention. Both boys sensed the unusual tension in the air and were hesitant to greet them. Kaden slowly and awkwardly proceeded to make his way to the counter door and into the back while Sierra returned to what she was doing.
"We'll continue this conversation at home..."
"I'm not going to his class, and you can't make me."
"Well, if you're not going to give me a good reason, then I'm not scheduling you to work."
Hearing that made Kaden pause at the counter's door. "Wait, what's happening?"
"Don't worry about it," Riley answered sharply, to which Kaden tensed.
"You guys got your progress reports today, right?" Sierra asked.
"Don't answer her!" Riley barked at the two boys.
"I didn't even say anything that time!" Kaden exclaimed.
"Hush you!" Sierra snapped at Riley. "Yes or no?"
Both Kaden and Milo nodded. Milo, having as much sense as Kaden at this moment, recklessly spoke up, "Could it be that you're failing a class...?"
"It's none of your—!"
"Not only is she failing, but she's been cutting this one class since the beginning of the semester."
"It…wouldn't happen to be Mr. Dawson's class, is it?" Milo asked.
"It is…how did you know?" Sierra asked, not expecting Milo to predict it.
"Cool, I had him last year. He's cool." Kaden stated.
"Yeah, I don't have a problem with him either," Milo added, causing Kaden to turn to him.
"So you have Dawson too? What period?"
"9th," Milo answered.
Kaden blinked and turned to Riley, "Dude, you're flunking 9th-grade math?!"
"Actually, it's the other way around..." Milo noted, drawing attention back to him. "I'm taking 11th-grade math."
Kaden needed a moment to process that. "What?"
"I hate Dawson; he's a creep!" Riley remarked, earning a scowl from Sierra.
"Dawson? Please, the dude's a marshmallow; everyone loves him." Kaden pointed out.
"That's because you're a guy," Riley muttered under her breath, something only Milo managed to pick up on.
"Milo, you're taking his class?" Sierra focused on the younger teen.
"Yeah...and well, not to add insult to injury, but I'm actually on track to get an A this marking period..."
"Really..." Sierra pondered. "Hmm…in that case, can you do me a favor?"
Milo blinked, getting a strong feeling he knew where this was going. "You want me to tutor her, don't you?"
"What?!" Riley gasped.
"You read my mind!" Sierra clapped. "You don't mind, do you? I'll even pay you."
"Well..." Milo looked to Riley, who wasn't keen on this idea, and then to Kaden, who also didn't know what to say in this matter either. He finally turned to Sierra and nodded nervously, concluding it was the safest answer to give, given the context of the situation.
"Glad to hear it." Sierra smiled. "Kaden, punch in, Riley, punch out, Milo, I owe you big."
"I never agreed to this!" Riley growled.
"You wouldn't be in this situation if you just went to class, right?" Sierra stated more calmly. "Be grateful I'm not throwing you into a tutoring center."
Riley glared daggers into Sierra's back. Kaden came behind the counter and patted the girl on the shoulder. "I don't see the big deal; at least you don't have to deal with customers."
"That's not the point," she shoved his hand away and stormed to the back, leaving him rendered speechless.
"Don't worry about her," Sierra said, finishing up her work. "She'll get over it."
"You sure? She looked really upset..." Milo pointed out.
"She's throwing a tantrum." Sierra continued. "She knows she's wrong but won't admit it. Kind of reminds me of a certain someone I used to know..."
Kaden picked up on the implication and smirked. "I'll be praying for you, bro."
"Gee, thanks..." Milo replied, feeling the support. By this point, Riley returned with her school bag.
"Let's just get this over with." She said as she came out from the counter.
"You two can go hang upstairs in the food court," Sierra suggested. That way, Riley can't sneak off anywhere where I can't see."
Riley clicked her tongue, taking offense to the comment, and walked off towards a nearby escalator. An off-guard Milo scurried behind her, leaving Kaden and Sierra alone.
"Welp, guess I better jump in," Kaden said.
"You do that," Sierra waved off as he headed to the back. When the coast was clear, Sierra sighed and rubbed her temples, feeling a headache coming on. "Lord Azulongmon, give me the strength..."
"So, Mr. Dawson's currently doing linear equation problems since it's still early in the semester. Y'know, using PEMDAS to solve for the variable in an equation." Milo said, taking out his notebook. "We had a quiz on it today too, which covered everything we learned up to this point in class."
"Mhmm," Riley said, using her arm to support her head.
"Do you...know how to solve linear equations?" Milo asked, sounding unsure if it was worth asking.
"What do you think?" She asked in an annoyed tone.
"I mean...you haven't been to class so I just figured..."
Riley rolled her eyes. "Just give me a problem to solve."
"Right...okay," Milo said, jotting down an equation he remembered from class. He slid the notebook over to Riley and she read the problem, 3(X+10)=5(X+8). Riley began to work on it and Milo watched as she did. However, after a few minutes, he realized she was staring more than actually writing. "Um...need help?"
"No." She replied.
"...okay."
Some more minutes passed and it was clear she was struggling. She was able to convert it to 3X+30=5X+40, but that's as far as she went. "Can't I combine like terms or something?"
"Well, since both equations are between an equal sign, you have to get X by itself. So, how can we do that if X is on both sides?"
Riley bit on the end of her pen. "We have to..."
"I'd start by subtracting 30 on both sides to make what I'm looking at easier to read," Nico's voice lingered in their airspace before being followed by the teen himself.
"Shoo." Riley waved off.
"No." He smirked. "Hey Milo, what's going on? Kaden said you two would be up here."
"Nothing much..." He answered, sheepishly. "Just trying to help Riley catch up in math." After getting to know him in person in the weeks since they met in Omnia, Milo had to admit to himself that he felt inferior to Nico. Like Kaden, Nico was charismatic and easygoing, nothing like himself who was shy most of the time.
Nico looked over Riley's shoulder to glimpse at what they were working on, and Riley reacted by elbowing him in the chest lightly. "Personal space."
"Sorry, sorry," Nico leaned back while still scanning the page. "Hmm... -2X=10...divide on both sides...X=-5.
"Thank you~." Riley wrote the answer. "Okay, next one."
Milo hesitated, turning to Nico, who looked back curiously.
"Are you working today?" The words left his mouth before he could think.
"I start at 4," Nico said, checking his watch. "So…about another 20 minutes."
"Kaden's downstairs right now," Milo pointed behind him.
"Yeah, I know I saw him on my way in," Nico noted. "He sent me up here to make sure things are okay between you two."
"Why wouldn't they be?" Milo asked, growing defensive.
Nico shrugged. "You know how he can be."
Milo knew too well. "Clearly, we're fine," he wrote several new problems on the sheet and slid it to Riley. He then glared when Nico reactively leaned in to look at the problems.
Riley wasn't ignorant of what Milo was trying to do, and she turned to Nico, "I can handle these. You go and get ready for work."
"You sure?" Nico asked her.
Riley looked to Milo who shied away from the eye contact, "I'm sure."
Nico took one last look at the pair and was able to deduce that he was posing as a distraction from Milo's perspective. "I'll check in on my break if you guys are still here." He pulled his bag on his shoulder and departed to his store across the way.
Milo waited until he was gone to say something. "Look, I know the situation sucks, but you brought it upon yourself."
"Don't remind me..." Riley muttered. "Besides that, what was up with that look you gave Nico just now?"
"Be honest; do you understand the material?" Milo asked, ignoring her question while exposing his annoyance.
"Somewhat," His unusual tone made her reply short and unsure.
"Don't you think going to Dawson's class will turn that 'somewhat' into a 'yes'?"
"Nope." Riley scoffed, quick to answer, more confident in that.
"You have something against him, don't you?"
"I told you he's a creep. I'd much rather flunk than be in the same room as him..." Riley crossed her arms.
Milo saw how adamant she was about her opinion. Still though...
"Look, how about we take a break from this for a minute and battle?" he softened his tone, attempting to approach this differently.
Riley's interest was piqued. "Why?"
"If I win, you have to start attending class. If you win, I'll talk to my mom directly and see if you can switch your teacher."
"You don't think my reason's petty?" Riley asked, not sure about his claim.
"Honestly, I think it's stupid for you to fail over something as petty." Milo clarified with a solid, matter-of-fact tone. "So, if battling you is what it'll take to be serious about getting your grade back up, then I'll do what it takes."
She wasn't used to Milo sounding so serious. She pushed against him a bit more to see what would happen, "...what if you win and I still don't go?"
"I'm banking on our friendship that you will."
Riley didn't have a response for that. At this point, she still didn't confirm their friend request from before, and yet Kaden and Milo still considered her their friend. She's already at odds with Sierra; it'd be smart for her not to dig more holes for herself.
She surrendered to Milo's persuasions and switched on her D-Streamer to tabletop mode. "I'm ready when you are."
Milo nodded and activated his device. "Ready."
"DIGI-GATE: OPEN!"
"I'll start by hatching Kokomon; it will digivolve into Lopmon and then I'll end by playing Kari Kamiya from my hand." Riley took the first turn, hatching an egg and turning it into Lopmon, meanwhile also summoning Kari to accompany it.
Kokomon (BT7-006)
Color: Purple
Level: 2
Lopmon (BT7-068)
Color: Purple
Level: 3
DP: 2000
Kari Kamiya (BT4-097)
Color: Purple
MEMORY
0-3 (Turn Change: Milo)
"My turn," Milo drew. "I hatch Koromon, digivolve it into Salamon, and then play the Dual Tamer Tai and Kari Kamiya.
Salamon and the sibling Tamers appeared on Milo's side, with Riley's Kari finding herself in awe of her older self.
Koromon (BT4-003)
Color: Yellow
Level: 2
Salamon (ST10-02)
Color: Yellow
Level: 3
DP: 2000
Tai Kamiya and Kari Kamiya (BT9-084)
Color: Red/Yellow
MEMORY
3-1 (Turn Change: Riley)
Riley drew. It was still early in the game so she shrugged the Memory choke aside and continued, "Lopmon moves into the Battle Area and digivolves into Devimon. Then, I play Gazimon from my hand, that way you can't gain Memory except through Tamer effects."
Lopmon allowed itself to transform into the evil figure, while Gazimon snickered and snarled its way into existence beside it.
Devimon (ST6-08)
Color: Purple
Level: 4
DP: 5000
Gazimon (BT3-077)
Color: Purple
Level: 3
DP: 2000
MEMORY
1-0
0-3 (Turn Change: Milo)
With Lopmon's inheritable, Riley was hoping to use that to her advantage with her Tamers. Meanwhile, Gazimon would stall Milo, giving her a chance to build her momentum faster. Milo though drew and went about his turn as if he foresaw this.
"I move Salamon forward then play Starmons," Milo stated, summoning a glasses-wearing gold star Digimon. As harmless as it looked, it was intimidating enough to have Riley click her tongue.
Starmons (BT5-035)
Color: Yellow
Level: 3
DP: 1000
MEMORY
3-0
"When Starmons is played, for each Digimon on my side of the Battle Area, one of yours loses –1000 DP for the turn. With my two Digimon present, I apply the effects onto Gazimon, reducing its DP to zero."
Riley watched as Starmons summoned several more of itself around it before they stacked on top of one another. They shined brightly on the tabletop, not affecting her so much outside of a quick reaction from the brightness, as it burned away Gazimon into purple binary.
Gazimon: 2000-0 DP
"That could've been worse," Riley commented as Milo played Hawkmon.
"Hawkmon allows me to search the top 4 cards of my deck to retrieve a dual-colored red card from among them to add to my hand," Milo explained as he revealed the cards. Cody Hida, Agumon, and Shurimon were amongst them, leading Milo to pick Shurimon.
MEMORY
0-3 (Turn Change: Riley)
Riley drew her next card and hatched another Kokomon. "Kokomon digivolves into Gabumon, and then I play Koichi Kimura." She played both cards, Kokomon digivolving while Koichi appeared beside Kari, ready to fight.
Gabumon (ST6-03)
Color: Purple
Level: 3
DP: 2000
Koichi Kimura (BT7-091)
Color: Purple
MEMORY
3-0
"Koichi allows me to draw and discard a card when played, while Lopmon's IE gives me a memory for playing a Tamer. I draw and discard Lucemon from my hand, and then gain a Memory.
MEMORY
0-1
"I end by Spirit Digivolving Koichi into Loweemon to end." Riley finished, transforming her tamer into Loweemon. The Digimon summoned its staff and twirled it as it stood in opposition to Milo's small army.
Loweemon (BT7-071)
Color: Purple
Level: 4
DP: 5000
MEMORY
1-1 (Turn Change: Milo)
Milo drew and looked at the cards in his hand. Riley had one in raising, two in the battle area—one of which was a blocker—and a tamer. By comparison, he had three Digimon and a tamer. If he attacked, Kari would just steal the one memory he had, so instead, he figured he could get away with one more turn of setup before acting. "I hatch Koromon and then digivolve it into Agumon."
Koromon appeared in the raising area once more and followed it up by transforming into Agumon, the red straps on its claws stretching as it flexed them.
Agumon (BT2-033)
Color: Yellow
Level: 3
DP: 2000
"I end by digivolving Salamon into Dinohyumon," Milo stated, transforming Salamon into a humanoid tribal lizard Digimon armed with bladed gauntlets and a separate pair of huge blades.
Dinohyumon (BT8-037)
Color: Yellow/Red
Level: 4
DP: 5000
MEMORY
1-1 (Turn Change: Riley)
Riley drew. Milo was increasing, proving his strength with each turn. Compared to Kaden, who was aggressive, Milo's been cautious and strategic, possibly analytical. Of course, he's seen her battle Kaden so he would have an idea of what her strategy is and how it works. By comparison, the only time she saw him battle was against Kaden the day they all met. From that perspective, he has a bigger advantage. Regardless, she wasn't going to let those details get the better of her.
"Gabumon moves into the Battle Area, and then Loweemon Security Attacks!" She declared as Loweemon leaped into the air. Milo watched the miniature hologram raise its arms to smash his first Security and the Hawkmon that appeared from it.
Milo
Security: 5-4
Loweemon: 5000 DP
Hawkmon: 4000 DP
"Now Gabumon, Security Attack! I activate Kokomon's IE effect to reveal the top 3 cards of my deck. I can discard a tamer from among them and send the others to the bottom of my deck." Riley explained as the three cards flipped and revealed themselves.
A second copy of Koichi chucked itself into the trash while Gabumon and Psychemon went to the bottom of the deck. Afterward, Gabumon used a stream of digital blue flames to take out Milo's second Security.
Milo
Security: 4-3
The Security revealed Milo's ace, ShineGreymon, the red and white light dragon emerging with white-hot flames lingering off it. Gabumon stood no chance as ShineGreymon smashed it with its armored foot.
Gabumon: 2000 DP
ShineGreymon: 11,000 DP
Despite losing Gabumon, at the very least, it meant Milo lost a level 6, along with two Security. That was a great trade if there ever was one. "I'll end by digivolving Loweemon into Antylamon, who'll revive the recently discarded Koichi. Koichi then allows me to draw and then discard Wendigomon from my hand. Finally, Lopmon's IE also triggers."
As Loweemon traded its lion armor to become the lanky, off-putting rabbit Digimon, a replacement Koichi appeared and used its ability upon its arrival.
Antylamon (BT7-074)
Color: Purple
Level: 5
DP: 7000
MEMORY
1-2 (Turn Change: Milo)
1-1
Riley smirked, feeling proud of herself for pulling that off. "Your move."
Milo drew and studied his hand some more. Before playing a card he looked up at her. "You mentioned something about Dawson before."
"That he's a creep," Riley repeated. "I mean what I said."
Milo went about his turn. "Since I have 3 or fewer Security, Tai and Kari boost me by 1 Memory.
MEMORY
1-2
"It can do that?" Riley was surprised, making sense in her head as to why Milo didn't react to having his first Security cards taken out.
"It can do more than that," He said moving Agumon out into the Battle Area, "Hawkmon Armor Digivolves into Shurimon!"
Riley watched as a gust of red and green binary surrounded Hawkmon, transforming it into a white ninja-like Digimon. It wore large leaf shoulder pads and its wings and legs became green spring-like appendages with 3-bladed shuriken attached to them, with an additional 4-bladed one on his back.
Shurimon (BT8-048)
Color: Green/Red
Level: 4
DP: 4000
MEMORY
2-0
"Shurimon's effect: When it digivolves one of your Digimon with Blocker is stunned, unable to attack or block until the end of your turn," Milo explained while Shurimon teleported behind Devimon, dropped it to the ground, and pinned him with shuriken. The devilish Digimon hissed, lying on its stomach while shuriken outlined its limbs, wings included.
Milo snapped his fingers, "Starmons, Security Attack. Tai and Kari suspend to give your Security Digimon -2000 DP for the turn."
Riley watched as Starmons flung itself into the air like a shuriken itself, hitting her first Security. NeoDevimon appeared and grabbed it out of the air, crushing Starmons despite the power decrease.
Starmons: 1000 DP
NeoDevimon: 7000-5000 DP
Riley
Security: 5-4
"Kari suspends, giving me a Memory!" Riley quickly countered, thus ending Milo's turn before he could do any more damage. His implication about Tai and Kari bugged her ever so slightly, especially since it was a card from a set not even released. Now that she was thinking about it, why did Sierra give him such a card to test for her…? Yet another thing to ponder over when she had a free moment.
MEMORY
0-1 (Turn Change: Riley)
As Riley began to draw, Milo interjected, "Salamon's IE effect."
Riley hesitated, her hand hovering as her eyes looked at Dinohyumon and Shurimon. "You can't be serious…"
"Dinohyumon and Shurimon DNA Digivolve into Silphymon!" Milo exclaimed, overlaying Shurimon's stack over Dinohyumon. The two Digimon dispersed into data streams, Dinohyumon turning yellow and Shurimon red, mixing and forming the humanoid avian-beast warrior.
Silphymon (BT8-048)
Color; Red/Yellow
Level: 5
DP: 8000
"When Silphymon digivolves, one of your Digimon gets -5000 DP. I choose Antylamon."
Riley could only watch as Silphymon swung its arms and pulled back, generating a red orb of energy. Thrusting forward, it shot the attack, causing Antylamon to react and block. A small digital cloud of smoke rose upon impact, and as it cleared soon after, it dropped to one knee as smoke sizzled from its limbs.
Antylamon: 7000-2000 DP
"In addition, since this was a DNA Digivolution, I can also delete one of your Digimon with 5000 DP or less. With that, I choose Antylamon again."
The weakened rabbit could only look up as Silphymon flipped into the air and lined itself up. It came down on Antylamon with an axe kick that crushed and deleted the weakened Digimon.
"Koichi's effect upon deletion triggers, giving me a Memory!" Riley cried reactively.
MEMORY
1-2
Riley took a deep breath, realizing that her heart was racing Milo's gaze shifted to her and he developed a look of concern. "Are you all right?"
"Yeah…sorry." She said, feeling her heart racing. "Just…y'know, it would suck to lose." Her attempt to laugh it off didn't work, as Milo continued to stare. "What?"
"…nothing. It's your turn." Milo stated.
Riley nodded, feeling slightly uncomfortable now. She drew and tried to formulate a recovery tactic. "I hatch another Kokomon. Then I digivolve it into another Gabumon, and then Devimon into Antylamon. Antylamon will revive Koichi from my trash using its effect to draw and discard a second Kari from my hand while triggering Lopmon's effect to gain me a Memory. Finally, Antylamon will digivolve into Cherubimon, and using its effect, Cherubimon will revive Kari from my trash, and from there I can delete Agumon.
Cherubimon (BT7-079)
Color: Purple
Level: 6
DP: 12,000
MEMORY
2-1 (Turn Change: Milo)
1-0
0-4
As Riley calmly went about and explained her turn step by step, it was as if she was purposefully avoiding making any sort of eye contact with Milo. As her Digimon appeared one by one and as his Agumon was incinerated, he found himself not staring at her for the sake of it; her behavior was bugging him. Something was going on here. "Has Mr. Dawson done anything to—"
"Not to me…" Riley interjected. "plus…they're just rumors I've overheard but…I don't know…"
Milo's gaze narrowed. "Well, I don't mean to insist but you can't let rumors keep you from graduation."
"You're just a kid…" Riley muttered under her breath.
"What was that?" Milo asked, hearing part of what she said.
"Nothing," She looked up at him, "Go on, it's your turn."
Milo sighed and drew. "Tai and Kari boost me by one memory putting me to 5."
MEMORY
4-5
"I hatch Koromon into Salamon, and digivolve Silphymon into the Crimson Dragon of Light, ShineGreymon!"
Silphymon took off into the air and roared as white flames surrounded it, transforming it into a second ShineGreymon for Milo to utilize.
ShineGreymon (BT4-020)
Color: Red
Level: 6
DP: 11,000
MEMORY
5-2
"ShineGreymon Security Attack! Tai and Kari suspend, giving your Security Digimon minus 2000 DP. Dinohyumon and Koromon's IE effects also give -2000 DP to Cherubimon. Finally, ShineGreymon gains Security Attack +1 for having a suspended red or yellow tamer.
Cherubimon: 12,000-10,000 DP
The cries of Cherubimon burning from ShineGreymon's radiance snapped Riley out of her brief trance. ShineGreymon meanwhile conjured a ball of plasma energy, that it flung towards her, her Security lining up to stop it.
The first was the yellow variation of Cherubimon, however, with the effect from Milo's tamer, it lost the little edge it had on Shine to stop it, being swallowed by the makeshift sun. Afterward, The Option Card Schwartz Lehrsatz appeared, but like Cherubimon before, the lack of targets severely limited its range and it thusly fizzled.
Riley
Security: 4-2
"Both of my Kari's suspend to give me two Memory." She stated.
MEMORY
2-0
"I'll end by digivolving my Salamon into GeoGreymon." Milo finished, turning his puppy Digimon into the aggressive Greymon variant.
GeoGreymon (BT2-035)
Color: Yellow
Level: 4
DP: 4000
MEMORY
0-2 (Turn Change: Riley)
Milo watched as Riley drew. After moving Gabumon forward, she looked at Milo again, giving him a chance to speak up, "I didn't know a two-year age gap makes me a kid..."
"Cherubimon, Security Break!" She turned her card sideways, causing the hulking hologram to clap Milo's security apart. The card revealed itself as an option card, one of which Milo didn't hesitate to utilize.
"Security Trigger: Trident Revolver! Gabumon is deleted, and from my hand, I play Cody Hida for no cost."
ShineGreymon held its hand forward and fired a plasma ball of energy that split into three projectiles, taking out Gabumon. Afterward, a tamer with a bowl-cut, beige shirt brown pants, and shoes appeared beside the dual tamers.
Cody Hida (BT8-089)
Color: Yellow
Milo
Security: 3-2
"Koichi Spirit Digivolves into Loweemon and Security Attacks!" She followed up, transforming Koichi into another Loweemon and sending it forward.
MEMORY
2-0
Thrusting its staff forward, it sent out a silhouette of KaiserLeomon to slash at the security, revealing Aquilamon, a large horned crimson eagle Digimon.
Loweemon: 5000 DP
Aquilamon: 4000 DP
Like actual cats and birds, Aquillamon defended itself against the shadow lion by trying to skewer it with its talons, however, the combination of the shadow and Loweemon flanking it, rendered its defense useless.
Milo
Security: 2-1
"I end by Slide Digivolving Loweemon into KaiserLeomon," Riley stated, playing the card on top of Loweemon and having it covert into a solidified version of the shadow lion.
KaiserLeomon (BT7-073)
Color: Purple
Level: 4
DP: 6000
MEMORY
0-1 (Turn Change: Milo)
As her turn came to an end, Riley smiled a little. When Milo looked up and noticed it, she leaned back and chuckled, "Did you recognize me, back then?"
Milo raised an eyebrow and Riley took a second to stare at the luminescent lights above them. She then sat back up to look at him properly, "That day we ran into each other...you recognized me from Dawson's class, didn't you?"
Milo thought back to that moment when he ran into Riley. He was trying to escape his bullies when they collided. "Honestly, I guess I did after the fact. I was trying to escape Barry and Dexter to think at the moment."
"Right..." Riley said remembering how things played out. "Did I ever apologize for leaving you behind like that?"
"You don't need to," Milo replied. "After all, it was thanks to that that I got to meet you and Kaden. Truthfully, hanging out with you two has become an escape for me."
Riley's voice caught a little, feeling her cheeks warm up. "I see...is that why you're trying so hard?"
"I may not be strong or heroic like Kaden is, but I want to help you in my way. And this is the only way I can think of right this second. Tai and Kari boost my Memory by two due to both of us having less than three Security."
MEMORY
1-3
"Wait a second!" Riley cried, realizing that small detail. "You never said those tamers could do that!"
Milo blinked. "I said that there was more to them than their initial effect. Why spoil what my card can do if the effect doesn't trigger right there and then?"
Riley felt tricked, evident by the subtle scowl drawn on her face. "You little..."
After drawing he moved his hand to GeoGreymon. "GeoGreymon moves into the Battle Area, and ShineGreymon breaks your last two Security! DinoHyumon and Koromon's IE effects minus 2000 DP from KaiserLeomon, and Silphymon's IE deletes it."
ShineGreymon flashed with an aura of red and yellow and unleashed a crippling wave of energy before punching it into the ground, deleting it.
"Then, I suspend Tai and Kari to minus 2000 DP to your Security, allowing Shine to gain an edge!"
Riley's two remaining security appeared to oppose ShineGreymon but then glowed to show them being tampered with. Summoning its twin-bladed GeoGrey Sword, ShineGreymon swung and slashed the remaining Security, revealing Lopmon first, and then AncientSphinxmon, who tackled ShineGreymon back.
ShineGreymon: 11,000 DP
Lopmon: 2000-0 DP
AncientSphinxmon: 13,000-11,000
AncientSphinxmon pounced forward onto Shine, knocking its blade out of its hand and pinning it to the tabletop. Attempting to bite its head, Shine was able to headbutt it, giving it enough space to flex the sun-like energy within, incinerating them both.
With Riley defenseless, GeoGreymon stomped forward and conjured the flames in its jaws. But then that's when she remembered a crucial fact. "Koichi, and both Kari's triggers gaining me 3 Memory!" Riley exclaimed, feeling hopeful.
"Too bad that I'll be left with 0 Memory." Milo reminded, deflating her sudden enthusiasm. "GeoGreymon, Direct Attack!"
Riley watched as the dinosaur fired off the fireball, sending it careening onto Riley's side. Riley slumped into her chair and sighed, as Milo accepted his victory over her.
"A deal's a deal..." Riley surrendered.
Milo looked at her, feeling a sense of dissatisfaction. Despite everything, she still looked as if she was being forced against her will. And defeating her in the match now made him feel responsible for her misery.
He didn't like this feeling at all.
"You know..." Milo began, "Is it me, or does Mr. Dawson give some students extra attention?"
Riley looked up at Milo, him looking at her with curiosity in his eyes.
"Way to rub it in," She scowled.
"I'm serious," Milo insisted. "It's like he plays favorites, especially with some of the girls..."
"…why are you just now saying something?"
"Guess I just wanted to see if you were making it all up?" Milo shrugged.
"Why would I make this up?!" she shot out of her chair. "Believe me when I say I know the difference between someone being nice and someone looking for an opportunity!"
The second the words left Riley's mouth, something told her to look at her surroundings. As she slowly panned, she saw lingering stares here and there, triggering her heart rate to race. Embarrassed, she dropped back in her chair, where tears began to escape.
Milo was silent, realizing that he kicked the beehive with his words. "Riley I…"
Without saying anything, she collected her stuff and ran off. Milo frantically tried to follow her, but he could see her racing through the door when he looked over the balcony. Sierra and Kaden below looked up at him, confused, wondering what happened. Nico also ran up, hearing the commotion and joining Milo.
"Dude is everything okay?!" he asked, clearly concerned. To avoid making the scene worse, the guilt-ridden Milo kept silent, collecting his stuff. Nico followed him downstairs in an attempt to catch him, "Milo, wait up!"
Kaden quickly came from around the counter to intercept Milo before he could run. Surrounded by both boys, he gritted his teeth, shoved Kaden, and left the store. The three, ignorant of the staring crowd behind them, were left worried, with Sierra feeling the worst of it.
Riley sat in the darkness of her room, a flow of tears staining her pillow. She felt anxious at the thought of being in that classroom. Part of her, in an attempt to calm her down, was trying to remind her that what she's heard were rumors. None have been true.
And yet, the single comment he had made towards her, the one that sent her on this path of failing the whole class, the one that set her on the path of lying to Sierra and possibly ruining what little friendships she had…that single comment started all off this…
"You remind me of Syl…
Five simple words. Was it a coincidence that he said that? He's relatively young, around the age of Uncle Gabriel, so it's not surprising that he may be into V-Streamers. But why her? Why her sister specifically? And why did he sound excited? Was it the thought of having the relative of an online celebrity in his class? Or, as some rumors suggested…it was more…?
Riley's anxiety got to the point where she scrambled to her waste bin to vomit. Afterward, she cried. Was she even upset by his words anymore? This was anxiety villainizing him, plain and simple. There were more things worth being upset about. Her relationships with Sierra and Milo are strained, she's failing a class, and that's just piling on a list of issues she's had to begin with. Why was she screwing herself over? She didn't deserve any of this…did she?
After all…everything is her—!
"…none of this is your fault…" Syl's voice echoed.
Riley hesitated for a moment and felt a warm embrace from behind. She surrendered and allowed the imaginary fairy to console her. She felt herself relaxing as Syl caressed her head and hummed.
"…I wish you were here…" Riley whispered.
"…I've never left your side…I've always been here…and always will be."
Riley nodded, finding solace in her words. Taking a deep breath, she felt Syl's presence dissipate. Following that, she heard the front door of the apartment unlocked.
"I'm home, Riley!" Sierra's exhausted voice called. Riley stood up from the floor, wrapped up the garbage bag, and brought it outside to the kitchen so she could simultaneously wash her mouth out.
Sierra noticed her walking past, "Hey…are you feeling okay?"
Riley gargled before answering. "Upset stomach, but outside of that…" she shrugged. "What's up with you?"
Sierra sighed and made her way to the couch. She turned to Riley and patted the empty seat, "We need to talk."
As if she hadn't heard those words before. Having nothing to lose, Riley made her way to the seat and sat next to Sierra. "What's up?"
Sierra took a moment before speaking. "I'm sorry for how I reacted before, both with the Homura situation and today. I'm guessing Milo didn't work well as a tutor?"
"No, no, he's fine…he's…very patient…with me…" Riley said guiltily.
"And what happened earlier…?"
"I know…I kind of went off on him, thinking he didn't believe me about Mr. Dawson."
"You should've come to me if you had issues with your teachers. That's what I'm here for."
"I didn't want to bother you!" Riley tried to explain. "I mean, you were stressed with Kaden leaving, and work, and your responsibilities, and school, and I just—!"
"Riley!" Sierra cut her off, grabbing her shoulders. "Don't you ever think I never have time for you, understand me?"
Riley, a bit shaken, nodded. "Okay."
"You're my little sister, no matter what. I will do everything in my power to protect you. Understand?"
She nodded, resisting the tears welling up in the corners of her eyes.
Seeing Riley grow emotional triggered Sierra, who embraced her. Both girls cried as they embraced one another. Afterward, Riley came clean about her absences, the situation with Milo, and what she promised him she'll do going forward.
It wasn't going to be easy, but she was willing to do it to maintain the relationships she managed to build for herself.
With things between her and Sierra fixed for the time being, Riley felt better upon waking up that morning. So much so that she, upon waking up, pulled up her friend list for Omnia and finally confirmed the request she was sent.
She was ready to step forward into a healthier mindset.
Until she was to see Kaden, Nico, and Milo—the latter of which she owed a huge apology to—she was going to drown herself in music to block out the surrounding world. Her eyes were still vulnerable to it, though, catching glimpses of newspapers and hologram screens talking about the latest news to hit in the last 24 hours. One of which was something a missing person case. As the train was coming, she wasn't concerned about it.
Boarding the train, she took a seat and focused on the music playing through her headphones. The song was in Spanish, and though she couldn't speak it fluently, to the dismay of her grandparents and unlike Sylvia, who took to it much more naturally, she understood enough to enjoy the music and understand the meaning behind certain lyrics. The song was about escapism and how the singer wanted to take their listener on a magical journey to escape the harsh reality of the world—to a world where they were understood and treated with acceptance."
As she listened, she saw comparisons to her own life, escaping her parents and their unrealistic goals and escaping into Omnia, where she, in turn, met Kaden and the others, who accepted her. And as the lyrics say, sometimes escaping requires grabbing the hands that reach out.
Riley looked over and nearly jumped upon seeing Kaden approach, squeezing between the other train riders. She didn't expect to run into him and now that he was approaching, she didn't have a choice but to address him.
"Good morning," Kaden said with a smile.
Riley took her headphones out and gave him a small wave. "Don't you usually get rides to school?"
"Dad went to work early, so I'm stuck on the train today."
"Ah,"
"Yup…" Kaden trailed. "By the way…"
"What?" Riley asked, inches from putting her headphone back in her ear.
"You and Milo…"
"Oh, right. You haven't talked to him?"
"He's ghosted me," Kaden admitted. "I'm hoping to see him at school."
"Right…same here. I need to apologize for what I said."
"I know it's none of my business, but you could've handled that more tactfully…"
"I'm aware."
"I mean, he's just a kid. He probably hasn't experienced being rejected before."
"I know, Sierra, already—wait, what?!"
The Train came to a screech, nearly toppling Kaden over. He was able to lean up against the window but, in doing so, found himself leaning over an already flustered Riley. "Personal space!"
Kaden yelped and quickly pulled back. "My bad!"'
"Anyway, back up!" Riley said with her face red. "What the hell makes you think I rejected him?!"
Kaden paused, suddenly feeling unsure of his irrefutable evidence. "Well…what you said yesterday…"
"Was about someone else!"
"…Nico?"
"NO!" Riley shrieked, gaining stares from those surrounding them. Upon noticing, she sunk into her chair, writhing in embarrassment. Kaden as well was growing comfortable with the stares.
"Does it have to do with the 'other person' you mentioned?" Kaden asked hesitantly.
Riley's silence more or less answered that.
Kaden bought a clue and kept quiet for the rest of the train ride. Even when they got back to the surface, Riley remained silent, letting Kaden know that she was mad at him.
As they approached the school, a short, husky gentleman in a suit was seen interviewing people back and forth, notably students. Kaden was quick to recognize the person. "That's Detective Howard..."
"Is that someone you know?" Riley asked.
"Yeah, he's a former detective from my Dad's precinct. They go way back."
"Mhmm…" Riley said, pretending to care. She noticed him talking to one student who seemed to be informed on whatever the situation was and realized it was Dexter, Barry's sidekick.
"Though last I checked, he moved to Cisco City to join AEGIS. What brings him back here?"
"Let me know when you find out." Riley patted him on the shoulder.
"Where are you going?" Kaden asked.
"Class starts soon." She waved, walking towards the building. She didn't mean to ditch him like that, but the last thing she wanted to be was roped into an interview with yet another authority figure as well as deal with Barry in any form.
The closer she got to the building, the louder the chatter. Unusually so, security guards were there to meet her at the front of the building, and they were busy directing students. As she followed the crowd, she listened in to specific conversations here and there…
…Is it true that someone went missing…?
…that cop out there was wearing an AEGIS badge, wasn't he…?
Someone better get Kaden on the case!
Haha, right? Have him save the day as per usual!
"RILEY!" The familiar voice startled her as she whipped around. Catching a glimpse of Milo's bushy afro, she turned back and tried to push through the crowd.
"Milo!" She replied, reaching out to him. Managing to get a hold of him, she made her way to the nearest staircase and pulled him in, successfully retrieving him. Upon first glance, she can see the look of terror on his face. "Milo, what's wrong?"
Out of breath, he tried to collect himself. Riley wasn't used to being on this side of situations, but she tried her best to calm him down. "Tell me, what's going on?!"
Milo finally looked up at her, "It's Mr. Dawson…he's disappeared."