"So, um, c-congrats on your return...to Omnia, I mean..." Dexter began nervously as he and Kaden began walking. "I—I've been k-keeping up with your streams…."

"Um…thanks…" Kaden replied, quickly noting that Dexter's social anxiety was worse than his two friends. "Was that all or…?"

"No, no, I…." Dexter took a second to contemplate his words. "The truth is…" he took a deep breath and said as much as possible in one shot, "I've been a huge fan of yours for a long time, and I just wanted you to know I'm looking forward to your match with Gurenmaru!"

His volume traveled around the spaces of nearby students who heard the exclamation. Kaden could feel the stares on his back.

"…you got this bro…!"

"…when's the match again?"

"They're having a rematch?! Even with the controversy?!"

"DOPE! I can't wait!"

Little by little, the students seemed to forget the Dawson situation and become more focused on Kaden's match with Gurenmaru. Kaden was overwhelmed by the whistles, cheers, and chants and smiled.

Dexter was also overwhelmed, realizing his nervous outburst was ruining the little opportunity he had to talk. Impulsively, he pulled Kaden through the crowd, the latter feeling his arm yank ahead of him; all the while, teachers and security guards barked at the students to keep things moving along and to cease the chanting. Dexter dragged him into the boy's bathroom as that was the closest—and least crowded—area available on short notice.

Once Kaden got his arm back, Dexter apologized. Kaden rolled his shoulder and looked at the teen, "So, you're a fan of Cobalius but keep it secret because of Barry, right?"

"You don't look it, but you're perceptive…" Dexter replied, confirming Kaden's theory.

"Uh…ok." Kaden shrugged it off. "Why do you follow him around anyway? Low self-esteem?"

"Yeah, well…I guess it's kind of like Stockholm syndrome," Dexter awkwardly chuckled, though Kaden was more bothered by that than humored. Dexter quieted down and focused on Kaden's expression. "Did…I say something wrong?"

That was an understatement, Kaden thought. "I mean, you can do better with your circle of friends; just saying."

"Well…what about you and Milo?"

Kaden furrowed his brow. "What about us?"

"Don't you think he's using you for protection?"

Kaden was taken aback. "Protection?! I'm his friend, not his bodyguard!"

"Really?" Dexter perked.

"Really!" Kaden insisted.

"Then why…?"

"Why what?!" Kaden grew harsher in tone.

Dexter jumped from Kaden's outburst. "Look, I'm just saying it's weird that you two became friends after he threw you under the bus that one time!"

Kaden was about to snap again, only to remember that moment. It was the day they met; Barry threw Milo down the stairs, and Kaden rescued him from getting hurt worse. Milo lied to the teacher about having his stuff stolen from Barry, and even more, he didn't defend Kaden when they were confronted, to begin with, painting Kaden as the perpetrator.

"I know it's none of my business, but—!"

"It's not," Kaden interjected. "And you're not gonna gaslight me into thinking about my friendships when yours is no better."

Kaden tightened his grip on his bag and shoved past Dexter, exiting the bathroom. He stared at the door as it shut, processing what happened. Dexter's D-Streamer lit up, followed by cackling. Dracmon appeared on his shoulder afterward, still cackling.

"He's a trip, isn't he?" Dracmon pointed out. "Powerful as he is, he not so bright."

Dexter cleared his throat and crossed his arms. "This won't change anything…right?"

"Not at all," Dracmon said. "The seed of doubt's been planted. Now that that's out of the way, we can focus on the other situation."

Dexter nodded. "Thank God for contingencies…."


Chapter 7: The Angel of X


Dexter's words anchored in Kaden's subconscious, leaving him restless during the first four school periods up to lunch. Milo's using their friendship for his benefit? The idea was insane after all they'd been through. But then again…Milo was smart. Really smart, he had to admit. But he's only 14; he doesn't have the maturity Dexter is insinuating. Plus, it's not like they know each other anyway.

He texted Nico and offered to grab them a lunch table since he was the last to make it to the cafeteria. As he waited, he caught a glimpse of the trio in the distance and sat, continuing to ponder his thoughts quietly. He wasn't going to let this bug him. Before he knew it, his match with Gurenmaru would be upon him, and Nico's words from their match weren't helping.


"Basically, what I'm saying is, this deck may be representative of Kaden Grant, but this doesn't represent Cobalius the Imperial Knight."


What difference did the style of the deck make? Why couldn't 'Cobalius use this rush deck? If anything, his skills are what should define him, right? The fact that he could utilize different deck strategies is a testament to his strength, isn't it? Since when did using a different deck make him any less than what he was? After scanning the room, he absentmindedly turned and saw Barry approaching his friends. Reactively he shot up, but then Dexter's words yanked him back down.

Milo was with the others, Kaden told himself. Nothing was going to happen. Nothing at—!

"GET YOUR HANDS OFF ME!" Milo's voice silenced the room with a defiant exclamation.

Kaden's gaze locked on, and he saw as Milo took his stand against the bully. He cursed under his breath as students swarmed towards them, opting to mix into the crowd to sneak up on them. When others noticed him, they tapped those before him to let him through. To them, this was less about wanting to see Kaden save the day and more about them wanting him to save Milo from a dire mistake.

Because Barry was sure to make a mess of him if provoked hard enough.

"Yo, what's your problem?!" Nico's voice was in earshot. He was close.

"Stay out of this!" Milo's voice snapped.

An enthused chuckle followed this, "You heard him; move it!"

The students in front of Kaden suddenly stepped back reactively, nearly making him lose his footing. He heard grunts and an erratic cry, almost swearing he could see Milo above the crowd going for Barry's throat. The second Milo disappeared, Kaden was through, reaching and hooking onto Barry's meaty wrist before he could launch it.

Barry angrily turned and saw as Kaden tightened his grip around his wrist. He couldn't help but grin, "About time you showed up."

"I can handle this!" Milo hissed. "I don't need help!"

"Milo shut up for a second." Kaden snapped.

"Don't tell me to shut up!" Milo shot back, surprising everyone around them.

That brief moment of hesitation on Kaden's part allowed Barry to land a sucker punch in Kaden's face, sending him back into the crowd of students. A wave of "oooooh" reverberated in the open cafeteria, followed by the racing security guards and lunch monitors coming to break things up. As the five were apprehended and the realization of their actions took root, Barry's cackling was the only sound that they couldn't block out.


Kaden leaned against the train station entrance railing, agreeing with the others that this would be their meetup spot after school let out. As other students poured into the terminal below, Kaden was left wondering where everyone was. Milo usually would be waiting on him, which was odd in itself, though maybe he was waiting on Nico since he always seemed to show up to work after he did. Or maybe Riley was getting things in order since this was her first day back in class. Checking his phone time, the clock was inching closer to the train's arrival time. If he caught the follow-up train, he'd cut it close from when he needed to punch in.

Just then, his device flashed, an incoming call from Nico. He answered it, summoning a mini projection of his friend.

"Bro, where are you guys?"

"Yeah, so…remember that whole mess at lunch earlier?" Nico reminded.

Kaden paused, realizing immediately what he was implying. "Detention?! All of you guys?! But Barry—!"

"Got suspended," Riley answered, "and about time too."

Kaden still couldn't wrap his head around Principal Richardson's judgment. "Still, that's not fair. If only I acted sooner, I would've—!"

"Woulda, coulda, shoulda," Nico shrugged. "Listen, bro, just be grateful you escaped."

He says that, but truth be told, he didn't. In Barry's arrogance, it was luck that he punched him into a bloody nose that sent him toward the nurse's office in the opposite direction of the others. Being the victim for a change wasn't a great feeling in itself, either.

"Yeah, and besides, the three of us are just gonna study, so it's not that big a deal," Milo reassured. "Plus, we can head to the store afterward…or actually, I can't…" he sulked a little.

Kaden raised a brow, allowing Riley to chime in, "he got grounded on top of it, so no TCG Tower or Omnia."

"For how long?!" Kaden reacted.

"…a month…"

His eyes widened. "But my match with Gurenmaru is in two weeks! What good am I battling him without you guys supporting me?!"

"Well, now, isn't that touching?" Nico sarcastically sniffled.

Kaden regressed a little before an idea sprouted, "You think Sierra be okay if I was running—!"

"Go to work!" Riley snapped. "Don't even try to skip, even for our sakes."

Kaden stood frozen in mid-sentence but sighed his proposal away. "Guess I'll catch you guys whenever then."

"Don't miss us too much," Nico waved.

The transmission cut off, and Kaden jogged down the stairs as an army of one. Knowing that the others landed in detention and that he couldn't do anything about it put him in a more bothersome mood than before. He was reluctant to leave them behind, but it wasn't like he had a choice.

Throughout the train ride, he continued to be bugged by everything; Dexter's words, Milo's words, Nico's words…everyone had something to put into his head to make him question himself and his surroundings. Somehow Riley was the only one intent on not driving him up a wall.

This must be what it feels like for her, he thought. He wasn't one to experience anxiety, but with everything over the last day or so, he could safely say he wasn't big on it whatsoever. Alas, Sierra hasn't said anything to him since he left the store the night before. Hopefully, that was a sign that he could go to work for the next few hours and relax his mind.

Upon entering the store, he made a beeline right into the counter door to head into the back, waving to Sierra as he did so…

"Well, hello to you too, stranger."

Kaden stopped short upon hearing the voice. That…wasn't Sierra.

Turning back, he came back out in the open to find an attractive, coffee-skinned Asian woman standing near the register. Her long black hair draped down her back, matching the tips of eyeliner peeking around the corner of her face; her yellow t-shirt complimented her skin tone, enhancing the warm, almost golden aesthetic she presented. Once she closed the register, she turned to meet Kaden's eyes, to which the teen grew tense.

"Ms. Sakurai! What are you doing here?" He asked. In the month since he started working, Kaden has only met her during the interview process. To see her again in person took him aback some.

Miranda smiled, "Did I startle you?"

"Sorry, I was lost in thought…" he chuckled away his embarrassment. "Is…Sierra not here?"

"She had a last-minute errand to take care of today, so I switched with her for this evening," Miranda explained. "So, you'll be stuck with me this afternoon."

An errand? He wondered what kind that was. "That's cool. To be honest, it's good to see you again."

"Likewise! Oh, that reminds me, I never got to thank you for your heroism before! I know Riley can be a handful, but I appreciate what you've done."

Kaden blinked but then, after a moment, remembered how he had saved Riley from the store robbers. So much happened after the fact that he somewhat blocked that bit out of his head. "Yeah, well…things happen, I guess. Sierra and I were talking about if it was possible to hire extra hands. Y'know, to prevent something like that from happening again…?"

"I'm working on that!" she pointed out. "There's a lot on my plate as well, so I haven't had time to conduct any interviews. But we can talk more after you get changed."

Kaden nodded and rushed to the back. Given how Sierra and Riley describe her, the thought of working with her filled him with anticipation and some hesitation. His parents always taught him to form his opinion about people rather than have others do it for him. From his experience, Ms. Sakurai has been amiable and seems no different from that day.

As he closed his locker, he paused before backing away. Raising his arm, he accessed his D-Streamer and pulled up the image of Magnamon, the Royal Knight of Miracles…

…the card that Miranda gifted him upon taking up her offer to work at the store.

Kaden's been able to keep that secret from Sierra, though he wouldn't be surprised if she had already pieced it together by now. And after what Nico told him before, it was clear that Miranda had ties to Omnia, specifically the Zenith District, just like Syl. He exhaled and closed his device before his imagination ran wild—no thinking, just work and de-stress.

Besides, working with the store manager might lend itself to a nice change of pace…


[Central District, Omnia…]


"Once again, it seems that Alphamon is nowhere in sight…." The Persian man dressed in flaming red garbs said, leaning on the table. Aside from the permanent sneer on his face, his thick but neat black beard defined an otherwise pale complexion. Homura, as Gurenmaru, stood behind him along with a slack-jawed Fugamon, an orange variation of an Ogremon native to the hot climate of the Southern District.

"Lady Azurena is also running late as well…" the young cat-eared girl, Lady Onyxa, added, dressed in a black outfit best described as "Steampunk Lolita." Behind her was a tall individual dressed in similar steam-punk aesthetics, his brown hair matching his Victorian-style butler uniform. Beside him were a Strikedramon, bipedal Dragonoid Digimon with indigo scales, reddish-black hair, cargo pants, and armor plating covering its joints, from its shoulders to feet.

As Lord Emeron, Doctor Woods sat down with a brown button down, green vest and tie, and a brown newsboy cap, resembling one who grew up in the early metropolitan areas of the 1900s. Without Nico present, he called upon Woodmon and Stingmon to serve as his guards for this brief event. He didn't have anything to contribute to the conversation, more interested as to why they were summoned so abruptly by the Central government. As for Sierra's lateness, he could figure out the reason behind it; it was the same reason why he just arrived.

Sierra, Gorillamon, and Leomon finally came through the doors, them taking their positions in the room. Lord Vermil couldn't help but quip, "Nice of you to finally show up."

"Apologies," she said. "Something unexpected came up at the last minute that needed to be addressed."

"It's no matter," Doctor Woods waved off. "I was running a bit tardy myself."

Sierra nodded and looked over to Homura, who returned the look. They gave one another small smiles, easing the tension in the room. Moments later, the doors opened again, and from them came notable members of the Omnian Defense Force, including Sistermon Blanc, Sistermon Ciel, Jesmon, Gankoomon, and Omnimon Alter-S, all of whom were in their respective Saibatar forms—a man with spiky black hair and a scar down his left eye. The representative was paying particular attention to him, not recognizing him as compared to the others.

"I take it everyone is here…?" a voice asked as one final figure made it passed the doors. The guards on the outside finally shut the doors behind them as the final member of this meeting made his way to the table towards the seat typically reserved for the king himself. His blonde hair shimmered from the lighting above, and his gold eyes scanned the room to ensure all who were meant to be here were here. "Very good."

"Yet again, the king must be too busy to grace us with his presence?" Lord Vermil commented.

"Very much so." The golden-eyed Saibatar, Ryusei, shot back, "For we have a situation on our hands that if left unchecked, may spell grave danger for Omnia and Earth.

Hearing that put a lock on Vermil's tongue. Sierra smirked a little.

"What kind of danger, may I ask?" Doctor Woods raised his hand.

"One that may require the revitalization of Project X-Stream…."

A set of gasps, followed by blanket silence, befell the representatives and their subordinates. Doctor Woods was the first to react. "Are you insane?!"

"If by insane, you mean desperate, then yes. If sources prove true, then the Zenith and Nadir Districts have already—!"

"ABSOLUTELY NOT!" He barked. "I put a stop to that project for a reason! There must be an alternative!"

"There may not be one. Trust me when I say I agree with you, but…"

"But what?"

"Alphamon has fallen…" the new individual spoke, stepping forward. "Which means only one thing…."

Doctor Woods went wide-eyed and slumped back into his chair. Sierra was also at a loss for words, trying to process what that meant. "That's impossible…"

"Why haven't…the Sovereigns revealed this to us?" Lady Onyxa spoke up.

"That should be obvious," Lord Vermil scoffed in frustration. "They blame us for this."

Lady Onyxa looked on in curiosity. Ryusei chimed in from there, "Information is scarce, but Vantus is our scout assigned to monitor the Nadir District. Meanwhile, Lady Venusmon recently returned from her trip to the Zenith District. It's mostly rumors and heresy, but it doesn't take much to spark something. Until we know for sure what's going on, no one is to know about Alphamon; is that clear? I can aid in appeasing the Sovereigns, but given my state, I'm not sure how much influence I'll have over them."

"I'll have a word with Azulongmon and Slayerdramon," Sierra stated. "Until then, I request that we hold off on Project X-Stream for now and leave it as a last resort if anything. Until we gather more information, that is."

Ryusei nodded. "Very well. I also encourage you all to appeal to your Sovereigns and rulers of your districts. If war is indeed on the horizon between the Zenith and Nadir districts…

…then we best go into this by hitting the ground running.


Closing the register and waving off his most recent customer, Kaden felt some peace of mind in his work shift's first hour or so. Miranda was sipping on her water bottle and turned to Kaden as he approached her.

"You're a natural at this," she commented, causing him to smile.

He shrugged, "Sierra taught me well, I guess."

"Perhaps," she also shrugged, "or it could be that you're just a people person."

"Perhaps," Kaden chuckled. He grabbed the broom and moved out into the lobby to sweep while Miranda kept her eye trained on him.

"So, are you ready for your upcoming match?" Miranda asked him.

Kaden took a minute to answer. "I'm practicing bit by bit every day..."

"But...?"

"But what?"

"You seem a little hesitant there," Miranda noted.

He didn't think of himself to be so transparent. "I mean... I'm still making modifications to the deck. Just recently, Riley suggested I added Lobomon as a backup."

"Smart," Miranda noted. "Hybrids still find use sprinkled in decks nowadays, especially in Armor decks."

"Mhmm..." Kaden kept sweeping.

After another moment, Miranda leaned over the counter. "Your match aside, how are you doing overall? Any concerns working so far?"

"Aside from needing more hands on deck, I enjoy myself. Riley, Sierra, and I get along well as a team."

"So I've heard," Miranda nodded. "To be honest, Riley tends to be a handful at times, but Sierra has mentioned that you've been a good influence on her."

"Well, I wouldn't say that," Kaden blushed slightly.

"No, no, I mean it." Miranda insisted. "Riley's mood has changed for the better. Even customer reviews indicate as much."

Kaden didn't know how to respond to that. He didn't think he had that much of an impact on Riley, especially considering how she typically is. "Uh…thanks, I guess."

Miranda smiled at Kaden's flustered expression, then turned her attention to the approaching customer at the door. The potential customer stopped and peeped through the glass, leaning in too close and triggering the sensor. Reactively he gasped and jumped back, catching Kaden's attention. Miranda, meanwhile, remained humored by the individual.

"Salan!" Kaden exclaimed, causing some heads to turn.

The customer tensed and began to turn, but Miranda called out. "Welcome! How can we help you today?"

Salan turned sheepishly and said, "Sorry, I was just looking for someone…."

"If you're looking for Riley, she isn't here." Kaden staked the broom and leaned forward on it. "If you're looking to cause more trouble, though…"

Salan hesitated to speak, wanting to leave but feeling pressured to stay. "I'm not here to cause anything…"

"So then, what's up?"

Salan felt his nerves getting the better of him, so he turned to Miranda to avoid Kaden's glare. "Are you…?"

"The manager, yes. How can I help?" Miranda playfully leaned forward, propping her chin in both of her palms.

Her body language didn't make him feel any better. "I—I just…"

"Mhmm~?" She hummed, listening intently.

"I wanted to apologize…to that girl."

"That girl's name is Riley," Kaden specified sharply.

"Right…Riley..." Salan said in a tone growing somber by the second. "Oh, and of course, to you as well!"

"Right…" Miranda continued to stare. "Is that all?"

Awkwardly, Salan nodded. "Yeah…if you can just let her know I stopped by…."

"Brandon Asghar…" Miranda said, causing Salan to tense hard. Kaden saw the smirk on her face grow, and he turned to Salan, who suddenly looked mortified. "Yes, I know who you are and who your uncle is."

Kaden blinked and looked at the both of them again. Suddenly, he felt out of the loop, which didn't feel too good.

"Uh…I…!"

"Aww, what's wrong?" She sat up, making her way to the counter door, "Did you really think you could just waltz into my store—the scene of your stunt no less—and not be discovered?"

Kaden watched as the one now known as Brandon took a step back. Miranda inched out of the doorway and crossed her arms. "You've…been a bad boy. A busy, bad boy."

Brandon turned to Kaden, though Kaden was also hesitant to say anything. His only other option was to make a break for it, so he did.

"Ah bup bup!" Miranda pointed towards him as he had one foot out the door. "Unless you want Lord Vermil to hear about our conversation, I suggest you turn around."

Brandon reluctantly turned around and returned inside the store as if under her spell. Of the few customers present, they all had side-eye glances, all being nosy while not trying to make it obvious. The fact that she referenced the Southern District Representative made it evident to Kaden that she had some connection to them, but she wasn't a Representative…

…was she?

"Now then, Vermil obviously used his influences to have you avoid being arrested, but you can probably tell I'm not satisfied…."

Brandon nodded, his body language indicating the pressure she had on him. She walked closer to him and stared into his eyes, causing Kaden to grow tense. What was she going to do to him…?

"Redeem yourself." She told him.

They both blinked in confusion. Miranda pulled away and went to a free terminal. Tapping the edge of it, she was making it clear what she meant. "If you win, this conversation never happened, and your apology goes through."

"And if you win…?" He was almost afraid to ask.

"Then you work for me to repay your sin."

Kaden nearly did a double take, "WHAT?! You're joking, right?"

"Hm? Weren't you the one who said we could use the extra hands?"

"Yeah, but him?! Seriously?!"

"Deal." Brandon accepted.

"Bro, don't agree with her!"

"I don't wanna hear it from someone weaker than I am…."

"What was that?!" Kaden threw the broom off to the side.

"Yes, what was that you just said…?" Miranda asked before Kaden could grab his shirt collar.

"I said he's weaker than I am." He stated more firmly.

"Hmm…" Miranda watched as Brandon came over to the terminal. Flashing his purple-accented red D-Streamer, he linked it to the terminal while Miranda raised her sleeve, revealing the yellow-accented pearl color one on her wrist. "Don't worry about the customers; this won't take long."

Brandon spoke before Kaden could acknowledge her, "What's that supposed to mean?"

"But simply that your punishment will be swift."

"Oh yeah?" Brandon's tone shifted, "I don't know if the blue wonder over there told you, but rush tactics don't work on me."

His aggressive stance amused Miranda. "Well then…I'm sure I have something that will tame you then."

Brandon shook off her comment and readied himself. Miranda did the same.

DIGI-GATE: OPEN!


"I'll begin…Viximon, come here," Miranda hatched a small yellow ball-like Digimon with nubs for limbs and a fluffy fox tail and ears, similar in build to Gigimon.

Viximon (EX2-003)

Color: Yellow

Level: 2

"Viximon digivolves into Salamon, and then I play Renamon from my hand." Miranda continued, transforming her fox ball into Salamon and summoning a bipedal fox Digimon with purple arm warmers on its arms.

Salamon (BT3-032)

Color: Yellow

Level: 3

DP: 1000

Renamon (EX2-019)

Color: Yellow

Level: 3

DP: 1000

"Renamon reveals the top 4 cards of my deck; from amongst them, I can take one Rika Nonaka and a Digimon with 'Kyubimon,' 'Taomon,' or 'Sakuyamon' and add it to my hand." She explained as Renamon swung its arms out, summoning diamond fragments that transformed into cards. Rina Nonaka, Angewomon (EX1), Taomon (EX2), and Renamon (BT5) appeared among them. Miranda took Rina and Taomon, sending the other two cards to the bottom of the deck.

MEMORY

0-3 (Turn Change: Brandon)

"My move," Brandon drew. "I didn't expect to be facing a Zenith."

"Intimidated?" Miranda asked.

"Excited is more like it," Brandon was confident in his stance, "I hatch Gigimon and digivolve it into Guilmon."

Guilmon roared to life on his side, its dilated pupils and sharp teeth elevating its wild nature.

Gigimon (EX2-001)

Color: Red

Level: 2

Guilmon (BT2-009)

Color: Red

Level: 3

DP: 3000

"Next, I play Tsukaimon from my hand and digivolve it into BlackGrowlmon to end."

Miranda drew visible disgust upon the summoning of the black Growlmon variant. The beast joined Guilmon in an attempt to intimidate, snarling like an impatient raptor.

Tsukaimon (BT3-079)

Color: Purple

Level: 3

DP: 2000

BlackGrowlmon (BT5-076)

Color: Purple

Level: 4

DP: 4000

MEMORY

3-0

0-2 (Turn Change: Miranda)

"Vile creature," Miranda noted upon drawing. "Salamon digivolves into Piddomon, and I play Rika directly from my hand."

Piddomon, an angelic Digimon with four wings, materialized where Salamon presided. At the same time, a brown-haired tamer with a turquoise-sleeved white t-shirt, a broken blue heart in the middle, and jeans and steel-toed sneakers appeared. She pulled up her blue-tinted sunglasses and crossed her arms as the binary finished developing.

Piddomon (BT4-042)

Color: Yellow

Level: 4

DP: 5000

Rika Nonaka (EX2-060)

Color: Yellow

MEMORY

2-1

1-3 (Turn Change: Brandon)

"Intimidated?" Brandon threw her question back at her.

"Disgusted," Miranda sneered.

Brandon scoffed and drew, "Typical Zenith. Guilmon moves out, and I then play Takato Matsuki.

Kaden watched as Takato appeared on Brandon's side. It looked like Miranda was a Zenith user. And then, by the same token, Brandon benefited from the Nadir District. Guess it never really sunk in during their first encounter, but seeing Miranda's reaction to Brandon's plays was interesting. What was it about the Nadir District that made her say that? Is it to play on the districts' rivalry or…?

Takato Matsuki (EX2-056)

Color: Red

MEMORY

3-0

"BlackGrowlmon, Security Attack!" Brandon declared, not wasting time. BlackGrowlmon roared and opened its jaws, charging within it a purple ball of flaming energy fired towards Miranda's side. It shot through the appearing Security, with Salamon appearing from it. However, the stark contrast in power level overtook it, deleting it immediately.

Miranda

Security: 5-4

"Good Job, BlackGrowlmon," Brandon commented. "Rest up for now."

"Hm?" Miranda furrowed her brow as Brandon flashed the Option Card in his hand.

"I activate the Option Card Death Claw! I delete BlackGrowlmon to take out your Renamon!"

Miranda hesitated briefly, turning her attention to her field. BlackGrowlmon roared, its claws turning purple. It charged Renamon, who attempted to dodge, but Growlmon followed it into the air and slammed it down, driving its claws into it. The overwhelming power flowing from the claws caused BlackGrowlmon to ignite, wiping the pair out.

"And now, Tsukaimon's IE effect kicks in: When deleted, I get a Memory back. I'll also suspend Takato to get a Memory off of him."

MEMORY

0-2

"Guilmon, digivolve into Growlmon and Security Attack! Gigimon's IE effect draws me a card as well." Brandon kept the pressure going, transforming Guilmon into Growlmon. The normal variation leaped forward to swing at Miranda.

Growlmon (ST7-05)

Color: Red

Level: 4

DP: 5000

MEMORY

2-0

Growlmon crashed onto Miranda's side, causing her security to react. A clean swing with its bladed arm sliced the Security in half, causing the card behind it to unveil itself.

"Security Trigger: Reinforce Memory Boost to the Battle Area!" Miranda countered, causing Brandon to tense back, to Kaden's surprise. It was as if Brandon's self-assurance hit a wall.

Miranda

Security: 4-3

"What's wrong?" Miranda asked, making a quick note of Brandon's reaction.

"Nothing…lucky trigger, I guess." He shrugged it off.

"Possibly…" she pondered as the card generated.

"I end my turn." He further added, surprising Kaden. The counter was at 0, and going by the cost of her Tamer, it was indeed a Memory Tamer, so her memory was going to be at three anyway.

Was his hand lacking in options, or did that trigger really throw him? Kaden crossed his arms, looking at Miranda, who had a slightly disturbing smirk on her face.

She drew and hid her lips using her hand, the cards fanning over the lower half of her face. "Are you ready…?"

"No…"

"But you didn't know what I was gonna say?"

"Whatever it is, I know it's not gonna be something I wanna deal with," Brandon stated firmly.

Miranda chuckled, "I like that answer, especially given that you were so critical before."

Brandon couldn't argue.

"Piddomon moves out and digivolves into Angewomon!"

Piddomon grew empowered by the streams of binary code and allowed the streams to remold it into a feminine angel Digimon, whose beauty was on par with the strength that radiated from her appearance.

Angewomon (EX1-030)

Color: Yellow

Level: 5

DP: 7000

MEMORY

3-0

"Now then…" Miranda raised her hand, "Let the purge commence…!"

Her sudden declaration took aback Kaden and Brandon, but that's when she flexed her hand open, "Angewomon, Security Attack!

Angewomon pointed with the same arm as Miranda's, and the wings on her silk gloves extended so they became like limbs to a bow. Radiant energy expelled from her forearm, and she pulled her arm back, drawing the energy into an arrow aimed at Growlmon. Releasing the arrow, it pierced through Growlmon, causing it to stagger and lodge itself in the Security behind it.

"Between Angewomon, and Salamon, Growlmon loses a combined 4000 DP when attacking," Miranda explained as Brandon's Growlmon dropped to a knee.

Growlmon: 5000-1000 DP

The Security shattered and revealed itself, BlackWarGrowlmon appearing to counter Angewomon. However, the residue energy from her arrow lashed out at the Digimon, confining it where it stood.

"That also goes for your Security Digimon as well, as they receive -3000 DP when I attack," she explained as BlackWarGrowlmon fussed with the confines.

Angewomon: 7000 DP

BlackWarGrowlmon: 7000-4000 DP

While BlackWarGrowlmon hissed angrily, Angewomon took another arrow and did it easily enough, earning a growl from Brandon himself.

Brandon

Security 4-3

"Calm down, no need to be upset with me yet…" Miranda teased. "Now then, Angewomon…I order you to transcend and become the Angel of the X-Antibody!"

Kaden looked up at Brandon after the audible gasp escaped him. "What's gotten into you?"

Brandon stood in shock as Miranda slowly unveiled the card in her hand. "There's no way that you're…!"

"Indeed I am. You, my cute friend, picked a fight with an X-Streamer; and not just anyone…" she set the card over her Angewomon, and a navy-colored orb with smaller x-lined red orbs appeared before Angewomon. "But the one designated as the Angel of X."

Angewomon took hold of the mysterious orb, and a mass of binary erupted from it and took it over. Kaden turned his attention to the Battle Area and watched Angewomon transform before his eyes. Moments passed, and the binary mass peeled back, unveiling a transformed Angewomon. Her appearance seemed more mature, dressed in a white, translucent gown covered with gold wing ornaments and red accents. With shimmering wings of blue and purple, she gave off vibes of not only a superior religious icon but as well as a warrior angelic being, especially when it came to the mitre that replaced the helmet that covered her eyes and the sword-like ornament that made the cross on it.

Angewomon (X Antibody)

Color: Yellow

Level: 5

DP: 8000

"Angewomon (X Antibody), when she digivolves, gives one of your Digimon Security Attack -1." Miranda began as the already weakened Growlmon was instilled with another debuff. "Also, if Angewomon or the Option Card X-Antibody is within its sources, and if I have five security or less, I can recover 1."

Miranda

Security: 3-4

"And finally, Angewomon's IE effect triggers: Since a card was added to my Security, one of your Digimon receives -2000 DP. My target is Growlmon; bring it down to 0."

Growlmon hissed weakly as Angewomon's wings unfurled and pushed a gust of wind toward Growlmon, not putting much effort into taking it out. It collapsed into a red binary before Brandon was left quiet, processing the situation.

"And wouldn't you know I have more in store for you," Miranda picked up the Memory Boost card, sending a chill down Brandon's spine. "I activate the delay effect, regaining three Memory, of which I'll digivolve my Angewomon into Holy Maiden of the Mystic Arts: Sakuyamon!"

Angewomon spread her arms and looked upward as she was showered in yellow binary. Said binary went ahead and transformed Angewomon X into a tall humanoid Digimon with a black undersuit and gold fox-themed armor bearing a resemblance to Renamon. It spun around its khakkhara before slamming it on the ground, dispersing the binary lingering in its airspace.

Sakuyamon (EX2-024)

Color: Yellow

Level: 6

DP: 11,000

MEMORY

3-0

"Sakuyamon, per her effect, unsuspends upon digivolving, and usually, for each tamer I have present, I would be able to pull an Option Card with 'Plug-In' in its name from my trash and add it to my hand," Miranda explained as Sakuyamon took a strong stance. "Sakuyamon attacks, and then I suspend Rika to play the Option Card: Offensive Plug-In A!"

Brandon quickly noticed the Option Card's red border, though Miranda spoke before he could, "FYI, so long as I have a Tamer present, color restrictions are nulled."

"Just like my deck…." Kaden thought to himself out loud.

"Sakuyamon gains Security Attack +1, and Viximon IE triggers, drawing me a card since I played an Option Card with a cost of 2 or more. Oh, Angewomon's effect is still active, so your Security still has the -3000 DP implemented!"

Brandon braced himself as Sakuyamon swung her staff, summoning a group of rainbow-colored spirit foxes to lash out at his security. The first was Megidramon, his Ace. Usually, it would've easily countered Sakuyamon, but the -3000 DP worked to have it come up ever so short.

Sakuyamon: 11,000 DP

Megidramon: 13,000-10,000 DP

Megidramon snapped for Sakuyamon, but the foxes swam around the dragon and used their elemental attacks to distract it long enough for Sakuyamon to land a clean shot, repelling its counterattack. Afterward, the foxes went after the second Security, where Matt appeared, landing beside Takato on Brandon's side.

Matt Ishida (BT2-090)

Color: Purple

"Matt's ability allows me to return Megidramon back to my hand," Brandon quickly took his card back, seeking a new opportunity to use it.

Brandon

Security: 4-2

"Aww, will that make a difference, though? Your field is cleared, and you're down to two Security."

She had a point, Kaden thought. He had the option to grab an Option card too, so maybe Death Claw would've been a better option in this case…

"I end my turn by playing Pillomon," Miranda said, summoning a cute pink pillow-esque Digimon resembling a sheep with a nightcap on its head.

Pillomon (BT9-033)

Color: Yellow

Level: 3

DP: 2000

MEMORY

0-3 (Turn Change: Brandon)

When Brandon drew, Miranda said again, "Just as a heads up, Pillomon restricts Digimon from being played with effects."

Brandon looked at her, then his hand, and finally sighed. "Screw this; you win."

Kaden blinked. "Huh?"

Brandon turned to him, "What did you expect? She's an X-Streamer."

Kaden looked to Miranda, who brushed her hair aside in triumph. "Is that something tied to STREAM Corp?"

"Hm?" Miranda smiled, unlinking from the terminal, "Curious, are we?"

"Wait, you didn't know that?" Brandon asked, shocked.

"I'm an independent streamer, bro; there's a lot I choose not to know."

"Even then, you're the last person who should be in the dark about this stuff," Brandon unlinked his device. "To be an X-Streamer is to be an Elite Tamer. They may not be representatives, but their strength can easily rival theirs.

"Yeah, I noticed," Kaden noted. "That said, welcome to the team, I guess…."

Brandon furrowed his brow and realized the wager he made with Miranda before. She came up from behind him, and he tensed, her low giggle resonating as she made eye contact.

"Glad to have you on board. Training starts immediately." She smiled.

Reluctantly Brandon nodded and allowed Miranda to lead him into the back of the store. Kaden crossed his arms, replaying the match in his head. If X-Streamers have the power to rival the Four Representatives…could that be his key to defeating Homura? Should he ask her what he could do? Would it require him to join STREAM Corp, then? Just then, he realized the most important question…

How would Sierra feel about all of this?

His phone buzzed, diverting his attention briefly. Reaching into his pocket, he saw Nico calling him back. Now that he thought about it, Nico never walked in for his shift. Detention ended early enough for him to make it to work; he was sure of that.

He pressed the call button and raised the phone to his ear. "Hey bro, what's—!"

"How fast can you make it to the hospital?!" Nico was out of breath and sounding frantic.

Kaden felt anxiety spike suddenly, his body freezing from the sirens in the background. "What's…what's going on?"

"Riley and I are still trying to figure things out. Right now, we're—!"

Kaden sprinted out of the store, the phone still in hand. "Where's Milo?!"

"He's shaken up, but he's fine; trust me... Just meet us here as soon as you can…"

Kaden hung up and shoved his phone into his pocket. Billboards within the square were lit, and the attention of several bystanders was glued to the screens above their heads. Kaden looked up, and it was there that his sprint was forced to a crawl.

Mouth dry and heart racing, he turned his body to the screen and read the headlines carefully.

GAS LEAK AT CLAUDE SHANNON HIGH SCHOOL CAUSES EXPLOSION LEAVING SEVERAL INJURED, ONE CRITICAL.

Kaden's heart dropped into his stomach. They were all at the school…Milo, Riley, Nico…

He knew they were fine. He knew what Nico instructed. Yet his gut told him to go to the school; as for why, he didn't know—yet.

By the time he arrived, he would have a good reason to be there; he was sure of it…