[Central District, Omnia: The Day of the Invasion...]
It was a trap. To think that the Nadir District had them running in circles like this...
...How long were they plotting this attack...?
Homura and BlackWarGreymon dropped between a pair of buildings and crashed on top of a Fangmon that cornered a terrified user, smashing it into the ground before it could lunge. Homura held onto BlackWarGreymon's shoulder for dear life and scanned the outer parts of the alleyway. Echoes of chaos bounced off the narrow walls, solidifying the escalating chaos.
"Th-thank you!" the user made out with their trembling voice.
Homura didn't think to turn around, "If you're a user, log off now."
"Do you know what's—!"
BlackWarGreymon was forced to throw their shield up to intercept a blast from the enemy Troopmon that located them. Homura ducked and turned back with a booming tone, "LEAVE!"
Frantically, the user nodded and pulled out, dispersing into binary and giving Homura a brief sense of calm, allowing him and his partner to retaliate. Homura had to think of his next few moves for BlackWarGreymon to lunge forward and skewer the additional red hounds that began to fill the gap.
Carrying them into the sky, he tossed them further ahead. Homura leaped off his partner and freefell as BlackWarGreymon spiraled through them like a drill, deleting them before winding back to catch Homura.
"Excellent work," Homura told BlackWarGreymon. "You're not too tired, are you?"
BlackWarGreymon scoffed, "You're a chef, not a comedian. Don't ask stupid questions."
Homura smirked, expecting such a response, "Fair point."
Hearing snarls, Homura looked up and saw a building army of black firebird Digimon begin to gather around, and a humanoid crow Digimon dressed in purple armor and armed with swords leading them.
"These skies belong to the Nadir District, the crow Digimon proclaimed. Either swear fealty to our District or burn with this one."
"A Karatenmon..." Homura studied.
"And a flock of Saberdramon," BlackWarGreymon added. "Hmph, I was in the mood for some Karaage."
"I don't advise eating this meat," Homura replied as they drew closer. "No telling where it came from."
Karatenmon raised its golden blade and pointed. "Consider those quips a sign of defiance! Delete them!"
"Now!" Homura countered, ducking into BlackWarGreymon's shoulder before the latter unleashed a wave of black and red energy from its person, knocking the Saberdramon away from it and causing Karatenmon to shield itself. BlackWarGreymon dove for Karatenmon and slashed, yet the avian Digimon quickly blocked the strike and kicked BlackWarGreymon back, leaving it surrounded by crippling Saberdramon.
"Homura, are you all right?"
Homura leaned up and nodded, "Sweaty, but I'll live."
"As will I," Karatenmon stated, though no one asked.
"Great, then maybe you can answer my question then," Homura turned, leaning forward.
"Curiosity came over Karatenmon, imploring him to humor Homura.
"What's the purpose of this invasion?" Homura didn't think a random foot soldier would know the exact answer. Yet with the chain of events being so complex, there had to be more hands involved to make this work.
"It's to reclaim what was lost to us."
"Which would be what?"
Karatenmon chuckled, "The true king of Omnia!"
Homura hesitated upon hearing that. He could've written that off as some nationalistic-esque proclamation, yet something was off by its tone. "Can you be more specific?"
Karatenmon pinched the bridge of its beak in pity and shook its head, "You sad humans are so ignorant of the history of our world. Unaware of the sins of those who sit so high above..." he sheathed his swords and crossed his arms. It had to have been referring to the Zenith District. If that was their real target, why attack Central? Homura thought for a moment and realized the answer.
They're not strong enough to attack head-on yet.
"This is a trap, isn't it? You're trying to bait the Zenith District to act!" Homura exclaimed.
Karatenmon cackled and nodded, "What better way to get to 'God' than to go after their sheep, hm?"
Homura stared daggers into the Digimon, realizing how bad the situation was getting. Just then BlackWarGreymon jumped back, jerking Homura into clutching his partner reactively.
"Now, don't run away! Give your life to your false gods while they scheme to save-!"
"Aus Generics!" A voice called out, and suddenly Karatenmon's chuckling fell silent. Half its body twitched and slid slightly before it dispersed violently into a purple binary cloud. Homura looked at the missing bird to see a spiky dragon humanoid wearing a tattered red cape.
"Jesmon...!" Homura recognized as the mysterious Digimon turned to him.
"Get to safety; we'll take care of things from here," Jesmon instructed.
"I know what their target is! All of this is a setup to get the attention of the—!"
"We know," Jesmon interrupted. "Our intel has confirmed as much."
Homura wanted to question further, but it didn't seem he would get a straight answer. "What can I do?"
"Log out. The Nadir District is capturing any human users they run across. The Southern District's already on track of being a mess; we don't need you of all people falling into the Nadir's hands either."
Homura didn't argue, though he didn't like the idea of being powerless. An explosion erupted not far off, reverberating the screams of terror. Looking outward, he could see the Nadir Digimon multiply in numbers, either capturing Saibatars or mercilessly attacking them; all the while, fire ran across rooftops, and structures crumbled into data and debris.
"Homura, let's go," BlackWarGreymon told him.
Homura bit his lip and pulled up the screen. He hesitated to hit the confirm button, thinking he could still do something.
"HOMURA!" BlackWarGreymon roared, causing Homura to scream and log out. The screams went silent, and the images of flames became the white walls of the STREAM Corp private lounge. Homura wiped his eyes and looked up, Miranda leaning on her hands, smiling back at him.
"Hi there~" she winked. "Are you ready to accept my offer?"
Homura tried hard to keep his composure. As much as she was mocking him, he was stuck.
"You all knew this whole time, didn't you?" Homura struggled to keep calm as he threw the accusation. "You knew the Nadir District would come after STREAM Corp."
"Eventually," Miranda said. "Hence why I went through all the trouble that I did. And, whether you like it or not..." she leaned in, making Homura uncomfortable, and with a whisper, she finished, "I'm reaping my rewards..."
She leaned back and raised her brow. "So, I ask again, are you ready to accept?"
With a reluctant sigh, he nodded. Sierra would surely be at his neck for this, but he needed to put his friendship and feelings aside for the sake of Omnia.
"Very well. I'll become an X-Streamer."
Chapter 3: The Nadir Representative
"Stay with me; you're gonna be okay..." Sistermon Blanc—in her Saibatar form—kept her tiny hands on the wound of the downed Bearmon. The young Digimon was separated from its friends in the chaos and was trembling from the wound on its arm.
"I'm scared..." The Bearmon cried. "Where's Agumon and Guilmon...?"
"There there," Sistermon Blanc consoled him. "I'm right here with you."
Her trident hung heavy on her back, as did the anxiety she kept hidden. This wasn't the first time she's experienced chaos of this magnitude, but unannounced breakouts would shake anyone, no matter how experienced they were.
Looking toward the castle's direction in the distance, she undid the pink ribbon in her hair and tied it on Bearmon's arm before standing up, her silver locks bouncing against her back. "Let's move somewhere safe for now."
Bearmon obeyed the girl and took her hand while she reached for her weapon in the other. The pair began to jog along the sides, focusing on her goal. Vilemon and Devimon, who caught wind of their escape attempt, pursued them, to which Sistermon swung her weapon outward, sending a wave of light to stagger them. They kept moving, dodging each Nadir Digimon's attempt to cut off or separate them. Little by little, they were getting closer to safety—closer to the castle.
"Help us!" a voice familiar to Bearmon cried out, causing the cub to halt. Sistermon Blanc yelped at the sudden stop and felt her thin arm yank back as Bearmon overpowered her.
"Hey, wait—stop, that's the wrong way!" She exclaimed.
"I hear them!" Bearmon cried. "They have Agumon!"
Sistermon gasped, now feeling at odds. She didn't want to abandon Bearmon's friends, but her priority right now was his safety. Reluctantly, she tugged against him, "Don't worry about them. My sister and our allies will get to them. Right now, your safety comes first!"
"Huh?! No!" Bearmon broke off Blanc and raced off, causing her to groan and move to chase him. However, a Devidramon dropped from overhead and swooped up Bearmon, causing the young Digimon to scream. Sistermon Blanc reacted by raising and aiming her weapon, but then a creepy hand grasped her wrist. She yelped, only for another hand to clasp her mouth. A humored, sultry male voice whispered in her ear, sending shivers down to her core.
"Now, now...~" the Myotismon grinned as Blanc surrendered herself to her captor. "Best not fight back when you're at a disadvantage..."
Blanc was helpless as the growing group of Devimon surrounded her on the ground and Devidramon overhead. A Soundbirdmon floated down before her and echoed cries for help that made Bearmon spring into action.
It was a trap, and they fell for it.
"Take the Bearmon," Myotismon ordered his group. "Marsmon will likely be willing to negotiate knowing his brood is in our possession."
Upon hearing this, Bearmon began to cry out and continued to struggle and try to break free, to no avail. Sistermon Blanc tried to struggle, only making Myotismon tighten his grip on her.
"And as for you," he looked down at Blanc, "I have been given special orders on dealing with you ODF lot."
"Funny because I've given her special orders as well..."
Myotismon turned and sneered at the blonde-haired, golden-eyed Saibatar marching forward. His lord had warned about this individual, the acting leader of the Central District...
Ouryumon, the Golden Dragon.
"Ryusei!" Sistermon Blanc exclaimed.
Myotismon smirked and released Sistermon Blanc, who quickly went over to Ouryumon. "A trap within a trap. Clever."
"Cease this destruction this instant," Ryusei told him.
"I'm afraid that's not possible. You understand this is the Nadir District's only chance at survival, correct?"
"Then you should've done the logical thing and reached for help. The truce between the Zenith and Nadir has long since been upheld. There's no need for this violence."
"Oh yes, that 'treaty'…" Myotismon shrugged, "If that were the case, explain Zenith's ultimate goal to eradicate our District."
Ryusei paused. "What nonsense are you spouting?!"
"Don't play dumb; you know exactly what I mean. After all, our district was founded on the very basis of survival. The only reason why we continue to live is because Alphamon unthinkingly sold his loyalty to them. Now that he's gone, what's stopping them?"
Sistermon Blanc looked towards Ryusei, who was shaken by Myotismon's words.
"Once we're gone, the Zenith will turn their attention to the remaining Districts. Our Representative seeks to prevent that from happening."
"And you're willing to sacrifice all of Omnia just for that?!"
"And the human world, if need be," Myotismon confirmed. "Whatever it takes to gain the power to topple them."
Ryusei growled as a black binary stream began to stir around him. "Blanc, join up with the others. I'll take care of this scum…"
"But—!"
"Just go!" He exclaimed, growing in ferocity as the binary spiral grew.
"Hold up there, Blanc!" the voice belonging to Vantus came through their coms. "Ryusei, we have a problem!"
Ryusei went cold, turning his attention to his com. "Vantus, what do you mean by that?!" He looked at Myotismon, the latter grinning wide.
"We'll take our leave now." Myotismon snapped his fingers, causing him and his entourage to vanish, with Bearmon in tow with them.
"No!" Blanc cried out.
Ryusei gritted his teeth and ran in the direction of the castle. "Vantus, talk to me! Please don't tell me that they've gotten into the castle?!"
His answer came in the form of an explosion near the top of the center spire—the throne room. Vantus groaned afterward. "…fine…I won't…"
Ryusei roared, and the binary around him erupted, carrying him into the sky. Sistermon Blanc, unable to fly herself, watched as Ryusei took off like a black rocket, powerless to intervene.
"Ryusei, wait…!" She screamed, yet the rushing wind in his ears drowned her voice. Ryusei was up at the top within a minute, and once he landed in the newly made hole, he was rendered still by the sight.
Vantus was laid out, covered in debris, and on the throne in the room was a cloaked, masked individual who seemed too comfortable, sitting as if they were declaring victory.
"I'm only going to say it once," Ryusei stepped inward. "get your butt off that throne."
Obediently the individual stood and took a step down the stairs between them. Ryusei, like lightning, charged the individual, only for them to catch his fist in midair, stopping Ryusei in his tracks. The Nadir Representative pushed Ryusei aside, the latter swinging his arm back, which his intruder dodged easily. Ryusei continued to assault the intruder, and the intruder continued to dodge each way, eventually flipping over Ryusei and backing toward the hole. Seeing the opportunity, Ryusei mustered up the strength and blitzed them again.
"Metal Impulse…" The Nadir Representative uttered, releasing a blast from his raised hand that knocked Ryusei across the room and into the wall on the other side of the throne room. Crashing onto the floor, he groaned bitterly as his body shocked him with aches. The intruder walked to the center of the room and bent his extended arm, the sleeve of his cloak unveiling a black gauntlet on their arm. Ryusei forced himself on his feet and met the challenge, binary encircling his forearm and creating a golden gauntlet on his arm.
"DIGI-GATE: OPEN!" they both exclaimed, signaling the beginning of their real fight.
"I'll start!" Ryusei declared, hatching. "I hatch Kyokyomon!"
An orange-yellow serpentine digimon with bright green eyes and small fins on its upper and lower body materialized on Ryusei's side.
Kyokyomon (BT8-005)
Color: Black
Level: 2
"Kyokyomon digivolves into Ryudamon, and then I play Dorumon for 3 Memory from my hand!"
Kyokyomon was surrounded by streams of black binary, transforming it into a small quadrupedal dragon Digimon adorned with samurai armor. Following it was a small, purple-furred dragon Digimon with tiny black bat wings. Both of them also had large red gems on their foreheads.
Ryudamon (BT8-060)
Color: Black
Level: 3
DP: 1000
Dorumon (BT7-056)
Color: Black
Level: 3
DP: 1000
MEMORY
0-3 (Turn Change: Nadir Rep)
When Dorumon enters play, I reveal the top 4 cards of my deck, allowing me to add one Kota Domoto and one X-Antibody Digimon to my hand!" Ryusei explained, unveiling the top four cards: Hisaryumon, DarkTyrannomon, the Tamer Yuji Musya, and Junkmon. With only one option, that being Hisaryumon, he opted for it, sending the others to the bottom.
Afterward, the Nadir Representative went about his turn, drawing. "I hatch Dorimon."
Ryusei went pale as the small oval-shaped furry dragon appeared, letting out a tiny roar from its being.
Dorimon (BT7-005)
Color: Black
Level: 2
"Dorimon...?" Ryusei recognized, becoming fixated on it. The horror continued as the Nadir District Representative reached for his mask and pulled it off, unveiling his face from beneath.
Vantus, in and out of consciousness, was alert enough to look up and take note of the familiar face. "Zack...?!"
With his sharp purple eyes, the Nadir Representative looked over to Vantus and then back to the shaken Ryusei. "Dorimon digivolves into Dorumon, and then I play another Dorumon from my hand."
The Nadir Representative summoned his pair of Dorumon, one overlaid on the smaller dragon and a second appearing within the Battle Area.
Dorumon (BT7-056)
Color: Black
Level: 3
DP: 1000
Dorumon (BT9-058)
Color: Black
Level: 3
DP: 2000
MEMORY
3-0
"What is the meaning of this...?" Ryusei was at a loss for words.
"When Dorumon is played, I can discard one card with the X-Antibody trait to draw two cards from my deck," The Nadir Representative explained, taking a card from his hand. "I trash DexDoruGreymon to draw two." After that, he took one of his retrieved cards and swiped, "Dorumon digivolves into DarkTyrannomon."
The Dorumon in the Battle Area roared as it grew empowered, transforming into a black-scaled tyrannosaurus Digimon with green spikes down its spine and red stripes on its body.
DarkTyrannomon (ST5-08)
Color: Black
Level: 4
DP: 5000
MEMORY
0-1 (Turn Change: Ryusei)
As the turn switched, Ryusei continued to stare at the Nadir Representative. There was no mistaking it; this was Alphamon, his king, his mentor…yet those glazed amethyst eyes…
"What did they do to you, my liege…?" Ryusei was increasingly shaken, trying hard not to accept the current reality. However, the longer he denied it, the more emotional he became. "What did they do to you?!"
With nothing for an answer but a blank stare of anticipation, Ryusei drew and decided to let his cards talk for him. "Ryudamon moves out, and Dorumon digivolves into Dorugamon!"
Ryudamon, as stated, dashed out alongside Dorumon, after which Dorumon flapped its tiny wings as a black binary stream encased it and transformed it into a bigger version of itself, trading the purple fur for a navy color and turning its tiny wings into more form-fitting ones, its claws also turning red, longer and sharper to push the beast-like form further.
Dorugamon (BT7-062)
Color: Black
Level: 4
DP: 5000
MEMORY
1-1(Turn Change: Nadir Rep)
The Nadir Representative drew and moved Dorumon forward alongside his DarkTyrannomon. Then he took a card and flipped it around. "DeathXDigivolution…"
Ryusei was taken aback by the sudden purple spiral that surrounded DarkTyrannomon. He then watched as DarkTyrannomon was overtaken by the purple binary streams that lashed out to drag it under. It roared in pain as it was swallowed, and Ryusei felt powerless to do anything. He looked to the Nadir Representative, who looked on emotionlessly.
"So long as I have a Digimon with the X-Antibody Trait present, color requirements aren't necessary to activate," The Nadir Representative explained. "Using this Option Card, DarkTyrannomon will now digivolve into the DexDoruGreymon within my trash."
"From your trash?" Ryusei repeated.
"Arise, DexDoruGreymon!" The representative commanded, the vortex birthing a new creature within the room. The bodily structure was identical to DoruGreymon, yet the being itself was nothing short of a twisted variation, the white underside now a bluish-green, its metallic silver wings crimson red, tipped with metallic spikes, its braided tail unfurled and wavy, unveiling a metallic whip-like tail underneath, and its face covered in metallic armor, blinding it.
The zombified DoruGreymon unleashed an eerie, pained cry as its emergence completed, sending a chill down Ryusei's spine.
DexDoruGreymono (BT9-078)
Color: Purple/Black
Level: 5
DP: 8000
MEMORY
1-3 (Turn Change: Ryusei)
"Per its effect, I discard Dorugamon from my hand to gain a memory."
MEMORY
3-2
"Also, since DexDoruGreymon digivolved from my trash, one of your Level 4 or lower Digimon is deleted. I choose Dorugamon."
DexDoruGreymon roared and unleashed the metallic limb within its tail, skewering Ryusei's blocker and ripping its core out. Dorugamon was deleted while its core remained on the tip of the spike. Ryusei stood frozen as the tail retracted to DexDoruGreymon's face, where the latter then proceeded to open its jaws and swallow it whole without any remorse.
It was nothing short of grotesque.
"Here's your opportunity to surrender…" The Nadir District Representative stated suddenly.
"…what?"
"As you can see, we are in possession of the X-Antibody," they continued. "And as you may have heard thus far, our target is solely the Zenith District, who cowardly hide amongst the clouds, watching comfortably as our people are slaughtered."
"Our people?!" Ryusei hissed. "You're the ones who've invaded our Districts!"
"And yet their blood rests on the Zenith District's inactions…"
Ryusei gritted his teeth, unwilling to admit the logical conclusion the representative presented. "My liege, I know you're in there…tell me…tell me that what you taught me wasn't lies! That the humans care about our world!"
The Nadir Representative watched as Ryusei slowly delved into his internal crisis. When he received no answer from them, Ryusei roared. "I Hatch Kyokyomon!"
A second Kyokyomon appeared on his side.
"Kyokyomon digivolves into Junkmon, and Ryudamon into Ginryumon!"
Kyokyomon transformed into a squirrel puppet-like Digimon with wheels for its hind legs and a cannon on its back made of food cans. At the same time, Ryudamon became a larger, more serpentine variation of itself. Retaining its limbs, its body was covered entirely in black armor, with its neck covered in lavender armor.
Junkmon (BT6-055)
Color: Black
Level: 3
DP: 2000
Ginryumon (BT8-063)
Color: Black
Level: 4
DP: 6000
MEMORY
2-0
"I play the Option Card: Eiseiryuoujin! This option card de-digivolves one of your Digimon, which I choose DexDoruGreymon!"
Ginryumon opened its jaws and produced a blade from its jowls, the sword igniting into blue flames, to which it then slashed the air, sending the fire towards DexDoruGreymon, who yelped from the burning flames. Its outer body burned away, forcing it to revert into DarkTyrannomon, the latter staggering in place.
"Next, by adding Dorumon to Ginryumon's sources, I can delete one of your Digimon with a play cost of 4 or less, of which I choose your Dorumon!"
Ginryumon swam forward, blade still handy, and came down on the Representative's Dorumon with the blue flames aiding in overtaking it.
"Dorumon's IE gives me +1 Memory, and Kyokyomon's IE effect boosts Ginryumon by +1000 DP until the end of your turn.
Ginryumon: 6000-7000 DP
MEMORY
0-4 (Turn Change: Nadir Rep)
4-3
The Representative drew. "I hatch another Dorimon and digivolve it into a Dorumon."
Another Dorumon arrived in his Raising Area, replacing the downed one.
"DarkTyrannomon digivolves into DoruGreymon, and when digivolving, I'm allowed to add 1 X-Antibody Card into its sources, giving it immunity from deletion and DP reduction until the end of your turn. I add a second DoruGreymon." The Nadir Representative explained as DarkTyrannomon transformed into the normal variation of DoruGreymon.
DoruGreymon (BT7-064)
Color: Black
Level: 5
DP: 7000
MEMORY
3-0
"Then, DoruGreymon will Death X Digivolve back into DexDoruGreymon for 1 Memory."
Ryusei went cold as he witnessed DoruGreymon's horrific mutation back into the monster he got rid of just before.
"Once more, I discard DexDorugoramon to gain a memory for digivolving."
MEMORY
0-1
"Since DexDoruGreymon digivolved from its original counterpart, I can use its second effect once again to delete Ginryumon."
Ryusei braced himself for DexDoruGreymon's attack as Ginryumon fell victim to the same tactic as Dorugamon. This one felt worse, as his Digimon forms consisted of Ginryumon, so it was as if the monster was devouring his own core.
"I end my turn by digivolving DexDoruGreymon into the Legendary Beast of the X-Antibody! Dorugoramon!"
The room erupted into light as DexDoruGreymon howled. Its zombified body was covered in silver armor and forced into its hindlegs as it was reformed into the silver powerhouse that was Dorugoramon, its sleek, knight-like armor and navy wings making it stand out.
Dorugoramon (BT7-065)
Color: Black
Level: 6
DP: 11,000
MEMORY
1-2(Turn Change: Ryusei)
"Dorugoramon…" Ryusei uttered as the beast dragon gave something akin to a smirk. The personification of his master's powers, he heard of the untamed power it was when separated from him. And now, it's standing before him amongst an army of its corrupted digivolutions…
…if there was any doubt in his mind that this was someone else, those thoughts were gone. Ryusei felt a tear stream down his face, his chest tightening as he drew. There was nothing he could do.
"…I play Yuji Musya…" Ryusei uttered, summoning a blue-shirt, silver-haired tamer with white pants and brown gloves.
Yuji Musya (BT8-092)
Color: Black
MEMORY
2-1 (Turn Change: Nadir Rep)
The Nadir Representative ignored Ryusei's slow decline and moved Dorumon forward. "With four cards with the X-Antibody trait in its sources, Dorugoramon gains +4000 DP. The pair of DoruGreymon supply additional Security Attacks as well.
Dorugoramon: 11,000-15,000
"Triple Security Break." The Nadir Representative declared, causing his beast of a dragon to roar and unfurl its wings. "When attacking, I add Dorumon to its sources, triggering its effect for me to gain memory.
MEMORY
1-2
Shooting up through the roof of the room, sending broken stone to rain down and crash between them, though both were unfazed by it. Dorugoramon grew empowered with a powerful aura and came back down like a meteor, Ryusei's three Security reacting to impede its descent. From the Security, DarkTyrannomon, Hisaryumon, and Ryudamon appeared, all victim to the Brave Metal attack from Dorugoramon.
Ryusei
Security 5-2
Dorugoramon landed before the teary-eyed Ryusei, the shockwave sending a gust of wind past him. Ryusei made eye contact, and Dorugoramon snarled back before jumping back to the Nadir Representative's side.
"Dorumon digivolves into Dorugamon, and then Death X Digivolves into DexDorugamon." They continued as the same evil vortex overtook Dorumon. After forming into the silhouette of Dorugamon, the Digimon solidified, its dark blue body visibly stitched all over with mechanical limbs and a metal head. Its soulless red eyes blinked on, and the cyborg zombie announced its birth in an electronic-sounding cry.
DexDorugamon (BT9-075)
Color: Purple/Black
Level: 4
DP: 6000
MEMORY
2-0
"I discard Dorumon to gain a memory."
MEMORY
0-1
"Also, since Dorugamon is in its sources, DexDorugamon gains Retaliation and Blocker. Finally, I play DeathXDigivolution, to Death X Digivolve Dorugoramon into the Dark Predator of the X-Antibody: DexDorugoramon!"
Ryusei balled his free hand into a fist.
Dorugoramon roared, the vortex appearing for a final time, spewing dark energy onto it. With an evil grin, the Digimon embraced the energy, its silver armor turning purple, its wings becoming black and crimson, and its body wrapped in belts as if to hold it together. The final form of the corrupted being roared a blood-curdling cry as its horrific transformation was completed.
DexDorugoramon (BT9-081)
Color: Purple/Black
Level: 6
DP: 13,000
MEMORY
1-1(Turn Change: Ryusei)
Ryusei drew, then dipped his head in defeat, unable to push himself to go on. "I pass…"
The Nadir Rep took a moment to respond, to which they sighed. "I expected more from you…how disappointing."
Hearing that made Ryusei snarl, "Give him back! Give me my master back!"
MEMORY
1-3 (Turn Change: Nadir Rep)
The Nadir Rep drew. "DeathXDigivolution on DexDorugamon to digivolve into DexDoruGreymon from my trash. I discard Dorugoramon to gain a Memory.
MEMORY
3-1 (Turn Change: Ryusei)
1-0
"DexDorugoramon, Double Security Break! Metal Impulse!"
Ryusei crossed his arms reactively as the dark dragon bent its knees and flexed its wings. Black flames ignited from its claws, and once it was charged, it blitzed Ryusei, smashing his final two Security with no effort, revealing a useless Brave Metal and another Ryudamon, whom DexDorugoramon captured. Ryusei watched as DexDorugoramon crushed it to its core, and devoured it, the gesture adding salt to his broken heart.
Ryusei
Security 2-0
"DexDoruGreymon…Direct Attack…!"
Ryusei looked up at the stomping monster as it came overhead. Growling and salivating, the Digimon opened its jaws and came down on Ryusei, the latter of which closed his eyes and accepted fate for what it was...
But then, a flash of gold fell the beast, DexDoruGreymon toppling on its side and dispersing, to the surprise of the Nadir Rep.
Ryusei opened his eyes and gasped upon seeing the silver Omnimon before him, its golden Garuru Blade extended and dripping binary code.
"Axel...!" Ryusei recognized as the new Digimon reverted to its Saibatar form.
Vantus meanwhile pushed himself up and charged the unsuspecting Nadir Representative. However, the latter sidestepped and elbowed him back onto the ground, stomping on his back and drawing out a pained groan.
"Were we that loud?" The Nadir Representative turned to Axel.
"That big ugly dragon may've tipped me off," Axel replied, taking a long look at him. "So, you've been hiding in the Nadir District this whole time, huh?"
The Nadir Representative didn't answer that. He then twitched, his gaze breaking and leaning off to the side.
"Well? Care to explain what the hell is going on?!" Axel exclaimed harshly.
The Nadir Representative looked back. "Some other time, perhaps. It seems as though you made a mess of my forces."
"Given the mess you've made of our district, I'd argue that opinion's subjective. Don't think you're leaving without answering my question!" Axel then charged, following Vantus' example from before. Before he could capture the Representative, they vanished in a mist of purple binary streams, causing Axel to crash beside the fallen Vantus. When Axel realized he escaped, he cursed and punched the ground, fracturing the tile.
"Sorry…amongst the chaos, he managed to slip in. I let my guard down…" Vantus apologized, groaning with each motion upright.
"You're fine," Axel said, standing and offering his hand. Vantus took it, standing upright. "This is his castle, after all."
"That wasn't…that couldn't have been him…" Ryusei said, who was now crumbling on the floor, wallowing. "I refuse to believe that he'd turn on us…"
Axel and Vantus turned, empathy coming out of the both of them. They, too, shared his feelings to a degree. After everything he went through to make it to this point…he had to have been influenced by something. And whatever it was, they sought to get to the bottom of it.
The chamber doors opened, and in came Blanc and Jesse, along with Ciel and Garretson, the final two members of the group. And with them was a pleasant surprise.
"We found this one wandering in the lower levels," Ciel said, pushing Dexter on the floor, the latter tied up and anxious. "Most of the oncoming forces are either deleted or retreated. Unfortunately for this one, they seemed to abandon him; emphasis on 'seemed.'"
"Have the fallen Nadir eggs been collected?" Axel asked.
"Should we have?" Jesse asked.
Axel glared.
Jesse crossed his arms. "They can wait until Venusmon returns; I don't think she'd want to dirty her hands even then."
"That's enough, Jesse," Garretson said sternly. "I'll go and retrieve them myself."
Axel acknowledged that, and Garretson grabbed Jesse by the collar, dragging him along with the latter's protest. The sisters looked back towards them and then down at Dexter, who continued to tremble.
"You won't get away with this! Very soon, the Nadir District will have their vengeance, and the fruits of our labor will soon be—ahhhh!" Vantus grabbed Dexter by the collar and forced him up, pulling a shriek out of him. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I'll shut up!"
"Keep talking," Axel instructed. "We have a lot of questions that your 'master' wouldn't spill and a lot of claims your mass of troops kept reciting."
"Not to mention the information I've gathered during my investigations," Vantus added.
"You're—wait, did you all know we were going to strike?!" Dexter exclaimed.
"Eventually. The tension between the Zenith and Nadir has been stirring up long before you were even a concept in the matter." Axel explained. "It was bound to happen."
Dexter found he couldn't argue with that. With a reluctant sigh, he looked at them. "Fine…I'll tell you all I know. On one condition…"
"You're not in a position to—!" Axel cut Vantus off to allow Dexter to speak.
"What is it?"
Dexter hesitated and sheepishly answered, "…please don't hurt me?"
[STREAM Corp, Present Day]
"Operation Central Reclamation…" Mason began his presentation in the once streamer-filled auditorium. Only a handful remained, many of whom didn't want to be soldiers for a company that put them financially at risk. Some even thought they were making up some false narrative to cover their haphazard method of addressing why the servers went down and remained down. Again, they didn't want to be tied to a company sinking faster than the Titanic.
Kaden sat in the dark room and scanned the surrounding area. He knew he knew some of the faces unknown to him—their V-Streamer personas, anyway. Afterward, it would be interesting to see if the V-Streamer was the same person inside and out or if the Saibatars they don are characters within Omnia, as was the case with him, Nico, and the others.
There was one face he did recognize, though: Brandon Asghar. Kaden was, at best, half surprised to see him. Given Miranda's implication, Brandon had STREAM Corp ties to him, specifically with the Southern District Representative, Lord Vermil. From that perspective, it's no wonder he got roped into being an X-Streamer. Kaden turned his attention back to the presentation, Mason continuing his lecture.
"The day the 'servers' went dark was when the Central District was brought to ruins. The vanguard forces came through and, while defeated, didn't leave empty-handed. Dozens of casualties have been recorded, including the capture of many users and the prince of the Southern District, Bearmon. We believe that they hope to use Bearmon as a bargaining chip to gain the Southern District's support.
Kaden looked at Brandon and saw him shift in his seat. He imagined that the latter probably felt responsible since he took the 'forbidden fruit' that had given rise to Megidramon.
"At the same time, though, the ODF collected several Nadir Digi-Eggs and a Nadir high-ranking official. Doing so taught us that the Nadir District aims to return to Central. This time though, we will be ready for them. Our mission is to reinforce the defenses of the Central District and eradicate the incoming forces; if Central District is completely compromised, the remaining Districts will fall one by one. Any questions?"
One brave soul raised their hand, prompting Mason to acknowledge them.
"Where's the Zenith District in all of this? This certainly breaks the treaty between the two, no?"
Kaden turned, realizing it was Homura's voice. Given how heated Sierra was when they were pulled away, he didn't think he would come to this.
"The Zenith District will only act if all other options are exhausted," Mason explained.
"Despite the Zenith being their target and doing all this to get them to react?"
"That is correct."
Homura held his stare for a moment longer than Mason liked, "Is there something you like to say, Mr. Oda?"
"No sir," Homura said firmly.
Mason stared back for a moment longer before breaking eye contact. "Deployment will commence at 1600 hours. Dismissed."
The handful of X-Streamers all rose from their chairs and dismissed themselves. As Kaden slowly made his way out of the aisle and up the stairs to the exits, he called to mind his duel with Homura again and said he was powerless to do anything while in Omnia. He could only imagine Mason's answer getting under his skin. Yet another way STREAM Corp and the Zenith District were implied to be connected in some particular way.
The longer he sticks out, the closer he'll get to his answer…
"I didn't think you'd be here, Salan," an accented female voice scoffed. "Guess your plan to get back at Cobalius fell down the drain, huh?"
Kaden picked up on the question and slowed as he entered the exit. There Brandon was standing next to a pair of X-Streamers. The cream-colored boy was tall, with his brown hair done up in a comb over fade, wearing the X-Streamer uniform, which consisted of a Jacket and black pants. His D-Streamer was a cobalt blue with gold accents across it.
The girl was noticeably shorter, her black hair in a ponytail, and she wore the X-Streamer uniform. The black shirt underneath was cropped, exposing part of her toned midriff. She, too, had cream-colored skin, though her facial features and accent indicated some Middle Eastern connections.
"It's way more complicated than that…" Brandon noted.
"Oh, we've heard." The boy scratched the back of his head. "You did Tariq dirty by leaving him to take the heat."
"Hey! I didn't think the idiot had a weapon on him!" Brandon exclaimed. "Him getting arrested is on him!"
"But your uncle got you out of trouble, so how is that fair?" The girl's tone shifted some.
Brandon didn't have a comeback.
The boy smirked, "The perks of having privileges."
"Shut up! I didn't ask for him to get in trouble."
"Yet you were quick to distance yourself, weren't you?"
Again, no comeback. At this point, Kaden approached. The boy took note and recognized him immediately. "Well, well, look who it is. Been a while, Cobalius."
"That level of smack talk can only make me think of one person: LoneShot."
"I go by Lucas IRL; Lucas Esposito."
"And I've heard about you," the girl held her hand out for him. "Adara Khan, also known as Blazara of the Southern District within Omnia."
"Pleasure to finally meet you," Kaden shook her hand. His gaze shifted to Brandon, who seemed embarrassed. "What's up, Brandon?"
"Homura said you joined up. Didn't think you would." Brandon acknowledged him.
"Yeah, well, I got a debt to repay."
"Same here," Brandon noted. He looked at the other two before pushing past them, "Excuse me."
The three watched as Brandon made his way down the hall. Then they saw him approach an older man in a gray suit and red tie. His jet-black hair was slicked back with a stoic expression to go along it. After talking amongst themselves, the man turned to them. Adara waved, and he sneered back, turning their back to them. She pulled her eyelid down and stuck her tongue out at him when he wasn't looking.
"Very professional, Adara."
"Bite me, wolf boy." She replied.
"Don't tempt me," he smirked, earning a disgusted grunt from her.
"I take it that's the Southern District Rep?" Kaden asked.
"Cyrus Asghar of Vermillion Pharmaceuticals. Prominent Shareholder within STREAM Corp and the Representative of the Southern District." Adara explained. "Did I mention he's my corrupt uncle as well?"
"Wait, really?"
"The uncle part or the corrupted?" Lucas asked.
"The uncle part," Kaden clarified.
"But we don't talk about it, so don't ask." Adara continued.
"Understood." Kaden nodded.
Lucas turned to Kaden, "So, out of curiosity, where've you been? A lot has gone down the last several months."
"No kidding," Kaden said. He looked at his watch, "We have several hours to kill, so…lunch?"
"Let's do it!" Lucas clapped. "Adara?"
The girl nodded, "probably the only free time we're gonna have for a little while."
"Then, without further ado, onward to food!" Lucas marched ahead, with Adara following behind. Kaden took a moment to start moving as his mind wandered to Sylvia and how she was doing.
He could only hope that she was okay…