As we entered the school from another doorway, it felt as though we were finally able to make progress after the long, early detour.
"It's a longer route, but if we continue to go down this hallway and up those steps, we should be able to make it to the Announcement Room where your friend is being held captive," the student council president said.
"Hopefully, we will be able to get to the bottom of this mystery once we arrive there. You have been a significant help, Miss President," I informed her.
Despite my optimism, the student council president looked downcast.
"What's wrong," I asked.
"I find it odd that I know so much about this school even though it might not be real. I'm questioning whether or not the host and what your friends said about me are true. Do I not belong here? Am I part of this school as a fictional construct? Do I even exist," the student council president questioned.
"Of course, you are real. See," Agumon replied, holding the student council president's hand.
"Thanks, Agumon. That's comforting of you," the student council president responded.
"I understand your fear about your memory loss. I want you to know that I will be here with you every step of the way until we find the answers to the questions that you seek. Whenever you feel lost and confused, you can always lean on us. We will be here to lend you our strength when you need it the most," I continued.
"Thanks, Tai. I'm glad you and Agumon are here with me on this journey. I feel better now. Okay, let's tackle this mystery once and for all," the student council president declared.
Episode 5
As Agumon, Miss President, and I continued down the hall, something zoomed by us instantaneously. The sudden trail of dust clouded our sight as I tried to understand what had transpired. A beautiful young woman with short blonde hair and blue eyes stood before us after the smoke settled. I noticed that parts of her body were mechanical, almost robotic. Her gaze was eerily like Miss President.
"Finally, I have found you at last," the robotic woman said to Miss President.
"D-Do I know you," the student council president asked.
"I understand that it will be painful, but you must remember who you truly are to end this charade," the robotic woman continued.
"Who I am," the student council president murmured to herself.
Suddenly, the student council's president's head ached in pain, and she collapsed to her knees.
"Miss President," I said, checking up on her.
"If I recall correctly, you must be Tai Kamiya, the Thrill-Seeking Indecisive Jester. The smaller one next to you is a companion of sorts, correct? It is not a Shadow, nor is it any of the creatures I have encountered on land," the robotic woman explained.
Multiple questions zipped through my head. How did this mysterious entity know who I was? What is her relationship with the student council president? Is she a companion or a threat?
"I'm sorry, Tai, but I must ask you to step aside. Thank you for taking care of my sister thus far; however, from this point on, she will be under our protection. This matter does not concern you anymore," the robotic woman continued.
"Do you think these two are sisters, Tai," Agumon asked.
"I don't know, but it looks like she knows more about what we're going through than we do," I replied.
Agumon and I stood before the student council president to shield her.
"I apologize, but I'm going to need more information to know that your intentions for taking her are just," I told the robotic girl.
"I understand. In that case, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Aigis, the 7th Generation Anti-Shadow Suppression Weapon. The one who you call Miss President is the 5th Generation Anti-Shadow Suppression Weapon, Labrys. In other words, she is my older sister," the robotic woman explained.
"A younger sister," Agumon repeated, confused.
"An anti-shadow suppression weapon," I pondered.
Miss President looking nothing like a robot. She was an average human girl in my eyes.
"Labrys, is that my real name," Miss President asked.
Labrys continued to wince in pain from the newfound information. As I also tried to digest this added information, a TV monitor appeared from the ceiling and lowered it to our level.
"So, you're here as well. I should have known you'd appear eventually to tangle with our plans," General Teddie said from the TV monitor.
Although General Teddie appeared on the monitor, something about his tone of voice was off. It wasn't sarcastic or happy-go-lucky but sinister and calculating.
"You are the host of the fighting tournament this young man is going through. However, you are also the one who captured my sister, aren't you," Aigis said to General Teddie.
"I will not stand by and watch you falsely accuse me with little to no evidence. You are in my world now, which means you must abide by my rules. You must fight, fight, and continue fighting until you can't battle anymore. I will force you to relive the cruel fate that I have suffered repeatedly and make you understand my pain," General Teddie said coldly.
Unexpectedly, a wave of students passed by all of us. By the time I came to, Labrys was missing.
"Tai," Labrys shouted as the students brought her up the stairs.
"Labrys," I shouted.
I tried to run after the students, but I bumped into an invisible wall trying to get up the stairs.
"Didn't I tell you that this is my world that you are living in? The rules still apply here. Beat each other up and suffer just as I did all those years ago. Don't worry; I'll take good care of that imposter while the two of you dance in the palm of my hand. The next time we meet will be your last," General Teddie replied.
General Teddie disappeared from the screen before I could confront him. My concerns about this ordeal became clear when General Teddie showed his true colors. Whether or not the one portraying General Teddie was Labry's Shadow or someone else entirely, it was clear that their target was Labrys. Although I was unsure why she was so crucial in whatever concocted plan they had, it didn't change the fact that Labrys was in trouble, and I had to help her.
"Your name is Aigis, right? I'm sorry for acting abruptly, but do you understand the rules of the game General Teddie mentioned," I asked.
"If I recall correctly, we must battle until one of us is incapacitated. Otherwise, we will both be trapped here while the enemy continues their scheme. It would be impolite to ask you to step down and allow me to proceed, for I believe you genuinely care about my sister. For that reason, I thank you for staying by her side thus far," Aigis replied.
"This Aigis person is a nice lady. Do we have to fight her," Agumon asked me.
"I know what you mean, Agumon. We just met her, and she has the same goals as us. It feels wrong," I answered.
"I understand your concern and appreciate your honesty. Had we met under different circumstances, I would have asked you to join me in saving my sister. Instead, I will do whatever it takes to complete my mission. What about you," Aigis asked.
"You truly do care about your sister. In that case, Agumon and I won't hold back," I informed her.
"Thank you for going along with my whims. Now, please do not hold back and show me how strong your resolve is to protect my sister," Aigis declared.
Aigis took a deep breath. Whirring gears and loud exhaust echoed throughout the hallway. The next thing I knew, Aigis was hovering in the air with weaponized equipment coming out from her arms and back. Understanding the seriousness of the situation, I quickly shattered the card before me, donning my new attire and allowing Agumon to digivolve to Greymon. The two of us charged after Aigis, who was quietly analyzing our combat capabilities. She fired multiple bullets at us, which I had to avoid to prevent any significant injuries. When that did not work, Aigis switched tactics and fired dangerous rockets at us from her back. Greymon stood in front of me to take the brunt of the attack. In the chaos of the smoke, I kicked my soccer ball at her, which Aigis parried. During her movement, Greymon charged at her.
"I'm sorry, Aigis," Greymon said.
Greymon clasped his hands and was about to swing both arms at Aigis when a blue light appeared before her. A majestic warrior with a large golden spear and blue shield appeared before Aigis. It protected her from Greymon's attack and retaliated by thrusting its spear at Greymon. Although Greymon was about to stop mid-movement, he still received a significant wound in his arm.
"Greymon, are you okay," I asked.
"I can still fight, Tai, but that was surprising," Greymon responded.
"Yeah, I knew she introduced herself as a Shadow Exterminator. I didn't think she carried a Persona with her," I replied.
"It appears you are tougher than I initially thought. Therefore, I shall take this battle to the next level," Aigis declared.
Aigis hovered around her Persona as she continuously fired various bullets at us. Although Greymon protected me from the bullets, I noticed that Greymon could only hold them back for so long. Spotting that one of the classroom doors was open, I touched the door to check if an invisible wall would block my way. Once I confirmed I could go through, I asked Greymon to revert to Agumon, and we headed inside the classroom to recover. Aigis stopped her barrage and awaited our next move.
"How are you holding up," I asked Agumon.
"Aigis is tough, Tai. I'm not sure if we can beat her," Agumon replied.
"As much as I want to surrender to let Aigis rescue her sister, I also want to see Labrys's story until the end. If Aigis is ready to take this battle to the next level, we must respond properly. Let's show her what we are capable of," I said.
"I'm ready when you are, Tai," Agumon responded.
The two of us walked out of the classroom to confront Aigis.
"Have you recovered your strength," Aigis asked.
"Yes, we are ready to face you head-on," I replied.
"In that case, I will show no mercy," Aigis responded.
Aigis launched more missiles at us. I concentrated with all my heart as a blue circle surrounded me.
"Agumon, Four Card Arcana Digivolve to... MetalGreymon," Agumon shouted.
MetalGreymon withstood the brunt of Aigis's firepower and brushed the smoke to the side. MetalGreymon tried to slam Aigis with its large, mechanical arm, but her Persona appeared to defend Aigis from the attack. In response, the Persona thrust its spear at MetalGreymon, but MetalGreymon was prepared for the attack and backed away. MetalGreymon shot its arm at the Persona and chained it around the Persona's shield. MetalGreymon swung the Persona around and threw it at Aigis. Aigis braced herself from the impact as the two flew to the other side of the hallway.
"Giga Blaster," MetalGreymon shouted.
MetalGreymon fired two large missiles from its chest at Aigis and her Persona. The missiles created a massive explosion upon impact, creating an immense cloud of smoke throughout the hallway. Exhausted, MetalGreymon reverted to its Rookie state. Once the dust settled, I carried Augmon and walked towards Aigis, who was lying on the ground motionless. As I wondered how to fix her, Aigis slowly rebooted and attempted to stand up. I brought her over to a wall to lean against as she regained movement in her body.
"Sorry, are you alright? I didn't mean to harm you to this extent," I informed Aigis.
"I may have lost, but this is probably for the best. I understand now how concerned you are for my sister. Perhaps this warmth is what was missing in her life. I may not be able to provide that aspect, as I am a machine, but you might be able to reach out to her when she needs it the most. I went through a similar experience, so I want my sister to draw her conclusions and carve her fate. Can you help her," Aigis said.
Although she called herself a weapon, I discerned she was just as concerned about Labrys as I was. I may not know Aigis's story, but I do feel a sense of similarity with her. Before I could respond, the television dropped from the ceiling and turned on again.
"Are you done playing this childish game of house? Hurry up and continue to beat each other up already," General Teddie said in his cold tone.
"You don't understand anything, do you? We're not fighting out of malice. We battle out of respect for each other, not for you. You can spin our words and manipulate our thoughts, but you can never break the bonds I have with my friends and those around me. No longer will we be swayed by our callous remarks. We will carve our path and find our way through the end of this maze. That's how we've adventured so far, and that is how we will continue to explore our unlimited possibilities," I responded.
"Bonds? Respect? What a load of hogwash! You have no idea what it truly means to fight against your will as though your life depended on it. You do not know what it means to slay those close to you just to survive. Perhaps that is what I should have had you do instead of a mere battle. I will make you experience my pain, suffering, and anger if that is the last thing I...," General Teddie said.
Before General Teddie could finish his sentence, a part of the ceiling fell to the ground, crushing the TV monitor beneath it. I instinctively shielded Aigis from the sudden event, hoping to protect her from the sudden experience.
"Note to self: creating a makeshift platform does not make a good elevator," the voice from the cloud of dust said.
As the dust settled, I noticed a familiar figure dusting herself off from the rubble she stood on top of.
"Wait, aren't you the girl from the Velvet Room? What are you doing here, of all places," I said, surprised.
"You look familiar. Yes, I remember now. You're the mysterious boy with scruffy hair who ravenously stared at me with lustful eyes. As much as I would love to consider toying with the idea, my duty to my mission outweighs such fleeting desires," the elevator attendant replied.
"Hey, I wasn't looking at anyone like that. I was in a dream-like state inside the Velvet Room, so I had little control over my thoughts and actions. Also, I do have a name. It's Tai."
"Isn't that the thing you put around your neck? Why would anyone want to be named after a noose?"
I knew she was eccentric, but I couldn't imagine I would not have a proper conversation with her.
"Since you introduced yourself, allow me to do the same. My name is Elizabeth. I am searching for the necessary power to grant my wish. Curiously, my journey has taken me here. How enticing," the elevator attendant continued.
"If power is what you are looking for, there is a shadow that trapped my friends here and manipulated our speech. Perhaps if you confronted the shadow, you could finish this mission as well as ours," I suggested.
"Oh no, I'm not looking for something so trivial. I seek the power of the wildcard, the ability to convert bonds into strength. I believe that will give me the clues needed to start my journey," Elizabeth explained.
I recalled my time in the Velvet Room with Igor and Margaret. Since the start of this unusual adventure, they entrusted me with the Fool Arcana, which allowed my friends and me to grant our Digimon the power to transform into their ultimate potential. Could that be the power Elizabeth was looking for?
"If it has to do with the Wild Card and all that, couldn't you ask someone like Igor or Margaret about it," I asked.
I thought it was a simple question, but Elizabeth's golden eyes glistened.
"Now, those are names that I haven't heard in a long time. No wonder you could sneak up on me inside the Velvet Room. Unfortunately, I am playing hooky, so returning to them is not in my best interest," Elizabeth answered.
Is she running away from them? What could have happened between the three of them to make them separate like that?
"Upon closer inspection, there is something different about you. I can't explain it, but I know there must be a reason my master and my sister have chosen to align with you on your journey," Elizabeth continued.
Despite their distance, Elizabeth still considers Igor her master. I was also surprised that she and Margaret were sisters. I knew there was something special that connected them.
"I have made my decision. Will you do me the honors in partaking in a fiery battle of passion and excitement," Elizabeth asked.
"Why would you want us to fight? I have no reason to engage in combat with you," I answered.
"What about now," Elizabeth questioned.
Elizabeth snapped her fingers. At first, nothing happened. Then, I felt a cold sweat trickle down my back. I tried to step down the hallway, but an invisible wall immediately blocked my path. I tried going up the stairs, but the same thing happened.
"Hey, cut it out, would you? Were you the one creating those invisible walls all this time," I asked.
"Why would I want to partake in such parlor tricks? Observe," Elizabeth stated.
I tried to take the same step up the stairs. This time, there wasn't an invisible force blocking my way. As soon as I tried to continue forward, I bumped my head against another invisible all.
"See, I can let you escape whenever you wish. Now, might you indulge me in a quick festive battle," Elizabeth asked again.
"As much as I don't want to entertain that idea, I need to go and save Labrys. She could be in danger as we speak," I said.
Elizabeth snapped her fingers again. This time, all I heard was silence, which perplexed me. I headed over to Aigis to check up on her. The gears that I'm used to hearing circulating her body had stopped midway as though they froze in that instance.
"What did you do this time," I asked.
"I merely stopped time," Elizabeth said halfheartedly.
"If you have the power to do that, how do you still not have enough power for the mission you are on?"
"Perhaps the power that I seek is akin to what you call a 'miracle.'"
"Why are you willing to go this far to complete your mission?"
Again, I thought it was a simple question, but Elizabeth looked upward beyond the school and sky that enclosed her. Whatever her journey was, I understood it was important to her and well beyond what I could have imagined.
"Okay, I'll fight you if you promise to stop creating those invisible walls and return time to normal," I told her.
"Splendid, I knew you would eventually accept my offer. I ask that you do not hold back. I wish to see the full extent of your power," Elizabeth said.
With another snap of her finger, a bright light shrouded Augmon. Once he stopped glowing, Agumon opened his eyes.
"Agumon, are you okay," I asked.
"I'm okay, Tai. I've never felt better. It's like all my fatigue disappeared instantly," Agumon explained.
"Did you cure him," I questioned Elizabeth.
"Did I not say I want you at your best? Healing your companion is but a minor thing if it means finding the answers that I seek," Elizabeth confessed.
"Who's that," Agumon asked.
"It's hard to explain, but she wants us to fight her," I responded.
"But we haven't done anything bad to her. Why are we fighting someone we're not mad at," Agumon questioned.
"Well, if we don't fight her, she may trap us here forever. Let's entertain her just this once, and we can continue our journey," I informed.
"Okay, Tai, I trust you," Agumon said.
"That's an adorable creature you're talking to. I've never seen anything quite like it," Elizabeth said.
"Hello, my name is Agumon," Agumon said to Elizabeth.
"It is also very polite. I'm glad your companion is in healthy shape. Hello there, little one. My name is Elizabeth," Elizabeth continued.
"You seem like a nice lady. I'm not sure why we have to fight, but if that's what you and Tai want, I won't hold back," Agumon stated.
"I wouldn't expect anything less from the two of you. Now, shall we begin," Elizabeth asked.
Elizabeth opened the tome she carried. The pages flipped by themselves as though they had their own will. In an instant, I knew if I didn't take this battle seriously, my life could be in jeopardy. Immediately, I shattered the card before me, quickly allowing Agumon to digivolve into MetalGreymon. MetalGreymon charged after Elizabeth, who also destroyed a card of her own. A dark figure with a flaming sword appeared before MetalGreymon, pushing MetalGreymon away from Elizabeth. From the sword, the figure blasted large flames at MetalGreymon.
"Powerful Flame," MetalGreymon shouted.
In response, MetalGreymon fired flames from his metal arm at the dark figure. The two flames collided with each other, creating a large explosion. Elizabeth returned the dark figure into a card and shattered a new one. This time, a small snowman wearing a blue hat and boots appeared before her.
"She's able to summon multiple creatures, too? She is Margaret's sister," I commented.
The snowman attempted to encase MetalGreymon with multiple pillars of ice. MetalGreymon carefully moved out of the way, dodging the ice as much as possible. At one point, the ice caught MetalGreymon's arm and stuck it against the wall. Using this opportunity, Elizabeth shattered another card. A yellow deity with long hair and a hammer emerged from the card. The deity charged the hammer with electricity and leaped towards MetalGreymon. MetalGreymon used his metal arm to block the attack, but the energy from the hammer shocked MetalGreymon.
"Mega Claw," MetalGreymon shouted.
MetalGreymon released the claw from its arm, causing the deity to lose its balance. MetalGreymon wrapped the chained claw around the deity's body and flung it down the hallway. Elizabeth shattered another card, materializing a warrior with white armor and a spear. The warrior fired various blades of wind from his spear at MetalGreymon. MetalGreymon broke through from the ice just in time to dodge the warrior's attacks. The warrior charged at MetalGreymon with his spear.
"Metal Slash," MetalGreymon shouted.
Timing the attack exactly right, MetalGreymon brought his metal arm down at the warrior, slicing it apart and reverting it to a card. Elizabeth twitched from the sudden pain.
"Your power is as impressive as I have imagined. However, our performance has not concluded," Elizabeth stated.
Elizabeth summoned a metallic angel that surrounded MetalGreymon with multiple talismans.
"MetalGreymon, get out of there quickly," I shouted.
MetalGreymon jumped just in time before the talismans evaporated everything inside its circle. When that did not work, Elizabeth shattered another card, creating a small girl with blond hair and a blue dress. As MetalGreymon landed on the ground, the girl recited a dark incantation, summoning a circle around MetalGreymon and dragging it to the ground. MetalGreymon launched his metal arm towards a wall and pushed himself out of the ground before the circle melted everything inside the enclosure. Elizabeth shattered another card, summoning a decayed figure wrapped in red cloth. The figure released a poisonous mist underneath its cloak, spreading the fumes throughout the hallway. I held my breath, hoping it would dissipate soon.
"Giga Storm," MetalGreymon shouted.
Realizing I was in danger, MetalGreymon fired a high-temperature energy wave from its chest at the mist, blowing the fumes away and evaporating them into the air. I took a short breath to assess the toxicity in the air and felt relieved when I confirmed the danger was clear.
"Are you troubled? We are not at the end of our act yet. The show must go on," Elizabeth responded.
Elizabeth shattered another card, summoning an ancient figure wearing traditional garb and wielding a katana. The figure concentrated on a singular point in the hallway and created a massive explosion that reverberated throughout the hallway. As the hallway quieted, I spotted MetalGreymon unconscious and lying on the ground.
"Come on, MetalGreymon, wake up. Please get up," I said, crawling towards him.
"Now, it is time for the grand finale," Elizabeth declared.
Elizabeth shattered another card, summoning a dark figure surrounded by coffins. The figure slowly glided towards MetalGreymon, ominously symbolizing that the end was near. I used all my strength to run towards MetalGreymon as the figure lurked towards it.
"Come on, MetalGreymon, you have to get up. Otherwise, we're not going to get out of this one unscathed," I said, doing everything I could to solicit a response.
The figure revealed its blade as it drew closer to us. No matter how often I kicked the soccer ball at it, the figure never responded, zoning its focus on MetalGreymon. I continued to shake MetalGreymon in hopes that he would react, but nothing happened. Eventually, the figure hovered above MetalGreymon, preparing to stab it with its sword.
"MetalGreymon," I shouted.
The instant I covered MetalGreymon from the blade that would stab him, MetalGreymon woke up.
"Terra Destroyer," MetalGreymon shouted.
Right as the figure brought its blade down, MetalGreymon fired one large missile from its chest at the figure, destroying it. Unable to hold its form any longer, MetalGreymon reverted to Agumon. I hugged Agumon tightly to protect him as Elizabeth walked over to me.
"Thank you for the battle. It was riveting," Elizabeth finally said.
Confused, I slowly stood with Agumon in my arms.
"I see the willpower you possess to protect those you care about, even at the darkest moments. Putting others' desires above your own is an asset rarely conceived in your world. To continue to act this selflessly would lead to a road of endless hardships. Will you still choose to follow an underappreciated path simply for an optimal future," Elizabeth asked.
"That's not up for debate, right? I will continue to fight for a better future, regardless of what stands in my way. The road is tough, but if my friends are by my side, I will see that path until the end. That is my strength," I replied.
"It appears that concludes my time here. While I may have found adequate answers during our tumultuous escapade, I require more soul-searching for what I truly seek. I will look around a bit to see if I can find more clues here. I bid you farewell," Elizabeth said.
Elizabeth walked down the steps, never to be seen again. Soon, time resumed, and a tiny fairy appeared before Agumon and healed him, only to disappear just as quickly. With Agumon and Aigis returning to their senses, I headed to Aigis.
"How are you feeling," I asked Aigis.
"I am well, but I cannot function properly in my current state. It may be troublesome, but I must ask for your help. Please rescue my sister," Aigis said weakly.
"You don't even have to ask. I'll make sure Labrys is safe. Besides, I think it's wrong to classify yourself as a machine. You have a Persona, which means you have a heart. To me, that makes you more human than machine."
"Is that so?"
"I have a friend that's in a similar situation. He's a Shadow, but he also has a Persona. He overcame the insecurities in his heart to form a bond with his Persona. It proves that he can be just as human as everyone else. So, don't think of yourself as a machine. I'm sure you have colleagues who value you as much as they would anyone else."
"You are truly kind, Tai."
"I consider myself stubborn. As much as it pains me to leave you in your state, I should continue on. Labrys is in trouble, and I will do whatever it takes to protect her from whatever is causing this mess."
"Thank you, Tai. I will be fine after I rest for a bit. Good luck on your journey."
*To be continued*