[Staten Island, New York, The Day of the Invasion...]
Kaden stared intently at his phone, awaiting some reply from Nico. The lack thereof was scaring him, and the traffic wasn't helping. AEGIS picked up him and Sierra at the ferry terminal to get to Milo's house as soon as possible. The days of prepping for this sting operation were all coming to a head, and of course, things were trying to go awry. He turned to Sierra, who looked bothered and aloof.
"They're gonna be okay," Kaden tried to reassure her. "Nico and Homura have this handled."
"Whether they have it handled or not isn't my concern," Sierra admitted, turning to him. "Why didn't you tell me your Magnamon card came from Miranda?"
Kaden choked. "I didn't…this was before I knew you were Lady Azurena, and I wanted to beat Gurenmaru!"
Sierra sighed and ran her hand through her hair, "Nevermind, sorry. I should've been more alert with that."
"Anyway, why bring it up now of all times?"
She sighed, driving herself to explain the source of her frustrations. "So long as you use that card, she'll have leverage over you. And depending on how this situation goes, she can use that to her advantage."
"Is it because she's connected with the Zenith District? Is she the reason why Nico has that golden Rapidmon?"
"It's complicated..." She answered.
"What does she hope to gain from this?"
"A few things, I can imagine; but first and foremost, I know she did this to spite me."
"For what?"
"…For what happened to Syl."
That caught Kaden by surprise, though the sudden halt of the car jolted them both forward and his attention. "Why'd we stop?!"
"The street's blocked off; I can't get through!" The driver replied, sticking his neck out afterward. Cars were honking furiously, and people were jumping out of them to see why traffic was so backed up. Just then, a dispatch from the radio came through.
"All Units, requesting emergency backup and evacuation! Multiple agents are down at the scene! The suspect is currently armed and dangerous! Repeat, requesting emergency backup and evacuation!"
Sierra was prompted to lean forward to look through the windshield, and her eyes widened as a Digital gate came into view. "Dammit, Nico!"
Kaden also leaned forward and gasped in shock; streams of binary entered it and spat back out what looked like Silphymon. His heart dropped into his stomach as his fears became more real by the second.
Kaden kicked the car door open and exited, surprising Sierra and prompting her to chase after him as he bolted. "Kaden, it's dangerous!"
Kaden ignored her cries but didn't attempt to stop her either. Shifting through the people in his path, he could hear the panic permeating the air. Likely neighbors living in the area, he heard conversations and murmurs, from the group of black SUVs to an explosion and tremors from several blocks over.
The thundering of the gate above shook the area to a standstill, and screams began to echo as a titanic green dog-themed robot emerged from the gate. Kaden immediately recognized it as MegaGargomon, Nico's Ace. Soon after, the ground shook, indicating it was touching down. The sheer force of the mini earthquake nearly knocked the pair off its feet, but more importantly, it showed Kaden the severity of the situation. At first, when he realized the 'gas leak' was the actions of an actual Digimon, he didn't quite believe it, despite having the inkling suspicion that the situation was connected to the rumors in Riverbed and Cisco City.
With these realizations in mind, he pushed forward, hoping to make it in time to save everyone...
Chapter 2: Second Coming
"Can you tell me your full name?"
"Sylvia Gabriella Ocasio."
"And how old are you?"
"Sixteen."
"Your birthday?"
"February 23rd."
"Do you know where you are?"
"STREAM Corp's Medical Wing, of course. You run a clinic here, Dr. Woods."
"And do you know how you got here...?" Dr. Woods stared at Riley and waited intently for her response. As nonchalant as she's been up until now, she answered all the same.
"I was invited to partake as a candidate in Project X-Stream," Riley answered.
Dr. Woods set his stylus down and licked his lips. "Perfect, my dear. That's all the questions I have for now."
"Really?" Riley asked curiously. "Would've guessed there be more."
"Not this time. We just needed to verify that you're still you after all."
Riley chuckled, "What's that supposed to mean?"
Dr. Woods turned to Eliza and then back to Riley, who perked up upon eye contact, "Get some rest, dear," he smiled. "We'll follow up in the morning."
"Yes, sir, understood," Riley said, to which the pair left, leaving her to slide under the covers and turn away from the window. On the other side, Dr. Woods and the nurse intern made their way far enough before they began speaking.
"I apologize for not getting to you sooner. I was tied up in a meeting." Dr. Woods explained, frustration laced in his tired voice.
"It's fine. Thankfully I was able to get a hold of a nurse, and we were able to give her a sedative to calm her down," Eliza explained. She turned back for a moment and leaned in to whisper, "I know this girl was caught in that mess, but I didn't think it would lead to her thinking she was someone else entirely. Isn't DiD rare, even in adolescents?"
"I'm afraid it's far more complicated than that, my dear," Dr. Woods pressed the elevator button. The door opened, and the pair went inside, after which it began to rise. "That girl, as she said, was one of the Project X-Stream Beta Testing victims some months back. The same Project X-Stream that is being re-implemented as we speak."
"Don't you mean candidate?" Eliza corrected.
"I'm aware of what I said," Dr. Woods insisted, "As the former CEO of STREAM Corp, I shut the project down for a reason. And for whatever reason, it seems my successor is going against my wishes after everything..."
Eliza didn't know how to respond to that. Awkward enough that she got a patient on the crazy side, but as an intern, she felt like she was learning more than what she was qualified to know. Maybe if anyone asks, she could say Dr. Woods was rambling about as old people tend to do.
"I assure you will keep tight-lipped on the matter, correct?" Dr. Woods looked at Eliza, who was feeling increasingly anxious.
"...Yes, sir."
"Good. Only a select few are privy to the full knowledge of the project and the results thereof. Hopefully, Riley's condition will wear away with time."
"And if it doesn't?"
Dr. Woods smiled, though it wasn't one of joy, "Well, in that case, I'll need to figure out how to explain that she had a twin sister..."
"Yeah, Mom, I'm good. The doctors gave me the green light, but I don't think I can leave just yet..." Kaden was silent as his mother questioned every word of his statement. When responding was safe, he tried, "Listen, Mom! I'm safe here. I'm sorry I didn't tell you or Dad about what was going on, but—yeah, but—yeah, I promise I will. The school is still doing virtual learning, so I'll be sure to log in on time for class. I love you guys. Good night."
Kaden hung up and flung himself back on the soft bed underneath him. It beats a hospital bed, that's for sure, but it was far from glamorous, his surroundings no better than a hotel or a dorm room. For safety reasons, his mother couldn't come, and his father could only get so far, and that was only if AEGIS was escorting him. The whole thing was bizarre, yet after learning what he has, he can't say he's even surprised.
"Hey Veemon, I was wondering."
His partner materialized on his shoulder, his expression indicating he was still sore from losing. "Yeah?"
"Are you inside my D-Streamer or streaming from Omnia?" Kaden asked.
"...I'm inside your D-Streamer?" Veemon answered unsurely.
"So this whole time, you've been with me?"
"Yeah."
"So then you haven't been in Omnia...since then, right?"
Veemon shook his head, "I've been beside you this whole time."
"Gotcha..." Kaden nodded, processing that. The question only came up because Kaden never gave it thought until now. If the Digimon are alive and all, do the D-Streamers act like streaming devices connected to Omnia, and that's why they're named that? It's valid since he saw firsthand how they could open real Digital Gates and summon Digimon on this side.
"I wonder how Leomon and Gorillamon are doing..." Veemon said solemnly. "I hope they're okay."
The pair popped into Kaden's mind, and he grew solemn. He imagined, or at the very least hoped, that Sierra's been keeping tabs on them. Even so, those two were strong; otherwise, they wouldn't be Sierra's personal guards. Surely they have her palace on lockdown. "I know we're doing what we can, but what about the District Rulers? And will the Four Sovereigns step in even?"
"We probably won't know for sure until we get into Omnia," Veemon answered. "I can speak for Lord Slayerdramon, at least, that he will step in the second the Eastern District is invaded. Through his example, the Eastern District is known for its heroic Digimon."
"That makes me feel a little better..." Kaden said, voice trailing some. Veemon realized what he had said, but it was too late to return it.
"I don't know if it means anything, but you're a hero in my eyes, Kaden," Veemon told him.
"Thanks." Kaden smiled a little, though it didn't really amount to much to him. He was convinced that his reckless nature was masked as courage, and his selfless nature served his self-worth.
He thought how ironic it would be if true heroism were such qualities. If that were the case, then why was he moping? He could be flaunting his abilities without caring about the consequences if there were positive results. Those are called sacrifices, right?
Yet Kaden knew better. He knew that in the real world, there are consequences to every action. Saving Milo that day led to meeting Riley and Sierra and connecting with Nico more. Saving Milo gave him friends, not that he ever lacked any, but...it was hard to connect to people after Syl died. It was easier to play along as "Cobalius the Imperial Knight" and as the school's "white knight" because it didn't take much. He was able to satisfy his desire for connection without directly connecting. He forwent the consequences so long as eyes were on him being morally upright.
It was enough. It made him feel strong and capable of being the hero he couldn't be for her. He would keep saving and protecting as long as he could, just to numb the pain.
Would he finally be able to rest if such a goal was achieved?
Would he ever get an answer to that question...?
"Wow..." Riley said, staring at Sierra, "I forgot how pretty you are IRL."
"You're a cutie yourself," Sierra smiled, causing Riley to giggle out of character. As the two conversed inside the room, Dr. Woods found himself alongside Homura and Nico, watching from the outside very early the following morning. Eliza, the intern, wasn't to arrive until later that morning, leaving the three other privy individuals present to learn about Dr. Woods' recent discovery, one of whom decided on a hands-on approach, so to speak.
"What are the freaking odds?" Nico sighed sharply.
Homura, recently coming away from his battle with Kaden the evening before, was lost in deep thought, scenarios racing through his head. How Kaden would react when he learned about this was at the forefront of his mind. "So… she doesn't remember anything?"
Dr. Woods shook his head. "She truly believes that she's her sister."
"Does she remember anything?" Nico asked.
"As Riley, not now, it seems. However, she claims to remember things that Sylvia went through."
"Like what, for example?"
"Her death." Dr. Woods shook the two with those two words. Homura only knew what Sierra explained to him, and even then, it wasn't much to go on. Nico, on the other hand...
"How could she remember dying?" Nico exclaimed though a grim thought crossed his mind. "Unless...was Milo right?! Did Riley actually-!"
"She believes that the accident was responsible for her months-long coma. For now, we're playing along with that notion, understood? She fell unconscious, and she woke up in this facility."
"How will you explain the gaps in the months since then?" Homura pointed, "As well as the match 'Syl' had with Kaden?"
"We'll cross that bridge as we reach it. Let's focus on a similar matter: my conversation with the ODF and the information gathered."
"Central is a neutral zone, so events there are happening in real-time, right?" Nico asked to clarify his understanding.
"That's correct. And from what I know, in the week since the invasion, they've managed to drive out the Nadir forces for the time being, but not without losses on both ends."
Homura nodded solemnly. "What did they learn, if you don't mind me asking?"
"According to their scouts, it seems the Nadir District is being led by a 'Representative' whose orchestrating the chaos. As for who they are and their goals, it seems that's Project X-Stream's campaign seeks to unveil that."
"They're going to stage a counterattack in the Nadir District?" Nico asked.
"I'm not sure. All I know is that Ryusei wanted me to relay to the other Representatives to be on high alert concerning their districts. We may have driven them out of Central, but that means little in terms of them returning to where they came."
"In that case, I'll connect with Lord Vermil and stand guard," Homura suggested.
"And I'll inform BloomLordmon," Nico said as well.
"I'll take care of BloomLordmon," Dr. Woods stated. "Not only do you lack experience in the hostile zone, but he requires a certain tact when speaking to him."
"He doesn't have time to be bougie, given our District could be next!" Nico snapped. "Plus, I can handle it just fine! Some stupid time distortion rules should be ignored in times of war, shouldn't they?"
War. The word that Dr. Woods refused to admit this situation was. He shook off his inner thought to reply to his grandson, "In which case, we will be there to defend it. Also, if the time comes and this project fails—which I hope it won't—I need you to be 100%, understand me?"
Nico wanted to speak up, but after retracting his thought, he nodded. "Yes, sir."
Dr. Woods nodded, beginning to walk. "Very well; let's not waste any more time then."
"How's Cobalius?" Riley asked Sierra the question, catching her sooner than later.
"He's good," She answered, trying not to reveal too much until she was sure what she was dealing with. When Dr. Woods first told them about Riley's current condition, she couldn't fathom it at first. And yet beat for beat, Riley sounded just like her sister; a soft, higher pitch in voice and a sense of femininity in her mannerisms that reminded Sierra of the fairy princess that twirled about in the halls of her palace under her tutelage.
It was as if she was seeing Syl's ghost through Riley...
"Lady Azurena?" Riley snapped Sierra out of her trance.
The latter yawned to play it off, "Mhmm?"
"Someone's sleepy, aren't they?"
"Yeah...yeah, it's been a few days around here."
"I could imagine Lord Vermil of the South was bugging you about something, right?" Riley mentioned. Riley then paused and gasped. "Wait! Didn't Cobalius have his Exhibition Match?!"
Sierra paused, unsure of how to answer. She reminded herself that she wasn't talking to "Syl" but Riley, who thought she was her. "Well, about that..."
"He lost, didn't he?" Riley crossed her arms, able to read Sierra's face.
Sierra wasn't about to go into the whole narrative of the cheating scandal, so she used their rematch from the night before to springboard, "Yeah, but it was close. He devised a new strategy and trained hard for the match."
"A new strategy?" Riley raised a brow. 'Huh, didn't think he actually would put thought into it.'
Dammit! Sierra mentally groaned. "Uh...yeah. After your graduation match, he decided to try something different, and he figured that a rush tactic might get around Gurenmaru's BlackWarGreymon."
"I see..." her lips curled some. "I don't know why, but knowing I scared him out of using Imperialdramon feels nice."
Sierra smiled, watching Riley grow giddy at her inner thoughts. Again, it was odd to see her acting like this, but for a moment, Sierra allowed herself to indulge in the fantasy of Syl being alive, even if it was through Riley momentarily.
"Oh man, I can't wait to see him..."
Sierra's smile withered, "Huh?"
"Yeah, didn't Dr. Woods tell you? Once I'm 100%, I can go back into Omnia!"
Dr. Woods mentioned no such thing. In fact, with Riley being the way she is, that would definitely make things worse in retrospect.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Riley asked.
"Of course not; the sun's hardly up." Sierra yawned for real that time. "I'll be right back; gonna see if the cafeteria's open..."
"You do that..." Riley waved. Riley's hand dropped after the door slid shut, and a smirk crossed her lips. She threw the covers back, jumped onto the floor, where her knees buckled out of bedridden for several days, and proceeded to enter the small closet. Opening it, she was thrown by the pile of clothes inside, questioning where they came from. Regardless she dug through, hoping to find what she was looking for.
"Found you—wait a second…" Her enthusiasm deflated some upon pulling out a black-strapped violet D-Streamer. "Where's my D-Streamer?" she pressed on the screen, and the device activated, scanning her face and confirming her identity. Hesitant to proceed through the device, she instinctively scrolled to the deck option in the menu and opened the folder. "There's two…?"
Opening the default, she gasped at the list full of purple-based cards. It was a Hybrid deck, evident by AncientSphinxmon, among others. How was it that she was able to access a D-Streamer that wasn't hers?
She closed that list out and opened the second one. To her surprise, the list was completely yellow. Also containing Hybrids, she scanned each card and confirmed that this was her deck. She switched the yellow deck to default and affixed the device on her wrist. She didn't have much time until Sierra got back, so if she was going to do this, she needed to move.
Checking the quiet hallways for signs of life, she snuck out and quickly paced away to learn as much as she could for the time being…
Kaden had a sleepless night, as the bags under his eyes indicated. The eve before orientation just had to be met with the irritating thoughts dancing in his dreams, coupled with images of the Central District in ruins. In his dream, as desperate as he was to run and save users and Digimon alike from the ensuing chaos, he would get so close before he was left with floating clouds of binary. Eventually, it would become too much, and he would collapse in despair. However, nothing made the pain worse than seeing the monstrous figure in the cloud of smoke and binary code. With their backs turned away, the nine-tailed fox and its companion grew smaller as they left a trail of destruction in their wake. He would run for them, pushing himself until his legs would give out, at which point he would crawl desperately to no avail.
He would then surrender and let the darkness and flames around him consume him until things fell quiet...
It didn't take much for him to understand that he was scared to go into Omnia. Now that he was officially an X-Streamer, he was scared of what he would see and deal with. Though his goal was to find Milo, he had to admit that he had no intention of saving him. Along with his "courage," His sense of justice was just vengeance wearing a mask. Vengeance, for Riley's sake. Vengeance sought to make up for his lack of actions. One way or another, he would make Milo pay for what he did and redeem himself.
That's why he became an X-Streamer.
Lost in his thoughts, he turned the corner and bumped into someone running in the opposite direction. Both parties staggered, and Kaden quickly apologized, "Excuse me—Riley?!"
"Sorry, I wasn't looking where I was—it's you...!" Riley looked at Kaden's face and grew wide-eyed. Kaden as well was taken aback.
"Riley… you're awake!" Kaden began to tear up as he embraced the startled girl. She squealed and blushed from his sudden embrace. Riley reactively pulled back and smacked some sense into Kaden, causing him to jolt back in response. The two teens stared at one another, both faces red for one reason or another.
"S—Sorry, I just..." Kaden stammered. "Thank god you're—!"
"Cobalius?" Riley asked him.
Kaden blinked.
"You're Cobalius... aren't you?" she further asked.
Kaden's voice caught, and Riley's sudden embrace confused him. This time he pushed her back. "What's gotten into you?!"
"I can't believe it! I never imagined we'd meet IRL, and now we're here!" She sounded excited. "Oh! I heard you got your butt kicked by Gurenmaru after Lady Azurena and I warned you about it."
"Huh? What are you on about—!" Kaden paused. He didn't meet Riley until after that, so how could she have warned him? "Riley...are you okay?"
She looked into his eyes, "Are you?"
Before she could get an answer, her ears twitched. "Follow me!" she latched onto his arm and dragged him down the hallway, away from the radio-wearing security guard around the corner.
"Riley!" Kaden exclaimed as he tried to keep up. He managed to yank his arm back, yet she kept running, prompting him to follow. "Should you even be roaming about? Just what is going on?!"
"I should be asking you that!" she replied, adding to his confusion.
After running for a while, Kaden realized she was leading him to one of the training rooms, similar to where Homura had taken him the previous day. She waved her D-Streamer on it, taking a chance on it, and to their surprise, it opened up, allowing them access. Riley waved it again once they were inside to lock it and dove underneath the window to hide. Kaden followed.
"Are you good?!" Kaden whispered, demanding to know and wondering what screws fell from the girl before him.
"I'm not, actually!" she whispered back, "For starters, why is everyone calling me 'Riley'?!"
Kaden paused in disbelief. "How hard did you hit your head?!"
"Excuse me?!" she snapped. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Exactly what it sounds like! You've been in a coma for over a week, and now you're acting totally different."
"A week?" Riley repeated, her voice returning to normal volume, her confused state only deepened.
Kaden nodded.
"Not...several months...?"
"Riley..."
"That's...you are Cobalius, right?"
"Um...yeah?"
She leaned in, "Look at me in the eye and tell me you don't recognize me."
"Riley, stop being weird!"
"Cobalius, please...!" She began to plead. "It's me! I know we never met in real life, but you have to know who I am! If anyone would...it'd be you."
Kaden's confusion was only pushed further by her whimpering. His head spun from the fact that she was awake, let alone this apparent identity crisis.
His hesitation drew tears out of her as she grew increasingly anxious. "What is going on…? I don't get it…!"
"Riley—!"
"THAT'S NOT MY NAME!" She screamed, causing Kaden to react and shush her. Unfortunately, she was already set off and began to cry profusely. The sudden banging on the door interrupted his attempt to reason with her.
"Open up! You two aren't allowed to be in there!" the Security guard on the other side demanded.
Kaden felt more in a corner, dealing with both ends of the current conflict. He was becoming overwhelmed, not knowing exactly the right play. He wasn't used to this; he was used to acting impulsively and then thinking. But now that it was the other way around…how would he handle this?"
Riley broke from Kaden and rushed to the other side of the room, causing Kaden to react in kind.
"Why won't this stupid door unlock?!" The guard was raging as his access was repeatedly denied. Kaden saw that and had an idea.
"Hey, whoever you are!"
Riley turned to him and wiped her eyes, "yeah?"
"Battle me. Maybe if we do, it'll jog my memory." Kaden told her, flashing his D-Streamer. He figured that if she saw her deck, maybe that would help her remember who she was, assuming this wasn't a joke and she was dealing with some amnesia after being in a coma for so long.
Riley continued to sniffle, but she nodded, taking him up on the offer. She activated her device, and it began to glow, as did Kaden's. He didn't know how to activate the virtual background, but he wasn't worried about that. Sooner or later, that guard was going to get that door open. He didn't have time to waste.
"Ready?" Kaden asked softly.
Riley sniffled again but nodded with mustered confidence, "Mhmm."
"DIGI-GATE: OPEN!"
"Hey! You kids, stop this right now!" the guard banged on the window.
Kaden ignored the guard and focused on the timid Riley, "Go on, you start us off."
"…Right." She said, flipping over an egg. "I hatch Cupimon."
Kaden paused immediately as the marshmallow-like angel Digimon materialized on her side. She wasn't using her deck.
Cupimon (BT1-006)
Color: Yellow
Level: 2
"Cupimon will digivolve into Salamon, and then I'll play Pillomon from my hand to end my turn. Pilllomon's effect prevents us from playing Digimon via effects."
Following her initial play, a cream-colored puppy overlayed on Cupimon while a pink pillow-shaped ram with a nightcap materialized in her Battle Area. Just seeing those few familiar cards made him hesitant to confirm anything.
Salamon (EX1-025)
Color: Yellow
Level: 3
DP: 2000 DP
Pillomon (BT9-033)
Color: Yellow
Level: 3
DP: 2000
MEMORY
0-3 (Turn Change: Kaden)
"It's your turn," Riley stated, prompting Kaden to nod and draw.
"I hatch DemiVeemon, and then digivolve it into Veemon," Kaden stated, summoning Veemon into his Raising Area.
DemiVeemon (BT2-002)
Color: Blue
Level: 2
Veemon (BT2-021)
Color: Blue
Level: 3
DP: 2000
"I play another Veemon, this one revealing the top 3 cards of my deck, allowing me to add one Digimon with 'Free' in its attributes to my hand."
Veemon (ST9-02)
Color: Blue
Level: 3
DP: 2000
A second Veemon appeared, followed by the top 3 cards that appeared overhead: Rina Shinomiya, Lighdramon, and Plasma Shot. Kaden took Plasma Shot and sent the rest to the bottom.
MEMORY
3-0
Riley stood examining the cards that popped up from Kaden's deck. She recognized none of them, so he built a new deck. And that one Option Card was…yellow?
"Veemon digivolves into ExVeemon and ends my turn." Kaden finished, transforming his forefront Veemon into ExVeemon
ExVeemon (EX1-014)
Color: Blue
Level: 4
DP: 4000
MEMORY
0-2 (Turn Change: Riley)
"You changed your deck…" Riley said as she drew.
"So did you, it looks like. Guess you got tired of Purple, huh?" Kaden asked.
She moved Salamon to the Battle Area, "I don't know how to answer that…but for right now, I just feel comfortable with this."
Interesting response, Kaden thought.
"Salamon digivolves into Leomon!"
The puppy Digimon then transformed into a bipedal, muscular lion Digimon, crossing its arms before Riley.
Leomon (EX1-027)
Color: Yellow
Level: 4
DP: 5000
MEMORY
2-0
"Lemon, Security Attack! Salamon and Cupimon's IE effects activate, drawing me two cards from my deck!" Riley exclaimed as her Lion leaped into action.
Leomon soared in the air, drawing its blade from its backside. Kaden's Security appeared to shield him, as it was cleaved in two with one strike.
Kaden
Security: 5-4
From it appeared Magnamon, who emerged and blasted Leomon as it went to return to Riley. The 2000 DP it had over the lion was enough to take it out. As Magnamon began to fade, Riley was taken aback by the sheer magnificence of the golden warrior Digimon. Kaden watched her stare as if it was the first time seeing it. It made his suspicions solidify ever so more.
"I end my turn by playing Zoe Orimoto," Riley stated, the name of the tamer hitting him like a brick. The materialization of the blonde-haired tween made him immediately think of Syl. There was no doubt that not only was this a Yellow Hybrid deck, but it was her deck.
Zoe Orimoto (BT7-088)
Color: Yellow
MEMORY
0-3 (Turn Change: Kaden)
"When Zoe is played, I look at my Security and add a card with Hybrid in its traits to my hand. Doing so, I can recover a card." Riley explained, examining her Security Cards. "I take JetSilphymon and recover."
"Why do you have Syl's deck…?" Kaden asked her, catching her off guard.
"Cobalius…?" Riley blinked.
"Are…you Syl?" Kaden asked. "Have you been here, right before me, this whole time?!"
Riley grew a smile and was about to respond until she took a closer look at his face. The soft demeanor he began with was slowly twisting into one of anger.
A sudden sense of fear robbed her voice.
Kaden grew impatient and drew, "Veemon, move out, and Armor Digivolve into Lighdramon!"
Riley grew tense as green and blue binary surrounded Veemon, transforming it into Lighdramon. Without warning, what followed its emerging roar, was a bolt of lightning that crashed into Pillomon.
Lighdramon (BT8-053)
Color: Green/Blue
Level: 4
DP: 5000
MEMORY
3-1
"I play Lightning Blade to give Lighdramon +2000 DP and Piercing!" Kaden exclaimed. "Tear apart Pillomon!"
Lighdramon: 5000-7000 DP
MEMORY
1-0
"Cobalius, wait—Ahhh!" Riley shrieked, overwhelmed by Lighdramon's speed. Pillomon was skewered with no effort, and the ensuing charge of electricity to finish the job lunged for Riley but was intercepted by her Security.
Riley
Security: 5-4
"Security Trigger: Reinforcing Memory Boost to the Battle Area!" she countered while trying to ease her nerves. "What's gotten into you?!"
"Are you Syl, yes or no?!" Kaden demanded.
Yet again, Riley avoided an answer directly out of fear, "What will you do if I answer that…?"
Kaden snickered, "ExVeemon Security Attack!"
ExVeemon roared and crossed its arms, firing a VeeLaser across the field. Another Security appeared, summoning Angewomon to counter.
"ExVeemon has Jamming, so it survives!"
Riley watched as Angewomon was wasted, feeling more pushed into a corner.
Riley
Security: 4-3
"I end by playing Armor Texture! By purging Lighdramon of its armor, I can digivolve my Digimon into another Armor Digimon by paying its cost! Veemon, digivolve into the Royal Knight of Miracles, Magnamon!"
Lighdramon roared and leaped into the air, the armor breaking off, causing it to revert into Veemon. The Green binary changed to yellow and reformed the armor into Magnamon's, reattaching to Veemon and transforming it.
Magnamon (BT8-038)
Color: Yellow/Blue
Level: 4
DP: 7000
MEMORY
0-3 (Turn Change: Riley)
"Magnamon unsuspends and gains +2000 for the Lighdramon and other Magnamon in my Trash, making it an 11k Blocker until the end of your turn. Veemon's IE also draws me one card for unsuspending.
Magnamon: 7000-11,000 DP
Riley tried to process all that happened. Anxiety was frothing from within, and her head was throbbing from it all. She was stuck in a room with the one person she thought she could reach out to, who was upset at her for reasons she didn't understand. Nothing was making any sense right now.
Kaden, meanwhile, was just as confused and anxious. This was, without a doubt in his mind, Syl's deck. Where did she get it, and why did Riley know how to use it? She could've copied it and learned how to use it, but why, then, what would be the point? If she was Syl, why was he told that she had died? And what did Milo mean, then? Was this what she meant by Riley 'killing' her? But aside from that, why is Riley acting like a different person? If this was some sick joke, then…! "You're going to do your turn or what?!" Kaden demanded. He was so frustrated with theories that he couldn't think straight.
His outburst startled Riley out of her thought, and she hatched another Cupimon reactively. Her hands were trembling, but she tried to keep calm. If she could drag this out long enough, he might calm down enough to talk. It will also give her time to get her thoughts together.
As scared as she was, she knew Cobalius better than anyone. And he knew her.
"I digivolve Cupimon into Elecmon, and Spirit Digivolve Zoe into Zephyrmon!"
A blue-striped, red mammal Digimon appeared where Cupimon stood, while Riley's Tamer transformed into a blue-haired harpy Digimon with purple armor, dirt blonde wings, and a black strap-like scarf.
Elecmon (BT7-036)
Color: Yellow
Level: 3
DP: 2000
Zephyrmon (BT7-036)
Color: Yellow
Level: 4
DP: 6000
MEMORY
3-1
"Zephyrmon digivolves into JetSilphymon; since I have a Tamer in its sources, its cost is reduced by 2."
Zephyrmon stirred winds around its person and, from there, transformed into a cyborg Digimon with white and purple armor, armed with a giant pinwheel for a weapon.
JetSilphymon (BT7-036)
Color: Yellow
Level: 5
DP: 7000
MEMORY
1-0
"Since I have Zephyrmon, a hybrid in JetSilphymon's sources, I recover 1 card for my Security.
Riley
Security: 3-4
With each move, Riley's voice grew harder. Each move helped her swallow her anxiety bit by bit. "I trigger the delay effect of Reinforcing Memory Boost, regaining 3 Memory."
MEMORY
0-3
"And finally, JetSilphymon, becoming the Ancient Warrior of the wind, vanquish the enemy before me with your beauty!"
Kaden felt the air shift as the wind stirred around Riley. Brimming with confidence in her strategy, she played her Ace, "JetSilphymon digivolves into AncientKazemon!"
Kaden stared up at the magnificent, winged woman adorned in rainbow armor. He then looked back toward Riley, who was trying her best to put up a front.
For a moment, Kaden swore he saw Syl standing in her place.
AncientKazemon (BT7-042)
Color: Yellow
Level: 6
DP: 13,000
MEMORY
3-2 (Turn Change: Kaden)
"You are Syl, aren't you…this whole time you've been here…" Kaden's voice softened a little.
Riley, however, didn't budge. She was deadest on seeing this to the end.
"Kaden! Riley! Come out of there!" Sierra's voice boomed into their D-Coms, grabbing their attention. They both paused and realized that the guard was joined by Sierra, Dr. Woods, Homura, and a random IT tech scrambling on his tablet. All but the focused IT looked very concerned.
Interesting expressions, he thought.
Kaden reached for his D-Com and said, "Few more minutes, we're sorting some things—!"
"Don't give me that!" She snapped. "You're putting Riley in danger; she needs to rest!"
"How so?"
"Dammit, Kaden, don't question me! Just follow instructions pl—!"
He heard more banging afterward.
"She's going to kill you, you know," Riley remarked, seeing Sierra seething through the glass.
"She can stew for all I care," Kaden stated. "We both have questions; they have the answers but won't fork them over. Speaking of…are you Riley?"
"Who is that?" Riley asked.
Kaden took a moment. It could be amnesia, or she could be delusional. Either way, he could see the danger, as they said. However, he's so far in the dark that he's willing to take a chance to learn something. He felt the risk was worth it.
"What's your name?"
"Sylvia."
Syl...Sylphy...Sylvia. He could make sense of that.
"And yours, Cobalius?"
"Kaden."
"Kaden…" Sylvia smiled as it had a ring to it. "Pleased to meet you finally."
"Likewise, Sylvia." He drew.
"AncientKazemon and Zoe boost my Security Digimon by +7000 DP, by the way." She noted.
"I didn't forget how your deck works," Kaden noted, hatching another DemiVeemon. "Jammers come in handy in situations like that, after all," he flashed the BT3 Veemon and proceeded to digivolve his DemiVeemon into it.
Veemon (BT3-021)
Color: Blue
Level: 3
DP: 2000
"ExVeemon Security Attack!" Kaden declared, sending ExVeemon soaring. It held its fist out and crashed into Sylvia's Security, revealing Kari Kamiya.
Kari Kamiya (BT8-090)
Color: Yellow
Level: 4
Sylvia
Security: 4-3
"I end by playing Davis Motomiya from my hand. He reveals the top 3 cards of my deck, and I add one blue Digimon and a green Digimon from among them."
Davis Motomiya (BT3-093)
Color: Blue
Davis appeared as a counter to Sylvia's tamer, snapping his fingers to summon the three cards above him. Flamedramon, BT2 Veemon, and Magnamon X were amongst them. Kaden took Magnamon X and ended his turn there.
MEMORY
2-2 (Turn Change: Sylvia)
Sylvia drew and cast her hand out confidently, "Kari starts by setting my Memory to 3. Then, Elecmon moves out, and AncientKazemon goes after ExVeemon!"
MEMORY
2-3
AncientKazemon: 13,000 DP
ExVeemon: 4000
With an elegant twirl and thrust of her rapier, AncientKazemon summoned before her an army of energy-like avian creatures, which bombarded ExVeemon in unified offense. Kaden shrugged away the setback and watched Sylvia as she continued.
"Elecmon digivolves into Piddomon and then into Meicrackmon to end my turn." Sylvia continued, turning Elecmon into a humanoid orange cat-like Digimon with noticeable feminine features, including a fluffy white mane and a braided tail with a stinger on the end.
Piddomon (BT4-042)
Color: Yellow
Level: 4
DP: 5000
Meicrackmon (BT4-045)
Color: Yellow
Level: 5
DP: 7000
MEMORY
3-2
2-1 (Turn Change: Kaden)
"With the addition of Meicrackmon, my security gets an additional 4000 DP boost totaling 11,000 DP so long as I have three or fewer Security," Sylvia stated as Kaden drew.
"So, in other words, as long as I have enough bodies to throw at you, it won't matter, cool."
Sylvia smiled and giggled, "Such a 'Cobalius thing' to do."
Kaden chuckled and smiled back, recalling all the times he heard Syl say that. "Davis sets my Memory to 3, and Veemon's gonna attack your Security with Jamming!"
Veemon charged and launched from its spot, soaring to crash into Sylvia's emerging security.
Sylvia
Security: 3-2
Kazemon, a humanoid fairy Digimon similar to Zephyrmon and JetSilphymon, appeared but was jammed thanks to Veemon, nulling its 11,000 boost in DP.
"And now for my next trick, I play the Option Card: Awakening of the Golden Knight! This Option Card will allow Magnamon to X-Digivolve into the Miracle of X: Magnamon X Antibody!"
Magnamon took to the sky and took hold of the materializing X Antibody core, allowing it to grow in size and turn into its ferocious X Antibody counterpart.
Magnamon X Antibody (BT9-044)
Color: Yellow/Blue
Level: 6
DP: 11,000
MEMORY
3-0
Meanwhile, Sierra and the others grabbed an IT tech to work on the door. Throughout the last few minutes, they watched anxiously as the match unfolded. It was then that Sierra, for the first time, witnessed the golden beast known as Magnamon X emerging from where the original golden knight stood.
"What was he thinking...?" Sierra more or less directed her rhetorical question towards Homura, as the latter acknowledged it, not that he had a satisfactory answer.
"Magnificent, isn't it?" Miranda's voice echoed down the hall, causing the small group to turn.
Miranda and Mason approached, sending Sierra groaning internally. Of all people to get involved in. "This was you're doing, wasn't it?"
Sierra's frustration amused Miranda. "I am a scout, after all. When I see talent, it's hard for me to ignore it."
"You're a predator." Sierra snarled, "Looking for power-hungry morons to further your own goals," She turned back to Kaden. "And now you've set your sights on him."
"Come now, Sierra, you and I have known each other for a long time...you know very well this makes us even..."
"Why you—let me go!" Sierra barked at Homura as he grabbed her arm.
Miranda smirked and turned to Mason, "What do you think? Useful, isn't he?"
Mason turned and watched as Kaden sent Magnamon X towards Sylvia, breaking another Security. She countered, unleashing the effects of Wyvern's breath on Magnamon X, who reactively crossed its arms in defense.
Kaden meanwhile grinned to Sylvia's surprise, and her shock only furthered when Magnamon shrugged the wyvern off it.
"Wha-why?!" She exclaimed.
Kaden cackled, "Gotcha, you little brat! That Option Card I played before makes Magnamon immune to DP reduction effects until the end of your turn."
"...you're joking."
"Nope." Kaden turned back to Homura and smirked, and the latter realized what Kaden was doing.
"He's a fast learner, that's for sure," Homura commented, causing Sierra's neck to snap over and Miranda to smirk. Mason continued to remain silent, watching closely still.
"I end my turn by playing Rina Shinomya from my hand. She'll reveal the top 3 cards of my deck and allow me to add a card with 'Vee' in its name to my hand."
A green-haired tamer wearing a black and white hoodie, biker shorts, and bikini top skipped about into the battle area beside Davis, fist bumping the tamer when she approached him.
Rina Shinomiya
Color: Blue
MEMORY
0-3 (Turn Change: Sylvia)
EX1 Veemon, Lighdramon, and Hammer Spark appeared, with Kaden taking Veemon and passing the turn.
Sylvia, hiding her slight frustration, drew and hatched another Cupimon. "Cupimon digivolves into Salamon, And AncientKazemon attacks Magnamon X!"
"Bring it!" Kaden exclaimed as his Digimon got into a fighting stance.
AncientKazemon: 13,000
Magnamon X Antibody: 11,000
Magnamon threw up an energy shield with one hand to block the rapid thrusts of AncientKazemon's rapier while charging plasma energy in the other. Once the shield broke, Magnamon launched the plasma energy forward and sent a volley at it as AncientKazemon soared around the room, dodging Magnamon. Magnamon gave chase and intercepted in the air, trading blows with it before each side sent one final round of volleys that lit the room in light, blinding those inside and out. After a few moments, AncientKazemon landed victoriously, yet to Sylvia's shock, rather than a cloud of binary, what remained was a Security card, the original Magnamon, and a smiling Kaden.
"When Magnamon X would be deleted, its top card is removed and sent to Security instead."
Kaden
Security: 4-5
"When…how did you get so strong…?" Sylvia said in disbelief. It was clear that her chance of winning at this point was null.
"Hard to say," Kaden admitted, "Guess you can say I've been busy."
"Is that right…" Sylvia dipped her head a bit and sighed. "You win."
Kaden smirked, "The score's now 1-1."
She looked up as he began to walk towards her. While reactively, she took a step back; she relaxed as she saw his softened features up close. "You're not going anywhere, are you?"
She smiled a little, "I don't plan to…"
Kaden smiled, but that's when he felt a sudden gust pass him on both sides, and his arms yanked. Sylvia's screams ripped through the air before he could process what was happening to him. "Hey, let go! Sylvia!"
"Kaden!" Sylvia cried as a pair of Security guards surrounded and held her down. Doctor Woods rushed over with a syringe, causing her to scream at the sight. "What are you doing?! No!"
"Let her go!" Kaden seethed as he was shoved down onto the floor and handcuffed. While struggling, he was forced to watch as Sylvia injected the contents. Her tears slowly came to a stop, and she collapsed before him. In a state of shock, he watched as the guards helped put her in a newly provided wheelchair by a pair of nurses that rushed in afterward.
"Prep the lab," Dr. Woods ordered the two. "We need to see what effects the last hour has had on her."
"Yes, sir!" They saluted and proceeded to wheel her out.
"Wait!" Kaden struggled, "Where are you taking her?!"
"As for you, young man," Dr. Woods turned as Kaden was forced on his feet. "Do not involve yourself further with that girl until we fully understand her condition."
"What are you talking about? What's going on here?!" He turned to Sierra, who was still outside, looking frustrated. "Sierra! Where are they taking her?! You know something, don't you?!"
"We'll handle it, Doctor." Miranda and Mason entered the room and approached. Kaden remained apprehensive, especially as he and Mason made eye contact."
"You were supposed to be in our mission briefing," Mason crossed his arms.
"Yeah, well, I was busy."
"Noted."
"So?" Miranda nudged, "Does he pass?"
Mason nodded. "Let's go."
"Huh—wait, what? Where are we going?" Kaden demanded as she was forced to walk.
"First mission is this afternoon," Mason stated. "Operation Central Reclamation is going into effect soon, and I have a specific assignment for you."
Not knowing what that entailed and not having much choice but to adhere, Kaden reluctantly marched along while Sylvia and the others weighed on his mind.
At the end of his gamble, he got more questions and no answers.
Melanie yawned as she typed with one hand on her laptop. The STREAM Corp courtyard was pleasant early in the morning when no one was around. Not only that but of all the rooms in this forsaken place, this seemed to be the one place where she could collect her thoughts. Yesterday's conference was still fresh in her mind, getting shoved aside from those STREAM Corp execs who, despite their platitudes, dismissed her the moment she got emotional. It wasn't as if she put all her time, energy, and sacrifices into Omnia. It wasn't as if she was the "princess" or anything. It wasn't as if—!"
"Melanie…" A voice chimed from her D-Streamer. "Your heart rate is elevating."
Melanie exhaled sharply. "The nerve of these people. Just how long do we have to be here, Eve?"
A small hologram of a child-like butterfly humanoid known as Morphomon—named Eve by Melanie—appeared from her device. "Until we're able to establish a solid connection with Ryusei. He's our only connection to Zack."
And how frustrating was that? It's been a while since Zack disappeared in IRL and Omnia time. His disappearance triggered this whole chain of events with the Nadir District and their invasion of the Central District. She knew there was some instability with them, but it wasn't anything that raised alarms, especially not since their encounter with Sorin. Though one thing was for sure; they waited to act until Zack was out of the way.
Now the question remains: where was he? He's not on Earth, and the Central District people haven't thought twice about their aloof ruler. Ryusei has been caring for all behind the scenes as they play up that narrative. If the Nadir District captured him, then…how? And why? Zack disappears, and suddenly, a 'Representative' reveals themselves.
Was it another Saibatar that crossed realities like Sorin…? Or could it be…
"Incoming transmission!" Eve exclaimed, throwing Melanie out of her studious trance.
"From who?" She turned to her aid.
"ODF Forces in Omnia. It's a private link." She explained.
"Patch it!" Melanie scrambled for her earpiece to keep this confidential. The last thing she needed was a STREAM Corp body pass her by and hear something they didn't need to.
She furiously typed on her laptop until the window appeared, and the static screen finally presented an image. On the other side of the screen stood a man with spiky black hair, a goatee, and a scar down his left eye. She recognized the individual as Trevor McKnight, an acquaintance of hers and a Tamer in the Pro Circuit. However, this was a different 'Trevor.'
"Vantus, it's been a while," Melanie noted, acknowledging the individual on the screen.
"Likewise, Princess," Vantus nodded respectfully, "I take it things are well on your end?"
"As well as they're going to be…"
In some ways, she could say she had a history with him. Being the culmination of 'Melanies' across the web of a pre-existing multiverse, she knew him in a past life, where her memories showed her as the ruler of a utopian society, one of which he staged a coup which in the end destroyed said web and a reset on all of reality.
They've had an opportunity to reconcile and develop a mutual respect for one another, being that they were both granted new roles and opportunities. Now he works as a scout for the ODF to repent for his past sins.
"So, have you learned anything new since last we spoke?"
"We have. During the initial chaos that unfolded in Central District, our forces were quick to realize that this wasn't a spontaneous attack."
"That's been confirmed; the assault was planned out and organized by a human teenager with connections to them. As for how deep they run, we're still trying to determine that."
"That aside, I can guarantee you he's no more powerful than a footsoldier in the Nadir Hierarchy. There have been reports of some of the Nadir District soldiers chanting a mantra."
"Interesting…" Melanie said, pondering her past thoughts and what-ifs. She hesitated to ask, but curiosity wouldn't let her sit on a cliffhanger. 'It wouldn't be 'Achieve Salvation Through Chaos,' would it?"
Vantus' unamused expression to her quick joke was enough for her to wise up. "If I'm being honest, you wouldn't be too far off."
Melanie paused upon hearing him say that. "What did they say then?"
"...Long Live the King of Omnia."