"Mr. Lindberg, when it was established that Dr. Woods was stepping down as CEO of STREAM Corp., We were ensured that the company would be in capable hands; that we could trust the oversight of Omnia to the company,'' Director Jones of AEGIS began as he tried to get his thoughts and emotions in order.
"I am aware of that," the young CEO replied, also tempering his emotions so that he didn't step out of line. "What happened to the Central District was a setback in our—"
"A setback?!" Melanie exclaimed, voice booming through his desktop speakers. "How can you call the destruction of our central hub a setback?!"
"Dr. Whitaker, may I remind you to watch your tone," Akiyoshi Saiba, the CEO of SAIBA Enterprise, interrupted. "You were invited to this call to offer your input, not to spark more conflict than what's established." The older Japanese man rubbed his temples, "it seems there's no end to these things, is there?"
"Once more, I deeply apologize, and we are currently working on gathering as much information as possible on the situation. While the destruction of the Central District was unforeseen, we can confirm that our double agent verified that the one responsible for orchestrating the transpiring events has been neutralized. 17-year-old Dexter Underwood, a victim of First Contact, hacked STREAM Corps' network to gain information on Omnia and related intel. From there, he used his information and joined his former captors, sparking unrest among his peers and intertwining it with our current situation. Backed into a corner, he used a virus program that not only turned on him but wiped what was left of the Central District, leaving nothing but an inaccessible void from where it once stood. This ties in with reports that he went missing the day of the Exhibition Match between V-Streamers Cobalius of the Eastern District and Gurenmaru of the Southern District. Using technology to digitize himself and transfer his physical body into Omnia, it's hard to gauge what effects that virus has had on him. With any luck, learning this information can benefit us long term."
"What about the representative of the Nadir District? Have we gained any information on that front?" Mr. Saiba asked.
"We lost contact with Ryusei and his group shortly after Central went dark, I'm afraid…" Noah apologized regretfully.
"It's Zack…" Melanie suddenly caused Noah to perk up and the other two men to go silent. "He's the one leading the Nadir District, according to Vantus."
"…Ms. Whitaker…" Noah was somewhat speechless.
"You've known for some time, haven't you?" Director Jones pressed.
"Yes, sir."
"And you didn't have the decency to inform us?!" Noah slammed his desk.
"After how I was treated during my time at STREAM Corp.?" Melanie shot back. "I apparently became too unstable after thinking how my father sacrificed his life to preserve the fortune you'd eventually lie on."
Noah's voice caught shock. "I beg your pardon?!"
"Ms. Whitaker, please!'' Mr. Saiba snapped again. "I'd advise you to state your piece and take your leave. I will inform you of what we'll discuss later on."
"No need." Melanie said, "I said what I needed to. Oh, wait, actually, one more thing, Mr. Lindberg, if you don't mind?"
Noah leaned in, eager to hear what her sharp tongue would spout next.
"I am the founder of Omnia. I am the Princess of Omnia. SAIBA Enterprise provided you with the X-Antibody Program to proceed with Project X-Stream. Therefore, I decide what information you are entitled to. And your entitlement relates to how you care for my world. So I suggest you get your soldiers in order, use your brains, and DO YOUR—!"
Melanie was subsequently kicked from the call. Noah sighed and leaned back while Mr. Saiba pulled his hand away from his mouse.
"In response to Ms. Whitaker, we are doing everything we can. The X-Antibody Digimon have successfully aided in the evacuation of many survivors; in terms of recovered eggs, Venusmon of the Zenith District is on duty tending to their recovery, and the Representatives of the North, East, and South are collaborating with their respective Sovereigns."
"And as the representative of the Zenith District, when will you say it will be time to implement your Ace in the hole?" Director Jones asked, "Or, putting it another way, when will the Sovereign of the Zenith act?"
"When all other means have been exhausted, just as it's always been," Noah said calmly and confidently. "This war has long since been won. We just have to be patient and let the pieces fall into place."
"You sound like someone who's seen the future," Mr. Saiba mentioned. "Though I won't be as brash as Dr. Whitaker, I will offer a warning that you can take or leave: Mirai to wa ima de aru."
Noah paused to translate in his head, "…'the future is now…?'"
Mr. Saiba smiled, "Well, now, I didn't know you had a talent for Japanese."
"I took some classes while studying for my undergrad, but that's beside the point. What do you mean by that?"
"Well, the future is right now. And the war, as we both see it, has not been won." Mr. Saiba said flat out. "You're still relatively young, but nonetheless, don't declare victory when things are only just beginning. Fate is a very humbling factor."
Noah paused and chuckled, "You two have a good day. I will reach out as information comes through." He then left the call and took a moment to run his hand across his face. Just then, there was a knock on his door. "Come in."
The door slid open, and in came Mason, who closed the door behind him. "Sir."
"Any updates? I need good news out there."
"The Nadir District is moving towards the Eastern District. Lady Azurena and Lord Slayerdramon are present to intercept."
Noah clicked his tongue. "They're likely going after the Omni Sword. They couldn't find it in Central, I bet, so they're gonna knock down each district until they get their hands on it. Any word on the troops?"
"Of the ones yet to resign, they're still shaken. If they make the jump now, their mental states will be in jeopardy. Captain Rex and his squad are especially willing, but realistically, they're in no shape to fight."
"In that case, get Lord Vermil and Justion to provide support."
"Should I get Miranda on this as well?"
"No need. As a matter of fact, she requested some time to deal with her pet project, especially now that your brother has returned from his mission."
"I see…then should I step in?"
"And give them an alternative win condition? Nonsense. Your orders are still the same as they were. Once the Representative is taken out, then you deploy. Outside of that, continue to oversee operations."
Despite the slight disappointment, Mason nodded. "Yes, sir."
"If there isn't anything else to discuss, you're dismissed. I need time to ponder where to go from here. Another screw-up and STREAM Corp will be ruined…
"That won't happen," Mason said as he turned towards the door.
"Are you sure…?" Noah looked up. "Of everyone here, you were always the one who believed in me more than anyone."
Mason turned around slightly, "The Sovereign of the Zenith chose you as its representative. Who am I to question its authority?"
Noah fell silent, watching Mason leave his office. He let the statement stew in his mind, exhaling his anxiety into the air while he silently meditated on the prospects to come…
"Okay, now that we're both calm, how about you start from the beginning…" Kaden handed Milo a water bottle and sat next to him on the bench outside the courtyard. The crisp night air circulated around them, and the barren yard allowed silence to blanket them. It wasn't long after Kaden woke up, and Milo appeared that things nearly teetered. He sent a message to Nico to hold Sylvia back for a bit while he and Milo had time to catch up as emotions threatened to overflow.
Milo gulped half the water bottle before going for air, taking Kaden aback. "Jeez, just how long were you in Omnia?"
"It's not that…my throat is dry from my nerves going haywire." Milo's hands trembled a little as he screwed the cap back on. "So much has happened that I don't know where to start."
"How about by introducing me?" a voice came from his device.
Kaden blinked, "that your partner?"
Milo shied away and nodded slightly. "Right…Kaden, this is Herissmon." He brought his arm up and pressed a button, summoning the hedgehog Digimon.''
"Salutations, Kaden! A pleasure to finally meet you!" Herissmon bowed respectfully. "I appreciate you taking care of Milo this whole time. I'm glad that he's had a friend like you around his whole time, especially given recent circumstances and all…"
"Yeah, well, I'm a narcissist," Kaden laughed. "I crave the attention, even if it means being duped, right bud?"
Milo blinked, feeling a wave of awkward embarrassment. Kaden then busted out laughing, "I'm kidding, relax!"
Milo turned his gaze away, unable to hide his shame. Kaden pressed on with the reassurance. "Listen, man, we can leave the past behind or talk it out. I'll leave that option up to you."
"I wanna talk about it!" Milo replied quickly. It's just that there's too much to consider. "With you, with Riley, and Nico…so many people I need to apologize to…"
Upon hearing her name, Kaden remembered that Milo was in the dark regarding 'Sylvia.' How was he to explain that situation, he wondered? "It would be easier to leave the past in the past and start fresh."
Milo turned to him, "What makes you say that?"
Kaden admittedly shrugged his shoulders. "A lot of stuff happened since I last saw you. Accepting the present and moving forward leads to less stress and easier focus. At least for now, that's the line of thinking I'm running on."
"Well…that may work for you, but… I at least owe you guys an explanation, right? For example: How and why does my brother work for STREAM Corp? How do I have Herissmon? Does possessing RizeGreymon X make me an X-Streamer? Or what was my relationship with Dexter? Where should I start?"
Kaden hesitated while listening to Milo, whose demeanor took a shift. The sudden maturity Milo presented seemed somewhat out of character…or rather, he's finally dropped the façade and is showing his true self, even for the moment. "Are you a supervillain?"
"…" Milo blinked. "What?"
Kaden shooed the question away, "Sorry, it was a bad joke. What I mean is…you know way more than you lead on, right?"
"It would depend on what that entails."
"Okay…guess I can put it another way. Are you an agent for the Zenith District?"
Milo acknowledged the answer and thought of a way to explain it. "I am."
"Since when?"
"Since I killed my mother that day." Milo didn't take long to answer that, said answer shaking Kaden. "My brother gave me a chance for revenge, and I took it without thinking."
"Okay, so then, when did you start working alongside Dexter?"
"Since the day you battled Riley. I hung out a few minutes after you logged off and agreed to work with him."
"Why?"
"I wanted information on Syl. Dexter claimed she wasn't dead, and I took the bait. In exchange, I'd take Barry out of the equation…"
Kaden was silent. Given what Dexter claimed, he knew Milo had something to do with Barry's disappearance, but it hit differently hearing Milo admit it.
"So…is Barry…?"
"I don't know," Milo admitted guiltily. I don't think he's dead, but…Omnia is a rough place to traverse…"
"Okay…" Kaden swallowed. "About the information about Syl…you said before that Riley killed her, right?"
"I did…didn't I?" Milo remembered. He exhaled sharply and ruffled his hair. "Where to begin with that?"
"Did your information mention anything about an accident?" Kaden asked.
Milo turned to him. "Why?"
"Just answer the question."
Milo was taken aback by Kaden's eagerness for a straight answer. Before he could respond adequately, their attention diverted to the sound of footsteps approaching them. Nico and Sylvia were approaching, the latter acting rather sheepish, a sight that Kaden and Milo found unusual.
"So this is where you two ended up," Nico said, stopping before them.
"What's up? I thought I said I needed some more time."
"Blame her. She insisted and then tried to back out at the last second." Nico pointed out the teen trying to use him as a shield. Granted, with his busted leg, there wasn't much he could do.
Kaden turned to Milo and saw the boy's blushing face. Trying hard not to smirk, he cleared his throat, snapping Milo out of his trance. "Um, yeah, I guess there's no other way to explain it except like this. Milo, this is Sylvia."
Milo blinked and turned to Kaden, "What?"
"Hello, Milo…that's your name, right?" Sylvia approached.
Milo turned to Sylvia, who was holding her hand out. He chuckled and held his hand, "Sorry, I…uh—wow! I—I'm a huge fan of you! I—I mean, I watched your streams back when you were still V-Streaming and—!" He quickly chugged the remaining half of his water, causing Kaden and Nico to lose it. Sylvia blushed, clearly feeling flattered by Milo's fanboying. "Sorry! It's just…wow."
"Well, this was easier than I thought," Kaden said. "Honestly, figured this was gonna be tough to explain, but…yeah."
"Explain what, how you know me IRL?" Sylvia asked curiously.
Kaden lied too quickly with his nod. "My buddy Milo has been such a huge fan of yours for a long time. It was because of us he even created his own Saibatar."
"Oh my gosh?!" Sylvia became giddy. "That's so cool!"
"Dear god, she's even cuter in person…!" Milo muttered under his breath.
"Sorry, what was that?" Kaden leaned in hard.
"YOU HEARD NOTHING!" Milo snapped back.
"You sure about that, bro?" Kaden grinned wide.
"Definitely! That jump out of Omnia must've jogged your hearing skills."
"Nah, man, I heard that too." Nico chimed in. "How about you, Syl?"
"Me?" She smirked away, "I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about."
"Guys, quit it!" Milo exclaimed, the blood rushing to his head.
The three teased Milo until the latter broke off and tried to escape. Kaden and Sylvia pursued him around the courtyard until they all collapsed on the grass from hysteria, Milo joining in after embracing his embarrassment. They laughed so much and enjoyed one another's company that Nico barely noticed the woman approaching their group.
"It looks as if you all are enjoying yourselves this evening," Miranda crossed her arms, looking at the sprawled teens on the lawn. "Breaks my heart that I have to end it…"
Nico tensed as the other three looked up and took note of Miranda.
"Miranda?" Sylvia stood and dusted herself off, "what's wrong?"
"Nothing concerning you, dear," She waved off. "I just finished disciplining Salan, so now, Kaden, it's your turn."
Kaden swallowed hard, immediately understanding what she was referring to. "Look, I can explain—!"
"It was my fault." Milo stood and defended. "Kaden broke formation to look for me because I asked him to. And as for what happened to Central District…I'll also take responsibility for that."
"As admirable as that is, that doesn't change anything," Miranda said. "Since joining the X-Streamers, Kaden, you've followed your agenda regarding important matters. Your match with Syl instead of attending our mission briefing is another of several instances of your defiance."
Kaden's voice caught, "You played that off like it was some proof for Mason!"
"And yet rules are rules." Miranda countered. "He may have been fine with it, but the CEO saw it differently. After all, we're in a war. While you all are frolicking without a care in the world, Sierra is currently fighting for the sake of the Eastern District."
A wave of shock went through the four teens. Milo quickly processed the reality of the situation and realized something crucial. "Central was a diversion…"
The three turns turned to him. He continued, "Central already fell during the first assault. What other reason would they need to go back, lest it was a diversion to go after the other four Districts?
"I thought the attack was to recover Dexter?" Kaden pointed out.
"Remember what Dracmon told him towards the end of our match?" Milo referred.
Kaden thought back to the moment before Dexter played the virus card. Dracmon, in hindsight, wasn't trying to stop Dexter from acting…he was provoking him.
"They sacrificed Dexter to ensure that we and the ODF couldn't pursue them to the other districts…" Kaden came to the grim realization.
"And take out our main foothold," Milo added.
Kaden clicked his tongue and broke from the group. However, Miranda reacted, cuffing her hand onto his wrist.
"I'm not done talking to you!" She hissed, pulling him back.
Kaden broke free of her grip, but her glare held him in place. "You have no power over me."
"All of you are in possession of the Zenith's power. Therefore, I own each and every one every one of you." She replied.
"You're nothing but a Vassal to the CEO. We're equals at the very least." Nico told her, coming to Kaden's aid.
"Have you forgotten why you possess that Rapidmon?" Miranda asked, silencing Nico.
"Is that all?" Kaden scoffed, opening his deck and singling out Magnamon and its variant. "Fine, consider this my resignation." He went to delete the card when Miranda exhaled, causing him to hesitate. He looked up at her.
"How do you expect to get into Omnia without STREAM Corp?" Miranda asked. "And even if you did find a way inside, without Magnamon, you'll be helpless to stop anything on that side."
Kaden's finger trembled in anger as he threw his arm aside, unable to refute her. His frustration made Miranda smile.
"Why are you doing this, Miranda?" Sylvia asked. "You and Sierra are friends; what has she done that you're denying us the right to help her?"
"I have not done anything. She's simply getting what she deserves…"
Upon hearing that, Kaden remembered what Sierra had told him before, about how Miranda gave him Magnamon to spite her over what happened to Syl. Which then begged the question…
"What exactly happened to Syl?" Kaden asked, catching Sylvia and Miranda both by surprise. The latter thought for a moment before she responded.
"If you defeat me, I'll tell you everything you want. Otherwise, you'll fall in line like Salan and Nico, renounce the Eastern District, and swear allegiance to the Zenith District."
"What?!" Sylvia gasped. "Miranda, that's ridiculous; you can't just—!"
"Deal." Kaden cut Sylvia off.
"And he agreed," Nico found his voice.
Sylvia growled, "Why are you always like this, Kaden?!"
"You're seriously asking me that?" Kaden asked as he followed Miranda into the field. "I thought you knew me better than that." The two built distance between themselves, arming their D-Streamers and getting ready to begin.
"Your heroic façade is endearing. I've always had my eye on that, which is why I approached you in the first place."
"You sure it wasn't because I was a free agent and had a strained relationship with Sierra?" Kaden asked. "You just want her to suffer in any way you can come up with."
"I will neither confirm nor deny that. As I said, if you want answers, you will have to make this angel fall." Miranda grinned.
"No problem, because this dragon's gonna blast you out of the sky."
"DIGI-GATE: OPEN!" they exclaimed, causing their devices to whirl about and project the overlaying digital gates above them.
"I shall begin!" She cast her arm, summoning the bouncing blonde fox ball. "I hatch Viximon. It shall digivolve into Renamon, followed by a second Renamon in my battle area."
The initial Level 2 digivolved into the bipedal fox Digimon while a second appeared in the Battle Area.
Viximon (EX2-003)
Color: Yellow
Level: 2
Renamon (BT5-036)
Color: Yellow
Level: 3
DP: 3000
Renamon (EX2-019)
Color: Yellow
Level: 3
DP: 1000
MEMORY
0-3 (Turn Change: Kaden)
When Renamon enters play, I reveal the top 4 cards of my deck, and I take one Rika Nonaka tamer and a Digimon with Kyubimon, Taomon, or Sakuyamon in its name and add them to my hand; the rest go to the bottom of the deck.
The on-field Renamon swiped the air, diamonds, and glitter filling its air space as four cards materialized and revealed themselves: Rika Nonaka, Gatomon, High-Speed Plug-In D, and Sakuyamon. Miranda took the former and latter, sending the middle two cards to the bottom.
"It's your move," Miranda said, prompting Kaden to draw.
"I hatch Upamon, then I digivolve it into Veemon," Kaden stated, with Upamon materializing and following it into Veemon.
Upamon (BT1-002)
Color: Blue
Level: 2
Veemon (BT3-021)
Color: Blue
Level: 3
DP: 2000
After drawing for digivolution, Kaden played the drawn card. "I play Gabumon to draw another card."
Gabumon materialized, and Kaden drew once more.
Gabumon (BT1-029)
Color: Blue
Level: 3
DP: 1000
MEMORY
3-0
"I end by playing the dual tamer Davis Motomiya and Ken Ichijoji," Kaden said, summoning the dual tamers beside him, the latter pair ready to stand defiant alongside the Digimon.
Davis Motomiya and Ken Ichijoji (BT8-088)
Color: Blue/Green
MEMORY
0-4 (Turn Change: Miranda)
Miranda drew. "Renamon moves out, and then I play my own tamer, Rika Nonaka, into the Battle Area."
Rika was subsequently summoned onto the field, removing her blue-lensed sunglasses and carrying about a bothered look on her face.
Rika Nonaka (EX2-060)
Color: Yellow
MEMORY
4-1
"Renamon, Security Attack! Rika then suspends, allowing me to play the Option Card: Digivolution Plug-In S, which allows me to draw a card and then digivolve my other Renamon into Kyubimon!"
As the moved Renamon readied herself, the latter Renamon embraced the yellow binary, leaning forward and transforming into the nine-tailed fox Digimon.
Kyubimon (EX2-019)
Color: Yellow
Level: 4
DP: 5000
"Kyubimon's effect: I reveal the top 3 cards of my deck and retrieve one Option Card with 'Plug-In' in its name." The cards revealed were Piddomon, Offensive Attack Plug-In A, and Pillomon. Miranda took Plug-In A. "Finally, Viximon, via the activation of my Option Card, draws me a card while Renamon's IE grants me a Memory.
MEMORY
0-1
Miranda gave Renamon the OK to move out, allowing the fox to leap into the air and swing its arms out, summoning fragments of diamonds out of the air. The shards homed in on Kaden and flew down, his Security swooping to intercept.
Kaden
Security: 5-4
"Hate to burst your bubble, but I'm taking that Memory back. Security Trigger: Hammer Spark!"
MEMORY
1-1 (Turn Change: Kaden)
"Aww, look at you being defiant," Miranda smirked.
Kaden scoffed after drawing and looking at the card, "Oh, I'm just getting started! Veemon moves out!"
Veemon hopped per Kaden's command. Davis and Ken likewise held up their respected Digivices.
"At the start of my Main Phase, Davis and Ken gain me a memory so long as I have a Blue or Green Digimon present."
MEMORY
1-2
"Veemon Security Attacks with Jamming!" Kaden exclaimed, sending his Digimon spiraling forward with a headbutt. Veemon then crashed into Miranda's Security, the Angewomon on the other side graying and fizzling.
Miranda
Security: 5-4
"Don't let up! Gabumon, Security Attack!" Kaden followed, sending Gabumon out, where it fired a stream of blue flame that took out another of Miranda's Security.
Miranda
Security: 4-3
"Security Trigger: Reinforcing Memory Boost to the Battle Area!" Miranda countered, playing the Option.
"Like that matters! Veemon, Armor Digivolve into Flamedramon!" Kaden continued, transforming Veemon into its flaming counterpart.
Flamedramon (BT8-012)
Color: Red/Blue
Level: 4
DP: 5000
MEMORY
2-0
"Davis and Ken suspend to unsuspend Flamedramon, giving it the chance to attack again. Flamedramon, take out Renamon! When attacking, Flamedramon gains +3000 DP for the turn!"
Flamedramon: 5000-8000
Renamon: 3000 DP
Flamedramon punched the air, sending rocket fists towards Renamon, following it with a spin kick that sent a wave of fire. Renamon ducked and weaved around the punches and spun over the wave while unleashing a spray of diamonds to counter. Flamedramon dashed through and struck, and while Renamon was able to block the initial strikes, Flamedramon caught it in an uppercut, sending it upward, followed by it jumping to smash it back onto the ground. Renamon uttered a pained cry before its body was lit and dispersed into binary. As Flamedramon stood over Renamon's binary code, it glared at Miranda.
"Thanks to Flamedramon being an Armored Digimon, I'm allowed to activate Awakening of the Golden Knight, warp digivolving it into the Miracle of the X-Antibody while ignoring its cost and requirements!"
Renamon's remnant code was swallowed by the torrent of yellow and blue binary that surrounded Flamedramon. The X-Antibody core materialized and joined into the torrent, causing the latter to roar as the golden armor latched over its person, causing it to grow in size. The moment's intensity caused everyone except Kaden to wince as Flamedramon mutated into the X-Antibody Digimon.
"I summon you! Magnamon X-Antibody!" Kaden exclaimed as the binary broke, with the newly risen Digimon sharing in the exclamation.
Magnamon (X Antibody) (BT9-044)
Color: Yellow/Blue
Level: 6
DP: 11,000-14,000
MEMORY
0-3 (Turn Change: Miranda)
"Whoa…!" Nico uttered upon seeing Magnamon X for the first time. "It's huge."
"Compared to the regular Magnamon, I'd have to agree," Milo added.
"Do you guys think he's going to win…?" Sylvia asked, sounding unsure of herself.
"That'll depend on what Miranda decides to counter with," Nico answered. "After all, she's one of the vassals to the Zenith District's rep for a reason."
Miranda drew and took another look at Magnamon X. She smiled as the latter narrowed its gaze on her. "I hatch another Viximon and then digivolve it into Renamon."
Renamon materialized into her open Raising Area as Miranda drew for digivolution. After looking at her drawn card, she turned her attention back to Kaden. "You truly have taken to my gifts well, haven't you?"
"I've gotten my use out of them, yeah," Kaden replied.
Miranda giggled, "Oh, how I'm going to enjoy humbling you…" she dropped her smile and played her next card. "Kyubimon digivolves into Angewomon!"
Yellow binary infused into Kyubimon, reforming it into the feminine angel Digimon.
Angewomon (EX1-030)
Color: Yellow
Level: 5
DP: 7000
MEMORY
3-0
"And now, Angewomon, I order you to transcend and become the Angel of the X-Antibody!" Miranda raised a card as binary code erupted around her Angel Digimon. Likewise, the others were taken aback by the sudden gusts of wind being stirred, though Sylvia felt especially drawn to paying attention as Angewomon transformed into her powerful counterpart. Upon the torrent relaxing and Angewomon X appearing from it, Sylvia found herself transfixed.
Angewomon (X Antibody)
Color: Yellow
Level: 5
DP: 8000
"You recall how her ability works, correct?" Miranda asked. "Upon digivolving, I recover a Security, whereas one of your Digimon loses a Security Attack. My target is Magnamon X."
Angewomon X waved her dainty hand and generated a new Security for Miranda. Afterward, it waved it again to fire a gold blast that stunned Magnamon X and caused it to stagger.
Miranda
Security: 3-4
"Angewomon's IE effect: Whenever a Security is added to my stack, one of your Digimon gets -2000 DP. I choose Gabumon, therefore deleting it." Miranda continued, pointing at the vulnerable Level 3.
Gabumon: 1000-0 DP
Once more, a flick of her wrist caused Gabumon to be eviscerated by holy digital light, setting Kaden back further. Miranda ended by digivolving her Renamon into Piddomon.
Piddomon (BT4-042)
Color: Yellow
Level: 4
DP: 5000
MEMORY
0-1(Turn Change: Kaden)
Kaden shook off the setback, drew, and hatched a new Upamon. "At the start of my Main Phase, Davis and Ken grant me a Memory.
MEMORY
1-2
"I'll play a Hammer Spark for an additional Memory, then I'll digivolve Upamon into Veemon, and then Armor Digivolve it into Lighdramon."
MEMORY
2-3
Upamon in the Raising Area first transformed into Veemon before a green and blue binary surrounded it, causing it to transform into its quadrupedal armored variation.
Veemon (EX1-013)
Color: Blue
Level: 3
DP: 2000
Lighdramon (BT8-053)
Color: Green/Blue
Level: 4
DP: 5000
MEMORY
3-1
"I activate the Option Card: Ice Wall. Until the end of your turn, anytime you try to attack me, you lose 2 Memory. And as for your Memory Boost, I play ModokiBetamon to prevent you from recovering it. I end my turn with that.
The neon green amphibian Digimon appeared as the grass terrain was covered in digital frost between them.
ModokiBetamon (BT6-021)
Color: Blue
Level: 3
DP: 2000
MEMORY
1-0
0-3 (Turn Change: Miranda)
"This isn't good," Milo commented. "Miranda managed to push Kaden on the defense."
"Oh, trust me, it'll get worse," Nico replied. He then noticed Sylvia zoning out and grew uncomfortable enough to grab her attention. She jolted and turned to him.
"Are you okay…?" Nico asked.
"Yeah, I…" she hesitated. "That Digimon…I've seen it before."
Nico questioned if he should respond to that. He decided not to, turning his attention to the match at hand. Of course, it's no wonder that she remembers it.
She was the original owner of the card before the accident, after all.
Miranda, overhearing the comment, smiled, "She brings back memories, does she? Reassuring that part of your old self is still in there somewhere."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Kaden snapped.
"Oh? You've been comfortable in calling her Sylvia this whole time, yet you question what I said? Hmm…could it be… that you've figured out the truth but are in denial about it?
Kaden tensed, unable to answer her straight. His hesitation made Miranda giddier, to the point of laughing.
"Miranda, what are you talking about?" Sylvia asked, equally hesitating.
Miranda calmed down and cleared her throat. "Oh, I suppose it won't hurt to mention it. After all, how much more fun will it be to not only humble you but outright break you?"
"Miranda!" Nico exclaimed.
"The truth of the matter is…Riley never existed in the first place."
Miranda's words made everyone except the confused Sylvia freeze up as if time had come to a standstill. The latter looked at the boys and grew anxious at their intense reactions. Reactively, she took a step back, feeling her heart pounding out of her chest.
Her body demanded that she'd run. As for how far and how fast, it didn't matter. She just needed to escape.
And so she did, breaking away from the boys and not looking back. Milo noticed her break and reactively gave chase, followed by Nico, who stopped after remembering that he couldn't chase her down. Instead, he turned his attention to Kaden, who looked like he would collapse.
"Why bring it up now…?" Nico hissed at Miranda.
"You knew…didn't you?" Kaden uttered toward Nico.
Nico hesitated. He had no answer for Kaden, and Miranda knew this. He glared daggers, wondering what was going on in that twisted mind of hers.
Miranda savored every moment, drawing her card and moving Piddomon forward. "I play Digivolution Plug-In S. I draw, then I digivolve Angewomon X into the Holy Maiden of the Mystic Arts: Sakuyamon!"
Kaden was taken aback by the eruption of power and knocked off his feet as Angewomon X embraced the empowering torrent, transforming her into the fox-armored Digimon.
Sakuyamon (EX2-024)
Color: Yellow
Level: 6
DP: 11,000
MEMORY
3-1
"Upon digivolution, for each Tamer, I have in play, I can return one Option Card with 'Plug-In' in its name to my hand. I recycle a Digivolution Plug-in S from my trash." She said, taking the Option Card back. "Following that is a slew of IE effects: Viximon's IE effect allows me to draw a card for playing my Plug-In, whereas Kyubimon's IE gives ModokiBetamon -2000 DP, deleting it.
ModokiBetamon: 2000-0 DP
As she drew, Sakuyamon slammed her staff on the ground, causing a wave of energy to rush towards ModokiBetamon, zapping it and causing it to delete before Kaden, who reactively shielded himself.
"With ModokiBetamon gone, both of my Renamon's IE effects can now trigger freely, giving me an additional 2 Memory.
MEMORY
1-3
"I activate the delay effect of Reinforcing Memory Boost to gain 3 Memory from it, putting me at 6 Memory."
MEMORY
3-6
As Kaden stood back up, he watched Miranda replay the Plug-In card, causing Piddomon to erupt in binary. "Using my Plug-In once more, Piddomon digivolves into Taomon."
The priestly fox Digimon appeared in place of Piddomon, drawing a talisman from its sleeve and holding it between its fingers.
Taomon (EX2-023)
Color: Yellow
Level: 5
DP: 7000
MEMORY
6-4
"Taomon's effect upon digivolving allows me to play a 2nd Rika Nonaka from my hand. Following that, since I used an Option Card with a cost of 2 or more, Sakuyamon deals -3000 DP onto Magnamon X."
As Taomon summoned the 2nd Rika, Sakuyamon swung its staff, summoning a small squad of rainbow fox spirits, one of each of the seven colors. The red fox shot towards Magnamon, dropping its DP.
Magnamon X: 11,000-8000 DP
"I play the Option Card: Offensive Plug-In A, granting Taomon Security Attack +1."
MEMORY
4-2
"Sakuyamon's effect: Another -3000 DP on Magnamon!"
The Blue fox now pounced, weakening Magnamon further and dropping it to one knee.
Magnamon X: 8000-5000 DP
Miranda couldn't help but take note of Kaden's lack of reaction with the last several moves. "Oh, you poor thing…was that news hard to bear? Trust me when I say I know how you feel."
"What could you possibly know?!" Kaden reacted, visible tears escaping from his eyes. "Riley…! I—I can't…!"
"Sylvia was one of the volunteers of Project X-Stream's trial runs. After an accident while testing the ability of the human consciousness to inhabit a Saibatar body in a digital space such as Omnia, it was revealed that she developed Dissociative Identity Disorder, developing a new personality, 'Riley.' This new personality took over Sylvia and eventually became her dominant over Sylvia. Nico over there was tasked to keep an eye on her and protect her lest she has a relapse and a complete mental breakdown.
Kaden turned to him, and Nico refrained from commenting, even breaking eye contact.
"And, of course, Sierra only fed into Riley, spoiling the absolute crap out of her and effectively ruining months of dedicated research and development."
"So…the Syl I fought during the Exhibition Match…that was Riley his whole time…?"
"No. I just told you Riley never existed." Miranda reiterated.
Kaden exhaled, feeling beside himself. "I'm so confused…"
"Don't be." Miranda geared up to continue her turn. "Just stand there and break for me. Taomon, Security Attack!"
Nico perked up. "But the Ice—!"
MEMORY
2-0
"The effects of both of my Rikas activate. I will suspend them both to play Attack Plug-In A and High-Speed Plug-In D, both effects given to Taomon, therefore jamming 3 of your Security! Sakuyamon, on top of which, deals another -6000 DP onto Magnamon X, dropping its DP to 0!
Nico gasped as the yellow, green, and purple foxes surrounded Taomon and empowered it. In contrast, the remaining black and white ones spiraled around Magnamon and unleashed their powers, causing it to crash onto its knees.
Magnamon X: 5000-0 DP
Magnamon X's effect sent it to the top of Kaden's Security, while both Flamedramon and Veemon underneath dispersed from the lack of DP carrying over.
Kaden
Security: 4-5
"Go! Triple Security Attack!"
Taomon concentrated the might of the three fox spirits on its one talisman and, from it, unleashed a massive blast of energy toward Kaden. The three Security reacted to block, but with the Jamming in effect, Magnamon X stood no chance to counter, with Veemon following. The last Security, however, was Lightning Blade, reacting and shooting a bolt of Lightning toward Sakuyamon before Miranda could apply more pressure.
Kaden
Security: 5-2
Miranda crossed her arms. "Sierra singlehandedly destroyed my future with her actions. So I'll break all that she holds dear and make her suffer with the knowledge that she caused all of this…"
MEMORY
0-3 (Turn Change: Kaden)
Nico turned his focus on Kaden. Miranda charged through Kaden's Ice Wall, knowing that she had the power to make it worth it. If she has another Offensive Plug-in or another Sakuyamon in her hand, then Kaden's chances of winning were as good as gone.
"Why…?" Kaden uttered. "Just what is it that you have against Sierra and Riley?"
Miranda's voice caught, and her eye twitched. Even Nico was surprised at Kaden's lack of awareness all of a sudden.
"Did you not hear what I just—!"
"I have!" Kaden barked back. "And all I've gotten from it is that you're petty!"
"Excuse me, you brat?!" Miranda snarled. "Don't forget who gave you that power you wield—the power you all wield!"
"What's your point?!" Kaden exclaimed, shutting her up. "Like I said before, you don't own me! You don't own Nico, Milo, and especially, you do not own Sylvia!"
Kaden drew and moved Lighdramon to the Battle Area. "At the start of my turn, since I have a Blue and Green Digimon in play, Davis and Ken grant 2 Memory instead of 1!"
MEMORY
3-5
"Okay, and?" Miranda furrowed her brow.
"You're not the only one with Option Cards. I play Fire Rocket! Since Lighdramon's an Armor Digimon, Color restrictions are ignored. I give it Security Attack +1 and then Double Security Attack!"
MEMORY
5-4
Lighdramon roared, calling digital lightning from the gate above before charging. The ensuing friction ignited it into a flaming beast, tackling the two Security that appeared before Miranda. Pillomon incinerated instantly, but Piddomon was able to push back and counter.
Lighdramon: 5000 DP
Piddomon: 5000 DP
Despite catching on fire, Piddomon was still able to tie with Lighdramon using its holy fist and slam Lighdramon's side, therefore deleting one another. From the conflict, Veemon flipped back and landed with a smirk, thanks to purging the armor.
Miranda
Security: 4-2
"Veemon, Armor Digivolve into the Royal Knight of Miracles: Magnamon!" Kaden exclaimed, giving Veemon the power of the golden armor and transforming it into the regular Magnamon.
Magnamon (BT8-038)
Color: Yellow/Blue
Level: 4
DP: 7000 DP
MEMORY
4-1
"Per its effect, Magnamon unsuspends and gains +2000 DP for each Armor Digimon in my Trash. Flamedramon and Lighdramon boost it by +4000 DP. Veemon's IE effect also triggers, gaining me a Memory for unsuspending!"
Magnamon: 7000-11,000 DP
MEMORY
1-2
"Next, Hammer Spark and Lightning Blade! Another Memory, and then +2000 DP and Piercing for Magnamon!"
MEMORY
2-3
3-2
Magnamon: 11,000-13,000 DP
Kaden could see the uneasiness in Miranda's demeanor with each play. But he wasn't done. "By the way, remember how Sakuyamon's DP reduction penetrated through Magnamon X?
"What about it?"
"Fire Rocket still applies in the same way," he smirked. "This means Magnamon, attack Sakuyamon, and pierce Miranda's remaining Security!"
Miranda let out a gasp as Sakuyamon readied to defend itself.
Magnamon: 13,000 DP
Sakuyamon: 11,000 DP
Magnamon vanished in a flash of light, with Sakuyamon just barely blocking the strike. Magnamon took to the skies above, and Sakuyamon went to follow, summoning her foxes to go after Magnamon. The three below watched as Magnamon weaved around the army of colorful fox spirits until they surrounded and charged it. Magnamon crossed its limbs and thrust out in all directions, summoning a barrier that immediately dispersed them. Taken aback, Magnamon concentrated the energy into energy balls in its hands. After combining them, Magnamon fired, blasting Sakuyamon, as well as Miranda's Security: Pillomon and Angewomon X from existence.
Miranda
Security: 2-0
The light from the blast blinded Miranda, as indicated by her sudden cry. As it died down, Miranda found herself trying to process how the tables flipped so quickly. She looked up and drew a cold sweat as Lobomon held its energy blade between her eyes.
"Davis and Ken Spirit Digivolve into Lobomon for the game," Kaden said, walking beside it.
Miranda shuddered and gritted her teeth. "There's no way…how could I lose like this…?!"
"By the way, the way I just beat you? Guess where I learned it from?" he approached her face while she fought the urge to retaliate.
"Get out of my face…!" Miranda hissed.
"Riley used the same move to beat me. Remember her? The one you said didn't exist?"
"I said—!" she yelped as Kaden grabbed her jacket.
"You have ten seconds to give me access to the Eastern District, or I swear I will—!"
"Bro!" Nico managed to hop over to them and pull him back. "I got you. Just calm down for a second."
"Don't even!" Kaden pushed Nico over, and it was only then he realized how far Miranda had pushed him. He crumbled himself and released the pent-up tears.
Miranda watched the state the two boys were in and straightened her coat. "How dare you assault one of your commanding officers...I will make sure you get your wish after all." She turned toward the building and began to walk, only to stop short in hesitation. "You…!"
Kaden heard Miranda and looked over, voice catching. Upon seeing Sierra approaching them, he felt a wave of relief that only made him cry more.
Miranda snickered and pushed past Sierra while the latter paid Miranda no mind, fixated on Kaden and Nico. Nico sat up and watched as Sierra embraced Kaden's sorry state. As she hugged him, it stuck out to him how, instead of relief, the look on her face spelled regret. He groaned as he managed to get back on his feet using his crutch before he even said anything.
"How bad is it?" Nico asked.
It took Sierra a minute to answer him. When she found the words, she turned to Nico. "The Nadir District…Alphamon is controlling it. And they're after the relic."
Nico felt the pit in his stomach nearly bring him down again. "Of all the times for Miranda to mess with our heads…"
"Sierra…" Kaden's voice broke.
"I'm right here, Kaden…I'm here for you…" She continued to console him.
"Please…tell me the truth. If you can't…then that's fine too."
Sierra looked down at him, wondering—hoping that what he was about to ask wasn't what she knew he was going to ask.
"What happened to Sylvia…
…and who is Riley?"