"It's done." Kaden leaned back on the couch, a card display sitting before him. After Mason explained what had happened at STREAM Corp since Kaden was removed the night before, Kaden further explained what he had experienced when accessing the information provided by Detective Howard. Mason was able to confirm and connect missing pieces of information, leading to several unified conclusions:
1) Raelyn, like Dexter before her, had been hijacked by a Nadir District operative.
2) The Zenith District/STREAM Corp had contingencies in the event the Nadir District infiltrated the facility, which was predicted to be implemented as they spoke.
3) Kaden has gained information from Dr. Melanie Whitaker, Gabriel Acevedo, and Ryusei and has had direct contact with the Nadir Representative, leading to more questions than answers about why such interactions occurred.
Milo, who was allowed to shower and borrow some of Kaden's clothes, took his friend's D-Streamer, his tablet, and transferred the data into the device, confirming that the new deck was loaded. He looked up to Kaden, who was deep in thought, so he bothered himself to ask. "By the way, did you get my message from earlier?"
Kaden perked up, "what message?"
"To 'Save Raelyn...?'"
Kaden blinked, still clueless.
Milo sighed, "Guess that's on me."
"What are you talking about?" Kaden leaned closer.
"I mean, I wasn't actually upset that you and Syl kissed."
Kaden blinked again. "What? Wait, so all that stuff you said about what you did...! Hold up, were you trying to get me kicked out?!"
"The further you were away from STREAM Corp, the better."
"Your brother, who's a part of STREAM Corp, is currently in the kitchen with the other adults. Besides that, weren't you also working alongside them?"
"That same brother is also in the kitchen with an AEGIS agent spilling necessary info otherwise kept hidden."
"...fair."
"Plus, the one who hijacked Raelyn knew I was onto them," Milo added. "They probably hoped to use you as a shield, but I stopped that."
"And the one who hijacked her...they're calling themselves 'Raesyl.'
"Mhmm." Milo nodded.
"And... how did you get in contact with Dr. Whitaker?"
"That was Sierra's doing. She's stayed connected with Raelyn's uncle through the whole ordeal.
"Even with the Zenith District breathing down her neck?"
"Guess they have their ways..."
"Right," Kaden had to agree. "I was just thinking how crazy it was that she and Homura suddenly showed up in the Nadir District. Crazier that I had the Omni Sword in my hands and..." Kaden looked at his hands.
Milo noticed his brief hesitation. "And?"
"The Nadir District Rep... he just let me go."
"So... that means you have the weapon on you?" Milo sought to confirm.
Kaden summoned Veemon, who continued to look off. Herissmon materialized as well and dashed across the coffee table up to him. Herissmon examined Veemon all around and turned to his partner.
"I sense it," Herissmon answered—Veemon's exhibiting traces of the Omni Sword.
"Oh..." Milo uttered." Okay then."
"I don't trust that look on your face," Kaden took note of the cautious expression on his friend's face.
"It's because...the Nadir District goal was that sword. And the Representative...just allowed you to bring it out of Omnia..."
"You're thinking what I'm thinking, aren't you?" Kaden narrowed his gaze.
"The Nadir Rep wanted you to have it."
"He needed this weapon to sever Zenith's grip over the Nadir District. At first, I thought he would wipe Omnia out for the sake of the Nadir District, but maybe we just assumed he was out to destroy everything. Maybe all he wants is for the Nadir District to be equal."
"And maybe...in the worst-case scenario, he's entrusted that responsibility to you..." Milo added, shifting the weight of the situation on its head.
"So, STREAM Corp, right? Connection to Omnia is still down, and it's not like the Nadir Rep will pick us up and take us to the Nadir District." Kaden stood. "Wait, actually...I wonder...!"
Kaden ran into his room, leaving Milo wondering. "...You're...?"
"If this is what he wants, then so be it," Kaden replied from inside. "At the very least, I want to know why he decided to throw this kind of responsibility on me."
Hearing that, Milo laughed, catching Kaden's attention as he popped his head out the doorway. "What?"
"Never thought I'd hear you of all people ask why you the hero. If anything, I expected you to be more excited."
"Well...I am excited but for different reasons." Kaden couldn't help but smirk.
"What reason is that?" Milo asked.
"I'm looking forward to giving Riley and Sylvia an earful for all the insanity these last few weeks have been.
Kaden's smile was contagious, so much so that Milo's smile overridden the solemn feeling Kaden's words left on him. Kaden likely knew too that his words were easier said than done; if it's anything like Dexter's situation, there's a chance that her body is just a shell, and their consciousness is completely replaced by the entity controlling them.
"Anyway, you're just gonna stand there or...?" Kaden motioned.
"Right!" Milo nodded, grabbing Kaden's D-Streamer from the coffee table and heading into his room.
"Kaden sat at his desk and pulled up the previous window used to access Melanie's virtual space.
"You ready?" Kaden asked, typing in the login credentials.
Putting on his headset and activating his D-Streamer, Milo nodded.
Kaden likewise got set up and faced the screen." Let's go be heroes."
Hitting enter, the room flashed with a bright light, and in moments, the pair vanished without a trace, reappearing in the familiar office scene that Kaden had found himself in earlier. Melanie was still at her desk, and Gabriel seemed to have left, but this time, there was a group of fresh faces, most of whom Kaden recognized as members of the ODF forces.
"Welcome back," Melanie said, focused on her work. Face lined with dry tear marks, she looked up to acknowledge the two boys.
"He helped me get up to date on everything…" Kaden said. "We're ready to finish this."
"As are we," Axel said, tugging his fingerless gloved hand. The Sistermon siblings, Vantus, Jesse, and Garretson, shared the sentiment with him.
Sensing the resolve in the room, Melanie finished what she was doing. "All right then, it's settled. Next stop…" she pressed a button on her D-Streamer, summoning a digital gate before them, "the Nadir District."
"Invitation?" Dracmon scoffed, "What, you think this is some elaborate trap you set for us?"
"No wonder your defenses were so piss-poor." Raesyl followed.
The Nadir Rep cleared his throat. "Both of you keep your guards up."
"Fine, fine…" Dracmon shrugged, "we'll play along then."
The Nadir Rep glared before turning to Noah and bowing, "I apologize for the interruption."
"It's no problem at all," Noah waved off. "After all, I can understand what it's like to have hubris-fueled subordinates stepping out of line…"
"If you want, I can step all over your face?" Dracmon shot.
"Silence!" the Nadir Rep snapped.
"Assuming you'd have the chance to do that, the Arbiter wouldn't take kindly to it," Noah motioned.
Dracmon gave him a questioned expression, only to suddenly sense a powerful presence behind them. Quickly turning around, the towering pillar of yellow and purple binary code before them formed into the angel Digimon Mastemon, who began floating not far from them.
"Unauthorized fighting within this realm is strictly prohibited." The arbiter announced to those present. She turned to the Nadir Rep, and they both locked gazes for a long moment. "Failure to adhere to the rules of the Zenith District is subject to punishment."
Dracmon conceded, smart enough to realize that he stood no chance against her—not yet, at least.
"You can relax, Dracmon," The Nadir Rep pointed out. "Mastemon is and will always serve as a neutral party."
"Indeed," Noah confirmed. "She's here to assure our negotiations go without a hitch."
"Negotiations…?" Raesyl repeated.
"Yes. Everything was done to have an audience with the Zenith District." The Nadir Rep explained. "Sitting idle as the world they claimed to rule over fell into chaos, I've orchestrated matters to force them to act."
"And even still, you had to force your way into this holy sanctuary, demonstrating what little threat you pose to our Sovereign," Noah replied. He turned to Raesyl, getting a good look at her. "I wonder, were the lives you stole to get here all worth it?"
Raesyl narrowed her gaze. "You people took Raelyn from me. What do you think?"
"I think that as an AI, your obsession with your sync partner has driven you to become them. Not only that, but even after absorbing the consciousness data of both girls, you still felt empty inside, didn't you? That's why you also absorbed Nico Woods within yourself."
"I did that so that he could be with them. I'm not a heartless monster…"
"Any creature obsessed with someone has plenty of love to give," Noah explained. "If anything, you're a heartful monster."
Noah's words bothered Raesyl. She didn't have a response for that, prompting him to then turn to Dracmon, who was still side-eyeing the motionless Mastemon. "And you, former general…"
Dracmon's ears twitched, so he turned. Noah crossed his arms and watched as Dracmon gave his full attention. "Tell me, has Matthias Von Sorin's example not taught you anything?"
"You'll have to be more specific," Dracmon replied. "Sorin and I have separate goals for the future of our District."
"Oh, come now," Noah smirked, "rather than absorb the consciousness data, you drove that poor boy into self-destruction, all to gain the power from your synchronization. From what I can tell, that's no different from what Sorin was planning."
"Sorin was attempting to revive an old-world organization. I'm simply trying to regain the strength I lost opposing your master. And once I do…" Dracmon grinned, "This world will burn until the Nadir District is left standing."
"I see. And then I take it you'll invade Earth and round up the humans like cattle?"
"And kill the useless ones." Dracmon shrugged. "Simple, yes, but effective."
"Fascinating…"
"Is this a part of your negotiation tactic?" The Nadir Rep called Noah out.
"Does it bother you that I'd rather hear your motives directly?"
The Nadir Rep's gaze narrowed, "what is your goal in all of this? Do you really support the Zenith's control over Omnia that you'd submit to its Sovereign…or do you have some other goal in mind?"
"I'm not obligated to answer that.
"As the King of Omnia, I—!"
"Former king…" Noah interrupted. "Don't forget your own forces set your kingdom ablaze and completely decimated the Central District. You sacrificed your own people for your goals!"
"All for the sake of rebuilding Omnia from scratch!" the Nadir Rep defended. "None of this would've come about if the Zenith had stayed in their lane!"
"And that! That right there…is the poisoned logic we humans used to pollute Omnia…why Drasil ousted those traitors of the Zenith so long ago because it knew that we didn't belong here…"
The Nadir Rep fought to keep his composure; all the while, Raesyl looked on apprehensively.
"We are not gods, Zachary Sullivan." Noah used the Nadir Rep's real name. "You may have changed realities in your past, but in this one…" Noah raised his arm, generating a crystal white and gauntlet. "The Zenith has the final say."
Mastemon stepped in at this point. "Stand down! Fights are prohibited in this sanctuary!"
The Nadir Rep armed himself regardless, if at all else, merely to defend himself.
But then…
"My liege! We're under attack!"
The Nadir Rep hesitated as the transmission came through his gauntlet. Both Dracmon and Raesyl turned their attention from them as well.
"What's going on?!" The Nadir Rep exclaimed.
"The other Districts are invading! It's a massive assault!"
"Once more, I thank you for accepting our invitation to negotiate…"
The three went into shock while Noah grinned. Dracmon, fueled with rage, turned and roared, lunging for Noah.
"DRACMON DON'T!" The Nadir Rep screamed, only for Mastemon's speed to overpower his voice.
"Chaos Degradation!" Mastemon exclaimed, summoning black hole-like gates to surround Dracmon. Hesitating, Dracmon screamed as the gates closed on him, making him vanish with no traces left behind.
Raesyl was shaken, and the Nadir Rep forced a gate open and dragged her along before they were next. Noah couldn't contain himself, cackling and fist-pumping the air in excitement.
"That went perfectly! Shame we couldn't get all three, but one is good enough!"
Mastemon, who remained neutral in all this, floated to Noah. "Your assignment is not over."
Noah looked at her and cleared his throat, "Right…but at least for now, I can leave the work of cleaning up that defiled district to the rulers. I must say my predecessor deserves a medal. Getting the North and West to collaborate went smoother than expected, and even the South came through for the East. Doctor Oliver Woods is a tactical mastermind of a man when the situation calls for it…"
He exhaled and shifted gears. "I'm off to alert AEGIS and SAIBA Enterprise of our current status, though surely they're aware by now, assuming Mason made it. Afterward, I'll have Miranda mobilize the X-Streamers to be ready on their end. As for you, Mastemon, I'd like you to oversee the battle in Omnia."
"Very well…" Mastemon bowed.
Noah nodded and dispersed in a cloud of binary afterward. Mastemon leaned up and looked upward as if acknowledging an invisible entity.
"…Humans…tenacious creatures they are…" an ethereal, mechanical voice produced, echoing within the area. "…how bothersome…"
[Mydoion Manor, Nadir District...]
Outside the manor, Omnimon Alter-S, Zwart Defeat, Jesmon, Gankoomon, the Sistermon siblings, Rasenmon, and Imperialdramon all emerged from a Digital Gate above the skyline. Kaden, Milo, Melanie, and the Sistermon sisters looked over Imperialdramon's shoulder; they were immediately greeted by the chaos unfolding. Below them, the Mydoion Manor was surrounded by Digimon of various shapes and sizes, from the draconian and avian Digimon of the Southern District, the insectoid, plant, and bestial Digimon of the North, and the mechanical beings of the West. The Nadir Digimon, whose seemingly endless assault laid waste to Central and East, thinned out by previous battles, were now suffering at the hands of those they've assailed.
"This is..." Milo began.
"Unexpected?" Axel, as Alter-S, finished the sentence.
"That too..." Milo replied. "Is all of this necessary?"
"Depends on who's asking." Jesse, as Jesmon answered. "They had this coming." After a moment, when he realized his sentiment wasn't universally shared, he asked, "So... what now? We start collecting any cores we come across or...?"
"We need to find Zack," Melanie stated. "He wouldn't abandon the district like this for long, which means he must be nearby. From there, we'll figure things out."
The group nodded and dispersed, diving straight into the chaos below them…
The cellars of the gothic castle shook, drawing Homura, Ryusei, and Sierra's attention above as dust fell in their respective cells. In the aftermath of Kaden vanishing in the heat of the battle, the Nadir Representative angrily lashed out and subdued the trio, after which they were imprisoned and left in the cellars with the other prisoners of war who had managed to survive since the conflict began.
Of the dozens of prisoners in the cellar, across from Ryusei's cell was a lone Bearmon, who seemed too tired to be terrified. Ryusei was aware that the heir of the Southern District's empire was kidnapped during the initial assault on the Central District, so to see him in good physical health was surprising. Mentally, however, he was checked out.
"Looks like the party's starting," Homura noted.
"Dr. Whitaker told us to wait and not act alone, right?" Sierra asked.
Ryusei nodded. "While the East and South were keeping their forces at bay in the East, the ODF headed to the Western District and, along with the North, corroborated this planned assault.
"Lord Emeron is ever the persuasive one," Homura noted.
"Something tells me though that we're going to owe BloomLordmon in the long term though..." Sierra thought.
The cellar shook violently as the ceiling caved in afterward, filling the room with dust. Following this was a squad of Commandramon sliding down a provided rope. Guardromon, a large, bronze-plated machine Digimon, floated down afterward and scanned the area.
"Targets confirmed." Guardromon verified via scanning the cellars. It and the Commandramon marched to each one. "Stand back."
Each prisoner obediently took steps back to avoid being blasted away. Guardromon and the supporting Commandramon lined their shots up and fired at the locks individually, breaking each of them and opening the cellar doors. Chaos erupted as a mix of Nadir prisoners and others scrambled to freedom. As they all poured out, Ryusei immediately went to grab the despondent Bearmon and carry him on his back, waiting for the wave to settle before moving out.
"What's…going on?" Bearmon squeaked.
"Help's arrived. Soon, you'll be back with your father and friends." Ryusei replied, trying to sound as reassuring as possible.
"…Promise?"
"As the Vassal to the King of Omnia, I swear on my life." Ryusei reaffirmed.
That promise brought some color to Bearmon's face, the first glimmer of hope since arriving.
Suddenly, a humanoid figure jumped through the ceiling, along with a dragonoid Digimon. The Saibatar resembled a steampunk butler, whereas the Dragonoid was indigo-scaled with fiery red hair, cargo pants, and armor plating on its limbs.
"Justion, just in time," Homura called out as the latter turned.
"Glad to see you guys are all right," Justin stated, with Strikedramon growling in agreement.
"Any word on what's happening?" Sierra approached.
"Good news is that the castle is surrounded, and the operation is reaching its final stages."
"And the bad news?" Ryusei asked, also joining the conversation.
Justin paused for a moment and looked at Sierra. Sierra felt her emotions bubble up through his expression, but she swallowed it back.
"I left shortly after Dr. Woods did when everything went down," Justin explained. "According to Mr. Lindberg, Sylvia, Riley...Nico, to name a few; they were amongst the casualties…"
Hearing that was a blow neither of them was expecting. Tears failed to respond to the stomach-twisting and lip-contorting reactions that were triggered. They may have had a moment to process this news and grieve if they weren't in a conflict.
Such is the reality of war.
"Nico died trying to keep Raesyl from entering the Zenith. Raesyl—rather Lucemon, is the identity of the virus controlling them."
Suddenly, a gate opened across the way from them, grabbing their attention. From it, she walked out the Nadir Rep and Raesyl, taking them all aback.
"Don't sugarcoat his sacrifice," the Nadir Rep said as the gate closed. "He was used as a scapegoat to buy time for Zenith. His blood is on their hands."
Sierra became transfixed on the heterochromatic girl beside the Nadir Rep. Sure enough; she had her face.
Even when hijacked, she still had her anxiety-riddled face.
"Were we that loud that you had to come running back?" Homura asked his captor. He then noticed the lack of Dracmon and grew curious about that."
"Negotiations with the Zenith District fell through." the Nadir Rep stated. "At the rate both sides are going, we're sooner to destroy one another than unify Omnia."
"Unify Omnia?" Sierra questioned. "Your subordinates decimated two regions! Had it not been for the southern district coming to our aid, the East would be no different than Central!"
"Do you see said subordinate beside me now?"
Sierra hesitated, unsure of the implication. "Don't tell me…did you suddenly wake up and remember you have a conscience?!"
"My liege…" Ryusei stepped up. "Achieve Salvation Through Chaos…"
Everyone turned to Ryusei, who stood firm on his statement. "I understand your motives for doing what you've done."
"Do you?"
Ryusei nodded. "A world where humans and Digimon can co-exist… you came from a reality where the scales were lop-sided. You became king of this world to preserve that balance and make it grow. And yet you've watched as forces beyond your control have tipped it in their favor."
The Nadir Rep listened intently as Ryusei continued.
"To save the struggling district of the Nadir, whose history was lost and people ostracized, you made the ultimate sacrifice…"
The Nadir Rep came close to shedding a tear. "Eve made herself an enemy of humanity to gift this world to me…and I swore not to let anyone suffer under my watch."
"You had Venusmon learn what she could in the Zenith District while Vantus spied on the Nadir. You then disappeared to the Nadir District and became its Representative, as if directly challenging the Zenith. On both sides, those killed in the chaos would have their cores recovered to be regenerated by Venusmon, who you tucked away on Earth for safety. However,…"
"…Dracmon wasn't in agreement with my plans." The Nadir Rep replied. "I became aware of his skepticism when I first mentioned Lucemon. His actions between hijacking Dexter and the rampage he's been on since have most likely been him testing whether he had enough strength to usurp me. Ironically, the Zenith did away with him, saving me the hassle."
"So…when Kaden disappeared before…?" Sierra tried to piece it together.
"A contingency." The Nadir Rep answered. "If I can't bring down the Zenith, then I'm trusting him to do so." He looked down at his hand, pulled his glove off, and watched as it glitched momentarily. The sight surprised the others.
"The price for DeathXDigivolution…" Ryusei deduced.
"I've spent so long in Omnia that my being can no longer be considered human, nor Digimon," the Nadir Rep explained. "I'm a Saibatar in the purest sense of the term. As such, I've sacrificed my core to fight for the Nadir District."
"Wait…!" Raesyl's anxiety became noticeable. "So that means what exactly?!"
"It means… that it won't be much longer until he's gone from this world," Justin answered. His answer set a tone of dread to fill Ryusei.
The Nadir Rep nodded. "DeathXDigivolution erodes the core as a result of obtaining immense strength. And then, like cancer, it'll eventually eat away at me until I'm permanently deleted."
"...Does Melanie know about this?" all eyes were on Ryusei, "What about Axel, or the others, even your family back on Earth?! Is anyone else aware of what you've done to yourself?!"
"I was hoping to die taking down the Zenith District."
Ryusei scoffed, "Since when were you a coward?"
The Nadir Rep chuckled softly, his eyes losing their purple tint somewhat. "It's possible I'm just growing tired."
Ryusei clicked his tongue and marched to the Nadir Rep's face, "Well then, you better wake the hell up, do you hear me?! You don't get to die on us yet!"
The Nadir Rep sighed and threw his hands up as if surrendering, the gesture taking Raesyl and everyone else by surprise.
"Very well. I'm in your hands."
"Land there!" Melanie pointed toward the roof of the manor. Kaden nodded and directed Imperialdramon to veer downward. Milo signaled to Rasenmon to clear the area for them, the Level 6 Digimon blowing away the opposing forces, giving them space to blast a hole through. They dove in from above and touched down right in the throne room. Due to their respective experiences, both Melanie and Kaden had a sense of déjà vu.
"Where do we go from here?" Kaden asked as Imperialdramon and Rasenmon reverted to Veemon and Herissmon, respectively.
"Eve?" Melanie called, with Morphomon materialized. The small butterfly-themed Digimon sensed the atmosphere with her antennae, attempting to sense the contents of the building. "It's difficult to pinpoint. I can sense Ryusei and Zack's Cores…however."
"What's wrong?"
"It's…fading." She admitted, with a cautious tone.
"Fading? What do you mean by that?" Melanie hesitated.
Milo looked from the corner of his eye and saw a gate opening before them. "Guys!"
Reactively, Kaden jumped ahead of them, and the group watched anxiously as the Nadir Rep and Ryusei emerged. The latter pair had resolute looks on their faces.
"Zack!" Melanie exclaimed.
The Nadir Rep glared, "Why are you here?"
"What do you mean 'why am I here?!' That should be very obvious why!" She snapped at him.
"As for you…" He turned to Kaden, "What do you hope to accomplish by returning here?"
"You gave me the Omni Sword. Why entrust such a power onto me?" Kaden asked.
The Nadir Rep responded by activating his gauntlet.
Kaden was taken aback, "you're not going to answer me?!"
"Prove to me that you deserve to wield that power." The Nadir Rep stated. "That I didn't make a mistake in my decision."
Kaden looked at Ryusei, to which he nodded confidently. Reluctantly, Kaden nodded back. "Fine, let's do this."
Activating his D-Streamer, their devices whirled to life, and they locked gazes.
"DIGI-GATE: OPEN!"
"I'll start by hatching DemiVeemon!" Kaden called out, summoning DemiVeemon to his side.
DemiVeemon (BT2-002)
Color: Blue
Level: 2
"DemiVeemon digivolves into Wormmon, then I play Veemon for 3 Memory." Kaden followed, turning DemiVeemon into a green worm Digimon, with Veemon appearing in the Battle Area.
Wormmon (ST9-08)
Color: Green
Level: 3
DP: 3000
Veemon (ST9-02)
Color: Blue
Level: 3
DP: 2000
MEMORY
(0-3 Turn Change: Nadir Rep)
"When Veemon enters play, I reveal the top 3 cards of my deck and add one card with 'Free' in its traits to my hand while the rest are sent to the bottom, "Kaden explained as the top 3 cards of his deck revealed themselves individually. Another Veemon, Flamedramon, and Stingmon made their appearance. Kaden took Flamedramon to hand and sent the rest to the bottom of his deck.
"My turn," the Nadir Rep drew." I hatch Dorimon, and then I digivolve it into Sunarizamon."
Sunarizamon materialized on the Nadir Rep's side, the stony lizard touching down on the scuffed tiles of the throne room.
Dorimon (BT7-005)
Color: Black
Level: 2
Sunarizamon (P-033)
Color: Black
Level: 3
DP: 2000
"Next, I'll play Dorumon, who'll allow me to discard a card from my hand to draw two cards."
As Dorumon materialized on the Nadir Rep's side, he discarded DexDorugoramon to the trash and drew two cards afterward.
Dorumon (BT9-058)
Color: Black
Level: 3
DP: 2000
MEMORY
3-0
"I'll end by playing the tamer Kota Domoto. Like your Digimon, on play, he will reveal the top 4 cards of my deck, allowing me to add one Digimon with the X-Antibody trait to my hand while the rest are sent to the bottom."
The Nadir Rep's tamer materialized, and after adjusting his goggles, fist pumped the air, the four cards appearing in response. DarkTyrannomon, DexDorugamon, Pride Memory Boost, and ToyAgumon were among them. The Nadir Rep took DexDorugamon and sent the remainder to the bottom of his deck.
Kota Domoto (BT7-090)
Color: Black
MEMORY
0-4 (Turn Change: Kaden)
Kaden drew, taking note of Paildramon. Going into building the new deck, Kaden took elements of his Armor deck and cards from his old deck, inspired by the loaner deck he borrowed for the exhibition match with Syl. Imperialdramon, Paildramon, and DinoBeemon DNA cards would be included.
Rather than returning to his roots, he combined everything he experienced into one deck, which he was determined to use to save everyone.
"Wormmon moves out, and Veemon Armor Digivolves into Lighdramon!"
Veemon embraced the blue and green binary code torrent and roared, getting on all fours and transforming into Lighdramon, electricity cackling around its feet.
Lighdramon (BT8-053)
Color: Green/Blue
Level: 4
DP: 5000
MEMORY
4-2
"Lighdramon suspends Dorumon, and then Wormmon will digivolve into Stingmon!"
Charging its horn with lightning, Lighdramon fired at Dorumon; meanwhile, Wormmon digivolved into a humanoid bug warrior, Digimon.
Stingmon (EX1-038)
Color: Green
Level: 4
DP: 5000
MEMORY
2-0
"Stingmon attacks Dorumon!" Kaden declared, the bug warrior extending the stinger equipped to its gauntlet.
Stingmon: 5000 DP
Dorumon: 2000 DP
Plunging forward, Stingmon reeled its arm back and thrust forward, piercing Dorumon and deleting it instantaneously. However, Stingmon wasn't finished, as it whipped around and slashed at the Nadir Rep, whom an intercepting Security Card protected.
Nadir Rep
Security: 5-4
"Stingmon's piercing effect kicked in just then," Kaden noted. "How's that?"
"Security Trigger," The Nadir Rep responded. "Chikkurimon de-digivolves your Lighdramon."
As commanded, a spiral of spike ball Digimon exploded from the card and bombarded Lighdramon, forcing it to revert into Veemon. Kaden, however, didn't seem fazed by the setback.
"Okay then, how about this? Veemon digivolves into ExVeemon!"
Veemon recovered from the previous assault and jumped at the opportunity to make a comeback, embracing the blue stream of binary code to transform into its winged counterpart.
ExVeemon (EX1-014)
Color: Blue
Level: 4
DP: 4000
MEMORY
0-2 (Turn Change: Nadir Rep)
"Still not impressed," the Nadir Rep said, preparing to draw.
"Nuh-uh, not so fast!" Kaden stopped him. "Wormmon's Inherited Effect! ExVeemon and Stingmon meet the requirements for a DNA Digivolution!"
The Nadir Rep paused his gesture and focused on Kaden; all the while, the latter's two Digimon glowed in their respective colors and took to the sky.
"ExVeemon and Stingmon DNA Digivolve into Paildramon!" He exclaimed as the beams of light intertwined until they were completely fused. They then formed into the silhouette of the Digimon, and as the light broke, the draconic bug humanoid Digimon descended, landing with its guns clenched in each claw.
Paildramon (ST9-05)
Color: Blue/Green
Level: 5
DP: 8000
The adrenaline wore off, and Kaden returned to look at his Digimon. It felt so long since he last looked upon it, and the feeling of reuniting with his old partners felt empowering.
It filled him with the confidence needed to come out on top.
"Kota sets my Memory to 3." The Nadir Rep mentioned before drawing his card finally.
MEMORY
2-3
"Sunarizamon will move out, and digivolve into Dorugamon." He continued, turning his sand lizard into the more aggressive, winged variation of Dorumon.
Dorugamon (BT7-062)
Color: Black
Level: 3
DP: 5000
MEMORY
3-1
"You may think your DNA Digivolution will prove your strength, but I'll tell you now that it doesn't compare to what's in store for you." The Nadir Rep explained, revealing DexDorugamon. "DeathXDigivolution!"
Catching Kaden by surprise, he shielded himself as a torrent of dark energy overwhelmed Dorugamon. Kaden watched as Dorugamon was corrupted into its Dex counterpart, the now soulless Digimon hovering in place of it.
DexDorugamon (BT9-075)
Color: Purple/Black
Level: 4
DP: 6000
"By discarding DexDorugamon from my hand, the one in the Battle Area gains Blocker and Retaliation," the Nadir Rep explained. "Also, Dorugamon's Inheritable grants DexDorugamon +1000 DP for possessing the X-Antibody Trait.
DexDorugamon: 6000-7000DP
"To end, I play the Option Card Metal Impulse. By discarding a card from my hand, I de-digivolve your Paildramon, after which all of your Level 4 or lower Digimon are deleted."
The zombified DexDorugamon whined as its body shifted back and forth, the energy blast exploding from its person. Paildramon was struck, its fusion becoming undone and forcing it to revert into ExVeemon. After that, ExVeemon's data and Kaden's effort to put in a solid early game crumbled before him.
MEMORY
1-5 (Turn Change: Kaden)
"He shut Paildramon down with no effort…" Milo processed. "Incredible."
"What will you do now?" the Nadir Rep asked him.
Kaden drew, determined to stay strong. "Gonna start with your Dorugamon. I first hatch another DemiVeemon and digivolve it into Veemon."
Veemon materialized in Kaden's battle area, eager to join.
Veemon (EX1-013)
Color: Blue
Level: 3
DP: 2000
"Next, I'll play the dual tamers, Davis and Ken." Kaden followed, summoning both tamers onto his side, ready to provide support judging by their stances.
Davis Motomiya and Ken Ichijoji (BT8-088)
Color: Blue/Green
MEMORY
5-1
"I end by playing the Option Card Howling Memory Boost!" Kaden swiped, sending blue soundwaves toward DexDorugamon. The Digimon howled back in agony as its bottom two sources—Sunarizamon and Dorimon—were ripped from it. Afterward, the card hovered in the Battle Area, awaiting the activation of its Delay effect.
MEMORY
1-2 (Turn Change: Nadir Rep)
Unimpressed, the Nadir Rep drew. "Kota sets my memory to 3 to begin."
MEMORY
2-3
"I hatch another Dorimon, and it will digivolve into Dorumon."
Dorumon materialized and roared, gritting its teeth aggressively.
Dorumon (BT7-056)
Color: Black
Level: 3
DP: 1000
"DexDorugamon digivolves into DoruGreymon." The Nadir Rep stated, turning his Digimon into the red beast dragon. The rings on DoruGreymon's wings dangled and echoed in the throne room as it finished taking shape.
DoruGreymon (BT7-064)
Color: Black
Level: 5
DP: 7000
MEMORY
3-0
"Using its effect, I place a 2nd DoruGreymon within its sources to give it Security Attack +1. Following that, I DeathXDigivolve it into DexDoruGreymon!"
"Again, with that?" Kaden replied, being forced to shield himself again. The energy intensified this time as the hulking beast was converted into the mindless, zombified variation.
DexDoruGreymon (BT9-078)
Color: Purple/Black
Level: 5
DP: 8000
MEMORY
0-1 (Turn Change: Kaden)
"Discarding Dorumon from my hand allows me to regain a Memory, thus prolonging my turn." The Nadir Rep discarded as Kaden went to draw. The latter paused his motion as the counter shifted back to zero.
MEMORY
(1-0)
"With the two DoruGreymons and Dorugamon's +1000 DP inheritable, DexDoruGreymon Triple Breaks your Security with 9000 DP!" The Nadir Rep threw his hand out. Go, Metal Meteor!"
DexDoruGreymon screeched and flapped its decaying wings, lifting itself from the ground. It then conjured dark flames and fired down at Kaden, his Security reacting in a single file line to intercept. When the attack connected, flames dispersed rapidly and rained down around them, Milo and Melanie jumping back to avoid being burned while Ryusei studiously watched on, unfazed by it all.
Kaden shielded himself, unable to break from the onslaught personally. The first of his Security was Magnamon, who attempted to throw up a shield to reflect the attack.
DexDoruGreymon: 8000-9000 DP
Magnamon: 7000 DP
DexDoruGreymon, despite its appearance, was resilient; its attack only intensified after realizing that Magnamon's attempt at blocking came close to resisting it. Magnamon was eventually overwhelmed, giving room for the 2nd Security to react.
The second Security reacted, revealing itself and taking the Nadir Rep by surprise. A blue flash of light emerged from the stream and pushed back against the dragon, force-feeding its attack and then some. DexDoruGreymon, overwhelmed by the intense blast, exploded before them, its data dispersing and returning to the gauntlet.
Kaden
Security: 5-3
The Nadir Rep's gaze narrowed. "That power..."
"Security Trigger: Giga Death," Kaden revealed. "If activated in Security, it suspends one of your Digimon, then sends a suspended Digimon on your side to the bottom of your deck."
"Not bad…" The Nadir Rep acknowledged. "Very well, I'll end my turn."
Memory
0-3 (Turn Change: Kaden)
Kaden jumped on the opportunity and drew. "Time to turn up the heat. Veemon moves out, and then Armor Digivolves into Flamedramon!"
Kaden's Veemon skipped, flipped, and launched into the air, red and blue binary streams surrounding it to coat it in the armor of Flamedramon. The Digimon landed, flames jumping from the tiled floor around it.
Flamedramon (BT8-012)
Color: Blue/Red
Level: 4
DP: 5000
MEMORY
3-1
"Security Attack!" Kaden ordered, sending Flamedramon vaulting forward once more. "When Attacking, Flamedramon gains +3000 DP."
Flamedramon: 5000-8000 DP
Flamedramon's fist ignited as it pulled back. Once the Security was in striking distance, it unleashed a powerful punch that shattered it. However, …
"Not good enough." The Nadir Rep said, revealing Dorugoramon on the other side.
Flamedramon: 8000 DP
Dorugoramon: 11,000 DP
The Beast Dragon of X headbutted Flamedramon back, sending it skidding on the floor. Emerging from the card, Dorugoramon summoned its blade and swung, catching Flamedramon. Flamedramon was cut down despite its efforts, its armor breaking apart and forcing Veemon to revert.
Nadir Rep
Security; 4-3
"Was hoping for that," Kaden noted.
Furrowing his brow, the Nadir Rep watched Kaden take a card from his hand. "Veemon, Armor Digivolve into the Royal Knight of Miracles: Magnamon!"
Veemon stood up and embraced the yellow and blue binary streams, growing empowered. Golden armor clasped onto its body, transforming it into its new armor form.
Magnamon (BT8-038)
Color: Yellow/Blue
Level: 4
DP: 7000
MEMORY
1-2 (Turn Change: Nadir Rep)
"Aside from having Blocker, when my Digimon digivolves into Magnamon, it unsuspends and, in addition, gains +2000 for every Armor Digimon in my trash until the end of your turn. I have 3, so that's an additional 6000 DP added."
Magnamon: 7000-13,000 DP
To wrap up this turn, Veemon's IE grants a memory for unsuspending, in addition to DemiVee boosting it by +1000 for this turn only.
MEMORY
2-1
Kota's effect set the counter to 3. "I didn't make a note of it prior, but I assume you've come to understand the true nature of the Zenith District?"
MEMORY
1-3
"Somewhat," Kaden replied. "Again, what they're doing doesn't justify your sense of justice. Your actions will keep Omnia in this state of constant war until everything's wiped out."
The Nadir Rep scoffed, "I'm not as ignorant as you may think. My methods up until now have been carefully calculated."
"So, was this fight amongst us calculated? Did you purposefully allow me to keep the Omni Blade? You said before that you wanted me to prove it wasn't a mistake, right?!"
"That I did…" The Nadir Rep drew.
"And what do you think so far?"
After moving Dorumon forward, he took a card from his hand. "You still have a long way to go. Dorumon digivolves into DarkTyrannomon!"
Dorumon let out a roar as black binary code rained onto it, transforming it into the black-scaled t-rex Digimon.
DarkTyrannomon (ST5-08)
Black
Level: 4
DP: 5000
MEMORY
3-2
"DarkTyrannomon digivolves into DoruGreymon. Using its effect, I add Dorumon into its sources, triggering both it and my initial Dorumon's IE effects, gaining a memory for adding a card to its sources. In addition, Dorimon's IE also activates, allowing me to draw.
The Digimon glowed with an aura as DarkTyrannomon transformed into another DoruGreymon, indicating the additional digivolution card.
MEMORY
2-1 (Turn Change: Kaden)
1-1
Looking at his newly drawn card, the Nadir Rep smirked, "Now, I summon you, Legendary Beast of the X-Antibody!" The Nadir Rep held the card above his head. "Come forth, Dorugoramon!"
DoruGreymon roared and lifted itself towards the ceiling, the Digimon reforming into the bipedal dragon warrior from before. Dorugoramon landed and ferociously roared at Kaden and those supporting him.
Dorugoramon (BT7-065)
Color: Black
Level: 6
DP: 11,000
MEMORY
1-2 (Turn Change: Kaden)
Kaden drew. Looking at the card drawn, he grinned and turned to Milo behind him. Milo took a second to read his face before he smiled back and nodded.
"What's so funny?" The Nadir Rep asked.
Kaden turned to him, still smirking, "You'll find out soon enough. "Since I have a blue Digimon in the Battle Area, Davis and Ken grant me a memory.
MEMORY
2-3
"I hatch DemiVeemon, digivolve it into Wormmon… and then play this!" Kaden revealed the Option Card in his hand, throwing everyone for a loop with its appearance.
"What…what is the meaning of this?!" The Nadir Rep stammered.
"Surprised?" Kaden grinned, playing the card. "Call it an Ace in the Hole. I activate the Option Card: X-Antibody!"
The blue orb with the red X in the middle materialized before Magnamon infused itself into it. Magnamon X grew empowered as the X-Antibody coursed through its body.
"The X-Antibody? As a card itself?!" Melanie spoke what everyone, sans Milo and Kaden, was thinking.
Milo nodded. "When it appears in Security, the user gains a memory and can add it to their hand instead of the trash. When it's played, it can be slid under a Digimon, allowing it to digivolve into one with the X-Antibody Trait upon attacking."
"But how? SAIBA Enterprise—I—never approved of such an item, not even for Project X—" the thought suddenly clicked in her head. Melanie found herself face palming, grinning, and laughing to herself. "Noah Lindberg, you son of a...! Oh, how dare you keep this from me..."
Milo hesitated to speak further, noting Melanie's expression. While the truth was it was initially given to him along with RizeGreymon X-Antibody before, he had Kaden add it to his deck if it came in handy. In any other situation, it would count as an illegal card, but if it ends up being the trump card to their situation...
"Magnamon, you ready?!" Kaden called out to it, to which it turned and nodded. Kaden then pointed forward. "Go!"
Magnamon pushed off the ground and zoomed forward towards the Nadir Rep. As it did, the golden light radiating off it glowed brightly.
"When Attacking, my Digimon can digivolve into a Digimon with the X-Antibody Trait by adhering to its digivolution costs! Magnamon X-Digivolves into Magnamon X-Antibody!"
The golden light exploded thanks to the X-Antibody, and Magnamon's silhouette within the light underwent its ferocious transformation into its X-Antibody persona. With a powerful whip of its tail, the Security Shattered, nearly blasting the Nadir Rep off his feet.
Magnamon (X-Antibody) (BT9-044)
Color: Yellow/Blue
Level: 6
DP: 11,000
MEMORY
3-1 (Turn Change: Nadir Rep)
Dorugamon flew from the remnants and dispersed; it was no match for the Level 6 Digimon.
Nadir Rep
Security: 3-2
"We're not done! Since my Digimon digivolved into one with two or more colors, Davis and Ken suspend to unsuspend Magnamon X. In addition, its inheritables grant me a Memory, as well as +1000 DP as well."
Magnamon (X Antibody): 11,000-12,000 DP
MEMORY
1-0
"Security Attack one more time!"
Instead of physically lunging, Magnamon X clasped its claws together and generated an intense amount of plasma energy, which it fired forth toward the Nadir Rep. Their Security blocked the massive attack at the last moment, the sudden interception causing a chain reaction, blowing everyone back and covering the room in smoke, leaving the results of the clash…
[Unknown Space, Zenith District…]
Dracmon floated in the white void, tired of attempting to break free. Time flowed and froze simultaneously, an eternal prison of sorts. To think all of his efforts up until now were wiped away in a matter of seconds…
He refused.
There's no chance things would end like this.
Not until Bagramon returned and reshaped this world for the Nadir District.
Not until the Zenith paid for the hell they forced them into.
Not until—!
"Are you scared…?"
The ethereal voice of the Zenith Sovereign echoed, shaking Dracmon.
"It's you!" Dracmon exclaimed. "Let me out of this place!"
The voice took a moment. "You have no authority over me…"
"Not yet, at least, but just wait! Once I gain my full strength back, I'll—!" Dracmon paused after interpreting what he thought was an audible sigh. "What was that?!"
"My Omnia has no place for ignorance nor defiance. It seems your hubris has made you susceptible to each of these traits."
"Oh yeah, so what?! Wanna do something about it?!" Dracmon snapped.
"On the contrary…for I seek to utilize it."
Dracmon hesitated, not expecting a response like that. Suddenly, he gasped, a massive construct materializing before him. Its appearance was almost alien-like, angular, with circuit-filled vines extending from the openings around its body. In the openings where there weren't vines, energy radiated from them. A V-shaped line was the only feature that implied eyesight, humming with a red hue.
Dracmon, for the first time, trembled from the unfathomable power that radiated, and out of fear—and nothing more—it prostrated itself.
"Rise," the Zenith Sovereign spoke. "I will give you what you desire."
Dracmon didn't dare to look up.
"Freedom…power…the knowledge to tame humans as I have."
Hearing that sent shivers down his spine. He realized how his words sounded like hubris by comparison. The tone in which they said it…"
"Please…" Dracmon found himself shamelessly begging. "Tell me what you wish of me."
"Alphamon's head." The Zenith Sovereign said. "His, and anyone else who poses a threat to my Omnia. In return, I will give you the power you desire."
"Consider it done!" Dracmon exclaimed.
"Very well…"
The vines from the construct suddenly lashed out at Dracmon and constricted it, causing Dracmon to yelp as it was forced upward. Terrified still, it attempted to break free, only to cease as data was forced into it. Dracmon screamed from the painful injections; however, after a few moments, the power resonated, and screams turned to elation.
The vines rested him down, and Dracmon glowed with a purple aura, feeling untold power course through him, moreso than when he first synchronized to his current body. The power felt was unimaginably strong…
…And unlimited.
"Go forth, my servant, in the name of your Sovereign, Drasil…"
…and remake this world in my image…