Keeping his anger in check, Barbamon looked down at the kneeling figure before him, who held a calm vibe about him, despite the rage coming off of his Lord.
"Find the humans and deal with them. Neutralize their leader and his meddlesome pet and the rest will fall." Barbamon bellowed, where the figure nodded in reply.
"As you wish, my Master." The figure said in a calm reply, before disappearing from where he knelt, the cold air around him vanishing as well.
-Meanwhile-
Back at the cave, the Digi-heroes were still talking over what had happened, with Davis and Veemon speaking with Takato, Rika and their partners on Biomerging, while the others were all talking amongst themselves.
"That was amazing, seeing UlforceVeedramon in action like that." Gatomon said with a dreamy smile as she looked at Veemon, a sight Biyomon, Palmon, Opossumon and Lalamon saw as they looked at the feline Digimon.
"Ooh, sounds like someone has a crush on Veemon." Opossumon said with a teasing smile, which grew when she noticed Gatomon freezing up and blushing.
"Opossumon!" Palmon let out, before facing Gatomon and saying. "Don't listen to her. Opossumon is just like Airu, both annoying brats who want to cause mischief."
"You forget we're both the cutest Digimon and human partners around." Opossumon bragged, which just caused Palmon and Lalamon to glare at her, while Biyomon set a comforting wing on Gatomon's back.
"I know she's just trying to embarrass you, but if there is anything you feel about Veemon, you can always talk to us." The Digimon of Love assured, sensing there was something growing inside her friend.
Meanwhile, Kari found herself staring at Davis as he conversed with Takato and Rika, her eyes narrowing more as she watched the redhead, seeing a spark in her eyes, one she recognized easily, for she saw it herself every time she looked in the mirror and thought of Davis.
"Hey, you alright?" A familiar voice then asked as Kari felt a hand on her shoulder, which broke her from her thoughts and caused the brunette to look over her shoulder, seeing Sora staring at her with some concern.
"Yeah, I guess I..." Kari started to say, still a little confused as to why seeing Rika so close to Davis had upset her like that, before, after seeing that no one was close enough to hear them, the brunette let out a sigh and confessed. "No, I'm not alright. All this started with me wanting to tell him how I feel, and now, almost every girl here seems to be interested in him. How can I compete?"
Sora didn't know really how to respond, both out of feeling guilt for Kari being in this position, but also due to the fact that since this started, her own feelings for the maroon haired Digidestined had evolved, seeing him no longer as a friend, but as a potential love interest for herself, overshadowing what she felt for Matt before they dated.
It caused Sora to have mixed feelings of her own, where she thought on the past few days, seeing how brave, methodical and strategic Davis thought, alongside how caring, devoted and kind he remained to those he cherished.
And the fact his body had also developed over the years didn't help Sora's case.
Though Sora knew there were others in their group of friends who thought she was meant to be with Tai, seeing Davis' maturity and seeing him as a whole new person had changed Sora's perception on the Digidestined of Miracles, now understanding the brief annoyance Kari felt when others mentioned her being with TK.
"Trust in yourself. Remember, you've known him the longest out of everyone here, and the fact that he used to have a huge crush on you also helps. Just tell him when you are ready, I'm sure he'll feel the same way." Sora replied to Kari with a sweet and caring smile, though a small part of her wanted to tell Kari to let it go and allow her the chance to be with Davis.
Meanwhile, having finished talking to the Tamers, Davis and Takato started cooking dinner, where the maroon haired Digidestined looked at the Tamer and asked. "So, since you asked about me and Kari, how're things with that girl of yours? Jeri, was it?"
From the sudden question and mention of Jeri, Takato blushed deeply and laughed nervously, causing Davis to smirk mentally at having gotten him back for asking about Kari, where the brunette replied. "We've been dating for the past few years."
"Actually, we were supposed to be going on a date before we got pulled here." Takato then added with a nervous look, where Davis offered a sympathetic look and replied. "Sorry about that. I'm sure she'll understand when you get back."
Smiling at Davis and his caring words, Takato felt a little better, having missed Jeri from time to time, but he knew that if he could wait, she also would be waiting for him back in their world.
It was then that a loud groan caught everyone's attention, where the heroes and Digimon looked over to see Gennai waking up, where Thomas and Tagiru moved to help him sit up, to which the Digital Humanoid questioned. "How long was I out?"
"About two days." Davis said as the group surrounded Gennai, before regaling him with what had happened since he was knocked out, watching the surprised look on his face at hearing all that they had accomplished, before his eyes widened as he heard about the fight with Belphemon.
"You both merged and became UlforceVeedramon?" Gennai asked again in surprise, to which Davis and Veemon nodded in reply once more, leaving him stunned that they not only formed another Royal Knight, but together, defeated a Demon Lord.
"Gennai." Thomas then said, getting his attention as the blond them said. "Barbamon seems to be gathering Digimon as workers, something about a dig site. Do you have any idea what he could be after?"
"No idea. We couldn't figure out his plans back then, so we had no idea what his true intentions were." Gennai replied, causing the others to sigh in frustration, hoping that they would have some answers with Gennai awake.
However, as they sighed, Davis and a few others caught a sight they weren't expecting as they saw their breaths, before realizing that the temperature had suddenly dropped drastically, causing them to look towards the mouth of the cave, seeing it appear to be snowing like a blizzard outside.
"Hey, what's with the weather?" Zoe asked as she set her arms around herself, trying to keep herself warm, a part of her wishing Agunimon was around to use as a heating post.
Then, looking out, the group saw, floating in the air, a Digimon none of them had ever seen before.
Looking like a knight, the Digimon shared a similar humanoid body structure and cobalt blue armour to MirageGaogamon's, but looking past the long line of spiky white hair that ran out from the back of the being's helmet, everyone noticed the set of icy stalactite-like wings coming from out of its back.
Continuing to look upon the Digimon, seeing the ice running through its armour, giving it a pair of sharp nails and matching claws, seeing an icy aura circling around its clawed fingers, it didn't take them too long to realize that this was the cause of the sudden chill that filled the area.
"Who the heck is that guy?!" Tagiru questioned as he shivered lightly.
"Hexeblaumon." Gennai replied as Thomas helped him walk to the entrance, where the Digi-heroes and Digimon all looked at the new Digimon, before Gennai continued with his information. "A Magic Knight Digimon who willingly gave his loyalty to Barbamon. Aside from his swordsmanship, he has great power over frost. Do not underestimate him."
Nodding in reply, the majority of the group hadn't planned on taking any chances and were already bracing themselves, drawing their respective Digivices as they waited to see what Hexeblaumon would do next.
It was then that the Ice Digimon noticed the group, causing them to freak a little at being spotted by their enemy, finding that noticing them, not only did a sword of pure ice form in his hand, which he pointed at the Digi-heroes in a challenging way, but the chilling atmosphere around them increased.
"If he keeps this up, we'll all wind up as icicles." Airu whined, unwrapping her arms around herself and setting them around Davis, using his body for warmth, causing her to smile as she snuggled a little into his chest while Davis blushed madly at the action.
However, while Davis thought Airu was just trying to adjust to the icy atmosphere, he failed to notice, Kari, Sora, Rika, Yoshi, Nene and Zoe, all knowing the blonde could've easily called upon her Candlemon for warmth, but they knew Airu was using the environment to her advantage to be closer to the Digidestined of Miracles.
"Humans! You have angered Lord Barbamon and caused him much pain. For that, you shall all suffer my wrath!" Hexeblaumon then declared loudly, his conviction surprising the heroes as they heard him speak in a knightly way, as though they were the evil force within the Digital World and not his Master.
Holding out his Digivice as Veemon got ready to fight, Davis started to speak as he declared. "We won't let you..."
But before he could continue, Hexeblaumon swung his arm quickly, sending a gust of wind out, where Davis acted on his gut and pushed Airu aside, knocking her to her butt, which brought a small annoyance to the blonde, only for her eyes to widen in shock to see both Davis and Veemon encased in blocks of ice, both looking to be in frozen states within the ice now imprisoning them.
"Davis/Veemon!" The others, especially Kari and Gatomon, cried out in fear and concern for their frozen friends, before turning as they heard Hexeblaumon laughing above them.
"Without your leader, you don't stand a chance against me!" The magic knight Digimon declared as he prepared to fight.
But even without Davis and Veemon, the others knew they had to fight, not only to save their friends, but to ensure that the Digital World didn't fall to Barbamon.
And acting first, Kari held out her D-3, its pink light shining brightly and engulfing Gatomon, Digivolving her to Angewomon, who shared the same determined expression Kari now held.
Feeling both Kari's pain and anger alongside her own, there was a great part of Angewomon that wanted to charge at Hexeblaumon and slay him with her light, but knowing such a Digimon would only thrash her in one on one combat, the angelic Digimon waited for the others to achieve their various forms of Digivolution.
"Biomerge activate!" Takato and Rika both called out as they held their D-Powers out, merging with Guilmon and Renamon as the pair became Gallantmon and Sakuyamon, both ready to join in the fray.
Next to them, Biyomon quickly went through her Digivolutions thanks to Sora's Digivice, strength and her love, becoming Garudamon as she also awaited to fight her enemy.
"Execute, Spirit Evolution!" Zoe and JP then announced as they were covered in cocoons of Data, which bursted to reveal their Human Spirit forms as they called out. "Kazemon/Beetlemon!"
Following the Legendary Warriors, Thomas and Yoshi allowed blue and pink Data, respectively to circle around their left hands, which both slammed upon their Digivices.
"Charge! D.N.A. Burst Mode!" Thomas and Yoshi called with might, holding up their Digivices to Gaomon and Lalamon, enveloping the pair in blue and pink lights, altering the duo to MirageGaogamon: Burst Mode and Rosemon: Burst Mode.
Lastly, the Fusion Fighters and allies to the team readied themselves and their Fusion Loaders, with Tagiru starting off.
"Let's melt this loser!" the brunette said as he held his Digivice out, giving Gumdramon the power he needed to fight.
"Gumdramon Digivolve to... Arresterdramon!" The Superstar Digimon bellowed with might after his successful Digivolution, clenching his claws and swinging his anchor-like tail as he waited to fight.
With Tagiru and Arrsterdramon ready, Nene and Airu looked at one another and nodded, both drawing their Fusion Loaders, with the brunette ready to recall Mervamon, Airu recalling her Candlemon and then announcing. "Opossumon, it's time to Digivolve!"
Smiling as she followed Airu's lead, Opossumon allowed the energies of her partner's Fusion Loader to fill her, altering her into Cho Hakkimon, who then swung her hammer and announced with a more battle ready voice. "Cho Hakkaimon!"
With Cho Hakkaimon now before her, Airu continued to show her power, keeping her Fusion Loader drawn before her.
"It's time to get really heated up for this fight. Digifuse!" She let out, combining Cho Hakkimon with another of her Digimon partners residing within her Fusion Loader.
"Cho-Hakkaimon!"
"Candlemon!"
"Digifuse!" The Digimon both called as one, combining their energies and forms into one, where Cho-Hakkaimon was engulfed in a great blaze, burning around her and taking shape as a giant sphere of flames.
"Blazing Hakkaimon!" The Digifused Digimon all but yelled, expressing further emotion in her voice and looking near ready to explode.
While Airu seemed to be the only one comfortable with her partner's alterations, Nene decided to call upon a more familiar Digimon, recalling Mervamon from her Fusion Loader, who immediately felt the icy effects of Hexblaumon.
But being the warrior Digimon she was, paid no attention to the chills and awaited Nene's command.
"Sparrowmon!"
"Mervamon!"
"Digifuse!" The pair of Digimon announced, with Mervamon acting as the core of their fusion, where they soon formed a familiar being, her body maintaining its strong and unintentional seduction, while Sparrowmon's wings spread from her back, the blasters Sparrowmon used were now fused to Mervamon's shoulderplates, while her head gained a golden helmet similar to Sparrowmon's head, expressing her strength as she announced. "JetMervamon!"
Seeing everyone else getting ready to fight, Kazu was about to take his D-Power and a handful of Digimon Cards out, only for Sakuyamon to look at him and say with a stern and serious tone. "Kazu, you and Guardromon stay back and protect the others!"
"Are you kidding? We can help." Kazu protested, displaying several flame based Digimon upon his Cards, which included Greymon, SkullMeramon and Volcamon as he added. "Check it out, I have a ton of flame based Cards to turn this guy into a puddle of icy sludge."
But no one seemed to listen as the battle ready Digimon all launched themselves towards Hexeblaumon, ready to fight him, while the brunette growled in anger and frustration, feeling as useless as he did during their battle with the D-Reaper.
'Is this all I am, a dead weight? Why was I brought here then?' Kazu thought with growing despair, while Guardromon tried to comfort his partner by saying. "Don't worry, Kazu. When the time is right, your friends will call on your services, I just know it."
Back with the Digimon and their partners supporting them, acting first, MirageGaogamon: BM, Rosemon: BM, Angewomon and Garudamon charged in first, hoping to strike their foe down quickly and help Davis and Veemon before it was too late.
"Celestial Arrow!"
"Wing Blade!"
"Jewel of Heart!"
As the attacks shot towards Hexeblaumon, he just remained in the air and called in reply. "Summon Frost!"
Swinging his blade out, another gust of cold air shot out towards them, not only freezing the attacks, but striking at Angewomon, Garudamon and Rosemon: BM, who all fell to the ground, each with a great cry as Angewomon and Garudamon's wings froze over, while Rosemon: BM's right arm and left leg were covered in ice, leaving the trio unable to continue in their fight.
"Lunar Hook Slasher!" MirageGaogamon: BM then called as he swung his weapon at Hexeblaumon, who dodged and parried the onslaught of attacks with his ice blade, eventually pushing the beast knight back as he flew higher into the air and called out. "Hectoedge Blizzard!"
Around the magic knight Digimon, dozens of ice swords appeared and rained down on MirageGaogamon: BM, who did his best to block the sudden barrage, but found that even with his speed, the attack was too much for him to handle, where he then let out a cry of pain as his legs and right arm slowly froze over, causing him to plummet to the ground.
"MirageGaogamon!" Thomas called out in concern as he rushed over to check on his partner, an action Sora, Kari and Yoshi mimicked as they too went to check on their Digimon, who were shaking from the ice covering their forms.
"Thunder Fist!"
"Roseo Temporale!"
Beetlemon and Kazemon then announced as they rushed to attack their enemy in close range, with the Warrior of Thunder throwing electric punches at Hexeblaumon, while Kazemon tried to kick him, adding her great power over to winds to enhance the strength of her attack.
But like MirageGaogamon: BM, their attacks were avoided and countered near perfectly, as if Hexeblaumon foresaw their movements or in his view, Kazemon and Beetlemon were slower than perceived.
"Summon Frost!" Hexeblaumon then retaliated, sending out another wave of cold air, causing ice to form on parts of the Legendary Warriors' bodies, freezing Kazemon's left wing and arm, alongside Beetlemon's own wings and both legs, both crashing to the ground in pain.
"I miss Tommy, at least he can turn into a friendly ice Digimon." Beetlemon whined as he felt his body shaking from his frozen body parts.
Trying to take over for their incapacitated allies, Arresterdramon, JetMervamon and Blazing Cho Hakkaimon all shot ahead, the trio working as a team as to triangulate themselves around Hexeblaumon and strike.
"Prism!" Arresterdramon bellowed, summoning several orbs of energy, which he then threw at Hexeblaumon.
"Heartbreak Shot!" JetMervamon followed up from her side, releasing a stream of electrical energies from her shoulder mounted blasters, feeling Sparrowmon inside her only adding to her power.
"Burning Balloon Bomb!" Blazing Hakkaimon finished, putting her power and her emotions, namely her rage into her attack as she released a great conflagration of flame from off her body, casting it as a gigantic fireball.
However, even with their teamwork and the added power from their friends, Hexeblaumon continued to repel his foes.
"Absolute Blast!" Hexeblaumon then declared as the dragon jaws on his left shoulder opened up, sending out a blast of ice energy out around him, not only canceling out the attacks coming at him, but sending the three Digimon flying back in different directions, with most of their bodies encased in ice as they groaned from both the pain and growing chills consuming them, while Hexeblaumon landed on the ground around them.
"Lighting Joust!"
"Spirit Strike!"
Combining lightning and spiritual energy, Gallantmon and Sakuyamon struck at Hexeblaumon, finding the magic knight Digimon taking the hit, though he managed to soften the blow, producing a barrier of ice before his being, the sight causing a growl from Sakuyamon to see Hexeblaumon able to manipulate his power in such a way.
"Hectoedge Blizzard!" Hexeblaumon then called as dozens of ice swords shot out of the barrier towards the pair, to which Gallantmon tried to defend, drawing his shield up as to protect him and Sakuyamon, but found the continued onslaught of ice having an effect on him, freezing up his shield and a length of his arm.
And unable to support the weight now added as Gallantmon fell forward, the remaining ice swords bombarded Sakuyamon, not only causing the shaman Digimon to cry out as she collapsed, but landing on the ground, Sakuyamon found the residual ice forming around her chest, freezing her to the ground.
"I sense spirit in the two of you. You'll die first." Hexeblaumon just said with a coldness in his tone as he began to walk towards the pair, his ice sword held out as he readied to attack.
But before Hexeblaumon could deliver his final blow, the sound of great calls filled his ears.
"Digi-Modify! Hyper Chip activate!" A familiar voice let out.
"Guardian Barrage!" Then followed up as a pair of missiles collided with Hexeblaumon's face, who was unphased by the attack and found his attention drawn down, looking to see another human and a mere Guardromon looking back at him, both expressing the same determined looks on their faces.
"Kazu?! What the hell are you doing?! Get out of here!" Rika called through Sakuyamon, trying to move, but feeling the icy chill moving through her body prevented her from being able to.
"Are you kidding? There's no way I'm backing out of this fight." Kazu said back, gripping his D-Power, knowing that despite his lack in power, he had to be strong, he had to fight.
"Kazu... don't... he's too strong..." Gallantmon then added with concern for his friend, but couldn't move to help him.
"Listen, Chummley, you guys have always been there for us, so now it's our time to be there for you. We're a team, we are the Digimon Tamers, and I won't just turn my back on you guys." Kazu said back, finding his hands shaking a little through his emotion.
"Well put, Kazu." Guardromon said supportingly, before facing Hexeblaumon and adding. "And though I mightn't be the most efficient Digimon available, I will continue to fight for justice and my comrades."
"Very well, if these fools wish to die first, then so be it!" Hexeblaumon declared as he brought his sword up, ready to strike the pair down as Sakuyamon and Galalntmon tried to move to help, while the others watched on in fear.
'I won't sit back any longer, this time, I'll save them all!' Kazu thought with a growing determination, refusing to just sit back and let his friends get kicked around as he gripped his D-Power tighter, before, and much to his surprise and those around him, the Digivice began to glow a bright light, causing him to look down and see the Crest of Miracles form on the screen, before he and Guardromon were encased in a sphere of rustic brown light, which made Hexeblaumon stop his attack and move back wearily.
"What the...?" Tagiru asked in confusion, while Gallantmon and Sakuyamon each had widened eyes as the shaman Digimon let out. "Don't tell me...?"
"Biomerge, activate!" The combined voices of Kazu and Guardromon called out, where the sphere of light bursted, revealing a new Digimon standing in the pair's place, much to the surprise of everyone looking, while Hexeblaumon felt rage at seeing a new foe before him.
Taking in his appearance, the Digimon closely resembled Andromon, only it looked as though the Andromon had a serious upgrade in terms of his appearance, with the Digimon clad in Black Digizoid armour, running all along his body and covering all but the light gray skin around his lips.
A silver visor was set over the helmet covering the Digimon's head, adding to his more robotic appearance, but behind the visor, a pair of familiar steel blue eyes would've been seen.
Upon his shoulders were a set of turbines, one red, the other blue, which began to glow with a great energy as the Digimon clenched his fists and brought them out and then declared in the combined voices of Kazu and Guardromon. "HiAndromon!"
"Wait, they Biomerged too?" Beetlemon asked as he tried to sit up, being the first to break the silence and address the stunned awe many of the others were feeling.
But knowing that they all started off in far weaker forms, Kari then added with support, having seen what was on Kazu's D-Power, replied with more shock. "It was only a matter of time. And I think I saw the Crest of Miracles on his Digivice."
"Must have been from the energy released by UlforceVeedramon." Thomas then added in thought, both intrigued and amazed by this new Biomerged Digimon.
'This is awesome!' Kazu thought in his new Biomerged form, looking at his hands through HiAndromon's eyes, before refocusing himself and looking back to Hexeblaumon, who just scoffed dismissively.
"It doesn't matter, you're just another fool whose end has come. Hectoedge Blizzard!" Hexeblaumon called out as the ice swords formed and shot towards HiAndromon, just as his turbines turned on again, each sliding open and expelling a surging energy.
But before the ice blades could strike, Hexeblaumon's eyes widened to see his attack literally melt away before it could even reach HiAndromon, causing him to cry out disbelief and anger. "What?!"
"What the...?" Sakuyamon started to question herself, before realizing that she could move, looking down to see the ice not only melting off of her, but Gallantmon as well.
Even the ground was thawing around HiAndromon's feet.
Blinking a few times, Thomas took out the Digidex and looked up HiAndromon's information, his eyes widening as he called out. "Those turbines have fission and fusion energies coming out of them, he's almost a walking nuclear reactor!"
Everyone else almost went pale at the idea that their friends were now a potential time bomb, only to turn when they heard Kazu laugh through his Biomerged form and reply. " Told you I'm going to turn this guy into a puddle of icy sludge!"
"Lightning Blade!" HiAndromon then called with a renewed seriousness, his right hand turning into a drill, which began to spin rapidly and was consumed in sparking electrical energy, before he rushed at Hexeblaumon, who blocked with his sword, only to be pushed back by the impact, finding his sword breaking under the pressure of the attack.
"Summon Frost!" Hexeblaumon tried to retaliate, pushing HiAndromon back and swung his arm ahead, trying to freeze his new foe, only to find the attack having no effect on the android Digimon's form, where he received a swift punch from HiAndromon's fist, sending him flying back and crashing into a tree.
"I will not lose to the likes of you! I will kill you all for Lord Barbamon! Absolute Blast!" Hexeblaumon then bellowed, losing his cool, just as the dragon jaw opened once again, gathering energy to unleash one massive and powerful attack to finish the heroes off.
"Atomic Ray!" HiAndromon then declared, fighting back as the energies from his turbines gathered in his hands, which he brought together, combining the energies, before unleashing them in a powerful blast towards Hexeblaumon, who cried out in pain as the energies consumed him.
"Forgive me... Lord Barbamon...!" Hexeblaumon cried out as his body broke apart into Data and floated into the air, while behind where he was standing was a path made by HiAndromon's attack.
"Hell yeah! Nice one Kazu! You too, Guardromon!" Tagiru called out, watching as the android Digimon started to move by the other Digimon and thawing them out.
"No time to celebrate, let's get back and help Davis and Veemon." HiAndromon said in reply, getting no arguments from the others as they quickly went to work.
-Later-
"Th... thanks again for getting us out of that, Kazu..." Davis said with a slight chill as he, Veemon and the other guys sat in the hot spring, the duo of Miracles sitting where the water was rushing down in order to help heat their bodies as they still shivered.
"No sweat, dude, happy to help." Kazu replied with a big grin on his face, happy to have been able to save the day for once, leaving Guardromon beaming with pride to his partner.
"Don't compliment him too much, it might cause his head to explode." Rika called out from the upper hot spring the Digimon found, where she, Renamon, Zoe and the female Digimon that fought relaxed in the warm waters as to allow their bodies to warm up and ease their aching muscles, the redhead's comment causing Kazu to deflate while the others just joyously laughed.
However, Zoe and Rika stopped laughing when they noticed Airu off in the corner, trying to sneak a peek at Davis in the hot spring, causing them not only to sweatdrop at her action, but also trying to surprise the desire to join her.
-Meanwhile-
Barbmon looked out at the sight before him with an angry and annoyed look on his face, enraged that Hexeblaumon had failed him, before feeling a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"Master, don't worry about those fools, just focus on helping our...'friend', leave the humans to me." DarkVenusmon said with a wicked smile, one the Demon Lord shared behind his golden mask as he nodded his head, where the corrupt Olympian Digimon left her Master, who looked out at the massive dig site near his castle, seeing his enslaved minions working without rest to keep digging deeper and deeper.
And from the mirror, the being watched all, and they were not alone as they felt more of their kin behind them, knowing that their time would soon be upon them all.