Disclaimer: Digimon doesn't belong to me.

With the tournament in full swing, two friends find themselves about to face off in the worst kind of way. When friends fight, no one wins.

Chapter 8: Fiendship through Battle

Koji and Takuya walked slowly toward the arena. It was so silent, that the slightest noise could be heard. "Oh I don't wanna watch this battle," Gatsumon stormed off not wanting to see friends fight. "We'd better stay," J.P. pointed out. "When this is over they're gonna need us," Zoe said. "Oh they're gonna hurt each other," Tommy whined. "Don't worry little buddy," J.P. smiled trying to comfort his friend.

Koji and Takuya stared down each other for what seemed an eternity! "Come on fellas!" Etemon shouted, but they made no move. "We gonna still be friends after this?" Takuya asked. "If you pull your punches," Koji replied. With that said they shook hands. "Good Sportsmanship1 now let's get this started!" Etemon cried!

"Execute! Spirit Evolution!" they began to digivolve! "This will be interesting," Rhodo Knightmon said. "Agunimon!" "Lobomon!" they were now in their digimon form. The stare down continued. "Pyro tornado!" Agunimon started off by using his tornado! "Y0ou call that pulling a punch!" Lobomon rolled out of the way! "Howling laser!" He countered with a couple of shots from his laser! "Good move!" Agunimon jumped aside to avoid the attack!

"Pyro Torpedo!" Agunimon attacked with heat seeking fireballs! "Can't avoid that!" Lobomon cried as the attack devastated him! He lay on the ground with a few burn marks on his chest. "That looked bad," Tommy said. "I agree with you," J.P. said. "Agunimon helped Lobomon to his feet. "You can't lay forever," he smirked.

"Funny! Lobo kendo!" Lobomon hit Agunimon with his kendostick! The force from the attack sent him falling to the ground hard! Agunimon leaped to his feet ready for more! "Pyro Tornado!" Agunimon sent another flaming tornado at Lobomon! "Not this Time! Slide evolution!" he went to his Beast spirit! "Kendo Garurumon!" He howled furiously as the attack hit head on, but caused no damage!

"Things are heating up," Zoe said. "You wanna take it up a notch, then so can I. Slide Evolution!" Agunimon found comfort in his beast spirit! "Burning Greymon!" now the beast type digimon were looking at each other! "Lupine Laser!" "Pyro Barrage!" the attacks collided with the effect of canceling each other out.

"Wildfire Tsunami!" Burning Greymon surrounded Kendo Garurumon with a large flame! "Too hot!" Kendo Garurumon's fractal code was visible! "Take it!" Alphamon cried with a hint of excitement! "This plan is working perfectly," Rhodo Knightmon said. Unknown to them, but Gatsumon overheard their conversation. "I'm glad you like it," Alphamon answered.

"Ugh! I gotta tell them!" Gatsumon whimpered as he ran! His sudden movement drew the Royal knight's attention! "An eavesdropper..." Alphamon said. "Send Piedmon after him!" Rhodo Knightmon ordered! The Knightmon standing nearby went to carryout the command.

Gatsumon ran for his life! "Halt!" several Knightmon were pursuing him ready to finish him! "You guys won't get me!" he yelled back!

Back in the arena things were heating up! The 2 beast digimon blasted each other relentlessly! Neither willing to give up! "I thought we were suppose to pull our punches!" Takuya thought! "Howling Star!" Kendo Garurumon dashed toward him with the intent to destroy him; Burning Greymon was hit with the attack exposing his fractal code. "Don't take it!" Tommy cried!

Gatsumon was trying to fight the Knightmon, but their Berserk Sword attack was too much! "Get away from him!" Piedmon descended from the sky. "But lord Alphamon ordered us to find him," a Knightmon tried to refute. "Never mind that. Lord Alphamon has decided to put him against me in the tournament," Piedmon smiled sickly.

"They aren't Trying to win, they are doing this for entertainment purposes," Rhodo Knightmon said. "What am I to do?" Alphamon asked. "Declare them both the loser." Was the reply. "What? "Alphamon was confused. "They are the strongest. By disqualifying them they won't be able to win, even thought they are against you," Rhodo Knightmon said. "I see what you are saying," Alphamon disappeared to carry out the mission

The 2 beast digimon were growing tired from their attacks, but fatigue wouldn't stop them either. "You stronger than I thought..." Burning Greymon said. "Stop fighting!" they looked around and saw Gatsumon running to the arena! Alphamon dropped to the ground next to Etemon. He whispered a couple of things in his ear before leaving.

"I have an announcement! Due to the falseness of this battle! Lord Alphamon has ruled this a no contest and the participants are disqualified under the pretence of false fighting!" Etemon's statement angered the crowd greatly. It gave the others a sort of relief, but they realized they were out, and their friends would have to win the battle.

"It's over!" Zoe ran to hug them as they returned to their seats! "Now for the next match, and the last one for today! Gatsumon versus Piedmon!" Etemon declared. The crowd once again grew excited, but Gatsumon was now afraid. Piedmon was now waiting in the arena for his opponent.

"Oh no!" They didn't want Gatsumon to participate in the next round. "I'm going! I wanna prove to myself how strong I am, so I'm going," He hopped toward the fighting area! They watched silently cause they knew he was no match for a mega.

"This shouldn't take long," Rhodo Knightmon smirked.

Piedmon laughed as his weakly opponent stepped up to him. "You're finished," He whispered. "Begin!" Etemon cried! Gatsumon flung his tiny rocks at Piedmon, but he through a white sheet to cover the attack! "Trump Sword!" Piedmon's swords hit Gatsumon cause exposing his fractal code. "Make him suffer," Rhodo Knightmon spat!

"Yes," Piedmon kicked his opponent in the side several times! Gatsumon screamed with every kick! "No!" Zoe cried! "Get up!" Tommy shouted! "This is the easiest way to get to them," Rhodo Knightmon said. "Clown Trick!" Piedmon surrounded Gatsumon with a Ring of Fire, the heat was intense, but it was touching!

"Stop it!" the children had seen enough! They were now running to the arena! "Where are you going?" Rhodo Knightmon appeared! "Get out of our way!" They cried! Piedmon punished Gatsumon with his brutal sword attacks! "Do not interfere!" Rhodo Knightmon tossed a barrage of red roses in their way!

The kids were knocked to the ground unable to move. "My paralysis scent, now watch as he is defeated," Rhodo Knightmon directed their attention to the arena where Piedmon was about to finish Gatsumon! Rhodo Knightmon signaled the end with thumbs down. Piedmon shoved his sword through Gatsumon's chest! He immediately absorbed the fractal code.

The kids lied helplessly on the ground crying!

With another loss of a friend, how will the children prepare for the finals? Stay tuned for the next chapter.

Author's note: I appreciate the reviews. It excites me to post another chapter.