Disclaimer: Digimon doesn't belong to me.

In the previous chapter Koji and Takuya faced off in a lighthearted battle. While Gatsumon overheard the royal knights! Takuya and Koji were disqualified; Gatsumon was forced to face Piedmon, and was mercilessly deleted!

Chapter 9: Night before the Finals

The kids were given a room to sleep in for the night. "This Tournament is unfair!" Tommy cried! "We couldn't save Gatsumon..." Koji held back his tears. "We'll make the royal knights pay!" Takuya cried. Zoe sat in the corner creating paper crosses. "Zoe? What are you doing?" J.P. asked. "Building a memorial for all our friends that ..." they could see the pain in her face. J.P. hugged gave her a hug, and she surprisingly returned his hug. "We can't cry forever," Tommy said. He was drying his eyes with a napkin.

Royal Palace

Omegamon sat on the throne with Dukemon kneeling before him. "I regret to inform you, but Magnamon has betrayed us," he said. Omegamon noted that he didn't use a title when he referred to Magnamon. "That would explain the drop in my power. He has been doubting," Omegamon replied. "As for the traitor, we have captured him," Dukemon clapped his hands together. AlforceVeedramon & Valkyrimon entered carrying Magnamon. "The traitor put up token resistance," Valkyrimon said.

"Magnamon, why have you turned on us?" Omegamon questioned. He noted that he was not given the title of lord as well. Magnamon recalled his defeat at the hands of Burning Greymon. "I was defeated... when we are defeated by someone clearly weaker, that means we are fighting for a lost cause, or someone else is doubting," Magnamon spat with a tone of defiance.

AlforceVeedramon put his sword to Magnamon's throat. "That is foolish! We are truly right!" he said. "Are you sure?" was the reply. "Don't listen to his nonsense," Dukemon stated. "Well it appears we have a problem, you refuse to acknowledge your faults, lord AlforceVeedramon. I want you to execute him," Omegamon went against his better judgment, but knew that was what his lord desired. "No!" fight me in a duel!" Magnamon said. "Very well," AlforceVeedramon prepared for a fight.

Alphamon, Rhodo Knightmon, and Piedmon sat at a round table. "We need to decide the line," Rhodo Knightmon said sniffing a rose. Alphamon handed his lord a clipboard. Suddenly Rhodo Knightmon dropped to the ground in a spasm of pain! "Ahhh!" he roared out in pain! "Master!" Alphamon lifted him off the ground! "Rhodo Knightmon's data is resisting me!" was the reply. "My lord please submit to another knight," Alphamon pleaded. "No! I must learn to control it," he spat back!

The children were lying down in their own beds. Trying to get over Gatsumon. "When we get to the village of beginnings, we'll find out everything. My biggest question is why are the royal knights serving this king?" Takuya said. He was unable to sleep. "Who is their king?" Koji asked. "These are questions no one can answer, but the royal knights," J.P. said. "Maybe we could ask Alphamon or Rhodo Knightmon," Tommy suggested. "I doubt they'd answer us truthfully," Koji said. "I wonder where Magnamon went," Zoe said. "He went off, and said we'd see him again," Takuya recalled. "It would be nice if he went to fight the royal knights," Tommy said. "J.P. burst out with a loud snore! That frightened the others for a moment! They soon realized what it was before dozing off to their sleep.

Royal Palace

AlforceVeedramon stood across from Magnamon! "Make this a fair fight!" Omegamon declared. He some how knew it wasn't going to be. "Magna Blast!" Magnamon directed his attack toward AlforceVeedramon! He raised his shield to protect himself! Upon contact the blast caused a minor explosion! When the smoke cleared Magnamon was nowhere to be seen! "Huh? Where are you?" AlforceVeedramon looked around without a clue! "Above you!" Dukemon shouted! It was too late! "Magna Punch!" Magnamon landed a fierce punch on AlforceVeedramon!

"You're reaction is too slow!" Magnamon bragged. "Is that so?! Alforce Saber!" His enemy reacted with a vicious sword attack, but missed! "Magna Kick!" Magnamon kicked AlforceVeedramon up into the sky! Magnamon followed up with another magna blast! His attack engulfed AlforceVeedramon in smoke! "He's dominating AlforceVeedramon," Valkyrimon noted.

"Impossible!" AlforceVeedramon regained some composure after hitting the ground. "I told you, we're fighting for the wrong reasons!" Magnamon shouted! He hoped he had made his point, but the others didn't get it. "You think so?" AlforceVeedramon Charged toward Magnamon! "I guess I'll have to finish you! Magnamon prepared for the attack! "Lighting Arrow!"

The surprise attack caught Magnamon right in the shoulder! "Alforce Saber!" AlforceVeedramon capitalized on the advantage and cut down Magnamon! "No!" Magnamon fell on the ground face first! "Nice shot!" AlforceVeedramon complimented Valkyrimon on his cheap shot. "He he he," Valkyrimon smirked. "Take him to the dungeon, that is where you will reside until the master returns," Omegamon ordered, which to him was better than deletion. With that being done, several Knightmon carried him away.

"I'll be off now, to go aid lord Dynasmon in conquering the Village of Beginnings. The resistance is still on the move," Dukemon said. "I see, Very well," Omegamon allowed this. "I'll also check on our lord to see how his experiment is going," Dukemon said. "That won't be necessary, I find myself lonely without the master's company," Omegamon never wanted his master to be gone for so long. "I understand," was the reply.

The moons were disappearing, and the sun was now shining. "Morning already..." Takuya muttered. They could hear the crowd coming into the coliseum. "I guess it's time for the finals," Koji said. "Not yet! I'm hungry for breakfast!" A voice cried! To their surprise it wasn't J.P., but Tommy! His smile obliterated the sadness they once felt.

Author's note: I'm trying to wrap up the tournament as soon as possible, so the next couple of chapters will be long. I hope everyone will keep reviewing though.