The next morning, after a quick breakfast, and allowing Takuya and Zoe some rest from staying up during their patrols, the group packed up their gear and continued on their journey to the Fire Tribe's capital.
As they continued their walk, the group listened attentively as Gatchmon went into more details on what Appmon were, how they evolved and the story of how they met up with Haru and became close friends.
Amongst the group, Novicmon showed the most interest, taking notes to many of Gatchmon's remarks and words.
"So let me get this straight, you guys evolve by fusing with other Appmon?" Tai questioned curiously, getting a small nod from Gatchmon, Haru and their friends.
"Kind of, but the best result comes out if we fuse with the right partner." The Search Appmon said in reply as he looked at Haru's D-Bracer and added. "Though, I'm not sure how it'll work with these things."
"It kind of reminds me of DNA Digivolving." Gatomon then commented, thinking briefly of the feelings, emotion and power she could feel and share when combined as Silphymon.
"Or the Digi-Fusion we use on my Digital World." The Digimon King added, knowing the powers of fusion were at their optimal when assisted by a friend.
"But how is that even going to work here?" Tagiru then asked as he looked at his D-Bracer, adding with confusion. "Somehow I don't think we can exactly Digi-Fuse with these things."
"We'll see when the time comes, I guess." Davis replied, trying to assure the Digimon Hunter and the others, before the maroon haired Digidestined turned to Novicmon and asked. "So how much further to the capital?"
"We should be there by sunset." Novicmon informed with a smile.
Following Novicmon's guidance, and continuing in their conversation, the group eventually made it to the top of a ridge, their smiles fading away at the dreadful sight before them.
Before them was a massive caravan, guarded by a small group of FlareKotemon, FlameMusyamon, FlameWizardmon, Pyromon and FlameBushidomon, were seeing the various other Digimon apart of the caravan let the heroes know these were refugees obviously fleeing the Dark Tribe's attack.
"This is so not groovy." Astora commented, getting a nod from Musimon in reply, neither them nor their friends liking the sight, seeing innocents forced to flee their homes because of Lycanmon and his forces.
"The next time I see that ugly mutt, I'll Big Bang Punch him straight out of Witchelny!" Eri then yelled with determination, this causing Dokamon to yell and throw his fist around in agreement, while the others sighed at the pink haired girl's more aggressive antics.
"Let's go down and meet up with them. Maybe we can travel the rest of the way with them to the capital." Mikey suggested, expressing his familiar kind and selfless nature, getting a nod from the group as they made their way down.
At first, the Fire Tribe warrior Digimon went on guard when they saw the newcomers approaching, but upon seeing Novicmon, with the small Digimon explaining the heroes to them, the FlameBushidomon in charge nodded his head and allowed the group to travel with them.
As they traveled with the caravan, the group saw the fear in many of the Digimon's eyes, not to them, but to the possibility of the Dark Tribe's attacks.
An hour in, however, it felt as though their fears were realized as a loud horn blared in their air, the sound causing the Fire Tribe warriors to get into fighting stances, while the Digimon they were protecting grew even more fearful.
Looking over a ridge, the heroes narrowed their eyes to see Lycanmon once again, who let out another howl as hundreds of DarkWolfmon and BlackGargoylemon began swarming from the hills, with four Necromon and a pair of SkullDracomon joining them.
Added to the ranks, another DarkHydramon burst from out of the ground, letting out a loud hiss as it slithered after its allies.
"You have got to be kidding me?!" Takuya called with frustration, where one of the Pyromon added in a serious tone. "No, and this isn't even half of their forces."
"Defend the civilians!" The lead FlameBushidomon declared as his forces prepared to fight.
"Let's help out!" Davis suggested, getting a nod from the others as most of their D-Bracers activated, covering the heroes, heroines and their Digimon partners in pillars of light.
"MagnaVeedramon!"
"Samudramon!"
"MedievalGallantmon!"
"Lightbearer Ophanimon!"
"SacredPhoenixmon!"
"MysticSakuyamon!"
"CrimsonAldamon!"
"GaleSilphymon!"
The eight Digimon, plus the armoured forms of Marcus and Yoshi all sprang into action, but not before MagnaVeedramon looked back at Jeri, Mikey, Tagiru, Nene, Haru, Eri, Astora, their partners and Novicmon and said. "Stay with the caravan. If any of those creeps sneak their way inside, do whatever you can to protect the civilians."
Though wishing to help, the small group nodded in reply nonetheless, knowing that until their D-Bracers activated, they wouldn't be much help in a full fight.
And so the group behind watched ahead, watching as their friends rushed at the oncoming Dark Digimon, striking many down with their first strike.
"Magna Saber!"
"Cross Slicer!"
"Noble Strike!"
"Heaven's Light!"
"Sacred Flame!"
"Full Spirit Wave!"
"Crimson Force!"
"Shooting Star Strike!"
"Blazing Blade!"
"Thorn Saber!"
The barrage of attacks cut through the Dark Tribe's forces, with the Digimon guarding and apart from the caravan watching in awe to see legendary Digimon coming to their aid.
Meanwhile, Jeri, Mikey, Tagiru, Nene, Haru, Eri, Astora, their partners and Novicmon watched on, with Dokamon, Gumdramon and Shoutmon feeling frustrated, wishing to be out there fighting as well.
"I hate all this sitting around. We should be out there helping as well!" Dokamon said in anger, his words and the emotion shared by Eri, but both found Nene speak as the more rational side for them and ask. "So do I, but what else can we do?"
"I'm certain if we put our heads together, we can think of something, right Mikey?" Shoutmon asked as he looked at his partner, expressing the continued confidence he always held for his General and friend, only to see his serious expression as he surveyed the battle, causing the Digimon King to ask in concern. "Mikey?"
"Where did Lycanmon go?" Mikey questioned, noticing that, despite the Dark General being present when his forces rushed at them, the wicked wolf Digimon was nowhere in sight, something the others realized as they looked about, leaving a shared concern amongst the group.
It was then that multiple piercing screams caught the small groups attention, turning to see several of the caravan Digimon backing up in fear as Lycanmon held one of the FlameMusyamon by the neck, before snapping it like a twig, much to the heroes' horror and disgust.
Tossing the dead Digimon to the side, FlameMusyamon's body breaking apart and into Data, Lycanmon stalked towards his prey, his hammer clenched in his claws as he prepared to crush the survivors of his campaign so far.
But refusing to allow Lycanmon to deliver anymore suffering, to see the refugee Digimon suffer anymore, Mervamon, Shoutmon, Gumdramon, Gatchmon, Dokamon and Musimon all rushed quickly and set themselves in front of their friends and the innocent Digimon.
"Out of my way, vermin, and I promise to kill you all last." Lycanmon growled as he stared down the Digimon and the Appmon.
Looking upon Lycanmon, and doing their best to hide their fears, the six Digimon and Appmon gulped lightly as they saw a pair of large creatures appear behind the Dark General, adding to the fear around them.
Even Shoutmon found the dread in his heart grasping him.
Overlooking the allies of Lycanmon, the Digimon both held the body structure of large bears, but their overall forms held little to no body mass, revealing a more undead appearance to the Dark Digimon.
Consisting of bone-like arms and legs, with skeletal claws pressing into the ground as they crawled behind Lycanmon, the undead Digimon's presence continued to bring an atmosphere of dread.
But what feared out most were the new Dark Digimon's faces, which resembled deer skulls, set with large antlers upon their heads, alongside razor sharp fangs set within their jaws, which slowly opened and spewed forth a dark purple mist.
"DeathWendigomon, Mega Level..." Jeri said in fear as she looked at the only information her D-Bracer could provide to her.
"These look nothing like the Wendigomon I know!" Shoutmon said as he backed up, thinking of the Champion Level Digimon the Fusion Fighters had outsmarted and bested in battle, where Novicmon then asked with some fear. "Do your Wendigomon eat other Digimon?"
Understanding the reasoning behind Novicmon's question, Mervamon quickly moved forward and drew her blade.
Ready to strike Lycanmon, Mervamon jumped toward the Dark General.
"I won't allow you to bring suffering to this land any longer! Olympia Kai!" The warrior Digimon declared, slamming her sword down upon Lycanmon, only to find the Dark Digimon blocking her strike with his hammer.
Repelling Mervamon, a sinister smirk spread itself along Lycanmon's face, amused at Mervamon's antics and her clear limit of power.
"You have some fight in you. Maybe I'll keep you as a pet after I slaughter these insects." The Dark General remarked with a smirk, causing Mervamon to growl as she tried to push back.
"As if I'd ever serve you!" Mervamon spat back as she separated herself from the stalemate and jumped away from Lycanmon, rejoining the other Digimon and the Appmon.
"Snake Punch!" Mervamon then declared with a continued refusal to submit as she sent her snake arm at Lycanmon, who deflected the attack with his claw, laughing lightly as he then drew his hammer forward, issuing an unsaid command.
It was then the pair of DeathWendigomon lunged forwards and headed straight for Mervamon, the undead Digimon letting out loud and intense cries as they swung their blazing claws, each brimmed with dark purple flames at the warrior Digimon.
Drawing her blade and her snake arm upward, Mervamon did all she could to block the set of attacks, finding the flames of the DeathWendigomon rotting away at her arm, but in her heart, she knew she had to remain strong and protect those who couldn't protect themselves.
"Rock Soul!"
"Fire Vortex!"
"Gatch Claw!"
"Big Bang Punch!"
"Music Hour!"
Aiding Mervamon in her selfless endeavour, the five attacks, along with the fiery attacks of the Fire Tribe Warrior Digimon, were unleashed upon the DeathWendigomon, bombarding the skeletal structures of the undead Digimon, but found their attacks only startling the beasts as they moved back to Lycanmon, who laughed in response.
"Is that all you can muster? No wonder your allies abandon you for greater glory, you just hold them back!" The Dark General declared, keeping the sinister grin on his face to see his cruel words getting to a handful of his foes.
"Don't listen to him! We might lack the power we once held, but our friends still depend on us!" Shoutmon stated, keeping a strong and tightening grasp on his mic as he overlooked his friends and the Fire Tribe Digimon, telling all around him. "We'll remain strong if we remain united!"
"He's right! We weren't given these D-Bracers for nothing! We're here to protect those that can't protect themselves, and we'll fight you with everything we have!" Haru then added with a returning confidence, causing the others to yell in agreement as he, Mikey, Tagiru, Nene, Eri and Astora brought their arms up, where, much to their surprise, their D-Bracers began to glow brightly, causing Lycanmon's eyes to widen in shock.
Instantly, the six humans and their partners were consumed in pillars of light, catching the attention of their allies in the field, who turned and saw as the lights faded, revealing six new Digimon and Appmon now standing before them, while Novicmon and Jeri looked in awe at the sight before them.
In place of Mikey and Shoutmon stood a mighty knight Digimon that closely resembled OmniShoutmon, only his armour resembled more of a knight's armour, with a flowing white cape, a large golden sword and shield, which he swung as he declared with might. "LordShoutmon!"
Next to him, and in place of Tagiru and Gumdramon, was a Digimon that resembled Arresterdramon, only this Digimon was covered in robes, resembling a shaolin monk, with tassels on his shoulders and a circular straw hat resting on his head.
Within his right hand, meanwhile, was a staff, with fire brimming on one end, while electricity sparked on the other, which he swung around as he declared. "ShaolinArresterdramon!"
Next to the new Arresterdramon, meanwhile, now stood a newer form to Mervamon.
Maintaining both Mervamon's beauty and her elegance as a woman and a Digimon, the Digimon held a greater appearance as a warrior, with her more slender figure covered and concealed by beige armour.
Looking over the new Mervamon's form, the warrior Digimon's helmet had vanished, allowing the alternate Mervamon's hair, which was now brown, to flow freely down her face and her back, while her mouth and nose were covered by a black face mask.
Within her right hand was the same sword Mervamon used before, only now, both her arms were revealed, while skull snake heads now rested on her shoulders.
Swinging her blade around with her familiar skill, alongside a heightened grace, the Digimon declared through Nene and Mervamon's voices. "AncientMervamon!"
By AncientMervamon's side, and floating in the air, was a new Appmon, one closely resembling Globemon in appearance, with his armor more medieval in style, while white robes covered his being as he held an ancient, but powerful looking staff in his hand, one with a blue orb on top, which he held as he declared in Haru and Gatchmon's voices. "Sagemon!"
Below the combined forces of Haru and Gatchmon was a tall and mighty figure.
Standing above the group and clad in blue samurai armour from head to toe, with four katanas set within his arms and a bow on their back, the new being held lion shaped heads upon his knee pads, shoulder pads, even adorning a lion shaped helmet which was set around their face.
Swinging all four blades around as to demonstrate its power, the Appmon then called out in the might of Eri and Dokamon. "ShogunOujamon!"
Last amongst the group, but expressing a more relaxed stance to their appearance, having a spotlight set upon them, standing beside ShogunOujamon was an Appmon that almost resembled Entemon, only his appearance was less technological and upbeat than the Appli Drivers remembered.
Clad in a gray trench coat and a pointed hat, the new Appmon had an old guitar in his hands, and what looked like a series of flutes on his back, while strapped upon his arms were a set of small crossbows.
Strumming his guitar, and keeping his grin, the Appmon then declared with a familiar enthusiasm shared by Astora and Musimon. "Time to keep this party going with BardMusimon!"
Seeing six more legendary Digimon enraged Lycanmon to no end, where the Dark General let out a fierce roar, causing the DeathWendigomon charge at their new foes.
"Mythic Strike!" ShaolinArresterdramon bellowed in retaliation as he rushed at the dark Digimon.
Swinging his staff at the pair and releasing a surge of electricity and flame amongst the undead Digimon, the DeathWendigomon howled from the damage, just before LordShoutmon leaped into the fray.
"Victory Slasher!" The knight Digimon declared as he swung down his blade, cutting clean through one of the DeathWendigomon and slicing the Dark Digimon in half, causing it to then burst into Data particles and causing the civilians to cheer at the sight.
Seeing its fellow Digimon destroyed, the other DeathWendigomon let out a shriek as it moved in to attack, to avenge its fallen brethren.
"Sonic Strings!" BardMusimon then announced as he strummed on his guitar, sending out a wave of energy that caused the DeathWendigomon to suddenly freeze up, groaning in pain as its body flickered slightly from the sonic vibrations disrupting its digital makeup.
"Savage Slasher!" ShogunOujamon called with might, using BardMusimon's attack to rush toward the DeathWendigomon and slice through the savage beast with its four swords, cutting through the Dark Digimon, which left it dissolving away.
Upon seeing the DeathWendigomon fall, seeing the undead Digimon meet their ends, Lycanmon was left growling with rage.
"Savage Striker!" The Dark General declared as he leapt into the air, ready to strike his new foes with his hammer, only for Sagemon and AncientMervamon to strike as one.
"Sage Cutter!"
"Skydive Force!"
His staff glowing with energy, Sagemon's weapon turned into a blade, which he swung to block Lycanmon's hammer, while AncientMervamon joined in as she slammed her blade against Lycanmon's weapon, the pair pushing the Dark General back, who growled in response, before seeing Sagemon go higher into the air.
"Ultimate Search Strike!" The Appmon called out as the orb on his staff glowed brightly, before he held it out, unleashing hundreds of energy blasts, which shot all across the battlefield, striking the DarkWolfmon and BlackGargoylemon remaining, dissolving them instantly, while the Necromon did their best to block the attack, only for the other heroes to strike them down.
Seeing their Master in danger, the two SkullDracomon and the DarkHydramon quickly made their way to the new heroes, who reacted in kind.
"Omni Force!" LordShoutmon declared, his chest glowing with golden energy, which he threw out toward the oncoming attackers.
"Inferno Spiral!" ShaolinArresterdramon followed up, swinging his staff by the flaming end forward, sending out a spiral blaze towards his enemies.
"Ancient Blaze!" AncientMervamon announced as the snake heads on her shoulders sprung to life and extended from her being, before opening their maws and unleashing an acidic mist forwards.
"Gaia Link!" Sagemon then called, keeping up in the fight as he raised his hands and his staff upward, causing a massive orb of blue energy to form, which he unleashed upon the attackers.
"Golden Arrow!" ShogunOujamon bellowed as they set their swords aside and withdrew their bow, releasing dozens of energy arrows, which rained down as countless energy blasts against the Dark Digimon.
"Rhythmic Stream" BardMusimon let out with might as he strummed his guitar, sending out another blast of musical energy in response, the energy blasting its way through the opposing Dark Digimon, furthering the hope the refugee Digimon felt within their spirits.
Hit head on by the six attacks, the two SkullDracomon and DarkHydramon stood no chance, all dissolving into Data particles with their defeats.
Enraged by his forces either defeated or routed, Lycanmon let out a raged cry as he once again leaped at the heroes, but found ShogunOujamon in his path as right fists glowed with blue energy.
"Heartbreaker Force!" The Warrior Appmon announced, delivering a quick uppercut that sent Lycanmon flying into the air, where he then saw LordShoutmon chasing after him, his body glowing with golden energy.
"Courageous Spirit!" The Knight Digimon declared as a massive energy projection of himself formed around his being, delivering a backhanded strike with its shield, sending Lycanmon flying back, crashing to the ground and skidding along the uproar of debris in the process.
Landing back on his feet and struggling to return to his former stance, Lycanmon looked up, ready to continue the fight against his new enemies, only to growl to see MagnaVeedramon, Samudramon, MedievalGallantmon, Lightbearer Ophanimon, SacredPhoenixmon, MysticSakuyamon, CrimsonAldamon, GaleSilphymon and the two armoured humans rejoin their allies, where they all glared at the Dark General, ready to put him down for good.
Growling in rage, the Dark General let out a loud howl, before disappearing in a wisp of dark mist, much to the heroes' shock, unsure where Lycanmon went.
However, before they could dwell on it anymore, the sounds of loud cheering caught their attention, the group turning to see all the Digimon they protected, as well as the Fire Tribe warriors, all cheering for the heroes who saved them.
"Well, at least we did good there." MedievalGallantmon remarked, trying to focus on the positive of their fight, before adding as he looked at the others and suggested. "Now I think we should continue on to the Capital."
"It's not far, I can see it from here." Sagemon then said from the air, seeing less than a dozen or so miles from their position, a massive city, styled in feudal Japanese architecture, at the base of a massive volcano.
This news caused the Digimon around them to cheer, knowing that they would soon be safe, while the heroes were excited, knowing that they would soon be able to speak with Infernomon and see if he knew why they were in Witchelny in the first place.
But as excited as they were, MangaVeedramon felt dread as a thought came to mind.
If Lycanmon would attack them this close to the Fire Tribe's Capital, how far behind was his full army?
They might find the answers they seek, but might also be caught in a battle for the future of the Fire Tribe.
.
.
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Author's note: The Heroes are finally arriving at the Fire Tribe's capital. What secrets will they learn? And what of Lycanmon, his army, and the one he serves? Keep tuned in to find out.