As the skies above grew with darkening force, the battle for the Fire Tribe Capital continued to rage on.
The FlameBushidomon and FlameMusyamon clashed against the ShadowKnightmon and DarkWolfmon within the streets, which found LordShoutmon, ShaolinArresterdramon, Marcus, ScorchTactimon, BlazeShogunmon and the MagmaDracomon aiding in their conflicts, the heroes giving it their all against the DarkHydramon.
Up in the skies, Lightbearer Ophanimon, SacredPhoenixmon, MysticSakuyamon, Sagemon, CrimsonAldamon and GaleSilphymon were in a similar position as they protected the city from the horde of SkullDracomon and BlackGargoylemon.
However, even with fighting alongside the ShogunDracomon, the heroes only saw Dark Tribe's power continued to increase.
Back and below, ShogunOujamon, Yoshi, BardMusimon and AncientMervamon found themselves up against the Umbramon and GrandUmbramon, the Digimon fighting proudly alongside the auburn haired heroine against their shadowy foes.
All the while as the battles continued to play out, MagnaVeedramon, Samudramon, MedievalGallantmon and Infernomon continued to stare down GrandLycanmon, who let out a feral laugh as he looked back at his foes.
However, looking around, seeing how dark the sky was getting, realizing that it wasn't a natural occurrence, MagnaVeedramon glared at GrandLycanmon and questioned. "What are you doing?! What is this?"
Instead of replying, GrandLycanmon let out a vicious roar as he declared. "Dark Howl!"
Opening his mouth wide, a great and powerful dark energy formed within GrandLycanmon's mouth, who then unleashed the darkness in a shockwave upon the three heroes and Infernomon.
Shattering the ground in its path, the four moved out of the way, narrowly avoiding the destructive power GrandLycanmon held.
And showing his continued power, the Dark General leapt at MagnaVeedramon.
"Dark Claws!" GrandLycanmon bellowed as his claws were engulfed in dark flames.
Ready to strike at the holy knight Digimon and cut him down, GrandLycanmon swept in.
"Magna Saber!" MagnaVeedramon retaliated, bringing forth his energy blades to block the attack.
Despite managing to hold his defences, MagnaVeedramon groaned at the sheer power behind GrandLycanmon's attack.
"Holy Strike!" MagnaVeedramon announced.
Disengaging his barrier and breaking away from GrandLycanmon, MagnaVeedramon let loose a blast of light energy from his chest, which struck GrandLycanmon and sent him sliding to the ground.
But more infuriated than damaged, the Dark General returned to his feet and gave another rage filled howl.
"Savage Crusher!" The Dark General bellowed as he slammed both fists into the ground, the attack sending out a shockwave that caused an onslaught of destruction to spread around him, leaving a large crater, while throwing back Samudramon and MedievalGallantmon.
But quickly getting to their feet and refusing to quit, the two heroes rushed at GrandLycanmon.
"Cross Slicer!"
"Noble Strike!"
Moving as one, Samudramon and MedievalGallantmon tried to attack the Dark General from his sides, but found GrandLycanmon's beastly reflexes allowed him to counter their attack.
Grabbing both their arms and restraining the duo, Samudramon and MedievalGallantmon were left in shock.
"Firestorm!" Infernomon declared as he rejoined the battle, the blazing Digimon to a title bringing his right hand up and casting forth a barrage of fire to suddenly rain from the sky, not only striking GrandLycanmon and forcing him to release his gold over the heroes, but the barrage of fire struck down a great faction of the Dark Tribe.
As the tide of battle continued, looking as though the forces of the Fire Tribe and the Digi-heroes would win, there were some concerns amongst ShogunOujamon, Yoshi, BardMusimon and AncientMervamon's team.
"Um... what are they doing over there?" BardMusimon found himself asking as he noticed the Lichmon and Necromon around the scroll.
Using the telescope Tai gave her, Jeri tried to make sense of what she was seeing, before handing it to GrandPyromon, hoping he would have a better answer.
Taking the object, the chief of magic looked through the telescope in the direction of the Lichmon and its dark allies, before paling at the sight, quickly handing the telescope back to Jeri and looking at Novicmon.
"I need your help, young one, before they can unleash an ancient evil upon us." GrandPyromon said with a serious tone, this causing Novicmon to nod as the chief mage brought his hands together, trying to concentrate as a magic seal formed on the ground around him, before Novicmon added his own magic to the counterspell.
Back behind the Dark Tribe's lines, the Lichmon sensed the interference, where it and the Necromon redoubled their efforts, trying to finish the ritual before GrandPyromon could cut them off.
"Heroes! You must stop the Lichmon! Hurry!" GrandPyromon yelled in clear concern, getting the attention of LordShoutmon, ShaolinArresterdramon and Marcus, who looked beyond the city's walls to see the dark magic Digimon and the ritual they were performing.
"Go, we can handle the rest of them!" BlazeShogunmon called out as he cut through several ShadowKnightmon, while ScorchTactimon unleashed a fiery blast from the two cannons on his shoulders.
Nodding in reply, LordShoutmon, ShaolinArresterdramon and Marcus rushed through the enemy lines, trying to reach the gathering of dark Digimon, ready to strike at them and stop their dark ritual before it could finish.
"Flaming Destruction!"
"Omni Force!"
"Inferno Spiral!"
Acting as one, the three heroes unleashed their attacks, sending them straight for the Lichmon and Necromon, hoping to end them quickly.
From the dark throne room, however, the Dark Lady watched and saw the attacks heading for the ritual, before her eyes glowed with a dark purple light, showing despite her distance, her power was beyond any who served under her.
At that moment, the Lichmon and Necromon let out shrieks of pain as energy began flowing into them, courtesy of their Mistress, causing them to explode with dark energy, the duo sacrificed for the ritual, which repelled LordShoutmon, ShaolinArresterdramon and Marcus' attacks, alongside throwing back the heroes from the sheer power.
Feeling the feedback, GrandPyromon and Novicmon were sent flying back as well, where Jeri rushed to their side, before the three saw the dark energy shoot into the sky, causing the darkness to swirl in a massive circle.
Feeling the ominous change, the fighting across the city stopped as all looked up, with even GrandLycanmon looking up, growling in frustration as what looked like a massive portal opening at the center of the vortex formed.
Then, it began to rain, only it didn't pour down with water, but with spiders, hundreds and hundreds of spiders which crawled their way down from the vortex.
"Ew, Ew, gross, I hate spiders!" GaleSilphymon let out as she tried to avoid the crawling arachnids, finding herself not too fond of the crawling critters, even as a Digimon.
"Um... you might not want to look up then, Zoe..." CrimsonAldamon remarked as he looked up, his words puzzling the Warrior of Wind.
"What are you...?" GaleSilphymon began to ask, only to then cut herself off as she screamed loudly at the sight, where she and the other heroes all saw further creatures emerging from the vortex above.
Added to the growing army of small arachnids were eight gigantic spider legs, which spread all around the capital, each connected to a slim, but large torso.
The torso itself had a massive abdomen, with a large stinger attached to it, while on its back was a large egg sack, covered in webbing.
But what caught the attention of most was the creature's face, seeing eight dark purple eyes looking down at them as the creature let out a loud shriek, showing its massive fangs to all below.
"What the hell is that thing?!" ShogunOujamon questioned in clear shock, which was also shared amongst the others as they too stared upon the giant monstrosity, with those who fought Quartzmon finding the new Digimon to maintain a close size to the twisted minded Digimon.
"Anansimon." GrandPyromon merely said, his tone of concern as he gazed upon the creature, causing Novicmon and Jeri to look at him with worry as they helped him up.
"It is one of the Ancient Horrors, sealed away long ago by the heroes of old." Infernomon then informed as MagnaVeedramon, Samudramon and MedievalGallantmon looked at him, before the Fire Tribe's leader looked at GrandLycanmon and said in anger. "It was the duty of the Dark Tribe to keep these monsters imprisoned, not to unleash them upon Witchelny!"
Letting out a dark laugh, GrandLycanmon turned to Infernomon and the three heroes as he said with a dark grin. "That tribe is no more. Our Lady has made us more powerful than ever before, and if she demands we use the Horrors, then so be it. Think of it as punishment for defying her for so long."
"Fool, Ananasimon answers to no one, not even the Dark Lady, he will destroy everything around him!" Infernomon spat back, where the heroes saw even the Dark Tribe Digimon looking upon the massive spider with fear.
"All but the Eternal Flame, and once he has cleared the way, my Mistress will take her prize as she walks over the ruins of your Tribe." GrandLycanmon then declared with a wicked laugh, showing the heroes not only how insane the Dark General truly was, and showing just how far the Dark Lady appeared to be willing to go to get what she desired.
Letting out another shriek, Anansimon then spat a webbing from his mouth, covering several building, which then began to melt, while a dozen DarkWolfmon and a DarkHydramon caught within screamed as they dissolved into Data, causing a mad scramble as the Fire Tribe Digimon tried to battle the giant terror, while the Dark Tribe Digimon tried to stay out of his path.
Sensing the smaller Digimon moving towards him, dark energy sparked like electricity around Anansimon's being, which then projected itself as countless bolts of dark purple thunder, striking many of the Digimon below, dissolving them instantly, even eradicating the remaining BlackGargolyemon and SkullDracomon.
Letting out a loud shriek, Ananasimon shook its abdomen, causing dozens of small eggs, the size of Samudramon, to fall from the spider Digimon's being and land all around the city.
From them, smaller versions of Anansimon emerged, letting out shrieks as they rushed towards anything in their path, causing the Dark Tribe Digimon to flee, while the Fire Tribe and the heroes moved to fight them.
Looking to see GrandLycanmon leap away to rally his remaining forces, Infernomon, MagnaVeedramon, Samudramon and MedievalGallantmon moved to join their allies and deal with the larger threat first, then finish the Dark General.
"Rinkageki!"
"Rage of the Wyvern!"
"Full Force Strike!
Moving quickly, MagnaVeedramon, Samudramon and MedievalGallantmon cut through many of the smaller spiders, saving the lives of many of the Fire Tribe Digimon, while the rest of their allies moved in to strike.
"Striking Light!"
"Sacred Flame!"
"Full Spirit Wave!"
"Blazing Sabers!"
"Shooting Star Strike!"
"Blazing Blade!"
"Rose Blizzard!"
"Victory Slasher!"
"Mythic Strike!"
"Skydive Force!"
"Ultimate Search Strike!"
"Savage Slash!"
"Rhythmic Stream!"
Working together, the heroes cut through the smaller spider enemies, before focusing their attention on Anansimon himself, where ShaolinArresterdramon pointed his staff into the air and called out with might. "Thunder Force!"
At his call, the skies lit up with thunder, before a powerful bolt of lightning came crashing down on Anansimon, causing the spider Digimon to shriek, but more from annoyance than pain.
Then, turning toward the skies, Ananasimon saw SacredPhoenixmon rushing up to his face, her right fist ablaze with fire.
"Phoenix Knuckle!" The Digimon of Love cried out as she slugged Anansimon in the face, causing it to stagger a bit, before swinging her spear as she went soaring to the ground, slamming the blade into the ground as she called out. "Blazing Spear Strike!"
From her bellow, a stream of lava shot out of the ground and slammed into Anansimon's abdomen, causing the beast to shriek once more, but to the heroes' shock, they found the spider Digimon only angered by the attack.
"Nature's Wrath!" Yoshi then declared as she aimed her arms toward Anansimon, causing countless vines and roots to erupt from the ground beneath the spider Digimon, wrapping around the spider Digimon and restraining its thrashing form.
"Passion Shot!" AncientMervamon called as her sword began to glow with a bright pink light, which she then swung around and cast forth a wave of energy that struck Anansimon in the face, angering the spider Digimon to the attacks thrown against it.
"Solar Blaze!" Infernomon bellowed with might as he brought his katanas together in a cross shape, causing a circle of fire to appear around him, before firing a powerful burst of flames at Anansimon's face, causing the spider Digimon to shriek loudly.
"Now! Strike him now!" Infernomon called to the heroes, who quickly did what they could in order to fell the spider Digimon.
"Rinkageki!"
"Holy Strike!"
"Rage of the Wyvern!"
"Holy Judgement!"
"Sacred Flame!"
"Full Spirit Wave!"
"Arcane Inferno!"
"Arcane Twister!"
"Flaming Destruction!"
"Violet Blast!"
"Omni Force!"
"Thunder Force!"
"Ancient Blaze!"
"Gaia Link!"
"Golden Arrow!"
"Ballistic Barrage!"
Combining together, the attacks all collided with Anansimon's face, causing a massive explosion, which was followed by a loud, pained shriek, causing the heroes to smirk, believing they had won the battle.
However, much to their horror, when the smoke cleared, Anansimon was still standing, with his face only showing scarring from their attacks, while he looked down at the heroes with rage.
It was then that they all noticed the dark electricity running down the spider Digimon's body and into the tip of his stinger, causing GrandPyromon to call out in concern. "Don't let his stinger touch the ground, or everything will be destroyed!"
Hearing the warning, MangaVeedramon, MysticSakuyamon and Marcus sprung into action and flew beneath the stinger, while MedievalGallantmon quickly moved on the ground beneath them.
"Magna Shield!"
"Spirit Ring!"
"Firewall!"
"Dynas Protection!"
Harnessing the power of their protective abilities, the energy barriers formed together, creating a single barrier as the stinger collided with it, sending out a shockwave and causing the energy to spike off the barrier as the heroes strained against the overwhelming power.
"Courageous Spirit!" LordShoutmon then declared as he moved beside MedievalGallantmon, casting forth the energy protection of himself which moved in accordance to LordShoutmon's will and took hold of the stinger, trying to help his friends hold back the pulsating energy.
The Fire Tribe and remaining heroes watched on anxiously, hoping that the group could repel Anansimon's strike and give them another chance to finish the spider beast.
However...
"Dark Howl!" A familiar voice bellowed as a shockwave of dark energy slammed into MangaVeedramon, MysticSakuyamon and Marcus, causing them to cry out in pain and lose concentration, where the stinger collided with the weakened barrier, causing a massive blast of energy to then erupt throughout the area.
Landing on a rooftop, GrandLycanmon laughed wickedly as he watched the dust settle, finding that with the dust fading, the destruction of a vast section of the Fire Capital's buildings was now in ruin, while the heroes and many of the Fire Tribe's Digimon were knocked down or unconscious, having taken a small portion of Anansimon's attack.
Having landed back at the palace, Infernomon looked on with Jeri, Novicmon and GrandPyromon as they looked in dread at the sight, where Anansimon started to move closer to the palace.
Though injured, the hero Digimon tried to move, to get back up and keep fighting.
They had to fight for Jeri, Novicmon and their allies.
There was no giving up.
'We won't lose here!' The sixteen heroes thought in unison, all sharing a similar emotion, which stirred something deep inside of them.
Within the chamber of the Eternal Flame, the Pyromon set to guard the primordial fragment turned toward the sacred item, finding the Flame seemed to spike with a greater flame, blazing with a greater intensity as its energy was then unleashed.
Back outside and finding her attention drawing away from her friends, Jeri's D-Bracer began to glow a bright red, catching Infernomon, GrandPyromon and Novicmon's attention as they saw the crimson light then engulf the brunette.
As the aura stayed around Jeri's being, a red hue replaced the familiar shining brown eyes changed to a deep crimson, which had an effect amongst MagnaVeedramon and many of the other heroes upon the battlefield.
Within their minds was what appeared to be a realm of pure flame, the heroes saw the silhouette of a gargantuan Digimon looking down at them with a blazing fire behind it.
And though its features could not be made out, the group could see that it looked like a cross between a wizard and a samurai, with six arms, each holding a staff or blade in them, and what appeared to be three faces.
"You hold the hearts of heroes... of champions... Though you were brought here to Witchelny by other means, you have shown great courage defending this world from the darkness infecting it... take my power, save my descendants and drive this evil back to the shadows it emerged from...!" The Digimon said, before the blazing inferno behind it seemed to grow, filling the mental vision of the heroes as they felt a power surge through them.
Blinking her eyes and regaining life within her, Jeri turned her attention back upon the battlefield, seeing the other heroes covered in pillars of red light.
Puzzled by the sudden power opposing him, Anansimon glared down upon the heroes, sensing the immense power now surging through them, while GrandLycanmon looked on in shock and disbelief.
Within the dark throne room, Charonmon and most residing within its chambers looked at the sight in shock.
However, despite this increase of power, this change in battle, the Dark Lady merely tilted her head, as though curious as to what had transpired and would occur.
Getting up themselves, BlazeShogunmon and ScorchTactimon looked upon the heroes and saw the massive change within them.
With Samudramon, his armour was now red, while his blades and hair were on fire, the flames flowing gracefully as he looked at Anansimon with determination.
Likewise, MedievalGallantmon's cape was made of fire as well, with the blade of his axe also on fire.
MagnaVeedramon's gold armour was now crimson, with his energy wings now flames, along with the blades on his gauntlets, while in the air above him, Lightbearer Ophanimon had a similar change, her own armour red and her wings and hair made of fire.
SacredPhoenixmon's spear and wings, meanwhile, were also covered in flames, along with her armour being red, while MysticSakuyamon had a similar change, with her armour crimson and her flowing hair now a light flame.
CrimsonAldamon remained much the same, though his wings and hair were ablaze, while GaleSilphymon's armour was crimson, her wings and shurikens ablaze with fire as they floated in the air.
For Marcus, the wings and gauntlets of his Fire Knight armour were ablaze, while a light flame seemed to glow from his eyes, where Yoshi's Rose Knight armour was now fully red, her cape made of fire and her eyes having the same light flame as Marcus as they looked up at their foe.
With LordShoutmon, the knight Digimon's golden armour was now crimson as his sword was covered in flames, while ShaolinArresterdramon's hat was covered in flames and his blue scales now red as AncientMervamon's armour was now red, her sword ablaze with fire and her snakeheads emitting smoke.
Above them, Sagemon's wings were now made of fire, while the orb on his staff was covered in fire.
Below, ShogunOujamon's blue armour was now crimson, with their swords also covered in fire, while BarMusimon's hat was replaced with flaming hair, his trenchcoat now red as he and the other heroes looked up at Anansimon with renewed determination.
Looking at her D-Bracer, Jeri then saw the information on all her friends appear before her, showing that their abilities were all the same, but with one major change to their names, with Fire Mode added to the end of each and every one of them.
As GrandLycanmon looked down at the fire imbued heroes with growing anger and frustration, Anansimon let out a high-pitched shriek at them, his eyes not only seeing them, but the silhouette of a familiar being from ancient times form around his foes, causing the spider Digimon to refocus his attention on the sixteen heroes, who prepared themselves to continue this battle.
The fight for the Eternal Flame was far from over.
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Author's note: Well this is turning into a wild ride, stay tuned to see how this fight ends.