With a light sigh, Kari finished unpacking her belongings and looked through the room she and Gatomon would be sharing during their time within the Light Tribe's Capital.
Thanks to Nyarukimon, the heroes had enough rooms to accommodate each human and their partner for the time being.
However, despite how nice the rooms were, Kari was a little frustrated, having hoped to share a room with her boyfriend, and maybe even go further than they had beforehand.
"Cheer up, Kari, at least we can still see them." Gatomon said with an empathetic smile, the feline Digimon hoping to see Veemon again soon, before Nyarukimon tried anything, that is.
"I know, but I still..." Kari started to say, but found she was cut from her words by a knock at the door.
Turning her head, Kari and Gatomon found Davis and Veemon standing just outside their room, where the sight of the maroon haired Digidestined and his familiar warm smile left Kari beaming.
"Hey, Davis." Kari said with a big smile, glad to see the Digidestined of Miracles, but found some confusion as she took notice of the slightly nervous look on her boyfriend's face, leading her to ask. "What's wrong?"
"Well, I was wondering..." Davis started to say, mentally berating himself for his sudden nervousness, before continuing as he offered. "Since it's calm here, and the city seems well protected, I was wondering if you wanted to walk around, see what it's like and... and maybe get a bit to eat?"
Taking in Davis' words and realizing he was really asking, Kari blinked her eyes for a moment, before feeling herself getting giddy with happiness.
After so many years, Davis Motomiya, her boyfriend and the love of her life, was asking her on a date once again.
"Let me think..." Kari said as she remained calm and tapped her chin, acting as though she was thinking the offer over, though inside, she was mentally squealing with joy, while finding Davis' look of panic to be kind of cute in its own way.
Gulping lightly, Davis began wondering if he did something wrong, before smiling lightly as he saw his girlfriend shaking with joy, the Digidestined of Light then said with a big smile. "Yes, I would love to go out with you."
Seeing Kari agree, Veemon then looked at Gatomon and asked. "Since Davis and Kari have plans, you feel like getting something to eat?"
"I'd love to, Vee." Gatomon replied with a smile.
That said, the two Digidestined and their partners walked out of the room, ready to go exploring and enjoy their time together.
Being the chivalrous and gentlemen they were, Davis and Veemon took their respective girlfriends by a hand and escorted the duo outside of their room, the Digidestined and Digimon of Miracles excited for the time they could spend with Kari and Gatomon.
"Where do you think you are going?" A familiar voice then questioned, this causing the four to look and see LordPaladinmon approaching them.
Understanding that they and their friends were still viewed as outsiders and probably still not fully trustworthy, Davis spoke for the group, telling LordPaladinmon. "We were hoping to just walk around, take in the sites of the city, and maybe get something to eat. Do you know of any good places around here?"
Looking between the four and remembering who they were the reincarnations of, LordPaladinmon understood the underlying reason they wanted to be together, before informing them with an apologetic tone. "Unfortunately, in order to appease ArchBishopmon, we are to never let you out of our sight if you leave your rooms, I will have to accompany you."
Sighing and a little annoyed that ArchBishopmon could ruin something as simple as a date, Davis looked to Kari, seeing her nod in understanding, before looking back at LordPaladinmon and saying. "Lead the way."
Further down the hall, the rest of the heroes, heroines, their partners and Novicmon watched the four and their chaperone leave, where Tai wanted to rush after them and spy on their date, wanting to make sure nothing funny would occur.
"Tai, let them be, they deserve this." Sora said as she placed her hands on his shoulders, knowing exactly what was going through his head as he turned to her and started to say. "But..."
"Tell you what, why don't we go out as well? And if you show me a good time, well..." The Digidestined of Love started to say with a growing enticement in her voice as she leaned in and began whispering the remainder of her thoughts into her boyfriend's ear.
And though the others could not make out what Sora was saying, they deadpanned as they saw Tai's face quickly gain a bright blush and a nosebleed, prompting the brunette to all but yell out. "Alright, time for the best date ever!"
Sora giggled at Tai's reaction, though she too was looking forward to her suggestions after their date was over.
Leaving with her boyfriend, their partners and a CrusaderKnightmon assigned to watch over them, this left the others to chuckle lightly, before Takato took Jeri's hand as he and Guilmon left as well, their guards with them, while most of the remaining girls wondering if they could convince their crushes to take them on a date.
"Hey, Takuya, you...?" Zoe started to ask, only to frown as she saw her crush in conversion with Marcus, this leaving the blonde both frustrated with Takuya and herself, wondering what it would take for the Warrior of Flame to notice her.
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From the balcony outside his throne room, Draculmon looked on as his castle floated in the direction of the Light Tribe's capital, a massive swarm of DarkThrallmon and DarkMothmon circling around the fortress, while resting on the spires were massive monstrosities, Mega Level Digimon that resembled a cross between dragons and bats, BloodDracomon.
Below and within the courtyards, legions of Wargmon and FellKnightmon were being directed by a coven of Necromon and their Lichmon leader, preparing them for the battle ahead.
"Soon, I shall drown the Light Tribe in blood, crush these 'heroes', and bring both the Dark Lady's prizes to her." The Dark General said aloud with a smirk as he looked over his forces.
"Sounds like the same bullshit Lycanmon spewed before he bit the dust." A familiar voice then remarked teasingly, causing Draculmon to frown in anger and annoyance, turning to see Sciophobimon resting against the railing, where the Dark General could feel the smirk on the jester Digimon's face.
"And why are you here?! Don't you have a birthday party to ruin?" Draculmon questioned, his anger growing as Sciophobimon laughed in reply.
"I'm making sure you don't fuck up like that mutt did." He said in reply, adding as he seemed to disappear in dark mist and reappear next to Draculmon, before resting his arm on his shoulder and leaning on him, while the vampiric Digimon did his best not to strike at the fool.
"And to see that you don't, I brought some friends to play with you." Sciophobimon continued as a dark portal opened before the duo, where Draculmon's rage slowly turned to a smirk as he saw what emerged from the portal, knowing that they would be another tool to help him in his moment of glory.
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As Davis, Kari and their partners sat down in a small restaurant in order to grab a bite, the group had hoped for a peaceful outing, a chance to just spend time with their beloveds.
However...
"Is that them?!"
"It's them! The Holy Champions!"
"By the Light!"
"They are shorter than I expected."
The two Digidestined and their Digimon felt their eyes twitching as they tried to not look at the massive crowd outside the restaurant staring at them with wonder and awe, with word of them being the reincarnations of MagnaVeedramon and Lightbearer Ophanimon having spread throughout the capital, giving the four a celebrity status as the Light Tribe Digimon fanned over them.
"Their return is a sign! This is the Light Tribe's time!"
"But they want us to ally with the lesser tribes."
"There must be a reason."
"The blue one is so cute!"
At the last comment, Veemon's eyes widened, the V marked Digimon blushing as he took notice and found several female Digimon amongst the group looking at him with heart filled eyes.
But looking across from him, Veemon felt a growing nervousness to the rage in Gatomon's eyes.
LordPaladinmon, meanwhile, was standing at the entrance to the restaurant, keeping the crowd back and allowing Davis, Kari and their partners some peace, with the pair of Digidestined listening as many in the crowd seemed divided on the issue of the alliance.
"We really started something." Kari said in a slightly sad tone, adding solemnly. "I didn't want to cause trouble, I just..."
"It sounds like they needed it." Davis cut in, giving Kari a reassuring smile as he told her. "If ArchBishopmon is any example, they've been stuck in this mindset for so long, they needed another point of view."
Looking down, Davis then let out a sigh, before saying with an honest tone. "Honestly, I still don't know how I feel being associated with all this Light stuff. Never really was a fan of it beforehand."
"Why?" Kari asked, especially with her own Crest being that of Light.
"It sounds childish, but..." Davis started to say, not sure how to put it into words, but continued as he explained. "Light, Hope, Angemon, Angewomon... no offence, Gatomon."
"None taken." The feline Digimon replied, while Kari smiled as she understood, remembering how many, even Mimi, thought that her Crest and TK's meant the two of them were meant for each other.
"It just felt like a constant reminder that you and I weren't meant to be." Davis then said, before feeling a hand on his, this causing the maroon haired Digidestined to look to Kari, seeing the brunette smiling reassuringly herself as she kept her hand rested atop his own.
"Can I ask you something, Davis?" Kari then asked curiously. "When did you really fall in love with me?"
Smiling a bit, Davis looked in thought, before asking in reply. "You remember the day we first met?"
In response, Kari nodded her head in reply, remembering two years before their first adventure in the Digital World, when Tai and Sora took her to the park to try and play some soccer.
Upon the ball being kicked to her and sailing past her, Kari went after it, where she found Davis sitting under a tree and, after introductions, Davis joined in their game and their friendship began.
"My family had just moved to Odaiba that day. My parents were at their new jobs, Jun was out with her own friends, and I just felt alone, out of place, like I didn't belong." Davis explained with a sad smile as he remembered those days.
"And then, a soccer ball came rolling up to me, and I looked up and saw the most beautiful smile I had ever seen, one that made me feel like all my troubles would go away." The Digidestined of Miracles then said, his smiling growing as he looked back at Kari and told her. "I knew then I'd do anything to see that smile again, that's when..."
Davis found himself cut off as Kari reached over the table, grabbed his shirt collar, and pulled him into a deep and passionate kiss, one he returned after getting over his initial shock, not noticing the tears of joy coming down Kari's cheek, feeling overwhelmed by how much Davis loved her and mentally kicking herself for not seeing it sooner, while Veemon and Gatomon smiled happily for their partners.
However, a sudden commotion from the entrance of the restaurant caused the two lovers to break their kiss, where they sat back and looked to see LordPaladinmon escorting Nyarukimon to the table, causing Gatomon to narrow her eyes.
"I have more soldiers guarding the entrance, but as I've learned over the years, when this one wants to go somewhere, very little can stop her." LordPaladinmon said apologetically as the restaurant attendants brought an extra chair for him, while Nyarukimon slid into the booth, taking a seat next to Veemon, much to Gatomon's displeasure and Veemon's nervousness.
"What can we do for you, Nyarukimon?" Kari asked with a kindness in her tone, trying to hide her disappointment at her date being interrupted.
"I know you are all in the midst of something, but it's not everyday one gets a chance to meet Archonmon's chosen reborn." The mystic feline Digimon said with excitement, which reminded the group a little of Novicmon, before the name she said caught their attention.
"Archonmon?" Veemon asked in confusion, where Nyarukimon and LordPaladinmon remembered hearing that these individuals were from another world, where the leader of the Light Tribe's army informed them. "The Primordial Digimon of Light, the one whose fragment, the Celestial Light, resides within the castle."
Processing this information, Davis, Kari and their partners thought about when the Eternal Flame empowered them and their friends, and the vision they had of a fiery Digimon, where they now realized that it was the Primordial of Fire speaking to them.
Veemon then froze as he felt a pair of arms wrap around his and turned to his left to find Nyarukimon pressing herself against him and asking with starry eyes. "That lizard said you were heroes, you must have some amazing stories you could tell."
"To begin, that 'lizard' is named Novicmon, he's our friend and guide, and second off, yes, we do have tales, but for now we'd rather focus on getting this alliance going first." Gatomon said with an annoyed tone, not only for the way Nyarukimon was obviously flirting with Veemon, but also for how she looked down on their friend.
"Why is this... alliance so important to you?" LordPaladinmon then questioned, getting the groups' attention as he continued. "You are not of the Light Tribe or Fire Tribe, nor of Witchelny, why does our fate matter to you?"
"Because that's who we are, we help those in need." Davis said in reply, adding with a continued sincerity. "We don't know why we were brought to this world, but we won't just sit back while there are those who cannot protect themselves. We've seen what the Dark Tribe is capable of, and the fact that they are able to wage a war against nine other tribes simultaneously should let anyone see the bigger picture. If any of the tribes fall, not only would the world be thrown out of balance, but the Dark Tribe would then send its forces to aid the rest of their armies. You might be able to hold them back with that barrier, but when the other tribes fall and the Dark Tribe brings everything on you, you won't survive. Forget the past and focus on the present, you guys need each other, otherwise you're letting the Dark Tribe win."
Both LordPaladinmon and Nyarukimon took a moment to process Davis' words, finding that while it went against all they had believed in for years, they found they couldn't argue with him.
"Honestly, having you guys bottlenecked in your own capital, I am surprised the Dark General doesn't have this place surrounded." Veemon then commented, thinking that there would have been a siege when they arrived at the capital.
"Draculmon doesn't use brute strength, he tends to be more crafty." Nyarukimon informed, where upon hearing the Dark General's name, Davis, Kari, Veemon and Gatomon tensed up slightly, where they had flashes of a familiar vampiric Digimon they had dealt with beforehand in their world.
"Ok, that's useful information." Davis commented, having a small idea now as to how their foe might act or fight, confusing the two Light Tribe Digimon.
However, before they could question any further, a CrusaderKnightmon approached them, where he looked at his commander and stated. "LordPaladinmon, Lady Celestimon wishes an audience with the... newcomers, these four in particular."
Sighing at knowing their dates were officially over, but also intrigued as to what the Light Tribe's ruler wanted, Davis, Kari and their partners got up from the table, with LordPaladinmon and Nyarukimon following them outside as the HolyKnightmon tried to move the crowd.
Upon exiting the restaurant, however, two loud thuds caught everyone's attention, where the Digidestined and their partners saw two large dragon type Digimon looking down at them.
The first looked like a majestic dragon with golden scales, feather-like wings and a regal look as it stood on all four of its legs, looking down at the heroes and heroines before it with some interest.
The second dragon, meanwhile, was bipedal and, unlike his companion, was covered from head to toe in silver armour, looking like a gallant knight, with white tassels on the sides and blade-like wings, while in the areas not covered by metal, Davis, Kari and their partners could see a bright light that formed the Digimon's being.
"LightDracomon and CelestialDracomon, both Mega Levels." Davis said as he quickly looked at his D-Bracer, before he and Kari watched as the LightDracomon brought its head forward, as though examining the two and their Digimon.
Acting more out of instinct than anything, Kari reached up, placing her hand on the LightDracomon's cheek, where the Digimon growled in approval, the sight causing the Light Digimon around them to stare in awe, while Davis looked as the CelestialDracomon seemed to bow with respect, another sight that shocked the Digimon of the Light Tribe to no end.
The two draconic Digimon then took off, joining a small group of others of their kind as they seemed to patrol the area around the barrier protecting the capital, causing Nyarukimon to say in awe. "If there was any doubt as to who you all are, that should end it. The LightDracomon and the CelestialDracomon are Archonmon's children, and have never allowed anyone to touch them, nor have they ever bowed to anyone."
Davis, Kari, Veemon and Gatomon absentmindedly nodded their heads to think, thinking about the ShogunDracomon and MagmaDracomon who aided them in protecting the Fire Tribe, before following LordPaladinmon back to the castle, ready to hear what Celestimon had to say.
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After being brought back to the castle, much to Tai, Sora, Takato and Jeri's annoyance at having their dates interrupted as well, the group of heroes and heroines, minus Novicmon, were surprised to find themselves brought not to the throne room, but to the chamber of the Celestial Light, each feeling the pulsating warm of the fragment's magic, while Celestimon had her back to them, staring at the primordial light.
"I hope you understand the position you have placed me in." The leader of the Light Tribe said as she then turned and looked directly at Davis, Kari, Veemon and Gatomon, who nodded their heads in reply.
"I wish we didn't have to go that far, but ArchBishopmon wasn't giving us much of a choice." Davis replied, still annoyed by the mystic Light Digimon's attitude towards him and his friends.
"Do not judge him harshly." Celestimon said, adding with a tone of understanding. "Those he seems more... zealous of late, ArchBishopmon has only ever thought of the Tribe and keeping it safe."
"Being safe isn't the same as being alive, you're just trapping your people like this, you can't stay locked up in this city forever, soon enough, the Dark Tribe will throw more of its attention here, and I fear for your people when that day comes." Davis then said, with the rest of his friends remaining quiet, allowing the maroon haired boy to speak for them.
"You ask us to take action, yet you do so by asking us to ally ourselves with former enemies." Celestimon then said, before questioning. "Did Infernomon tell you how his tribe would raid our lands for resources, or just for the fun of it, to prove their merits in battle? Why should we fight alongside those who once stood against us?"
The rest of the group cringed at hearing this, remembering how they were warned about the old hatred of the tribes.
Davis, however, kept his cool.
"I can't speak for the past Fire Tribe, only the ones we've met, the one who fought with everything they had to drive off Lycanmon and his forces, the ones we fought alongside as Anansimon tried to destroy their home. This conflict is bigger than one tribe or the other. The question you need to ask yourself is not whether to fight or not, but what is worth fighting for, and I hope you'd agree that the future is worth fighting for, otherwise, the Dark Lady has already won." The Digidestined of Miracles said, with his friends feeling impressed by his words, while Celestimon was left in thought.
However, before anymore could be said, the castle seemed to shake from a loud explosion, before the sounds of alarms and Digimon screaming in panic were heard, for outside, the barrier protecting the Capital was failing, and not too far from the floating city, a massive swarm of Dark Digimon, surrounding Draculmon's Castle, were making their way towards them.
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Moments earlier, as his friends were brought before Celestimon, Novicmon was being escorted back to his room by the HolyKnightmon assigned to him, having just entered the region as to grab a small snack, before they saw Nyarukimon waiting for them, having broken off from LordPaladinmon and his group to find the Fire Tribe Digimon, the feline thinking over what Davis had said earlier.
"I'll watch over him from here." Nyarukimon told HolyKnightmon, who looked between her and Novicmon, before nodding his head as he turned to leave, leaving the two mystic Digimon alone with one another.
"Look, Lizard... I mean, Novicmon, I wanted to apologize for my remarks earlier." The feline Digimon said with some difficulty, not used to feeling wrong about anything.
However, instead of a sly comeback or an angry rant in reply, Nyarukimon was surprised when Novicmon just smiled back and replied. "It's alright, I kind of expected it, given our tribe's history, and I expect it for when we try to convince the other tribes as well."
"You really believe the other tribes will agree to this... alliance?" Nyarukimon questioned, this left Novicmon with a smile.
"I believe in these guys. They're not like us, and I've seen them do more than I could have ever imagined. If anyone can get this alliance going, it's them." He said in reply.
Novicmon was about to say more, only for something behind Nyarukimon to catch his eye, where the feline mystic turned to see what he was looking at, both seeing ArchBishopmon acting rather suspicious as he went down the side hallway.
Curious, the pair followed after the light mystic Digimon, where they found him entering a large chamber, with two CrusaderKnightmon guarding a large shimmering orb, one Nyarukimon knew was the source of the barrier protecting the city.
"You are relieved of duty. Leave now." ArchBishopmon commanded, before narrowing his eyes as the two guards refused to move.
"I'm sorry, sir, but you know that only Lady Celestimon can relieve us of duty." One of the guards said in reply, both now looking at their chief mystic Digimon with some suspicion.
"So be it." ArchBishopmon said back, before, much to the shock and horror of Novicmon and Nyarukimon, who were watching from behind the door, the light mystic Digimon's hands ignited in dark flames, before quickly rushing at the guards, cutting through them, where one fell to the floor and burst into Data, while the other slumped to the floor with a large cut through his torso.
Still moving quickly, ArchBishopmon then slashed the orb, causing it to shatter, where alarms were heard all through the castle, before the quickly leaving the room, not seeing Novicmon or Nyarukimon as he left, both shocked and horrified as they quickly ran to the downed guard, the feline still processing what she just saw.
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From the balcony of his castle, with Sciophobimon behind him, along with his new forces, Draculmon watched with a growing sinister smirk as he saw the barrier protecting the Light Tribe's capital start to collapse, causing the Dark General to say with glee. "Now, to victory, to the Dark Lady, and to my glory!"
Not only did his forces cheer in reply, but something within the castle let out a loud, beastial cry as the Dark Tribe's forces descended upon the Light Tribe, ready to reduce the city to ashes, and claim their Mistress' prizes.
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Author's note: And just like that, another battle has begun, will the heroes be able to save the Light Tribe? And will ArchBishopmon's betrayal be exposed? Stay tuned to find out.