By noon, the group of heroes, heroines and their guide had all stopped for lunch, with Davis, Takato and their partners once again making another well prepared meal for their friends.
Though some wanted to talk about the night before, a silence filled the camp, the girls keeping to themselves as they still remembered their embarrassing actions the previous night, while the guys refused to mention any of their actions which could set the girls off.
"Um... Tagiru..." Nene then said with a blush, her eyes never turning toward the brunette, who sat beside her.
Turning his head as he gave her an inquisitive look, Nene then said. "I'm sorry about last night, I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable or anything."
"It's alright, it wasn't your fault." Tagiru replied with a reassuring smile, one the brunette idol then shared as the two resumed their meal together in silence, both feeling a little better to have talked and oblivious that Mervamon and the other girls were watching the scene, most having sly smirks after what the amazon Digimon told them about Tagiru's confession.
Acting silently and taking the lead, Zoe silently got the other girls to agree to her plan, which she dubbed "Operation Get Nene With Her Idiot", to help Nene win over Tagiru.
And while Yoshi and Eri had agreed to help, neither were aware that the other girls had also planned to get them with their love interests in the near future.
Though things between Tagiru and Nene seemed alright, that they were able to talk about their mishaps and look past it, Kari and Rika blushed as they avoided eye contact with one another, both embarrassed deeply by their actions.
They were just grateful that Davis seemed so calm and continued to carry on as though nothing happened.
Kari, for her part, was surprised at how willing she was at the idea of having a threesome in her drunk state, while Rika was partly mortified that she had confessed her feelings about the Digidestined of Miracles in such a way, which left doubt stirring within the girls, uncertain to Davis' thoughts and feelings, or the feelings the other should've held.
Meanwhile, Sora couldn't help but sweatdrop every time Tai flinched when she said his name, but found she couldn't blame him after her behavior last night, but silently vowed that she would definitely make it up to him that night.
Likewise, Renamon did her best to try and not make any eye contact with Guilmon, who blushed with her as they remembered what she said the night before.
Seeing the tension in the group, particularly from the girls, Haru wanted to break the ice as he looked at Novicmon and asked with curiosity. "Hey, Novicmon, how much farther until we reach the Water Tribe's territory?"
"You'll know when we get there." Novicmon replied with a growl, the negativity of his tone causing the others to sweatdrop at seeing the small mystic Digimon still in a bad mood at the fact that they were going to the Water Tribe now, where they sighed and decided to once again drop the topic for now.
Despite not talking about the subject, the heroes and heroines were concerned about what would happen when they arrived at the Water Tribe, knowing nothing about who they are, how they act, or who their leaders are, which made coming up with ideas on how to convince them to join the alliance even more difficult.
A few minutes later, after finishing their lunches, the mood changed as Renamon, Guilmon and the other Digimon sensed something coming, causing the Digimon to go on the defensive, alerting the humans as Zoe questioned. "What, what is it?!"
"Something is coming, and there's a lot of them." Renamon informed with a seriousness as she, the other Digimon and Appmon saw movement in the forests heading straight for them.
And soon enough, the group of heroes and heroines found themselves surrounded by Digimons, ones they recognized as they saw a large group of Ogremon and Rebellimon around them, each letting out roars and other aggressive battle sounds as the group saw them all wearing matching sleeveless grey vests, as though they were all part of the same group.
"Bandit Digimon." Novicmon growled as to allow his friends know what they were dealing with, before they saw two Digimon they had never seen before walk up onto a small rock before them.
The first and larger of the two looked similar to Titamon, only this hulking beast held four bulky arms, while a grey trench coat covered his body, which was accompanied by a match hat and scarf that covered his head, leaving only his eyes visible.
The second Digimon, meanwhile, looked exactly like the first, only he was not only thinner in muscle mass, but also small enough that he sat on his larger companion's shoulder, snickering wickedly as he looked at the group of heroes and heroines.
"Grapplemon and DemiGrapplemon..." Tagiru informed as he looked at the pair's info on his D-Bracer, before giving a confused look as he then questioned out loud. "Wait, they're both Megas?!"
Most in the group were shocked by this info, with some having never heard of a Digimon with Demi in their name as a Mega, before both Grapplemon and DemiGrapplemon seemed to chuckle at their reactions.
"It seems they're well informed, big brother." Grapplemon said to DemiGrapplemon, who chuckled in reply, while the heroes and heroines were surprised to hear that the smaller of the pair was the older brother.
"Now, first things first." Grapplemon then said as he looked at the heroes and heroines and he then added in a serious tone. "This is business, not personal. The price the Dark Tribe has on you all is too good to pass up."
"Why do they even want us alive?" Gumdramon questioned, causing many to sigh at the ignorant question at a time like this.
"The Dark Lady probably wants to end you herself." DemiGrapplemon then replied with a mad laugh, which left many of the heroes and heroines to question his sanity, before Grapplemon spoke up once again.
"Now then, are you going to come with us willingly, or are we going to make this fun?" The large Bandit Digimon asked as he slammed his fists together, causing his followers to laugh wickedly as they prepared to fight.
"Sorry, but we've come too far just to give up." Davis said in reply as he and the others heroes and heroines all prepared to fight.
"So be it." DemiGrapplemon said with a laugh, before pointing one of his arms at the heroes and declaring to his men. "Get them!"
With loud roars, the Ogremon and Rebellimon lunged forward, hoping to strike the heroes and heroines down quickly.
However, before they could strike, the group of Bandit Digimon stopped as the heroes and heroines were consumed in pillars of light, changing into the Digimon and Appmon forms.
"Samudramon!"
"MagnaVeedramon!"
"MedievalGallantmon!"
"Lightbearer Ophanimon!"
"SacredPhoenixmon!"
"MysticSakuyamon!"
"CrimsonAldamon!"
"GaleSilphymon!"
"LordShoutmon!"
"ShaolinArresterdramon!"
"AncientMervamon!"
"Sagemon!"
"ShogunOujamon!"
"BardMusimon!"
The fourteen Digimon and Appmon, along with the Digi-armoured forms of Marcus and Yoshi, stood side by side with one another as they looked at the Bandit Digimon, while Jeri's D-Bracer began to glow, causing magic seals to form on her arms as she prepared to fight alongside her friends, refusing to remain on the sidelines any longer.
"Finally..." Grapplemon said with a smirk as he looked at the gathered heroes and commented. "Worthy foes."
"Mega Booster!" Grapplemon then declared, getting everyone's attention as they saw the large Digimon's muscle mass increase, much to the heroes and heroines' shock, before Grapplemon leapt into the air as DemiGrapplemon leaped off his shoulder and to the ground below.
"Gravity Crush!" Grapplemon bellowed with a continued fury as he brought all four of his hands together, which began to glow with energy, a sight that caused the heroes and heroines to quickly scatter, before the large Digimon slammed his fists into the ground, causing a massive shockwave and creating a large crater where the group once stood.
"Ok, don't let him punch you!" LordShoutmon called in warning, before seeing the Ogremon and Rebellimon begin to rush at him and his friends, putting the heroes and heroines on the defensive.
"Rage of Wyvern!"
"Sacred Flame!"
"Full Spirit Wave!"
"Crimson Force!"
"Hurricane Spiral!"
"Blazing Blade!"
"Rose Blizzard!"
"Victory Slasher!"
"Star Shine Dive!"
"Skydive Force!"
"Sage Cutter!"
"Savage Slash!"
"Ballistic Barrage!"
The combined attacks of MedivealGallantmon, SacredPhoenixmon, MysticSakuyamon, CrimsonAldamon, GaleSilphymon, Marcus, Yoshi, LordShoutmon, ShaolinArresterdramon, AncientMervamon, Sagemon, ShogunOujamon and BardMusimon collided with the rushing Bandit Digimon, deleting some and sending others flying backwards with painful cries, the Champion and Ultimate leveled Digimon nowhere near powerful enough to deal with the small group of Mega leveled Digimon and their counterparts.
Seeing an opening, however, a group of Ogremon and a Rebellimon rushed towards Jeri, hoping to take out the only human without a Digimon or armour to protect them.
However, much to their surprise, the Tamer's arms were then covered in flames, her eyes glowing red as she said an incantation, before bringing her palms together and firing a blast of fire at the approaching Digimon, surprising MedievalGallantmon and MysticSakuyamon when the fireball took on the form of a lion as it slammed into the attacking Bandit Digimon, sending them flying backwards with a cry.
"That was amazing, Jeri!" Novicmon said in awe as he watched the attack, before asking the brunette with some confusion. "But why did it take the form of a lion?"
Jeri just smiled in reply, feeling happy that a part of Leomon did indeed live within her, that she continued to honour the memory of her partner.
However, before anyone could go into further question on the issue, DemiGrapplemon appeared before Jeri, where all four of his arms turned into sharp blades as he called out. "Blade Strike!"
"Dynas Protection!" MedivealGallantmon yelled in retaliation as he quickly moved in front of Jeri, causing the red, protective aura to appear around him as DemiGrapplemon's blades collided with it, causing the Bandit Digimon to laugh as he tired pushing his blades through the defensive ability.
"Blazing Blade!"
"Victory Slasher!"
"Dark Extension!" DemiGrapplemon then called out as Marcus and LordShoutmon moved to strike him with their blades as, much to their shock and surprise, the Bandit Digimon's body seemed to move and extend, allowing him to easily dodge their strikes as he leaped back and landed on his feet, his body returning to normal as he crossed his blades, ready to continue the battle.
Meanwhile, as their friends dealt with DemiGrapplemon and the rest of the Bandit Digimon, Samudramon, MagnaVeedramon and Lightbearer Ophanimon focused on Grapplemon, the large Digimon turning to face them as they saw his Mega Booster kick in again, causing his muscle mass to increase once again.
"Seismic Smash!" The lead Bandit Digimon declared as he slammed his right foot into the ground, causing the ground to erupt as it shot towards the three hero Digimon, where MagnaVeedramon and Lightbearer Ophanimon quickly flew out of the way, while Samudramon brought his blades together, taking the brunt of the attack as he went flying backwards and into a tree.
"Magna Saber!"
"Striking Light!"
Moving as one, MagnaVeedramon and Lightbearer Ophanimon moved to strike at Grapplemon from his sides, where the large Digimon used his upper arms to block each blow, sending out a shockwave as the two Light Digimon pushed against the Bandit Digimon's strength.
"Is money really all you care about...?" MagnaVeedramon questioned as he pushed against Grapplemon's arm, adding with further anger. "The Dark Tribe threatens all of Witchelny, do you really think they'll just leave you alone if they win?!"
"It doesn't matter what the Dark Tribe does, here in Withcelny, it's survival of the fittest, and we will survive!" Grapplemon bellowed back as his muscle mass increased once again, where he quickly pushed the pair back, sending MagnaVeedramon and Lightbearer Ophanimon crashing into the ground nearby, where Novicmon quickly went to check on his two friends.
Getting up and seeing their friends still battling DemiGrapplemon and his minions, seeing the smaller Mega Digimon easily dodge and parry the attacks thrown at him, while Samudramon was locked in battle with Grapplemon, both Light Digimon knew they had to end this battle before it got further out of hand.
"Novicmon, we need more power, we need one of the primordial fragments!" Lightbearer Ophanimon said with urgency to the small Mystic Digimon, who nodded as he quickly reached into his hat, trying to find one of the primordial containers to help empower his friends, quickly grabbing one and taking it out as MagnaVeedramon and Lightbearer Ophanimon quickly touched it without looking, wishing to quickly move in and help their friends.
However, it was then that both Light Digimon were consumed in pillars of darkness, causing the fighting to stop as everyone, hero, heroine and Bandit Digimon looked to see what was happening, before Novicmon gulped as he realized which of the containers he removed, the one holding the Infinite Dark.
When the darkness faded, the lesser Bandit Digimon, along with the heroes and heroines, were unnerved at the changes to their friends, seeing the armour and robes of MagnaVeedramon and Lightbearer Ophanimon now pitch black, while their wings were a dark mist that flowed from their backs.
But what unnerved their friends even more were the emotionless looks on the former light Digimon's faces, where Jeri brought up her D-Bracer and read off the names of the new forms of MagnaVeedramon and Lightbearer Ophanimon. "MagnaVeedramon: Dark Mode and Darkbearer Ophanimon."
CrimsonAldamon gulped lightly as the appearance of both dark infused Digimon reminded him slightly of the corrupted form of Seraphimon he fought in the past, while everyone else in the area waited with their breaths held in as they waited to see what the two Digimon would do.
"Well now this is interesting. Let's see how powerful you are now!" Grapplemon said with excitement as he pushed Samudramon back, before leaping into the air, bringing his fists together as he prepared to strike, bellowing loudly. "Gravity Crush!"
"Magna Shield..." MagnaVeedramon merely said in an emotionless tone, one that unnerved his friends, before a wall of darkness covered both him and Darkbearer Ophanimon, where Grapplemon slammed his fists into the dark barrier sending off a shockwave so powerful that even DemiGrapplemon had to shield himself as the remaining Ogremon and Rebellimon went flying.
Then, much to the older Bandit Digimon's surprise, DemiGrapplemon watched as the dark energy actually pushed his brother back, sending Grapplemon flying backwards and skidding to his feet as he watched the dark energy subside, where neither dark infused Digimon seemed to move.
Seeing an opening, however, DemiGrapplemon moved to strike at Darkbearer Ophanimon calling out as he threw his bladed arms forward. "Dark Extension, Blade Strike!"
"Striking Dark..." The dark infused angel Digimon said in reply, moving in the blink of an eye as her blade was covered in darkness, which she used to cut through all four of DemiGrapplemon's arms, causing the smaller Bandit Digimon to scream in pain as the darkness seemed to eat away at his arms, leaving him with burnt up arms as he tried to heal his wounds.
Seeing the brutal attack caused the rest of the heroes and heroines to become concern, while the other Bandit Digimon, minus their leaders, took this as a sign as they turned and ran for their lives, leaving the brothers to deal with this new development and that the money was not worth their lives.
Seeing the power behind MagnaVeedramon and Darkbearer Ophanimon's attacks, Grapplemon laughed with an insane glee as his body grew in size, his muscle mass increasing exponentially, the ground beneath him cracking as he let out with a mad glee. "Finally! Someone I can use my full power on! Don't hold back, show me what you got!"
"Seismic Smash!" The lead Bandit Digimon declared as his fists brimmed with energy, where he lunged himself forward, ready to strike at his foes and take them down.
"Dark Blast..."
"Dark Judgement..."
As the dark energy gathered in MagnaVeedramon's chest, a ring of dark energy appeared before Darkbearer Ophanimon, where both fired their dark energy right at Grapplemon, who was consumed in the blast, the Bandit Digimon letting out a cry of pain as his body completely dissolved before he could even land a strike.
Seeing his younger brother defeated, and finding that he himself was unable to continue battling, DemiGrapplemon growled as he disappeared into the forests, vowing to make the heroes and heroines pay for this defeat one day.
While grateful to see that the rest of the Bandit Digimon had fled, the group of heroes and heroines were still weary as they looked at MagnaVeedramon and Darkbearer Ophanimon, finding the pair still in place even after defeating Grapplemon.
"Um, guys... are you...?" Marcus started to ask with concern in his tone, only to gulp as the dark infused Digimon turned their heads towards their friends, both still bearing the same blank expressions as the group thought the pair would not turn their attention on them.
"Guys, take it easy, it's us, remember?!" ShaolinArrestedramon said nervously, hoping to get through to MagnaVeedramon and Darkbearer Ophanimon, who each took a step forward towards their allies, before BardMusimon added with a panicky voice. "Come on guys, you don't want to attack us... that would not be groovy!"
As the heroes and heroines tried to reach MagnaVeedramon and Darkbearer Ophanimon, fearing that the pair would soon attack them as well, within the dark infused Digimon's minds were a different scene, as both MagnaVeedramon and Lightbearer Ophanimon found themselves floating in a dark void, both feeling numb, unable to more or speak, nor finding the strength to push for either.
However, despite it being a void, both Digimon knew that they weren't alone, feeling something moving around in the darkness around them, or to be more precise, was the darkness around them.
"Two warriors of the Light seek to use my power?" A voice within the darkness asked, one the MagnaVeedramon and Lightbearer Ophanimon came to believe was Voidmon, the primordial of Darkness, as Eclipsemon had told them, before the pair of Light Digimon saw a face looking down at them, giving them somewhat of a look at the ancient Digimon.
Having a humanoid torso, the Digimon's lower body was that of a serpent, all made of pure darkness, with a draconic face, claws and wings made of pure darkness, all held in a golden armour frame as the being of Darkness looked down at the pair with glowing purple eyes.
"Why should I allow you to use what you seem to despise? Why should I allow you to command my power, when you see no difference between it and the power of the Usurper?!" Voidmon demanded, sensing their hate and mistrust of the Darkness within them.
Despite not being able to move or talk, MagnaVeedramon and Lightbearer Ophanimon knew what Voidmon was referring to as the images of Myotismon, Quartzmon, the Dark Masters and other dark Digimon that had caused them so much trouble came to mind, along with the Dark Tribe Digimon they had faced for so long now.
However, it was then that images of other Digimon came to mind, Loweemon and JagerLoweemon, the Legendary Warrior of Darkness and Takuya and Zoe's friend, along with the demon Digimon friend of the Tamers, Impmon and his evolved form, Beelzemon, before finally the image of Eclipsemon appeared in their minds, remembering the dark mystic Digimon who put his own life on the line to protect them, even going against his tribe to do so.
"Ah, you do understand." Voidmon said as he looked down at the pair, adding with a serious tone. "Darkness is not inherently evil, nor is Light inherently good, it is the nature of those who use it. Remember this, and use my power to free my children from the Usurper's grasp, before all falls to her evil."
Blinking their eyes, MagnaVeedramon and Darkbearer Ophanimon found themselves in front of their friends, who were both yelling at them as though trying to get through to them, while keeping their weapons up in the event they needed to fight the pair as the dark infused Digimon remembered what happened.
"Guys, calm down, we're fine." MagnaVeedramon finally said in a normal voice, the emotion MagnaVeedramon finally expressed caused the other heroes and heroines to let out sighs of relief as they relaxed.
Though the tension of battle had faded, ShogunOujamon all but yelled. "Then why were you acting distant like that?!"
"We were having a... conversation with someone, at least I think we were." Darkbearer Ophanimon replied as she looked at MagnaVeedramon with the same confused expression he held, while the others just looked at them with bewilderment.
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As the sun set, the group of heroes and heroines set up camp for the night, where Davis, Kari and their partners explained their 'conversation' with Voidmon, which surprised the entire group, while Tai and the others told them what they did to Grapplemon and DemiGrapplemon, causing even Kari to gulp lightly at how brutal her attacks were.
"I wish that didn't have to happen." Davis remarked as he looked at the campfire with a gloom look and added. "Our fight wasn't with them."
"That's the nature of Bandit Digimon, money and power is more important than right or wrong." Novicmon said in reply to Davis' comment, before adding with his own serious tone. "But don't expect DemiGrapplemon to just sit back and leave us alone. You can count that he'll be back for revenge."
"Then we need to be extra careful, even here in the Borderlands." Mikey then said in reply, with Shoutmon nodding in agreement, knowing that one day the Bandit Digimon might come back for them, bounty or not.
"Still, that encounter you guys had with Voidmon..." Haru then said as he looked at Davis, Kari, Veemon and Gatomon, where the Appli Driver then questioned. "Should we really use the Infinite Dark?"
"As long as we remember that not all Dark Digimon are bad, and that we use it against the Dark Lady." Gatomon replied, getting everyone's attention as she then said. "Voidmon called her the Usurper... that she has changed his children into something evil, and wants them saved."
"Which we need to unite the tribes in order to do so." Takuya then added, getting nods of approval from the rest of the group.
"Well, we'll be at the Water Tribe's border by noon tomorrow." Novicmon then said with a growl, causing the heroes and heroines to look at him with some appreciation that he had informed them of some information, before the group went about their night, getting to sleep as they each thought of what the future would hold, and what would await them at the Water Tribe.
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Within a dark lit room, the Dark Lady stood before a massive seal embedded in the wall before her, the captured Eternal Flame and Celestial Light placed within two slots within the seal, along with some of the Eternal Dark's energy, where the Dark Tribe's leader looked at the seven empty slots, silently eager for her plans to come to fruition.
"My Lady." Charonmon's voice echoed through the chamber as he appeared behind the Dark Lady, falling to one knee as he then informed his Mistress. "We have sighted the heroes, they are heading towards the Water Tribe."
"No doubt believing that adding them to their 'alliance' will cause the other tribes to join more easily." The Dark Lady remarked as she kept looking at the seal, before commanding her advisor. "Inform SkullBarbatosmon and DarkPosidemon, I want the power of the Sacred Water and my chosen brought to me."
"As you wish, my Lady." Charonmon replied, before disappearing in a wisp of dark mist.
Still looking at the large seal, the Dark Lady then turned her head to a small pedestal beside her, seeing a small orb with a golden light inside, one that she lightly placed her hand on and said. "Soon... soon everything will be as it should be..."
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Author's Note: The first clash with Bandit Digimon and the power of the Infinite Dark has been seen, but what will happen the next time the heroes and heroines meet up with DemiGrapplemon? And what is the Dark Lady planning? Stay tuned as the heroes and heroines arrive at the Water Tribe.