After leaving Titanusmon's palace, and a few hours before the Dark Tribe's attack officially began, the heroes, heroines and Novicmon decided to split up in order to explore the Earth Tribe's capital and to take in its variety of sights.
As Mikey, Haru, Shoutmon and Gatchmon decided to stay close with Novicmon as they discussed ideas in order to help convince Titanusmon into joining the alliance, the vast majority of the girls, alongside most of the female Digimon visited the marketplace, their eyes drawn to the various jewels, gems and accessories on display.
Meanwhile, as the rest of the group went about their business, Davis and Veemon headed down the marketplace, the duo observing the various rock type Digimon hard at work, before the Digidestined and Digimon of Miracles came to a halt when they overcame a particular establishment, and found the items sold most appealing.
Stopping at the stand, which was owned by a friendly looking Gotsumon, the rock Digimon in the midst of making a sculpture of Titanusmon out of what appeared to be diamonds, the sight greatly impressing Davis and Veemon.
"That's some fine work." Veemon commented as he and his partner moved to the stand, Veemon's warmth and enthusiasm left the Gotsumon smiling as he looked upon the duo of Miracles.
"Thank you. It's an honour to have the heroes of Witchelny comment on my arts." The Gotsumon said in reply as he set his tools aside.
Surprised a little, Davis found himself questioning the Gotsumon. "You know who we are?"
"Of course I do, there aren't exactly a lot of humans in Witchelny you know, everyone can spot you guys." Gotsumon said in reply, while Davis and Veemon mentally sweatdropped as they remembered the Bandit Digimon from the Inn that completely missed them, but brushed the memory aside.
"And while I know Lord Titanusmon and TerraKhanmon are content to leave things as they are, most of us in the tribe just want the fighting over with, and we know you guys can help end this war." Gotsumon then added with a clear faith, his words causing Davis and Veemon to smile.
Starting off to merely show appreciation toward the Gotsumon and his talents, it was then the Digidestined of Miracles found his attention drawn to a particular item which Gotsumon had on sale.
Amongst the other handcrafted items, Davis then noticed a large pink crystal which rested amongst a series of various gems and the raw material for any sculpting Gotsumon may wish to do, this caused an idea to form within Davis' mind.
Curious, the maroon haired Digidestined asked. "Hey, do you do any custom work?"
"What do you have in mind?" Gotsumon asked back in reply, the rock Digimon smiling with pride as to be of assistance to a new customer as Davis explained his idea.
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As the sun started to set for the day and returning to the Digimon Queen and her partner, Rika and Renamon sat on a ledge on the city's wall,the pair looking out toward the setting sun as the Digimon Tamer and her partner enjoyed a little peace and quiet.
As the pair thought on various issues, including the Dark Lady, their encounter with the resurrected villains, and their more personal lives, Rika and Renamon found their thoughts cut as a familiar voice grabbed their attention.
"Rika, Renamon!"
The sound of the voice causing the redhead and the vixen Digimon to turn around and to see Davis and Veemon approaching them from the other side of the wall, the sight of the maroon haired Digidestined causing Rika to let out a light sigh as she fought back a blush, having just had the Motomiya on her mind.
"Davis, Veemon." Renamon merely replied with a small bow of her head, the foxy Digimon breaking the silence and asking with some curiosity. "Where are the others?"
"They're at an inn that's willing to house us for the night." Veemon informed, who then looked up at his partner and saw him nod.
Understanding the gesture and having spoken with Davis beforehand, Veemon then looked toward Renamon and suggested. "Hey, Renamon, how about we go check and see how fortified this wall is?"
Looking between Veemon, Davis and her partner, Renamon realized that Davis wished to speak to Rika alone, and, despite the growing blush on her partner's face, the vixen Digimon knew that this was something the redhead needed, where she looked back at Veemon and nodded, the two leaving their partners be as they made their way down the top of the wall, checking in with the guards stationed around it.
Keeping her eyes looking out towards the vast rocky terrain of the Earth Tribe's domain, Rika did her best to not only not look in Davis' direction, but fight back her blush as her maroon haired crush sat next to her, looking out in the same direction she was with a smile on his face.
"It's been a while since we had a chance to really talk, hasn't it?" Davis then asked, breaking the silence and causing Rika to gulp lightly.
"Yeah, it has..." Rika merely replied, though she knew that since the incident at the Inn, Rika had been doing all she could to avoid Davis after her embarrassing display.
"I've wanted to say that we've been busy with everything that has happened, but in reality, I've been afraid to face you after that night." Rika then admitted, her honesty causing Davis to look at her with a smile.
"I know. Kari kind of explained everything to me." The maroon haired Digidestined replied, his words causing Rika to blush even more, mentally mortified of how much the brunette had told her boyfriend about her crush on him.
Looking down at the ground below the wall, Davis then let out a sigh as he then said to Rika. "I'm flattered, really, you are a beautiful girl who could have any man you want, and somehow out of all the guys out there you picked me."
Blushing to hear the man of her dreams call her beautiful, Rika allowed Davis to continue as he said in an apologetic tone. "But… I can't give you what you want, Rika, I'm sorry. I can't leave her. I've loved her my whole life and…"
"And I wouldn't ask you to." Rika cut in as she looked at Davis and added with a warm smile. "If you did, you would not be you then."
Smiling in response to Rika's words, the two Digi-heroes then looked back out towards the horizon as Davis then said. "I know Kari wants to find a way to leave things so no one had regrets, but I have no idea what to do about that."
Rika blushed as she remembered having similar conversations with Kari over the past few weeks, this causing certain dreams to repeat within Rika's head, who unconsciously twiddled her thumbs as she began to say. "Well…"
Seeing Davis looking her way with a curious look, Rika soon felt her confidence waiver, outright, the Tamer fearing the reaction Davis would give to her answer.
But throwing her doubts aside and feeling that she had nothing to lose, Rika looked to her side with a bright blush as she muttered out. "I wouldn't mind continuing what we started back at the inn."
There, she said it and now she could die of embarrassment as Rika did her best not to look at Davis, afraid of what her crush might think of what she said.
But looking to her side, Rika saw the bright blush on Davis' face as he looked down to the ground below the wall and replied. "I… I'd be lying if I said that I wouldn't be… interested in that, but we need to talk to Kari first."
"R… right..." Rika replied with a stutter as she and Davis resumed looking over the wall, a part of the redhead feeling ecstatic that there was a possibility for her to have what she wanted with the man of her dreams, even if it was for possibly one night.
As the duo continued to look out towards the setting sun in silence, Davis and Rika then noticed a small group of Earth Tribe warriors heading towards the city gates.
At first, the pair thought it was a returning patrol, but as the group got closer, Davis and Rika gained a sense of dread as they saw the battle wounds and panicked looks on rock Digimon's faces, letting them realize that these were not a patrol, but a retreating force.
"Something's wrong." Davis commented, before looking at Rika and telling her. "Let's find Veemon and Renamon and meet up with the others."
Nodding in reply, Rika followed Davis as they went looking for their partners, hoping that things were not as bad as they thought.
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Arriving at the inn after a few minutes, Davis, Rika and their partners saw the others in the lobby having an animated discussion, before seeing the four approach them as Davis asked with some concern. "What happened?"
"The Border Wall has apparently been breached, and now a massive army of Dark Tribe Digimon are making a beeline to the capital." Shoutmon said in reply, shocking the pair, before the sounds of footsteps caused the group to turn and see TerraKhanmon and a trio of GraniteTerracottamon approaching them.
"We just heard and…" Davis started to say to TerraKhanmon, ready to offer the group's assistance if the Earth Tribe needed it.
However, the maroon haired Digidestined was cut off when, much to his shock and the shock of the other heroes and heroines, TerraKhanmon brought his blade up and pointed it at Davis' face, looking ready to strike him down at any moment.
"You think us fools? That we would not notice that the day you arrive that the Dark Tribe finally breached our defenses?" TerraKhanmon asked accusingly, causing Davis and the others to widen their eyes as they realized the rock warrior Digimon was blaming them as he went on. "We do not know what bargain you made with our enemy, but we will…!"
"Are you serious?!" Davis then snapped back, startling even TerraKhanmon as he saw the anger and disbelief in the maroon haired Digidestined's eyes.
"We came here to help your tribe, not destroy it! And if you're too thick headed to see that, then that's your problem!" Davis added with further anger within his tone.
The rock warrior Digimon glared at Davis for his words, while the rest of the group, especially Kari, was afraid that Davis' reply would set TerraKhanmon off, before the sight of a fourth GraniteTerracottamon rushing towards them got everyone's attention.
"My Lord, stop! They are not to blame and had nothing to do with the attack, I was there!" The Ultimate Level Digimon yelled, having rushed after TerraKhanmon after reporting the incident to Titanusmon, hearing that their military leader was blaming the heroes and heroines for the Wall's fall.
Seeing TerraKhanmon lower his weapon, the GraniteTerracottamon continued as he said. "The Wall was destroyed by a powerful blast of energy, the Geomon and GrandGeomon tried to repair it, but there was a dark purple flame left behind from the blast that prevented their magic from working."
Upon hearing all of this, the heroes, heroines, their partners and Novicmon's eyes widened as the memory of dark purple flames came back to mind, remembering who and what caused them as realization came upon them.
"We've seen that attack before." Davis informed, getting Earth Tribe Digimon's attention as he added with a serious tone. "It's from the Dark Lady herself."
Hearing this, TerraKhanmon and his warriors were left in shock, now realizing that the enemy's leader may now be among the invading forces heading towards their city.
Clenching his weapon, TerraKhanmon looked at the heroes, particularly Davis, for a moment, before sighing as he then turned and said over his shoulder. "Follow me, there is a war council forming, we need to protect the city and the Divine Stone!"
Nodding in reply, the heroes and heroines all followed the Earth Tribe Digimon, ready to do whatever they could to protect the Earth Tribe in their dark hour.
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In the back of their minds, Mikey and Shoutmon were both sweatdropping as they kept smiles on their faces, remembering how they commented on there being no Tactimon amongst the Nature Tribe, and that the other tribes might be different.
And that thought seemed to be the case as three different Tactimon stood around the large table before the heroes and heroines, each wearing dark green robes over different types of rock armour, iron, granite and quartz respectively.
"IronTactimon, GraniteTactimon and QuartzTactimon, all Mega Level Digimon." Astora whispered to the others as he read off his D-Bracer's info, not wanting to be too loud as Titanusmon, TerraKhanmon and MasterGeomon joined the group as they looked over a map of the Earth Tribe's territory as it lay on the table.
"If our new allies are to be believed, the Dark Lady herself was the one who breached the Wall and allowed her forces in." IronTactimon stated as he first looked at the heroes and heroines, before looking at the map as he indicated the section of the border wall that was destroyed.
"Likewise, our soldiers reported sightings of massive Digimon we have never seen before matching alongside the enemy forces, rivaling our TerraColossimon and TerraDracomon." GraniteTactimon then informed, causing the heroes and heroines to give confused looks at hearing of another mega type for the Earth Tribe.
"The TerraDracomon are being roused from their slumber, and will aid in the defenses as necessary." MasterGeomon then informed Titanusmon and the heroes, who nodded in reply as QuartzTactimon then continued the briefing.
"The entire invading army is heading straight for the capital, most likely to not only cripple us, but also grab the Divine Stone and it's power. Lamashtumon has been seen leading the forces, but other than the attack on the wall, there has been no sight of the Dark Lady herself." QuartzTactimon then finished as the group looked at the map, seeing the three strategic Digimon moving markers around to allow those viewing to understand the situation.
"Believe me, she is either with them or watching, but I doubt the Dark Lady will sit this fight out." Tai commented, sensing the uneasiness amongst his friends and sister at the prospect of fighting the Dark Tribe's leader yet again, knowing that their past two encounters were lucky breaks for them.
"This could be an opportunity we should not let pass." TerraKhanmon then stated, getting everyone's attention as he then said. "Not only can we strike down Lamashtumon and end this invasion, but if we defeat the Dark Lady, we can end the war once and for all!"
"Don't let your pride get the better of you, TerraKhanmon." Shoutmon said, getting a glare from the rock warrior as the Digimon King continued and told their reluctant allies. "We have fought her twice, the first time we barely escaped with our lives, and the second she let us live after taking energy from the Spark of Life."
"All that proves is how weak you 'heroes' really are." The rock warrior replied, getting glares not just from the heroes, but MasterGeomon as well, while the three Tactimon shook their heads in disappointment as TerraKhanmon continued and declared. "We shall show you the might of the Earth Tribe as we end the threat to Witchelny once and for all!"
"Enough!" Titanusmon bellowed, stopping TerraKhanmon's rant as the leader of the Earth Tribe looked to all present in the room and declared. "We must focus on protecting our people, our city and the Divine Stone above all else."
"Heroes, please, aid us in protecting my Tribe from this darkness." Titanusmon then asked, where despite their fears of the Dark Lady, the heroes, heroines and Novicmon nodded in response, ready to do what they could in the battle ahead.
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A few hours later, most of the heroes and heroines, in their Digimon, Appmon and Digi-armoured forms, stood on the outside of the Capital's walls with TerraKhanmon and the majority of Earth Tribe's army.
All around them, the group was surrounded by Terracottamon, Mineramon, BattleGigasmon, GraniteTerracatamon and Gogmamon, while behind them, the TerraColossimon stood ready to fight, swinging their weapons around as they prepared to face the enemy.
Meanwhile, next to the colossal Digimon and letting out fierce roars, were the TerraDracomon, four legged, wingless dragons made of pure stone, who glared their dark green eyes to the horizon and the approaching foe.
Along the wall, meanwhile, Jeri and Novicmon stood with MasterGeomon and the three Tactimon, while legions of RockKotemon had their bows ready, along with the Geomon and GrandGeomon ready to aid.
Standing behind them all, Titanusmon looked out past the wall as the Dark Tribe's army came into sight, with the heroes and heroines seeing the massive number of familiar Dark Digimon heading towards them, while LordShoutmon realized that, aside from his friends, the Earth Tribe had no aerial forces, and that they would have to take care of the SkullDracomon and BloodDracomon, less they caused more trouble than needed.
However, before anyone could speak or say anything, the sight of six massive Digimon coming over the horizon shocked the heroes and Earth Tribe Digimon, three of each type, seeing that these new foes were even larger than expected, towering over the wall and almost reaching the size of Anansimon or Krakenmon.
The first type resembled bipedal creatures made from pure bone, with claw-like feet and four arms, each with long claw-like fingers, and a long tail made of the same material.
The Digimon's head, meanwhile, had a pair of bone-like horns that came out from the top of its head and pointed backwards, giving its monstrous face a more predatory look as one opened its mouth and let out a roar, showing dark purple flames within.
The second type of Dark Digimon, meanwhile, had the same body structure as their bone-like companions, only these creatures were made of pure shadows and darkness, held together by a dark obsidian stone that kept its form together.
While only having one set of arms compared to their counterparts, the shadowy monstrosities had four tendrils protruding from their backs, flailing about as the shadow beasts let out their own loud, bellowing roars as they looked to the wall and their foes before them.
"SkullColossimon and ShadowColossimon, both types are Mega Level Digimon!" SacredPhoenixmon informed the others as she read off the D-Bracer information within her mind's eyes as she and those around starred in fright at the massive monstrosities.
"I have never seen anything like those before!" Novicmon let out as he looked upon the giant Digimon, ones larger than any of the stone Digimon around him and rivaling the Horrors in size.
"They could be more of the Dark Lady's creations." MysticSakuyamon theorized as she scanned the enemy's forces, trying to locate the leader of the Dark Tribe, before spotting who she believed to be Lamashtumon with a small entourage of Dark Mega Digimon and a group of Necromon on a ridge overlooking the battlefield, as well as a dark mirror.
Looking upon the Earth Tribe's capital, Lamashtumon let a growing desire for death and carnage, finally within reach of her goal after nearly a thousand years, where the Dark General gazed upon the Earth Tribe forces arrayed before her, eager to see them all crumble and fall.
Upon seeing the heroes and heroines, however, especially MagnaVeedramon, Lamashtumon then growled, wishing to be able to deal with those who had defeated her rivals herself, but the Dark General knew she had to obey her Mistress and let the Dark Lady deal with them.
With a loud, inhuman shriek, Lamashtumon then pointed her trident at the Earth Tribe forces, signaling her own army as the legion of Dark Digimon began to charge at their foes with wild madness, roaring and cheering as they rushed forwards, heading towards the rock warriors and the heroes, while the SkullColossimon and ShadowColossimon remained back, as though waiting for another signal to fight.
"For the Earth Tribe and the Divine Stone, for Victory!" TerraKhanmon bellowed as he pointed his weapon at the approaching army, getting a cheer from his soldiers, before the Earth Tribe's army rushed to meet their foe head on, the RockKotemon firing arrows while the Geomon and GrandGeomon created stone spheres that were launched at the charging Dark Digimon, disrupting them slightly as they soon clashed with the rock Digimon in battle.
Not wishing to be left out, the heroes and heroines also leaped into the fray to help their allies against their common enemy.
"Cross Slicer!"
"Noble Strike!"
"Holy Strike!"
"Divine Calling!"
"Sacred Flame!"
"Full Spirit Wave!"
"Blazing Sabers!"
"Arcane Twister!"
"Flaming Destruction!"
"Violet Blast!"
"Omni Force!"
"Star Shine Dive!"
"Ancient Blaze!"
"Ultimate Search Strike!"
"Palm Cruncher!"
"Rhythmic Stream!"
Moving together, the heroes and heroines struck at the Dark Tribe's forces, striking through the first wave of enemies like a tidal wave, destroying many and disorienting others, their actions causing the Earth Tribe Digimon to cheer in response, while TerraKhanmon silently nodded his head in respect, admitting to himself that he underestimated the heroes, before refocusing on the battle before him.
From her vantage point, Lamashtumon growled lightly to see the heroes and heroines tearing through her forces, before gaining a dark smile as she looked to the dark mirror and questioned. "Is it time, my Lady?"
"Yes, yes it is." The Dark Lady replied from her throne as she raised her right hand, before her eyes began to glow a dark purple.
At the same time, the dark mirror itself began to glow, before eight shadows shot out of the dark object and flew through the battlefield, striking Samudramon, MedievalGallantmon, MysticSakuyamon, CrimsonAldamon, Yoshi, ShaolinArresterdramon, AncientMervamon and BardMusimon, who all cried out in pain as they felt a dark energy enter them, while their bodies were covered in a dark aura.
"Guys!" MagnaVeedramon yelled in concern as he and the remaining heroes and heroines looked in shock and concern to see their friends in trouble, rushing to check on their eight friends and loved ones, while on the wall, Jeri and Novicmon looked concerned to see their friends affected by an unknown force.
Landing before their friends, the remainder of the group stopped when the auras faded and their affected friends stopped struggling, where MagnaVeedramon looked to see changes within their friends.
For Samudramon, the group saw that the dragon warrior Digimon's armour had turned a dark purple, while his blades were now covered in a dark purple flame.
MedievalGallantmon, meanwhile, rested on one knee as his armour had turned from red to dark purple, while his cloak and halberd were also covered in the same flames as Samudramon's weapon.
Next to them, MysticSakuyamon's armour had also changed to a dark purple, while her robes were pitch black, the mystic Digimon slowly rising to her feet as she held her now dark metal spear.
CrimsonAldamon's armour, meanwhile, had turned pure black, his hair white as he too slowly stood back up, while Yoshi's armour was a mix of black and dark purple.
Next to them, both ShaolinArresterdramon and AncientMervamon's outfits were now black, with the flames and electric sparks on ShaolinArresterdramon's staff now a dark purple, while AncientMervamon's sword ignited in a dark purple flame.
Finally, BardMusimon joined the others affected by the attack as he stood up, his outfit black as he held his guitar, where the eight heroes and heroines turned to their friends, who were shocked to see the eyes of those who could be seen now black, with their irises a dark purple as they stared at their allies with cold, menacing looks.
"Takuya…?" GaleSilphymon asked with concern building for her beloved, while the others were just as worried as the eight looked at them.
"I warned you what would happen if you continued to stand against me." Samudramon then said, where the other eight human, Digimon and Appmon's eyes widened in shock.
While hearing the combined voices of Tai and Agumon speaking, the group heard another voice speak over them, one they all recognized.
The voice of the Dark Lady.
"I told you I would not hold back anymore." MedievalGallantmon then stated as he swung his halberd around, the Dark Lady's voice speaking over Takato and Guilmon's, where he and the other affected heroes and heroines all moved to stand beside one another, causing their friends to look on in shock and fear.
"And now, you will die by the hands of those you care for." MysticSakuyamon finished saying as the Dark Lady spoke through her, where the dark auras reformed around the eight and slowly grew, combining and taking the shadowy form of the Dark Lady's upper torso as the spirit of the dark being looked down upon her foes.
Fear and adrenaline filled the remaining heroes and heroines, seeing that their friends were now possessed by the Dark Lady herself, and that they had to find some way to free them, no matter what it took.
The battle for the Earth Tribe had just become even more complicated.
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Author's note: The battle for the Earth Tribe has begun, but it seems the Dark Lady has upped the ante. Will the other heroes and heroines be able to save their friends from her grasp? Stay tuned to find out as the adventure continues.