Back on the surface, most of the Dark Tribe forces returned to their work, the Lichmon and Necromon examining the dark artifacts they had recovered, while the DarkWolfmon and BlackGargoylemon proceeded to continue in excavation.
The ShadowKnightmon, DeathKnightmon and MarrowKnightmon, meanwhile, stood guard around the camp, and within a large tent set up before the temple's entrances, leaving the outer defenses to the SkullDracomon as the dark knight Digimon watched over Charonmon's prisoner and their 'guest'.
"Jeri, are you alright?" Novicmon asked in concern as he looked to the brunette, who was still held captive within her dark energy restraints and floating close to Charonmon, who looked over some books.
"I… I'm alright…" The brunette replied with a weak smile, the pain she was feeling having lessened since their friends went into the temple, but remained within her, nonetheless.
"I have no intention of harming her, so long as your friends retrieve the book for me." Charonmon then cut in, the dark mystic Digimon's words directing Jeri's attention over, while Novicmon looked toward Charonmon with a glare.
"In fact, you out of all your little 'heroes' has intrigued me the most, ever since you freed them from Nagamon. What a shame that was, he was a useful servant." The dark mystic then commented, his words causing Jeri and Novicmon to narrow their eyes at him, the pair now knowing that he was the one who sent the serpent Digimon after them.
Removing his gaze from the tomes before him, Charonmon then turned to look out upon the ruins of the Throne of Mortismon, where he looked to Novicmon and asked with a dark glee. "Can you imagine it? Knowledge, secrets, and power from the most feared of the Primordials, buried beneath us? Power that could prolong life, cheat death and change the very fabric of Witchelny itself."
"Power that no Digimon should have." Novicmon said back with a continued glare and hostility toward the Dark Digimon, his words merely earning a light chuckle from Charonmon as he turned to look at the smaller mystic.
"You lack the proper vision of Mortismon's power, but the Dark Lady will show you all what she can achieve with such power under her command." Charonmon merely replied.
"And when that day comes, I do hope you will see which side of this conflict you should be on." He then said, before returning his attention back upon his tomes and scrolls.
As Jeri's bound form remained floating close to him, this furthered Novicmon's anger, the small mystic Digimon glaring at his enemy, detesting Charonmon, but also berating himself at being powerless to help his friends.
"Do you really think Charonmon will just let the heroes die?" Novicmon then heard a Necromon whisper to his colleague, the small mystic continuing to act as though he heard nothing in the hopes to gather what intel he could from out of his foes.
"No, not yet, not while the Dark Lady's chosen is still among them." A second dark mystic Digimon said back, his words causing Novicmon's eyes to widen in surprise.
'Chosen...?' The small mystic Digimon mentally questioned, wondering what or even who the Dark Digimon were talking about, and why they were "chosen" by the Dark Lady, and what they were chosen for.
Storing that piece of information in the back of his mind, Novicmon then looked to the temple's entrance, the small mystic Digimon hoping that his friends were alright and would return to them soon.
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Continuing down the hallway and separated from their friends, Davis, Veemon and Zoe made sure to keep their eyes open, not only in the hopes of regrouping with the others, but the trio also proceeded with further caution to avoid any other traps set up within the templ.
Wanting to take her mind off of their current situation, as well as gain some juicy gossip, Zoe gained a sly smirk as she looked Davis over and asked the maroon haired Digidestined with a fair intrigue. "So, what's up with Rika? She seems more… open, since that last night back at the Earth Capital."
Veemon stiffed a laugh to Zoe's questioning, while Davis gained a bright blush as he remembered that night.
All the while as they headed further within the hall, Davis could feel Zoe's eyes boring into him, waiting for an answer.
But keeping his composure, and knowing what the Warrior of Wind was trying to do, Davis kepthis gaze ahead and replied with a focused calmness. "You'll have to ask her about that."
"Oh…?" Zoe then said, her smirk growing as she then teased. "I wonder what Kari would think of that?"
"It was her idea, actually." Davis confessed as he and Veemon kept walking, the pair far more focused on relocating the other Digi-heroes to notice Zoe had stopped in her tracks and was now blushing heavily to the hidden meaning of Davis' reply.
In Zoe's mind, the Warrior of Wind never believed that a sweet girl such as Kari would be into such things.
'Then again, she's really into Davis…' The Warrior of Wind found herself thinking as she remembered how the Digidestined of Light acted around her boyfriend, knowing that within Kari's heart, she would do anything for her beloved.
And keeping her blush, Zoe knew there was a similar part of her which would ensure Takuya's own love.
Shaking her head of the similar thoughts revolving around her and Takuya, Zoe then hurried herself to catch up to Davis and Veemon.
"Let's just keep our eyes peeled." The V marked Digimon then suggested, wanting to save his partner from an embarrassing situation, before Veemon then continued to speak. "I really doubt having a pit that drops us off at different parts of the temple was the only thing guarding this place."
Turning the corner, however, Veemon's statement seemed to ring true as a loud, inhuman shriek echoed down and throughout the hallway, the intense wailing causing the trio to stop as their eyes widened in shock, fear and horror at the sight now before them.
Slowly moving down the hallway was a horrifying abomination, one made of bone and ruined flesh, making its way towards the three, where its appearance left Davis, Zoe and Veemon horrified and disgusted.
Standing on two legs, the creature was covered in a bone-like exoskeleton, which extended down not only its tail, but a pair of tendrils that came out of its back, each with what looked like a serrated blade on the ends of them, while a pair of massive claw-like hands scrapped the walls as he walked towards the group.
But what truly terrified Davis, Veemon and Zoe the most was, along with the creature's skull-like face, one with a pair of horns coming out of the top, was the creature's gaping mouth, an opening that extended down to where the being's stomach should have been, where the beast let out another ear-piercing shriek, showing off the thousands of razor sharp teeth within.
Stepping back, Davis and Zoe mentally cursed as they needed a way to overcome this abomination.
Their D-Bracers unable to work within the temple due to the dark spell left the Digidestined, his partner and the Warrior of Wind unable to probably stand against this obstacle.
"Hey there, handsome!" Veemon then let out with his best attempt at a friendly smile, the Digimon of Courage and Friendship hoping his comment would calm the beast down and that would allow him, Davis and Zoe to go without trouble.
But as soon as the words left his mouth, the V marked Digimon sweatdropped as he realized how dumb it sounded, while the creature only seemed to stop and glare at him as Davis and Zoe slowly turned their heads and looked down at Veemon, as if he had lost his mind.
And, as expected, the creature merely let out another shriek as it then continued moving towards the trio in a growing frenzy.
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Uncertain to their own location after separating and now walking down another hallway, Mikey, Shoutmon, Astora and Musimon kept their eyes out for any possible dangers.
Although it was an honest mistake, the Digimon King continued to mentally berate himself for putting his friends in their current predicament.
"I should have watched where I was looking. I'm such an idiot!" Shoutmon remarked in frustration, his anger getting the attention of his friends, who looked upon Shoutmon with sympathy.
"Don't beat yourself up, buddy." Mikey said as he crouched down beside his partner, the brunette resting his arm supportingly on Shoutmon's shoulder and telling his friend. "It could have been any of us who set that thing off."
To the care Mikey expressed to his partner, Astora and Musimon looked at one another, then nodded in reply.
"He's right, Shoutmon. I could have set that thing off, Musimon could've, Marcus or even Tagiru could've stepped on that switch, so don't beat yourself up about it, let's just focus on finding the others and that book so we can save Jeri." Astora then told Shoutmon.
Finding comfort within Mikey and Astora's added friendliness, Shoutmon looked over his friends with a renewed trust, bringing smiles to Mikey, Astora and Musimon, who then continued in their own trek down their hallway.
But keeping a brave face, deep within his heart, the Apptuber remained mentally concerned for Eri.
"I just hope everyone is alright and we find them soon." Musimon commented, the entertainment Appmon knowing that behind his positive smile, Astora was truly worried about Eri's wellbeing.
And keeping up his own bravefront, Musimon knew that while none were saying anything on the issue, everyone remained concerned for their friends, those inside and outside the temple.
"Run, you idiots, RUN!" A sudden cry shouted behind them.
It was then that Mikey, Shoutmon, Astora and Musimon saw three blurs rush past them, the four realizing that it was Davis, Veemon and Zoe, who looked to be in a great state of panic.
Confused by their antics and wondering what they were running from, Mikey and Astora, were about to express their confusion and question the hurried trio, before the four fell silent to the sudden and wretched shriek behind them, the small group turning their heads to see a horrendous creature rushing down the hallway, its hollowed eyes glowing with dark purple flames as it rushed down the halls.
Not even a second later, Mikey, Shoutmon, Astora and Musimon were soon hurrying behind Davis, Veemon and Zoe, the four screaming in fear as the whole group tried to stay ahead of the creature, where Astora all but screamed. "What is that?!"
"No idea! But it's clearly not friendly. Just keep running!" Davis replied through his escape as the small group continued to try and outrun the creature now relentlessly pursuing them after them.
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Down another hallway, Kari, Gatomon, Takato and Guilmon were also in the midst of locating the rest of their friends.
Walking alongside Takato and noticing the growing frustration within the brunette Tamer's eyes, Kari looked to Takato with empathy as she knew the pain gnawing within the Digimon Tamer.
"I can't hear much of anything in these hallways, everything just echoes around me." Gatomon then said as she tried to scan the surroundings for their friends.
Looking at Guilmon, who seemed to be more in touch with his beastly side, Gatomon asked. "What about you? That nose of yours picking up anything?"
Shaking his head, Guilmon could only reply sadly. "No. Everything just smells old and dusty in here."
The two Digimon then flinched when Takato let out an angry growl and slammed his fist into the wall, the Tamer then expressing his frustration. "This is getting us nowhere! We need to find that book and save Jeri!"
Taking a moment to try and calm himself down, Takato then felt a gentle hand rest upon his shoulder, the Digimon Tamer turned his head to see Kari looking upon him with a care and understanding in her eyes.
"Please calm down, Takato. I know you are worried about Jeri, but she is not alone, Novicmon is with her, and we will save her." The Digidestined of Light assured.
"I know, I know... it's just…" Takato started to say as he controlled his breathing and his temper, before telling Kari. "This just brings up bad memories of when Jeri was trapped inside the D-Reaper and used as a battery for that thing. I won't let her go through anything like that again."
Kari smiled at the clear devotion and determination within Takato's voice, this causing the Digidestined of Light to say. "In your own way, you remind me a lot of Davis."
Hearing this, Takato looked at the brunette with surprise, but remained silent as Kari had further thoughts and emotion she wished to express.
"You have his drive, his passion to protect his friends and those he loves. And I know Jeri knows you will save her, because I know Davis would do the same if the positions were reversed. You aren't alone in this, we will save her from Charonmon, I promise."
Listening to Kari's words and trusting in the Digidestined of Light, Takato took one final deep breath and calmed down, the sight causing Guilmon and Gatomon to smile.
While Gatomon was happy that Kari could help the Digimon Tamer in his moment of grief, Guilmon found appreciation in sensing the darkening negativity within his partner fading.
However, the more positive moment was then broken when hurried footsteps at the end of the hallway caught everyone's attention.
Turning and looking toward the oncoming noise, Kari and Gatomon smiled to see Davis and Veemon heading straight for them, before the Digidestined of Light started to express her happiness. "Davis, I'm so glad you're…!"
Before the brunette could finish in her sentence, however, Davis quickly grabbed her hand as he ran past, pulling Kari along with him, much to his girlfriend's confusion, while Veemon quickly picked up Gatomon in a bridal style hold and continued to rush alongside his partner, the pair moving so fast that the events seemed like a blur to Takato and Guilmon, who blinked in confusion to the sight.
However, hearing a commotion behind them, the Tamer and red dino Digimon turned as their eyes widened to see not only more of their friends running, but also a horrifying creature chasing after them, the presence of the unknown entity causing the pair to quickly flee and make haste after Davis, Kari and their partners.
Though both enjoying the embrace of their lovers, especially Gatomon, who found herself subconsciously snuggling herself within Veemon's arms, the Digidestined and Digimon of Light turned their heads and were also horrified to see the beast chasing after them and their friends.
"Has anyone tried to attack this thing?!" Shoutmon questioned as he continued to run away and look between their oncoming pathways and back at the creature, who didn't seem to stop or show any signs of fatigue.
"I am not trying a Vee-Headbutt on that thing!" Veemon yelled back as he kept running, with the others understanding the Digimon of Miracles' feelings, their guess that without access to their power or to a single Digivolution, the creature could probably eat him in the process.
Stopping and turning to face the creature, tired of running and knowing that even if their attacks were ineffective, their long range would provide some protection, Shoutmon and Guilmon prepared to attack the beast together.
"Fiery Fastball!"
"Pyro Sphere!"
Working together and casting forth their set of flame based attacks, Shoutmon and Guilmon unleashed a set of fireballs at the creature, but found the beast merely opened its maw even further and merely devoured the oncoming infernos, the creature not even stopping as it continued chasing after the group, which caused the two Digimon to quickly turn and retreat once again.
"It eats fire, it eats fire!" The Digimon King kept yelling as the group ran as fast as they could from the creature, fear consuming the growing group.
Through their endeavor, the group eventually ran into the rest of their friends, seeing Tai, Sora, Rika, Marcus, Yoshi, Takuya, Tagiru, Nene, Haru, Eri and their partners, who had found one another in the tunnels, before looking to see the rest of their group coming towards them.
However, their smiles quickly turned to shock and horror to see the creature chasing after them, especially as Davis yelled at the group before him in a panic. "Run!"
Not needing to be told twice, most of the group in front of the running heroes and heroines did as Davis asked, while others tried to strike at the beast chasing their friends.
"Pepper Breath!"
"Spiral Twister!"
"Diamond Storm!"
"Love Poison!"
Despite the combined efforts of both Agumon, Biyomon, Renamon and even the might of Mervamon, their attacks either bounced off the creature's form or were swallowed up, the unforeseen counter offensive causing the four Digimon to quickly retreat and regroup with their partners and their friends as the beast continued to hunt down the heroes and heroines.
"What do we do?! What do we do?!" Eri questioned with a growing dread in her voice as the group continued running down the hallways, each trying to think of something to do to stop the creature behind them.
Looking ahead as he continued to pull Kari behind him, Davis' eyes widened as he looked at the end of the current hallway before them, seeing that the floor ended and a large pit could be seen.
"Everyone, move aside, now!" The Digidestined of Miracles quickly called as loud as he could, the others trusting in his words as, once they got close to the end of the hallway, the group moved out of the way and pressed themselves against the walls.
Having continued to run, the creature had not expected the sudden change in its preys' direction, causing it to skid as it tried to stop itself, before seeing the pit before it as it stumbled and eventually fell into the gaping hole with a loud shriek, disappearing into the darkness below.
"Did that thing have wings?! I didn't see any wings!" Gumdramon questioned with concern and fear, hoping that this would be the last time they saw the creature again.
"No, but it did have claws." Davis said in reply, causing the others to look at him as he then commented. "Let's find that tome and get out of here before that thing tries to claw its way back up here."
Getting no arguments from the rest of the team, Davis and the others looked to try and find where they needed to head to within the temple, with some thinking they needed to go back the way the beast chased them.
However, sensing a dark presence, Kari looked to the side along the pit, where her eyes widened as she called out to the others. "Guys!"
Looking in Kari's direction, Davis and the others saw a stone bridge over the pit, leading to an altar of sorts that seemed to be floating above the darkness.
Seeing this as the possible location for the book, the group slowly and cautiously crossed the bridge, making sure nothing gave out beneath them.
After passing the troublesome obstacle with no unexpected troubles and arriving on the floating platform, the heroes and heroines took in their surroundings as they were led within the altar.
Looking around cautiously and scanning the area, the room seemed to emanate with a faint dark mist, while set around the sides of the room were two large pillars, each holding a dark purple flame that brought some light through the darkness.
At the center of the room stood a pedestal, one holding a large, dark and malicious looking book upon it, one that made the skin on the humans, Digimon and Appmon crawl.
Looking upon the tome, the heroes and heroines found the cover and spine of the book was made out of bone, while what pages they could see were brimming with an aura of dark purple energy.
"I think that's what we came for." Tai commented as he looked upon the book, before looking behind the pedestal to see what was sitting on a throne made of bones.
The apparently deceased being was a skeletal creature with four arms, draped in dark robes, with four old, broken dark wings and a dark crown upon its head, the body covered in dust, looking as though it had not moved or had life to it in ages.
Her senses taking in the surroundings, Renamon looked to the pillars and the dark flames they bore, feeling their energy as realization hit her.
"Those pillars, they are the source of the spell blocking the D-Bracers." The vixen Digimon then informed, her words causing the group to look at the pair of dark flames and to ponder their next move.
"Then we take them out and take Charonmon by surprise." Davis said in reply as he looked at the pillars, thinking that the group could catch the dark mystic Digimon off guard by changing into their battle forms and rescuing Jeri before he could knew what hit him.
"First, we need this cursed book." Takato then pointed out as he went to grab it off of the pedestal, his actions causing Tai to call out in concern. "Takato, wait!"
As soon as the Digimon Tamer grabbed the book and removed it from the pedestal, the entire temple began to shake violently, along with the floating altar, where the heroes and heroines began to let out cries as they thought the platform was about to fall into the pit below.
Turning their eyes, however, the group then saw the being on the altar begin to glow with a dark purple aura, while the empty hollows within its skull began to glow with a set of dark flames, before the skeletal body began to shift and move.
As the figure began to reanimate itself, the heroes and heroines then heard the sounds of something cracking and crashing, where they then turned to see the pillars begin to crumble and fall apart, the rubble heading straight for them.
It was in that moment, however, that the light returned to their D-Bracers, which began to shine brightly.
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Back on the surface, the Dark Tribe Digimon began to panic slightly as the ground beneath them began to rumble and shake with a growing violence, with the Lichmon and Necromon quickly moving to gather and protect the tomes, scrolls and artifacts they had recovered.
"What are your foolish friends up to?" Charonmon questioned as he moved out of the tent, Jeri's bound form floating next to him as Novicmon and the MarrowKnightmon followed.
It was then that a loud explosion was heard as the top of the temple, right at the base of the throne itself, was blasted open, the sight causing the Dark Digimon to go on the defensive as they surrounded Charonmon in a protective formation, waiting for the smoke to clear.
When it did, the dark mystic Digimon narrowed his eyes to see the heroes and heroines in their Digimon, Appmon and Digi-armoured forms, where Charonmon looked to Jeri and saw that her D-Bracer was alive with energy once again, letting him know that the heroes and heroines had somehow broken the dark spell which restricted their abilities.
But looking to MedievalGallantmon, the dark mystic Digimon smirked to see the very tome he had been searching for within the knight Digimon's grasp, knowing that what he sought, that both the item his Mistress requested and her chosen, were within his grasp.
However, Charonmon then frowned as he realized that the heroes and heroines were not facing him, but had their back to the Dark Tribe forces as they seemed to be looking at the smoke still rising from the new opening, where his magical senses kicked in as he, Novicmon and Jeri sensed something dark and powerful.
When the smoke cleared, all present could see the being floating in the air, the skeletal being now looking down at all before him, his wings repaired and extended, while in each hand a weapon was present, two dark staves and two dark blades, each brimming with dark purple flames.
Looking upon the creature, it was Charonmon whose eyes widened in shock and recognition, having read of this being, and knowing exactly who it was.
"Desumeijimon, the first Scion of Mortismon!" The dark mystic Digimon said with awe and shock in his tone, his words causing Novicmon and Jeri to look at him in disbelief.
Hearing Charonmon's words themselves, the heroes and heroines prepared themselves as they faced the deadly mystic Digimon, the group feeling the sense of death and ruination coming off of him, as well as a power that could rival that of the Dark Lady herself.
"Any who defy the Primordial of Death, or desire to steal from his greatness, shall know only death and ruin…" Desumeijimon declared as he looked upon the heroes and heroines, who found themselves between a rock and a hard place with the death mystic before them and the Dark Tribe Digimon behind them.
Things had just become even more complicated.
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Author's note: After their harrowing experience in the Temple, the heroes and heroines now find themselves face to face with the first servant of Mortismon. Will they defeat him and save Jeri from Charonmon's grasp? Stay tuned as the adventure continues.
PS: Happy Holidays to all.