With the challenge accepted, Odinmon and DarkHelamon slowly approached one another, the tension filling the air as both armies of the Frost Tribe, loyalists and traitors, watched their leaders prepare for battle.
Once she saw that her ruler and DarkHelamon were close enough, ArcaneSeermon brought her hands up and focused on her magic as cold winds soon circled the pair, before creating a massive dome of ice, thus preventing others from interfering with the conflict, much to the annoyance of DarkHelamon's servants.
Despite the ice preventing Odinmon and DarkHelamon from seeing the outside, the outer walls of the dome soon projected the imagery from the inside and allowed the two sides to see the two Frost Digimon as they prepared to fight.
"I don't like this." Marcus remarked as he and the others watched from behind the loyalists' lines, the brunette wishing they could do something to help Odinmon in this battle.
"We need to have faith in Odinmon." LordShoutmon remarked, looking at the Dark Frost Tribe army, where he then added. "And we need to make sure they don't try anything."
"It's not them I am worried about." MagnaVeedramon commented with a seriousness in his tone, the other heroes and heroines each understanding his worry, worried that the Dark Tribe would take advantage of this and attack on their own.
Looking back at the images projected on the icy dome, LordShoutmon looked at Odinmon and DarkHelamon, where he then theorized. "Odinmon looks to be the more physically stronger of the two, but I have no idea what kind of corrupt Digi-magic DarkHelamon has at her command."
As if hearing LordShoutmon speak, DarkHelamon was the first to act, bringing up her staff and pointing it at Odinmon, where the ice witch Digimon called out with malice. "Frozen Breath!"
Around the DarkHelamon, the winds picked up, turning into dark ice, which formed a massive dragon's head before her, before a blast of dark ice shot out of its maw and headed straight for Odinmon with a vengeance.
"Ice Shield!" Odinmon bellowed in retaliation as he slammed his spear into the ground, causing a wall of ice to shoot up and around the Frost Tribe's leader, protecting him as the dark ice blast reflected off it.
Once the attack died down, Odinmon shot through the ice wall, bringing up his spear as it glowed with an icy blue, where the Frost Leader called out with might. "Arctic Spear!"
"Dark Ice Tendrils!" DarkHelamon called in reply as she slammed her staff into the ground, the attack causing a series of dark ice tendrils to shoot out of the ground and hurry toward Odinmon.
In response, Odinmon used his spear to cut down the tendrils, which shattered from the power of his weapon, before he rushed at DarkHelamon, ready to cut down the traitor with one strike.
However, before he could strike, DarkHelamon disappeared in a wisp of dark mist, reappearing a few feet behind Odinmon, where the ice witch Digimon brought her hand up and unleashed a blast of dark energy, causing Odinmon to quickly react, using his spear to block and reflect the attack as it collided with part of the ice dome, shaking it to its foundation.
Holding his spear in a battle-ready pose, Odinmon glared at DarkHelamon with his lone eye, while the ice witch Digimon growled lightly, seeing that her foe was just as strong as ever.
Back outside the dome, the Frost Tribe and Dark Frost Tribe Digimon were all cheering and hollering, both sides calling out to either Odinmon or DarkHelamon, wishing victory for their leader.
But as the leader of the Frost Tribe battled his foe within the dome, back in the palace, the IceEinherjarmon guarding the Sacred Frost turned as the icy aura around the primordial fragment began to glow even brighter.
At the same time, Jeri's D-Bracer began to glow with the same light, a sight Novicmon, ArcaneSeermon and FrostJarlmon noticed as the brunette and the other heroes and heroines seemed to be in a trance.
Within their minds' eyes, the humans, Digimon and Appmon saw a large, feminine being, one made of pure ice and covered in blue robes, with icicles on her shoulders and forming a crown upon her head as she looked down upon the group, who they realized was the Primordial of Ice, Glaciesmon.
"The Darkness encroaches, its champion is upon us. Defend my children and their homes, champions, take my power." Glaciesmon informed as an icy blue light filled the group's field of vision.
A moment later, a series of icy blue lights caught the attention of all the Frost Digimon, loyal and dark, where they turned to see the heroes and heroines had all changed in appearance.
For the Digimon, Appmon and Digi-armoured humans, their outfits had all changed into an icy blue, while those with hair were now a snowy white, their weapons having an icy aura to them.
Jeri, meanwhile, was now cast in icy blue robes, with snow and frost designs on it, showing her symbolism to Glaciesmon's blessing.
Her hair now held a pure white hue, her eyes glowed with an icy blue light, as did with the sword BlazeShogunmon had given the group, a sight that left Novicmon and the Frost Digimon in awe to the continued changes Jeri could undergo when exposed to the various elements and their divine powers.
"The Fragment has empowered you, but why?" IceTactimon questioned, knowing that even with this boom, the heroes and heroines were still forbidden from interfering with Odinmon's battle.
Clenching his fist, and remembering what Glaciesmon had said, MagnaVeedramon looked to the ice tactic Digimon and replied with a serious tone. "Because the Dark Tribe is on its way."
Hearing MagnaVeedramon's response, the Frost Tribe Digimon let out roars of anger and rage, looking towards their dark counterparts, who looked ready to strike at any moment, not caring for DarkHelamon's battle if the Dark Lady was now involved.
Reaching out with her magical senses, ArcaneSeermon closed her eyes, before opening them in shock as she saw through the ice, the dark forces were indeed heading towards their city.
Looking to the heroes, heroines, Novicmon and IceTactimon, the chief mystic of the Frost Tribe said with some urgency in her voice. "All of you, follow me, please!"
"FrostJarlmon!" She then called out, getting the ice warrior Digimon's attention as she then looked out at the Dark Frost Digimon and commanded with a serious tone. "Keep them where they are."
"Gladly!" FrostJarlmon bellowed with a laugh as he drew his axe forward and prepared for battle, an action copied by many of the Frost Tribe Digimon, who too were eager to join their champion in the eventual battle.
Seeing that their current enemies were in check, the heroes and heroines all followed ArcaneSeermon and IceTactimon back to the palace, worrying them as to what it could be that the Dark Lady has set against them this time.
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Back within the palace, AcraneSeermon brought the heroes and heroines before a large mirror of ice, where she waved her hand before it, causing an image to appear, one that startled the group and IceTactimon.
Through the mirror, those present saw the massive army of Dark Tribe Digimon marching through the snow, with most of them being Ultimate or Mega Level Digimon.
"Looks like she isn't holding back this time." ShaolinArresterdramon remarked as he and the others looked upon the large army, before their eyes widened to see the large draconic Digimon, one twice the size of the SkullDracomon, flying above the Dark Digimon.
Bringing up her D-Bracer, Jeri looked as the Digimon's information appeared before her, where she informed her friends as she read off the information. "AbyssalDracomon, a Mega Level Digimon."
"Probably another one of the Dark Lady's creations." Samudramon commented, seeing qualities within the Dark Digimon that reminded him of their enemy's other twisted monsters.
As the imagery moved past AbyssalDracomon, however, MagnaVeedramon's eyes widened in shock as he noticed something about the dragon Digimon, causing him to all but yell. "Wait, go back!"
Though startled by the call, ArcaneSeermon complied as she reversed the image, where Marcus questioned. "What, having seen enough of that scaly freak?"
"It's what's on its back that has me concerned." The holy knight Digimon replied, confusing his friends as they looked back at the image of the dark dragon, before their eyes widened in concern as they saw what MagnaVeedramon was talking about.
On AbyssalDracomon's back, between its neck and body, was an ornate saddle, resembling a throne in some way.
And on that throne, with her wings retracted, was the Dark Lady herself, a sight that still filled the heroes and heroines with a returning dread.
Sensing their worries, IceTactimon looked at the group and questioned. "What is that?"
"That's the Dark Lady." Novicmon replied for his friends, the words causing IceTactimon, ArcaneSeermon and the other Frost Digimon around them to look upon the image in shock, getting their first look at the enemy of Witchelny herself.
"This is not good." MedievalGallantmon remarked, now seeing that he and the others would have to face the Dark Lady herself once again, and they were not sure how the outcome would be.
Allowing the imagery to continue, the group's eyes then widened even more when, looking behind AbyssalDracomon and the Dark Lady, those present saw another massive Digimon walking behind the Dark Tribe forces.
Resembling a massive black bear standing on its hind legs, the creature had the face of a DeathWendigomon, its skull face letting out a fierce roar as dark purple light came from its hollow eyes.
From its horns, ornamental items hung, while a series of swords seemed to be impaled in the creature's back, emitting a dark purple mist, which also appeared from the beast's claws.
Finally, but perhaps most disturbing for those looking upon the creature, where a series of six massive eyes, each emerging from the beast's mane as it walked behind the Dark Digimon, giving off its own evil aura.
Searching for the information himself, Sagemon's eyes widened as the D-Bracer info appeared in his mind's eye, where he informed all around him as he read off the beast's info. "DeathUrsamon, Mega Level Digimon. Guys, he's one of the Ancient Horrors!"
Hearing this caused even more concern to fill the heroes and heroines, for they not only had to deal with the Dark Lady herself and her new pet, but another Horror under her command.
"I have heard of this beast." ArcaneSeermon commented as she looked at DeathUrsamon, adding with a serious tone. "It is the nightmare of winter, the progenitor of the DeathWendigomon, it should not be taken lightly."
Having heard enough, IceTactimon moved back to the map table, the others following as he checked from the dark army's location and where the city is, confirming his fears as he told them. "They will be here within the hour, and with Lord Odinmon locked in combat and DarkHelamon's forces outside, we can't mount a proper defense against them."
Thinking for a moment, an idea came to LordShoutmon's mind, where he looked to ArcaneSeermon and asked. "Do you have anyway to send a message outside of your territory?"
Nodding in reply, the chief mystic of the Frost Tribe held her hand out as icy winds formed within, before solidifying into a raven made of pure ice, which chirped happily to see those around it.
Understanding what LordShoutmon had in mind, MagnaVeedramon found a blank paper and a quill on the table, quickly writing out a message, before rolling the parchment up and tying it to the raven's leg.
"Take this, go to the Earth Tribe's capital as quickly as you can." The holy knight Digimon said to the ice raven, which nodded its head, before taking off, leaving MagnaVeedramon and LordShoutmon hoping that the message would arrive in time and the alliance would send forces to help.
"Now what?" BardMusimon then asked, not sure what they could do.
Looking at IceTactimon and ArcaneSeermon, MagnaVeedramon said to the pair with a determined look in his eye. "Go and inform FrostJarlmon about what is happening, and keep an eye on DarkHelamon and her forces, we will hold back the Dark Tribe as long as we can. Hopefully the alliance will come to our aid."
Nodding in reply, the pair and the soldiers with them left the ice enhanced heroes and heroines, who looked at each other and nodded, moving towards the side of the city the dark forces were marching towards, steeling themselves for another impossible battle.
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As the winds died down, the Dark Lady's eyes narrowed, her army coming to a halt as she looked to see the heroes and heroines on a ridge before them, with the Frost Tribe's capital a few miles behind them as they stood ready to fight.
Despite their interference, the leader of the Dark Tribe could not help but grin behind her mask as she looked to MagnaVeedramon, seeing the power of the primordial fragment of Ice running through him with no trouble at all.
"Out of my way." The Dark Lady merely said with a cold tone, with AbyssalDracomon and the other Dark Digimon letting out mighty roars, along with DeathUrsamon, showing their willingness to fight, even with the heroes and heroines before them.
"Not a chance!" Lightbearer Ophanimon snapped back with a growing anger, feeling her own bravery increasing, not only from the memory of saving her friends from the Dark Lady's grasp, but from having her beloved beside her, making her feel like she could do anything.
"We won't let you harm the Frost Tribe, nor cause any more harm to Witchelny!" The celestial Digimon then declared as she pointed her ice tipped blade towards the Dark Tribe forces.
"You may have caught us off guard the first time we met, but we've learned from that encounter, and you won't beat us so easily this time!" SacredPhoenixmon then added, flapping her icy wings as she floated above her friends, staring at AbyssalDracomon and DeathUrsamon with determination.
"Plus, we're eager to make you pay for using us back with the Earth Tribe!" MysticSakuyamon snapped, still angry with the rest of the heroes and heroines the Dark Lady possessed during the battle for the Earth Tribe, eager to make her pay for what she did to them.
Moving ahead of the group a little, MagnaVeedramon glared past the Dark Digimon as he looked to the Dark Lady herself, adding with his own determination as he extended his energy blades, which glowed with an icy blue light. "No matter what it takes, we will stop you, here and now, your plans end here!"
"My plans have been over a thousand years in the making, and I will wait no longer!" The Dark Lady snapped in reply, a dark aura forming and growing around her, while the heroes and heroines flinched slightly, hearing more emotion from their enemy then they had ever heard before.
"For too long I have been denied what I have sought for, for too long, the Sacred Frost's power has been kept from me, but no more!" The leader of the Dark Tribe continued as she then added with her own determination, one that rivaled, possibly surpassed the heroes and heroines'. "I will be denied no longer, not when I am so close, the remaining primordial fragments will be mine! I have come too far to stop now! Get out of the way, or face my wrath!"
Flinching slightly, each of the heroes and heroines fought the urge to step back, feeling not only the dark energy of the Dark Lady directed at them, but her hatred and rage as well, which threatened to consume them.
But refocusing on their resolve, the group stood their ground, glaring at the Dark Lady, who narrowed her eyes in response as she merely said. "So be it."
As though acting on a silent command, dark energy gathered in AbyssalDracomon's mouth, before firing the blast right at the heroes, causing a massive explosion.
However, before the smoke could clear, the ice infused heroes and heroines all rushed out towards the Dark Digimon, hoping to break their lines as Samudramon, CrimsonAldamon, Marcus, ShaolinArresterdramon and ShogunOujamon moved in to strike the front lines.
"Cross Slicer!"
"Blazing Sabers!"
"Blazing Blade!"
"Star Shine Dive!"
"Savage Slash!"
As the five charged at the ShadowKnightmon, BloodKnightmon and DeathKnightmon, the group was then caught off guard as the Dark Knight Digimon merely moved out of the heroes way, causing them to pass deep into the enemy lines as their enemies closed ranks behind them, trapping them as the Dark Digimon held their blades out to strike.
"What the heck was that?!" Marcus let out in confusion, having never seen their enemy use such tactics before.
"Dark Tactic!" A voice then called out, before a blast of dark energy slammed into the Fire Knight's back, causing him to cry out in pain as he went flying into CrimsonAldamon, both crashing into the ground as Samudramon, ShaolinArresterdramon and ShogunOujamon dodged the swings of the Dark Tribe Knight Digimon and made it to their friends.
Looking towards the source of the attack, the five heroes looked to see a four armed Dark Digimon on a small rock formation looking down at them, wielding a scythe and a great sword in his hands.
But upon looking at his back, the group noticed familiar looking cannons, causing Marcus to growl as he commented in anger. "Of course they have a Tactimon as well."
"Indeed, DeathTactimon, at your service." DeathTactimon remarked with a slight bow, adding as he looked to the heroes. "While it is a shame that I am the last of my Lady's inner circle to meet you, I feel pride knowing that I will be the one to end you."
"I have watched your battle tactics, seen how you fight, how you act. I can predict your every movement, every thought." The Dark Tactic Digimon then added, narrowing his eyes as he then said to them. "Even with your newly infused Ice-magic, you know you cannot hope to stop us all on your own, meaning you have sent a message to the alliance, hoping that they can send aid to help."
Hearing DeathTactimon's words, Samudramon, CrimsonAldamon, Marcus, ShaolinArresterdramon and ShogunOujamon's eyes widened in shock and worry, shocked that their foe had predicted exactly what they had done.
"I can assure you, they will not reach here in time, our reserve forces will make sure of it." DeathTactimon then said with an amused tone, looking forward to breaking the heroes and heroines, bringing them and the Dark Lady's chosen to his Mistress and claiming the prize she had long promised her servants for their obedience.
Through the connection of their D-Bracers, the other heroes and heroines heard DeathTactimon's comment, growling lightly, knowing that they might be on their own in his battle, before LordShoutmon saw dark energy gathering in the Dark Lady's hand.
"Move!" The fusion of Mikey and Shoutmon bellowed in fear, where SacredPhoenixmon, GaleSilphymon, Lightbearer Ophanimon, MysticSakuyamon and MagnaVeedramon, who were all in the path of the Dark Lady's attack quickly moved, just as the dark being unleashed her attack.
As the group got out of the way, the beam sliced through a series of trees and the side of a frost covered mountain, before all in the line explode with a terrible force, alerting the Frost Tribe and Dark Frost Tribe Digimon of the battle as they saw the destruction not to far off from their city.
"This is your fault, traitors!" A FrostVikemon yelled to the Dark Frost Digimon, where one of the DarkBlizzardDracomon let out a loud roar, not caring for DarkHelamon's glory and wishing to please the Dark Lady instead, causing the Dark Frost Tribe Digimon to roar in anger as they rushed towards their former comrades.
"Drive them back! Do not let them into the city!" FrostJarlmon bellowed as he, ArcaneSeermon and IceTactimon led the charge against the traitorous forces, hoping to drive them back and aid the heroes and heroines in defense of their city.
Within the ice dome, meanwhile, as Odinmon and DarkHelamon battled, both stopped as they felt the force of an explosion from outside, before both felt a darker presence.
"She is here?!" Odinmon questioned in anger as he looked at the ice witch, seeing the shock on her face and realizing she had no idea that the Dark Lady would come.
"This needs to end, the city needs my help!" The leader of the Frost Tribe demanded, only to narrow his eyes as DarkHelamon laughed in response.
"Then surrender to me!" The ice witch declared, adding with an insane laugh. "Or die here and let me take control, it is the only way to save our tribe now!"
"No, I will not let our tribe fall to darkness." Odinmon replied as he gripped his spear, ready to end the traitor once and for all, while feeling the heroes and heroines now battling for his tribe's sake.
'Stay strong, brave heroes, I shall not let your faith be misplaced.' The Leader of the Frost Tribe thought, looking at DarkHelamon as he felt her sanity slowly slipping away.
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Looking from the back of AbyssalDracomon, the Dark Lady looked towards the Frost Tribe's capital, sensing the Sacred Frost within, where she motioned for her pet to take off, leaving her forces to deal with the heroes and heroines.
However, much to her annoyance, and small intrigue, MagnaVeedramon, Lightbearer Ophanimon and MysticSakuyamon moved before the Dark Lady and AbyssalDracomon, their eyes narrowing as an icy blue aura filled their eyes.
"We won't let you win, not this time." MagnaVeedramon declared as he, Lightbearer Ophanimon and MysticSakuyamon prepared for battle, one they knew would be tougher than any before, while believing in their friends that.
"Wrong, I won a long time ago, you are just to blind to see it, and now, you will all suffer." The Dark Lady replied in her cold tone, while AbyssalDracomon let out another fierce roar, ready for battle as the war for the Frost Tribe continued.
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Author's note: Odinmon and DarkHelamon are locked in battle, but now the heroes and heroines must fend for themselves against the Dark Lady and her elite forces. Will they pull through? Stay tuned as the adventure continues.