Sensing the energy of the Arcane Tempest being drained of its great power, the heroes, heroines and the Wind Tribe Digimon looked up as the swirling tempest over the capital turned violent.
Dark lightning coursed through the skies as the Dark Lady took what she came for, letting those protecting the city know just how dire and dreading the situation had become.
Though the heroes and heroines wished to try and stop the leader of the Dark Tribe from succeeding in her plans, the majority of the group found themselves blocked by the imposing form of the new Horror, Camazotzmon, while MagnaVeedramon found himself face to face with Wraithmon once again.
Upon seeing the Horror, the Dark Tribe forces broke off their engagement with the Wind Tribe warriors and had begun their retreat, returning to the Dark Arks and leaving many of the defenders of the city confused by the action.
The heroes and heroines however knew that most of the Horrors were uncontrollable, and Camazotzmon would most likely attack friends and foes, destroying all within its path.
It was then that Camazotzmon threw its head back and let out another ear-piercing shriek, where the defenders of the Capital watched in shock as dozens of dark portals then opened around the bat-like Horror, unleashing a large swarm of dark creatures that seemed to serve the beast, a personal army composed of two types of Digimon.
The first resembled Camazotzmon itself, only much smaller and less armour, looking like a swarm of bat-like Digimon around MedievalGallantmon's size as they let out shrieks of their own, looking upon all before them with murderous intent in their eyes.
The second type, meanwhile, looked like dried out husks in Aztec armour, with claw-like gauntlets over their hands and a skull mask over their heads, leaving only a pair of glowing red eyes as their mouths opened, letting out loud shrieks of their own.
"SkullBatmon and SoulReapermon, both Ultimate Level Digimon and Servants of Camazotzmon!" Jeri informed with a shake voice as she saw the large swarm of wicked Digimon leap and fly past them and into the city.
"We shall deal with the Beast's servants, strike Camazotzmon done!" Ventusmon commanded, the heroes and heroines nodding in reply, the leader of the Wind Tribe turned to her warriors and then called out. "Defend the city, drive back these nightmares!"
Looking back at Camazotzmon, MedievalGallantmon and the others looked as the massive bat monster flapped its wings, moving high above and hovering over the group as it let out another fearsome shriek, showing that the dreaded creature was ready for battle against those before it.
"Jeri, go check on Novicmon, we'll deal with this freak." The knight Digimon then said with a stern voice, receiving a nod from the brunette as she used her wind abilities to fly over to the injured mystic Digimon.
Looking Novicmon over, relief returned to Jeri as she saw Novicmon starting to regain consciousness, to show the relentless assault of the Dark Lady had taken a lot out of the small mystic Digimon, but he had survived.
"I'm… Sorry… I…" Novicmon tried to say through his pain, only to be silenced as Jeri slid her arms around his damaged frame.
Holding Novimon close to her in a protective and caring embrace, Jeri said as she held back her tears. "It's alright, I'm just happy you are alright."
"Let's get you out of here." The brunette then suggested as she took off into the air, still hoping onto Novicmon's injured form as she looked for a safe place to land and heal him.
Looking down with a pained expression, Jeri and Novicmon watched over the growing battlefield, to see her friends begin their fight against Camazotzmon, while MagnaVeedramon began to cross blades with Wraithmon.
"Magna Saber!"
"Dark Lance!"
Moving at high speeds, the wind infused form of MagnaVeedramon clashed his blades against Wraithmon's spear, the Digimon of Miracles growling as he found the Dark Lady's champion keeping up with his strikes.
From his position, Wraithmon seemed to be enjoying himself, to a point of madness as he tried to cut down the holy knight Digimon down.
After parrying another strike from one another, MagnaVeedramon and Wraithmon jumped back, the pair gathering their energy as they unleashed another series of attacks upon one another with drastic force.
"Holy Strike!"
"Dark Eradication!"
MagnaVeedramon's wind infused beam then collided with the wave of darkness Wraithmon unleashed, the resulting forces causing a massive explosion and covering the area in a mass outburst of smoke.
"Full Force Strike!" The voice of MagnaVeedramon suddenly declared as the holy knight Digimon shot through the smoke and delivered a swift punch to Wraithmon, sending the Dark Digimon flying backwards and causing Wraithmon to then crash hard into a stone slab behind him.
Landing before the rubble, MagnaVeedramon narrowed his eyes, looking to see what his foe would do next, but found confusion overtake him as Wraithmon's laughter grew.
Keeping up his defenses, the holy knight Digimon watched on as the champion of the Dark Tribe pulled himself up and walked out of the debris with a dark chuckle.
"I am sure my brother felt that one." Wraithmon then remarked with a dark glee in his tone, his words causing the combined force of Davis and Veemon's eyes to widen as an important fact returned to his mind.
Whatever pain or damage Wraithmon felt, Eclipsemon would feel as well.
That alone changed the nature of the battle and placed MagnaVeedramon in a great disadvantage.
"Dark Lance!" Wraithmon then announced out again as he rushed at MagnaVeedramon, who was forced to go on the defensive as he blocked and parried Wraithmon's onslaught.
"What's wrong,little hero? Afraid of harming that fool?" Wraithmon questioned mockingly, the Dark Digimon adding as he pushed back against his foe. "You are weak. You are unable to do what is necessary, and your friends will die because of it!"
This struck a nerve with the holy knight Digimon, who blocked another strike from Wraithmon's lance and then delivered another punch to the Dark Digimon, which sent him staggering back a few feet.
He would apologize to Eclipsemon later, for now, MagnaVeedramon knew he had to drive Wraithmon back, even if it meant knocking the Dark Digimon out, just to aid his friends.
As MagnaVeedramon and Wraithmon continued in their battle, the other heroes and heroines watched as dark flames gathered in Camazotzmon's mouth, before the Horror let out a great and powerful blast towards the group, who quickly moved out of the way as several building behind them were engulfed in flames.
"Rinkageki!"
"Rage of Wyvern!"
"Divine Calling!"
"Sacred Flame!"
"Full Spirit Wave!"
"Arcane Inferno!"
"Arcane Twister!"
"Flaming Destruction!"
"Violet Blast!"
"Omni Force!"
"Thunder Force!"
"Ancient Blaze!"
"Gaia Link!"
"Golden Arrow!"
"Rhythmic Stream!"
Combining their efforts in retaliation, the fifteen heroes and heroines unleashed their wind infused attacks upon Camazotzmon.
Hoping to strike down the bat-like Horror as soon as possible in order to aid MagnaVeedramon and take down the Dark Lady, but to their shock and horror, Camazotzmon merely closed his wings around his body and used his wings as a shield as the attacks collided with him, dealing little to no damage to the twisted creature.
Opening its wings after the attacks died down, Camazotzmon's claws and fangs were then engulfed in dark purple flames, before the winged Horror then launched itself towards SacredPhoenixmon in its warped mind to strike down the Digimon of Love first.
"Blazing Spear Strike!" SacredPhoenixmon countered, the Digimon of Love using her spear to try and hold back Camazotzmon, who violently tried to push past the weapon and strike at its foe with a violent bloodlust.
About to move and aid their friend, the other heroes and heroines then heard numerous shrieks, looking to see a large number of the SkullBatmon and SoulReapermon returning to the courtyard, summoned by Camazotzmon's eerie shrieks, where they rushed towards the heroes and heroines in an attempt to tear them apart.
"Cross Slicer!"
"Noble Strike!"
"Striking Light!"
"Full Spirit Wave!"
"Blazing Sabers!"
"Hurricane Spiral!"
"Ultimate Search Strike!"
"Ballistic Barrage!"
Working together, Samudramon, MedievalGallantmon, Lightbearer Ophanimon, MysticSakuyamon, CrimsonAldamon, GaleSilphymon, Sagemon and BardMusimon moved to strike at the servants of the bat-like Horror, while the others moved to try and assist SacredPhoenixmon against Camazotzmon's desire to kill.
"Flaming Destruction!"
"Rose Blizzard!"
"Courageous Spirit!"
"Inferno Spiral!"
"Passion Shot!"
"Savage Slash!"
While Marcus, Yoshi, ShaolinArresterdramon, AncientMervamon and ShogunOujamon tried to strike at Camazotzmon from all sides, LordShoutmon's aura form tried to pull the bat-like Horror away from SacredPhoenixmon and give the Digimon of Love a chance to move away.
However, the strength and bloodlust of the Horror was greater than they expected, with both SacredPhoenixmon and LordShoutmon groaning in pain as they tried to hold back and pull Camazotzmon away, while the others were shocked as their attacks seemed to be having little effect on the bat-like horror.
Opening her eyes as she tried to hold her foe back, SacredPhoenixmon saw Camazotzmon's fangs drawing closer and closer to her face, the sight sending a chill down the Digimon of Love's spine as she tried to figure out a way to get out of her current predicament.
"Magical Bang!" A familiar voice then bellowed through the air, before several puffs of smoke appeared before Camazotzmon's face, revealing dozens of familiar bombs, which then exploded and sent hundreds of needles into the Horror's eyes.
To the sudden attack, the Horror gave a great shriek of pain as it stumbled back, the distraction allowing LordShoutmon's aura to grab at the bat-like monster and throw it over the side and into a wall, which crumbled around Camazotzmon's being.
At the sound, even MagnaVeedramon and Wraithmon stopped their battle, with the heroes, heroines and Wind Tribe Digimon looking upwards to see Sifakamon and Ajatarmon on the back of a SylvanDracomon, while MysticLillymon flew alongside the draconic Digimon as Sifakamon cheered and announced with a familiar over the top enthusiasm. "Have no fear The cavalry's here to back you up!"
Behind the SylvanDracomon, the heroes, heroines, Wind Tribe Digimon and Dark Tribe forces saw not only a large force of Light Tribe Digimon coming towards the capital, but also many other draconic Digimon from the Tribes now heading to their aid.
ShogunDracomon, MagmaDracomon, LightDracomon, CelestialDracomon, Kirinmon, HydroDracomon, SylvanDracomon, TerraDracomon, IceDracomon and BlizzardDracomon all launched themselves at the Dark Tribe forces and Camazotzmon's servants, causing the Dark Digimon to all scatter from the superior foes, while the RavenDracomon, ShadowDracomon, SkullDracomon and BloodDracomon engaged their equivalent foes in the skies.
Meanwhile, joined by some of the AirDracomon and TempestDracomon, many of the allied draconic Digimon surrounded one of the Dark Arks, unleashing their various attacks upon the dark airship, which eventually exploded from the combined effort, causing the two remaining Dark Arks to begin retreating as the ground forces rushed to their safety.
Seeing many of their foes begin to flee, Ajatarmon leaped from the back of the SylvanDracomon, bringing out his hatchet as he prepared to strike.
"Assault Hatchet!" The plant warrior Digimon called with might as he swung his weapon, striking through several Corvusmon and RavenKnightmon, who were knocked back and broke into Data particles from Ajatarmon's attack.
Growling at the sudden turn of events, Wraithmon quickly took to the air, missing another strike from MagnaVeedramon, before flying toward the ruined castle, and back to his Mistress.
Seeing Wrathmon fleeing, MagnaVeedramon was about to chase after the Dark Digimon, but found Camazotzmon emerging from the rubble and gave another ear-piercing shriek as it took to the air, the other heroes and heroines chasing after it.
As much as he wanted to take down Wraithmon, the holy knight Digimon knew his friends needed his help, and thus flew after them so he too could combat and finish off the Horror.
Seeing their friend and leader rejoining them, the heroes and heroines then looked to see Camazotzmon change directions, where the Horror looked down at them, the wicked creature gathering dark fire into its mouth, before unleashing the inferno down towards its foes.
"Holy Strike!"
"Rinkageki!"
"Rage of Wyvern!"
"Divine Calling!"
"Sacred Flame!"
"Full Spirit Wave!"
"Arcane Inferno!"
"Arcane Twister!"
"Flaming Destruction!"
"Violet Blast!"
"Omni Force!"
"Thunder Force!"
"Ancient Blaze!"
"Gaia Link!"
"Golden Arrow!"
"Rhythmic Stream!"
Their attacks combining once more, the energies of the heroes and heroines surged towards Camazotzmon, struggling for a few moments against his dark flames, before breaking through and consuming the Horror in light gray light.
Shrieking in pain as the energies of the heroes, heroines and the primordial energy of Tempestmon consumed him, Camazotzmon eventually broke apart into Data particles, ending the Horror's threat to the city once and for all.
All around the capital, the SkullBatmon and SoulReapermon let out shrieks of their own as they too began to break apart into Data particles themselves, unable to sustain themselves without their Master's presence, and soon faded away and the Wind Tribe, Light Tribe and allied draconic Digimon refocused their sights on the remaining Dark Tribe forces, which began retreating as they faced their superior foes.
However, sensing the dark presence still in the castle, as well as the power of the Arcane Tempest being drained, the heroes and heroines rushed to the primordial fragment, with Ventusmon, TempestDukemon, KazeTactimon, StormMagnusmon, Sifakamon, Ajatarmon and MysticLillymon right behind them, followed closely by Jeri and the recovered form of Novicmon, each hoping that they were not too late to stop the Dark Lady.
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Not a moment later, the containment device closed as the Dark Lady looked to her prize, as well as the drained primordial fragment before her, seeing the light gray energy not as bright as it once was, causing a smirk to appear behind the dark being's mask.
Outside, the very skies themselves seemed to turn black as dark red lightning coursed throughout the area, a sight of the off balance of energy throughout Witchelny, which would only increase with time.
However, the Dark Lady's smirk turned to a frown as she turned around, watching as Wraithmon flew in and quickly knelt before his Mistress, the leader of the Dark Tribe narrowing her eyes to not see Davis with him.
"Forgive me, my Lady, the allied tribal forces arrived, the Horror is defeated and…" Wraithmon tried to explain, but fell silent when he saw the dark fury within his Mistress' eyes.
Looking up, the Dark Lady then saw the heroes, heroines and their allies rushing through the broken hallways towards her, where she merely narrowed her eyes once again.
"So be it, I have what I came for." The leader of the Dark Tribe then said, looking to the containment device, then to Wraithmon as she stated. "We have two more to claim, and more chances to claim my chosen as well."
Nodding in response, Wraithmon then watched as the Dark Lady then opened a dark portal, where he followed her within the vortex, ignoring the protesting cries of the heroes and heroines, before the portal closed, just as MagnaVeedramon tried to grab the two dark beings.
Letting out a frustrated growl, the holy knight Digimon slammed his fist into a nearby rock, adding to the debris within the chamber, the other heroes and heroines sharing his frustration at the turn of events.
They had stopped the invasion of the Wind Tribe, but the Dark Lady still got away with her prize, and now, there were only two more primordial fragments left for her to claim before she enacted whatever it was that she desired.
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In the aftermath of the battle, the allied Digimon began helping the Wind Tribe forces rebuild their city, aiding the injured and helping to clear up the signs of battle that still lingered in the hours since the Dark Lady escaped with the stolen energy of the Arcane Tempest.
Meanwhile, the heroes, heroines and Novicmon stood on a balcony within the castle, with Ventusmon, TempestDukemon, KazeTactimon, StormMagnusmon, Sifakamon, Ajatarmon and MysticLillymon around them as they all looked to the skies, seeing the unstable energies coursing through it.
"Well, that doesn't look good." Sifakamon merely remarked, his returning nervous tone causing a few to roll their eyes at the comment.
"The flow of Digi-magic is completely off balance." MysticLillymon then informed as she looked to the skies, her connection to the life energies of Witchelny flowing through her. "Witchelny is beginning to suffer as a whole now, I fear what will happen should she drain the remaining fragments."
Hearing this, Novicmon felt a great guilt, blaming himself for allowing the Dark Lady to take the energy of the Arcane Tempest, before feeling a hand on his shoulder, causing the small mystic Digimon to look up and see Kari smiling at him.
"You are not to blame for this, Novicmon. We had no idea how she would react, or what she had planned. But next time, we will stop her." The brunette assured softly, her smile and care causing Novicmon to smile back, the small mystic Digimon silently vowing to stop sitting on the sidelines and help his friends in this struggle.
As the group continued to converse about what had happened, the heroes, heroines and their allies noticed what looked like a small crystal with wings flying from the sky and down toward them.
As Ventusmon, TempestDukemon, KazeTactimon, StormMagnusmon, Sifakamon, Ajatarmon and MysticLillymon prepared to defend themselves in the event the object attacked them, Nene then noticed a familiar mark on the crystal, causing her to question. "Isn't that the symbol of Mt. Brocken?"
Looking upon the crystal as it got closer, the heroes and heroines did indeed see the symbol for Witchelny's magic school, before the item stopped a few feet from them and began to glow.
It was then that a holographic image appeared before all present, where the heroes and heroines were surprised to see GrandPiximon once again as the headmaster of Mt. Brocken happily said. "Hello, my friends, it is good to see you again."
"And it's good to see you, GrandPiximon." Davis replied, speaking for the group with a smile, before a more downcast expression came to his face as he then asked. "Um… is Eclipsemon alright?"
It was then that a light groan was heard, before another holographic image appeared beside GrandPiximon, revealing the form of Eclipsemon, who seemed to be nursing the area of his head where his lower jaw should be as the dark mystic Digimon replied for the headmaster. "I'll live, which unfortunately means my brother will as well."
"Sorry, he didn't give us much of a choice." Veemon then informed, receiving an understanding nod from Eclipsemon, before he then refocused on the entire group with a serious expression.
"I am sure you are aware of the magical imbalance?" Eclipsemon then asked, seeing the heroes and heroines nod in reply, before he continued on his thoughts.
"Digi-magic is becoming unbound and running rampant across Witchelny. For example, a tavern not too far from the Water Tribe's border was destroyed a little while ago by a flaming twister."
Hearing this caused the heroes and heroines to pale, knowing that the building in question belonged to Deramon, and the group feared for his safety.
"The owner of the establishment and his patrons managed to get out in time." Eclipsemon then added, sensing the worry within the heroes and heroines, who sighed in relief to the news.
"However, If the Dark Lady drains the energies from the remaining fragments, I fear that the damage to Witchelny may be permanent." Eclipsemon finished, returning the seriousness to the heroes and heroines.
"But if those energies are returned, would Witchelny be able to recover?" Haru questioned, hoping that if they could stop the Dark Lady that things in this world could return to normal.
"Possibly. But we need to try and halt her advances. The alliance still needs all the tribes united against her." GrandPiximon then told the heroes and heroines with absolute seriousness
"Our warriors will join the fight." Ventusmon then informed, the leader of the Wind Tribe adding as she narrowed her eyes. "We shall make the enemy pay for their transgressions."
"Then you heroes need to reach the Metal Tribe and the Thunder Tribe and help them out as best as you can." Eclipsemon stated, which caused the heroes and heroines to nod their heads in reply.
"We'll leave soon and head for the nearest one." Tai then stated, his words agreed by Agumon and the others who too shared the brunette's emotion to continue their journey.
"I would recommend caution when traveling through the Borderlands now." GrandPiximon said with a continued seriousness, his words getting the group's attention. "The fighting has spilled into the Borderlands, and the Dark Tribe is willingly attacking the villages and anyone who gets in their path just to get to the allied forces. It is to the point that we had to abandon Mt Brocken and bring the students to the Fire Tribe Capital for safety."
Fighting back the revulsion they felt at that news, that their foes were attacking those who had nothing to do with the conflict now, Davis spoke for the group once again and told his friends. "We'll be careful."
"Good luck, heroes." Eclipsemon then said, before his image and the image of GrandPiximon disappeared, leaving the heroes, heroines and their gathered allies to think on all they just heard.
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A few hours later, and with their supplies restocked, the heroes and heroines hopped upon a group of HolyGriffomon who were willing to drop the group off back on the ground at the edge of the Wind Tribe's territory.
Looking in his hands, Novicmon took in the golden container he was holding, the item shaped like a swirling tornado around a light gray gem that lightly pulsated with the Arcane Tempest energy the Wind Tribe had provided the heroes and heroines, before placing it within his hat with the others, feeling the primordial fragments within all resonating with one another.
Looking back at Ventusmon, TempestDukemon, KazeTactimon, StormMagnusmon, Sifakamon, Ajatarmon and MysticLillymon, Davis once again spoke for the group and said. "We will return the power you gave us once this is over."
"Thank you, noble heroes." Ventusmon replied, adding with a slight bow. "Not only for your promise, but for saving my Tribe in our hour of need. I pray we'll all meet again soon before the gates of the Dark Tribe, with the Metal and Thunder Tribes at our side."
"We won't let you down." Mikey then promised, before the HolyGriffomon took off, carrying the heroes and heroines back to the ground, where they would continue their journey as they headed towards the Metal Tribe next.
With only two Tribes left to join the alliance, however, the group felt a sense of uneasiness, uncertain of what the future would hold for them.
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In a dark lit chamber, a lone figure stood before a large statue, only turning her gaze when a hooded figure approached her from the shadows.
"Mistress, the humans and their pets have left the Wind Tribe's lands. They are heading towards the Metal Tribe's territory." The hooded figure stated, his words causing his Mistress to chuckle lightly.
"Then they will have to pass through here." She stated, before the being smiled and told her servant. "Make sure everything is ready, we have guests coming."
"At once, Mistress." The hooded figure replied, before disappearing into the shadows, where the female Digimon then turned back to the statue, a statue of Mortismon, and smiled with a growing wickedness.
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Author's note: The battle for the Wind Tribe is over, and now there are only two tribes remaining. But who is lurking in the shadows? Stay tuned as the adventure continues.