A day had passed since the heroes and heroines left the Wind Tribe's territory and were now venturing through the Borderlands, toward their next destination, the Metal Tribe.
Moving through a series of mountain ranges, the group could hear the sound of conflict in the distance, seeing clouds of smoke in the air as Davis and the others realized the allied forces were battling the Dark Tribe's armies.
The heroes and heroines fought the urge to rush to their allies' aid, knowing that they had to focus on their own goals, to reach the remaining tribes and gain their aid for the final battle against the Dark Lady and her malevolent forces.
And yet, the doubt in the back of their minds began to fill them as they continued their journey, the knowledge that even with seven tribes working together against them, not only did the Dark Tribe seem to still be able to hold their own, but also continue their assaults on the remaining tribes left the group in a gloomy mood.
Likewise, the sights of the imbalance of Digi-magic were ever present during their travels, the humans, Digimon and Appmon not only seeing the unstable energies coursing through the skies above them, but only a few hours earlier in their journey, the ground before the heroes and heroines cracked apart, and the group was forced to find another path as molten lava began pouring from the opening.
"Hey, Novicmon." Davis then called out to the small mystic Digimon at the head of the group, the Digidestined of Miracles breaking the silence as he then asked the group's guide. "Anything you can tell us about the Metal Tribe?"
Upon hearing the question, Takuya and Zoe shivered slightly as the memories of Mercurymon and Sakkakumon came to mind, each praying that the tribe of the same element as their old foe was nothing like their old foe.
Looking up from his map and compass, Novicmon looked over his shoulder as he continued to walk, answering Davis' question as he replied. "Innovators, inventors, alchemists. The Metal Tribe combine their Digi-magic with whatever contraption comes to mind, always looking to create and invent. At some point in the past, there were organic Digimon among the tribe, but now every member of the Metal Tribe is a machine of some sort, fused with what they call 'Digi-Magitech'."
"Sounds like a group Izzy might enjoy." Tai remarked as he imagined the Digidestined of Knowledge conversing with the Metal Tribe over some idea or invention.
"Cody or Ken would as well." Kari then chimed in, thinking on how her two friends would also enjoy the inventive nature Novicmon was describing.
"I could see Henry getting along with these guys." Takato added with his own smile, before Rika added with her own smirk. "As long as Terriermon doesn't cause any issues."
"Thomas would probably get along with these guys as well." Marcus commented, his words getting nods of agreement from Agumon, Yoshi and Lalamon, while Shoutmon smiled and added. "And I could see Jeremy and Ballistamon having fun with these guys. They probably have some inventive weaponry that could aid the alliance against the Dark Tribe."
"But if they did, wouldn't they have driven the Dark Tribe back by now?" Eri was then forced to ask, the question causing the group to go silent as they realized that she was right, leaving them wondering what it was the Dark Lady had thrown against the Metal Tribe that was still fighting them after a thousand years.
"I guess we'll find out when we get there." Novicmon said in reply as he looked back at his map and told his friends. "We should be able to reach their border by tomorrow afternoon, there is a village not too far from here we should be able to rest at for the night."
"Provided they let us sleep there." Tagiru then said with a sigh, knowing that while many were thankful for those who stood against the Dark Lady, there were many in the Borderlands that are either weary of the heroes and heroines, knowing that the Dark Tribe would punish those who aided the group, or in a few cases, believed the heroes and heroines were making things worse for them.
"I suppose we'll find out soon enough." Davis remarked, knowing how worried the group was, as well as how tired they were from their journey.
Following Novicmon, the heroes and heroines made their way towards the village, unaware of what fate would await them.
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After another hour of walking, the group found themselves approaching a quiet village near the top of the mountain ranges, seemingly isolated from the conflict affecting the rest of Witchelny.
Upon arrival at the gates, however, the heroes and heroines were met with surprise, having expected some hostilities.
Instead, however…
"They're here!"
"The Heroes of Witchelny are here!"
"We're so glad you came our way!"
Before the group, a large gathering of Digimon, most likely the villagers, were cheering and applauding them, seeming to be happy to see the heroes and heroines at their doorsteps.
It was then that a Jijimon stepped forward, where the elderly Digimon then said with a cheery voice. "Welcome, welcome great heroes to our home. I am Jijimon, the leader of this small village. We might not have much, but please, stay the night and make yourselves at home."
"We don't want to intrude…" Shoutmon started to say, sweatdropping at the villagers' almost overeager enthusiasm, while not wishing to impose any hardships upon them, before a pair of Beastmon surrounded the Digimon King, lifting him up off the ground as they looked upon him with a shared smile.
"Nonsense, we figured you might be in the area after we heard about the battle in the Wind Tribe's lands, so we saved up and prepared a feast in your honor." One of the Beastmon insisted with a smile, before the second one added with the a similar warmth in her tone. "So please stay and relax, Witchelny owes you for everything you have done for us."
Sweatdropping as they watched the two feline Digimon carry Shoutmon into the village, the remaining heroes and heroines followed, the crowd of Digimon villagers right behind them.
As the heroes, heroines and Novicmon entered the village square, the group looked around to see that, while the majority of the villagers seemed to be happy by their presence, there seemed to be a small group of Digimon that kept themselves off to the side and glared at the group.
One, however, stood out the most, who's presence caused not only Mikey, Shoutmon and Nene's eyes to widen in surprise, but Mervamon as well, a small smile forming on her face to see a Ignitemon among the villagers.
While she knew this Ignitemon wasn't her brother, Mervamon still felt a fondness upon seeing the fighter Digimon, despite the way we glared at her and her friends.
"Come now, Ignitemon, join in the celebration, we have special guests." Jijimon berated as he approached the Ignitemon and those with him, who huffed in response as he looked away from the village leader.
"They should just move on before they cause us any problems." Ignitemon replied with a cold tone, which wasn't a surprise to the heroes and heroines, having expected there to be Digimon in the village who would be hostile towards them.
"Nonsense! They are heroes and deserve to be treated as so." Jijimon said back, adding with a serious tone. "Do not cause any problems yourself."
Scoffing lightly, Ignitemon and his group began to leave, before the fighter Digimon looked to the heroes and heroines as he then commented. "Don't say I didn't warn you."
Frowning as they watched Ignitemon and those with him leave and return to their houses, the group of humans, Digimon and Appmon looked as Jijimon turned to them with a light sigh.
"My apologies for Ignitemon and his friends, they are just misguided and weary of outsiders thanks to the war." The elderly Digimon then apologized, his words causing Davis to smile back in reply and understanding.
"It is alright, we do understand." The maroon haired Digidestined said in reply, knowing that there were many that thought of him as his friends as trouble.
"But please do not let that discourage you. Please relax and enjoy your stay." Jijimon then insisted with a continued warmth and kindness in his tone as some of the villagers brought out a large table and food for the heroes and heroines, who took the elderly Digimon's advice and enjoyed the party being held in their honor.
Meanwhile, from his window, Ignitemon looked out with a frown on his face.
"Idiots." The fighter Digimon remarked to himself, hoping that he could correct things before it was too late.
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"Ah, that was amazing." Eri commented as she flopped onto the nice, comfy bed the village had given her and Dokamon, one of many in the room the heroes and heroines had been given for the night.
"Yeah, Jijimon and the others were nice to throw us a party and give us a room for the night." Haru said in agreement as he and Gatchmon too flopped onto the bed.
"I just wish Ignitemon and the others weren't so hostile." Nene then said as she looked to Mervamon, who smiled sadly in response.
"Let them be, not everyone's going to be happy with us, not with what the Dark Tribe has been doing to those who try and help us." Tai commented as he rested back on his bed, Agumon at his side, while Sora and Biyomon rested in the bed next to theirs.
After most of the group got into bed, Takato broke the silence as he said aloud. "Tomorrow, we get to the Metal Tribe and help them, then we get to the Thunder Tribe as quickly as we can."
"I really can't believe we've almost done it, we've almost united all the tribes together against Her." Yoshi then added, shivering slightly as she thought of the Dark Lady, a feeling shared by everyone else in the group.
"But will it be enough?" Jeri had to ask, looking at her D-Bracer as she then commented. "Even if all the tribes work together and we help them, the Dark Tribe still has a massive army at their command, and her power…"
"Plus, we still have no idea what her plan even is, why she needs the primordial fragments or even what her goals are." Marcus then added, causing a few in the group to nod in response.
Meanwhile, Davis, Veemon, Mikey, Shoutmon and Novicmon frowned, mentally reminding themselves that someone in their group was the Dark Lady's chosen and was somehow a part of whatever their enemy's plan was.
"Whatever her plan is, we'll face it together." Kari replied with a smile, looking at Davis as she asked with confidence. "Right, Davis?"
"Right." The Digidestined of Miracles replied, feeling more confident in himself, especially with the confidence Kari gave him, before Astora and Musimon's yawning caught everyone's attention, the duo smiling sheepishly as they apologized.
"We better get some sleep, we have a big day tomorrow." Biyomon suggested, the group agreeing with the Digimon of Love as they all turned in for the night, unaware of how their night would progress.
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Slowly opening his eyes as his senses returned to him, Davis' eyes then widened in panic as he started to realize his situation.
First thing the maroon haired Digidestined saw was that he was now outside, seemingly in a circular area carved into a mountain, with an altar before him and a ring of colosseum styled seats that rose around them.
The second thing and most concerning thing Davis realized was that he was tied to a wooden pole, his arms and legs tied up behind him, before realizing that all the humans were in a row around him, with Kari and Rika tied on either side of him.
"Guys, wake up!" Davis quickly called, his cry causing the other heroes and heroines to wake up, before they each panicked at their situation.
"Oh, not again!" Takuya and Zoe let out together, the Legendary Warriors both remembering when the KaratsukiNumemon tied them and their friends up for thinking they were working with Grumblemon, while Zoe remembered being chained to a rock slab while Mercurymon and Ranamon tried to torture her and the other Legendary Warriors into relinquishing their Spirits.
"What the heck?!" Tagiru let out as he tried to break out of his bindings, where he and the other humans noticed their ropes glowing a dark red aura.
"Vee-headbutt!" The voice of Veemon called out, where the humans looked to the side to see Veemon and most of the other Digimon and Appmon in a series of cages, where the Digimon of Miracles slammed his head into the metal bars, only to be shocked by a powerful energy, which then sent Veemon flying back.
Beside the cages, her body too big to be contained in such confinements, Mervamon struggled as her entire body was chained to the ground, her weapon at the side as she tried to break her bindings, only for a shock of dark lightning to run through her, causing the amazon Digimon to cry out in pain.
"Mervamon!" Nene called out in worry, before the sounds of chanting caught her and the others' attention as the humans, Digimon and Appmon looked around to find that they were not alone.
Within the stone stands were many Digimon, all clad in black robes, with the smallest looking like small humans in black garments, hoods and skull-like faces.
The ones that were taller than the smaller ones were taller than Marcus or Tai, only their heads were covered in helmets with pointed tops, two horns coming out of their sides, and a pure bone white mask that only revealed a single red eye.
The final type of new Digimon they could make out resembled the taller Digimon, only their robes were bone white and a series of six black spikes came out of their backs, where all three types of Digimon continued chanting, as though some dark ritual was being performed.
"Who the heck are these guys?!" Tai questioned as he tried to get out of his restraints, not liking the situation he and his friends found themselves in.
"SkullAcolytemon, DarkEldermon and DarkInquisitormon…" Novicmon said with a trembling voice, getting everyone's attention as the small mystic Digimon then said with a growing dread. "These are the Scions of Mortismon!"
Hearing Novicmon's statement caused some panic to fill the heroes and heroines, now knowing that they had been captured by the Dark Digimon cult, before a feminine laugh caught their attention.
"How knowledgeable for one so small." The female voice commented, causing the heroes and heroines to look towards a platform above the altar and see a lone figure before them.
At first, Mikey, Nene and their partners thought they were seeing Lilithmon once more, but upon further examination, they found this being to be a completely different Digimon.
The being seemed like a seductive temptress, one whose shapely body was clad in a dark dress, one with feathered designs, but left her appearance as both a creature of lust and of a wicked and powerful foe.
Looking past the being's pale skin and long, bleached blonde hair and staring into her deep crimson eyes, the heroes and heroines could see the menacing wickedness this particular Digimon held, which continued to reflect within her appearance, namely around the silver and gold horned sections of metal around her left eye and around her neck, while a pair of feathered wings spread out from her back, closely resembling an owl in appearance.
"Greetings, heroes, I am Morganamon, High Priestess of Mortismon." The being declared as she introduced herself,eyeing her captives and adding with a smirk. "It was so nice that you came our way."
Hearing Morganamon's declaration, the heroes and heroines where shocked and frustrated that they had walked into one of their enemies' traps, before the sound of someone clearing their throats caused all to look in the direction, where the heroes and heroines were shocked to see Jijimon and Ignitemon off to the side.
"Excuse me, Mistress, but do they suffice?" Jijimon questioned as he looked at Morganamon, his words causing the group of humans, Digimon and Appmon to widen their eyes in shock.
"Indeed." Morganamon replied, adding with a smirk as she looked over the captives. "There will be no need for a sacrifice from your village this time."
"Sacrifice?!" Eri asked, looking back towards Jijimon and Ignitemon, the first chuckling lightly, while the latter held back a growl.
"For the past thousand years, every few months, someone from our village is sacrificed to these… monsters, just so that they can perform their rituals to a dead God." Ignitemon remarked as he glared at both Morganamon and Jijimon, the latter of which scoffed at the younger Digimon's words.
"And for that price we have been protected from the Dark Tribe's onslaught, it is a fair trade!" Jijimon replied with anger, before pointing his staff at the heroes and heroines as he then commented. "And this time, we've given them enough of a tribute that our village can be spared for a few more years!"
Hearing Jijimon's words left the heroes and heroines in disgust, while seeing how much Ignitemon was against the idea, where the group now realized that the reptilian Digimon was trying to warn them earlier about this horrid practice.
"Enough! Now leave before I change my mind!" Morganamon then yelled with a dismissive wave, causing Jijimon to bow, before turning to leave, with Ignitemon giving the heroes one last pained look, before following his elder, where the heroes and heroines saw a path leading out of the altar area, the village not to far down below them.
Turning back to Morganamon, the humans began struggling in their restraints once again, while the Digimon and Appmon tried to break free from their cages and chains, the sight of which caused the Witch Digimon to laugh in response.
"It is no use, those bindings and cages are imbued with the power of Mortismon's seal, and thus your precious D-Bracers won't work." Morganamon informed the heroes and heroines, smirking to see them glaring back at her, before she addressed all her captives.
"The Digimon and these… things." The Witch Digimon began to say as she pointed to the Appmon, before continuing as she stated. "Will be sacrificed to Great Mortismon, so that his power can sustain us even from beyond."
"While the rest of you will be given as tributes to the Dark Lady." Morganamon finished as she looked to the humans, smirking to see the terror in their eyes as she added. "She has plans for all of you."
'So even she doesn't know who the chosen is.' Mikey thought to himself, before refocusing as he tried to get out of his restraints, and action the rest of the heroes and heroines were trying to complete.
All around them, the various Digimon of the Scions of Mortismon began to chant even louder, before Morganamon then snapped her fingers, where the heroes and heroines heard a loud battle cry, followed by something large leaping from an unknown hiding spot and landed before the restrained and caged heroes and heroines with a powerful shockwave.
When the dust cleared, Davis and the others looked in shock to see a massive warrior Digimon, nearly SacredPhoenixmon's height, clad in black armour from head to toe, showing only a pair of glowing dark green eyes, while spikes came out of his shoulder pads and kneecaps.
Six massive spikes came out of the warrior's back, covered only by a massive black cape, while two horns stuck out of the being's helmet.
Swinging his arm around, the dark warrior Digimon revealed a massive mace that it used as a weapon, where he let out a loud roar, before looking down at the heroes and heroines with a menacing glare.
"Just what the hell is that thing?!" Gumdramon asked upon seeing the massive warrior as he slowly stalked his way towards the caged Digimon and Appmon.
"Mordredmon, the champion of the Scions of Mortismon." Morganamon responded with a wicked smile, watching the dark warrior Digimon walk towards the caged Digimon and Appmon, watching as the biggest threat to the Scions, the Dark Tribe and the Dark Lady were about to be finished off for good.
"Enough!" A sudden voice then bellowed, causing even the chanting to stop as all looked in the direction of the sound, shocking everyone to see Ignitemon in the air, who then threw his shuriken down before him.
It was then, much to Morganamon's horror, that the blades flew by and cut the restraints on Davis, Kari, Rika, Tagiru and Nene's arms and legs, freeing the five as their D-Bracers lit up, a sight that caused Mordredmon to step back, before Veemon, Gatomon, Renamon, Gumdramon and Mervamon turned into energy and shot towards their partners, who were consumed in pillars of light.
"MagnaVeedramon!"
"Lightbearer Ophanimon!"
"MysticSakuyamon!"
"ShaolinArresterdramon!"
"AncientMervamon!"
Turning to Ignitemon, Morganamon glared at the small Digimon as his weapons returned to him, where the Witch Digimon bellowed with a growing resentment and fury. "You little whelp, you will pay for this!"
"We have had it with your reign of terror, tonight, our village will be free of you!" Ignitemon declared as he landed on the ground, looking to see the SkullAcolytemon, DarkEldermon and DarkInquisitormon began to rush towards him, ready to punish him for his defiance.
"Mythic Strike!"
"Skydive Force!"
Moving together, ShaolinArresterdramon and AncientMervamon cut through the first group of Dark Digimon, seeing that they were Rookie Level, Champion Level and Ultimate Level Digimon each, who then stalled themselves to see the two heroes before them.
"We'll handle them, you go free the others." AncientMervamon then said as she looked over her shoulder towards Ignitemon, who nodded his head as he took off to reach the other bound and caged heroes and heroines, leaving the weaker Scions to the pair.
Meanwhile, MagnaVeedramon, Lightbearer Ophanimon and MysticSakuyamon returned their focus to Mordredmon, who let out another battle cry as his mace was consumed in dark purple flames, which he then swung towards the trio.
"Magna Saber!"
"Striking Light!"
"Blazing Spear Strike!"
Combining their strikes together, MagnaVeedramon, Lightbearer Ophanimon and MysticSakuyamon met Mordredmon's strike head on, before pushing the larger Digimon back, who stumbled a few feet and glared at his foes in rage.
Moving together, MagnaVeedramon, Lightbearer Ophanimon and MysticSakuyamon then rushed at Mordredmon, not only to keep their foe off balance, but also to make sure the fighting did not harm their still captive friends.
"Get him MagnaVeedramon, Lightbearer Ophanimon, MysticSakuyamon!" Zoe called out, cheering on her friends that were fighting the large Digimon.
"You guys too!" Sora added toward ShaolinArresterdramon and AncientMervamon with a similar enthusiasm, who held off most of the Scions, while Ignitemon dodged the few that slipped past them as he tried to reach the other heroes and heroines.
"Holy Strike!"
"Divine Light!"
"Full Spirit Wave!"
Moving together, MagnaVeedramon, Lightbearer Ophanimon and MysticSakuyamon struck at Mordredmon from three different sides, the Dark Knight Digimon letting out pained cries as he tried to force back his foes, swinging his mace to try and strike at them, where the trio noticed his armour begin to crack.
Enraged, Mordredmon then brought his mace up into the air, where a sphere of dark flames began to form above the weapon, growing in size and intensity, before the Dark Knight Digimon threw it towards his foes, hoping to strike them down with a single blow.
"Full Force Strike!"
"Holy Judgement!"
"Full Spirit Wave!"
His body consumed in light, MagnaVeedramon shot straight forward at the oncoming attack, while Lightbearer Ophanimon and MysticSakuyamon sent out their attacks alongside the holy knight Digimon, which combined with his being as he shot forward, colliding with Mordredmon's dark inferno.
A moment later, much to the Dark Knight Digimon's shock, Magnaveedramon burst through his attack, canceling it and causing it to dissolve, before the holy knight Digimon and the energies around him shot right through Mordredmon's being, causing the dark warrior to cry out in pain and agony as his body shattered, breaking apart into Data particles and fading into nothing, the sight causing Morganamon to growl in anger.
"You fools think you've won?" The Witch Digimon questioned, her frown turning to a grin as she then remarked. "Perhaps I need to teach you all what true power is."
"I don't think so, you hag." MysticSakuyamon replied as she swung her spear around, smirking to see Morganamon growl, before Lightbearer Ophanimon then added as she swung her sword. "We'll teach you a session for praying on the innocent!"
Together, the duo then launched themselves at Morganamon, where MagnaVeedramon noticed the smirk on her face, causing the holy knight Digimon to cry out. "Girls, wait a minute!"
But before they could react, a red gem set upon a necklace around Morganamon's neck began to glow, where the Witch Digimon brought up her hands as red energy shot out and engulfed Lightbearer Ophanimon and MysticSakuyamon, causing both to halt their advances as they cried out in pain.
"Girls, are you alright?!" MagnaVeedramon called out in worry as he rushed towards the pair, concerned for their wellbeing.
However, reacting quickly, the holy knight Digimon then quickly backed off as Lightbearer Ophanimon turned and swung her blade at him, before MagnaVeedramon then had to dodge another swing, this time from MysticSakuyamon's spear.
"I... I Can't… control… my body…" Lightbearer Ophanimon could barely say, finding her body moving without her consent, a predicament MysticSakuyamon shared.
"Not again… not again…" The mystic Digimon said through her struggling, hating that fact that she was once again being used and manipulated by their enemies.
"Oh no." Zoe said in shock and concern as she and the others saw Lightbearer Ophanimon and MysticSakuyamon now being puppeted against MagnaVeedramon, each feeling concern for their friends' safety.
"Well now, this is quite the turn of events." Morganamon said with a wicked glee, her hands still out as she controlled Lightbearer Ophanimon and MysticSakuyamon like a pair of puppets, having the two circle around MagnaVeedramon as the Witch Digimon then asked. "And what will you do now, sir knight? Will you strike them down just to get to me? Or will your chivalry be your downfall? I can't wait to see what will happen."
Gritting his teeth, MagnaVeedramon knew he had to find a way to free Lightbearer Ophanimon and MysticSakuyamon from their enemy's hold, before finding a way to take the Witch Digimon down and save his friends.
Keeping his blades up for defense, MagnaVeedramon prepared himself for another tough fight, one he hoped to never be in again.
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Author's note: The heroes' peaceful night has turned into an all-out fight with a dangerous foe. Will MagnaVeedramon be able to save Lightbearer Ophanimon and MysticSakuyamon? Will the other heroes be freed and the group be able to take down Morganamon? Stay tuned as the adventure continues.