War and chaos were the only words to describe the scene at the gates of the Dark Tribe's territory as the allied tribal forces clashed with the Dark Digimon that had been tormenting their world for a thousand years, an all out war to free themselves from the darkness.
Even with their unified strengths, however, the allied Digimon still found themselves outnumbered by their enemies, their strength increased by the horrors of the Dark Tribe, this including the SkullColossimon and ShadowColossimon, which slashed and crushed everything in their path, both friend and foe alike.
Fortunately for the warriors of Witchelny, the remaining heroes and heroines, imbued with the power of all ten of the primordial fragments, were there to help.
Rushing in and aiding their allies, the heroes and heroines struck back at the dark forces as they sought to punch their way through the enemy lines in the hopes to reach and to save Davis.
"Divine Calling!"
"Rinkageki!"
"Sacred Flame!"
"Rage of the Wyvern!"
"Full Spirit Wave!"
"Arcane Inferno!"
"Arcane Twister!"
"Flaming Destruction!"
"Nature's Wrath!"
"Omni Force!"
"Inferno Spiral!"
"Ancient Blaze!"
"Ultimate Search Strike!"
"Savage Slash!"
"Ballistic Barrage!"
Striking together, with Jeri aiding her friends with her cosmic energy blasts, the heroes and heroines tore through the lines of the Dark Tribe, taking out large numbers of the enemy forces, while forcing many of the Dark Digimon to fall back to the other side of the gate, allowing the allied forces to push forward and into the lands of their enemy.
"V-headbutt!" Veemon declared with a great might in his voice as he smashed himself into a DarkWolfmon, the impact and sheer power of his attack sending the beast flying backward, showing just how determined Veemon was in reuniting with his partner and best friend.
Encouraged by Veemon and his friends, Novicmon and Nyarukimon unleashed a combined force of fire and light upon their foes.
Although the smaller Digimon were placing a valiant effort into their attacks, the trio saw a legion of the Dark Tribe shock troopers heading their way, ready to strike them down as quickly as possible.
"Dark Pales!" A sinister but trusting voice then bellowed, the call causing the trio of Digimon to turn, just in time to see a massive sphere of dark blue flames shoot past and slam into the charging Dark Digimon from above, the dark inferno incinerating them instantly and leaving a smoldering crater in its wake.
Looking upon the crater as the heroes and heroines rejoined them, Veemon, Novicmon and Nyarukimon looked to see GulusGammamon standing back up, the Dark Digimon smirking as he saw more of his traitorous kin charge toward him, before the heroes and their friends saw a group of DarkWolfmon, BlackGargolyemon and ShadowKnightmon, each in the colours of the resistance, rush past them, joining the fray as they battled to free their tribe from the tyranny of the Dark Lady once and for all.
"GulusGammamon." Lightbearer Ophanimon called, her voice causing the Dark Digimon to look over his shoulder, before the Digimon of Light then questioned. "How far from here is the capital?"
"The capital is a day's walk that way." GulusGammamon said back as he pointed in one direction, before turning his finger slightly to the right and then told the Digimon of Light. "But it's the Dark Lady's citadel we want to head to, and that is this way. The Capital exists mostly to house the civilians now, nothing more."
Wait, why would she build her citadel away from the capital?" GaleSilphymon asked in confusion, knowing that the capital of the Dark Tribe is where the Infinite Dark was housed.
"Because that is where Mortismon's power is sealed." Lightbearer Ophanimon answered, knowing how her dark counterpart would think. "She built her fortress right on top of it."
"Then that is where we need to head." Samudramon then stated, his word causing GulusGammamon to nod in agreement, before leaping into action, just as a legion of Dark Tribe Digimon began charging at the heroes and heroines, to strike them down before they could interfere with their Mistress' plan.
However, before the Dark Digimon could strike, a series of energy blasts bombarded the horde, destroying many and causing those yet to perish to retreat.
The heroes and heroines then looked to the skies, to see that a trio of Metal Arks had broken through the enemy lines, thus furthering their advantage within their conflict.
The flying machines of the Metal Tribe then unleashed a large number of ArcaneMekanorimon, each piloted by ClockKnightmon and SteelKnightmon as they began to move and open fire at the enemy forces, while the group saw HiAlchemymon fly down and join the Metal machines in battle.
"We need to keep moving. Davis is counting on us!" Veemon said with a further emotion in his voice, his words receiving nods from the other heroes and heroines, who followed alongside their allies and towards the direction GulusGammamon had indicated.
But before rushing after her friends, Jeri stopped as she noticed one of the ArcaneMekanorimon come towards her, its cockpit opened to reveal no pilot, a sight that caused the cosmic-infused brunette to smile as an idea came to mind.
Not too far off, the other heroes and heroines stopped as another legion of Dark Tribe Digimon stood in their way, the evil Digimon rushing towards the heroes and heroines, who prepared to strike their foes down in order to proceed forward.
However, once more, the Dark Digimon were struck down before they could attack the heroes, this time due to a series of powerful cosmic energy blasts, blasts that seemed to be fired from powerful cannons.
Looking behind them, the group of humans, Digimon and Appmon were surprised at first to see a ArcaneMekanorimon brimming with cosmic energy approach them, before the cockpit opened and revealed Jeri within, her hands set on the controls as the energy flowed from her and into the machine Digimon.
"I figured we can use as much firepower as possible." The brunette said with a confident smirk, causing a few in the group to chuckle in reply, before the heroes and heroines refocused and continued through the Dark Tribe's lands towards the Dark Lady's citadel, to save Davis and stop the fallen double of Kari once and for all.
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From a command point set up not too far from the citadel, DeathTactimon watched the battle unfold through a series of dark mirrors with a mixture of amusement and frustration.
Despite the overwhelming power of his forces, the dark tactic Digimon did admit to himself that he may have miscalculated the strength and determination of the allied forces.
Before the arrival of the heroes and heroines, the tribes were divided, easier to pick off as each of the Dark Generals were tailored to battle their individual aspects and strategies.
Now, the tribes of Witchelny were working together and using their differences to strengthen one another, while also having the nine other tribal leaders, their champions and chief mystics also fighting a great opposing force, while DeathTactimon also found himself clashing mentally with his various counterparts amongst the allied tribes, their strategic minds working against his own as they coordinated their forces against his.
Likewise, having the heroes and heroines empowered by all the primordial fragments wasn't helping much either, as the biggest threats to the Dark Lady's plan were now plowing through the Dark Tribe's lines and boosting the morale of those fighting against the Dark Tribe.
But DeathTactimon was patient, for he knew this was not a battle of strength, but attrition, the dark tactic Digimon knowing that he merely needed to hold the heroes, heroines and their allies back until the ritual was complete.
Once finished, a new God of Death would be born and would annihilate all who stand against the Dark Lady and her followers.
A network of dark portals would allow the dark tactic Digimon to send his forces wherever he needed, allowing him to strike the allied forces from all sides as they tried to move deeper into the Dark Tribe's lands, while Wraithmon had his own plans in the event the heroes and heroines got close to the citadel.
And on the subject of the heroes, DeathTactimon looked to his side, seeing the scroll holding the last of Mortismon's Ancient Horrors opened as a Lichmon and his coven were performing the ritual to unleash the monstrosity, the dark tactic Digimon asking with impatience. "Is it almost ready?"
"Yes, my lord." The Lichmon replied, adding as the dark mystic Digimon looked over his shoulder. "Soon, it will be free, and it will bring death upon the invaders."
"Good, send it toward the heroes when it is done." DeathTactimon commanded as he looked back to the dark mirrors, looking forward to seeing how his foes would stand against this new obstacle.
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With a fair fraction of the allied forces catching up and rushing behind them, the heroes and heroines continued towards the direction of the Dark Lady's citadel, keeping an eye out for more enemy forces as the Dark Digimon continued to emerge from the dark portals which would open up from time to time.
"You'd think these guys would take a hint and realize they're no match for us." Marcus remarked after taking down a trio of SkullDracomon with a single strike of his blade, the power of all ten primordial fragments making him stronger than he had ever felt before.
"They are trying to stall us so the ritual can be completed before we arrive." LordShoutmon replied, knowing that the enemy was waiting for their new Dark God to rise and crush all their foes with ease.
As if reacting to LordShoutmon's words, a massive pillar of dark energy then shot into the sky from a mountain range nearby, causing the heroes, heroines and their allies to come to a halt, before looking in shock as a massive being, a Horror, emerged from behind a mountain and looked in their direction, letting out an ear-piercing shriek towards all before it.
Resembling a humanoid being, the wicked Digimon was as tall as Anansimon, a mummified form clad in Aztec armour, similar to Camazotzmon.
The Horrors limbs were thin, while its claw-like hands were ablaze in dark energy, its head was covered in a Mesoamerican death mask, only the skull-like face wasn't apart of the mask, but the Horror's actual face as the creature's mouth opened, showing a set of razor-sharp teeth as the new obstacle to the heroes and heroines let out another shriek and began moving toward them.
"That is Muertemon! The strongest of Mortismon's Horrors!" Novicmon told his friends and allies in shock, the small mystic Digimon horrified to see that the Dark Tribe had resorted to unleashing the last and worst of the Ancient Horrors upon them.
"We'll just take him down like the others." ShaolinArresterdramon said in reply, feeling overconfident that he and the others would defeat this Horror with ease.
Looking to see some of their allies rush forward to meet the Horror head on, the heroes and heroines were then shocked as a dark aura surrounded Muertemon's form, before shooting out toward the tribal Digimon.
Watching in shock and in horror, Nyarukimon and those present watched as their allies all screamed in pure agony as the aura consumed them, breaking their beings apart and into Data particles, which then flew into the Horror's mouth, feeding the dark being as it continued its approach towards the heroes and heroines.
"You can't just attack Muertemon!" Novicmon said to the heroes and heroines as he added. "He literally is a mini version of Mortismon and brings instant death to those close to him!"
"Then we need to strike at him from afar!" Lightbearer Ophanimon declared as she took to the skies, the Digimon of Light refusing to allow another Horror to stand between her and Davis.
Agreeing with the Digimon of Light, the other cosmic-infused heroes and heroines sprang into action.
Turning his attention to Veemon, Novicmon and Nyarukimon, Samudramon told the trio in a soft and understanding voice. "Just wait right here. We'll take care of this guy."
While Nyarukimon nodded in reply, Veemon and Novicmon felt frustrated that they could not help their friends, before the sounds of roars and shrieks caught their attention from behind, the trio looking to see another wave of Dark Digimon emerge from a portal, an attempt to strike at the heroes and heroines from behind as Muertemon struck at them.
Seeing this, Jeri moved her cosmic-infused ArcaneMekanorimon between the trio of Digimon and their attackers as the brunette called out to the other heroes and heroines. "I'll handle these guys, you see what you can do about that monster!"
Focusing herself and casting forth a blast of cosmic energy at the Dark Tribe forces, the heroes and heroines nodded in reply, the group focusing their attention upon Muertemon as the undead Horror slowly approached them.
"Holy Judgement!"
"Rinkageki!"
"Sacred Flame!"
"Rage of the Wyvern!"
"Full Spirit Wave!"
"Arcane Inferno!"
"Arcane Twister!"
"Flaming Destruction!"
"Violet Blast!"
"Omni Force!"
"Thunder Force!"
"Passion Shot!"
"Gaia Link!"
"Golden Arrow!"
"Rhythmic Stream!"
Unleashing their cosmic-infused attacks together, the heroes and heroines sent their assault toward Muertemon, all hoping to take the Horror down with one overpowered strike.
However, much to their shock and horror, Muertemon's aura once more extended from its being, deflecting and canceling out their attacks, surprising the heroes and heroines at how powerful Muertemon was to be able to repel their abilities like that, where the group then saw the Horror swing his claws at them.
"Move!" Sagemon yelled to his allies, with the rest of the group reacting as they dodged the Horror's strike, knowing that one touch from this Horror could be the end of them.
Meanwhile, Jeri continued to use her cosmic-infused ArcaneMekanorimon to fight off the Dark Tribe warriors which continued to rush toward her and her friends, taking out a large number of the enemy forces, only to find more replacing them as the Dark Digimon finally closed the distance between them and their prey, the DarkWolfmon leaping onto the ArcaneMekanorimon as they tried to tear open the cockpit and reach the cosmic-infused brunette.
Trying her best to shake the Dark Digimon off of her, Jeri then let out a cry of frustration as she poured more cosmic energy into the ArcaneMekanorimon, this causing the Digimon's core to send off a shockwave of energy, which annihilated the Dark Digimon on and around its being.
However, due to the overload of energy, the machine Digimon began powering down, this causing Jeri to say in an apologetic tone as she got out of the ArcaneMekanorimon. "Sorry."
The machine Digimon let out a beeping sound in reply, as though saying it was accepting Jeri's apology, before shutting down completely, going into a resting mode as it began recharging its energy.
However, the sounds of battle then caught the brunette's attention as she turned to see Veemon, Novicmon and Nyarukimon moving before her, where the brunette looked up to see Muertemon getting closer to them, her friends doing all they could to try and hurt the Horror, only for his aura to keep deflecting their attacks.
"Run for it!" Lightbearer Ophanimon yelled to her friends below, wishing for Jeri, Veemon, Novicmon and Nyarukimon to get out of the way, before looking as Muertemon was about to slam his claw down on the four and eliminate her friends.
But before the strike could land, a powerful energy barrier formed in the claw's path, where the heroes, heroines and Nyarukimon looked in shock to see Novicmon holding his hands out, a strained expression on his face as he tried to hold back the Ancient Horror's strike, which only seemed to enrage the monster as it slammed its other claw against the protective shield.
"Novicmon!" The heroes, heroines and Nyarukimon all yelled in concern, where Jeri tried to get her small friend to stop as she yelled. "Please, run! You…!"
"No!" The small mystic Digimon bellowed, his determination shocking his friends as he continued to hold the Horror back, where Muertemon began banging its claws against the barrier, trying to tear it down and get to its prey.
"When you all first came here… I saw you as heroes… being that had come to this world to save it from darkness… and I wanted to share in that adventure with you… to see legends rise…" Novicmon confessed as he continued to hold Muertemon back.
"But as time went on, you became more than heroes to me… you became my friends… and I won't sit back any longer when my friends are in danger…!" The small mystic Digimon then declared through his pain, looking up at Muertemon as the Horror shrieked down at him, before Novicmon then bellowed with his own might. "I want to protect my friends!"
It was at that moment that not only did Jeri's D-Bracer light up, much to the brunette's surprise, but each of the heroes and heroines felt their D-Bracers giving off energy as well.
Even within the ritual chamber and despite his unconscious state, Davis' D-Bracer also lit up, a sight that startled Charonmon for a moment.
At the same time, Novicmon's form then began to glow with a bright light, so intense that Muertemon stepped back and shielded its eyes as it shrieked at the small Digimon, while the heroes and heroines looked on in shock and awe as they realized what was happening to Novicmon.
Digivolution.
"Novicmon, Warp Digivolve to...!" The small mystic Digimon's voice cried out with a great might, before the light faded, causing the group to look in shock as their young friend Digivolved right before their eyes.
Astonished to Novicmon's Digivolution, the heroes, heroines, their allies and even their enemies looked over the dying light, to see as the final remnants of the energy fading, this revealed Novicmon's new form.
No longer standing as a Veemon sized lizard-like Digimon, Novicmon's new form matched the size of Samudramon, his appearance expressing his more draconic side alongside his more mystical side and appearing as a great dragon sage.
With black robes resting around his shoulders, the new form of Novicmon no longer conceal himself from his friends and his enemies with his hat, instead allowing all present to see that amongst the various golden gems adorning his four claw-like hands, his waist and around his neck, while in his possession was a large and powerful staff.
Holding a greater beastly and draconic appearance in his facial features, his eyes ablaze in red energy, which matched the large red stone upon his forehead, at the center of four, large horns that spread out from his head, all of which glowed brightly, the Digimon then swung his tail, extended his arms and declared in a great and powerful voice. "Arcanadramon!"
"Wow…" Nyarukimon could only say to the amazing sight before her, which was shared amongst the heroes and heroines, before MysticSakuyamon brought up the information on her friend's new form.
"Arcanadramon, a Mega Level Digimon, and a supreme mystic type Digimon." The fusion of Rika and Renamon told the others, leaving the heroes and heroines in awe at their small friend's transformation.
Shocked themselves by the transformation, the Dark Digimon that were aiding Muertemon began to turn and flee, only to find a large force of the allied Digimon, led by GrandPyromon, rush at them, where the chief mystic of the Fire Tribe looked upon Arcanadramon with shock and approval.
"My time exposed to the D-Bracers and their light has granted me the power to Digivolve." The arch mystic Digimon explained, his voice now older and wiser than as Novicmon, before ArcanaDramon then looked to Muertemon, stating with further might. "They sensed my desire to protect those I care for, and I will not let it go to waste."
With a shriek of rage, Muertemon moved to strike down the newly evolved Digimon, bringing its right arm up as it prepared to strike.
However, in response, Arcanadramon then brought his three free hands up as they glowed with cosmic light, where a circle of energy formed beneath the Horror's feet, causing thousands of chains of light to emerged and wrap around Muertemon's form, the Horror shrieking in rage as its form was bound and restrained.
Looking upon Arcanadramon's move in awe, the heroes, heroines and their allies then watched as Muertemon's dark aura seemed to fade away, leaving the Horror open for an attack.
Levitating into the air, Arcanadramon addressed his friends and declared. "Now, my friends, strike as one! Let us be rid of this evil!"
Nodding in response to their friend's call, the heroes and heroines moved to strike down the bound Horror as Jeri swung her blade, releasing a blast of cosmic energy towards Muertemon, while her friends added their power to the assault.
"Holy Judgement!"
"Rinkageki!"
"Sacred Flame!"
"Rage of the Wyvern!"
"Full Spirit Wave!"
"Arcane Inferno!"
"Arcane Twister!"
"Flaming Destruction!"
"Violet Blast!"
"Omni Force!"
"Thunder Force!"
"Passion Shot!"
"Gaia Link!"
"Golden Arrow!"
"Rhythmic Stream!"
"Arcane Judgement!" Arcanadramon then declared with his own power as he held his staff up.
Creating a massive sphere of cosmic energy within his staff, which he then threw towards Muertemon, Arcanadramon joined in with the power of his friends as the cosmic energy consumed the Horror's being, leaving it to shriek in agony and pain, before dissolving into Data particles, ending the last of Mortismon's Horrors.
With the Horror defeated, the heroes and heroines landed on the ground, each looking upon Arcanadramon with prideful smiles, their warmth causing the arch mystic Digimon to nod his head in reply, ignoring the sight of Nyarukimon looking upon him now with hearts in her eyes as he turned to face the approaching form of GrandPyromon and the allied forces.
"I always knew you were destined for greatness, I am just glad to have been there to see it." The chief mystic of the Fire Tribe said to his old friend as he bowed with respect, a gesture Arcanadramon mimicked to his old mentor.
"I wish we could discuss this more, but time is not on our side." Arcanadramon said in reply as he looked toward the direction of the Dark Lady's citadel, commenting as he told his friends and allies. "The ritual has already begun, so it is imperative we hurry if we are to save Davis."
Nodding in response and agreement to the arch mystic Digimon's statement, the heroes and heroines took off, their allies behind them as they rushed towards the citadel, to stop the Dark Lady and save their friend before it was too late.
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Breathing out a sigh of relief after watching the light in the boy's D-Bracer fade, Charonmon resumed his examination and study of the ritual as he observed Mortismon's power continue to fill Davis' being, seeing dark Digi-runes form along the unconscious Digidestined's body, the only side effect of the power transfer the dark mystic Digimon could see.
Smirking to himself, Charonmon felt joy and satisfaction fill his being, seeing all the efforts of the past thousand years coming together before his eyes as he watched a new God rise.
Ever since the day the Dark Lady was brought before him, Charonmon remained faithful toward the corrupt human, knowing the promise she made to him for his loyalty, and soon, that promise would come to fruition.
Not only would the dark mystic Digimon be present to see the birth of a new deity, but once his Mistress' beloved destroys those who stand before her, the Dark Lady and her lover would leave this world, where he, Charonmon, would rise to not only become the leader of the Dark Tribe, but the ruler of all Witchelny, and he had many, many plans for this world.
It was perfect in Charonmon's eyes.
"Well, isn't this a jolly old sight to see." Sciophobimon remarked with a familiar sinister chuckle as he came out of the shadows and circled around the ritual seal, the appearance of the jester-like Digimon causing Charonmon to mentally groan and to rethink. 'Almost perfect.'
"Shouldn't you be out there helping drive off the invaders?" The dark mystic Digimon questioned in annoyance, which grew as Sciophobimon drew closer and seemed to dance around like a jolly fool.
"And miss the real party?" The jester-like Digimon questioned as he stopped to Charonmon's right, who tried to pay no attention to Sciophobimon as he went on to say. "To see the fulfillment of years of planning? I wouldn't miss this, not after bringing her to you all those years ago."
Charonmon was about to chastise Sciophobimon, to berate him for his foolery, only to pause as the jester-like Digimon's words caught up in his mind.
Sciophobimon didn't bring the Dark Lady to him, in fact, Charonmon was certain that the jester-like Digimon didn't come into the fallen Digidestined's service until long after the war began.
"What are you babbling about? You didn't bring her to me!" The chief mystic of the Dark Tribe yelled as he turned to Sciophobimon, who continued to chuckle in reply.
"Oh yes I did." The jester-like Digimon said in a sing song tone, before, much to Charonmon's shock, Sciophobimon broke into Data particles, which reformed into a small, black robed Babamon, the same Babamon which had brought the unconscious form of the Dark Lady to his study all those years ago.
"I've been with you for a while now, guiding her and you, manipulating things from behind." The Babamon stated with Sciophobimon's voice, adding to the horror filling Charonmon, who then watched the Digimon before him break into Data particles once again, and this time grew in size.
"You know me, we're old friends now… you know me." The Digimon that was Sciophobimon then stated as his voice changed, before coming together into a new form, one that towered over Charonmon as the dark mystic's fear skyrocketed.
Though smaller than he had thought this being would be, this was indeed a Digimon he knew all too well as the figure looked down at him with empty eye sockets and declared. "I am Mortismon, and I will have back what is mine!"
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The siege of the Dark Tribe's lands continues as the heroes and heroines continue their charge, with Novicmon's devotion to his friends allowing him to achieve his ultimate form. However, Sciophobimon has now shown his true face. What does this mean for the heroes, heroines and even the Dark Lady? Stay tuned as the adventure continues.