Upon seeing the new form of their Mistress, the Dark Tribe warriors felt invigorated.
Pushing their attacks to drive the allied forces back with a fierce desire, which left the allied tribes to go on the defensive as the zealous Dark Digimon struck at them with a continued might.
In one section, Sifakamon and Ajatarmon found themselves surrounded by a group of SkullColossimon, ShadowColossimon and SkullWarGreymon, the Dark Mega Digimon holding a terrible bloodlust in their eyes as they prepared to attack.
"Master Sifakamon, you must flee, I will distract them." Ajatarmon suddenly offered as he kept his blade drawn and ready to strike.
"I said before, I am not leaving…" Sifakamon started to say in protest, having gotten tired of Ajatarmon's clear attempts to make him run away.
"Master Sifakamon!" Ajatarmon cut in with a yell, the bellow starting Sifakamon, who had never heard his close bodyguard and friend express such emotion.
"If we are to survive this, the Nature Tribe and Lady Silvamon will need your advice and guidance. Please, let me repay that debt to you." Ajatarmon then said with a growing determination, causing Sifakamon to look concerned and worried, before letting out a pained sigh as he disappeared, this leaving Ajatarmon to deal with the Dark Digimon himself.
Though many believed it was out of duty that Ajatarmon was loyal to the mystic monkey Digimon, the plant Digimon's trust in Sifakamon ran much deeper than that.
Back when he was a mere Pomumon, The Digimon that would become Ajatarmon was being chased through the Nature Tribe's forest by a large predator, only to run into the village that Sifakamon called home.
Weak and hungry, Pomumon had watched as the villagers approached him, perceiving the small Digimon as an intruder, who they were about to attack.
Scared for his life, Pomumon felt relief return to him when Sifakamon appeared and broke up the violence, even offering Pomumon food to help replenish the small Digimon.
"You know, you'll have to pay me back for this someday." The mystic monkey Digimon teased, but to Ajatarmon, Sifakamon's words were a promise he had made to himself, to pay back the Digimon that saved his life that day, one that showed a kindness he knew Witchelny needed.
"I will fulfill my debt, Master Sifakamon!" Ajatarmon said silently as he leaped toward the Dark Digimon, and to his fate, leaping towards a SkullColossimon as its allies lunged towards the plant Digimon themselves.
Back at the top of the citadel, to the battle between Lightbearer Ophanimon, her group and the Dark Lady, the heroes and heroines looked on with concern to see the new form of the fallen Kari, with most in the group unable to sense any humanity left in the dark being before them.
"What have you done to yourself?" The Digimon of Light questioned in horror, her concerns leaving the Dark Lady to look down at her foes with her glowing dark purple eyes.
"I have done what is necessary… all of this… is for him…" The fallen Digidestined of Light said back as she held her hands out, her actions causing a pair of dark energy spheres to form above her palms, resembling a pair of black holes that the Dark Lady then threw down at her foes.
"Fox Seal!" MysticSakuyamon bellowed in response as she slammed her spear into the ground and formed another protective barrier around her and those close to her.
The two orbs then colliding with her power, the dark energy thrown at her left MysticSakuyamon to cry out in pain and agony as she felt her body being overwhelmed by the darkness, which left the heroes and heroines to grit their teeth as they too felt the impact of the dark energy.
When the darkness faded, the heroes and heroines barely had time to catch their breath as they saw dark energy gathering within the void rift above the Dark Lady's icon, the uneasy feeling causing Marcus to call out in concern. "Move it!"
Heeding the Fire Knight's words, the heroes and heroines scattered as the fallen Kari unleashed a powerful blast of energy from the void rift, the beam following behind Lightbearer Ophanimon as the dark Lady sought to eliminate her counterpart.
And through her rage, everything in the path of the dark beam exploded in a surge of energy, this also including part of the fighting happening below the citadel and the mountain range.
The darkness flowing out of the Dark Lady's form then grew, forming a secondary set of wings of pure shadow, before the fallen Digidestined of Light appeared in front of her counterpart in the blink of an eye, striking Lightbearer Ophanimon with the back of her hand and sending the Digimon of Light crashing down to the broken throne room with a powerful crash, even going through several floors of the citadel from the intense power of the Dark Lady.
Turning her attention away from the Digimon of Light and looking down, the Dark Lady saw Jeri, Yoshi, LordShoutmon, ShaolinArresterdramon, AncientMervamon, ShogunOujamon and BardMusimon rush toward the hole formed by Lightbearer Ophanimon's crash, the fallen Digidestined of Light following after her foes as she then shot down.
Her shadowy wings morphing into four spider-like legs caused the small group of heroes and heroines to quickly move as the Dark Lady slammed into the group, her spider-like legs piercing the ground beneath her.
But even with the Dark Lady's command over the darkness, the heroes and heroines refused to quit.
"Nature's Wrath!" Yoshi then announced as hundreds of vines erupted from the ground and tried to bind themselves around the Dark Lady, however, for the fallen Kari's eyes glowed with a further dark intensity, which caused the vines to wither, dry up and die before they could so much as touch the dark being.
"Victory Slasher!"
"Star Shine Dive!"
"Skydive Force!"
"Savage Slash!"
Moving together and fighting alongside Jeri, LordShoutmon, ShaolinArresterdramon, AncientMervamon and ShogunOujamon tried to strike at the Dark Lady, but found the Dark Lady's shadowy spider-like legs reshape themselves to their original wing formation as the leader of the Dark Tribe landed on her feet and moved with a graceful and fluid motion as she dodged and parried the heroes and heroines' onslaught.
Her claw-like fingers blocking the attacks from the group, the Dark Lady then struck back.
Slamming her fists into Jeri, LordShoutmon, ShaolinArresterdramon, AncientMervamon and ShogunOujamon, the corrupt Kari's power sent all flying backwards, with Jeri almost being sent off the edge of the spire, had GaleSilphymon not been there to catch and move her back with the others.
"Sonic Strings!" BardMusimon then called as he strummed on his guitar and cast forth the paralyzing waves of his ability in the hopes of holding the Dark Lady in place , be it for a few moments.
However, instead of paralyzing his foe, the music Appmon watched as the Dark Lady dispersed into shadows, reappeared before BardMusimon and moved to strike down the fusion form of Astora and Musimon.
"Sacred Flame!"
"Full Spirit Strike!"
"Hurricane Spiral!"
"Flaming Destruction!"
"Gaia Link!"
Hearing the battle cries, BardMusimon quickly jumped back , just as SacredPhoenixmon, MysticSakuyamon, GaleSilphymon, Marcus and Sagemon unleashed their attacks upon the Dark Lady, only for the darkness to extend around the fallen form of Kari, encasing her in a sphere of shadows that repelled the attacks.
"Holy Judgement!" The combined voices of Kari and Gatomon cried out from the ruins below, before a blast of cosmic energy shot out from the opening in the throne room's floor, striking at the dark sphere with her allies' attacks and causing a massive explosion, where the Digimon of Light flew back up to the throne room as her allies gathered around her.
However, much to their frustration, when the smoke cleared, the dark sphere was still in place, before receding around the Dark Lady, showing no damage to her new form as she glared upon her foes with a further dark hatred.
"I am not sensing any humanity left within her." Sagemon remarked as he used his Wisdom's Gaze ability upon the Dark Lady, the fusion of Haru and Gatchmon adding with concern in his voice. "She has become a pure creature of the void."
"What happens to me is of little consequence… so long as Davis' ascension is complete…" The Dark Lady said in reply, before she looked upon her gathered foes and bellowed. "Now die… die so that a new God may rise…!"
Ignoring the feelings of fatigue, Lightbearer Ophanimon and the heroes and heroines prepared to continue in their conflict, all hoping that Arcanadramon and the others were having better luck then they were and would soon save Davis.
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"Cross Slicer!"
"Rage of the Wyvern!"
"Blazing Sabers!"
"Arcane Judgement!"
Back in the ritual room, Samudramon, MedievalGallantmon, CrimsonAldamon and Arcanadramon remained upland against the wicked force that was WraithCharonmon.
United with his friends, the arch mystic Digimon and MedievalGallantmon unleashing their most powerful attacks upon the spirit barrier around the death mystic Digimon, causing many of the dark spirits to dissolve into Data particles.
With the dark spirits gone, Samudramon and CrimsonAldamon then moved in to try and strike WraithCharonmon down, but found the death mystic Digimon used his sickle, blocking their strikes and pushing the duo back with his death-infused might.
"Ok, this guy is really getting on my nerves, and more so than usual!" The Digimon of Courage remarked with aggravation, before looking to the side and saw the writhing form of the being that was the Digidestined of Miracles, who continued to let out shrieks of rage through his madness as the powers of Mortismon and the stolen primordial energies were forced with his being.
But refocusing, Samudramon then moved back as he dodged a swing from WraithCharonmon's sickle, before regrouping with his allies as the wicked spirits began surrounding the death mystic Digimon once again.
Looking upon their foe, the heroes then saw the eerie green flames around WraithCharonmon begin to grow and intensify in light and in power as his body began to levitate into the air, as though the death mystic Digimon was preparing for another attack, the sight causing Arcanadramon to snarl a little, before an idea came to mind.
"Strike at him with everything you have, we may only have one shot!" The arch mystic Digimon told his friends as he put all four of his hands upon his staff and held it close to him, closing his eyes as he concentrated on his mystical energies.
Nodding in reply and trusting their friend, Samudramon, MedievalGallantmon and CrimsonAldamon turned toward the Dark Digimon as the dark spirits swarmed around WraithCharonmon, before the trio put all their might into another onslaught of attacks and sheer power.
"Rinkageki!"
"Rage of the Wyvern!"
"Arcane Inferno!"
Unleashing their attacks together, the trio of heroes sent their power forth, the combined cosmic attacks slammed into the swarm of dark spirits, thus leaving WraithCharonmon open for whatever Arcanadramon had planned.
Turning, Samudramon, MedievalGallantmon and CrimsonAldamon looked to see the arch mystic Digimon's staff ignited with cosmic energy, before transforming into a large spear of light.
"Arcana Strike!" The arch mystic Digimon bellowed as he aimed the charged weapon toward WraithCharonmon, before Arcanadramon's entire being was consumed in cosmic light, shooting forward as it took the form of a dragon's head.
Seeing the attack, WraithCharonmon let out a shriek as more spirits poured out of his bone lantern and rushed toward Arcanadramon, hoping to stop the arch mystic Digimon in his tracks.
But with a powerful battle cry, Arcanadramon shot through the swarm of spirits and rushed toward WraithCharonmon, the undead mystic Digimon defending as he brought up his sickle.
Not fast enough, however, the death mystic Digimon let out a pained shriek as Arcanadramon's energy blade pierced through his chest, causing WraithCharonmon to drop his sickle and lantern as the dark spirits all dissolved into Data particles as the eerie green flames died around the death mystic's body.
Keeping his blade inside of WraithCharonmon and one of his hands on the death mystic Digimon's shoulder, Arcanadramon brought himself and his foe back to the ground below, before WraithCharonmon slumped down to his knees, grunting from the pain.
"I wish… you could have… seen it… the world I wanted to make… one with Digi-magic unbound… free of restrictions… it… it would have been perfect…" WraithCharonmon told Arcanadramon, speaking his desires with what was left of his free will, before the flames in his eyes died and the death mystic Digimon burst into Data particles, ending the existence of the chief mystic of the Dark Tribe once and for all.
Closing his eyes, Arcanadramon let out a pained sigh.
Though he was an enemy, one who had done terrible things to Witchelny, Arcanadramon respected Charonmon's dreams and ambitions as a mystic Digimon and felt pity for the dark mystic Digimon for how Mortismon had used that desire for his own dark ambition.
Returning to his feet, Arcanadramon then looked as Samudramon, MedievalGallantmon and CrimsonAldamon came over to see if he was alright, causing the arch mystic Digimon to nod to their unasked question and to speak. "It is done."
"Good, now let's get Davis out of that ritual and…" MedievalGallantmon started to say, before a loud and inhuman shriek caught the heroes' attention.
Quickly turning to Davis and seeing the last of Mortismon's power and the stolen primordial energies enter his form, the four heroes watched in shock as the dark and insane being literally ripped the dark energy chains out of the ground, pulling up the earth with him as he let out a loud, rage filled roar, causing a shockwave of energy that shook the entire room and left Arcanadramon, Samudramon, MedievalGallantmon and CrimsonAldamon on edge.
"Ok… that doesn't look good." CrimsonAldamon commented with a clear fear and concern as he sensed the great power now forcing itself through Davis' being, as well as the deranged look now forming within the dark figure's eyes.
"Mortismon removed the seals protecting his mind from the dark energies, his mind has been warped and torn apart by the Dark Digimon's power, he may not even recognize us." Arcanadramon told the others.
His staff drawn and gritting his teeth, Arcanadramon hated the prospect of having to fight his friend and the harm he might have to inflict upon the maroon haired Digidestined.
"He's still Davis in there, we have to try!" Samudramonsaid in reply, the Digimon of Courage unwilling to give up on Davis, nor wishing for Kari to see her beloved like this.
"Davis, it's us. If you can hear us, we're here to help." MedievalGallantmon then said in a calm voice, trying to get through to his friend as the warped and corrupted figure continued to look upon them.
Indeed, he did not know who they were, his mind broken by the darkness now consuming inside of him, which left the voices screaming in his mind to kill them, and he found himself agreeing, believing that if he killed them, then the voices would finally be silenced.
The corrupt form of the Digidestined of Miracles then gave another inhuman shriek, giving off more energy as he then lunged towards Arcanadramon, Samudramon, MedievalGallantmon and CrimsonAldamon, each looking horrified as the knight Digimon said out in fear. "Oh shit!"
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Back upon the broken spire, the battle between Lightbearer Ophanimon and her allies present against the fallen Kari continued, the void being that was the Dark Lady proving to be a greater challenge than any the group had faced before.
"Stop this! Davis wouldn't want you to do this!" The Digimon of Light screamed to her counterpart as she dodged several dark tendrils that emerged from the Dark Lady's shadow. "I know your pain, but this…"
"You claim to know my pain, that you know what it is like to lose him, and yet here you are, standing between us!" The Dark Lady yelled in response, her words, her obsession and her denial to see anyone else's pain but her own caused Lightbearer Ophanimon to growl in frustration, primarily to the fact that this could very well be her had events in her own past played differently.
"Forget it, she is beyond reasoning with now." MysticSakuyamon remarked as she flew closer to the Digimon of Light, using her mystic powers to shield the pair from the Dark Lady's strikes as the others moved around their foe.
"The best we can do now is end her pain." LordShoutmon then said through the link the group shared with their D-Bracers, his words causing the heroes and heroines to frown, but nod in response, nonetheless, knowing what each one of them must do.
"You believe you can stop me?" The Dark Lady questioned as the shadows began to encircle her once again, the fallen Digidestined of Light adding with a menacing tone as her being was consumed in the darkness. "No, I cannot be defeated… I will not be defeated, not while he needs me. It's time to end this!"
Uncertain as to what the Dark Lady was planning, the gathered heroes and heroines were then left in shock as the darkness then shot out like a tide of dark flames, causing those that could fly to take to the skies, while the rest leaped from the broken throne room to the floating pieces of debris closest to them, before turning to see the horrifying sight before them.
Growing to the size of Quartzmon, the black flames took on the form of a massive bird, one with four wings and a pair of talon feet, made completely out of darkness.
The Dark Lady's bird mask, meanwhile, remained, but had now grow in size to accommodate her new form, while protruding out of the back of the winged nightmare was the same arch from the icon floating behind the Dark Lady's back, with a larger void rift at the center, which coursed with powerful energy, causing the area around the heroes and heroines to distort as more void rifts slowly began opening, destabilizing the already fractured energy balance of Witchelny.
Letting out a loud shriek, the dark entity that was the Dark Lady then spread her wings out, taking to the skies as dark purple eyes spread along the being's wings, before firing blasts of dark energy at the heroes and heroines, who did their best to dodge the strikes, flying through the air or leaping from one piece of debris to another to avoid being hit.
Turning towards some of her other foes, dark energy gathered within the void rift on the Dark Lady's back, before firing a blast of energy that distorted the very skies, the heroes and heroines dodging as best they could as the attack struck a mountain in the distance, causing a massive explosion and leaving a crater in the very earth.
Finally, the dark entity's mouth opened as a stream of dark flames spewed from the Dark Lady's maw, with MysticSakuyamon quickly using her protective barrier to shield herself and her friends from the attack, the mystic Digimon groaning in pain as the flames struck against her barrier, while Lightbearer Ophanimon and Jeri did what they could to tend to the mystic Digimon and her injuries.
Once the attack faded, the heroes and heroines regrouped upon one of the higher floating debris, where they saw the Dark Lady gathering more power into her void rift, ready to open fire and annihilate them once and for all.
"It's now or never guys, don't hold back." Lightbearer Ophanimon announced as she got in front of the others, looking before her dark counterpart as she brought her hands together and called out with a great might. "Holy Judgement!"
"Sacred Flame!"
"Full Spirit Wave!"
"Arcane Twister!"
"Flaming Destruction!"
"Violet Blast!"
"Omni Force!"
"Thunder Force!"
"Passion Shot!"
"Gaia Link!"
"Golden Arrow!"
"Rhythmic Stream!"
Combining their attacks, along with a cosmic blast from Jeri, with Lightbearer Ophanimon's attack, the heroes and heroines set forth the beam of energy as the Dark Lady unleashed her attack, the two energies colliding in the skies as they struggled to overwhelm one another.
So intense was the struggle that the fighting below stopped as the allied forces watched their heroes take on the enemy of Witchelny, while the Dark Tribe watched on as their Mistress unleashed her power upon her foes.
Down in the throne room, the orb was now shining brightly, its golden colour turning red, as though expressing pure rage and anguish, as if trying to reach out, but none would listen to its pleas.
Placing all her might into her attack, the fallen Kari sought to end this battle, to finally bring her Davis back and give him everything he deserved, while the gathered heroes and heroines put all their might into their attack, not only desiring to save their Davis, but to save Witchelny, to save the Digimon they had befriended along the way and end this darkness once and for all.
And with a final battle cry, the heroes and heroines' combined might pushed through the Dark Lady's assault, the dark entity widening her eyes as the cosmic energy came towards her, where the memories of her old friends, of her brother and of their determination all returned to her, causing her to realize how pointless her struggle was.
'Davis… I am so sorry… I have failed you… forgive me… my love…' The Dark Lady thought to herself as she was consumed in the cosmic light, the dark entity letting out another loud shriek of pain as her massive form dissolved into shadows and was consumed by the light.
Below, within the ruins of the throne room, the light raging from the orb dissipated, while the orb itself changed from a red to pitch black, a dark aura around its form as it gave off a sense of rage, malice, hatred and of darkness.
When the light faded, there was no trace of the Dark Lady anymore, the sight causing the allied forces to let out an earth-shattering cheer to see their great enemy defeated, to know that their world had been saved from its cruel oppressor.
Meanwhile, seeing the SkullColossimon, ShadowColossimon and SkullWarGreymon dissolving into shadows, showing that indeed, the Dark Lady was no more, the remainder of the Dark Tribe's army laid down their arms and surrendered, knowing that they had been defeated.
Landing back on the ground of the throne room, Lightbearer Ophanimon and those with her felt overwhelmed.
They had finally done it, they had defeated the Dark Lady and ended her reign of terror upon Witchelny.
And yet, none of them felt joy or relief, only sadness and pity, regretting that with everything the alternate Kari had suffered, it had to end in such a terrible way.
"In the end we did the right thing." Marcus then said, getting the others attention as he stated. "There was only ever going to be one way for her to end this."
"We know." SacredPhoenixmon said in reply, looking to the ruined throne as she felt sorrow for the fallen Digidestined of Light, knowing that her own counterpart would feel the same as she added in a solemn tone. "Still…"
"Let's go find the others and help them save Davis." LordShoutmon then suggested, knowing that the others needed a break from this and hoped that Arcanadramon, Samudramon, MedievalGallantmon and CrimsonAldamon were able to reach Davis in time.
As if on cue, a loud explosion behind the group caused Lightbearer Ophanimon and the others to turn as part of the floor exploded, where they saw Arcanadramon, Samudramon, MedievalGallantmon and CrimsonAldamon fly out of the opening with a pained cry, landing before their friends.
Shocked and confused to see the four thrown like ragdolls, the other heroes and heroines were then horrified as they saw a dark being leap out of the opening and let out an inhuman shriek as they gazed upon them.
"Just what in the heck is that?!" ShogunOujamon questioned in fear as she grew her weapons, ready to defend herself and her friends if necessary.
"That's Davis!" CrimsonAldamon yelled, shocking and horrifying the others as Arcanadramon informed his friends. "The ritual was tampered with, the power is overwhelming his mind, he can't tell friends from foes!"
"Davis!" Lightbearer Ophanimon let out as she then flew towards the dark infused Digidestined, the action causing the others to look concerned as Samudramon called out. "Kari, wait!"
Looking around, the being that was Davis saw only shadowy blurs as the voices in his head told him to kill, to murder, the twisted Digidestined was more then willing to do anything to silence the unending screams.
"Davis!" A voice then called above the others in his mind, causing the twisted Digidestined to look in the direction of the sound, believing another enemy was coming, but instead of another shadowy blur, the being saw a bright light, and within the light was the face of a somewhat familiar brown haired girl, the sight of which caused a warm to fill the twisted Digidestined as the voices lessened, leaving only the female before him.
Beautiful was the only word the being could think as the girl covered in light placed her hand on his cheek, giving peace to the warped minded form of Davis.
To everyone else, the other heroes and heroines watched in awe as the corrupted form of Davis seemed to calm down to Lightbearer Ophanimon's presence.
Placing her hand on the corrupted Digidestined of Miracles' cheek and causing the darkness to recede a little as she caressed his true face, the sight leaving Arcanadramon, Samudramon, MedievalGallantmon and CrimsonAldamon shocked and bewildered.
"Ok… I would say Davis is totally whipped when it comes to Kari, but at this moment, I am just fine with it." The Warrior of Flame remarked to the sight, only to suddenly yelp slightly as GaleSilphymon smacked him in the back of his head, expressing her disapproval.
"It's alright Davis, I am here for you, and we are going to fix them." Lightbearer Ophanimon said with a continued soft and gentleness in her tone, her voice filling the warped Digidestined with a calm feeling, before his vision was overtaken by the darkness.
Sensing something was wrong, Lightbearer Ophanimon stepped back as the darkness around Davis intensified, before his arms stretched out and the warped Digidestined was then levitated into the air.
"Aw, that was so sweet." Mortismon said as he appeared behind Davis, the sight of the Primordial of Death shocking and horrifying the heroes and heroines who fought the Dark Lady, especially to hear the familiar voice coming from his mouth, while Arcanadramon, Samudramon, MedievalGallantmon and CrimsonAldamon grit their teeth as they looked upon the one who had warped Davis' mind.
"But now, it's time for the main event!" Mortismon then told the heroes and heroines as he wrapped his arms around Davis and pulled him close, before the pair were consumed in the dark mist that then surged out and grew in size, causing the heroes and heroines to shield their eyes.
When they unshielded their eyes, Lightbearer Ophanimon and the others looked in horror to see a Quartzmon sized Digimon now floating in the air before them, a sight that horrified even the Digimon below.
Resembling the normal grim reaper form of the Primordial of Death, the new form of Mortismon, infused with the stolen power of the other primordials, had four skeletal arms, each holding on to a massive scythe with three blades at the end, side by side with one another, while two smaller skull heads were on the Dark Digimon's shoulders, each glowing with the same eerie green light as the main head, which looked out upon Witchelny.
Looking to her D-Bracer, Jeri's eyes widened as she read off the information on the new Digimon before her and her friends. "NeoMortismon… he is beyond a Mega Level Digimon!"
"Now I will feed upon this world and every other world out there until my hunger is finally sated." The newly resurrected Primordial of Death declared madly as he looked down upon the world that denied him so long ago, while the heroes and heroines now knew that to save Davis and Witchelny, they would have to battle a death God.
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Author's Note: The Dark Lady is finally vanquished, along with Charonmon, but now Mortismon has revived himself as NeoMortismon, and seeks to bring death to Witchelny and all other worlds to feed his hunger. Can the heroes and heroines save Davis and defeat NeoMortismon? Find out next time as the Adventure continues.