It was around noon and the group was busy hiking through the dense forest on their way to the camp. Carolyn and Meggie were chatting away while Chase and Tristan were keeping a close on their surroundings. They haven't run into any dark digimon so far, but their luck could change at any moment.

They were walking through the forest when they began to notice something bright and shining was off in the distance. They all decided to make a detour to see what it was. KoDokugumon told the group that she believes it may be the Hive Fortress of some of the local insect digimon. Meggie was a little unwilling to follow the group, but relented when Tristan teased her by saying he can't believe she's still afraid of a few bugs after everything they've seen.

When they came upon the fortress, they were surprised by its sheer size. It was golden and appeared to be made of honey and amber. All around they could see various digimon flying around. Butterflymon and Honeybeemon were working together and gathering nectar and pollen data from the flowers in the forest trees and bushes. Several Mothmon were collecting water from a well and were using it to water the plants. All around them, Fanbeemon were flying left and right. Meggie wasn't afraid of them at all. In fact, she kinda liked this place. The group greeted all the digimon as they passed by, and came to the entrance to the fortress.

The gatekeeper was a stingmon. He greeted the group and welcomed them to the Hive Fortress. The group happily introduced themselves and asked if they could venture inside the fortress.

"Of course you may. The Hive Fortress and all of its inhabitants wlecome the Digi-Destined and their partners with open arms and the fortress will always will open to you. In the throne room, our leader TigerVespamon would to speak to you. You may feel free to explore any part of the castle you want as you make your way there.", replied Stingmon as he opened the honeycomb doors of the fortress. He let the group pass through and thanked them for all of the hard work they are doing to set the world right.

Tristan was amazed by how beautiful the place was. Meggie passionately explored the entrance room with glee as she and Kokuwamon began talking with some of the resident digimon. Carolyn and Floramon struck up a conversation with some Mothmon and Tentomon that were workers in the royal garden. Chase and Candlemon were admiring the decor and art of the fortress.

The Digi-Destined then regrouped and made their way to the throne room. Inside, they were greeted by TigerVespamon and his royal advisor, Jewelbeemon.

"Greetings, young children. I have long since been awaiting your arrival here at the fortress ever since the D.D.L. first began attacking the worlds. The Hive Fortress has come under attack itself. We have been able to hold off the attacks, but our opponent's forces are becoming stronger. We are in dire need of your help.", said TigerVespamon eloquently as he beckoned for the group to sit down at the large table set up for them. A couple of Butterflymon began laying out food dishes on the table. There were several fruit-based dishes as well as some meat dishes as well.

"We actually have some information that will be helpful to you. We were on our way to deliver it to the Rebellion at the campsite when we noticed your fortress. We learned that the D.D.L.'s main members have been using special devices to corrupt the data of other digimon and turn them evil. Our Digivices have the power to purify and remove the corrupted data from these digimon. If the Rebellion can make a device similar to our Digivices, than they will be able to turn the war against the League.", spoke Tristan as he then bit into a fruit tart.

"I believe we may have seen of the devices you are referring to. When Phantomon and his army attack us at night, he carries a black object that he can use to make his army stronger. It has even corrupted some of my people.", responded TigerVespamon. He then asked Jewelbeemon is he could draw an image of what the device looked like. Jewelbeemon went and found some parchment and then began drawing with a quill pen. When he was finished, he passed the drawing over to Tristan. Tristan then passed it around to the others.

"This device looks really similar to our Digivices. There might be a connection between the two. If our Digivices can bring the good out of digimon, then these Corrupters may be devices that were created to do the opposite. We may even be able to figure out a way to disable them.", said Chase as he looked closely at the drawing. He then grabbed his Digivice and compared the two.

"We are also looking for the other Digi-Destined who came to this world with us. Have you by chance seen them, or heard anything about where they are at?", asked Tristan as he finished his plate of food. His third plate of food.

"I have heard rumors that there are two humans off to the southwest at Serpent Bay. I have not met any other humans other than you though. I'm afraid you have quite a bit of travelling to do before you can join with them.", answered TigerVespamon.

They continued to converse about various for the next couple of hours. Eventually, the group decided to go help with the garden. They helped water and groom the plants growing in it. When the sun began to set, the worker digimon began to make their way into the fortress. The guards then took up their positions, and the Hive Fortress army began their patrols around the area.

When the sun fully set and left the forest dark, the silence in the area was eerie. The group then became prepared for battle as the first of the dark digimon appeared from out of the forest. One by one, Bakemon and Soulmon began pouring into fortress yard. They immediately clashed with the royal forces. A few Pumpkinmon also appeared and gave the royal forces a bit of trouble. TigerVespamon than commanded his CannonBeemon forces to hold the enemies back.

As the battle waged on, the Digi-Destined and their partners were wokring their way around the battlefield. They did their best to defeat and purify the attacking digimon. As the Bakemon numbers increased; however, the Digi-Destined found it harder and harder to beat the Bakemon. As Chase and Candlemon were cornered, Chase revealed his skills as a magician when he began using his intellect and illusion skills in tandem with Candlemon's attacks. He turned out to be an excellent strategist.

When one of his tricks didn't end as planned; however, he was struck by a Zombie Claw attack. The Bakemon then converged on him. Candlemon, in an effort to save his friend, jumped in and angrily attacked the Bakemon. He then began to glow white, along with Chase's Digivice. Candlemon then digivolved into his champion form for the first time. He was now a Wizardmon.

"Chase, are you alright?", asked Wizardmon as he got in front of Chase to guard him.

"I'm fine. It's those ghosts that need be worried. They messed up my shirt. I quite liked this shirt.", replied Chase as he looked at his shirt. It had several cuts in it and was covered with dirt. He was also scratched a little, but it didn't bother him any. He and Wizardmon then proceeded to take down the Bakemon. They were now easy pickings and Wizardmon used his Magical Game ability to create illusionary clones to confuse and disrupt the group of Bakemon.

Eventually, Phantomon made his appearance. TigerVespamon headed for him, slicing his way through the Bakemon along the way. Tristan kept his eyes on Phantomon and tried to see if he could see the device Phantomon was said to have. Sure enough, Phantomon was carrying a black device that was giving off an intense dark aura. Before TigerVespamon could reach Phantomon, a SkullBaluchimon appeared and attacked TigerVespamon. Phantomon used his Corrupter to empower the SkullBaluchimon.

"Make sure you kill him.", ordered Phantomon fiendishly as he vanished. The Bakemon and Soulmon army then began to split apart. Some of them retreated into the forest, while some stayed to fight.

TigerVespamon and Jewelbeemon had their hands full, trying to take down the massive SkullBaluchimon. They eventually lured it into trap whereupon dozens of Waspmon and CannonBeemon fired upon it with their lasers and missiles. It was taken down and was defeated to the point of reverting to a digi-egg. The egg simply warped away, presumably to appear later at the Village of Beginnings.

With the end of the night came the end of the battle. Any dark digimon that didn't retreat were defeated and purified. They were then allowed to recuperate inside the fortress. TigerVespamon thanked the Digi-Destined for their help. He invited them to stay in the fortress as well, to allow them to rest before they journey to the campsite.

When the group got themselves situated in their rooms, Chase wanted to speak to Tristan and KoDokugumon. He had an idea on just how to stop Phantomon's attacks, but he didn't want to put the others at risk. He then conversed with them and they began to discuss and plan what to do when Phantomon and his legion of spirits attack again. Tristan promised to speak to TigerVespamon after they've all rested up.

They all then fell asleep, letting their minds and bodies rest. The next day would arrive too quickly. During the early hours of the morning, the hive workers began their early work. No one noticed the faint auras surrounding some of the worker digimon.