The 7th war

Chapter 17: A True Measure of Growth

Lava Ridge: Battle Pit

(Cue- No game No life OST-The Kings Plan (Extended))

Seth and Biyomon stand across from Klein and Kotemon with both Tamers having wooden long swords and shields at the ready while Biyomon is ready to take flight and Kotemon has his Shinai bamboo sword ready for use against her.

Agumon is on the side with one arm raised and looks between both groups before swinging it down with a loud, "Begin!"

Both Human Tamers launch themselves at each other making a loud clack of wood meeting wood resonate from the battle pit as their swords clashed with one another as the two humans began a flurry of strikes to try and score a clean hit on the other. The clacks began to become a torrent as their swords meet with one another in between them and their shields would rise to block a swing only to hop back from another follow up strike that would sneak past their guard.

Glancing blows would scuff against their limbs, cheeks, and shoulders as they began to feel out the others rhythm. One lucky horizontal slash has Klein bashing away the shield Seth was using to block the strike as his guard lands 10ft away forcing Seth to block the follow up slash with his blade. As he successfully blocks that blade strike he gasps in pain as Klein used the bottom of his shield to punch into Seth's stomach making him double over from having the wind knocked out of him.

The knee to the face makes Seth snap backwards in pain and land on the ground on his back as he feels some bleed leaking form a split lip from the blow. Quickly rolling to his left into a stance he just barely avoided the ground smash blow Klein tried to deliver with his sword.

Facing Klein, Seth glances to his right to see how Biyomon was doing.

Biyomon took to the skies at the beginning of the battle while Kotemon had begun to use his foot work to turn and follow her flight path and be ready for his chance to strike at her when she attacks. He followed her with his eyes as he then concentrated and called out, "Wind edge!"

Causing a hard blade of wind to come flying at Biyomon and almost nick her wing. She manages to fly below the attack and launch a quick gout of green flames at him making his roll to the side and unleash another blade of wind at her as she tried to recover her original flight path.

Seth snaps his attention back to Klein as he roars and charges forward with his shield at the ready for a shield bash.

Seth rolls to the left once more and this time stays low, just as Klein reacts and slashes the air above Seth where he would have been if he stood after the dodge. Klein gasps in shock at the miss before getting his feet swept out from under him as Seth does a whirlwind kick and knocks Kleins legs out from under him by the knee caps.

Klein ends up crashing to the ground with a giant whoosh of air leaving his lungs as he tries to reorient himself only to feel a foot on his sword holding wrist and a blade tip under his chin.

(Pause Music)

Klein looks up the wooden blade to see a panting Seth staring down at him with both his hands holding the sword down in an iron grip, "Uhhhh… I Yield?"

Seth nods while getting off of Klein and let's out a breath as he wipes the blood from his lip off with the back of his hand, "Phew, you are intense and brutal for training matches aren't you?"

Klein shrugs and pops his shoulders in relief from the fall he took, "Yeah, but it's effective in training others in combat isn't it? After all this is the second match we have had today and you are already getting used to it."

Seth nods while looking mentally tired, "Yeah but I still have the bruises from the first match all over my back and chest."

Klein shrugs while looking sheepish from his training method in the previous match, "Well… I mean… You did learn fast about how hard I hit…" Seth crosses his arms at the weak defense while Klein begins to sweat at his failing reasons for training so hard, "UuuuhhhHEY! Let's watch the rest of Biyomon and Kotemon's match!"

Seth raises an eyebrow at Klein's redirection of the discussion and simply shakes his head in a good natured way as he smirks. Taking a seat on their half of the battle pit both tamers look at the battle going on while taking out ointments for their training wounds and bruises.

Agumon comes over to join the two with a large bin of popcorn (Where did he get that?) to share while they enjoy the Digimon's training match.

(Resume Music)

Biyomon crashed hard into the ground after Kotemon had jumped up, during one of her low swooping shots with her flames, and landed a hard blow with his Shinai on her back. She got up quickly and saw him following her descent ready to slam his sword down on her once again.

She quickly glides away from his crash site and flips onto her feet to launch a fast moving, "Spiral Twister!"

Crashing at the now empty spot Kotemon looks up to where Biyomon went only to see a huge amount of green flames rushing at him making him get low to avoid as much of the flames as he can.

The torrent of green flames passes over him scorching the back of his legs, armor, and the top half of his tail as it flies by and into the battle pit's wall.

He gets up seeing Biyomon about to take off again while he was dodging the flames and rapidly hits some of the baseball sized rocks with his sword at her slamming into her chest and wings and making her crash down once again.

Right as Biyomon was about to get back up she hears, "Solid Blow!" and barely manages to roll to the side, then again, and again.

This allows her to barely roll out of the way of each attack Kotemon is using against her, but she then hits the wall of the battle pit, letting her know she has run out of room.

Kotemon's shinai raises once more and descends towards her head making her close her eyes for the incoming hit,

*tap*

Only to feel a tap on her beak and forehead making her blink her eyes open to see Kotemon standing there with his eyes looking like small smiles from inside his helmet.

(Music end)

Biyomon giggles at his expression and gets up with his help as he offers her a sleeve covered arm to her.

They look at their friends who are approaching while discussing the fight,

"Well it was a good way to keep her grounded but we may need to look into other possible strategies for Kotemon to fight back flying enemies if we are in other places with few or no rocks available for him to use." Seth stated

"True enough, we are good at fighting close range and even mid range, but attack us with a flying enemy or a long range enemy, and we are basically just meat shields with blades to fight back with." Klein said back as he nodded his head in acknowledgment and thought.

"I found their fight to be a good show of how they can adapt on this type of battlefield when needed and use their opponents weaknesses to their own advantage as well." Agumon says with confidence.

The others all look at him with mild shock at his good analytical skills and then shake themselves out of it before he noticed it and possibly got offended at their lack of faith in his maturity.

Seth then looks at the suns current position and sees that it is starting to lower in the sky, checking his Digivice he saw the time was already 5:45pm.

"Hey guys you want to go see what is for dinner today? Its already past 5:30."

The others all nod and use the ladder to climb out of the pit to head to the lords cave that they were given for freeing the camp from Deltamon's tyranny.

They entered the cave after greeting various other Digimon who were going about their business in the camps various vendors, training field, and homes.

As they entered their cave they saw the Digi-egg of Greymon, the previous lord of this camp was still recovering in an incubation pod they had stored in their Digivice for emergencies, but the other 5 Digi-eggs that were in there with him were also still in incubation as well. In total the chamber had 6 Digi-eggs all trying to recover from their ordeal against the tyrant.

The group sits down to begin cooking some beef stir fry while Agumon goes over to check on the incubators levels and energy. Everything seemed fine on that front and the incubator said the eggs were healthy and on the way to hatching.

Agumon sighed and looked sadly at his companions, "To think we have been here training hard for a week already."

The preparations for dinner slow to a crawl and then stop as the group processes those words, all of them thinking back to the week they had to endure after the tyrants defeat.

First there was the Digimon that had been corrupted to deal with, they had to lead search parties to find the eggs at each battle site and bring them back to camp to store them in for safety. Then after that came fixing the camp and organizing the remaining Digimon into some sort of defense force for everyone's safety. Finally they decided to set up an incubation chamber for Lord Greymon's egg and the other defeated challengers so they can recover and become a part of their family once again.

As a result the group of Tamers and their Digimon friends have stayed at the camp for the last week to help make sure the camp doesn't fall apart until the eggs all hatch and a new lord is chosen from the candidates that are currently at the training fields.

They all begin to work on dinner once again after they are done reminiscing and realize that they can't do much until those last two items are checked off. The selection for a new lord will happen tonight at the dragon soul trial where they have the champions from the camp all fight in a tournament to see who is the new lord.

"Hey Seth?" Agumon asks his partner while not taking his eyes off the eggs.

While Klein was stirring the wok of ingredients Seth looks towards Agumon, "Yeah Agumon?"

"You think if I ever became an egg again… that we will still be friends?"

Seth stares at Agumon shocked at his question while the others have paused in their cooking to consider the heavy question.

Seth gets up and walks over to the now sitting Agumon who has continued to watch the eggs for signs of hatching and also to contemplate a possible future if things go badly for him and Seth.

Seth sits down cross legged next to his brother in all but blood and gives him a side hug while looking at the eggs too, "I don't know if we will still be friends if you get turned into an egg, since according to the encyclopedia I read, Digimon lose most of their memories when they revert to a Digi-egg. Kind of similar to a computer system reboot. But I know that if you do forget we are friends, then I will be there to remind you, and help you remember our friendship all over again, from the first 'hello' if I need to!"

Seth ends his speech with a stronger side hug while looking Agumon straight in the eyes, Agumon turned towards Seth during the speech and was touched to the point of having tears in his eyes at this. His tears showing happiness and trust in his brother.

They hug each other tightly while a few tears fall, "I'll trust you to do that for me Seth! I don't want to forget our bond anymore than you do!"

Seth hugs Agumon tighter after that and then both human and dinosaur feel feathered wings wrap around them as they look to see a slightly tearing up Biyomon hugging them, "Don't think I won't be there to help you two remember either! I have way too much invested in this team to see something like a "Digi-egg reboot" to break us apart form a lack of memories! You can bet I'll be there to help you restore our bond too!"

She then breaks down crying at that and the trio rearrange themselves into a proper 3 way hug as they all agree that their bond will continue through any situation they find themselves in as they continue their adventure together.

"Foods ready!"

They all jolt and glare at the source of the call, Klein is looking nervous as he realizes he just broke up a very touching moment between his friends.

While Kotemon has hidden himself behind a barrel to avoid their wrath from having their moment broken up so suddenly and with no tact.

Klein backs away slowly as the murderous aura radiates off of Seth, Agumon, and Biyomon, "N-N-Now guys! I was Co-cooking like I sh-should have be-been! I just didn't want you to ge-get hungry! Ye-yeah! That's it! I just wanted to make sure you weren't- NOT THE FACE!"

Any Digimon walking by will deny they heard any girly screams of pain and terror emanating from the lords cave as they wanted to live to see the Dragon Soul Trial that night.

Lava Ridge: Battle Pit The Dragon Soul Trial

The battle pit is lined up with 8 dragon type champions who are looking forward to being named the lord of the lava ridge sector. The referee was decided to be Seth as he stands on the ridge that is at the top side of the oval shaped battle pit. He looks to the left side where a Tyrannomon jumps down ready to brawl and a Greymon jumps down from the other side ready to do justice to the old lord.

Seth raises his hand, and with a cutting motion down he yells out, "BEGIN!"

The two dinos rush at each other with an opening charge trying to over power the other in a wrestling match. Soon the break apart with neither finding a good purchase to break the others effort. And they begin to launch fireballs at each other while using their claws and tails to land solid physical blows on each other. Soon Seth calls the match as Tyrannomon is taken down from a fireball screen to disguise Greymon's sudden tackle and dragon claw technique on him.

The next match follows soon between a Tuskmon and a Monochromon as they land blows on each other with horns clanging off each other.

7 Vices Head Quarters: Training Room

Deep within the training grounds of the 7 vices army there is a pair of Digimon who are hard at work on their own growth. A Devimon who is blasting away a pair of dark colored Digimon named BlackGarurumon, a large Wolf Digimon that would normally be colored light blue with dark blue fur stripes and accents but now he is black furred with white stripes and accents on him. The other that is being clawed away from Devimon is BlackGreymon, looking like Greymon except with dark blue base scales and black stripes and a darkly colored helmet instead of brown.

After the claw and the blast on each of them both foes die and turn into dark colored Digi-eggs. Devimon pants after his 50th win in the training room. Feeling his muscles tighten from his most recent growth he turns to his new… Slave?… Friend?… Servant Guard and see how he fairs.

FallenAngemon blasts back a BlackGreymon with his Hand of Despair attack as he flips up and over the BlackGarurumon that was leaping at him from behind before striking the back of the large wolf with his Devil Staff turning both into Digi-eggs.

Soon they both feel a new found strength rush through them as they feel like they are close to digivolution as this new energy grows and kneads inside them filling their bodies.

Devimon is ecstatic, Is this it? MY DIGIVOLUTION?! Yes! Come to me my new power! SO I may be one step closer to surpassing my brother! Let me…!

As soon as it comes it goes they feel the energy there just beneath the surface, but it is stuck, almost bottled or stoppered by a cap they didn't feel before.

Feeling the sudden stop of energy they both collapse from the energy surge as FallenAngemon asks, "Did you feel that two sir? Our energy getting close to the limit from when we first turned into our current forms?"

Devimon angrily grits out, "Yes! Of course I did you fool! But what stopped it?"

FallenAngemon sits down and meditates as he thinks, "Maybe we need something that only the ultimate levels know of? Maybe we can ask Lord Wisemon about how he Digivolved from champion to his current form?"

Devimon thinks for a minute before he gets up, "Sounds like a plan, come my guard, we must ask so we don't remain stuck on our champion forms, we nee dot grow more from here, or we will never surpass the 7 vices and steal their seats from them."

FallenAngemon bows after standing, "Understood sir Devimon, I will endeavor to follow your lead and support your goals with all of my being."

Devimon grunts as they both head off to Wisemon's quarters. Say what you will he is a capable guard and he will be a good right hand guard for when I take the throne as head of the 7 Vices. Just you wait brother! I will surpass you in a way most wouldn't even think of! As HEAD of the 7 Vices Army!

As they head off both Devimon and FallenAngemon leave the training room they fail to notice a shadow disappear from the corner of the room that was watching th epreceeding training and their discussion.

AS it races across the castle of the 7 Vices it reaches Piedmon's quarters quickly as the shademon, a mass of shadows will barely a humanoid form for it to use with glowing red eyes in the place its head should be, a weak champion that is made for scouting specifically, reports his findings to Piedmon.

Piedmon swirls his wine as he is sitting in his personal study chuckling to himself, "Hehehehe now they have no choice but to take desperate measures to grow further, what will you do my disciple? After all that little blockage when you tried to evolve was my handi work. Let me see what you can come up with on your own to break through to ultimate level. HehehehehehHAHAHAHAHAH!"

Lava Ridge: Battle Pit The Dragon Soul Trial

After the Monochromon collapses from his semi final round against a Tyrannomon Seth declares the final match shall be Tyrannomon versus the Greymon from the first round.

Many Digimon cheer in celebration that they will be getting a new lava ridge lord soon. While the final round gets under way. Seth drinks his water from calling out loudly for so many rounds in a row. The results are promising as both dragon type Digimon have good heads on their shoulders and are good combatants and strategists to adapt to various fights and situations. It all comes down to who is the better fighter in this final round.

Both Greymon and Tyrannomon set them selves up for the final round in the battle pit while Seth prepares himself for the final match. "Both Fighters ready?"

Seeing both nod he brings down his hand, "BEGIN!"

(Cue Nightcore Dragon Rider)

Greymon fires off his signature Nova Blast at Tyrannomon who leaps over it to get an aerial advantage as he lets loos his Fire Blast attack with a huge cone of flames coming down towards the ground.

Greymon gets covered in flames along with a good larger portion of the arena, out side the ring Digimon are cheering for Tyrannomon to win, while others are cheering for Greymon not to give up.

Tyrannomon is still blasting his fire at Greymon's half of the arena when he lands again, but is caught completely off guard when a somewhat scorched Greymon comes bursting through his flames helmet first in a Great Horned Attack.

He lowers his head further catching Tyrannomon between his two side horns and hit main front one below Tyrannomon's leg and throws his head back along with sending Tyrannomon flying over him into the wall behind him.

As Tyrannomon tries to get his bearings back Greymon quickly turns and launches 3 Nova Blasts in quick succession.

This creates a smoking crater in the wall that has Tyrannomon slumping to th eground scorched black from the flames when he emerges, quickly getting to his feet he tries to launch a Flare Blitz Blast, but comes snout to foot with Greymon's heel as he did a running leap to slam his foot into Tyrannomon's face.

This blow sends Tyrannomon into unconsciousness with haste as the red Dino slumps to the ground defeated.

(End song)

Cheers erupt all around the camp as Greymon launches one more fireball to the sky to proclaim his dominance as the new leader.

Seth yells out, "Greymon WINS! greet your new leader of Lava Ridge Zone! Greymon!"

The cheering intensifies as chanting follows, Greymon comes up to the leaders cave and sits in front of it with pride and humbleness oozing out of his form. He shows his teeth in a crooked grin and yells out, "Thank you all! I will endeavor to rule with a fair and just claw like our old Lord Greymon before me! And I will not go the path of Deltamon! I promise you this!"

More cheering and chanting follow as a party is held to greet their new lord.

Looking on from the back ground at a guest tent with an Agumon in a doctor coat Seth and Klein have satisfied smiles on their faces as the festivities get under way.

Klein looks to Seth, "So think this went well?"

Seth Glances to Klein before focusing on the celebration once more, "I think so, after all a Digimon's oath isn't easily broken. And if it is we know where to go to fix it. Now let's go greet the new arrivals shall we?"

He heads inside the tent with the Agumon in the doctor coat, and a grinning Klein to see some Koromon and Babydmon, who looks like an asian lung as a sea horse using a green body scales a light blue under belly, dark wood looking horns that are blunt and a whisp of smoke for his tail. These new arrivals are the eggs who have hatched form the incubator and are looking forward to their new lives while Agumon entertains them with stories of their travels and Biyomon looking on with pride at how well he handles children. And a slight blush on her face imagining how her children would look if Agumon was the father. Right before turning completely red and hiding her face behind her wing with an embarrassed whine.

Also listening intently to the story is Kotemon who wasn't with this group before and wanting to catch up on their adventures.

Klein nods, 'Yep this is going to be a good group to be with, thanks for having us along Seth." As he holds his fist out.

Seth looks at the fist and chuckles, "Yep good to have you guys along." And then bumps fists with Klein in a friendly way, similar to comrades who have known each other for a long time.

With a fist bump done they sit down with the other children just in time to catch Agumon's retelling of when they fought IceDevimon in the Phantom Zone.

Food is dropped off by a Tuskmon for them and the children to enjoy before he goes to rejoin the festivities. With a good story, good food, and good friends, the future looks promising for this group of Tamers and their Digimon.

7 Vices Head Quarters: Wisemon's Study

Wisemon is standing over a table as he has a new reaction from his virus as he tests it on a bit of technology seeing the piece of tech turning a promising color.

Seeing it turn black he holds up the corrupted Digivice with a glee filled voice, "Yes! With this we can now corrupt one of those Tamers to our cause and then we can finally Digivolve further!"

His door opens to reveal Devimon and FallenAngemon standing there with questions on their faces at his cheer he just gave through the door.

He smiles evilly, "Close the door! I have some wonderful news for our progress! Hahahahahahahahah!"

The door closes as the hall goes silent for everything except for a small champion that looks like a small metal ball you used for marbles but with arms and legs that have gloves and boots with a small lighting bolt on his head, wondering around, this is Boltmon and he was spying on Wisemon's room for the Holy Angel Alliance, hearing this information before the door closed he panics and heads to a safe place to relay a message to Lord Holy Angemon.