And we're back again people!

Yeah, I'm glad we're gonna have this be consistent from now on, it was really needed.

Anyway, without further ado, enjoy!

Unknown Guardian! The Holy Stones!

The mood in the house was rather somber. Not surprising when in the bedrooms where the still hurt members of their group who went up against BlackWarGreymon X, most of them still unconscious as well.

At least, until now that is, as Gyro slowly opened his eyes with a soft groan "Damn… that hurt…" he said, raising a hand up to see his arm was bandaged up.

"Gyro!" he heard a gasp before feeling, and seeing, something latch onto his chest.

The red filling his vision was a dead giveaway.

"I'm ok Ruby." he said, hugging his girlfriend with one arm as she held onto him "Sore, but ok."

"What the hell happened out there?" Yang asked after a few minutes having let Ruby and Gyro have their moment.

"You can blame that on Nero's latest crime against nature," Emerald groaned. "Also, mind the volume, some of us need some sleep," she added, to which Yang had the decency to look a little sheepish.

"You ok?" Oscar asked her with a frown as he went up to her.

"Eh… hurts like a bitch, but still in one piece." Emerald said, smirking a bit as she gave his shoulder a light shove "I'm just fine, farm boy." she said, earning a smile from him before she turned back to everyone else "But yeah, long story short, nut job went and made an Ultimate level Dark Tower Digimon, one that could take on Omegamon. That's the bad news. Good news? Apparently this one grew a mind of its own, and it's not inclined to take orders," she said the last bit with a slight smirk.

"And as much as I imagine all of us will enjoy imagining Nero's face when that happened, that leaves us with a big problem all the same," Weiss sighed, walking into the room, but having been close enough to hear the conversation. "We STILL have a rogue Dark Tower Digimon, one powerful enough to defeat Omegamon, and no way of knowing what it might do."

"...okay, yeah when you say it like that, that's REALLY bad," Gyro said as everyone nearby and awake sweat dropped.

"First things first, you guys should rest up and recover before we try anything." Pierce said in concern "The fact that Digimon is rogue means we don't have to worry about Nero sending it on a roaring rampage of destruction like he did his partner back when it was still mindless."

"Yeah, I'm definitely down with that idea," Emerald said as she lay back down. She did NOT feel like getting up right now. Seriously, ever since she unlocked her aura she literally couldn't remember the last time she'd had to have bandages.

A few sounds of agreement and the ones who weren't banged up soon left the room to let them rest.

Meanwhile…

The sound of footsteps was heard through the wasteland as a certain figure walked through it. BlackWarGreymon X continued to walk through the wasteland, occasionally glancing whenever he sensed something, each time being Digimon who lived in the area…but one look at him and they immediately ran away. Fortunately for them, their actions simply marked them as unworthy opponents in his eyes.

"Where?" he spoke to himself as he continued to march on, nothing being willing to stand in his way "Where can I find someone strong enough to help me prove my existence against?"

Nearby, Nero was watching him through a pair of binoculars, grinding his teeth in annoyance "That damn idiot." he growled "He should be listening to me instead of wandering around."

"Yeah." Gazimon said in agreement "We should put him in his place!"

"Uh, not to interrupt, and be the voice of reason for once at that," Mummymon spoke up. "But er…before we try to beat him into submission, think we should…not be in the area in the event what you're probably thinking DOESN'T work?" he said with a sweat drop.

"...I think we should listen to him right now," Arukenimon said after a moment thinking.

Nero and Gazimon looked like they wanted to retort…until they remembered that they WERE dealing with the guy who was supposed to be their trump card…a very successful one at that considering the last battle. "...okay yeah, fair point," Nero said begrudgingly.

BlackWarGreymon X (Black because the full name is a mouthful) continued on his path, no clear destination in mind, until a sound reached his ears. Turning to the source he found what looked like several wooly mammoths with metallic masks hiding their faces. Mammothmon, he realized.

Digimon Analyzer: Mammothmon

Mammothmon. Vaccine Type. A Perfect Level Ancient Beast Digimon. Based on the data of an extinct species, it lives in the frozen tundras of the Digital World, its body covered in fur to keep it warm. The mask on its face contains a super-ancient crystal of wisdom, meaning that despite appearances, this Digimon is quite knowledgeable, and even has a power of clairvoyance. Special attacks are Tusk Strikes, firing off its tusks like missiles that grow back, and Tundra Breath, breathing out an icy gale from its long trunk.

The Mammothmon didn't say a word as they charged forward, creating a small stampede as they intended to run him down. Black on the other hand…well he just quirked an eyebrow.

"If you wish to fight, then very well," he said before his verniers activated and he surged forward, Dramon Killers at the ready and well…it wasn't even a fight as he swung his claws and basically ended up behind the small herd…and several of them suddenly shattered to pieces "How weak…" he said, before the remaining ones trumpeted and charged him, but he simply continued to destroy them easily, until only a single one was left.

"Will you be any different, I wonder?" Black spoke to the fake Digimon, before it started to rush him once again.

He sighed, casting his gaze down, before looking on curiously as he saw a flower just ahead of him… right in the middle of Mammothmon's charge.

He continued to gaze at the flower, even as the ground kept shaking from Mammothmon's rush, his eyes never leaving it, until Mammothmon was about to bring his foot down on it in his charge.

And Black was suddenly right there, holding the leg up with a single arm, before driving the other right into Mammothmon's head, destroying it on the spot.

Black stayed like that for several moments, before he looking down at the flower again, curious "Why… did I move?" he said, to himself or to anybody who could hear him, even he didn't know.

"It's just a flower… it's not something truly alive… I am no protector, no guardian… so why?"

No answer came to him, and he simply sighed after several moments before he continued to walk once again, the flower swaying in the gentle breeze behind him.

As that was happening, Nero's group was watching with blinking eyes. "Okay yeah, glad we didn't challenge him directly," Gazimon sweat dropped. "So now what do we do?"

Nero WANTED to say that they would bring his wayward creation under heel…but as the utter failure just proved, that would be costly…and probably take far more time and resources than was worth it. "We'll keep an eye on him. I still want him under our thumb. But at the same time we make preparations for our next plan. We're on a tight schedule as is."

"So we're really going for it. We'll want something strong for this job," Arukenimon mused.

"Got any ideas?" Mummymon asked.

"It's no BlackWarGreymon X, but I think I know just the Digimon for the job," Arukenimon smirked a bit.

"Okay, now that we're all here, let's get this started," Gyro sighed as they were all gathered, everyone having had the time to rest. Full recovery might have taken a bit longer, but they had bigger things to worry about right now. "First things first, how we're gonna handle the big wild card Nero just made."

"That's gonna be a problem in and of itself," Oren frowned. "Any info on what he's been up to while we were out?"

"So far? Seems he's just been wandering aimlessly." Weiss said, tapping the large touch screen table in front of them, showing a dotted line just moving around slowly in real time "He fought a herd of Mammothmon recently, but it's been confirmed they were Dark Tower Digimon. Anything else…as long as they don't mess with him he leaves them alone."

"It's like he's lost." Agumon said with a frown.

"Well, of course he is, he's just moving randomly." Terriermon said, before he was dope slapped by his brother "Hey!"

"He meant metaphorically speaking." Lopmon pointed out in deadpan.

"Well, at least he's not actively causing trouble," Blake sighed. "Still…I don't think we should just leave him be either. Don't get me wrong, I'm not looking forward to us fighting him again, but well…" she trailed off, trying to find the right words for this.

"...you're afraid that if/when he stops being aimless, he might choose to do something that'll make him an actual threat?" Aile guessed.

"...more or less yeah…" Blake sighed.

"It WOULD be nice though if he'd just stay aimless. Preferably till after we deal with Nero," Morphomon mused.

Qrow grunted "That or he has an epiphany and does something good." he said as he leaned back, watching over their planning session. The way they painted him, he was literally the strongest being they'd fought so far, and they had no way of defeating him either, at least not as they were.

Penny was silent as she listened, looking at the images of the Digimon.

"Something on your mind, Penny?" Monodramon asked.

"Oh, uh…I was just thinking…what if…what if we tried talking to him?" she said.

Everyone paused at that, going silent as they thought about it.

Eventually, Ruby spoke up "I mean…"

"Are we actually considering this?" Palmon asked.

"He's sentient though, unlike all the previous ones." Emerald reminded them.

"Though then the question is, would he even bother listening to us?" Gabumon said with a frown.

THAT was a bit of a problem. "Well…its worth a try, isn't it?" Penny ventured.

Everyone looked a bit uncomfortable at that. They saw the logic there…but at the same time, the part where the person Penny was suggesting they talk down DID wipe the floor with them made them a bit hesitant.

"Well…its not a bad idea. And if it works…we don't have to worry about him," Rusty mused.

"But I think we can all agree just going up to him and talking without some kind of a plan…BAD idea," Nora winced.

"In short, we'll need a plan on how best to do this too," Pyrrha sighed.

Nero was busy at work as he typed on a console. "Double checking?" Gazimon asked.

"Yep. It would be nice if these things moved like normal, but no, they apparently teleport around," Nero grumbled a bit at the end. "So I'm making sure its still where it should be or we'll be going out there for a whole lot of nothing."

"While you're doing that, we've made preparations for dealing with it," Arukenimon said as she and Mummymon came over.

"Ready to go anytime you are, Boss," Mummymon chuckled.

"What did you make this time?" Nero asked as he turned to his mother curiously.

"I went with a classic." Arukenimon smirked, as behind her, a whole platoon's worth of Angewomon X landed.

"Effective." Gazimon chuckled.

"And if those damn nuisances catch wind of this SOMEHOW, we can try and snipe them out of the sky for once." Nero said with a grin, thinking of his brother and his friends trying to get the drop on them only to have the tables turned.

"Well, are we good to go then?" Mummymon asked him.

Nero quickly looked down at his scroll, before looking back up with a grin "We are, it's still in the same spot." he said, before jumping into their jeep as they started driving, the many Dark Tower mon following them from the air.

… and unnoticed by them, a brown colored Frigimon poked their head out of the bushes, following their movements with a narrowed gaze before they brought up a radio "Tsuchidarumon to HQ, I've found the Kaiser, repeat, I've found the Kaiser. Get this message to the Chosen Children STAT." Tsuchidarumon took a deep breath, knowing what he was about to say was big "He's going for a confirmed Holy Stone sighting."

With Nero, he grinned as their objective came in view, seeing a large stone, floating off the ground in the middle of an open field, a pair of large holy rings wrapped around it, the Angewomon X platoon flying ahead towards the stone "Finally. They can't ignore us anymore now." he said with a laugh.

A moment later, the Dark Tower Digimon reached the stone, and started to open fire upon it… and as they did, Mummymon frowned "Anybody else hear something?"

"Huh, now that you mention it… sounds like something falling out of the sky." Gazimon frowned, before as one they all looked up… just in time to see a golden javelin slam down and cause a small shockwave that destroyed the arrows of light.

"... that can't be good." Arukenimon said, as Mummymon was already putting the jeep in reverse to get some distance away as a precaution.

"And THAT is even worse!" Nero hissed as he looked up and saw a Digimon floating down.

She, for it was without a doubt female, had the appearance of a human woman wearing teal colored armor, her stomach exposed, a shield with a unicorn's head molded into it on her left arm, a helmet covering the upper half of her face with a tuft of orange feathers coming out the back, nearly completely hiding her long blonde hair, while ten golden wings came out of her back, the lower pair being made of actual feathers while all the others almost looked metallic.

She frowned, looking upon the Angewomon X gathered in front of her, the javelin floating into her hand before she pointed it… straight at Nero "You shall go no further dark one."

"Shit!" Gazimon cursed, ducking behind his partner.

"Ophanimon… I didn't think any still existed." Arukenimon said with grit teeth.

Digimon Analyzer: Ophanimon

Ophanimon. Vaccine Type. An Ultimate Level Ophan Digimon. One of the Three Celestials that exist to protect the Digital World's Kernel, she is the greatest shield to all Digimon, and will protect the world till her last breath. Known to many as the Holy Mother, she imparts kindness and mercy upon those deserving, helping the many hurt Digimon of the world with her powers. Special attacks are Eden's Javelin, charging her javelin with holy light before throwing it at her enemy, purifying any evil heart it pierces, and Sefirot Crystal, summoning ten crystals that charge at the enemy relentlessly, hammering away at their defenses.

"Halt!" Ophanimon declared. "I do not know what your intentions with the Holy Stone are, but you will turn back and never return!" she said.

"If you really think that's gonna be enough to stop us, then you have no idea who you're dealing with!" Nero snarled. "Destroy her!" he ordered as the Angewomon X army charged forward.

Ophanimon saw them coming, and sighed. "So be it," she said. "Sefirot Crystal!" she called out as she fired her attack, the crystals flying through the air and blasting through the Angewomon X. A chunk of them were deleted instantly, while several scattered, trying to shoot at her from various angles. However, Ophanimon simply gestured with her arm…and the crystals abruptly split up and started flying in various directions, hitting several of the Angewomon X before they could even fire, and even the shots that DID fire were quickly intercepted by the crystals before said Dark Tower Digimon were deleted as well.

"I think we're in trouble." Gazimon said with a nervous swallow.

"Well, if she wants to get in the way of our fun then, we might as well show her we're not easy targets." Nero said, snarling before he looked to his mother and uncle "Do it."

The two nodded, before jumping out of the jeep as they started to glow, quickly evolving into Jorogumon and Pharaohmon.

"Hopefully two Ultimates against one does a difference." Gazimon said, before grinning "But how about we even the odds in our favor some more?"

Nero smirked, holding up his D-Necron "Indeed. I think it's finally time you tap into your original power again, partner."

Gazimon grinned, before he leaped out of the jeep as dark light shot out of the D-Necron and into him, his body quickly starting to grow as it glowed "Gazimon, Blast Evolution!" he roared, and a moment later, a familiar form stomped the ground "Chimeramon!"

Ophanimon frowned at the sight. Even so she clearly had no intention of stopping, as evident by how when it seemed like one of the Dark Tower Digimon were in a spot to shoot her from behind…one of the Sefirot Crystals came and smashed through it, deleting it instantly.

"Bewitching Web!" Jorogumon declared, releasing a mass of webbing to try and ensnare Ophanimon, but the angel simply channeled energy into her weapon.

"Eden's Javelin!" Ophanimon called out as she fired the attack, breaking through the webbing and forcing Jorogumon to evade the attack.

"Necromist!" Pharaohmon shouted as he launched the gas at Ophanimon, however the angel swung her javelin, creating a shockwave that dispelled the attack…to reveal that Pharaohmon had summoned his guardian that managed to close the distance and strike at her, forcing her to use her shield to block.

"Heat Viper!" Chimeramon shouted, revealing he'd managed to get into a more opportune position and fired on Ophanimon, who quickly pushed back against the guardian, and quickly use her Javelin to counter the attack, though the ensuing explosion pushed her back as it had gotten a bit too close.

Nero frowned, feeding his partner power through his Digivice which glowed a darker color than usual "Why does this have to be so difficult?" he clicked his teeth "At least it can't get worse."

"Okay so we've got a rough plan. Let's hope it works," Ruby sighed as by now they'd managed to make a rough plan on how to handle BlackWarGreymon X. They were about to begin the plan, but before they could actually get to the computer, there was a sudden alert as the screen came on to show Gennai.

"Gennai? What's going on?" Agumon asked in surprise.

"Sorry to interrupt whatever you all were up to, but we have a problem," Gennai frowned.

"What is it?" Ren asked.

"It seems Nero has begun a rather…bold and foolish plan. He is targeting the Holy Stones," Gennai said.

"Holy Stones?" was the general question from the group.

"The Holy Stones were created by Yggdrasil shortly after you defeated the Dark Masters. They were a key part in rebuilding the Digital World acting as anchors and stabilizers. If they're destroyed…well…I'm not fully sure WHAT will happen, but I highly doubt it will be good," Gennai said, quickly explaining.

"That's… definitely bad." Gyro said with a frown.

"Indeed. So far things are going well because each of the stones was given a guardian to protect it, but… I still worry. It would be better if you went to help." Gennai told them.

"We're on it." Pyrrha said with a nod.

"I guess Black can wait until this is taken care of then." Gomamon figured, before they all got in front of the computer.

"Same plan as usual guys. You stay here just in case something comes up on this side." Ruby said to Oscar, Keenan, Penny and their partners.

"Right, you guys be careful." Oscar nodded, before the Chosen quickly entered the Digital World.

"We should go outside, just get a quick lookout as a precaution." Falcomon suggested.

"Good idea." Huckmon nodded in agreement, before they and their partners headed out of the computer room… except Penny and Monodramon were still there, looking at the map still.

"You know… the plan would be easy enough for me to do myself I think." Penny said slowly.

Qrow had been about to leave the room himself, but turned back to her while Norn's fingers stopped moving around the keyboard "You sure kid? This might be dangerous."

"I think we can handle it as long as we don't fly into battle… from what Emerald said, he seems like the honorable sort." she countered.

"It's risky." Monodramon frowned.

Qrow kept looking at them, before he sighed "What the hell… screw it, I'm coming with." he said, before turning to Norn "Set up a portal for us."

Norn seemed hesitant…but ultimately complied, giving them access to the last known coordinates.

The portal deposited Penny, Monodramon, and Qrow in a wasteland area not too different from the one that Black had previously been seen in. "So this is the Digital World," Qrow mused looking around. "Seems pretty normal on this end."

"Some areas look mundane, others look REALLY weird," Monodramon snorted.

"I'm sure we'll find something strange sooner than later," Penny said cheerfully.

"Not sure if I should look forward to or dread that," Qrow sighed. "Alright, where to?"

Penny quickly scanned around and pointed in a direction. "That way," she said as they quickly started moving in that direction. It didn't take long for them to feel the ground shake a little from some heavy steps up ahead, and before long they saw their target. Like with the images, Black was simply walking around aimlessly, any Digimon in the area very clearly getting out of the way.

The group quickly ducked behind some boulders, peeking out to take a look, making sure to err on the side of cau-

"I know you're there," Black said without even turning his head.

"...so much for stealth first," Monodramon sweat dropped, as the three got out from behind the boulder, since well…no point in trying anymore.

He turned his head slightly, looking at them from over his shoulder "Did you come to fight me?"

"Naw. We'd get destroyed." Qrow snorted.

Black was silent for a moment at that, before turning away "Then you're useless to me."

"Wait, please!" Penny said, stopping him from taking a step "We want to talk to you."

Black was silent again, before finally speaking up after several moments "Why?"

"Because talking to someone who might understand you is better than no one, isn't it?" Monodramon spoke up.

Slowly, Black turned around at that, looking at them in visible confusion "What?"

"We…got the gist of the deal with you, and well…she kind of gets the feeling," Qrow said, pointing at Penny, who nodded.

"How could you understand my existence?" Black asked, a mix of mild annoyance and intrigue.

"Because I know what it's like to feel like you're not real," Penny said, before she went for her arm, which opened up to reveal a compartment, as well as several of the robotics inside. "I wasn't born like other humans are, I was made. I guess it's a lot like how you came to be," she said.

Black actually looked surprised at that "Created, rather than born naturally… I see… I thought I was the only one…" he trailed off, before he looked at Penny "Do you have a purpose then?"

"I do." Penny said, smiling as she closed the compartment again "It's to protect humans and faunus from the creatures of Grimm… at least, that's the official one." she said, chuckling a bit "Now… it's just to live freely with my friends."

"So you chose your own purpose?" Black mused.

"Of course. I mean, I still want to do my original purpose since there's nothing wrong with it, but I have my own will, my own wish," Penny smiled.

Black seemed to mull it over. "How did you come to choose your purpose?" he asked.

Penny blinked, before she thought about it slowly. "Well…I guess it came from meeting with the others, becoming their friend, and well…a lot of things too. It's…hard to explain," Penny sweat dropped a bit.

"What she's trying to say is you find your purpose by searching in life, meeting people, making your own choices. Doesn't always work out the first time, but you'll get it eventually," Qrow said. "Though maybe you should try not beating up anyone who comes your way first…unless they're attacking you that is. Then it's fair game," he shrugged.

Black looked down, appearing to be in thought "I have searched… but so far I have found nothing. Neither a greater purpose, nor a proof of my existence."

"Second one should be easy though." Qrow snorted "Just the footsteps you leave where you go, the things you do, the people you interact with. It's by making memories that you prove you exist."

"Can Memories really do that?" Black frowned a bit. "Can memories really be proof for something without a soul?"

At that Qrow snorted a bit, earning a slight glare from Black. "No offense, but believe me when I say I've seen things without a Soul, and I've seen people who have a soul but might as well not have one. Frankly, you're nowhere near those guys and I mean that in a good way. So yes, proof you exist? We're talking right now. That's all the proof you exist that's needed as far as I'm concerned."

"And how I have a soul may be a little unorthodox, but that doesn't change the fact that you're asking these questions. That's proof enough you're more than the other Dark Tower Digimon everyone's seen so far. You think for yourself, that's also proof you exist," Penny added.

Black blinked at that, having more to think thanks to the conversation.

"You don't have to come up with a conclusion right now, but I'm definitely with them that you can find your reason eventually. It's not set in stone, nothing ever is, so don't worry too much about it. It'll come eventually," Monodramon chuckled.

Despite himself a small chuckle escaped Black as well, starting to feel rather comfortable in their company. However, right as he thought that, he tensed.

"Is something wrong?" Penny asked, and her worry grew as Black was suddenly shouting, clearly in pain.

"T-this pain…!" Black gasped before he roared as his eyes gained a feral look. "Make it stop!" he roared as he leaped into the air and took off in a particular direction.

"The hell just happened?!" Qrow gasped, right before their Scrolls went off.

"I don't know what you just did, but BlackWarGreymon X's signal is headed straight for where the others are!" Norn said in alarm.

Some minutes earlier…

"I swear to everything that I WILL find a way to kill that damned imp that is Murphy! And it'll be a slow and agonizing death too!" Nero seethed as he dodged and weaved out of the way of the Chosen's attacks.

Just a minute ago they'd arrived, their Digimon evolving to their highest level and helping Ophanimon take on his mother, uncle and partner, while he had to deal with the Chosen themselves.

And 14 on 1 was just stupidly unfair, even for him, which was why he was glad he'd made himself equipment to fly… even though one of their own could too.

"Aw, what's the matter you little baby? Something not going your way for once?" Yang said with a grin as she flew up with flames beneath her feet, her eyes aflame as the nearby vegetation came to life and started to attack Nero while she kept trying to punch him.

"As a matter of fact, yes," Nero snarled as he lashed out with his whip, but Yang was able to evade and quickly countered with her own attacks. "Something I fully intend to rectify!"

"Not happening! We're taking you down right here, right now!" Pierce shouted as he joined in opening fire on Nero.

Likewise the Digimon were joining in on basically making life a nightmare for the other members of Nero's little group.

"It's almost funny how different things are this time," Vikemon chuckled as he was amongst the ones dealing with Chimeramon, and while the Digimon was certainly powerful…he was still a Perfect going up against a few Ultimates.

"Don't get too comfortable! I'm just getting started!" Chimeramon snarled…right before he was knocked aside by UlforceVeedramon.

"Not likely," UlforceVeedramon said plainly.

"I don't get it! How are you all doing so much better this time?!" Pharaohmon growled as he tried to use a mix of Necromist and his guardian to fight his opponents, but unlike last time, they were not only evading his attacks, but starting to land more hits.

"Last time we were in a small room AND we didn't know what to expect! Now we both have all the room we need AND we know your tricks!" Seraphimon said, creating a Seven Heavens which blasted through the guardian.

"Not to mention we have some help from someone with even more experience with us." Mastemon smirked a bit as she floated near Ophanimon.

"So, any last minute escape plans you want to pull out, or is this the part where whatever crazy ambitions you lot have crash and burn?" Rosemon asked cheerfully…even as she was pulling at her whip while she, Phoenixmon, and Destromon surrounding Jorogumon.

Instead of responding, Jorogumon shot back with her Bewitching Web, trying to force an opening for her to get away from them. However, the webs didn't get far before Phoenixmon burned them all. "Nope, you're not getting away THAT easily," she snorted.

"Dammit, stop looking down on us!" Chimeramon growled from where he'd landed after being knocked aside.

"Hard not to when you're on the ground and I'm up here," UlforceVeedramon shot back.

"Not to mention you're really not in a position to be acting like this," WarGreymon said dryly.

"Shut up!" Chimeramon roared as he charged up a Heat Viper at full power and fired it, aiming straight at them…only for WarGreymon to equip his Brave Shield and use it to bat aside the attack.

However, having not been paying attention to where they were, the Heat Viper was knocked right into the Holy Stone, the attack impacting and dying off against the stone that proved to be quite sturdy. However, what DID happen was a crack appearing on the Holy Ring as the attack was enough to do that.

When that happened, the stone suddenly started glowing brightly as a pulse went through the area… and Nero's group suddenly shouted in pain.

"What… is this?!" Nero roared out, one hand clutching at his head as he felt as if a spike was being driven into his brain.

"The result of the Holy Stone being damaged." Ophanimon spoke up.

"What do you mean?" MetalGarurumon asked her.

"The Holy Stone releases energy when it's damaged, and that energy will hurt beings of darkness such as them." Ophanimon informed them.

"That's certainly helpful." GrandisKuwagamon said, before he looked up, hissing in shock "And we might need it! Look!"

Everyone looked to where he was pointing… and they saw a familiar black shape heading their way through the sky, a scream echoing and growing louder as the shape flew closer and closer.

Said figure crashed into the ground, kicking up dust to reveal Black, thrashing in pain…and with a feral look in his eyes as he looked dead center at the Holy Stone.

The Chosen and their partners quickly realized where this was going, and could only sum it up one way. "Oh crap…"

True enough, Black immediately charged straight for the Holy Stone, only for Ophanimon to get between him and the stone.

"You shall not pass!" she declared as she fired a Sefirot Crystal at Black, but with a roar he swung his Dramon Killers, cutting through and destroying the crystals instantly, forcing Ophanimon to meet his charge head on. To her credit, she seemed to hold him off for a moment, but it wasn't long before she started to falter, forcing her to break the lock to try and strike at Black…but the Dark Tower Digimon easily blocked her javelin, and with a strong kick, sent her flying to the side.

The Chosen weren't idle either, as they quickly joined in, opening fire to try and deter Black, but all that seemed to do was further enrage him. The Holy Stone pulsed stronger, causing Black even more pain and at this point…

"Hit the deck!" Gyro shouted as Black was now flinging Hades Forces wildly, going in every direction as the Digimon were also forced to dodge, the humans and faunus having to stay on the ground to try and avoid the wildly flying attacks. One flew past them…and found Nero's group in its path.

"Don't hit us too dammit!" Nero managed to shout as his group was sent flying, Chimeramon even reverting all the way to Pagumon from the damage he just took.

Black naturally didn't care as he kept wildly firing, hitting a few of the Chosen's Digimon as well, forcing them back to Child Level, before finally one of his attacks found their intended mark, hitting the Holy Stone, causing it to develop an ominous number of cracks before finally exploding into fragments from the force of the attack.

"No!" Ophanimon gasped at seeing the stone explode into fragments that burst apart into data after being sent flying, while Black finally seemed to stop, hunching over as he panted, while the skies overhead grew dark, and a moment later, a tornado started to form.

"Clear the area!" Jaune shouted as they all picked up their partners and moved as far away from the tornado as they could, while Gyro and Pyrrha lifted Ophanimon by her shoulders and carried her with them.

Black continued to pant for a few moments more, before he finally straightened, looking up at the tornado mere meters in front of him, eyes narrowed "What… was that?" he said to himself "That sensation… it caused me pain…" he said, before growling lowly "I didn't like it." was all he said, before finally flying off.

With him gone, the group could only look at the tornado that was still going on, as the area around them seemed to darken, even distort a little. "How bad is this?" Oren asked Ophanimon.

"Very bad…and it'll only get worse if the other Holy Stones are destroyed," Ophanimon said grimly.

Bet nobody expected that huh?

Yeahp, the Holy Stones have guardians... and once their identity is fully revealed, I'm sure you'll be shocked, so look forward to that.

I won't say much more at this point, but look forward to what's to come, because...

The Adventure Evolves.