With a near religious zeal burning within their eyes, the Digimon of the Cult of the Fallen charged forward to meet their enemies head on, their numbers doubling that of the Digimon within the three Orders, alongside those of the Dark Tribe's Militia.

Despite their numbers however, the Cult Digimon were easily overpowered as the first wave of their warriors were quickly cut down by the raw strength held by DarkKishimon and his DreadKnightmon.

The BloodDracomon of the Knight of the Dark Blade, along with their riders, met the SkullDracomon and BlackGargoylemon in the air, the forces clashing with one another as the Dark Knight Digimon and their mounts easily dispatched their foes.

Below and upon the battlefield, the Nekuromon and their Grandmistress flew throughout the conflict.

Using their dark Digi-magics to counter the Necromon and Lichmon of the cult, while unleashing powerful spells to disorient or even annihilate many of the cultists arrayed against them, the Court of Shadows left the rest of their foes open for Kumichomon and his SkullYakuzaimon to deliver precise and deadly strikes.

At the same time, the Dark Tribe's Militia, led by Arcturusmon, easily pushed through what remained of the Cult Digimon that survived the Orders' onslaught.

Though the Champion of the Dark Tribe took most of the credit as he quickly moved about the battlefield, the soldiers of the Dark Tribe slaughtered any who opposed Ankokukyomon's rule with no mercy.

However and despite their growing losses, the Digimon of the Cult of the Fallen remained undeterred from their battle as they knew their victory would not be through their strength of numbers, but by buying time for the ritual to be completed.

In their minds and with the Dark Lady's return, their Mistress would strike down their enemies and would allow them to ascend through their sacrifices to become the heralds of a new age, not only for the Dark Tribe, but for all of Witchelny.

"Magna Saber!"

"Striking Light!"

"Cross Slicer!"

"Final Crest!"

"Blazing Spear Strike!"

"Full Spirit Wave!"

"Blazing Sabers!"

"Shooting Star Strike!"

"Corona Dash!"

"Rose Blizzard!"

"Omni Force!"

"Star Shine Dive!"

"Ancient Blaze!"

"Ultimate Search Strike!"

"Palm Cruncher!"

"Rhythmic Stream!"

"Dark Seraph's Wrath!"

"Thunder Blaze!"

"Crimson Bloom!"

"Sacred Saber!"

"Rose Saber!"

"Bunny Pummel!"

"Bunny Stars!"

"Arcane Blaster!"

"Shadow Fang!"

"Blizzard Typhoon!"

"Galeforce Whirlwind!"

"Mantis Blades!"

"Dark Kitsune Claw!"

"Saver Blast!"

Meanwhile and working together themselves, the heroes and heroines quickly blasted their way through the dark cultists in their path.

Unleashing her own powerful blasts of Digi-magic, which was aided by her magically created blades, Jeri aided her friends with a further combination of power and skill.

At the same time and showing their own undeterred power, Zetsubomon and the remainder of the newer heroes and heroines felt slightly off toward the idea of fighting Digimon as opposed to battling against the Legions, but they knew that this was a necessary evil in order to stop the return of the enemy their friends had fought so hard to stop.

Watching from the throne room, Ankokukyomon, ShadowEclipsemon and SkullTactimon remained on edge as the battle played out before their eyes.

Impressed by the combined power of their three Orders and their Militia, as well as the additional power of the returned heroes and heroines, including that of their newer friends, the trio held reservations as they knew time was not on their side.

If the ritual wasn't brought to a halt, then one of the greatest threats Witchelny had ever faced would soon walk amongst them again, and they would all suffer her dark wrath.

Similar thoughts filled the minds of the Tribal Council, each of whom worried about the ramifications that would follow should the Dark Lady return, which included the rage she would feel upon the knowledge in regards of her Davis' defeat.

Arcanadramon, meanwhile, found his attention focused on trying to figure out who used the Void Magic to manipulate events in such a way to allow the ritual to revive his old foe to commence, as well as to figure out what such an individual would gain from the Dark Lady's return.

Hacking, slashing and blasting their way through the throngs of cultists in their path toward the citadel, MagnaVeedramon and his team came to a halt as the SkullColossimon expelled a fearsome roar, this causing the heroes and heroines to turn their attention as the massive beast charged toward them with a desire for destruction embedded within its hollowed eyes.

Having faced such a wicked Digimon in the past, MagnaVeedramon and the other original heroes and heroines of Witchelny prepared to face the massive and unstable monster, while Zetsubomon and the rest of the newer group prepared to follow their friends and their lead against fighting the giant beast.

Before any of the heroes or heroines could so much as make a move, the SkullColossimon was struck by a trio of powerful attacks, one a stream of black fire, another a surge of dark energy and the final being the shadowy snake Kumichomon had used in his battle against MagnaVeedramon.

Unable to withstand such an assault within its unfinished form, the SkullColossimon bellowed in pain as it collapsed backwards, crashing into the ground and crushing numerous Cult Digimon in the process, before the beast exploded into Data particles, its destruction leaving nothing but a crater where it once laid.

Turning around and facing their aides, MagnaVeedramon and the rest of the heroes and heroines saw DarkKishimon, Ritchikuinmon and Kumichomon approaching them with a sense of urgency.

"This is all a distraction, we need to get to the throne room at once!" The Grandmistress of the Shadow Court said with a great seriousness and urgency within their voice.

To Ritchikuinmon's declaration, Lightbearer Ophanimon and those who fought the Dark Lady in their final battle last time realized that this location, the site of the fallen Kari's defeat, would be the spot of her resurrection.

Turning his gaze back upon the citadel, MagnaVeedramon nodded his head in agreement, before he then informed of his friends and allies. "Alright, we'll make for the throne room, Arcturusmon can handle the rest of the cultists out here."

Looking upon Zetsubomon, the Digimon of Miracles then began to tell his friend. "Zetsubomon, you and the rest of those newer to Witchelny help out here and…"

"No." The Dark Digimon of Hope interrupted with a firm determination within his voice, which only grew as he saw MagnaVeedramon narrow his eyes at him.

"We know you guys are trying to protect us, that you all feel like this is a battle you need to fight yourselves, but we are here now! We were given D-Bracers just like the rest of you. We're going to fight at your side, whether you like it or not!" Zetsubomon then added/went on to say with a further fiery determination within his voice, where MagnaVeedramon, Lightbearer Ophanimon and the rest of the original heroes saw the same determination within the rest of their friends' eyes.

"We have the numbers on our side, and with all of your experiences against her, we have the advantage." Thomas then declared as he too tried to reason with the rest of the group.

Just like the others, the blond haired DATS member refused to sit back and let his friends battle against the foe who had affected them so badly the last time they were upon Witchelny.

Gazing upon those amongst the group newer to Witchelny, to see that they were all in agreement and refused to back down from the fight, MagnaVeedramon then looked upon those who fought at his side the last time the group had been upon this world, seeing that though hesitant, they all silently seemed to agree, this causing the Digimon of Miracles to expel a defeated sigh.

"Alright, but keep in mind, if we fail and she does return, if we end up fighting her, she KNOWS you, all of you, she knows your fears, what drives you, what can get to you and she will use those against you." The fusion of Davis and Veemon said with a continued seriousness within his voice as he recalled the mental games employed by the fallen Kari to toy with them upon their first physical meeting with one another.

Though slightly unnerved by what MagnaVeedramon had told them, Zetsubomon, KnightRosemon and the rest of the group nodded their heads in reply, before the group then focused upon Ritchikuinmon as she cleared her throat.

"Now that that is all out of the way, stand together please." The Dark Mystic Digimon then requested.

Doing as told, the heroes and heroines, alongside DarkKishimon and Kumichomon then moved closer together.

Ritchikuinmon then moved before the group and waved her hands as a sphere of darkness surrounded the entire group, before the sphere disappeared from the battlefield.

When the darkness around them cleared, Lightbearer Ophanimon and those that were with her when they finally defeated the Dark Lady felt a cold shiver go down their spines upon finding themselves within a familiar setting, to find themselves once more within the fallen Kari's throne room, rebuilt to look exactly as it did before that fated battle with the one who had caused so much terror to Witchelny.

However, that cold shiver they felt only increased as MagnaVeedramon and the rest of the original heroes and heroines felt a familiar darkness flowing throughout the area, while Zetsubomon and the rest of the newer group almost felt nauseated toward the sense of powerful and near consuming darkness.

Turning their attention toward the source of this feeling, the heroes, heroines and Grandmasters of the Order looked upon the Soul Shard for the first time, the black crystal hovering in the air with darkness swirling around it as six Lichmon were encircled around the object, their hands glowing with dark Digi-Magic as they chanted the spell needed for the the Dark Lady's revival.

Examining the scene further, MagnaVeedramon noticed that the ritual circle was encased within a dark barrier, one the Veemon half of the Holy Knight Digimon recognized as the same barrier which Wraithmon had used to try and keep the heroes out of the citadel during the final battle, one that would only drop upon the death of the being it was bound to.

Looking around and further examining their surroundings, the group then noticed four additional Lichmon, each with a dark aura around them, signifying that they were the ones bound to the barrier, before the heroes and heroines focused on the individual at the centre of the group, one they assumed was DarkShikyomon himself.

"Filthy traitors! You dare bring the outsiders here and betray your Tribe once more?!" The leader of the Cult of the Fallen demanded with a growing rage within his voice as he glared down upon DarkKishimon, Kumichomon and Ritchikuinmon with pure hatred within his eyes.

"We are not the ones who have betrayed our tribe." DarkKishimon said back as he withdrew and directed his blade toward DarkShikyomon.

"It is you and your followers who have betrayed us all in the name of a memory!" The leader of the Knights of the Dark Blade went on to say with a further fury.

"A memory that will soon live again, smite down our enemies and rule this world once more!" DarkShikyomon bellowed in retaliation with a growing dark glee in his tone as the dark energy around the Soul Shard seemed to intensify, the increase in darkness alerting the heroes and heroines to the fact that time was not on their side.

Turning his attention upon Ritchikuinmon, the leader of the Cult told her with narrowed eyes. "You once served our Mistress faithfully, Ritchikuinmon. Stand by our side and earn her forgiveness or be annihilated with the rest of these fools!"

Scoffing lightly in regard to the offer, the Grandmistress of the Shadow Court told DarkShikyomon in reply. "I am not the one who is a fool here. All you are doing is bringing about your own demise."

Stepping forward and desiring to reason with DarkShikyomon, MagnaVeedramon spoke up as he began to tell the leader of the Cult of the Fallen. "Please, you have to stop this. Bringing her back won't…"

"It is because of you that we have grown so weak!" The Dark Mystic Digimon bellowed in rage as he glared upon the Digimon of Miracles.

Pointing his finger toward the fusion of Davis and Veemon, DarkShikyomon then exclaimed. "You brought our Mistress and her beloved down, claiming it was for the betterment of this world, then you abandoned us to the Legions! You made us weak and allowed these invaders to enter our world unchallenged! And now you dare try and stop us from bringing back the one who can drive them back?! You are no heroes, you are the bane of Witchelny and you will all suffer for your crimes against the Dark Tribe!"

Though many of the original heroes and heroines flinched slightly toward being called the enemies of the world they saved in the past, to hear the hatred of those who truly believed in the Dark Lady and her promises of glory, Lightbearer Ophanimon stepped forward.

"Please, listen to us, she won't save Witchelny, her rage…" The fusion of Kari and Gatomon began to plead as to defend MagnaVeedramon and reason with the Digimon who were twisted by her dark counterpart's lies.

"The focus of her rage now stands before me!" DarkShikyomon declared with a dark glee.

Stretching out his hands and looking over his shoulder, to see the Soul Shard now fully enveloped within the spiralling darkness and showing the impending progress of the ritual, the leader of the Cult then said with a dark and insane tone of voice. "Once she has killed you all, we shall ascend and form a new Dark Tribe, one that shall drive the invaders off once and for all, where we shall rule Witchelny forever more!"

"Enough of this!" DarkKishimon bellowed in retaliation as he swung his blade, a small shockwave spreading outward and causing a few of the torches within the room to flicker out, before the leader of the Knights of the Dark Blade told the heroes and heroines with a further seriousness in his voice. "There is no use trying to convince him he is wrong. We must stop the ritual now!"

"You will not stop her return, nothing will!" DarkShikyomon then declared as he snapped his fingers, the resonating command causing a small legion of DarkKnightmon, DarkGoremon, FeralCyclopsmon, Serpentismon and Ultimate level Dark Knight Digimon to emerge from the shadows, having laid in wait for their Master's call to strike down the so called heroes and their allies.

"Get those Lichmon! We need to take them down in order to shut down the barrier!" MagnaVeedramon declared as the rest of the heroes and heroines, along with the leaders of the three orders, voiced their agreement, just as Cult Digimon then charged toward them.

"Magna Saber!"

"Striking Light!"

"Cross Slicer!"

"Final Crest!"

"Blazing Spear Strike!"

"Full Spirit Wave!"

"Blazing Sabers!"

"Shooting Star Strike!"

"Corona Dash!"

"Rose Blizzard!"

"Omni Force!"

"Star Shine Dive!"

"Ancient Blaze!"

"Ultimate Search Strike!"

"Palm Cruncher!"

"Rhythmic Stream!"

"Dark Seraph's Wrath!"

"Thunder Blaze!"

"Crimson Bloom!"

"Sacred Saber!"

"Rose Saber!"

"Bunny Pummel!"

"Bunny Stars!"

"Arcane Blaster!"

"Shadow Fang!"

"Blizzard Typhoon!"

"Galeforce Whirlwind!"

"Mantis Blades!"

"Dark Kitsune Claw!"

"Saver Blast!"

Working together, alongside strikes from Jeri, DarkKishimon, Kumichomon and Ritchikuinmon, the heroes and heroines began to battle and strike down their numerous foes, even as DarkShikyomon and his Lichmon entourage moved about the chamber, unleashing powerful blasts of dark energy toward the heroes in an attempt to strike them where they least expected it.

"Magna Shield!"

"Dynas Protection!"

"Spirit Ring!"

"Firewall!"

"Thunder Shield!"

"Valiant Shield!"

"Arcana Protection!"

Working together, and with Jeri summoning her own magical barriers with Ritchikuinmon's aid, the heroes and heroines guarded their allies from the onslaught of their foes, while Sagemon used his Wisdom's Gaze to keep a close eye upon the Lichmon they needed to dispose of.

Continuing to watch from their respective locations, Ankokukyomon, ShadowEclipsemon and SkullTactimon, along with Arcanadramon and the Tribal Council, held their breaths as they watched the battle continue.

Grasping his staff tightly, the evolved form of Novicmon desired to aid his old friends once again, but felt a sense of frustration toward the knowledge that he could not leave Mt. Brocken to a possible attack from the invaders.

All Arcanadramon could do for the time being was watch and pray for his friends.

As the battle raged on within the throne room, the heroes and heroines felt the energies from the Soul Shard increasing, the ground around the ritual circle even cracking and breaking apart due to the immense energies being unleashed, which allowed the group to know that time was almost up.

'Guys! I found them!' Sagemon's voice suddenly echoed within his fellow heroes and heroines' minds, before they saw several green auras appear amongst the crowd of cultists, revealing the locations of the Lichmon amongst the crowds.

And knowing what needed to be done, several amongst the group acted in haste.

"Rage of Wyvern!"

"Holy Judgement!"

"Arcane Inferno!"

"Golden Arrow!"

Before the Lichmon could counter against their attackers, the combined might of Medieval Gallantmon, Lightbearer Ophanimon, CrimsonAldamon and ShogunOujamon struck their forms, the overpowering energies destroying their bodies and ending their existence in the blink of an eye.

At the same moment, the barrier around the ritual circle quickly faded, a sight that caused those watching the battle to cheer, even though it seemed that the energies from the Soul Shard were at their peak.

Seeing his chance to attack, MagnaVeedramon lunged toward the Shard, his right blade extended outward as he prepared to strike the gem and end this madness once and for all.

"No!" DarkShikyomon screamed in protest.

Consuming his hands in dark energy, DarkShikyomon lunged toward MagnaVeedramon in an attempt to stop the Holy Knight Digimon in his attempts, his movements seen by many of the heroes and heroines as they move to engage the Cult leader down before any harm could befall MagnaVeedramon.

Time seemed to slow down for a moment as MagnaVeedramon kept his focus upon the Soul Shard, ignoring even DarkShikyomon's presence as he prepared to make the final strike.

But before the Digimon of Miracles could deliver his strike, and before DarkShikyomon could stop him, the darkness around the Soul Shard was quickly sucked back within the gem, before it shot outward with an overwhelmingly powerful shockwave, this sending MagnaVeedramon, DarkShikyomon and the Lichmon performing the ritual flying backwards.

The dark energies of the shockwave were so intense that the remaining Cult Digimon were knocked down or were sent back and crashing into the walls, while the heroes, heroines and the Grandmasters held their ground as many amongst the group brought up protective barriers to shield their allies from the powerful shockwave.

Acting quickly as to protect the Digimon of Miracles, Lightbearer Ophanimon and MysticSakuyamon flew up and grabbed MagnaVeedramon before he could crash into the wall behind the group and safely brought him down to the protection their friends were providing, ignoring DarkShikyomon as he went crashing through the ceiling of the throne room.

Upon seeing the shockwave, Ankokukyomon stood up with a look of understandable fear within his eyes, while ShadowEclipsemon and SkullTactimon held a shared sense of growing concern.

At the same time, Arcanadramon paled as the Tribal Council began to speak amongst one another in a small panic, each worried about what was about to happen.

As the dark energies died down, the heroes and heroines unshielded their eyes and allowed the barriers to drop, before MagnaVeedramon and the rest of the original heroes and heroines paled as they saw a familiar sight falling all around them, black feathers.

Upon seeing this, the heroes, heroines, Grandmasters and even the cultist turned their gaze to the space above the ritual circle as a figure descended from the air and to the ground above, a figure with four black wings, their presence bringing mixed reactions to all within the chamber.

To those who had come to Witchelny the first time, they had only seen the figure as a statue and heard the tales from their friends, to those who saved the world prior, along with the Grandmasters, the figure brought dread and fear, while to the Digimon of the Cult of the Fallen, the figure was a sign of a new beginning.

Looking upon the being, MagnaVeedramon saw that, as explained by Ritchikuinmon, the individual looked exactly as they had during that battle so long ago, only their entire being was black, as though made out of shadows alone, while the Soul Shard rested upon their chest.

As their dark purple eyes gazed down upon all below them, a sense of dread continued to gnaw upon the hearts of MagnaVeedramon and his allies.

As the being continued to float down, one thought, one fear, one horror filled those who had given their all to protect Witchelny in the past.

The Dark Lady had returned and they had to deal with her overwhelming vengeance.

.

.

.

Author's note: Despite the odds, the Dark Lady has been brought back from the dead. Will our heroes be able to combat her? Stay tuned as the adventure continues.

PS: Yes, a slightly shorter chapter than normal, but given what is going to come next, and I am sure those of you who have read my previous story will know, it will be worth it.