Shock still filling his being to what he and Patamon merged into, TK continued to look at his hands with wide eyes, the Digidestined of Hope completely ignoring everything and everyone around him as those befriended came to check on him.
As many held concerns toward TK, Catherine and Patamon expressed the most worry, the duo trying to snap the Digidestined of Hope from out of his state of shock and horror.
'What… what just happened? Patamon… I… we… we became that… that monster, and…' TK thought as he further remembered his experience from a few moments ago as Zetsubomon, remembering how cold and uncaring he felt about everything or anything around him, save for the desire to destroy those opposing him.
As much as these thoughts disturbed him, however, TK was then broken from his inner trauma as a pair of hands grabbed him by the collar and began shaking him, before a familiar voice yelled with a sudden uproar of rage.
"Damn it, TK, snap out of it, you're alright!" Kari all but screamed furiously as she shook the blond haired Digidestined, the Digidestined of Light getting tired of how TK continued to act and was growing desperate for him to answer her reply.
All around, meanwhile, those who knew Kari blinked in surprise, and a little fear, to see the Digidestined of Light snap at her friend in such a way, not used to seeing the sweet and kind brunette let out such anger, especially given the circumstances.
In fact, for most of them, there was only one person who would have acted this way in the past, causing Tai, Sora, Mimi, Izzy and Cody to all turn their heads towards Davis as they thought in unison. 'He's rubbing off on her…'
Blinking his eyes a few times, feeling a slight fear towards his best female friend and the rage in her eyes, TK turned his fearful gaze towards Davis, who held his hands out defensively.
"Don't look to me for help, I'm just as scared as you are." The maroon haired Digidestined said in reply to the unasked plea, refusing to get on his girlfriend's bad side.
The sounds of a throat clearing then cut through the tension and caused everyone to look toward Arcanadramon, who said with an understanding and seriousness within his voice. "I think it would be best if everyone relaxes for a while and takes time to collect themselves, while I try and figure out a way so that no more void rifts can open up within MT. Brocken."
Letting out a defeated sigh, Kari let go of her anger as she removed her hands from off of TK's shirt and allowed Catherine and Patamon to check on the blond, while the rest of the group tried to process what had just happened.
If Zetsubomon, as well as the Herald, were signs of things to come, then things were only going to get more complicated from here on out.
.
.
.
Half an hour had passed and after Catherine and Floramon had escorted TK and Patamon to their temporary room to recover physically and mentally after what they went through, Davis, Veemon and most of their male friends sat together in one of the various libraries within the castle, trying to process what had happened, while Kari dragged the rest of the girls to another part of the castle to relax, apparently having learned of a hot spring that was installed within the castle's grounds.
Resting his head against one of the chairs, Davis tried to figure out what had happened to TK and Patamon, to try and figure out if becoming Zetsubomon was some kind of mistake or even a false evolution.
The incident reminded him of the problematic events of SkullGreymon Tai and Agumon mentioned long ago, which puzzled Davis further.
TK and Patamon were two of the most noble people he knew, their bond and their partnership seemed perfect, so what exactly caused the Digidestined and Digimon of Hope to succumb to such a dark power?
"I swear, I've never seen anything like that before." Veemon groaned in frustration, trying to search through the various books and for anything vaguely related to what they had seen within TK and Patamon.
At the comment, Tai, Agumon, Takato, Guilmon, Takuya, Mikey, Shoutmon, Tagiru and Gumdramon looked at one another, before speaking in unison as they looked at the duo of Miracles and commented. "We have."
Blinking their eyes in confusion, Davis and Veemon looked at their friends and questioned. "When?"
"When you guys, Kari and Gatomon first used the Fragment of Darkness against Grapplemon." Shoutmon informer in reply, remembering the battle with the Bandit Digimon and what happened when MagnaVeedramon and Lightbearer Ophanimon used the fragment of the primordial darkness that their old ally, Eclipsemon, gave them.
"Yeah, you guys acted as if you were possessed or something back then. Come to think of it, you all even had the same kind of stone cold emotionlessness as Zetsubomon back there." Tagiru added, a shiver going down his spine as he remembered the cold expressions on the two Light Digimon as they wiped out the Bandit Digimon without a care and any mercy in the world.
Thinking more on it, Mikey then questioned aloud. "Could that just be a side effect of the Dark Tribe's energy?"
Turning to face Mikey and interested in his words, Davis was about to comment, but before he could say anything, a Wizardmon then approached the group, carrying with him a large tome within his possession.
"Pardon me, but Lord Arcanadramon asked that I deliver this to you." The mystic Digimon then informed, his tone of absolute respect toward the heroes, before opening the book and placing it before Davis and Veemon, who turned their eyes upon the opened pages.
Instantly, their eyes widened as they saw the image of Zetsubomon staring back at this, which caused the others present to circle around the pair as they saw the old image now presented before them.
"Who was he?" Tai's Agumon questioned as he looked to the Wizardmon, who nodded his head in respect and then answered the question.
"Zetsubomon was one of the first Digimon born of Witchelny, and one of the founders of the Dark Tribe." The mystic Digimon said in reply, his words causing Davis and the others to widen their eyes in surprise.
"Good or bad?" Marcus had to ask, wondering if the new form of TK and Patamon was an ally or was another creep they'd have to keep an eye on.
"I believe the term Lord Arcanadramon wished me to use as a response was, 'anti-hero'. He fought to bring order and stability to our world, but in his own... view of justice." Wizardmon replied, adding as he then explained. "Zetsubomon fed on despair and negativity. He used these dark emotions to fuel his power as he brought down those who caused trouble in the old days."
Listening to the information, and reading what he could of the information within the book, Davis felt a lightbulb go off in his head.
He knew what was needed to be done, he just hoped that he and Veemon wouldn't be too hurt when they were finished with his plan.
.
.
.
While the rest of their friends were scattered amongst the castle, Izzy, Thomas and their Digimon partners were walking down the path of statues of their friends, the two geniuses and their partners remaining silent as they too study and tried to process the world around them.
"I really wish I had my laptop. I would be able to study these Legions and to also figure out precise ways to counter their them." The Digidestined of Knowledge remarked with a sigh, this causing Tentomon to show his kindness as he gently rubbed his partner's back, knowing just how frustrated Izzy was without his laptop.
"This world is based on mediaeval writings and fantasy beliefs, so most likely any information we want would have to be found in books." Thomas said in reply, a thought that the blond DATS member was comfortable with, unlike his companion.
From his own position and showing his furthered respect toward Thomas, Gaomon just nodded in reply.
Walking down the path and approaching the large statue display, the group then noticed Cody and Armadillomon, the Digidestined and Digimon of Knowledge and Reliability seemingly staring upon the figures charging at the statues of their friends.
"Everything alright, you two?" Tentomon asked curiously, getting the attention of the younger Digidestined and his partner.
Nodding and acknowledging their friends and speaking for his partner, Armadillomon said with a kind smile "We're good. Cody just wanted to have a look at these statues again."
Nodding his head in affirmation, Cody then looked back at the statues, particularly the one that was identified as the Dark Lady, before he then said as Izzy, Thomas and their partners got closer. "Despite everything we were told, I'm still having a hard time seeing this as Kari."
Looking upon the statue themselves, taking in the appearance of the dark, winged figure before them, Izzy, Thomas and their partners also thought further toward the Digidestined of Light.
Knowing Kari as a kind, sweet and selfless individual, nobody could not see her as the dark tyrant-like figure they had heard so much about.
"I had thought the same thing back then." A familiar voice then said, the interruption causing the group to turn and to see Arcanadramon walking toward them, bags under his eyes from lack of sleep, most likely from his attempts to find a way to protect the mountain from a future attack, before he looked toward the statue himself.
"To see that one of the kindest individuals I had ever met, and the threat that had nearly broken my world were one and the same, it was soul shattering." The arcane Digimon told Izzy, Cody, Thomas and their partners, before looking to his newer friends and adding with further wisdom. "But as I came to understand, pain, loss, grief, desperation, these can change even the most kind hearted people. She had lost the love of her life, felt as though a part of her was gone forever, and instead of grieving as most should, she was deceived into believing she could bring him back, and the cost no longer mattered to her."
Looking to the statue next to the Dark Lady's, to that of her fallen beloved, Arcanadramon then informed. "And, in an act of rage, her beloved, a ruined spirit, tried to avenge her death by trying to end everything. Both were in the end, victims of their own darkness and of their love, something I do not wish for the Davis and Kari I know."
Looking back at the group before him, Arcanadramon then said with a trusting smile. "It is you, your friends and everyone else they care for that can act as their anchors, being there for them and supporting them, less the darkness that lies within them, within us all, takes hold of them and pushes them to darker ends."
To Arcanadramon's words, the group nodded in reply, especially Izzy, Cody and their partners as they knew just how close Davis and Kari were to one another, while looking back at the statues of their fallen counterparts and seeing the results of what could happen if they were to lose one another.
.
.
.
Within the hot springs, meanwhile, the girls and their partners, save for Dokamon, were all relaxing within the warm waters.
Allowing the stress of the past day to leave their bodies, a certain blonde haired Digimon Hunter found herself comparing her body to those of her human companions, and found her eyes twitching to find a few of her female friends were... a little more developed then she was.
"Ok, let's take our minds off of... earlier, and focus on something else." Zoe eventually suggested as she broke the silence, the Warrior of Wind looking at Kari, and with a sly grin.
"So, Kari... how have things been with you and your hunk?" She then asked.
With most of the girls looking to her for a reply, Kari felt a light blush form upon her cheeks, but smiled brightly nonetheless as she closed her eyes, expressed a content sigh and replied warmly. "Perfect... There's just no other word to describe it... Every day with Davis feels like a dream, and I can't get enough of it."
Hearing the Digidestined of Light's reply, and to hear the love within her voice, Zoe and the rest of the girls who had been to Witchelny beforehand smiled in response as they all knew how strong the love between Kari and Davis had become, and how it survived the near destruction of Witchelny.
Opening her eyes, Kari then focused herself upon Rika, who smiled back at her as a silent agreement was shared between the Digidestined and the Digimon Tamer.
Turning from Kari, however, Rika blinked as she saw Mimi staring at her with confusion, causing the red haired Tamer to question in her usual short temper. "What?"
"The last time I saw you, we were the same age, now I'm older than you, how is that possible?" The Digidestined of Sincerity found herself asking, her confusion shared by Palmon as both remembered fighting alongside Rika and Renamon when they assisted Nene and the blonde haired Digimon Hunter during the Quartzmon incident.
"The Old Clock Shop Man summoned us through time as well as space." Renamon spoke up and explained as she let herself relax within the warm waters, her eyes closed and remaining relaxed, the foxy Digimon then informed. "But here, we were summoned to this world by teleportation, not time."
Still trying to process what she had been told, Mimi let out a frustrated sigh, which caused a few of the girls to laugh in reply, before Jeri then looked to see Suzie, who remained silent and staring off into the distance with a distant gaze.
"Suzie, are you alright?" The brown haired Tamer asked with sincerity, her question snapping Suzie from out of her thoughts and for the purple haired Tamer to blush slightly when she noticed all of the other girls staring upon her.
"Yeah, I'm fine... It's just..." Suzie began to reply, her blush growing as she steeled herself, before looking at Kari, Sora, Mimi, Catherine, Zoe and their partners as she then asked. "What... what are Cody and Tommy like?"
Instantly, the purple haired Tamer regretted her choice to ask the girls as each looked to her with growing sly expressions.
"Oh? Thinking of asking one of them on a date?" Zoe then asked with a teasing in her voice.
"Now, now, Zoe, she's probably stuck between which one she likes better." Sora said back, trying to act like a big sister, but found herself smirking slyly as she then found she had to ask with her own teasing. "So, which one makes you the hottest when you think about them?"
In response, Suzie's face turned a bright red as she let out a small and startled "Eep!", this causing the girls to laugh in response, who then continued with their teasing as they allowed the troubles of Witchelny to fade from their minds momentarily.
.
.
.
'Ah... this feels amazing..." Patamon said with a pleasant sigh as he closed his eyes and slid into the warm waters of the hotsprings, the guys having invited the Digimon of hope and his Partner to join them in the men's side of the springs to help the Digidestined and Digimon of Hope melt away their concerns.
However, TK merely remained secluded within his room, the events of the day still haunting and even wishing he would be left alone, while Davis said that he had something to check out, leaving the rest of the group to enjoy some rest and relaxation.
"You said it." Kazu said with a grin as he crossed his arms behind his head and relaxed further in the water, before grinning as he looked to Guardromon, who sat a few feet from the spring as the brown haired Tamer remarked. "Sorry, pal, but this water would make you rust in seconds.
"It's quite alright, Kazu. Perhaps I could maintain your safety and act as your life guard?" Guardromon offered kindly in reply, the words of the machine Digimon causing a few of the guys to chuckle in response.
Although he too was enjoying the company of his friends, new and old, Cody looked to Patamon and showed his empathy.
"Are you doing alright, Patamon?" The younger Digidestined found himself asking, his question drawing everyone's attention back to the Digimon of Hope, who just nodded and then gave his reply.
"Yeah, it was just a very weird experience for me." Patamon replied through his honesty.
Seemingly unphased by his transformation into Zetsubomon, as though it was just another potential of Digivolution for him, Patamon then gained a solemn frown, his ears drooping down as he told the others. "But I am worried about TK... he... he doesn't hasn't had the best experience when it comes to the darkness."
Hearing this, Koichi frowned slightly, part of him worried that being the Warrior of Darkness might cause some issues between him and the Digidestined of Hope.
As a silent unease circled around the heroes, The Digimon of Miracles broke the silence, expressing his faith and familiar trust and confidence.
"Have some faith, Davis has this covered."Veemon told his friends, his words causing those who knew Davis well enough to nod in reply, knowing that they could put their trust within the Digidestined of Miracles.
.
.
.
Back within the confines of his room, TK remained seated upon his bed, a solemn look upon his face as flashes of his actions as Zetsubomon continued to flash and repeat themselves before his eyes, the dark feeling filling TK's mind with a plaguing doubt and despair.
However, his train of depressing thoughts was eventually broken when the Digidestined of Hope heard a knock on the door, this causing TK to sigh and to then call out. "Please go away, I just want to be left alone."
"Too bad, open the door." A familiar voice said back and with a familiar determination.
Sighing as he got off of the bed and knowing the person on the other end wouldn't go away, TK opened the door, to see Davis waiting on the other side.
Giving a friendly smile, Davis knew that his blond haired friend was having trouble, the maroon haired hero having been told about the incident with Devimon and how it greatly affected the Digidestined of Hope, especially when he thought he had lost Patamon forever, a feeling the Digidestined of Miracles understood as he never wished to know what it would be like to lose Veemon and to no longer have his Digimon partner and best friend by his side.
Moving aside and allowing the maroon haired Digidestined inside, TK closed the door behind him, turned to face Davis and let his friend express what was on his mind.
"I know you don't want to hear this, TK, but we need you and Patamon to gain control over Zetsubomon. We need you guys at our side." Davis said, his words causing TK to frown in response.
"Davis... I... I can't... I can't become that monster again. What if I hurt someone? Catherine, Kari, you? I..." TK started to say as he felt his frustration growing.
"I have spent my life fighting the darkness, and now here, in this world, I turn into something evil? I can't do this, Davis." The Digidestined of Hope went on to say with a defeated tone.
Knowing that this was most likely how TK would react, Davis nodded his head in understanding, before looking to his blond haired friend and speaking his mind. "TK, listen, the last time we were here, Kari, myself and the others ended up fighting a version of Kari that lost her Davis and was so driven by grief and despair that she was willing to tear this world apart just to bring him back. Then, after being brought back, the broken form of her Davis tried to use god-like powers to destroy this world and ours just to avenge her."
While having heard all this in the past, TK remained silent, allowing Davis to get to the point as the Digidestined of Miracles then said softly. "My point is that everyone, you, me, Kari, we all have light and darkness within us, it's how we use it that defines us."
"You are a kind and noble person, TK, and I do not believe that you and Patamon becoming Zetsubomon was by accident. I know if anyone can use his power for good, it is you." Davis then promised with a further trust and confidence in his tone, one that caused TK to build a returning confidence within the Digidestined of Hope as he trusted his maroon haired friend.
"Now, I have an idea, and tomorrow morning, we're going to go to a more private training area to see if my plan will work." Davis then said as he approached the blond haired Digidestined, placed a comforting hand on his shoulder and told him with a smile. "Have some faith in yourself, TK, we all do, and we know you can do this."
Having said his peace, Davis then left, exiting the room and returning to his own, this leaving TK to take in the words of his friend and to feel some hope return within his soul.
.
.
.
Entering the bedroom he was assigned and shared with Kari, Davis smiled to see the lights turned on within the bathroom, thus allowing the Digidestined of Courage and Friendship to know that his beloved was back from the hot springs.
"Did you talk to TK?" The voice of the Digidestined of Light then questioned curiously from the otherside of the closed door, which brought a smile to Davis' face as he made himself comfortable upon the bed and for his girlfriend.
"Yeah, and he is willing to give the plan a try tomorrow." The maroon haired Digidestined replied as he rested his head upon the pillow, slid his hands behind his head, and added with a growing smile. "For now, we should probably get some sleep, we could all use a rest after the day we've had."
"Well... I'm not sure how much sleep you'll be getting." Kari then said with a sly tone, one that brought a smirk to Davis' face, the maroon haired Digidestined knowing that his girlfriend was in the right mood and desired him.
Slowly opening his eyes, expecting an enticing surprise from his beloved, to see Kari either dressed in a more revealing attire or to gaze upon her naked beauty, Davis began to ask with a sly tone. "Oh, and what do you mean...?"
However, Davis found himself stopping mid-sentence to the sight before him, not only to see the familiar allure of Kari standing in just her bra and panties, showing off her amazing body in the process, but to her right was a familiar red haired Tamer who too was clad only in her undergarments.
Showing off her own amazing figure as she smiled sensually towards the Digidestined of Miracles, Rika held a growing eagerness within her expression, matching the sly smile Kari had expressed.
Getting over his initial shock, Davis gained a sly smirk, remembering the... unique interactions he and Kari had with Rika during their last adventure as he then asked curiously. "So... we're continuing this then?"
Her smile matching her boyfriend's, Kari nodded her head as she wrapped her arm around Rika's waist, the redhead allowing the Digidestined of Light to pull her closer to her as Kari then commented. "Rika's been such a good girl, and she hasn't found anyone else, so to answer your question, yes. And we're going to spice things up this time."
"What do you...?" Davis began to ask as he expressed his curiosity and his confusion, only to feel his brain all but shut down as Kari turned to face Rika and pressed her lips against the Digimon Tamer's in a deep and heated kiss, one the redhead quickly and eagerly returned.
Breaking from one another's lips and looking back upon their dream man, Kari and Rika giggled slightly to see the expression of stupor still upon Davis' face.
Joining he maroon haired Digidestined upon the bed and breaking him from his bewildered state, Kari and Rika slid themselves atop of Davis' body, the girls engaging him in a soothing and passionate three-way kiss, which helped bring the Digidestined of Miracles back to his senses and slowly led to a night of pure pleasure between the trio.
.
.
.
The next morning, and after a hearty breakfast, which Davis and Veemon had once again provided, the group of heroes and heroines followed Arcanadramon as the mystic Digimon led his friends to a secluded training ground away from Mt. Brocken, with the hopes that any damage caused by Davis' plan would not affect the city or the school.
While Arcanadramon prayed that the magical barriers he set up upon Mt. Brocken would protect the city from another invasion, the mystic Digimon pushed past his small concerns and relayed his trust within his students and the Arcane Order, knowing that they would defend the city if needed in his quick absences.
Though the Tribal Leaders had returned to their lands, Mt. Brocken still served as Witchelny's cultural and political centre, and should it fall, the Tribe would be reduced to the same state they were during the Dark Lady's War.
As the group continued to walk behind Arcanadramon, Veemon, Gatomon and Renamon looked to see the tired, yet oddly satisfied looks upon their partners' faces, leaving the trio certain that their unique relationship had resumed the previous night.
Eventually, and after a long hike through the wilderness, the group arrived at a large clearing in the forest, where, at the centre, was a large inverse dome that pushed itself down into the ground, while the outline of the circle was situated with stone seats for spectators to watch whatever training was done within.
Turning to his friends, Arcanadramon then said with a smile on his face. "Welcome, my friends, to Serpent's Folly."
Blinking his eyes at the name, Davis then took in his surroundings, looking upon the small area, the forests around him and his friends, then the distance that they had travelled from Mt. Brocken, causing the Digidestined of Miracles to chuckle as realization hit him.
"This is where we took down Nagamon." Davis said with a slight amusement, where Kari and the rest of those who had previously been to Witchelny looked around and, despite the changes to the scenery since they were last here, realized that Davis was indeed correct.
Looking to his side, Takuya then sweatdropped as he saw the look of pure rage on Zoe's face, causing him to sigh and to ask his girlfriend. "Seriously, you're still mad about that? He's dead and gone."
"He groped me!" The Warrior of Wind yelled defensively as she expressed her growing anger, her reaction causing those that remembered the incident to sweatdrop as well, while those newer to Witchelny held a shared confusion.
"I believe you guys told us about someone called Nagamon, but I don't remember the details too well." Cody then said, voicing what was on his mind and on the minds of those who, like the Digidestined of Knowledge and Reliability, were not present during the group's first adventure.
"After our time in the Light Tribe's land, we decided to camp around here for the night, unknowing that Charonmon, the Dark Lady's right hand, sent an agent, a serpentine Digimon known as Nagamon, to follow us." Arcanadramon explained to the newcomers, adding as he remembered the incident quite clearly. "Despite being only an Ultimate Level Digimon, Nagamon held powerful hypnotic abilities, strong enough to even control a Mega Level Digimon."
"From what I was told from those who used to work with Charonmon, Nagamon was originally supposed to only capture Davis and bring him back to the Dark Lady, but the snake became too ambitious and used his powers to entrance all of us, until Jeri was all that was left." The mystic Digimon then informed, his words reminding the original team of how close they came to losing everything that very night.
"But that was when we learned that Jeri could use Digi-magic in this world." Takato then said with a growing pride.
Wrapping his arm around his girlfriend and keeping a kind and supporting smile upon her, the leader of the Digimon Tamers then went on and told their friends. "Without even knowing she could do it, Jeri freed us from Nagamon's hypnosis, before we turned and made sure he didn't have a chance to react, resulting in the crate before us."
Taking in this knowledge, Izzy, TK and the other newcomers looked back towards the inverted dome, now realizing it was originally a crater created from the onslaught of their friends unleashing their array of attacks upon the snake-like Digimon.
"Alright, let's get things started." Davis then suggested, breaking everyone from their thoughts of the past, TK and Patamon followed Davis and Veemon down to the centre of the arena, leaving Kari and the others to sit upon the sidelines and to watch, each hoping that Davis' plan would work.
Arriving within the centre of the area, TK and Patamon watched as Davis and Veemon were then consumed in a pillar of light, the mighty force that was MagnaVeedramon standing in their place which caused a wave of uneasiness to consume the Digidestined and Digimon of Hope.
"Arcanadramon, Jeri, could one of you please place a barrier around us, that way we don't cause anyone else harm." The Holy Knight Digimon requested, this only adding to TK and Patamon's concerns.
Nodding in reply, Arcanadramon then brought his staff upward and then slammed it to the ground, causing a dome of energy to form around the arena, leaving the mystic Digimon and the remaining heroes and heroines just outside the barrier, while MagnaVeedramon, TK and Patamon remained within.
"Alright, change into Zetsubomon. We're going to have a little spar." MagnaVeedramon then said to the duo of Hope, who shared in the same and growing unease between them.
But putting their faith in Davis and Veemon, TK and Patamon looked to one another and nodded in agreement.
Drawing his D-Bracer up and focusing himself physically and mentally, TK and Patamon were consumed in a dark light, which revealed Zetsubomon standing in their place after the darkness faded.
His red eyes bearing down upon MagnaVeedramona and a dark aura surrounding the fallen angel Digimon as he remained in place, Zetsubomon seemed to be studying MagnaVeemon, while outside of the barrier, the group felt their own uneasiness to see Zetsubomon once again, especially Catherine and Floramon, who shared a concern for TK and Patamon's mental and physical wellbeing.
But with the majority of the heroes and heroines trusting Davis and his instincts, everyone remained silent and shared in the curiosity of what might occur.
Seeing the way Zetsubomon glared at MagnaVeemon, as well as sensing the hostility from the Dark Digimon, the Digimon of Light mentally nodded to himself as he knew that his thoughts on this new Digimon were indeed correct.
Knowing what had to be done, MagnaVeedramon shifted himself to a battle ready stance as he prepared for battle, calling toward the fusion of TK and Patamon. "Alright, come at me!"
In the blink of an eye, Zetsubomon launched himself toward MagnaVeedramon, his hand crackling with dark energy as the Dark Digimon said with an empty emotion. "Dark Seraph's Wrath..."
"Magna Saber!" The Holy Knight Digimon called in response, his light energy blades clashing with Zetsubomon's claws as a shockwave crashed through the area and into the barrier around them, the single attack leaving those outside of the barrier worried for their friends.
Leaping back, MagnaVeedramon found himself on the defensive, dodging and parrying a series of strikes from Zetsubomon and his claws, before leaping into the air as the fusion of TK and Patamon cast forth his Shadow Lash attack upon him, swinging the dark energy whips in an attempt to strike at his foe.
Through all of the attacks, MagnaVeedramon could sense the burning rage, the buried negativity within the fused form of TK and Patamon, negativity Zetsubomon's spirit was feeding off of, and the Holy Knight Digimon knew his friend had to let that negativity out already.
"Is that all you've got? Come on, Zetsubomon, you can do better than that!" MagnaVeedramon called out tauntingly as he easily dodged another right hook, his words seemingly earning the positive response and to annoy the fusion of TK and Patamon as he let out a primal growl, a sound that worried Catherine and those above.
"Come on, TK, quit holding back!" The Holy Knight Digimon then yelled as his blades struck against the dark energy around Zetsubomon, forcing the fallen angel Digimon back as the fusion of Davis and Veemon then called out with a further might. "If you've got something against me then say it already!"
"SHUT UP!" Zetsubomon suddenly screamed in pure rage, his outburst a sound that brought more fear within Cathrine and to the others when compared to the emotionless tone the fallen angel Digimon had spoken in beforehand.
Reflecting on his outburst, the fusion of TK and Patamon then rushed at MagnaVeedramon, clashing his claws against the Holy Knight Digimon's blades as he tried to reach and tear through his perceived foe.
"You are a pain, an annoying asshole! You take everything like it's a joke and still somehow come out on top! I was in the Digital World long before you, and Tai made you the leader, ignoring everything I've been through!" The fallen angel Digimon all but screamed in TK and Patamon's combined voices, his rage shocking Tai, Kari and the other Digidestined at never having heard TK or Patamon express such rage within their pasts.
"And after all we've endured, all we've been through, she chose YOU!" Zetsubomon then hollered, this declaration causing Kari to wince a little and for Catherine to feel her heart breaking a little, before the fallen angel Digimon leaped into the air, raising his right hand as he then called out with a continued rage. "Dark Celestial Rage!"
In a circle around Zetsubomon, a series of dark portals then opened, all unleashing a collection of dark spheres of energy in the form of crashing meteors that combined into one massive ball of darkness.
Surging down and toward MagnaVeedramon, the Holy Knight Digimon's body began to glow with energy as he moved to meet the attack head on.
"Full Force Strike!" The Holy Knight Digimon declared in retaliation.
Rushing at the dark energy sphere and cutting through it, MagnaVeedramon then met and closed in on Zetsubomon as their hands clashed, their energies pushing back against one another as the Digimon of Miracles and of Darkness tried to overpower the other.
"And what about Catherine and Floramon? Do you regret being with them?" MagnaVeedramon then questioned seriously, his words bringing a solemn mood between the French Digidestined and her Digimon partner.
"Never!" Zetsubomon screamed in reply as he roughly pushed MagnaVeedramon away.
Although there was a concern for Davis and Veemon growing within the group, Cathrine and Floramon looked toward Zetsubomon in surprise as the fallen angel Digimon then began to yell. "They are my light, my rock, my...!"
Once again, the fusion of TK and Patamon then began to grab his head as he let out a great and pain filled cry, before rushing down to the bottom of the arena, slamming his fists into the ground as he let out screams of rage and anger, cracking the ground beneath of him, while MagnaVeedramon landed a few feet before his confused friend.
"What... what is happening...?!" The Dark Digimon questioned as his rage slowly subsided, the fusion of TK and Patamon panting as he looked upon MagnaVeedramon, who looked back upon his friend with kindness and understanding.
"TK... as I said, you have a kind, noble soul. Which is why anything that bothers you, anything that makes you truly mad and angry, you bury inside of you, even if you don't feel that way now, at one time those thoughts and feelings were at the forefront of your mind. By burying it, it served as fuel for Zetsubomon's spirit and suppressed your own." The Holy Knight Digimon told his friend, his words causing most of those outside the barrier to widen their eyes at his theory, while Kari smiled proudly at her boyfriend and his kind thinking.
"You need to accept everything about yourself, TK, the good and the bad. Like I said, it's how you use the darkness that defines you and not the other way around." MagnaVeedramon then said, walking toward Zetsubomon and stretching out his hand as to help his friend to his feet.
Keeping his hand extended as a gesture of friendship, a bond between them, the Holy Knight Digimon then added. "It's alright to feel anger, to feel hate, it's what you do with it that counts, so take this power and use it to help others, like you always do."
Looking at the hand for a moment, Zetsubomon then willingly took it with his right and allowed MagnaVeedramon to help him to his feet, before the Dark Digimon asked curiously. "When the hell did you get so wise?"
"Time, patience, a wonderful girlfriend and nearly having my brain destroyed by a Death God's power." The Holy Knight Digimon replied nonchalantly, while Tai, Agumon, Takato, Guilmon, Takuya and Arcanadramon shuttered slightly as they remembered when Davis was possessed and nearly consumed by Mortismon's power.
"Wow... I never expected to see this side of Davis." Mimi said in awe, amazed by how much Davis had changed over the years, a sentiment Palmon, Cody, Izzy, Armadillomon and Tentomon shared as they watched the scene below.
"Wow, now that was a show!" Terriermon stated in awe, getting nods from Henry and the other newcomers, before Yuu had to speak his mind and to say with some concern. "Hopefully the rest of us don't have to go through this ourselves."
"So agree with partner! Don't want to have to confront scary darkness myself, or place Yuu in danger." Damemon said, expressing his partnership and his agreement.
"Did he really have to push TK like that though?" Catherine then felt she had to ask, the French Digidestined feeling slightly angered at how MagnaVeedramon pushed and taunted her beloved just to pull some emotion from out of the Digidestined of Hope.
"Davis followed his gut, and it paid off in the end." Kari replied with a bright and warm smile, the Digidestined of Light pleased to see things had worked out.
A tick mark forming on her forehead, Catherine then questioned as she looked at Kari. "Oh, so this wasn't him being an ass and jealous of TK having a cool new Digimon form?"
Gaining her own tick mark, Kari turned to Catherine, keeping her own sweet smile as she asked in reply. "Oh, what does Davis have to be jealous of? MagnaVeedramon is an amazing Digimon and Davis is just as amazing a person."
"Why do I have a sudden sense of impending doom?" MagnaVeedramon then asked from the bottom of the arena, before he and Zetsubomon looked up and sweatdropped to the sight before them, to see a dark aura of rage and rivalry now radiating from Kari and Catherine, one so strong, everyone else scooted away from the due, afraid to set them off.
"Should... should we do something?" Zetsubomon then questioned with some concern in his tone, the combined form of TK and Patamon uncertain what to make of what was going on, but was unable to express anymore of his feelings as Kari and Catherine then turned and looked down at the pair with fire in their eyes.
"TK, kick his ass!" Catherine called with a determination in her tone, desiring to show everyone how great her boyfriend really was.
"Davis, knock him out or no sex for a week!" Kari then added with her own determination, hoping her empty threat would motivate her beloved and make him win.
However, instead of the response she was hoping for, MagnaVeedramon's eye twitched, before the Holy Knight Digimon said in a deadpanned tone. "You wouldn't last a week without it."
At this reply, Terriermon, Kazu, Airu, Opossumon and even Mervamon let out loud and wild laughs, while everyone else snickered to see the growing bright blush upon the brunette's face, her embarrassment not only from her boyfriend's remark, but from knowing his words were the truth.
A moment later, however, the laughter died down as the heroes, heroines and Arcanadramon felt a familiar wicked energy, causing them to turn their heads towards Mt. Brocken to see a massive dark cloud form above the city, one crackling with dark red energy.
In response, a massive energy shield formed around the mountain, just as a gigantic void rift opened in the sky and infernal fire began raining down as the signs of battle could be seen even from the location of the heroes and heroines.
"We must defend the city!" Arcanadramon declared, before releasing his barrier from around the arena and to allow MagnaVeedramon and Zetsubomon to take off, both flying as quickly as they could to Mt. Brocken and to help deal with the new invasion.
Acting in haste, Kari, Tai and the rest of the former heroes and heroines of Witchelny quickly changed into their battle forms, taking off after their friends, while Arcanadramon formed a magical circle around himself and the remaining newcomers as they were teleported back to the castle.
The battle for Mt. Brocken had just begun.
.
.
.
Author's note: TK and Patamon now seem to have a hold of their new form, but the Legions have chosen this moment to strike once again? What will happen and will the rest of the new heroes and heroines gain their forms? Stay tuned as the adventure continues and the battle for Mt. Brocken begins.