Upon seeing the newer form of the Dark Lady, MagnaVeedramon and the rest of the heroes and heroines braced themselves for whatever their foe might throw their way.
Lightbearer Ophanimon and the rest of those who had defeated the fallen Kamiya long ago kept themselves on high alert, already knowing what the Dark Lady was capable of in her current form, while those newer amongst the group stayed vigilant.
Meanwhile, and from their respective locations, the Grandmasters of the Dark Tribe orders, the leaders of the Dark Tribe, as well as the Tribal Council and Arcanadramon, continued to watch the battle.
Sharing their concerns and worries, the Mega form of Novicmon grasped his staff tightly as he was forced to watch his friends battle their old enemy.
Arcanadramon felt powerless as all he could do was watch from the sidelines as his friends fought against the Dark Lady.
Watching as the echo of the fallen Kamiya continued to hover a few feet from them, the heroes and heroines then looked on as her shadowy wings morphed into a large and swirling black vortex behind her being.
Though confused by the actions, MagnaVeedramon and his friends expressed a shared shock as four massive claw-like hands made of pure darkness emerged from the black vortex, moving alongside their Mistress as the Dark Lady clenched her fists and spread her arms, both her originals and the shadowy copies, into the air.
At that moment, the platform beneath the heroes and heroines seemed to quickly shoot upwards, the force causing most of the group to either fall to their knees or to completely fall to the floor as gravity seemed to intensify and push them down, while the illusion of the dark metropolis around them seemed to blur away into nothingness.
When the platform stopped and the intense gravity shift was lifted, the heroes and heroines quickly got back to their feet and found that the illusion around them had changed.
Instead of a great city, MagnaVeedramon and the others found themselves still set upon the platform, but only now the platform was floating endlessly within the cold void of space.
Looking over the edge of the platform, BlitzKabuterimon and many others amongst the group took note of a planet below them, this allowing many amongst the heroes and heroines to realize that they were now floating about a recreation of Witchelny itself.
"Gaze down upon the world you hold so dearly before you die!" The Dark Lady then declared, her angered voice regaining the attention of the heroes and heroines, who quickly leaped away as the large shadowy claws of their foe came slamming down into the ground below.
"Magna Saber!"
"Divine Calling!"
"Cross Slicer!"
"Final Crest!"
"Inferno Wing!"
"Full Spirit Wave!"
"Crimson Force!"
"Wind Blades!"
"Corona Dash!"
"Thorn Saber!"
"Victory Slasher!"
"Star Shine Dive!"
"Skydive Force!"
"Sage Cutter!"
"Savage Slash!"
"Rhythmic Stream!"
"Dark Celestial Rage!"
"Hyper Horn Buster!"
"Nature's Fury!"
"Seraph's Wing!"
"Gift of the Rose!"
"Tai Chi Strike!"
"Bunny Stars!"
"Arcane Blaster!"
"Shadow Spirit Burst!"
"Zero Force!"
"Full Moon Force!"
"Master Art: Final Cyclone!"
"Dark Kitsune Claw!"
"Saver Blast!"
Dodging the Dark Lady's attack and working as a team, the heroes and heroines moved to strike down their foe.
Many amongst those who had come to Witchelny for the first time hoped that their great number would give them an advantage against their singular foe.
However, and much to the growing frustration of MagnaVeedramon, Lightbearer Ophanimon and the rest of their friends, the Dark Lady's power remained as overwhelming as ever.
Using her dark being, the fallen Kamiya easily blocked and deflected the abilities of her enemies, before grabbing a whip made of pure light Jeri had attempted to use to restrain her shadowy arms and used that same whip to fling the brunette around.
"Jeri!" Medieval Gallantmon called in concern as he leapt forward and once again caught his beloved before any further harm could befall her.
Meanwhile and clenching her fists, the Dark Lady expelled another rage filled cry.
Glaring upon her foes, the fallen Kamiya allowed her shadowy claws, along with tendrils of pure darkness to shoot out from the dark vortex and toward her enemies.
To her latest onslaught, the heroes and heroines acted quickly to avoid being struck by the overwhelming darkness.
Bringing her normal hands upward, the Dark Lady then unleashed another barrage of dark energy blasts against her foes, who did their best to dodge the powerful bolts of energy, while MysticSakuyamon and other magical users used their powers to protect their allies as best they could.
Filled with rage toward their continued defiance, the fallen Kamiya then brought her hands and her shadowy claws into the air as a sphere of pure darkness began to form within the sky above the battlefield, the attack gaining the instant attention of the heroes and heroines.
Knowing such a blast could undoubtedly end them all quickly, MagnaVeedramon and the others were quick to retaliate.
"Holy Strike!"
"Holy Judgement!"
"Rinkageki!"
"Rage of Wyvern!"
"Sacred Flame!"
"Full Spirit Wave!"
"Arcane Inferno!"
"Arcane Twister!"
"Flaming Destruction!"
"Violet Blast!"
"Omni Force!"
"Inferno Spiral!"
"Passion Shot!"
"Gaia Link!"
"Golden Arrow!"
"Rhythmic Stream!"
"Dark Celestial Rage!"
"Hyper Horn Buster!"
"Nature's Fury!"
"Seraph's Wing!"
"Gift of the Rose!"
"Tai Chi Strike!"
"Bunny Stars!"
"Arcane Blaster!"
"Shadow Spirit Burst!"
"Zero Force!"
"Full Moon Force!"
"Master Art: Final Cyclone!"
"Shadow Thunder!"
"Saver Blast!"
Combining their assault with a blast of energy courtesy of Jeri, the gathered blasts of the heroes and heroines struck the sphere of dark energy, the combining energies causing the sphere to explode in a great and powerful blast which tore throughout the area.
However and as the shockwave died down, the heroes and heroines found that they had little time to recover as the Dark Lady rushed from out of the smoke.
Her claws ready to strike, MagnaVeedramon and his friends went on the defensive as they moved about to avoid their foe's powerful strikes.
As she tried to end her foes once and for all, the fallen Kamiya found her rage growing, added to her confusion as well.
The Dark Lady remained wondering as to how these insects ruined everything she had worked so hard to achieve and how everything went wrong to save her beloved.
Fortunately for the fallen Kamiya, the answers were all around her where, keeping her concentration upon the battle, the echo of the Dark Lady reached into the minds of the various heroes and heroines around her, seeing their memories of the events that transpired after her Soul Shard was created.
Through the memories of her counterpart and the rest of her enemies, the Dark Lady saw them battling Wraithmon, her former champion almost killing Veemon, before seeing that Eclipsemon sacrificed himself, ending Wraithmon's existence as well and allowing the heroes and heroines within her citadel.
The Dark Lady then saw how her enemies split up upon entering her fortress, seeing that the evolved form of the heroes and heroines' pet, Novicmon, had sensed something wrong with the ritual, this causing the echo of the fallen Kamiya to focus her attention solely upon the memories of Samudramon, CrimsonAldamon and Medieval Gallantmon.
Through the trio's memories, the Dark Lady witnessed the moment they and Arcanadramon entered the ritual room, where the fallen Kamiya could see that the ritual was not going as expected, that the other Davis was writhing in pain and Charonmon looked on in terror, before the memories focused on the other individual within the room, shocking the Dark Lady to see a smaller version of Mortismon, the Primordial of Death, floating next to her Chief Mystic.
But it was when the skeletal being spoke, when she heard the being's voice, did the Dark Lady realize the truth as she was filled with even more rage.
"That worthless clown! I should have killed him years ago!" The echo of the fallen Kamiya screamed furiously as she swung her shadowy claws, sending forth a shockwave that knocked a few of the heroes and heroines backward, only to be caught by their friends as they moved to avoid the Dark Lady's increasing rampage.
"Um, what is she talking about?" ArcaneAndromon questioned with a fair confusion in his voice as he ducked from a blast sent his way by one of the Dark Lady's shadowy claws.
Thinking for a moment, MagnaVeedramon and the rest of the original heroes and heroines felt their eyes widen as the realization of who the Dark Lady was speaking about finally hit them.
They remembered Sciophobimon, the jester Digimon who not only served in the Dark Lady's inner circle, but was later to be revealed as Mortismon's spirit reborn, a being who manipulated the Dark Lady's plans to secure his own revival.
"She's seeing our memories!" Sagemon informed the others as he realized what was happening, his comment surprising the rest of the heroes and heroines.
Astonished by this revelation, MagnaVeedramon and the others found they had no time to react as their enemy unleashed another series of energy blasts upon them, the illusionary world cracking around them due to the Dark Lady's increasing rage.
Though focused on the battle, MagnaVeedramon found himself shocked as another realization filled his mind, leaving the Digimon of Miracles wondering if the shared dream between Davis and Veemon was not merely by coincidence.
Continuing her assault upon her enemies and unleashing her rage upon the heroes and the heroines, the Fallen Kamiya continued to watch their memories of their final battle played out before her mind's eyes.
The Dark Lady witnessed her own defeat at the hands of Lightbearer Ophanimon and those who joined her within their battle, the fallen Kamiya feeling self-loathing over the fact that she had failed her beloved in the end.
The Echo of the Dark Lady then watched the memories of her counterpart and her allies as Mortismon took over the other Davis' body, resurrecting himself and using her plans for his own designs, only to be brought low by the heroes and heroines with the aid of MagnaVeedramon, who was formed by their Davis freeing himself from Mortismon's hold, alongside the aid of the Sword of Helios.
Dismayed to see all she had worked for brought to ruins, the fallen Kamiya then saw how the power of Mortismon, along with the stolen powers of the other Primordials, were consumed by the orb containing her beloved's Data particles, where the Dark Lady saw through the eyes of her enemies how he was transformed into a powerful and might deity of death and destruction.
Through the shouts of rage and malice she heard the ghostly form of her beloved bellow in response to her death, the Dark Lady couldn't help but to chuckle mentally, for it seemed that despite what she had become, despite all the horrors she had done, he still loved her with all his being.
However, the fallen Kamiya's joy then turned into sudden despair as she watched MagnaVeedramon, who had taken a newer form thanks to the power of the Sword of Helios, clash with her beloved, the pair battling against each other, one to protect what he had and the other to avenge what he had lost, where the Dark Lady's rage reached a new peak as she watched the Digimon of Miracles then slam his weapon into the orb, shattering it and ending her Davis once and for all.
Unable to hold her rage back any longer upon seeing the final death of her beloved, the Dark Lady expelled a scream of pure rage, agony and vengeance as her power exploded from her being, the shockwave sending the heroes and heroines flying in all directions as the platform completely shattered, leaving broken pieces of debris floating in the void of the fallen Kamiya's shattered illusionary world.
"You took everything from me!" The Dark Lady screamed in pure rage.
Injured and struggling to stand upon the broken debris, the heroes and heroines looked to see the shadowy form of their enemy disappear before their eyes, the sight leaving many within the group to wonder what else their enemy had planned for them.
Their fears were soon answered when the space around the debris turned dark, revealing to heroes and heroines that the Dark Lady had transformed once again, this time transforming into a massive shadow that covered their field of vision, almost resembling the massive bird-like beast the fallen Kamiya had transformed into during their final battle.
"YOU WILL DIE FOR WHAT YOU HAVE TAKEN FROM ME!" The rage filled voice of the Dark Lady screamed as her words echoed within the void, this filling many amongst the heroes and heroines with fear and dread.
Clenching her fists, Lightbearer Ophanimon tried to figure out a way out of the situation she, her friends and loved ones were now in, but within her heart, the Digimon of Light knew that without the aid of all ten of the Primordial Fragments, she and the other stood no chance against the Dark Lady and her power.
Just as all hope seemed lost, however, a bright and familiar light caught the attention of the heroes and heroines, each of whom turned to look upon MagnaVeedramon as his form was consumed in light, the Digimon of Miracles floating above his friends and within the darkness as the light faded, revealing the fusion of Davis and Veemon within his Divine Mode as he clenched the Sword of Helios within his right hand.
Remaining with a fiery determination, MagnaVeedramon: DM kept his gaze upon the Dark Lady's face as her massive eyes narrowed upon his form with a mix of awe and hatred within the dark purple lights.
"Divine… perfection… everything he was supposed to be, and you took it from him!" The fallen Kamiya screamed as dark energy coursed all around her dark form, the sight of which left MagnaVeedramon:DM undeterred as he remained ready to fight.
"He was broken, a shell of his former self, the time in the void and without the ability to speak ruined him as well." The Digimon of Miracles told the fallen counterpart of his beloved, though even he knew his words would not sway this version of Kari from her rage.
"I could have helped him! I could have fixed everything!" The Dark Lady declared in reply, her anger growing as she brought her massive wings closer to the debris field as spheres of dark purple energy began to form amongst the shadows, ready to unleash the fallen Kamiya's fury upon MagnaVeedramon:DM and end his existence for the pain he has caused her.
Allowing himself to chuckle mentally to hear the Dark Lady utter the same words of defiance and denial his own counterpart said during their battle, the fusion of Davis and Veemon knew the fallen Kamiya would not believe anything he would have to say to her.
Holding his blade out, MagnaVeedramon: DM prepared himself for battle, knowing that if he was to end things the way he desired, he would have to force the Dark Lady to listen to him.
Expelling another inhuman shriek of rage, the fallen Kamiya unleashed her assault upon the Digimon of Miracles, sending forth thousands of dark energy bolts down upon MagnaVeedramon: DM in order to destroy him and refocus her attention back upon the rest of the heroes and heroines.
Showing his own power, however, the fusion of Davis and Veemon moved with such speed that most amongst his friends could barely keep up with his movements as he blocked and deflected every single energy blast sent his way, before swinging his blade outward as a shockwave of celestial energy shot out from around his being, shattering the dark energy spheres and ending their onslaught in the process.
Screaming, the Dark Lady sent forth thousands of dark shadowy tendrils, dragon heads and claws from her dark form in an attempt to rip MagnaVeedramon: DM to pieces, only to feel her angry growing and consuming her as the Digimon of Miracles easily dodged and cut down her shadows with ease, while also dodging her energy blasts with little effort.
As the heroes and heroines watched in awe to see MagnaVeedramon: DM in battle once again and to see him fighting such a powerful enemy, those amongst the original group couldn't help but feel disappointment in themselves for allowing this turn of events to happen, to force Davis to have to battle the fallen version of his beloved on his own, with Lightbearer Ophanimon feeling the worst for allowing the one she loved to be by himself in such a battle.
After blocking another series of energy blasts from his opponent, MagnaVeedramon: DM then brought the Sword of Helios and his left arm close to his chest as light energy gathered within it, before the Digimon of Miracles sent forth a more powerful version of his Holy Strike ability toward the Dark Lady's face, the blast causing the echo of the fallen Kamiya to shriek in pain, before she retaliated, her dark form morphing as her original shadowy form emerged from the darkness, her dark energy scythe in hand as she rushed toward MagnaVeedramon: DM with vengeance in her eyes.
Meeting the Dark Lady head on, MagnaVeedramon: DM clashed the Sword of Helios with his foe's weapon, the clashing of their weapons sending out shockwaves as the Digimon of Miracles now stood on par with the fallen Kamiya, this enraging the echo of the Dark Lady even further as the shadows around the battlefield reacted to her rage, with tendrils of darkness ready to lash out and strike down the fusion of Davis and Veemon at any moment.
Looking around at the shadows with their own concerns, the rest of the heroes and heroines found themselves worried for MagnaVeedramon: DM's safety, as well as wondering what he was trying to do, to see if the Digimon of Miracles would try to destroy the Soul Shard in order to end this madness once and for all.
"You took him from me! I won't let you get away with this!" The Dark Lady screamed as she clashed her scythe against MagnaVeedramon: DM's blade, the Digimon of Miracles holding her back as he merely looked upon her with a neutral expression.
"If you can truly see into our memories, then look into mine, two nights ago. You will find the answers you seek." MagnaVeedramon: DM then said in reply.
As the fallen Kamiya remained confused by his words, the Digimon of Miracles added with a growing and familiar kindness within his voice. "Please, Kari, trust me as you trusted him."
Though consumed by rage, to hear the way the Digimon of Miracles spoke to her, to the way Davis spoke to her, something within the fallen Kamiya told her to do as he asked, where the Dark Lady then reached into his mind as MagnaVeedramon: DM focused on the memory he held from his dream several nights ago.
.
.
.
It was the evening after the group had arrived at the Dark Tribe's capital, after Ankokukyomon and his inner circle had informed them of the existence of the Soul Shard and the Cult's plan to revive the Dark Lady, where Davis and Veemon both allowed themselves to sleep, their minds remained troubled by the events of the present, alongside those of the past.
Opening their eyes, however, both the Digidestined and the Digimon of Miracles found their surroundings had changed.
No longer in their shared room with Kari and Gatomon, Davis and Veemon found themselves seemingly floating in deep space.
"This is a weird dream." Veemon commented as he looked around.
Looking upon his partner with a raised eyebrow and sharing in Veemon's uncertainty, Davis then questioned. "If this is a dream, how are we both having the same one at the same time?"
"It is good to see you both once more, champions of Miracles." A familiar voice then echoed around the pair as Davis and Veemon then looked to see a large, bright and multiple coloured orb floating before them, where both sensed that while the being before them was powerful, it was a being both knew quite well.
"Helios?!" Davis found himself questioning as he and Veemon looked upon this manifestation of the AI responsible for creating Witchelny, a being who aided them in its own way during their first adventure within the magical Digital World and the one who's sword the pair wielded now as MagnaVeedramon: Divine Mode.
"Indeed, brave heroes. I know there is much weighing down upon your hearts now, but our time is short, so I wish to tell you of something that may ease your minds, if only for a little while." Helios said in reply, before several viewing pools formed around the sphere that represented the ancient AI.
"After your battle against the Dark Lady and the fallen version of yourself, I saved their Data particles and brought them home to their world, moments after they originally fell into the Void, and restored them as they were before the tragedy that affected them." The AI of Witchelny then told the Digidestined and Digimon of Miracles as they saw through the viewing portals a scene of Davis and Kari, of the fallen Motomiya and Kamiya, just as they were before the moment Davis' counterpart was killed as the pair embraced and kissed one another.
Looking upon the scene, Davis and Veemon were shocked to learn that both his and Kari's counterpart were indeed alive, while the maroon haired Digidestined felt a weight lifted from off of his shoulders to see both the former Dark Lady and her beloved back together and happy.
"I have removed their memories of everything which occurred since they fell into the Void, giving them both a fresh start, one both have enjoyed as time moved on." Helios then informed Davis and Veemon as the scenes changed, showing images of the other Davis and Kari marrying, of them having children and of them growing old together, still very much in love with one another, a sight that left Davis feeling warmth in his heart as he hoped he and his Kari could continue to share that same love in the future.
As the viewing portals disappeared, Helios gave the duo one final word of knowledge as the AI informed Davis and Veemon. "There will be many challenges to come in the future against the new threat to this world, but remember, though she would only be an Echo of the Kari you fought once, she is still in pain, a pain you can heal, for she may be one of your greatest allies in the struggles to come."
With its words spoken, Davis and Veemon watched as the sphere that represented Helios expanded with a great and blinding light, where the duo then woke up and found themselves back with the room given to them as Kari and Gatomon slept peacefully within their embraces respectively, the duo looking toward one another with a shared sense of confusion as to who Helios chose now to share the information of the Dark Lady and the other Davis' fates.
.
.
.
Seeing into MagnaVeedramon's memories, the Echo of the Dark Lady's eyes snapped open wide, before the fallen Kamiya backed away from Digimon of Miracles.
Shaking a bit as her energy scythe vanished, the Dark Lady brought her hands to her head and then expelled a loud and pained cry.
The darkness around the area quickly enveloped everything from the Kamiya's outburst and it forced the other heroes and heroines to shield their eyes.
When the darkness faded, the heroes and heroines found themselves back within the ruins of the citadel's throne room, the sight astonished DarkKishimon, Ritchikuinmon and Kumichomon to see that the group had safely returned to them.
Back within his throne room, Ankokukyomon expelled a sigh of relief as he slumped back into his throne, while ShadowEclipsemon and SkullTactimon smiled to themselves to see that the crisis seemed to have been averted.
Meanwhile, and within the council chambers of Mt. Brocken, Arcanadramon expressed his own sigh of relief as he slumped down upon the table before him, the Tribal Leaders allowing him his moment to reprieve as they too felt joy at the change of events.
Still confused as to what had happened exactly, Lightbearer Ophanimon and the rest of the heroes and heroines looked to see MagnaVeedramon: DM standing before the echo of the Dark Lady, who was now slumped upon her knees and looking toward her hands with shock and bewilderment within her eyes.
"Davis, what...?" LordShoutmon began to ask as he and many amongst the group were confused as to what had just transpired, but stopped in their questioning as MagnaVeedramon: DM simply held his hand out and looked over his shoulder.
"I'll tell you all later." The Digimon of Miracles told his friends, before focusing his attention back upon the distressed Dark Lady.
"Was… was that all true… was it all real…?" The echo of the fallen Kamiya found herself asking as she tried to grasp with the knowledge that she and her beloved did survive and were now living happily together back home on their world.
Bending down to one knee, MagnaVeedramon: DM placed a comforting hand upon the echo's shoulder, watching as the shadows around her being seemed to be diminishing and allowed for the Soul Shard to be seen, the Digimon of Miracles then told her with a continued kindness within his voice. "You know I would never lie to you, Kari, never about something like this."
While Lightbearer Ophanimon felt her heart flutter to hear her beloved speak with such warmth, love and trust within his voice, the Digimon of Light remained silent and allowed MagnaVeedramon: DM to speak with her corrupt counterpart.
"Your fight is over, there is no reason for vengeance, but there is still some good you can do with this opportunity you've been given. Please, Kari, you were in the Void for a long time, and now Witchelny is being invaded by beings calling themselves the Legions. Is there anything you can do to help us?"
Closing her hands and expelling a small chuckle, the Dark Lady turned her head toward the sky and said with a solemn tone of voice. "So, the Destroyers have come here then. Very well, if you want my help, I'll… I'll do it for you, Davis… my love..."
Relieved to hear the Dark Lady's reply, MagnaVeedramon: DM was then confused as he watched the Echo's form fading from existence, before looking on as she turned and looked upon Ritchikuinmon with a neutral expression.
"You are the one who made this Shard, you know what to do with it." She told the Grandmistress.
To the Dark Lady's remark, Ritchikuinmon's seemed intrigued, her expression noticed by the Digimon of Miracles, before he looked upon the nearly faded form of the Dark Lady, who said with a further sadness within her voice. "It's strange… he's gone… and yet, I can still sense him…"
With her final words said, the echo of the Dark Lady faded away, the shadows that made her shadowy form returning to the Soul Shard, which floated in the air a few feet from MagnaVeedramon: DM, where the Digimon of Miracles expelled a soft, yet solemn sigh.
Gazing down toward the floor briefly, the fusion of Davis and Veemon felt a familiar presence deep below, the power of Mortismon, still locked behind its seal.
Ignoring the dark power calling out to him, MagnaVeedramon: DM turned his attention as Ritchikuinmon approached the Shard and took it within her right hand.
Holding the crystal before her face, she examined the object with curiosity and a sly grin upon her face.
"We should destroy it so it can never bring harm to Witchelny again." DarkKishimon suggested as he glared upon the Soul Shard, his suggestion shared by many within the ruined chamber.
"No, you idiot!" Ritchikuinmon snapped back in reply, the outburst gaining the attention of the heroes, heroines and the other Grandmasters.
"We need to use it. It is a weapon we can use against the Legions!" She then declared.
Though many remained unsure about Ritchikuinmon's suggestion, some even thinking she was insane, MagnaVeedramon: DM nodded in agreement.
Although there was part of him which felt that this battle was over, the war against the Legions was about to begin once more.
.
.
.
Within the Void, the Shadow Legion mobilized, spurred on by the will of the Night Mother as they prepared to breach the Veil and lay siege upon Witchelny.
"Bring me that Shard, bring my pet to me and slaughter any who stand in your way!" The commander of the Shadow Legion commanded, her minions shrieking in rage and praise for their leader, who then turned her attention toward the Harbinger, who knelt in respect toward the Night Mother.
"I will open the way for you, my Lady." The wicked being said as he looked up and saw the Avatar of the Shadow Legion towering over the rest of its allies.
The Harbinger remained with a dark smirk as he was looking forward to how the so-called heroes and heroines would deal with their next encounter against the Legions.
.
.
.
Author's note: The battle with the Dark Lady has ended, but what use will Ritchikuinmon find for the Soul Shard, and will it aid them against the forces of the Shadow Legion? Stay tuned as the adventure continues.