Sora sat at Ash's bedside just as she has the last two days hardly sleeping. She looked down at him, and traced the lines of his face, looking or any signs that he was regaining consciousness. Unfortunately she saw none. It was Sora's nature to look for the silver lining in any dark cloud, to inspire the hope that others tended to lose in desperate situations. But the events of the few days have taken their toll on her sprit. Her beloved Biyomon has been infected by some digi-virus that keeps her in her digi-egg state. Her newfound friend Ash Ketchum seriously wounded in an attempt to save them all from Izzy's creation Demonicamon. Sora had to stop her self to reviewing the events to closely else she lose all hope, But as she saw her tears falling on Ash's face, she knew she had no more hope. Sora trembling hand clutched at the sheets coving Ash's body," Oh Ash, I can't lose you now, we just met, just getting to know each other. Please Ash, come back to me." He voice gave out, unable to continue, she found her self with her face on Ash's chest sobbing uncontrollably. She doesn't remember falling asleep, but her physical and emotional exhaustion over whelmed her, Sora cried her self to sleep on at her friend's bedside.
Sora didn't know how long she slept, but her awoke to the sensation of a gentle hand stroking the side of her face. Sora sat up quickly and studied the unconscious Ash and looked at him questioningly. Did she imagine it? Did Ash touch her face? Then Ash's hand moved again, Sora had to stifle a squeal of glee. Ash's eyes seem to struggle to open, and his lips parted a bit.
His eyes slowly opened unfocusedly. "Am…..am I alive?" Ash crocked.
Sora no longer had the strength to retain her composer, and let her tears of joys flow freely down her face, and covered his hands with hers. "Of course your alive dummy!" she said in jest while planting a tear mixed kiss on his forehead.
Ash stranded to turn his head. His eyes focused to meet her. Then a weak smile formed on his face. "Well… you do kind'a look like an angel." Ash said then blush, hearing how stupid that sounded. "I'm sorry, that sounded a lot better in my head."
"Oh, Ash!" That, was all she could think to say, in her present state. Smiling warmly at him. Sora didn't plan on doing it, but in a moment she felt Ash's warm lips pressed against her own, and in a half a moment she realized, she had kissed Ash. Sora, felt a deep flush forming on her face "Oh Ash. I…" she said unable to finished, being too embarrassed.
Ash's eyes where round and wide with surprise, but then the narrows and became softer with understanding. A small smile formed on his face, and his hand gently took hers. He seemed to under stand Sora on some many different levels it's hard to believe they've only known each other for a few days.
Suddenly a yellow steak dashed crossed the room, jumped on the bed and landed on Ash's chest, "Pikachu!!!!" Ash's pokemon said teary eyed. Sora couldn't understand Pikachu like Ash and the other Digimon could, but she could tell it was tremendously happy to she Ash was ok. "Chu…" It said burying its face into Ash's chest, and then it's licking his face lovingly. Sora immediately missed Biyomon even more.
"Ah is see the our young guest is awake!" A warm gravely voice said, Sora turned in her seat to see Geni. The genital elderly apprerence always made her fell safe, and he still had the effect on her even in these trying times. "Hello Ash My names Genii. You was in pretty bad shape when we fist met so I don't expect you to remember me fixing your wounds." He added with a smile.
Ash stranded his muscles trying to set up, Sora place a gentle hand on his back to help support him. "You saved my Life?" Ash asked still a little disorientated. "Thank you very much Sir. But that last think I remember is pushing Lillymon and My Bulbasaur out of the way of Demonicamon's attack." Ash's eye grew wide as if suddenly remembering something. "Bulbasaur! He was hurt, how is he!" The depths of Ash's love for his pokemon always impresses Sora.
"He always puts the safety and care or others before him self. I've never meat any one like him " Sora thinks to her self, but them remembering Ash's question about his Green pokemon "Calm your self Ash, Bulbasaur just Fine, Palamon has been taking good care of him."
"Yes, the both of you two are mending very well, just try to relax and get some sleep young man." Genii then eyed Sora, "And you to Sora, your can't go on another night like you have been." With that the kindly old man turned and walked out of the room.
"What did he mean by that Sora?" Ash asked while lovely stroking his Pikachu.
"Oh its nothing Ash please don't worry about me just lay down and try to sleep." Sora tried her best to sound nonchalant, She just wanted Him to rest and heal. She came so close to losing her friend. Sora was not about to take chances with his health now.
Ash looked into her green eyes, and seems to notice the dark red circle around her eyes and tried expression on his face. "You haven't been sleeping, have you Sora?" Sora could feel his warm hand interlock hers. " You haven't been sleeping because you've been worried about me. Thank you for you concern now it's your turn to rest up." Ash said smiling at his new friend.
"Ash really, its ok I'll go rest as soon as I know your sleeping, and…" but Sora wan not able to complete her thought. Ash reached up and pulled her into the bed with him. Sora could feel her face turn crimson as Ash comforting arms engulfed her. Totally speechless Sora was Ash snuggle up to her and rested his head against her shoulder.
"Sora Takimich stop being so stubborn and get to sleep!" Ash said smugly, using same words Sora used on him, his first night in the Digiworld. Sora had no choice but to smile snuggle up to Ash and drift off to sleep. She didn't realize how tired she was, until she felt the comfort of Ash's embrace.
Ash opened his eyes, it took only a few second for him to remember where he was and why he was so stiff all over. He looked over to his right, hoping to still see Sora next to him. Ash's stared for a few second at the ruffled sheets and thrown covers, trying to recapture the feeling he got while she was near him. "Ugh! Stop it Ash" He cursed him self. He's only know Sora for a little under a week, but he can't understand why he feel so comfortable while she's around. "She's from a completely different world, no different universe then me." Ash tries to remind him self. "After we stop Demonicamon, I'll probably never see her again. So it makes no sense for me to be falling in.." Ash stops him self, but he knows deep down there no reason to. For maybe the first time in his life He's in love. "But what about Misty?" and there was the core of his confusion. Before all of this Digital World stuff even happened he and misty seemed to be getting even closer then ever. Was he so fickle and heartless that he would toss every thing he and misty have gone through for a pretty girl he just met and probably will never see again?
Ash decided to try and not think about it any more, besides there was work and planning to do. Demonicamon was still on the lose, doing gods know what to the Digital World. His friend's Digimon was still infected with that virus. Ash managed to get out of bed and stumble out of his recovery room. His Leg muscles ached and pained with every step, but he needed to help Sora and the others plan their next move. Ash moved towards the sounds of talking and he could recognize Tai and Izzy's voices. "If I know these guys the way I think I do thy probably already have a plan."
There was no plan. All of the digidestend sat around Genii's sand garden. The room was filled with depression and hopelessness. Tai sat on the rocks clutching the digi-egg that use to be Agumon. Tai hated filling powerless, but he had to conclude that was he was, totally powerless. He couldn't save his sister or any of the Digidestined being hurt by Demonicamon. Is beloved Agumon was stuck in digi-egg form because he was powerless to stop it, and now even his new friend Ash was badly hurt, because he was powerless. "Damn it!" he cursed under his breath; Tai was supposed to be the leader, but he just letting every one down. Tai looked up hear the rustling of leathery wings through the air. The large orange and red pokemon called Charizard landed with a thud, and fiery snort. Tai had sent matt out on Ash's borrowed Pokemon to scout out the Digiworld, and to keep track on Demonicamon activities.
"Matt what the news on Demonicamon?" Izzy asked while putting aside the Digi-egg that was his Digimon. "What happening out there?"
"Charizard Return!" Matt commanded returning Ash's pokemon to the safety of its ball. Matt frowned and look to he side," Its horrible! She's," he cut off with a stammer." She a monster! The things she's doing, torturing those poor Digimon, till they want to die. Then she stops only to come back a few hours later to start over." Matt final finished with a pained look on his face,
"And we can't seem to cure the de-digivolving virus our Digimon are infected with. It seems to be some sort of self-renewing code, that directly linked to Demonicamon core program." Izzy rubbed his tired eyes. "Basically is long at Demonicamon is alive the Digimon will be stuck in egg form.
Izzy frowned looking as sadden as matt. Tai knew Izzy blamed him self for every thing, and part of him wanted to comfort his friend. But what the total lose of hope he was unable to do any that. Powerless gain. "Hopeless." He was finally able to voice his feelings. "We've done every thing we could to stop her, But she beat us at every turn." Tai said allowing a tear to run down his cheek. Not one of his friends challenged him, then all knew it and felt the same way, Tai was just the first to voice it.
"At lest I can make it up to Ash, Me and Geni can remake a digital gate to send him home, when ever he's strong enough to travel." Izzy said sounding as defeated as Tai.
"What the hell is this!?" Ash asked. Ash stood in the hallway leading to the sand garden, bracing him self against the wall. It was obvious Tai the Ash was not strong enough to get out of bed yet.
Sora rushed to Ashes side, she placed his arm around her shoulder to help him to stand on his own feet. "What do you mean you can send me back any time?" In the short time Sora knows Ash she's never seen him this angry "Do you really think I'm going to go home and leave you all now?"
Tai slammed his fist into the wall but his eye never looked up. "Look Ash! This is not your fight. You shouldn't have been here in the first place! And you almost died saving our butts. We failed. Demonicamon is out there ripping the Digiworld apart, and there nothing we can do about it!! " Tai could no longer hold the tears that streamed down his face. He was the leader and in the face if his weakness very one else's tears followed. "We did our best, we fought our hardest, but we lost. She too strong, and with our Digimon out of action, it will only be a matter of time before she finds this place. Then she'll torture us all till she get tried of us and then kill us." Kari clutched Mimi's leg and cried even louder. "But the one thing we can do, is right the wrong we did to you. We're going to send you home Ash. You'll be with your families and friends. We've all decided that the best thing for us to do"
Ash looked about him self, and all of the Digidestined kids where nodding in agreement. Even Sora that was helping him stand was nodding. "Grrr" Ash let out what could only be described as a growled. He removed Sora arm from around his was and pushed her to the side. A look of pure disgust formed on his face as he staggered with what little strength he had up to Tai, pull back his fist and punched him in the nose. And collective Gasp circled the room and Tai held his bleeding nose. "Now listen, up all of you! First! No know decides any thing for me. So I decide when I leave! Ash yelled angrily.
"But Ash we only want what best," Sora tried to say but was quickly cut off by Ash.
"Quit Sora! I'm not done. And second!." Ash paused looking making sure he had every ones attention. "Do you all think so little me? That you think that no matter what the odds I would leave my friends to die while I was safe and sound? You're right Tai! I'm not a Digidestiend and this is not my world. But you are all my friends so this makes it my fight! I care about you all" Ash's eyes met Sora and the stared into each other eyes for a second. "Damn it I've seen what you guys can do when you work to together. Any one that can use my high level pokemon for the first time and use them effectively, can do any damn thing that they wanted to." Ash's voice then took on a pleading tone to it," You can beat this I know in my heart you can. You have the know-how you just have to put your head together and figure it out.
Matt spoke up." Don't you think if we had the slightest clue how to win this fight we would be doing it right now? We've gone over every detail and we keep coming up with nothing!"
Ash rubbed his chin "Ok Go over it again with me maybe I can give you a fresh perspective on your own ideals.
Joe adjusted his Glasses and said. "Its worth a try. We've got nothing to lose.
Izzy sighed, "Ok here this is where we stand. Demonicamon a Digimon whom I created seems unstoppable no Digimon, no matter how powerful seems to have any effect on her.
"Now why is that Izzy? Your Digimon are very powerful." Ash said looking down at the digi-egg Izzy carried." She doesn't seem to even feel their attacks"
"Well the virus I made her from seems to given her immunity from any Digimon's attack no matter the power level."
"That's right, Power level doesn't have any thing to do with it Your mega Digimon attack didn't touch her but the only thing that did was Bulbasaur Solar beam. And even a weak attack like Pikachu's Flash blinded her"
Izzy nodded." The only thing I can surmise is that, while Demonicamon is immune to digital based energy, your pokemon attacks are based on biological energy. She's not immune to that.
Matt spoke up. "So what? Even if the pokemon can hurt her, all of Ash's pokemon together aren't powerful enough to stop her.
"Unfortunately Matt is right. " Ash said. "There are even more powerful pokemon in my world so we don't have excess to them. My pokemon may stall her but that wouldn't last. So we're back were we started from."
"Maybe not, I just thought of something, " Mimi said with looking at her Palmon and the recovering Bulbasaur. Her feeling able Bulbasaur and Palmon's relationship, changed after he risked his life to save her. "Remember when Lillymon used her Flower Cannon to boost Bulbasaur Solar beam attack?" Maybe we can do that again. It seemed to work really well the first time."
"No." Izzy said, "Although Lillymon could boost Bulbasaur attack power, once would not be enough to put Demonicamon down. And I doubt Bulbasaur could survive the processes twice. It almost killed him the first time."
"Ugh! I hate this!" Tai broke in. we're just keep going around in circles." He said angrily
Ash grabbed Tai by his Shirt, "And we will keep going around and around till we come up with something Tai. The answer will show it self. I have courage in you guys abilities and so should you!" But then, something strange happen that made Ash pause. A soft glow came from his fist. He and Tai looked down as, Ash unclenched his fist. Inside his hand Ash held Tai's Crest or courage and glowed for the first time since they're new enemy came into their lives. "What in the world?" was as all Ash could say.
"How can this be? Ash activated my Crest of courage." Tai questioned. Izzy.
Sora looked that the light the Ash held. Looking bewildered she said. "But that should be impossible. Our Crest and Tags are attuned to only us, How come Tai crest is reacting to Ash?"
Izzy focused on the crest. Then he looked up at Ash and then to Tai. Suddenly Izzy eye grew so wide Ash was afraid they would pop out of his head. "Oh my God!" Izzy said
"What? What do you know Izzy?" TK Asked, walking over to him.
Izzy fell against the wall laughing uncontrollably "Oh my god I'm such a idiot! Why didn't I see it sooner." Ash couldn't begin to figure out what was so funny. But Izzy couldn't seem to stop laughing at what was obvious only to the boy genius. Izzy finally looked up at every one and seeing the confused looks on their faces. "heheh Don't you see it? Tai crest is reacting to Ash," Izzy giggled once more, "Because Ash is Tai!!" with that Izzy dissolved into a pile if laughs.
"Oh yeah Izzy's lost it:" Joe said dryly. "I think the stress just became too much for him."
Izzy wiped a tear from his eye "No, no I finally understand something that bothered me about Ash from the first time I met him. Didn't you all think Ash seemed a little familiar to you? I know he did me. But I couldn't put my finger on it. But now it all fits into place." Said nodding.
"Well would you mind letting the rest of us in on it? Tai asked getting a little impatient.
"Ok we already established the Ash come from a totally different universe from ours "The pokemon world" if you will." Izzy paused making sure every one was following him "Well what if the Universe Ash comes form is not just a alternate Reality, but a parallel one. A universe that is different in some details from our own, but in a lot of ways very, very similar. What if some, maybe not all but most people have counter parts in the other reality? So don't you see? Ash seems so much like Tai, because there are each other alternate selves, kind of like twins, not identical twins but so close that Tai's Crest of courage can't tell the difference between the two."
Ash was amazed as he and Tai looked at each other, scanning the other for any similarities." Whoa, whoa Izzy this is a little too weird for me. Are you trying to say Tai and I are the same person?"
"How can that Be?" Tai asked looking as perplexed as Ash. "We don't even look alike."
Izzy nodded and added, "If it helps think of your selves as half brothers,. As different as our two Realities are I suspect that there more alike then we even realize. They have Pokemon, and we have Digimon. They have Ash, and we have you Tai. There may even be a guy like me over there.":
Ash pondered, "Now that you mentioned it you do kind'a remind me of this young boy, named Bill. He's a great scientist and Pokemon researcher. But even if all of this is true, how dose that help us with Demonicamon?"
Izzy eyes darted back and forth as if his finishing up his mental calculations. Ash could never get enough of this kids brainpower." No now that I see the big picture every thing is falling into place. You were right Ash, the answers were right here in front of us, all the time. You and Tai, Bulbasaur and Palmon!" Izzy said excitedly
"Slow down Izzy!" Tai says, "Remember we're all not on the same track as you are. What are you trying to say"
"We know that Demonicamon is not immune to the Pokemon' s attacks, but they don't have the raw power it takes to defeat her. The Digimon have the power level but she's Immune to Digimon attacks. So what we need is a Pokemon with the strength of a Digimon. That awesome plant Pokemon Bulbasaur showed us! He used Lillymon's flower cannon attack to boost his power almost to the level of a mega Digimon,and it hurt her badly. So now we know the Digital energy and the biological energy of the pokemon are compatible!"
Ash nodded his head as he followed Izzy's logic." Ok Izzy' I'll bite, how do we get a Pokemon up the power level or a Mega Digimon?"
Izzy stared at Ash's belt. He walked up to him and took one of his empty Pokeballs. Then Izzy held up his digivice. "Seeing as how our two Realties are so similar I bet the technology of your pokeball is partly compatible with our Digivices. And I bet Geni has enough spare parts for me to put together a Pokeball Digivice hybrid. A Poke'vice if you will. And he even may have the materials for a Crest and Tag. " Izzy says seeming lost in his own thoughts, excited about his new project. "And being so close to each other, I can just use Tai's Digivice and Crest matrix as a template. Yes! But using the same photonic core of the Pokeball and its quantum storage unit instead on the Digivice's digital regulator and then, key it to a Pokemon…. ," Izzy rambled on seeming to shake with exhilaration of a new discovery.
Sora blinked, unable to follow her friend technical mind. She grabbed both of Izzy's shoulders hoping to bring him back to their plan. "Izzy! Slow down, you lost us. You want to combine a Digivice and Pokeball? And make another crest and tag? What ever for?"
Izzy slowly turned towards Ash and smiled, "For our soon to be Digidestined here, Ash Ketchum. Although I guess it will be Poke'destined, but you get the ideal."
"WHAT!!!!! The all said together.