"You say this so boldly, you're courage is admirable, but do you know the reality of the situation.  Has Ramuh told you what it will take to get to the other side?  The inner turmoil in your head is catastrophic on your psyche, only those of incredible metal strength or will could possibly stand a chance," the being said almost arrogantly, and definitely condescendingly.  In the background Davis was listening profusely to the conversation at hand.  He moved his hand around Veemon, the blue digimon's chest was warm, breathing, and had a heart beat, but all were faint.  Slowly he stood, relinquishing the grip Catherine had on his hand to hold Veemon steadily.  He walked slowly toward the beast before them, almost entranced with a mixture of concern, anger, and fear.  "Who among you can claim to owning this, which one of you dares to assume they can make such a journey?"

"I do," Davis said softly.

"You, you're one of the least suited here.  I can see inside your mind boy, all I can see is uncertainty.  Besides the fact that you are physically young, you could not make it, the pressure would crush you in an instant."

"I'm going, and you're going to take me," Davis said coldly, now staring the beast in it's eyes.  Although it was muscular, it was not very tall, averaging only to just above Davis' height, but it's horns well reached Tai's height.

"So assertive, but I will not take you," he replied smugly.

"Ifrit!  You fail to take this boy to our world, and you lose our only chance of saving Bahamut, and our world.  Who are you to claim this right." Ramuh blazed.

"Ramuh, you cannot truly believe this boy can make the journey, you yourself could barely withstand it.  And I cannot bring death to this child, for he is only a child." He turned to Davis with a stern look over his features.

"I'm no child, and I'll say it once more, you're going to take me, or I'm going to find a way myself."

"Ifrit, I'm older and wiser that you, I also out rank you.  You have not seen what the bond between these two can bring, without their sacrifice, we would have lost Bahamut.  I tell you to take him, because I believe he can make it, not because I want to play them for trust in us."

"What choice do I have?"

"You must not say that, I want you to do it because you want to do it, not because I tell you to do it.  And if you genuinely do not have any will to take him, I will."

"You know that is crazy, you're weakened," Ifrit responded, a genuine air of respect and concern in his voice.  "And if what you say is true, I will take him," he finished half reluctantly.

"Thank you," Davis, mirroring the tone Ifrit had used.

"You must go now, there is no more time for idle banter.  When you arrive take him to Carbuncle, he should be able to heal him, I only hope that you can make it in time," Ramuh said with a tinge of sadness in his voice.

"Davis, good luck, I know you can do it," Tai said walking over to the young male, placing his hand on Davis' right shoulder.  This broke the silence of the group, they had been enthralled in watching the interactions of the two spectres, and they were also afraid of them.

"Thanks Tai, but I don't have a choice, I have to do it," he said looking down at his digimon remorsefully, "T.K., I want you to look after Catherine for me," he continued, now looking directly into her eyes, seeing the anxiety now forming.

"Will do, Kari and I will keep her safe," T.K. replied surely.

"I know I said I wouldn't, but I have to… I have to go, please forgive me Cat, I didn't mean for any of this to happen."

"I'll be fine Davis, just go, before it's too late," she replied as strongly as she could manage, but t was hard for her to mask the fear eating away at her insides.

"Right then, I'm not sure how you want to play this from here, if we don't here from you soon I'll send someone back out here," Ifrit said looking at the weakened Ramuh.

"Good luck," Ramuh said.  Ifrit then raised his right arm to a vertical position.  He seemed to channel his thoughts, and before them the pattern reformed.  The ground did not bust though, just glowed eerily.  Ifrit took a step forward, and Davis then followed his lead.  The ground grew brighter now and through it the group could see, just visible, that Davis and Ifrit now sunk into the ground.

Now in a place that seemed deep within the surface of the earth, the maroon-haired boy stood almost paralysed by fear, being engulfed by the earth was not something he had expected.  He lingered there for a moment, just taking in the surroundings.  It was a dark cavern, but Ifrit seemed to emit light, the light of a dim flame.  Davis worked up his courage, and spoke to the stone-hearted spectre.

"Wha… What is this place?" he questioned nervously.

"It is not what it may seem.  We are now on our way to my world yet, but it is not like we are of yours now.  At the current point we linger between the edge of your reality, and the dimensional fabric.  Each spectre has a different attribute to it, all are different, and opening up a rift in the dimensional fabric is not an easy task, it requires we use our ability."

"Why have you brought me here?"

"There are things you must know about the journey, it is not a physical one, but rather a mental one.  Your thoughts travel through the rift, and navigate their way to the other side.  Once present there, they allow physical manifestation of yourself, hence allowing you to exist there.  This is not an easy journey, one false move, one second of lost concentration will mean that your thoughts could become lost, and wander the fabric of reality for all eternity, possibly never finding their way into a dimension, let alone your own."

"But what do I think about, how am I supposed to get to your reality thinking about it, when I've never been there?"

"You need two things for the journey, a vision of the dimension, and the will to make the journey.  You have proven your will, and I have witnessed it's strength.  But I know that I cannot expect you to create an image of a place you have never been to.  I will guide you there, I should have the strength to do it, all you need do is focus on your will, and then on my thoughts too, and you should be able to get there."

"You mean like hitchhiking on your thoughts." Davis asked, one eyebrow arched.

"I know not what you would call it, but if that helps explain it to you, very well.  Now to help you, picture a network of threads, long silver threads intertwining, crossing over each other, and travelling to all corners of the universe.  This would be the dimensional fabric, and all the planets within would be the realities.  Picture yourself flying over one such thread, and just follow my image."

"Okay, but what about Veemon, he can't project his thoughts."

"From what I understand, this should not be a problem.  This "digital" realm as you call it, is much like a separate dimension, but it is directly linked to your realm.  In other words, all that exists in one, exist in the other, be it in a different form.  This being is directly related to your existence, as you are to his, you give each other strength, and share many attributes, each empowering the other.  You similarities are undeniable, and your relationship is unbreakable.  In your world you are him, and in his world he is you.  Now together you are the same, he is you, and you are him, where there is one, there is the other.  Your thoughts become transferred, his physicality can be formed." 

The words struck deep within Davis's mind, his very existence was being laid out before him.  A being they had only met had just described the way in which he and Veemon exist, and although he had never been able to see it before, it was now clear as crystal.  It explained everything he had ever wondered, and more.  It unravelled the evolution mystery, and why they were partners in the first place.  He was Veemon, and Veemon was him, they were almost one being, and this was a thought that warmed his heart greatly, and one that gave him the confidence in himself to make sure that he would not let anything break them apart.

"Okay, let's do it!"  Davis said confidently as ever, as if the speech had energised him.

(A\N in the following reference to 'Davis' is that of the image in his dream, and Davis goes as usual.)

"Just take a seat, picture in your mind this place as it is now, see yourself sitting on the floor, see your friend with you, see everything as it is."  Davis had closed his eyes and could see himself exactly as he was, every word Ifrit spoke making it clearer.  Out of no where a pillar of flame appeared, and the image of Ifrit entered the 'dream'.  He seemed to call 'Davis' over to him.  'Davis' slowly stood up, now carrying 'Veemon' in a piggy-back position.   As he was standing ready to go, the floor in his mind disappeared, and a vision of outer space was formed.  Beneath his feet lay a thick silver path, and he could see it extending out ward he watched as Ifrit engulfed in flames, then reformed as a small airborne light.  It began floating down the silky path out into the unknown.  Davis did as Ifrit had told him and did not focus on the image in his mind, rather on the will to save Veemon, and what their friendship meant to him. 

Sure enough the image of himself began to walk after Ifrit.  Seeing this the thoughts came easier to Davis and stronger thoughts of Veemon were formed.  He focused on past events, things they had done, things they had said, and finally on their meeting that day in the digital world.  Now 'Davis' was running after the light and they soon came to a place where many paths met.  The light went to the furthest right, and with no hesitation 'Davis' followed it.  all around them there were starts, and planets, each with a thread connected to them.  But there was never a question for Ifrit as to where he was going.  After much time, and many intersections later, Ifrit had chosen a path that terminated at a planet.

Down the path 'Davis' could see a semi translucent planet, it looked much like earth did, but with less land mass, and a dark concentration of cloud over a third of one continent.  As they neared the planet Ifrit burst into appearance, and spend towards the planet.  Focussing all his energy on Veemon, Davis noticed that he too was now increasing speed.  Soon he found his image bursting through the marble tiled floor of a large hall, Ifrit at his side.  The hall was long and fairly wide, with columns of marble either side, with nothing but bright light on wither side.  At the far end of the hall was  a large set of wooden doors that curved on their top, apexing at the ceiling.  Soon Davis found the image in his mind was blurring, and he could feel himself weakening, but somehow it felt right.  He decided to go with his instincts and exit the 'dream'.  He used the last of his energy to make the image sit down, Veemon on his lap, then became devoid of thought.

Davis felt a mass rush of energy in his mind, and it felt much that same a large ton of bricks had just hit his head.  The pain throbbed though his mind, it was hard for him to even try and concentrate on anything, the only thoughts he had remaining were remnants of the ones he had used to make the journey.  He slowly opened his eyes and found he was greeted with a blinding light coming from all directions.  He slowly gained focus, bowing his head to try and buffer out the light.  There safely in his lap was Veemon, just as he had been in the 'dream', but he was still not awake.  As his vision became normal he looked to his side, sure enough Ifrit was there too.  He stood as if he had been unaffected by the journey at all, but this was not the case.  Just as Davis, his head was hurting too.  Davis decided to try and stand, and did so slowly.  He walked over to Ifrit,  "So this is it?"

"Some of it, yes.  We'd better make our way to Carbuncle, he should be expecting us.  This way," Ifrit said, then began walking toward the doors.  The hall was totally void of all sound, except for the echoing sound of their feet hitting the floor.  Davis was not far behind Ramuh, and put on some speed to catch up to him.  Now walking side by side, they climbed a small set of stairs and reached the doors.  Ifrit merely stood by the doors for a few seconds and they opened seemingly on there own.  Behind the doors was what seemed to be a large royal bedroom. 

Many silk drapes hung from the ceiling, and flapped ever so slightly in the breeze.  The room also seemed to radiate a strange warmth, and seemed inviting.  Inside they could see a shining pale green light.  It floated toward them, and soon Davis could make out a sprite that was emitting the light.  It had four short legs, a proportionally small body, and a large head with a red crystal embedded in it's forehead.  It had long ears, and it's entire body was covered in a smooth pale green fur.  It looked at Ifrit, then moments later glanced at Davis, then back to Ifrit.  Davis had no idea what was going on, but from the looks he was getting it was almost like they were talking.  The silence was eating away at Davis, and soon he would reach his breaking point and demand that Carbuncle do something, anything.  But before this happened Ifrit spoke,

"Please, take a step back," he said, putting his arm in front of Davis and forcing him back.  Ifrit's arm seemed to pulsate a fiery heat, and his touch almost comforted Davis, it also sent a shiver down his spine.  Now floating directly in front of Davis and Ifrit, Carbuncle's light became almost blinding.  All Davis could make out was something that looked very similar to digivolution.  The being's short legs elongated and the fur lifted right off, revealing a human like thigh and calf, the arms did the same, and the body changed to accommodate it.  Once lifted from the body the fur transformed into robes, and wrapped round the now female figure.  The head transformed into one that was humanoid, the crystal still present.  Long locks of blonde hair streamed down over the robes, just as silky.  The figure was now clearly female, and the light began to dim.  Now in clear view, Davis could see here eyes were sea blue, and looked very beautiful.  Standing speechless, Davis was not sure what to say, but the woman was.

"Is this the injured one?" Carbuncle said delicately.  Her voice was smooth and clear, almost heavenly.

"Yes," Ifrit replied.

"Young one, may I take it from you?" she said kindly.

"Uh… um, okay.  Just be careful not to hurt him," Davis replied, right now he was willing to just go along with it.

"Please excuse me for my indiscretion, I was not aware of gender, I meant no harm," she said walking closer to Davis.

"It's no problem, just please, help him," Davis replied desperately.  She presented her arms and Davis placed Veemon gently in them.

"I will do my best, but I know Odin's tricks, his magic's are weak," she replied with a small grin emerging.

"Were weak," Ifrit corrected.

"You've defeated him?  You must tell me later, I must attend to him now, but this changes things greatly, I will call you in when I am done with him.  I am sorry, you must not be in the room, the energy released could easily affect you own energy, and destroy the that which keeps you here, or worse, it's just to be safe."

"If…  If I must," Davis replied woefully.  For the first time in a long time he was very afraid, and felt very alone.

"I will stay with him," Ifrit replied quickly, as if he were embarrassed.  Carbuncle turned to look at him, then she turned back to the room, and entered it, the doors closing elegantly behind her.  Now the hall was cold again, and Davis felt very vulnerable, and was starting to realise just how cold he was.  He had destroyed his shirt, and left his jacket, and the hall did nothing to keep the breeze out, or to create warmth.  Davis slumped down next to the wall.  To his surprise Ifrit moved over to him, but he did not sit.

"Why would you stay with me?" Davis asked softly, almost emptily.

"I can tell this is hard for you, and I feel it is my debt.  I was wrong about you, you are truly a strong being.  Frail on the outside, but you have a will to rival my own, consider this my apology," Ifrit replied sombrely, showing a new side to himself.

"Thanks."  Davis replied.  Silence then ensued, and the only noise that was audible was the slight whistle of the breeze through the hall.  This continued for several minutes.

"I suppose I should explain some things to you," Ifrit said to break the silence, another surprise to Davis.  Davis gave no response, but gestured him to continue with a nod of the head.  "That was Carbuncle, she is our strongest white mage.  The transformation is normal, that is her humanoid form, we all have one."  Ifrit then took a few steps back.  A ring of flames appeared, and the seemed to wrap around his body.  With a flash of light the disappeared, and what remained was a humanoid figure.  He looked much the same as Ifrit had, just more upright.  He had two smaller horns coming from his head, the base of which was covered in a bush of fiery red hair.  His skin tone was a tanned brown, with a hint of orange.  His face was now also humanoid.  His eyes were an intense yellow, and he wore pants that seemed to be made of a leathery material, but Davis couldn't really tell.

"This is my humanoid form,  I don't show it often, so don't get used to it," Ifrit seemed to now be speaking as if he were level to Davis, not above him.  He moved closer to Davis, and sat down next to him.  He radiated warmth, and Davis soon did not feel the chill of the breeze.  The two sat in silence, Davis because of anxiety, and Ifrit because he did not know how to relate to a human.  Davis felt a niggling to thanks Ifrit for bringing him there, so he decided to do so now, while he had the chance.

"I, uh..  I just wanted to say thanks for bringing me here," Davis said quickly.  He did not look at Ifrit, and Ifrit did not look at him, both faced forward, almost embarrassed.

"I did what was right, and not what I wanted to do."  The comment felt harsh to Davis, certainly not what he had expected, but probably something he should have.  "I know now that what I wanted, was…. wrong.  I was being judgemental, and cruel, I apologise for my previous comments."  This took Davis by surprise, he knew that he had had some of his own judgements of Ifrit, so he was not the only one in the wrong.

"Don't worry about it, you've made it up by bringing me here."  Davis then lowed his head, and now pulled out his blue rimmed D3 from his pocket.  This confused Ifrit, he did not know what the D3 was, or why Davis had it.

"I do not mean to intrude, but what is that device for?" Ifrit asked now looking at Davis, specifically the D3.

"Oh, well, it's called a digivice.  Basically it helps connect me to Veemon, it almost channels my energy to him."

"From what I have seen, you don't need a device to do that."

"Maybe, but I like to keep it with me all the time, helps me feel like he's always close."

"You're worried about him aren't you?"  Again Davis was caught off guard, and this ripped him back down to the situation at hand

"Yeah, it's like, like a thousand nails being driven into my skull, and no matter what I do I can't stop it from happening. It's like I am being ripped in two," Davis spoke emotionally, and very worriedly.

"Like you're losing a part of yourself?"

"Exactly."

"That's because you are, it's like a said, in a way, you are him, and he is you.  Your connection is bound forever in time and space, two pieces of the same stone created as one.  But even in separation, they are still part of the whole, until on is destroyed.  The other has lost value, lost meaning, and thus has no purpose.  But you should fear not, because you aren't a stone, you can change your destiny, and that of your friends.  You have proven this, and I am sure that Carbuncle will not fail, she's not one for new experiences."

"Thanks."  Was all Davis could say, not quite knowing what to say.  This being knew so much about him, yet he knew so little in return.  "How did you know all this?"

"I did not know it, you told me.  When you travelled in my thoughts, a connection was formed between us, I'm sure you felt it.  And just as you could see my thoughts, I could see yours, and all were of him.  It's plain to see all that stuff, you just have to look."  It was now that the wooden doors slowly opened and the majestic Carbuncle once again entered the hall.

"Human form Ifrit, what's the occasion?" she said jokingly.

"Nothing, I just wanted to make him feel a little more comfortable, we don't need him losing his thoughts of Veemon and falling out of our dimension."

"Talking out loud for the human now too.  And Veemon, aren't we informal?  Just admit it, you know you feel for him."

"Fine, I was wrong about the human.  Davis is not the feeble being I expected, but the converse.  But do you always have to be so darn perceptive?"

"It was plain to see this time.  And I hate to tell you that you are wrong about one thing."

"Oh really, and what is that, o perceptive one?"

"Careful, or maybe I won't tell you."

"No, go on, prove me wrong."

"That connection was not formed when he travelled in your thoughts, that connection enabled him to travel in your thoughts.  You and I both know it was always there, as Bahamut is to Tai, you are to Davis."  Ifrit was silent, Davis on the other hand was very surprised, and was not going to be quiet.

"So you mean that Ifrit is, he and I are…"

"Yes, you and him are, and have always been, connected by spirit.  Anyway, I know that you have been worried about your partner, so you may come in and see him now, he should wake soon."  Davis didn't hesitate.  He almost jumped to his feet, and practically ran into the bedroom.

"Well, come on, you may as well spend some time with him.  And you can't tell me that deep down you didn't know, you wouldn't have shown him that form if you hadn't."

"Okay, so maybe deep down I knew, but what do I do now?"

"Well, you could start by going to him.  But really, I think you've already done enough."  She completed her sentence, then began walking toward the bedroom.  Ifrit clambered to his feet, then followed.

Inside the room Veemon was resting on the bed in the centre.  Davis was on his knees at Veemon's side, gripping his D3 tightly.  He didn't say anything yet, just observed the placid creature, watching his chest moving up and then down with each breath.  He lifted his other hand, then placed it on Veemon's arm.  Veemon didn't react to it, but Davis could feel he was warm, which was comforting to him.  Ifrit then walked into the room, closely followed by Carbuncle, the doors shut behind them.  Ifrit moved over to Davis, but stood behind him, letting him have his space.  Davis noticed that they were in the room, and looked over to Carbuncle, "Was it bad?" he asked concernedly.

"If it had been much longer it would have been irreversible, but you got him here in time.  Like I said, Odin is not the most powerful of sorcerers, so removing the spell was easy.  The wound itself is not a dire one, and will heal in time, I am not sure of how his body heals, so I cannot tell you how long it should take."  Davis had turned to face Carbuncle, but had not removed his hand from Veemon's.  He could now feel Veemon stirring, and quickly turned his head back to his partner.  There he saw Veemon slowly open his eyes, and take in the sights of the strange place.

"Where… where is this?" Veemon muttered softly.  Davis was relieved beyond words.  He did not know what to say, but the tears came to his eyes, and were soon streaming down his face.  "Are, you okay Davis?" Veemon asked slowly.  This just made Davis's tears come faster.  He leaned over and put his arms around his partner.

"You, why, I was.  I'm so glad you okay," Davis babbled, gripping Veemon tightly.

"Davis, you have to let go, or I won't be able to breathe."  Davis quickly let go and went back to his original position.  He wiped the tears from his face,

"Sorry."

"Don't worry, I'm just happy to see that thing didn't get you.  But where is this place, where are Tai and the others?"

"You are in my dimension now." Ifrit said from his solitary position behind Davis. "Knowing there was no way you would make it in your own world, your partner risked himself to bring you here, and did well to do so,"

"So let me get this straight, we're in your dimension? But I thought that we couldn't exist here or something?"

"Normally you wouldn't, but by travelling with Ifrit, your partner was able to combine thoughts with him, and make it possible to be here," Carbuncle replied.

"But who are you two?"

"That's Carbuncle, she healed you.  And like she said, that's Ifrit, he brought me here."

"I still don't get how, how exactly did we both move dimensions."

"This is the really crazy bit.  You know how you and I are connected?  Well, we're both connected to him in a similar way.  To get here you needed the will to do it, and to know where you were to go.  Since I had never seen this place, I had to think of you, and because of my connection with Ifrit, I could hitchhike on his thoughts.  And here's the best part, My connection with you was strong enough to mean that you didn't even have to be away, I could do it for you."

"Really, that's kinda weird, but thank you," Veemon said slowly, he was getting out of breath.

"Of course I would do it, you saved my life more then once, I'd do it even if you hadn't," Davis replied.

"I think it would be best if we let him rest now, then we can think about what to do next," Carbuncle suggested.

"Okay, but I'm staying right here," Davis replied strongly.

"And I will watch him.  You should probably go contact Ramuh, and the others," Ifrit replied.

"Okay, I will return shortly," she said as she walked toward the doors.  They opened, she walked through them, and then they closed.  Davis sat quietly and watched as Veemon slowly slipped away to sleep.  Davis wanted to say so many things to him, but he couldn't get them out, and even if he could Veemon was very tired, and might have missed some of it.  The now trademarked silence between Ifrit and Davis was in place.

"I am glad he pulled through," Ifrit said abruptly.

"It's because of you he could, even if you were stubborn at first," Davis replied.

"Yes, and for that I am sorry."

"Can I ask you a question?  Why do you hate humans so much, you were so mean to us at first, I just was wondering why?" Davis spoke slowly, and he was afraid to get the answer to that question.

"Why?  You would have been too.  I was created only to be the humans last hope, and when we failed I was left with a feeling of responsibility.  You see, I was the last spectre created by the humans, good or bad, so I was created in the hopes that I could save the world.  I know now it is not my fault I failed, but what I can't help thinking, what if I was just that little bit better, or stronger, maybe things would be different.  The only humans I ever knew were bloodthirsty animals, or desperate innocent souls and I was their last hope for survival.  I hated them for doing that to me, I hated them for creating me, then dying.  I never even got to talk to my, I suppose you could call them my fathers.  So that's why I don't like your kind."

"That's not fair, it's not your fault.  I know a bit of what that's like, I was the last digidestined called.  I had so much to learn, it was head-spinning.  But I had a partner, I don't know what I would have done without him."

"You do not think of me as judgemental, and cruel?"

"No, It's not your fault what happened, it's their fault, just remember that you fought with all your heart, and you still are."

"Huh, I guess you've proven it now, you're not like those humans, you and your friends are different."

"I'm glad, and I'm glad I ended up with you."

"As am I with you."  As the conversation continued Davis began to realise just how tired he really was, they hadn't slept in over a day, and the trip there had not been easy on him mentally or physically.  Ifrit could sense his fatigue, "You're tired too, why don't you get some rest?" he suggested.

"Huh, you're pretty perceptive yourself.  But yeah, I think I will if that's alright."

"That is fine, I shall keep watch, just in case."

"You don't have to, you know that, get some rest yourself."

"I shall rest when Carbuncle returns, do not worry about me, you'll need some strength for the trip back."

"Okay, wake me if you need me, for anything, of if you want me to keep watch," Davis replied as he stood.  He moved around to the other side of the bed, then climbed on.  It was softer than his own, and had almost the same homely feel to it.  He could feel the warmth of his partner next to him, and this comforted him greatly.  Slowly he could feel his eyelids getting heavier and heavier.  He let his body relax, let all the tension out, and slipped away into sleep.

So there you have it peeps, chapter 16, in all it's wonderfulness ^_^.  Hope you liked it, because I really did.  I suppose the Daisuke fans are happy, and the rest are kinda just putting up with it, but meh, he my favourite, so he has  to get a little lime light.  Hope you caught the new ideas I implemented here, they are gonna be of importance later, and aren't these FF cameo's popping up all over the place now, but there is my little twist on em.  No cliff-hanger this time, but it's not a total loss for me, I could take it anywhere now, and you don't have ANY clue as to where that'll be ^_^, just have to keep reading to find out wont ya?  Thanks for the reviews, especially TA, you rock, and you're just ploughing through it.  CIAO d00ds, momentai!