This story is "Dreams and Reality," a Tai/Sora romance with some interesting twists and an added character.
Author:TigerCat
Sora looked up at him, laughing at some private joke. She circled her arms around his neck and whispered something in his ear. Then she leaned forward and kissed him.
Tai awoke with a start. The rest of his friends were sleeping peacefully. Why shouldn't they be? Tai thought. It's not like they're having weird dreams about their best friends. Tai sat up, careful not to disturb Agumon, his Digimon friend. He stretched, then looked around again. His gaze fell upon Sora and lingered. The pale moonlight washed over her, making her seem vulnerable somehow. She looks like an angel. My angel. What?! No! Sora's just a friend. Think about something else, Tai. Like figuring out how to defeat Myotismon. This train of thought worked as a distraction, allowing Tai to fall back asleep.
Tai's strong arms held her close. She looked into his deep brown eyes; laughed at something she had thought and circled her arms around his neck. She whispered something into his ear, closed her eyes, leaned forward and kissed him.
"Huh?" Sora sat straight up. Biyomon, her Digimon companion, shifted and woke up. "What is it, Sora?" The small pink Digimon asked.
"It was just a bad dream, Biyomon. Go back to sleep." Sora answered, forcing a smile. Actually it wasn't that bad...Stop that! Biyomon snuggled closer to Sora and quickly returned to her slumber. Sora glanced around at her friends to see if any of them had heard her and Biyomon. It would be a shame to wake them up over a meaningless dream. Meaningless...yeah, it was just a dream after all. I've heard that dreams are just really random. Nothing to get excited about. No reason to panic and get everyone up for. Her eyes wandered over to Tai. Especially not him. He's so cute when he's sleeping. Did I just think that? No, that was probably just a remnant from that dream. She lay down and went back to sleep.
Tai thought that he would have forgotten about the dream by morning, but he was wrong. Oh great, just what I need. Now I just act normal, when I shouldn't have to be acting. What was it about that dream? Why am I so...so frightened by it? It was just a dream, after all.
"Hey, Tai, what's the matter?" Agumon interrupted his thoughts. The yellow lizard Digimon's brows were furrowed and he looked worried.
"Huh? What?" Tai snapped out of his brooding and looked at his friend. "What do you mean, what's the matter?"
"I've been trying to get your attention for the last five minutes. So what's wrong?" Agumon said.
"Oh, sorry little guy. I was just wondering about the next time we meet up with Myotismon. Four of you have already digivolved up to the ultimate level, but is that enough?" Tai said something that wouldn’t embarrass him and that Agumon would believe.
"Don't worry Tai. We'll beat him. After all, you're the Digi-destined."
"Ugh, don't remind me." Tai put on a face of mock disgust. Agumon laughed. Joe walked over, followed by Gomamon. "So Tai, what do we do today?"
Tai scrunched up his face. "I don't know. I'll ask computer boy over there." he said, gesturing to Izzy. Izzy was doing nothing to prevent such a title, as he was furiously typing away on his laptop. Tentomon hovered nearby, occasionally asking questions. Tai got up and walked over to Izzy. "What are you doing?"
"I am currently attempting to further determine the exact connection between this world and our own." Izzy replied without looking up.
"He's been at it since he got up this morning. Very unhealthy if you ask me." Tentomon added.
"OK, that made pretty much no sense to me. Well, you're the genius, Izzy. What do you think we should do?"
Izzy actually stopped typing. "Well, since you asked my opinion, I suggest we take the next several days to find a good food source and recover from our battles."
Tai looked down at the younger boy. "Sounds good to me. I think we all need a break. And some decent food."
Tai presented Izzy's idea to the rest of the group, who readily agreed. They set off after a brief breakfast in search of a lake or river, where there was likely to be food. Tai led with Agumon, followed by Matt, Gabumon, TK, and Patamon. Mimi was next, complaining loudly to Joe, Palmon and Gomamon about how she needed her beauty sleep. Izzy and the hovering Tentomon followed them and Sora and Biyomon brought up the rear. Tai kept looking back over his shoulder until Matt told him to chill.
"What's up with you anyway?" was the delicate way Matt chose to phrase it. "You keep looking back here like you're being followed by Myotismon or something."
"I just have this feeling someone's watching me." Tai lied, praying he didn't blush. He was really looking back to check on Sora. Oh yeah, great job of acting normal idiot. Why am I looking back to her anyway? She's a friend. That's all.
When Tai told Matt he felt someone staring at him, Sora quickly lowered her head and acted very interested in the pebbles she was kicking so that no one would see her blushing. Oh geez. Why was I staring at him so intently anyway? I guess that dream affected me more than I thought. But Tai is just a friend, NOTHING more. But a small voice in the back of her mind told her otherwise. She pushed the small voice even farther back and moved forward to defend Tai. "Break it up, you two. Can you really blame Tai for being paranoid after everything that's happened?"
Tai turned away so that he wouldn't have to look at Sora. Matt shrugged at Sora's comment. "I guess not. But he's making me paranoid too."
"Sorry, can't help it." Tai mumbled, still not looking at Sora. Sora returned to the back of the line and the procession started once more. Sora was lost in thought as she numbly moved forward. Tai…He wouldn't look at me. Why? Am I projecting something left over from that dream? No…that can't be it. He's probably just embarrassed that a girl had to stick up for him. Yeah, that's probably it. I hurt his fragile male ego. Oh…pain…from my…heart? Why, because I might have hurt Tai's ego? Argh! This is not happening to me; Tai is just a good friend!
Tai walked forward automatically as he thought about what had happened. Why did it have to be Sora to break up the argument? Yeah, I mean, it's normally her, but why couldn't it have been Izzy, or Joe, or even Mimi this time? She had to notice that I didn't look at her. She probably thinks I'm a jerk for not even looking at her when she was trying to help me.
"Hey, Tai?" A small voice from behind caused Tai to break away from his thoughts and turn around.
"Yeah, TK?"
"Can we take a break? I'm a little tired." He admitted, although he looked more to the point of exhaustion.
Tai nodded. "Sure. Okay guys, take five." Appreciative sounds came from the rest of the group. Tai sat down on a large rock, more than ready to give his feet a break. A twig snapped behind him. He turned to see who it was. Sora stood there, like a little kid caught doing something wrong. "Uh, Tai? Don't worry, I know what's going on."
Tai's mind froze. She…knows? She knows? Oh man…
"I know you were embarrassed that a girl had to stand up for you, but you didn't seem to be able to get what you were thinking out." Geez, this sounds really lame. Please, whatever powers that be, don't let me blush or do something stupid like that, because that would signal that I like him as more than a friend. Which I don't. He is just a friend.
That's the reason she thinks I couldn't look at her? A wave of relief washed over Tai. That's good. I don't want her to think I like her or anything, just because some dream is throwing me off. I should probably say something to acknowledge her. "Thanks, I'm glad you didn't hold it against me."
"Hey, what are friends for?" Sora raised her head, a genuine smile on her face. It caught Tai off guard. Oh, wow, she's really beautiful when she smiles like that.
Sora stared into Tai's eyes. Whoa, I never noticed Tai is actually kind of cute.
"Yeah, what are friends for?" Tai said with nervous laughter after a moment. Friends…just friends. Sora is just a friend. Of course I'm going to notice when she looks good; I'm not a guy for no reason.
"I just wanted to let you know I understood. I'm going to go see if Mimi has stopped complaining yet." Sora turned around and left the way she had come. What was with me? Did the dream throw me off that much?
In a few minutes, everyone was moving again, in his or her previous positions. Tai and Sora were both wrapped up in their own thoughts. Biyomon and Agumon were beginning to worry. Around noon on the second day of travel, Tentomon claimed that he detected water. He was right, and they soon found a large stream. Joe, Izzy, Matt and TK started looking for food, while Mimi sat down and began to complain immediately. The Digimon had collapsed in an undignified heap and were snoring loudly. "Some help you are." Sora muttered. Joe pointed out. "Someone needs to collect firewood and start a fire."
"I'll do it." Tai and Sora said simultaneously. They stared at each other, both trying to hide the panic. Oh, come on Tai, you're just going to go get firewood.
"Um, split up, or stick together?" Sora asked nervously. Oh man…I want to stay away, so I don't embarrass myself, but…
"Might as well stay together. That way there will be two of us if trouble comes up." That sounds logical. I hope. Maybe I should have just said we should stay separate. Well, too late now.
"Yeah, okay."
Except for the fact that neither could so much as look at the other for more than half a second, nothing particularly interesting happened during the firewood excursion. What is this? Sora thought. I've known Tai longer than anyone here, but I can't talk to him? All because of a silly dream?
Agumon had finally woken up, so Tai got him to start the fire with a Pepper Breath. Everyone crowded around the fire, trying to cook the food.
"FOOLISH DIGI-DESTINED." A voice boomed. Myotismon appeared, flanked by two unknown Digimon. One resembled Ogremon, but was purple and covered in quills. The other was a vague, boxy shape with eyes.
"Agumon digivolve to: Greymon!"
"Gabumon digivolve to: Garurumon!"
"Tentomon digivolve to: Kabuterimon!"
"Biyomon digivolve to: Birdramon!"
"Gomamon digivolve to: Ikkakumon!"
"Palmon digivolve to: Togemon!"
"Nova Blast!"
"Harpoon Torpedo!"
"Howling Blaster!"
"Needle Spray!"
"Meteor Wing!"
"Electro-Shocker!"
"Boom Bubble! POW!"
It was no use. While the attacks hit dead on, they did practically nothing to Myotismon. He laughed evilly. "Crimson Lightning!"
The red whip of electricity arced down and knocked away most of the Digimon.
"Electro-Shocker!"
"Meteor Wing!"
The red arc struck again, bringing Kabuterimon and Birdramon down to earth. The kids ran toward their injured friends.
Tai reached Greymon and noticed a slight burn on his side. "C'mon Greymon, get up! We can't lose, we're the Digi-destined, remember?"
"I can't move, Tai." Greymon said in a strained voice.
The purple quilled thing stepped forward at some voiceless command. "Quill Missiles Launch!"
Tai followed the path the quills would take. Who's he aiming at? The quills are headed straight…for…"Sora!"
Without stopping to think, he raced towards Sora and shoved her out of the way. The missiles intended for her struck him instead. Tai was knocked back about thirty feet, slamming into a boulder. "Tai! No!" Sora yelled, and ran back towards him.
"GREYMON DIGIVOLVE TO: METAL GREYMON!"
"BIRDRAMON DIGIVOLVE TO: GARUDAMON!"
"Wing Blaze!"
"Giga Blaster!"
The attacks destroyed Myotismon's flunkies and wounded Myotismon. Wrapping his cloak around him, Myotismon disappeared with the chilling words. "Next time, Digi-destined. And then I shall have to deal with only six of you."
"Tai!" Sora knelt by his unconscious body and searched desperately for a pulse. There, weak, but steady. After making sure he was breathing, Sora tried to pull the quills out. Fortunately, they were not barbed, so the quills did no more damage exiting his body than they had entering it. Sora had cleaned and bandaged all the major wounds and was starting on the minor ones when her friends arrived. "Is he gonna be okay?" TK asked worriedly.
Matt flashed him a confident smile. "Of course he is, little bro."
I hope so. I really hope so.
"I suggest that no one touch the points of those quills, since we do not know if they have poison or venom on them." Izzy pointed out.
"Yeah, that would be bad." Joe affirmed. "How do we, ah, dispose of them?"
"I say we burn the vile things." Sora said. Izzy shrugged. "I suppose that would be the best way." He and Joe dragged the pile that Sora had made away from the camp and set it ablaze.
No one said much that night, or for the next week. Yokomon and Koromon digivolved back to Biyomon and Agumon. Sora and Agumon kept watch over Tai, taking turns during the night so that one would be getting some sleep. Finally, Tai regained consciousness one night during Sora's shift. His eyes recognized the blurry shape in front of him. "Sora?" he asked weakly. Sora took one of his hands. "I'm here, Tai." Tai struggled to get into a sitting position, which helped his eyes clear up. "Sora…are you all right?"
"Tai, you're the one who has been unconscious for a week, and you're asking me if I'm okay? But thanks for asking. I'm much better now that you're awake." Did I really just say that? He's going to know that I like him…just like I finally realized. I have to know…"Tai?"
"Yes?"
I can’t go through with it! But I already have his attention. “You must be in tremendous pain…Is there anything I can do to help?”
I can’t let her find out how much it really hurts. She’ll only worry and probably lose sleep. Of course, I could be a better actor if it didn’t feel as though a volcano had just erupted inside my blood. The burning…I can’t let her know. “It hurts some, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.” He flashed her a confident smile.
I can’t take it. I have to know. "Why did-why did you save me?"
Does she suspect…? "Because you're a friend." She's more than that, but how can I tell her?
Is that all I am to you? Sora thought, somewhat hurt.
I've always been blunt…the worst that could happen is that she'll think I'm joking. "And because…I love you." Tai closed his eyes and felt the blush creeping across his face as he waited for her reaction.
He loves me? "You-you love me?" Sora stuttered, happily shocked.
Tai nodded his head. Oh, no, she hates me now.
Sora didn't get the chance to clarify her feelings. "SO, DIGI-DESTINED, IT SEEMS YOUR LEADER STILL LIVES." Myotismon boomed, startling everyone awake.
"Digivolving time!" Agumon yelled.
"Agumon digivolve to: Greymon!"
"Gabumon digivolve to: Garurumon!"
"Tentomon digivolve to: Kabuterimon!"
"Biyomon digivolve to: Birdramon!"
"Gomamon digivolve to: Ikkakumon!"
"Palmon digivolve to: Togemon!"
"Grisly Wing!" Myotismon yelled. The stream of bats swooped towards the Digimon.
"Needle Spray!"
"Meteor Wing!"
The bats fell, either scorched or stabbed. The others pressed on their attacks.
"Nova Blast!"
"Harpoon Torpedo!"
"Howling Blaster!"
"Electro-Shocker!"
"Boom Bubble! POW!"
"Meteor Wing!"
"Needle Spray!"
Myotismon was apparently still feeling the effects of the last battle, since this time, the attacks had some effect on him. Greymon reared his head back for another Nova Blast.
Tai watched his friends battling. The fire pain in his veins was rapidly increasing. "Sora…I'll always love you. Please don't forget me…” His body sank back to the ground.
Greymon shrank back to Agumon, then to Koromon. Sora stared, then it clicked. "Tai! Oh no!" She ran back to where she had left Tai. She frantically searched for a pulse, or breathing, but could find nothing. Nothing. He's gone. Sora thought miserably. And I never told him how I felt.
"TAI!" Sora screamed again, anguished. She broke down sobbing over his lifeless body.
"Tai's dead?" Somehow, it wasn't registering with anyone else.
"GARURUMON DIGIVOLVE TO: WEREGARURUMON!"
"KABUTERIMON DIGIVOLVED TO: MEGAKABUTERIMON!"
"BIRDRAMON DIGIVOLVE TO: GARUDAMON!"
"Wolf Claw!
"Horn Buster!"
"Wing Blaze!"
Myotismon retreated from the barrage. "YOUR LEADER DIDN'T HOLD OUT AFTER ALL. ONE DOWN, SIX TO GO!" Myotismon disappeared, laughing. Izzy looked over at Sora, who was still crying. "I believe it would be wise to let her deal with her grief before disturbing her. Even you, Yokomon."
Only Mimi and Sora were crying. No one else could bring himself to believe that it was true. This was Tai, after all. He was their leader, their friend. He couldn't just die. TK picked up Koromon and carried him to the fire. Nobody said anything, but sat staring into the fire until one by one, they fell asleep. Towards dawn, Sora fell asleep too, drained from crying.
"Do you want to bring Tai back?" A voice asked in her dream.
"How can I?" The dream version of Sora answered.
"Simple. Join me. I have the power." The voice materialized into Myotismon.
"No!" Sora shrank back, to afraid to do anything else.
"You claim you love him. Or are you so selfish that you would rather keep him dead, so that you don't have to share?"
"I'm not selfish! Tai wouldn't want me to follow you just so he could live. He would prefer to stay dead, and I'd rather die and join him."
"As you wish. Prepare to join him!" Myotismon bared his fangs and moved forward. Sora stood her ground, thinking If I'm going to die, I'm going to do so fighting. A bright light suddenly flashed, sending Myotismon back. Angemon hovered there. "The girl is not yours, Myotismon. Leave her be."
"Next time, little one." Myotismon disappeared. Sora looked up at Angemon. "There is another way to bring Tai back to life, but you must discover it yourself." Angemon faded.
Sora slowly opened her eyes. She found herself lying against Tai's body, her head resting on his bandaged chest. Was that just a dream? Or was it real? Even if it was just a dream, that doesn't mean it wasn't telling me something. Another way…it's possible to bring him back. Sora sat up. Something glimmered in the sand next to her. The object turned out to be her Crest. Humph. The Crest of Love. Lot of good it did. A memory forced itself to the front of Sora's mind.
"I felt something, Sora. It must have been your love shining through." Tai had said. Tai was the only one that felt it. Why didn't I see it then? Her Crest suddenly began to glow. Could it be that her Crest could bring him back? Please, let this work Sora thought as she laid her Crest over Tai's heart. It began to glow even brighter and spread light over Tai's lifeless body. C'mon, c'mon…It's not working…It's not strong enough by itself. Tai's Crest began to glow as well. Tai's Crest of Courage…Yes, he demonstrated courage simply by telling me how he felt. The light from the Crest joined with the light from Sora's Crest. Tai began to stir and finally opened his eyes.
"Sor-ra?" Tai managed feebly.
"Tai! You're alive! It worked!" Sora hugged him. Confused, Tai struggled to sit up. Sora helped him and let him lean against the rock. She picked up her Crest from where it had fallen and slipped it back over her head. "How do you feel?" Sora asked, still unable to believe he was back.
She's acting like I never told her I loved her. I did tell her, didn't I? So hard to remember...not thinking clearly yet...
"Tai?" Sora's plaintive question made him look up.
"Huh? Oh, yeah, I feel okay. A little weak." Really weak...but I don't want her to worry. Tai's vision finally came into focus. She looks like she's been crying for three days straight. Wait a minute...I died, I know I did. Could she have been crying for me? "Um, Sora?"
"Yes?"
"Did I tell you...” I can't go through with it! I have to. I have to know if she has any feelings for me. "That I-I love you?" I can't look at her. Tai dropped his chin to his chest.
"Yes, Tai, you told me. And I never got the chance to respond." Sora said calmly.
Oh no, oh no, oh no! I don't like that...she sounded icy. Tai swallowed a lump in his throat. "Well?" He croaked.
"Tai...” She reached out and touched his shoulder. He looked up. "I love you too." Then, before Tai could react, she leaned towards him and kissed him. Surprised, he was almost too shocked to kiss back. Almost.
Izzy woke first. I'd say it's approximately ten in the morning. He stood and stretched. Hmm, I wonder what that strange glow is? It's coming from where Sora and Tai are! Or rather, Tai's body. Izzy thought sadly. Still, I should investigate, despite the grief of losing a friend. He walked toward where the light had been coming from. Using caution, he advanced until he could see. What? Is that...Tai? Alive? But he died, he must have, otherwise Koromon would be Agumon. I wonder what could have possibly brought him back to the realm of the living? An intriguing puzzle, to be sure. Perhaps I should go offer my congratulations. Izzy nodded to himself at this last thought and moved forward. Neither Tai nor Sora noticed his approach. They were quietly talking about the dream they had had. It wasn't until he was actually standing beside them that they noticed. "Izzy, um, hi." Sora said, jumping up. Tai attempted to stand, but failed and sat back down. I wonder how long he's been watching us? Did he see us kiss?
Odd, they both seem nervous and jumpy. I don't see what the big deal about having the same dream is, even if it involves kissing. Or is there more to this that I didn't see? Well, first things first. "Tai, you're obviously alive, but how?"
"My Crest started to glow, and then his did. I don't know how, but it brought him back." Sora answered.
Izzy nodded to acknowledge he had heard her. The Crests of Love and Courage. Clearly Tai showed his courage when he shoved Sora out of harm's way, but love? I believe I know to some extent what they are so nervous about. As I recall, Sora did cry quite a bit. She was still sobbing strongly as I nodded off, and I was the last to fall asleep. Perhaps Sora's Crest alone was not strong enough, or else she wasn't confident enough in its power. Anyway, Tai's Crest began to glow in response to hers and the combined power was able to bring him back to life. Interesting. I wonder how I can delicately ask them if I am correct without upsetting either too much?
"How is it that you live, yet your wounds do not seem to have healed?" Izzy asked, masking his true thoughts.
I guess he didn't see us kiss after all, or else he would have asked about it. "I don't know myself, but it doesn't feel like someone's pouring molten lead through my veins anymore." Tai answered.
Molten lead in his veins? He didn’t tell me about that. I guess he was trying to protect me.
Izzy nodded. “I see. So my belief that there was poison on the quills was correct. The wounds on their own would not have killed you, but the introduction of the poison when you had already lost so much blood did.” Sora didn’t seem to know about the effects the poison was having on Tai. Was he too weak to tell her, or trying to prevent her from worrying? It’s really none of my business, but I just can’t resist a good puzzle.
“Izzy, what are you doing? You said we needed to leave Sora alone to deal with-” Tentomon was interrupted by Yokomon. “Sora? Are you okay?”
Koromon blinked. “Tai? Is that you?” The small Digimon bounced forward into his friend’s arms. Tentomon had digivolved because he had eaten, but Koromon and Yokomon were too depressed and worried about their humans.
“But you-” Tentomon was cut off by a sudden wave of darkness spreading in the sky.
“Most unusual…It’s originating from our camp!” Izzy yelled. Sora helped Tai up and they ran to the camp. The darkness was fading. “Where’d they go?” Yokomon asked.
“What’s that?” Sora asked, pointing to an object in the sand. Izzy picked it up. “It appears to be Matt’s harmonica. He never goes anywhere without it.”
“There’s no trace of them. I wonder what could have happened.” Tentomon said nervously.
Izzy pulled out his laptop and began typing. “Izzy, is that really going to help?” Tai asked.
“It will allow us to pinpoint their location using the signals from their digivices. Once we have determined their location, it will be possible to formulate a plan if necessary.” Izzy replied.
“Oh, okay.” Tai sat down on a log. Sora sat next to him and laid her head on his shoulder. Koromon and Yokomon looked at each other. “They’re acting strange.”
Tentomon tapped Izzy’s shoulder. “Izzy, what are Tai and Sora doing?” Izzy briefly glanced up. “They are displaying affection for each other.” he answered and resumed typing.
Izzy accepted this really quickly. Of course, he’s a genius, so he probably doesn’t even really see it Tai thought. He put his arm around Sora’s shoulder and in her sleep she leaned into him a little more. Tai soon drifted off as well.
“Huh? Where am I?” Tai and Sora said at the same time. Surprised, they turned around to face each other.
“Okay, correction. Where are we?” Sora asked.
“I don’t know.” Tai answered, looking around. Wherever we are, they don’t have housekeeping. The walls were dank and the whole place emitted a chill. Tai squinted. He could make out something in the darkness. “Hey Sora, look over there.” He said, pointing to the vague object. He pulled out his mini-scope and focused. He could make out the forms of his friends in a cage suspended above a pit of nothingness.
Myotismon’s voice suddenly boomed out. “WELL, ISN’T THIS AMUSING? MANY FAILED, BUT I HAVE THE DIGI-DESTINED IN MY POWER! THE LEADER DEAD, THE GENIUS ALONE, AND THE CREST OF LOVE RENDERED USELESS! FACE YOUR LAST, DIGI-DEAD!” The chain supporting the cage snapped and fell into the pit.
Tai and Sora automatically jumped forward. “NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!” They yelled as their friends vanished. A glimmer appeared in the pit, something that might help…
“AAAAHHHHH!!!!” Tai and Sora woke up screaming. Koromon and Yokomon bounced toward them, worried. Izzy was so startled he dropped his computer. He turned to look at them. Both were pale and shaking, breathing deeply to try and calm down. They look as though they’ve seen a poltergeist or something equally frightening. Strange, both were sleep, yet they both awoke at the same time, screaming. “What is it?” he asked.
Sora took a couple more deep breaths. “The others…falling…into an abyss.”
Tai looked stunned. “I had the same dream.” He said quietly, still shaken.
“Were you in each other’s dreams? And were there any signs that there could be someone or something to help us?” Izzy asked. We may have something to work with here. If I’m right…
Tai and Sora nodded.
“Prodigious!” Izzy exclaimed, jumping up. Everyone turned and stared at him.
“They’re scared to death because they saw the rest of our friends get sucked into a pit of nothingness and this is a good thing?” Tentomon burst out.
Once I explain it to them, they’ll understand. Identical dreams shared by persons close to each other and remembered in clear detail afterward are signs of extrasensory perception activities. That dream could have been a possible future that we can change, or merely the attuning of their mental abilities. Izzy explained his theory as well as he could.
Tai raised an eyebrow. “So you’re saying that Sora and I have ESP powers and that our dream might be the future of our friends?”
“Yes!” Izzy said, still excited.
“And this is supposed to help us how?” Sora asked.
Izzy started rambling about linked alpha waves, REM patterns, psychology, brain waves, and other scientific nonsense.
Sora finally got him to stop. “Izzy, plain layman’s terms. How does that fact that we had the same dream help us?”
“As I’ve already stated, this means that your brain patterns are flowing in the exact same manner. This can produce a signal that will contact the person or creature that might help us. The signal will enter the person’s next dream and draw them here through a dimensional portal that your mental powers created.” Izzy explained much more slowly.
“So whoever can help us will come?”
Izzy nodded. Sora continued, “So how do we send that signal?”
Izzy frowned. “You may have already sent it, or it may be sent the next time you two have the same dream.” No need to worry them. I had always thought that one would know how to use mental capabilities once introduced to that fact that one has them.
In the children’s home dimension, a teenage girl lay in her room, asleep. She awoke suddenly. The girl stared blankly into the night, then got up and put on some outdoor clothing. She shook her head slightly, like she couldn’t believe what she was going to do. Then she stepped forward and disappeared.
Izzy was bored. The program he had designed had not completed yet, so he was unable to do anything else on the computer. It had been three days since the twin dream incident, and everyone was beginning to wonder if Izzy had been correct. Especially Izzy.
A brief flash of light and a small thud attracted Izzy’s attention. He found himself looking at a teenage girl.
Victoria Mitchellson looked up. There were three strange creatures looking at her, plus a red-haired boy, a brown haired boy and a female with a blue helmet on. These people look somewhat familiar…oh, yes, my dream. Victoria knelt on her right knee and slightly inclined her head forward. “Digi-destined, you have requested my aid and so here I am.” She rose quickly.
Tai stared. OK, how is she going to help us? She’s obviously older than us by a couple of years, but she doesn’t even have a Digimon. I mean, yeah, she’s tall and muscular for a girl, but still, how is this going to help us? Somewhat surprised by her formality, he managed to introduce everyone.
The girl smiled without humor. “My name is Victoria Mitchellson, but my friends call me Silver.”
“Pardon my ignorance, but in what manner will you be able to assist us? No offense, but you do not seem overly strong, nor fast, and you do not appear to have a Digimon companion.” Izzy asked.
From my dream, I know that this opponent I am to face is very strong in the arcane arts, perhaps to the point of being able to probe minds. I will have nothing to fear from that, but the fewer who know my-our-secret until the time comes, the better. I will have to either say I have no clue why I was selected, or make up a story that is believable. Well, this pause before I answer gives me the reason. “I don’t know.”
She had to think about my question, and the only answer she could come up with was “I don’t know.” Perhaps she has knowledge from previous dreams that will help. Izzy thought.
Izzy’s computer started to beep. Izzy went over and checked. “Wonderful. I have the location of the others, but the bad thing is, it’s Myotismon’s castle. There is a somewhat good side though. We won’t have that far to walk.”
“Lead the way, Izzy.” Tai said, getting up. The others fell in behind. Silver walked along, thinking about her home when she heard Sora gasp. “What is it?”
“I thought I just saw Silver’s hand change color.”
“Must be an reflection of the light.” Silver said. Oh, no. I-we-were thinking about that last fight at home and started to automatically change, didn’t we? I can’t let that happen again. Huh? That Izzy kid is looking at me strangely. He’s obviously very intelligent. I hope he doesn’t figure out my secret too soon.
Izzy stared at Silver. She made an excuse for what Sora saw rather quickly, and now she seems to be mentally kicking herself. I wonder what the real reason she was chosen is, and why she didn’t tell us.
Several hours later, it began to get dark. Izzy stopped at a small clearing, unable to read his computer’s signal. Tai and Sora started to set up camp, while the Digimon began to gather firewood and food.
“Great, we have firewood, but no way to light the fire.” Tai pointed out. Silver shrugged after a minute. “I got it covered.”
She pulled a pack of matches from her pocket and lit the firewood. It blazed up quickly, and they proceeded to cook what food they had. Silver caught Izzy staring at her again. She turned away and busied herself preparing her food.
I know that she didn’t use those matches to start that fire. No matches could have caught sticks those size on fire that easily. Also, the flame didn’t seem to be coming from the match itself. Izzy tried to ponder this out, but was just too tired to do so. He and his friends shortly fell asleep, with the exception of Silver. She stayed up to stand guard, and to think. I may as well go ahead and tell them. That genius is already beginning to distrust me, and I can’t protect them if they don’t trust me. But can they understand? I barely do and I’ve been-
Her thoughts were cut short by the sound of branches breaking behind her. She turned quickly. There stood Izzy. “I don’t know what the deal is, but you have to tell us. I know you haven’t told us the whole truth and I want to know why.”
“I…We were thinking about telling you anyway.” Silver answered.
“We? Do you have multiple personalities or something?”
“No. I am…it is…we are symbiotes. We are the same, and yet not. Each of us has retained our own individual consciousness, but we share thoughts as well. I don’t know why she selected me as her partner, but now I wouldn’t have it any other way. Based on images in the human’s mind, I formed a weapon out of myself that could be used to fight the forces of evil in her area. My natural form is a blob of silvery metal. What I was before the Joining was a semi-intelligent symbiotic isotope of the element tritanium.”
“Tritanium? I have heard of no such element.” Izzy commented. When they speak at the same time, they refer to themselves as we. But both are able to speak separately as well, and there is no noticeable difference in vocal patterns when they shift between the individuals. I had to think about it when the shift occurred.
“It does not exist on Earth. It is similar to titanium, which I’m sure you are familiar with. However, tritanium, as the name suggests, is three times as strong and has three times the heat tolerance. It has only half the weight, does not conduct electricity and is not magnetic. There are several advantages to having a symbiote; one, we are never alone; two, my symbiote allows me to breathe any atmosphere; three, while we are together our minds cannot be read; fourth, as a weapon no one else can use it. From my imagination, it has several gadgets that are just too cool, is regenerative, allows me to heal more quickly and any energy attacks used against me are used to provide power to the gadgets.”
“May I ask, which mentality is dominant, or more used? Or are you equal at all times?”
“During normal functions, such as school, the human mentality is used for speech. Occasionally, the other must speak, but we are always equal; it is merely speech patterns that fluctuate.”
“Why didn’t you simply tell us to begin with?” Izzy asked, somewhat hurt by the lack of trust.
“Because in our dream we felt that the enemy we face is extremely powerful, possibly capable of reading minds. While this does not affect us, Myotismon could still have read your mind or Tai’s or Sora’s or the Digimon's and that would have greatly reduced the element of surprise. However, we now feel that it will not matter in the outcome of the battle. We-I-suppose that the others should know about my secret.”
“You have resumed speaking with the human mentality. Why?”
“Actually, we find that when dealing with humans, it discomforts them when we refer to our duality. It is also easier for us to maintain the illusion at other times if we continue to use a singular pronoun.”
“Interesting. I suggest you allow me to inform the others. I will be able to phrase it in a manner they will be more likely to understand, and less likely to reject.”
“Thank you. This will make it much easier on me. It was difficult enough explaining to you. No offense, but the few people I have been forced to tell did not react in an encouraging manner.”
I wonder who she had to tell. Actually, for once, I’m more tired than curious. I should probably go back to sleep. “I suppose I should go get some sleep.”
“Yes, I believe that would be wise. Good night.” Silver turned back to her watch position.
This has been interesting. I hope nothing else equally so happens. Silver continued to stand guard for the rest of the night. Fortunately, nothing more than the spotting of some nocturnal Digimon on the hunt occurred. Tentomon buzzed to her in the morning. “We’re ready.”
“Okay.” Silver turned and followed the insect Digimon towards the others. Tai had a really confused look on his face. “There are two beings? You mean, like two people? This is confusing. Oh, hi Silver.”
Izzy shrugged. “Sora seems to understand well enough, but Tai can’t grasp the concept.”
“Hmm…How did you explain it?”
“I merely stated that two beings were joined in both mental and physical forms.”
“That would probably be why he didn’t understand. Tai, what he tried to say was that-well, geez, I guess it really is kind of hard to explain without using large phrases.” Silver paused to think.
“Why don’t you just show him? I think I’ve heard that symbiotes can separate for a short period of time.” Sora suggested.
Silver smacked herself in the forehead. “Duh. Okay, here goes.” A silvery figure stepped away from Victoria and stood there.
Sora turned to Tai. “That silvery blob and Victoria are sharing brain space, and a body.”
“Oh. They’re kind of the same person, but not quite.”
Izzy and Silver looked stupefied. “Such a simple tactic. I feel like an idiot for not thinking of it.”
“Let’s just go. We can’t find our friends standing around.” Tai said. Silver rejoined with her symbiote and Izzy resumed the lead. They followed the signal for the rest of the day and just as the sun was setting, came upon Myotismon’s castle. Tai accidentally set off a trap and summoned two dinosaur-like Digimon. “It’s Stegomon!” Tentomon yelled, terrified. The two beasts rushed toward the net that had captured Tai.
“Koromon digivolve to: Agumon!”
“Pepper Breath! Pah!” The small fireball did nothing to the Stegomon except annoy it.
“Tentomon…” Izzy started.
“I’m on it, Izzy!” The Digimon yelled, glowing. "Tentomon digivolve to: Kabuterimon!"
“Electro-Shocker!” Kabuterimon’s attack hit the other Stegomon and they battled.
“Yokomon digivolve to: Biyomon!”
“Spiral Twister!” Biyomon tried to help Agumon, but even together they were just too weak. Kabuterimon was having enough trouble with one Stegomon.
Silver surveyed the situation. “My turn. Battle mode.” The symbiote began to reveal itself, changing from the color of skin to a dark silver color as she removed the coat and shorts she had been wearing. “Can’t get blood on these.” It was obvious where her nickname came from. As soon as she was fully silver colored, she jumped into action. A three “fingered” grappling hook attached to a cable shot out from her right wrist. It hit the Stegomon that Biyomon and Agumon were trying to deal with. The cable began to retract, bringing Silver with it. Another cable shot out from her left wrist and wrapped around the beast’s neck. It responded with a fiery attack from its mouth. “Fire Tornado!” The spinning flames whirled around Silver’s body. She reached the Stegomon’s neck. She grabbed a handful of flesh with her right hand. “Hmm…really thick. I guess I’ll try all the weapons I can at once.” Silver reached down to her hips and removed a sharp circular disk from each. She threw both of the disks, which kept circling and slicing. The hand that was grasping flesh suddenly began to spark and glow. The Stegomon howled in pain and rage.
“What’s she doing?” Tai asked as Sora cut him out of the net.
“I’m not sure.” Sora replied. Izzy looked at the image on his computer. “Incredible. The tips of her fingers are emitting a high powered laser and a fifty thousand volt electrical current.”
Silver pressed her left palm against the Stegomon’s neck. This hand too began to spark and glow, but the glow was different. In seconds, burned skin fell away from the Stegomon.
“A flame-thrower! She has a flame-thrower contained in her palm. Absolutely fantastic.”
Agumon and Biyomon had stopped attacking and were watching, stunned. “This is not cutting it!” Silver told herself, frustrated. “Wait, I can still cut some more!”
Four one-foot-long claws slid out of the back of each arm and stabbed in the Stegomon. Blood began to seep out of it neck, as all the weapons began to affect it. The beast finally sank to the ground, slowly bleeding to death. Silver jumped off. The energy weapons instantly cut off. The claws retracted as the disks returned to their places on her hips. Silver returned to the color of human skin after she put her clothing back on.
Kabuterimon flew back into sight. “What happened?” He asked, returning to Tentomon form. Tai and Sora looked at Silver, unable to say anything. Even Izzy remained quiet. They had fought many battles in Digi-world, but they had never killed. Silver was panting, strained from the fight. I don’t think they’ve killed before. They couldn’t have, not from the reaction I’m getting. Come to think of it, I’ve only killed once before, and that was unable to be helped. I’m not so sure I’m up to this. I’m used to fighting humans. My weapons were designed to fight humans, not big impossible monsters that shouldn’t possibly exist.
Still silent, the others began preparing to set up camp. Silver went off by herself and fell asleep. She expected nightmares, but her sleep was so deep she dreamt nothing.
“None of us has ever killed before.” Sora said. Tai and Izzy nodded. It was hours later, after everyone had gotten over the shock. The Digimon were asleep. Izzy swallowed and said. “I think, perhaps, another reason she was chosen is the fact that she would kill. Although I don’t think she particularly enjoyed doing it.”
“I didn’t, but it was necessary.” Everyone whirled to see Silver standing there.
“Silver! I didn’t mean to imply-” Sora started. Silver cut her off. “Don’t worry about. I did what I did and now its over. I’ll admit, this is only the second time I’ve killed, but if necessary, I will do it again. My weapons were designed for human opponents, so I’m not quite sure if I’m up to this, but I can try. My job is to protect you, and help fight Myotismon to get your friends back. I will use any means possible or available to do my duty.”
Silver swayed where she stood, still somewhat weak from the battle. How long has it been since we have eaten? Nearly two days by our estimation. Ah, yes, we felt that the food should be reserved for those who are not invincible. However, we do need to eat, otherwise our strength will be depleted. That would not be good, because then we would be unable to protect the Digi-destined. We will do some foraging when we set off again. Yes, that is a good idea.
This is really weird. Tai stood up. It was nearly morning and he wanted to start early to find the others. “Okay guys, now that that’s cleared up, let’s go.”
Izzy picked up his laptop as Sora stomped out the fire. Tai woke up the Digimon as Silver took some time to evaluate the layout of Myotismon’s castle. A moat most likely filled with some bad fish-type Digimon. Very high walls coated with a very slick moss. I wonder. Silver’s eyes became tinted slightly red. What a difference infrared, x-ray sight can make. That’s odd, the moss is emitting faint heat traces. There are several heat emitting guards, and the x-ray reveals several more posted. Multiple creatures, some sort of radioactive moss, a moat, high walls that would be nearly impossible to scale. This guy has a serious delusion about security. I wonder what else he has in store? Well, let’s think this out. He knows about burrowing, flying, walking, crawling, slithering, swimming and all sorts of other Digimon and he must have prepared for all of them. How on earth can we get through? Tai’s too impulsive he wouldn’t think it through. Myotismon is heavily guarded against that. Sora is a little too cautious; her hesitation would cost her. Izzy plans too much and wouldn’t move until he had it all figured out. I just think too much. Argh! There has to be a way to get through this. Tai interrupted her thoughts. “C’mon Silver, let’s go!”
Silver raced to catch up, still thinking. They reached the edge of the moat quickly. Tai got ready to jump in, but Izzy and Sora grabbed him. “That would be highly irresponsible, not to mention dangerous.” Izzy told him.
Silver leaned her head back, looking at the sky as she thought. How can I-okay, I know this is off the subject, but why aren’t those clouds moving? There is a good breeze and most of the other ones are moving. Unless…it’s not a cloud. Maybe it wasn’t off the subject after all. “I think I might see the way in. However, I can’t be sure. It’s very high, and I can’t jump that high.”
“I’ll check it out. Where do you want me to go?” Biyomon asked. Silver pointed to the unmoving clouds. “Okay, I’ll see what it is.” Biyomon flapped up and flew to the area in question. She returned after a few minutes and reported, “It’s a platform.”
Silver nodded. “I thought as much. That’s the way in. I think I can transport one person, but I have no idea how to transport the other two.”
“I can do it.” Tentomon said. "Tentomon digivolve to: Kabuterimon!"
“Climb on.” Kabuterimon said. Izzy, Tai, Sora, and Agumon complied. Biyomon was still in the air. They flew up to the platform and after everyone was off his back, Kabuterimon devolved to Tentomon. Silver was still on the ground, but Tentomon didn’t have the strength to digivolve again. “How are you supposed to get up here?” Sora called down.
“I’ve got it covered!” Silver yelled back. She went through the forest for a few minutes, collecting food. She ate some as she went along, until she felt her energy levels boosting. Then she gathered more and carried it directly beneath the platform. A pair of vertical tubes emerged from her back as her skin changed color to her nickname once again. Flames propelled her upward until she reached the platform. As soon as she stepped onto the platform, the jetpack disappeared into her back and her skin became human colored once again. She passed out the food and everyone ate. After a brief rest, Tai looked around. “I don’t see how we’re going to get in.”
Silver grinned. “Leave that to me.” Using her grappling hooks, she probed around the center of the platform. At the exact center, her grappling hooks went through. “This is the entrance.” She lowered herself in. Tai shrugged and followed her, as did everyone else. They found themselves in a dank room, barely lit and covered with fungus. Silver looked around there were two doors on every wall.
“How do we choose the correct door?” Izzy asked. Silver switched to battle mode while they thought. Her vision switched to infrared and x-ray capable. “Those doors are false. Only that wall has real doors.” She said, pointing to the darkest corner. She moved forward to examine the doors. “These symbols are odd.”
Tai glanced at the door she was looking at. “Hey! That’s the symbol on my Crest!”
“Allow me to examine the door.” Izzy said. Silver stepped out of the way. Izzy looked at the symbols on both doors. “Tai is right. This does have the symbol for the Crest of Courage inscribed upon it. The other door has the symbol of the Crest of Reliability.”
“That’s Joe’s Crest!” Tentomon exclaimed.
“So does that mean we should go that way, since he was one of the ones taken?” Sora asked.
“Sounds good to me.” Izzy said. He opened the door slowly. Silver went in first, followed closely by her friends. They saw the others, suspended in a cage above a pit of blackness.
“Just like in the dream.” Tai and Sora whispered at the same time.
“Such a variety of Digimon.” Silver’s gaze fell on Joe. “The one with the glasses, who is he?” I wonder why he attracted my attention. He’s not particularly cute, although he’s not bad looking. Very confusing. Still…Oh yes, now we remember. He was part of the dream. But why can we not recall what his relevance was?
“Huh? A Digimon with glasses?” Tai asked.
“I believe she was asking about Joe.” Izzy answered. She looks as confused as I am about why she asked about him. Maybe he was part of the dream that she had.
Silver’s attracted to Joe? That’s a somewhat odd attraction. But, hey, whatever works. Sora thought as she looked at her friends crowded into the cage. We have to get them out of there.
“WELL, ISN’T THIS AMUSING? MANY FAILED, BUT I HAVE THE DIGI-DESTINED IN MY POWER! THE LEADER DEAD, THE GENIUS ALONE, AND THE CREST OF LOVE RENDERED USELESS! FACE YOUR LAST, DIGI-DEAD! “Myotismon!” Tai hissed. The chain holding the cage snapped, sending it plunging into the pit below. Silver instantly jumped forward and released both grappling hooks at the same time. One seized the cage and the other dug into the ceiling, preventing both the cage and Silver from falling. Silver used the remainder of her momentum to swing the cage back towards solid ground and released it. The cage rolled once, then came to a stop. Silver retracted both grappling hooks, still hanging onto the ceiling. Everyone else tried to break open the lock on the cage, but was unsuccessful. Silver dropped down next to the cage. She tapped the metal. “Pathetic. Not even a challenge.” The claws on her right arm came out.
“Back up.” Tai told his friends. They complied and Silver sliced the metal bars into bits of scrap metal.
“WHAT IS THIS INTRUSION?” Myotismon’s voice boomed from everywhere at once. He materialized on the other side of the room. “THE LEADER IS ALIVE? BUT THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE! I KNOW HE DIED! AND YOU ARE NOT OF THE DIGI-DESTINED!” Myotismon’s wrathful gaze turned towards Silver.
Silver glared back. “No, I’m not one of the Digi-destined. But I was brought here to protect them, and that is what I shall do!” She jumped into a fighting stance.
“Hey, no one’s fighting without us!” Gomamon said.
"Agumon digivolve to: Greymon!"
"Gabumon digivolve to: Garurumon!"
"Tentomon digivolve to: Kabuterimon!"
"Biyomon digivolve to: Birdramon!"
"Gomamon digivolve to: Ikkakumon!"
"Palmon digivolve to: Togemon!"
The Digimon charged forward and Silver leapt as well. She bounded ahead and landed behind Myotismon.
"Nova Blast!"
"Harpoon Torpedo!"
"Howling Blaster!"
"Needle Spray!"
"Meteor Wing!"
"Electro-Shocker!"
"Boom Bubble! POW!"
Silver decided her energy attacks would be more effective. Raising both hands, she activated every laser and electrical weapon she had. Myotismon pulled his cloak tighter, but that didn’t prevent him from being injured by the multiple attacks. Using a calculated move, Myotismon attacked. “Crimson Lightning!”
His attack was not aimed at any of the Digimon, nor even Silver. It swept across the far ledge, hitting the humans. Joe, showing remarkable bravery, leapt in the way and took the brunt of the blow. Each Digimon instantly turned to help its friend. Myotismon moved forward to take advantage of the situation. “Crimson-Aaaaa!”
Silver had jumped onto Myotismon’s back, sending her claws through his chest. The evil Digimon stumbled away and turned to face her. “Grisly Wing!”
The swarm of bats circled Silver. Many of them broke their teeth trying to bite her. Silver grinned. “Sorry, you’ll have to do better than that.”
Myotismon boiled. “Crimson Lightning!” The red electricity wrapped around Silver. She laughed, absorbing the energy. “Good, I needed a recharge.” She grabbed the disks from her sides and threw them. Myotismon dodged-only to have the razor-sharp circles come at him again. While Myotismon attempted to evade the disks, Silver kept aiming at him with her energy weapons. When she missed, chunks of wall blew away. Very soon the walls began to sag and collapse. “I tire of this.” Myotismon said. Stopping suddenly, he released a tremendous burst of energy. It knocked Silver back, giving the cowardly Digimon enough time to teleport out of harm’s way. The disks instantly returned to their places on Silver’s hips as she jumped to where her friends were. “Get them out of here!” Silver yelled to the Digimon. After staring at her for a moment, Greymon nodded. Each Digimon grabbed his or her partner and ran or flew out of the rapidly crumbling room. Silver followed, occasionally having to slice her way through falling masses of stone.
Upon reaching safety, the Digimon collapsed, exhausted. Most of them were completely oblivious as they returned to their smaller forms. Silver looked over her injured friends. Though unconscious, everyone but Joe seemed fine. Joe was badly hurt, having many burns and open wounds to show for his bravery. Silver looked down on his unmoving form. Why is it only now that we are able to recall his part in the dream? An instant love, and now he lies before us, dying, with nothing that we can do for him.
“But there is something you can do. But only if the love is true.” A voice said. Silver looked around, but could find no source of the voice. She gave up looking and asked, “What can I do?”
“Reach into the left pocket of his pants. There should be a silver-banded ring there. Slip it on the middle finger of your left hand. Remove the dragon pendant necklace from the pocket in which you keep it. Slip it around his neck.”
“But, but how did you know I had a dragon pendant necklace in my pocket?” Silver asked, amazed by the accuracy of the information.
“I know many things about many people. Now, are you willing to switch places with him? Are you willing to die in his stead?”
Silver glanced at Joe’s face. “Yes.”
“You have one minute of life left. Say whatever you wish.” The voice said.
Silver took at last look at the people she had helped to save. “Farewell, my friends. I hope this does not affect your futures in a negative way.” She paused and took a deep breath. “Joe, I hope we will meet again sometime. Please do not forget me.”
“Your time is over.” The voice said. Silver watched as she began to dissipate, slowly and somewhat painfully. She kept her eyes fixed on Joe for as long as she could.
“Ah!” Victoria sat straight up. She was in her bed, in her own home. “Huh?” What’s this? I’m alive? It was all just a dream…? But it was so real. It is possible that it actually happened, but only my mind was actually there. Then, when I ‘died’ there, my mind came back to the real world. No, that’s stupid…just wishful thinking. Silver reached over to turn her night lamp on. Something on her hand glinted in the moonlight pouring in from her window. Silver examined the object. A silver-banded ring.
Back in the Digi-world, Tai and Sora were quietly talking. “Do you think it actually happened, Tai?” Sora asked.
“I don’t know. No one but us seems to know about it, and Silver’s gone. We’re even back in the same place we were before all this happened. Joe isn’t even hurt at all, and after what he took, he should be.” Tai answered.
“I don’t know about him not being hurt. He seems to be rubbing his chest a lot.” Sora replied.
“Yeah, but knowing him, he’s got some rash from some plant he’s allergic to.” Tai laughed.
“You’re probably right.” Sora laughed too. They rejoined their friends in camp. Joe was turned away, apparently scratching his chest.
Why? Joe was thinking. He hid the object back under his shirt and rubbed where the cold metal hit his chest. I’m going to have an imprint soon if I keep rubbing this thing. Unable to resist, he examined it again. The dragon pendant shone in the morning’s light.
Well, that’s it. Let me know if you liked it, hated it, want more or whatever.
