Chapter 6

"Man, Kari is so beautiful when she sleeps." Ash quietly said as Kari's eyes started to open. When she saw Ash, a smile grew in her face.

"Hi Ashy." Kari said as Ash had a smile on his face.

"Morning Kari." Ash said as he kissed her on her forehead. "So, what did you think of our first date?"

"Well, a smoothie with my best friend turned boyfriend, then we watched Spider-Man into the Spider-verse until I fell asleep and you slept with me in my bed. All and all, it was a good date, but next time I would like a more romantic date with no one trying to grab your arm." Kari said as they kissed for a few seconds, then they hugged.

"Of course, next time I will make it the most romantic date you'll ever have." Ash said as Kari continues to smile.

"It doesn't have to be perfectly romantic, any date with you is perfect." Kari said as Ash got out of her bed.

"As you wish, my love. I better get ready for the day." Ash said as Kari nodded and he left to get changed. As soon as he got changed, Ash came up with a plan. "I mind as well, since they're letting me stay here." He said as Pikachu nodded.

"Pika. Pika pika. (*You're right. It would be the right thing.*)" Pikachu squeaked as Ash got to work, making breakfast. Soon he was almost finished with the eggs, Yuuko and Kari came into the kitchen.

"Morning Ash, what are you doing?" Yuuko asked as Ash finished the last plate of eggs.

"I thought since you guys are letting me stay here, I'd make some breakfast for you guys." Ash said as the two of them had a smile on their faces.

"That's so thoughtful of you Ash." Yuuko said as Kari walked up to him and kissed him on the cheek.

"You're so sweet Ash." Kari said as Ash now had a smile on his face.

"Well, you're sweeter Kari." Ash said as he pressed his lips against Kari's and she quickly returned his kiss.

"Morning guys" Tai said as they sat down and ate the breakfast Ash made.

"Wow, this is amazing." Tai said as he, Yuuko and Kari enjoyed Ash's cooking.

"Where did you learn how to cook Ash?" Kari asked as Ash looked towards her.

"I learned from my friends, Brock, Cilan, Clemont and Prof. Kukui while on my journey through the regions." Ash said as they were impressed. Soon, they finished breakfast and Tai left for school.

"Just so you know Ash, once you and Kari are finished with the digital crisis, you're always welcome to live here." Yuuko said as Ash and Kari both blushed.

"I'll think about that, but right now, we gotta meet up with T.K at school." Ash said as Kari hugged her parents and walked back to Ash's side and headed out the door

**Timeskip: After School/Location Change: Digital World**

After school, the digidestined were freeing captive Digimon from the local prison.

"Pepper Breath!" Agumon shouted as he shot a fireball at the prison bars.

"V-Headbutt!" Veemon shouted as he rammed through the bars head first. "Come on, let's rock!" He said as he and the Gotsumon from before left the cell.

"That was too easy." Davis said as he was hoping for a little more of a challenge.

"You guys are officially fugitives." Mairin said as Alain and Cyberzard returned from patrol.

"Alain, any sign of the Emperor?" Cody asked as Alain shook his head 'no.'

"Nope, we're home free." Alain said as Davis was getting cocky.

"If that's the kind of defense the Digimon Emperor's going to put up, then this fight will be over by the first round." Davis said as Ash looked around.

"I don't know Davis, look around. There's no sign of any guards as well as the Emperor. It seems too easy." Ash said as T.K walked towards them.

"Ash makes a compelling point. It's like he wanted us to set them free. He's got something planned." T.K said as Davis laughed.

"You're both crazy, he took one look at our awesome skills and hit the road." Davis said as Kari walked up to them.

"I have to agree with Ash and T.K on this one Davis. This guy is wouldn't let us get away with this without some kind of reason." Kari said as Tai walked towards them.

"We'll worry about that later, let's get back to the real world, I can smell the cafeteria from here." Tai said as he was hungry.

"Oh, that's my Peanut Butter and Jelly Bean sandwich I had in my pocket for a week." Davis said as Ash, Kari and Pikachu were disgusted.

"Davis, I'm pretty that's expired. That's why it smells." Pikachu said as the headed for the nearest T.V, but Gatomon stopped as she saw a black obelisk on the cliffside.

"What's that tower?" She asked under her breath, soon she caught back up to the others. As they ran, a man with long white flowing hair, red and blue eyes, a red formal cloak with long sleeves was standing on top of the obelisk, looking at the digidestined.

"Soon, they will fear the dark power I hold." He said as he held a red, blue and black digivice towards the sky, giving a purple shine. Soon, a black blur went past him and he disappeared.

**Location Change: The Emperor's Base**

He saw that the digidestined rescued the Gotsumon. But, he didn't care.

"The next one should be in place right about now." The Emperor said as a square on the map turned from white to black.

"There, now to let everyone there know who's the boss." The Emperor said as he was now at a village.

**Location Change: Small Village**

The Emperor was describing the control spire's power.

"This control spire is the most dominating object in the Digital World. Wherever I build one, that area will be under my control and all those in that area will be my slaves. It's useless to try and escape. Those who do will have to answer to my soldiers." The Emperor said as he laughed maniacally.

'How do I get myself into the things?' Gabumon thought as he wasn't happy.

**Location Change: Computer Room**

Soon the team returned to the real world with the Gotsumon in tow.

"Are you crazy, bringing the Gotsumon back from the Digital World?" Izzy asked in shock as Tai walked towards him.

"Well, we couldn't just leave them to become slaves again." Tai said as Kari nodded and Ash walked towards them.

"If you have to be mad at someone Izzy, be mad at me. It was my idea, besides the Emperor made Alain, Mairin and me the Digital World's most wanted." Ash said as Yolei was worried.

"What about Mr. Fujiyama, what if he walks in and see them?" Yolei asked as Cody smiled.

"Don't worry, me and Mairin already came up with a plan." Cody said as Mairin was right next to him.

"We'll tell him that we're taking a sculpting class and these are our early masterpieces. Hit it boys." Mairin said as the Gotsumon posed as famous sculptures.

"Early rejects is more like it." Yolei said as Alain walked up to her.

"Come on Yolei, we're trying to keep them safe, not insult them." Alain said as Izzy walked over to them.

"Listen, can I borrow your digivices for a bit?" Izzy asked as they were confused.

"For what exactly?" Alain asked as Izzy continued.

"Well it's obvious that the power from your Digivices can open the gate to the Digital World, our old Digivices don't seem to work." Izzy said as Tai agreed with him.

"I tried to open the gate to the Digital World but with no luck. The only way for us to get into the Digital World is for one of you to open the gate for us." Tai said as his digivice wasn't powerful enough.

"So I want to try an experiment with the new Digivices if that's okay with you?" Izzy asked again as they nodded and handed over their digivices.

**Location Change: Digital World**

Still, at the village, the Emperor was cracking his whip.

"Let's move out, I have an early tee time in the morning." The Emperor said as the Vegimon nodded as they picked up his chair and carried him passed a nearby prison. Inside said prison, was Gabumon along with some other captive Digimon.

"We're busting out of here tonight boys… Oh, why wait, let's bust out right now." Gabumon said as he face the prison wall. "Stand back near the other side of the cell. Blue Blaster!" He continued as he shot a blue stream of fire at the wall, creating a hole large enough for them to escape. He kept leading the Gazimon to freedom, until they were stopped by a light greenish barbed tentacle that smacked Gabumon in the face. As it was retracted, it was revealed that that tentacle belonged to Red Vegimon.

"Apparently, you don't listen to orders." Red Vegimon said as he stood in the way of Gabumon, Gazimon and freedom.

"Who are you?" Gabumon asked as he wondered who Red Vegimon was.

"I'm the Digiworld's biggest salad bar, Red Vegimon! My Stink Jet attack will destroy my enemies with a noxious fumes." Red Vegimon said as he introduced himself to Gabumon, but it was the only nice thing he did for them.

"Try and stop us, Stinky!" Gabumon said as Red Vegimon moved a little bit closer.

"For trying to escape, you get to smell my roots… and I got Root Rot!" Red Vegimon said as he pummeled Gabumon with his roots for a while. "Hey, if can't handle the smell, then stay out of the kitchen." He continued as he smacked Gabumon over the edge of the cliff and into the river below.

"Let that be a lesson for all of you. Don't try to defy the power of the Digimon Emperor." Red Vegimon said as he took the prisoners back to prison.

**Location Change: Up Stream**

A washed on the shore of the river was Gabumon, he looked up to see a T.V, so he crawled towards it.

"I've got to tell the others, they need to be warned." He said as he continues to crawl to the T.V, but he was near his limit. "I have to find Matt… Oh." He said as he collapsed on the ground. "Man, I really stink."

**Location Change: Matt's Concert**

Matt was with his band, The Teenage Wolfs, playing their new song: Shinjū. As they played, Ash and Kari watched. Ash looked at Kari, who was wearing a pink dress under a blue denim jacket, yellow pants and pink shoes, she was having a good time. Soon, Ash saw something that gave him a good surprise. It was his old friends from Alola, Lillie and Gladion were right behind him.

"No way. Lillie, Gladion." Ash said in shock as Lillie and Gladion looked at Ash and were happy to see their old friend.

"Hi Ash. It's good to see you again." Lillie said as Kari to Ash.

"Ash, who are they?" Kari asked as Ash turned to her.

"Oh right, Kari meet Lillie and Gladion. Two of my friends from the Alola region." Ash said as he introduced them to Kari.

"Well, any friend of Ash's, is a friend of mine." Kari said as Lillie smiled.

"I agree." Lillie said as Ash continued

"Lillie, Gladion, meet my girlfriend Kari." Ash said as they were in shock to see that Ash has a girlfriend.

"Well, it's nice to meet you Kari." Gladion said as he shook off the surprise that she is Ash's girlfriend.

"Yes, please make sure that Ash stays safe. He's a great man." Lillie said as Kari smiled.

"Thanks and I will Lillie." Kari said as the three of them got along well, they told Lillie and Gladion about their mission in the Digital World.

"Wow, that's sounds amazing. An entire world made of data." Lillie said as Ash's Master Digivice started to glow brighter and brighter again. Soon the light diminished and soon two more master digivices were given to Lillie and Gladion. Lillie had a white and light blue digivice and Gladion had a white, black and red digivice. "So, this means we can enter the Digital World, right?" Lillie asked as Ash and Kari nodded. Soon, the concert ended and T.K, Kari, Ash, Lillie, Gladion and Matt were backstage.

"Listen guys, just because I have a rock band, doesn't mean I can hide a band of rocks that happen to be Digimon." Matt said at he didn't want to hide the Gotsumon.

"Well, just think of them as your backup singers." T.K said as he tried to convince him.

"They sound too gravely." Matt said as their conversation was interrupted by a girl with red hair came up to them.

"Can I have your autograph?" The girl said as she held a marker to Matt.

"Sure." Matt said as he grabbed the marker and the girl turned her back to Matt. "Who do I make this out to?" He said as she faced him.

"Just make it out to Jun Motomiya." Jun said as T.K, Kari and Ash were a little surprised.

"Did you say 'Motomiya?'" T.K asked as Jun turned her attention to T.K and nodded.

"You wouldn't happen to be related to 'Davis Motomiya' would you?" Ash asked as Jun now turned to him.

"Yes, he's my brother. Why do you ask?" Jun said as Kari walked to Ash's left side.

"The four of us are in the same class." Kari said as Matt was done signing her shirt.

"This is my little brother T.K, my old friend Ash, Ash's girlfriend Kari and Ash' friends Lillie and Gladion." Matt said as Jun grabbed the marker and pointed it towards T.K, Ash and Gladion.

"Will you three sign my shirt too? I get all the cute boys to sign my shirt." Jun said as Kari snickered.

"So, I'm not the only one that thinks Ash is cute." Kari said as her boyfriend started to blush a little. T.K soon grabbed the marker and was about to sign the shirt, but when he saw the shirt, it was covered in signatures.

"There's not a lot of room." T.K said as Jun just smiled.

"I know, I think all boys are cute." Jun said as they finished signing her shirt. Soon, Matt's digivice started to go off.

"There's something going on in the Digital World." Matt said as Ash just got an email from Yolei.

"I just got an email from Yolei, it says: 'Hurry back to school. It's an emergency.'" Ash said as they nodded their heads and they left for the school, with Lillie and Gladion in tow.

**Location Change: Computer Room**

Davis and Yolei were already on the scene.

"Back off Davis, you're making me nervous." Yolei said as Davis was impatient.

"Can't you move any faster?" Davis said impatiently.

Alright, the gate's open." Yolei said as Matt, Ash and the others arrived.

"Is everyone present and accounted for?" Ash asked as everyone nodded. "Alright, let's go. Digiport open." He said as everyone (except for Yolei and Alain) entered the Digital World.

**Location Change: Digital World**

As the group entered, they find an injured Gabumon on the ground.

"Gabumon, are you okay?" Matt asked as Gabumon looked towards him.

"I'm fine, let's just say I'll never look at steamed vegetables the same way again." Gabumon said as Ash walked forward.

"Nice to finally meet you Gabumon." Ash said as Gabumon looked towards him.

"I can say the same thing to you Ash. May I see your Master Digivice?" Gabumon asked as Ash nodded and showed Gabumon his digivice. "Wow, it's amazing." He said as Ash returned his digivice to his pocket.

"Okay, I need you to tell us what happened, Gabumon." Matt said as Gabumon's attention returned to Matt.

"Good, we never get to talk anymore." Gabumon said as Yolei called out to them from the TV.

"Hey guys, me and Alain are heading to Izzy's house so we can get our digivices. We'll meet you there." Yolei said as they left the field of vision on the screen, then Poromon appeared.

"Have no fear. While they're gone, this room shall be guarded by Poromon." Poromon said as he kept flapping his wings.

"Alright, keep in touch." Davis said as he turned the TV off.

"Why do they call those things on top of the TV rabbit ears? Why not call them cat ears? After all, when was the last time you saw a rabbit sitting on top of a TV?" Gatomon asked as everyone was confused.

"That's what you think about?" Kari asked as Pikachu walked to her.

"I think it's kinda cute." Pikachu said as Gatomon started to blush, while Lillie and Gladion were surprised by Pikachu started to talk.

"Pikachu… did you just…?" Lillie asked in utter disbelief while Mairin walked to them.

"Don't worry, I felt the same way. You will feel shock, but you'll get use to it." Mairin said as Lillie started to breathe slowly. Soon her Vulpix, Snowy was placed to the ground.

"Hello, can you guys understand me?" Snowy said as she was surprised and excited about her voice being understood. "This is amazing." She continued as Patamon flew overhead.

"Okay, break time's over, let's get back to work." Patamon said as the looked to the town Gabumon was in before from a cliffside.

"It's a small village called Santa Carilla." Gabumon said as Davis walked closer.

"Cool, it sounds like it's in California." Davis said as Gabumon continued.

"It was always a quiet place. Everyone minded their own business, that is until the Digimon Emperor came in." Gabumon said as he described the situation. Soon, Gatomon saw the same eyesore from yesterday.

"Look, that's the same thing that scared the Gotsumon." Gatomon said as she pointed to the obelisk.

"The Emperor calls it a control spire. Meaning he has control over the area." Gabumon said as Davis was revved up.

"Let's go." Davis said as Matt stopped him.

"Hold on, we can't just rush in there. For all we know they could be waiting for us and this whole thing could be an ambush." Matt said as Ash walked towards them.

"I agree. The vibe I'm getting isn't a good one. And before you say something like 'all we have to do is armor digivolve and blast in there.' or something like that, they could be using the captive Digimon as shields." Ash said as Kari nodded.

"Ash is right, we need to free them without a them gets hurt." Kari said as Davis just sat down.

"Come on Davis, we have to agree with the experts here. They've got more experience then all of us put together." Mairin said as Chespie and Veemon nodded.

"They're being guarded by the Vegimon. Watch out for the digi-sludge." Patamon said as Matt turned to him.

"Patamon, I want you to tell me everything you know about Red Vegimon." Matt said as Patamon nodded.

"Well looks like we're not needed here, let's go Cody and do things our own way." Davis said as Cody walked to Mairin's side and grabbed her hand.

"I think we should all stick together." Cody said as Mairin smiled and blushed as Cody held her hand.

"Alright follow me, I have a plan to sneak into the prison." Matt said as Davis moved to the group.

"Wait a minute. It's too dangerous, we can't take any chances with any of us, especially Kari, having a risk of getting hit with digi-sludge." Davis said, speaking on behalf of Kari's safety.

"It's no big deal Davis." Kari said as T.K walked up to them.

"Yeah, we've been attacked by thing much worse than digi-sludge. Right, Kari?" T.K said as Kari nodded.

"Yeah." Kari said as he turned his attention to Ash.

"Ash, aren't you worried about Kari's safety?" Davis asked as Ash smiled.

"Of course I worry about her safety, but I know for a fact that she is more than capable of protecting herself. She's the strongest girl I know." Ash said as Kari smiled.

"Awe, thanks Ash." Kari said as she kissed him on the cheek.

**Location Change: Santa Carilla**

On the city outskirts, Gatomon, Patamon, Veemon, and Armadillomon escorted Gabumon, Matt, Ash, Pikachu, Kari, Cody, T.K., Lillie, Gladion, Mairin and Davis towards the entrance.

"Halt, identify yourself." Vegimon #1 said as Gatomon raised her left paw.

"It's okay, we're one of you. We caught these humans, and their Pokémon trying to sneak into the village." Gatomon said as she, Veemon, Patamon and Armadillomon had fake dark rings on their bodies, soon the Vegimon let them through.

"Where are you taking us?" Mairin asked as Veemon nudged her.

"Quiet prisoner. You're all going to jail, where you belong." Armadillomon said as the Vegimon pelted them with digi-sludge, most of them hit Ash.

"Leave my boyfriend alone." Kari said in anger as the Vegimon just laughed and now pelted her with digi-sludge. Soon, they made it past the crowd.

"Those guys don't realize that these rings are plastic." Patamon said as he landed and Gatomon walked towards him.

"Don't start feeling so frisky yet. Those guys were just flunkies, we haven't faced the pack of the litter, and even if we face them, we still have to find a way to destroy the control spire." Gatomon said as they threw everyone into a prison cell. But, Ash was pulled away from that cell.

"Not him, the most wanted man in the Digital World deserves his own cell." Vegimon #2 said as Gatomon and Veemon guided him to his special cell. He was put into chains that suspended him in midair, Ash soon noticed that there were wires attached to the chains.

"Now, let's give the guest of honor a warm welcome." Vegimon #3 said as he pressed a button, causing electrical currents through the wires and gave Ash an electric shock as the others watched in horror. Soon, the electricity stopped as the Vegimon turned to the Digimon slowly as they take of their fake dark rings.

"Thanks for bringing the prisoners in, the Digimon Emperor will be pleased." Vegimon #2 said as they almost faced Gatomon and the others.

"We would have caught them ourselves, but I guess you beat me to the punch…WHAT?!" Vegimon #3 said as Gatomon was winding up a punch.

"Yeah, speaking of punch… Lightning Paw!" Gatomon shouted as she punched the Vegimon through the console, stopping the electric current on Ash's chains. The Digimon soon released the digidestined and Kari soon got Ash out of his cell and was soon carrying him with T.K's help. They made their way out of the prison was Patamon was scouting ahead.

"Quiet, there are more guards ahead." Patamon said as Veemon looked at the bundle of Vegimon.

"The exit is block, we'll never get out now." Veemon said as Davis grew impatient.

"I'm tired of hiding, let's fight!" Davis said at Matt placed his hand on Davis' shoulder.

"Easy there junior, you need to know that fighting isn't always the answer. It should only be a last resort." Matt said as Gabumon walked towards them.

"Let's go back this way. We'll come out on top near the control spire." Gabumon said as Mairin smiled.

"Good idea Gabumon, come on you guys." Mairin said as everyone (except for Davis) walked towards the spire.

"Why doesn't anyone listen to me?" Davis asked to himself as Veemon turned to him.

"Did you say something?" Veemon asked as they made their way to the control spire, Ash got back up on his feet and one thing crossed T.K's head.

"Oh Davis, I almost forgot me, Ash, Kari, Lillie and Gladion ran into your sister at Matt's concert." T.K said as Davis was still a little salty.

"Yeah, so what?" Davis said as T.K stopped walking and turned to Davis.

"So nothing." T.K said as Davis became even more salty.

"She probably had a lot bad things to say about me, didn't she?" Davis asked as T.K was confused.

"Well, actually…" T.K said as Davis interrupts him.

"I know, she said that I bite my toenails and spit them on the floor, that I use to suck my thumb until about a month ago, that I went the bed every other Thursday, it was laundry day, so it wasn't that bad. She talks too much, when I see her, I'll teach her a lesson." Davis said as Matt, Ash, Lillie, Gladion and Kari walked towards them.

"Thanks for sharing, but she didn't mention any of that." Matt said in anger as Davis grew a shocked expression.

"Say what!?" Davis said, almost shouting it at the top of his lungs.

"Your sister didn't say anything bad about you, in fact she didn't mention you at all, you're the one with the big mouth." Matt said as Davis' expression changed from shock to anger.

"You wanna go pal, if you have a problem, why don't we just settle it here and now?" Davis said as the two were about to throw down, but T.K held Matt back and Ash did the same thing to Davis.

"Calm down Matt, he's just a kid he doesn't know better." T.K said as Ash tries to calm Davis.

"Same to you Davis, it's not worth it. You won't beat him in a fight." Ash said as he tried to appeal to him.

"I don't care how young he is, he better learn some respect." Matt said as he and T.K walked away.

"Who does he think he is? It's my sister and if I want to call her names, then that's what I'm gonna do." Davis said as Ash and Pikachu looked towards him.

"Come on Davis, you can't insult your sister." Ash said as Davis was a little confused.

"Why not, after all that's what brothers are here for." Davis said as Kari and Lillie came up to them.

"That's enough, Davis!" Lillie shouted.

"I can't stand anyone who talks bad about his brothers and sisters." Kari angrily declared.

"Pal, do us all a favor and shut up...before I make you." A spiky brown-haired teenager turned towards his direction and said in a threatening tone.

"Davis, let me ask you this, if Kari or Lillie were your sister, would you do the same thing to them?" Ash asked as Davis was thinking hard. "Hey Lillie, Gladion. Can you two talk to him?" He asked as they nodded, but Lillie was still a little tense, then Ash walked to Kari's side.

"Davis, take it from us. Me and Lillie are brother and sister that always work together, even when one or the other makes the other angry." Gladion said as Davis was starting to make sense of this. "Ash told me once that he was jealous of me, Kari and you, he always wanted an older brother or sister." He continued as Davis was in shock of not only the fact that Ash wanted a brother/sister, but also a moment of clarity.

"You're right, I need to apologize to not only Kari, but T.K, Matt, Ash and especially you Lillie." Davis said as Gladion and Lillie smiled.

"Apology accepted Davis. Just remember that we have a blessing that Ash unfortunately doesn't have." Lillie said with a bright smile as Davis started to blush a little and nod his head. Soon, the ground below Lillie and Gladion started to glow and from the blue and yellow light came a digi-egg that looked like a bow and arrow quiver and a blue spiked 'V' with a yellow diamond on top. From the pink and blue light came another digi-egg that looked like a white wand and on the orb was a symbol that looked like a pink ring with a snowflake in the middle. Both eggs went to Gladion and Lillie.

"So these eggs are for us." Gladion said as Davis had a smile on his face.

"Yeah, now one of your Pokémon can armor digivolve." Davis said as Lillie looked at Snowy. Snowy then nodded.

"Let's save it for when we're in a bit of a pickle." Snowy said as they made their way to the rest of the group.

"How do we get down from here?" T.K asked as they were basically on a hill that would be good for sledding when there's snow on it.

"There's no way to get down from here, it's too steep." Kari said as Ash had an idea.

"I can use Bayleaf's Vine Whip to lower us to the ground." Ash said as he readied Bayleaf's Poké-ball, but the Gazimon stopped him.

"Wait, we'll be the rope. We'll hold on to each other and you can slide down the bunny hill." Gazimon #1 said as Gabumon walked towards them.

"That's great, okay let's go." Gabumon said as he and the Gazimon suddenly got hit by digi-sludge from Red Vegimon.

"Silvally, come out now!" Gladion shouted as he threw Silvally's Poké-ball and out cam a black, white and red quadrapod with a fin on its head and for a tail and gray eyes.

"I'm ready when you are, sir." Silvally said as he was ready to fight.

"Ha, no one is going anywhere." Red Vegimon said as Veemon was ready to finally fight.

"Alright Davis, it's time for action! I'm going to take that overgrown tomato and turn him into vegetable soup. I'm going to make the vegetarians around the world proud." Veemon said as he charged towards Red Vegimon.

"Veemon wait!" Davis said, but he was too late.

"V-Headbutt!" Veemon shouted as he was blocked by Red Vegimon.

"Now for the side dish… Chilli Pepper Pummel!" Red Vegimon shouted as he shot multiple chilli peppers at Veemon, as they struck, Veemon fell to the ground.

***(Playing Long Hope Phillia by Masaki Suda)***

"Pikachu, let's leave this to one of the other Pokémon I brought, you hang back." Ash said as Pikachu nodded. "Bayleaf, I choose you!" He said as he threw Bayleaf's Poké-ball and out came a yellow quadrapod with unbloomed flowers around her neck, red eyes and a leaf on her head. Though, suddenly a dark ring attached itself to Bayleaf's front left leg and was starting to feel extreme pain.

"Veemon quick, armor digivolve." Davis said as Cody and Mairin had the same idea.

"You too Armadillomon." Cody said to his partner.

"Come on Chespie, you so well." Mairin said, but before they could armor digivolve, the Vegimon grabbed everyone. Ash tried to free Bayleaf from the dark ring, but was also captured by the Vegimon, soon the Emperor appeared.

"I was honestly trying to get your Pikachu, but this one will suffice just as well." The Digimon Emperor said as Bayleaf turned to the digidestined and opened her eyes, as she did Ash was hurting on the inside, because Bayleaf's eyes were completely red, meaning she was under the emperor's control. "I also wanted to see if your Pokémon could be controlled, I guess my theory was proven true." He continued as Ash escaped the grasp of the Vegimon and ran to Bayleaf. "Now attack!" He commanded as Bayleaf used her Vine Whip attack and smacked Ash at rapid speeds, the attack then delivered a hit so strong, it pushed Ash to the edge of the cliff.

"ASH, NO!" Kari shouted in horror as her boyfriend was almost pushed off the cliff, but soon he got back up.

"Snap out of it Bayleaf. You're not a slave to the Emperor, you're my partner. Just remember all the time we spent together." Ash said as he tried to reminded Bayleaf of the time they shared, but all the Emperor did was laugh.

"Unlikely, your Bayleaf is mine to control, now Bayleaf, destroy him!" The Emperor shouted as Bayleaf was ready with a Razor Leaf attack, though Ash made it to her before she could attack and wrapped his arms around her neck gently, as she squirmed, Ash tried to plead with her again.

"Remember when we first met when you were a Chikorita, when we fought off Team Rocket and you joined me on my Johto journey, when you were jealous of Pikachu and we worked past it, all the gym battles you helped me win and the league battles we went through and when you helped me find the other Pokémon Prof. Oak sent before the Sinnoh league. You have to fight the Emperor, come back to me Bayleaf, I love you as much as any trainer ever loved a Pokémon." Ash pleaded as all the memories that he and Bayleaf had together, soon her eyes returned to normal and she started to glow and change.

"What's that!?" The Emperor said in anger and confusion

"What's going on with Bayleaf?" Davis asked as Kari soon realized what was going on.

"Bayleaf's evolving." Kari said as Bayleaf changed into a much larger quadrapod, now colored green with her flowers finally in bloom, antennae on her head and yellow eyes. Ash soon grabbed his Pokédex and scanned the new Pokémon.

"Meganium, the Herb Pokémon and the evolved form of Bayleaf. The fragrance of Meganium's flower soothes and calms emotions. In battle, this Pokémon give off more of its becalming scent to blunt the foe's fighting spirit." The Pokédex said as Ash had a smile on his face. Soon Meganium turned to Ash, ran to him and basically tackled him in a hug.

"I love you too Ash. My best friend." Meganium said as she then turned to face the Emperor and Red Vegimon, then her expression changed from happy to mad. "I'll make you pay for using me to hurt my partner. Take this!" She said as she slammed her front legs into the ground and out came multiple giant thorny vines and smacked the Vegimon that held the others.

"Woah, that was Frenzy Plant. What other moves do you have?" Ash said as he consulted his Pokédex for the answer and he surprised with what he saw. Alright, Meganium use Petal Blizzard!" Ash yelled as Meganium started to summon multiple petals and it basically swirled and smacked into the Emperor and Red Vegimon, whom was smacked into the control spire. When he hit the spire, Matt's digivice started to glow.

"Gabumon digivolve to…" Gabumon said as he changed into a giant white and blue wolf with red eyes. "Garurumon!" Garurumon said as everyone was in shock.

"Garurumon, how are you able to digivolve?" Matt asked as every Vegimon ran away scared at the sight of Garurumon.

"Our turn you guys." Davis said to Lillie and Gladion, who both nodded and raised their digi-eggs and Davis raised his digivice.

"Digi Armor Energize!" The three of them shouted as Silvally, Snowy and Veemon started to glow blue and yellow, pink and light blue and orange.

"Veemon armor digivolve to… Flamedramon, the Fire of Courage!" Flamedramon said as he was ready to fight.

"Vulpix armor digivolve to…" Snowy said as she changed into a woman with white hair, light blue eyes, she wore a white witch hat and dress with light blue high heels. She held a wooden staff with a light blue crystal ball on the top of it. "Magepix, the Mage of Trust." Magepix said as she planted her staff to the ground.

"Silvally armor digivolve to…" Silvally said as it changed into a person wearing armor that looked like Silvally, he had a quiver and a bow on his back. "Silvarcher, the Archer of Faith." Silvarcher said as he docked an arrow onto the string of his bow.

"Wow, they look amazing." Davis said as he was in awe of their new appearances.

"I am Magepix, as Vulpix/Snowy I use the Digi-egg of Trust to armor digivolve. My Frost Spell attack and Frigid Barrier shield will give a whole new meaning to the phrase, 'The Cold Shoulder.' Magepix said as she described herself.

"And I am Silvarcher, as Silvally I use the Digi-egg of Faith to armor digivolve. Each of my Elemental Arrows will pierce through the enemies." Silvarcher said as he described himself.

"Chilli Pepper Pummel!" Red Vegimon shouted as he shot out chilli peppers from his mouth.

"Frigid Barrier!" Magepix shouted as she created a barrier out of blue ice to protect Flamedramon.

"Thanks Lillie." Davis said as Lillie started to blush.

"Flame Fist!" Flamedramon shouted as his fist lite up and he punched Red Vegimon.

"Flame Arrow: Dragon Barrage!" Silvarcher shouted as he let loose an onslaught of fire arrows at Red Vegimon.

"Allow me to end this one." Ash said as the others nodded. They stepped back as Ash trades out his Electrium Z for his Grassium Z. "Alright, Meganium let's go!" He said as he posed for the Grassium Z's Z-Move. "Use Bloom Doom!" Ash shouted as Meganium concentrated all her energy as the ground started to grow multiple flowers, then she released it into the air and it came down like a space laser and not only defeating Red Vegimon, but also destroying the control spire in the process. Soon, Tai, Agumon, Alain, Cyberzard, Yolei, Hawkmon and the Gotsumon ran towards the team, as they ran they saw Garurumon.

***(Stop Playing Long Hope Phillia by Masaki Suda)***

"Garurumon!" Tai said in shock.

"How are you able to digivolve?" Agumon asked in utter shock.

"I'm not sure." Garurumon said as Patamon flew towards them.

"You know what I think, when Red Vegimon was smacked into the spire by Meganium's Petal Blizzard, it cracked the spire, freeing us from its power." Patamon said as everyone looked the control spire that was now turned into rubble.

"They're certainly going to need a lot of glue." Hawkmon said as the Vegimon and Red Vegimon were freed and had no recollection about them being slaves. Yolei thought of something.

"Oh, now I see how it works." Yolei said as everyone turned their attention to her.

"May I inquire as to what you are talking about?" Hawkmon asked as he wanted to know.

"I think she and I are thinking the same thing, that the control spires acted as lightning rods and supply the power to the dark rings…" Alain said as Yolei took over.

"Making it possible for him to control all the Digimon in the area, right Izzy?" Ash asked aa Izzy was a little impressed with them.

"Yeah, I'm quite impressed with your theory you two." Izzy saidas Tai turned his attention to Matt.

"I wonder how many more control spires are scattered across the Digital World." Tai said as Matt smiled.

"Well, whatever the number is, one thing we know for sure is that they all have to be destroyed. Quite the tough task for the new digidestined, don't you think?" Matt said as T.K walked to them.

"Leave it to us, we can handle it." T.K said as Davis moved next to him.

"You said it T.K." Davis said as Kari walked over to Meganium.

"Thanks for your help Meganium." Kari said with as smile on her face as Meganium started to smile as well.

"You're welcome Kari and I'm glad Ash has someone very special to be his girlfriend." Meganium said as Kari wrapped her arms around Meganium, giving her a hug, which she gladly returned by nudging her head softly against Kari, soon Ash walked towards them.

"Looks like you two are getting along well." Ash said as Kari separated from the hug and turned to Ash.

"Yeah, and what was that Meganium did to destroy the spire?" She asked as Ash smiled and showed her his Z-ring.

"It was a Z-move, it can be done both the bond between trainer and Pokémon, and the specific Z-crystal. The one you saw was the grass type Z-move called Bloom Doom." Ash said as Kari turned on her camera and show them a photo of the Z-move in action.

"It's a good thing I took that photo for my scrapbook. It was chance of a lifetime." Kari said as she turned to face Ash and pressed their lips against each others, they held their kiss for a minute, soon they parted and then hugged.

**Location Change: Computer Room**

Soon after Tai and Agumon returned the Gotsumon to their home, Matt left Garurumon in charge for Santa Carilla and they realized that the Emperor escaped again.

"I'm glad the Gotsumon aren't staying with us anymore, everytime they touch my CD's, they'd scratch them. " Yolei said as she was relieved that the Gotsumon are in the Digital World in her own way.

"And they clog the sink everytime they brush their teeth." Cody said as Davis and Ash had a different opinion on them.

"They were kind of cool though." Davis said as Ash nodded.

"Yeah and I bet my friend Brook would just die to have one of them as his partner." Ash said as he wanted to see his reaction to the Gotsumon.

"Hey everyone, I really think you should all take a look at this." Izzy said as everyone gathered at the screen to see a black, gray and white map of the Digital World that looked like a game of Minesweeper.

"What is this, Minesweeper?" Mairin asked as Cody got a good chuckle out of it.

"No, it's a map of the Digital World. Do you see that black square?" Izzy asked as they nodded. "It means that that area is controlled by the Emperor. Now look at this white square, it use to be black until we destroyed the control spire in that area. Unfortunately, there are a lot of black squares that the Emperor has in his control." He continued as Ash found out a similarity between the map and what he had in mind.

"A planet sized game of Risk. Sounds like a great excuse to see the world." Ash said as everyone laughed at his joke.

**Timeskip: After School/Location Change: Digital World**