AN: Special thanks to waynemon, Sakuyamon, Kamui and everybody else who contributed.

4. The Adventure Begins

I was floating in a dark void, helpless, lost, and afraid. As I stared ahead, I noticed a figure approaching. It was huge, shadowy, and VERY threatening. I started to back away, but then the darkness started to lift a little. I turned around and there was Chris in his human form.

"Don't back away, dude." he said. "You may not be able to face it alone, but remember: We're here with you, always."

Suddenly, we were joined by my brother, Sage, Leaf, and Kary. The darkness was suddenly lifted and I caught a glimpse of something large and red slinking off into the shadows.

-----------------

The dream had slowly dissolved to darkness, but not the looming darkness like in my dream. As I slowly returned to consciousness I muttered, "Did anyone get the number of the Monochromon that ran me down?"

The next thing I knew I was grasped in a tight hug that felt like it could easily take my head off. That is, if I was still human. I looked up to find Kary practically squeezing the life out of me. Believe me it is an odd sight to see a Renamon hugging a Guillmon.

"Ben! Oh I'm so glad you're alright!" she exclaimed.

"Yes," I gasped for lack of air, "but if you keep hugging me I might have to go to the hospital with a few broken ribs."

"Oh, sorry." she said backing off with a blush so bright that looked like it came from the setting sun, though it was mid afternoon.

Behind her stood the Tamers, Gennai, and my friends. But I noticed the Leomon that was Leaf was nowhere to be seen. When I inquired as to his whereabouts they all looked a little shifty and didn't meet my eyes.

"Well? Where is he?" I pressed.

The group parted revealing a small red and white Digimon with a tail similar to Kyubimon's only red. While on his head, stood long red ears that looked like they belonged on Bugs Bunny. The most noticeable thing about him, though, was that he had on a tan jacket.

"Leaf? Is that you??"

"Ya," he acknowledged meekly, "but I don't know what happened to me."

"I do," I replied, "you used up all your energy fighting. You're now in your Rookie form, Electmon."

"Then what was I before this?" he asked indicating his current form.

"Well, you were in your Champion form which looked like Leomon, but your name was probably different like mine."

"What do you mean?" asked the now revived Chris.

"My new name as a Digimon is Benjamon. What about you guys?"

"Christomon." answered Chris after a moment of consideration.

"Sagemon." admitted Sage.

"Karenzamon." replied Kary.

"Nickcolamon." said my brother.

I looked at Leaf. "Do you remember what you were called?"

He hesitated. "Leafamon." he said at last.

"There are a few things you should know, Ben." said Leaf.

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My friends and the Tamers filled me in on the two conversations I missed. When they were done I was a little surprised.

"You risked your lives and your humanityÉfor me and Chris?" I asked stunned.

"Of course." said Leaf smiling at me.

"You're guys are our friends." continued Kary.

"Even if you are a huge pain in the butt." grumbled Nick.

"NICK!" chided everyone else.

-----------------

LaterÉ

We were all back at Guillmon's home.

"Gennai, " I asked, "why can't we change back?"

"Let me start at the beginning." he said.

"When I learned of Dracaromon and his plans, I searched for something that could guide me to find the destined saviors. At last, in an ancient ruin, I found an old prophecy that said:

When Apollo is hidden by the heavenly stone

When Zeus throws his weapon of ancient lore

The Chosen's power will become known

And darkness shall be no more.

I found coordinates under it for your exact dimension and quickly found you. But I still needed to create the Digivises, cards, and other such things that would help your endeavor. Unfortunately, Dracaromon somehow got wind of my project and sent his troops to destroy my lab. I barely managed to escape with the Digivises, cardholders, and 'Tamer Transformation' cards. I'm afraid Dracaromon has given some of the items to his best generals and scattered the others throughout the different universes."

"So we have to defeat his Generals to win back what ever it is from each of the generals to change us back?" asked Chris.

"'Reverse Transformation' cards. And no, I'm afraid that Dracaromon himself has them."

There was a moment of stunned silence.

"I have some good news, though. Your Digivises have quite a few more features than a standard D-Power. Like a 3D version of the map function and a huge sub-space storage pocket connected to all of your Digivises. It contains everything you may need on you journey.

"Are we going to the Digital World?" asked Nick hopefully.

"Eventually. But first you need to travel to some other dimensions where Dracaromon has already transported some of his troops. You will be transported to the location of the defenders of that universe. Once you meet them you may need to convince them of your good intentions. Everything you may need for that is in your sub-space pocket. Once you've defeated the general of that universe the portal to the next will open automatically. It will stay open until you are all through then seal itself permanently so that Dracaromons soldiers can't return to that world. Here, I'll open the first portal for you."

With that he raised his arms and a glowing blue portal (like the one in Sliders) appeared.

"Good luck on your adventure." Said Takato.

"And you on yours." I replied.

With that my friends and I dove into the portal. The trip was much like 'sliding' from the Sliders TV show. The only difference was that it tickled a little.

"That feels good." I muttered.

That's when I crashed face first onto a hard surface. My last coherent thought before I passed out was, "'Good feeling's gone." From the movie, "Finding Nemo."

Coming Soon: Pizza Pandemonium