One moment I was asleep, in the next, I stood somewhere unfamiliar. Below me, solid sand stone, dust blowing in every direction. Unusual mountains erected out of the ground below, some growing ever taller and others retreating  like pistons in a machine. Some structures that appeared artificial floated despite a lack of visible propulsion, they were diamond shaped and made of brick like the pyramids. 

Within the dust a shadow materialized until it suddenly became clear, and the dust disappeared. What stood just ten yards away was unbelievable, a Guilmon. Digimon were just characters in anime and pictures on cards, right? What was one doing straight ahead of me? Actually, I had no clue where I was, nothing looked familiar other than the digital monster. Something was wrong, though, it wasn't an ordinary Guilmon, the digital hazard sign on one's chest was a dead giveaway, but this one's chest was completely clear. Then I remembered something, 'X-Antibody' digimon, the Guilmon X had no digital hazard on its torso. Another sign were its sharper looking features, larger bat-wing ears, and lack of exposed teeth.

Sharp predatory, yellow eyes stared back. They were analytical, searching for something, perhaps a weak spot or a sign of fear; I wasn't going to give the digital dinosaur that if that was its intention. A low growl split the air like a knife through butter, where I realized just how silent everything else seemed to be.

"Human..." A gravely, mature sounding male voice started. "You do not cower in the face of danger, do you have what it takes to protect yourself?" It asked calmly despite looking as if it could very well lash out at a moment's notice.

"Protect myself? What are your intentions?" 

"To test you, human. One must join me in battle, and to do so is to test your strength and resolve. You are the first to stand up to me, but will you retreat in fear or trod the path of destiny?" It cryptically explained, never blinking or looking away, continuously studying my every reaction.

"And if I don't want to?"

"Then begone back to your Earth! I will not tolerate my time being wasted. Hundreds have done so before, stalling or screaming in fear! Make up your mind!" Steam seemed to seep from its mouth in displeasure at my indecisive question, its pupils constricting tighter into pinpricks.

This was just a dream right? None of this was real, right? Something didn't sit right with me but a feeling deep down told, no, screamed to accept the challenge. Normally I wasn't the type of guy to just fight other people, but this was a digimon asking me to fight it. Maybe this wasn't real, but it could also be a once in a lifetime thing.

"Ok Guilmon, let's see how well you dance." A look of surprise filled its reptilian features, the look of seething anger seemed to take a complete one-eighty, an ear splitting grin taking its place. A curious but determined look filling its golden eyes.

As I took a fighting stance, I could see a red glow emanating from its mouth. 'Uh oh.'

"Fire Ball!" It roared as a sphere of red fire was spat out in my direction. Quickly side-stepping the attack, the ball of fire harmlessly passed by where I stood previously. A chuckle escaped the digimon who then prepared another, announcing the move it would use. Sidestepping once more, the attack missed again.

"A human who seems keenly aware of what I am, and my attacks. Interesting." It hissed loud enough for me to hear over the whistle of wind.

In its moment of distraction I suddenly darted towards the Guilmon as fast as my legs could carry me. I wasn't fast enough however as it announced another fire ball, I had to suddenly hit the floor to avoid getting roasted. There it stood only a few yards away now, baring its teeth, yet still grinning with glee. With a burst of energy I began another sprint, this time it didn't have enough time to prepare a counter-attack. A swift punch to its jaw felt like striking solid stone, but it had the intended effect of forcing it to stumble away with a hiss of pain.

Cursing at the sharp, throbbing pain my fist, I shook it hoping the feeling would go away. It didn't, but it felt a little better.

"First strike from a human, it's more invigorating than I thought. Hahahaha!" A deep bellowing laughter filled the air, it seemed satisfied but not quite ready to finish the battle. "Show me what else you've got~" It purred aggressively.

'Ugh, tell me this guy doesn't get off to being beaten up...' A feeling of dread filled me, but perhaps the intention was to distract as immediately it leapt from its position. There was barely enough time to react, and I certainly hadn't been paying attention. Its head plowed into my chest as pain erupted from the impacted area, being thrown several yards away and rolling. By some miracle the wind wasn't knocked out of me, but it still left me coughing while I lied on the ground, trying to recover. The rapid and growing foot steps told me the battle wasn't over, and I need to move, fast!

"Rock Breaker!" It yelled out as a claw came careening down. I rolled out of the way just in time for its fist to come down and impact the ground like a missile; the impact feeling like a small earthquake! 'That was close!' I took an opportunity of my own to quickly prepare a counterattack.

As I was still on my knees, I leaped out and tackled the digital dinosaur, landing a few feet away. Now atop it, I took both my fists and balled them together to strike. With a war cry I brought them down onto its chest, only to feel something in the way as it grunted. What I struck was one of its outstretched arms. In fear of being thrown off and losing the initiative, I started pummeling it with individual punches, trying to get one in on its face again. A few managed to find their mark, it snarled every time I managed to strike it on its nose, eye, or forehead while ignoring the pain that would erupt from my fist. The rest were successfully blocked. Before I knew it, I was thrown off in a sudden burst of strength.

I regained myself quickly and tried to continue my offensive, only to be tripped by its tail just before I could strike. Now on my back, I made the snap decision to throw my legs at the charging digimon, successfully getting in a kick to its chest, buying me enough time to recover.

Panting heavily in exertion, I stood up, my eyes remaining glued on the similarly tired digimon. It was still smiling gleefully in spite of the hits I'd managed to place as it too stood up again. Yellow dust covered its body as I was certain was mine.

"Impressive fighting, Human. Not quite the power of a fellow digimon, but you have the will of one." It complimented without a hint of sarcasm, appearing blissful after our little skirmish and relaxing its posture. "I would hope you did not just fight me, only to decline my offer, Human."

"Does that mean it's over?" I looked on skeptically, and sure enough it nodded. "Damn and here I thought I'd either end up dead or by some miracle proclaim victory over your body." It really did seem like an anti-climactic end to a fight that didn't seem quite ready to finish.

"Tch, not a chance, Human." It spat, only for its indignant frown to reverse itself. "Will you take my offer?" 

What reason did I have to do so? It's not as though I had a reason to fight it, there was just, a feeling that I should. It put on a good show but what exactly did it mean earlier? 'One must join me in battle' That seemed to imply it wanted me to fight alongside them, for what exactly?

"And what do I get out of this?"

"A loyal friend, capable partner, someone to fight alongside. Is there any reason I wouldn't be any of those things?" It made its point but that wasn't what I was looking for exactly. In fact it seemed unbothered by the fact it, probably, hid other unseen motives for this grand search.

Wait, what was it that the protagonists in the shows got when they meet their digimon? A digivice, I think, and they... would help them digivolve into stronger forms. Is that its motive?

"You want to digivolve and grow stronger, don't you?" With a look of surprise, I knew I hit a bulls-eye. Its jaw flapped freely in shock at what I had just admitted, dumbfounded by my conclusion that seemed to be so true. With a snirk and a shake of my head, I realized just how ridiculous this whole thing was. It wanted to fight me so I could be its partner, to fight other, stronger digimon and win. There was something truly pathetic, yet alluring about the whole thing. Smirking, I calmly walk up to the digimon, who still seemed frozen in shock, taking in the artificial creature more closely.

Its red and white dust covered body, black bands and symbols, the fact it was about my own height. How truly phenomenal. A determined feeling filled my mind at the prospect.

"You know what, screw it, why not eh? The name's Nick, I'll be your partner." I said while closing its maw, its eyes seeming to sparkle with wonder. Then everything seemed to catch up with it, and it grinned more widely than at the start of our battle. Yet, I was certain there'd be no more fighting, between us anyway.

"Tadashi, my name is Tadashi, Nick." It bowed with respect, or perhaps the Japanese name revealed far away cultural influence in its behavior. Either way, I gave a bow of my own in turn. "There's something waiting for you, Nick, now wake up." Its claw suddenly moved and touched my forehead. Like an illusion being shattered, the dusty landscape disappeared, replaced by the sight of my bedroom.

Was that just... a dream? Remarkably realistic if so. Something was off, though, an object was in my hand. Bringing it over, my eyes bulged, it was a digivice! 

Immediately sitting up, I inspected the device, taking in its red and white colors and black trim. It was shaped like an old phone from before I was born, the thick plastic body and small screen, only instead of a numpad there were only a few buttons and was relatively small; small enough to fit in a pocket. A band looped at its top, large enough to fit my hand through. Pressing one of the buttons, a sudden flash of light emanated from the screen as it enveloped the room. Closing my eyes, and when they opened again, it was my turn for my jaw to drop.

Standing there, was the Guilmon, Tadashi it introduced itself as.