The Lost

Writer's note: This is my first WOY fic, but definitely not my first fic. After seeing The Toddler (loved that ep!), I really wanted to write something where Wander and Sylvia had to be parents. Darcy is modeled after the little girl in The Nice Guy. She was too cute to not use! But in this fic, she has never met our traveling duo. Enjoy!


"Where is everybody?" Sylvia's voice echoed off the buildings of the empty town. Hurtle Gurgle was a nice little town on a planet filled with beautiful rivers and streams and waterfalls. It was a very popular tourist destination, but now it appeared to be a ghost town.

"Maybe they had to evacuate again because of flooding," Wander suggested, peeking into a barrel filled with rain water, smiling at the tiny bugs performing a swim spectacular.

Sylvia peered around, shaking her head. "I don't think so, buddy. There's no evidence of a flood. The buildings are perfectly clean and the road as dry as a galactic ball sandpit."

Wander planted hands on hips. "I guess we won't be getting supplies here."

"Yeah," Sylvia agreed, walking over to her best friend. "C'mon, pal, let's get outta here." He hopped onto her saddle, but just as they were about to orble out of there, a sad little whimper echoed off the buildings.

Sylvia froze, eyes shifting back and forth searching for where the pitiful noise came from, muttering "Maybe someone is here."

"Hello?" Wander called out, sliding off her back. "Anybody there?"

They both stared wide-eyed as a little girl peeked around a tall garbage can. Green skinned with two antennas poking out her brown hair, she looked like most of the citizens of the planet. The first thing Sylvia noticed was the little girl's large eyes were wet and she wore the saddest expression she'd ever seen.

"Hello there, little darling," Wander greeted with an ever-friendly smile as he strolled over to her. He bent over, placing both hands on his knees to be eye level with her. "Name's Wander and this here is my best pal, Sylvia."

The little girl sniffled. Wander produced a handkerchief from under his hat, handing it to her. "I'm Darcy."

"Where is everybody, Darcy?" Sylvia asked, joining them.

"Gone," was her reply and one simple word never sounded so heart wrenching. "Lord Hater came and boarded everyone on a ship to relocate. My parents hid me," she sniffled again as tears welled up in her eyes, "and now I'm all alone." At the last word, she began crying in her little hands.

Wander glanced over at Sylvia, complete shock on his face. He stepped over to Darcy, wrapping her in a comforting hug.

"That flarf nardling tyrant!" Sylvia steamed.

"He's never relocated people before," Wander squeaked, confusion in his voice.

"I wonder what he's up to."

"Well, we need to go ask 'im."

Sylvia balked. "Are you crazy?! We're not going to go find Hater and ask him politely why he up and removed every person from this town!"

"But it may be the only way to find Darcy's folks," Wander added, patting the little girl's back as her tears calmed.

"You're gonna find my mom and dad?" Darcy asked, lifting her head from Wander's shoulder as a small smile replaced her quivering lip.

Wander punched downward, enthusiastically. "We sure are!"

Sylvia growled. She knew this was coming. Wander helped or adopted every single stray they came across. By now, Sylvia barely even fought the fact. It was something she called 'wander inevitable'. "Wander, where are we gonna leave this kid while we're going on this big search for her parents?"

"She's staying with us!" Wander answered, pulling Darcy by the shoulder against him.

"She's what? There's no stinkin' way we're having a kid traveling with us!"

"Awww, Sylvia! It'll be fun! How can you turn down this little face?"

Darcy's eyes seemed to grow wider as she gazed up at the zbornaik. Sylvia groaned, knowing she was beat. She was becoming way too soft after all the years traveling with the friendliest person in the universe. "Okay," she grumbled, and went rigid as the girl attacked her with a fierce hug.

"Thank you! I promise I won't be any trouble!"

"Uh..no problem, kiddo." Sylvia awkwardly patted the little girl's head. She glanced over at Wander, who was about to explode from joy. She gently pushed Darcy away. "Now let's blow this popsicle stand. We still need to find supplies."

Wander hopped into the saddle again, reaching a hand down for Darcy to take. With the little girl secure in front of him, they orbled out of there. Sylvia groaned again as she heard Wander tell their new travel companion, "You can call us Uncle Wander and Aunt Sylvia."