Love Has No Boundaries
~Part Two: A Test of Courage~
Rain fell in small bursts off and on through the night, but it was the warm kind that tickles one's skin gently. Now sunlight was trying to peer through patchy clouds, bright shafts of light penetrating the darkness and heating the cool ground. Morning dew dripped off every blade of grass, and the meadow was alive with the hurried activity of bees and hummingbirds as they darted from one gaudy flower to another. Gatomon breathed a sigh of contentment, rubbing her paws along the staff she carried. The bright metal gleamed, the wood shone, and Gatomon felt that much closer to the end of her quest.
"It's been three days since I started. I hope Kari hasn't gotten too upset by now," she said to no one in particular, stretching stiff limbs. It was odd to Gatomon that she had seen no other travelers at all, not one friendly face to give her any direction. She smiled a little, knowing what some of the others would say if she asked for their help. Tentomon would launch into a whole lecture, explaining latitude and longitude and charting things by the position of the sun. Agumon would plow on ahead boldly, not mattering where the road would lead. Biyomon wouldn't go anywhere unless the others thought it safe as well.
"And Wizardmon would tell me to let my heart lead," she murmured.
Suddenly the ground around her trembled, and the meadow became deathly silent. It was though the entire area was afraid of whatever caused the earth to heave so violently. Gatomon looked around, trying to find what caused the ground to shake. There was nothing visible, until a beacon of light shot up from the ground about a mile from where she stood, in the middle of the meadow.
Gatomon gasped and started running towards it. "Maybe that's where I need to go!" She moved quickly through the tall expanse of grass, her white fur contrasting against the golden stalks. Out of breath and exhausted, she fell to her knees in front of the beacon and stared at it in awe.
The source of the light was a slab of stone about a foot thick and two feet in diameter. Emblazoned on the stone was a symbol etched in gold and shining brilliantly. Gatomon peered at the symbol and instantly recognized it.
"The Crest of Courage!"
The wind hissed in a low voice like dry leaves tossing in an autumn breeze.
"Nine tests of loyalty you must take before your loved one you can wake."
"Huh?" Gatomon murmured, not understanding the words the cold air spoke. Suddenly the world started spinning violently, and the motion made Gatomon ill. Blackness closed around her, and in the dark she blindly called out.
"Wizardmon, help me!"
~*~
The black void stretched on endlessly, cold and barren. Light seemed to be forbidden in this place devoid of all color and life. Gatomon lifted her head weakly, her head still spinning as the ground had done just moments before. But something was definitely wrong here, and it was a something that terrified Gatomon.
"Wizardmon's staff! Oh, oh, I can't find it! If anything's happened to it I'll never forgive myself!"
A deep, throaty laugh penetrated the inky blackness that smothered Gatomon. She knew that laugh and despised it with all her heart and soul.
"Hello, Gatomon. Are you looking for something?" it asked. A gloved hand reached out of the abyss, clutching the staff tightly.
"Give me that, it's mine!"
"Oh really?" the voice taunted. "I don't seem to remember this in your weak little paws, Gatomon. Yes, this belonged to that pathetic friend of yours. The one you were too afraid to save."
"What do you mean?" Gatomon asked warily.
"Yes, you know it's true. You could have saved that wizard fellow, but you were too afraid to face your fears. You just sat back and let him get himself killed so you didn't have to get your hands dirty. You're a coward, Gatomon, a worthless coward."
Gatomon shrank back, fearing the voice of her old master might be right. But there was another voice echoing behind this one, much fainter, but still audible.
"Gather your courage!"
That's what Agumon once told Tai. And that beacon, the Crest of Courage…this is a test of courage!
"You don't scare me. I'm not going to allow you to manipulate me like you did in the past. I am not your servant, and I am no coward! Wizardmon's death was not my fault, nor will it ever be my fault! You have no power over me, Myotismon, now give me that staff!"
Suddenly the room exploded with light, the blackness dissolving into minute fragments that blew away into dust. The staff flew across the room, and Gatomon grabbed it, hugging it tightly.
"In Courage you did plainly succeed, but eight more wisdoms you will need," a new voice recited.
"Eight wisdoms?" Gatomon repeated.
"One less test you have to take before your loved one you can wake."
"Hey, I don't do well with puzzles! Speak in English!"
There was no reply, but suddenly the room spun again, and once again Gatomon was hurled into darkness.
~*~
The sun was shining its last golden rays over the valley as the sky burst into brilliant colors. Gatomon smiled, lying on her back and watching as the first stars blinked into sight. She had passed the first of what would be many challenges.
But every one shall bring you closer to me, Wizardmon.
She ran her paws over the staff, and felt a little mark she had never felt before. Near the top of the staff handle was a carving of the Crest of Courage.
Is this the first Wisdom?
She contemplated who the mysterious voice belonged to, and what she would have to do to bring Wizardmon back, until her eyelids drooped and she fell into a deep sleep. She could almost feel his gloved hand gently caressing her cheek.
~*~
A/N: Will Gatomon discover the secret of the Wisdoms? Find out in Part Three!