Chapter 2: Help and Searching
The eyes moved towards Hikari and Tailmon and a dark form around them became more visible. It was a short figure, not much larger than Tailmon herself, and its head appeared pointed.
"Wizarmon!" Tailmon shouted cheerfully. "You're alive!"
"Of course I'm alive," Wizarmon replied sensibly, confused slightly. "You're the one who's supposed to be dead."
"D-dead?" Hikari stammered.
Wizarmon looked strangely at Hikari for a moment. "Yes," he replied. "And you should be, too."
"What? Why?"
Wizarmon was about to answer when a loud screaming noise pierced the silence. "It isn't safe here," he told them. "Come. I'll take you to my home. We'll figure everything else out there."
With that, he turned and disappeared back into the foliage. Hikari and Tailmon glanced at each other nervously. Should they accept his offer? They really knew nothing about this place. Why was Wizarmon alive? He should have been dead!
There was another piercing shriek, and both decided that staying with a digimon that was supposed to be dead was better than ending up dead yourself. Together, they crashed into the foliage in Wizarmon's wake.
***
"No, Mom, it was kind of sudden," Taichi explained to his mother. "She'll hopefully - definitely be back tomorrow night."
He slipped back into his bedroom, wiping his brow. 'Man, I thought I'd never get away,' he mumbled under his breath, relieved to be away from his mother's constant questions. He knew she worried about Hikari, but the woman's endless interrogation had gone on for a good fifteen minutes! He didn't think he'd be able to take much more.
"I'm so sick of lying to them," he mumbled under his breath. "I wish I could tell my parents the truth." He leaned up against the window and stared out at the night. "Oh little sister, I hope you're okay," he whispered. "I can't help worrying either."
***
Wizarmon led Hikari and Tailmon through the woods for a good five minutes until he finally stopped. He sped along so fast the other two had a hard time keeping up with him. Finally, with Hikari and Tailmon panting hard from the run, he stopped near a cave.
First the wizard glanced around, making sure that no one else was watching. Tailmon and Hikari also looked over their shoulders into the woods, although they weren't sure who they were watching for. They hadn't seen anyone except Wizarmon since they'd arrived. And the area appeared empty even now.
Still, precaution appeared to be necessary, and so the pointy-hat digimon surveyed the area carefully before he entered the cave. Then, he crept inside, motioning for the girls to follow. Which they did, after looking around one last time.
Outside, darkness had been approaching steadily. Inside, the cave was dim and dank. The two digimon and the human girl walked down a long corridor in single file. Wizarmon went first, of course, followed by Hikari, and then Tailmon, who insisted upon going last so she could protect Hikari. She would have liked to go first, but she didn't know the way, and so she settled for the rear.
It became darker and darker. Soon it was too dark to see, and Wizarmon took off his pointed hat and reached inside. From the recesses of his cap, he found a small battery powered flashlight, which he removed and flipped on. Tailmon and Hikari could only stare in fascination and continue to follow him to the end of the cave.
***
"Do you think Hikari and Tailmon are alright?" Iori asked Upamon as he pulled his nightshirt over his head.
"Probably," Upamon replied. His answer was slightly muffled by the sushi Iori had sneaked in for him from dinner. He was now devouring in hungrily.
"I wonder what happened today," the boy thought aloud. "It was certainly strange."
"Yeah," Upamon agreed between gulps. "I've never seen anything like it before."
Iori sighed slightly and sat down on the bed. "Well, hopefully we'll find her tomorrow when we get to the Digiworld. If we can get to the Digiworld."
"We will, Iori, don't worry," Upamon assured his partner.
"I hope you're right, Upamon," Iori responded as he turned off the light and climbed under the covers. "Well, good night Upamon."
"Good night, Iori," Upamon answered, settling down next to Iori.
***
At the end of the cave, there was a stone wall (as is at the end of most caves). Wizarmon reached forward with one hand and pushed slightly on the stone. A hidden panel was depressed and the stone began to slide out of the way. Behind was revealed another room.
"Wow," Hikari commented. They passed through the hidden wall and it closed behind them.
"I hope you'll forgive my humble abode," Wizarmon apologized as he reached for a light switch. "I've had to keep hidden, and it's rather difficult to get supplies. Especially considering there's hardly anyone to buy from."
Hikari and Tailmon both stared around the room. It was rather humble, but not too bad. The walls were, obviously, stone, and he'd apparently managed to find a decent power source considering the light bulbs embedded in the (stone) ceiling. The room was small, but not cramped. In the opposite right corner was a simple wooden structure that appeared to be a bed. In the left corner there was a small table with a few rickety chairs lying around it. To the left of the door was a low footlocker which was apparently used to store food. And in the last corner was another, slightly more comfortable looking chair and a pile of thick books. Under Hikari's feet was a semi-dingy woven rug that served as a welcome mat.
"What's happened here, Wizarmon?" Tailmon asked. "I thought you were always a traveler."
"I was," Wizarmon agreed solemnly with a slight nod of the head. "Unfortunately, traveling isn't safe now. It's much better to remain hidden."
"Why is that?" Hikari asked.
Wizarmon walked past them into the eating area and motioned to the table. After eyeing the chairs a moment to see if they would hold her, Hikari sat down. Tailmon remained standing.
"You have been gone a long time, I suppose. That would explain your ignorance. But you certainly seemed to be dead," the wizard commented, half to himself. He strolled back across the cave to the trunk and removed a few round fruits.
"How exactly did we- um - die?" Tailmon questioned.
Wizarmon looked at her as though she had two heads. "Why, the Kaiser had you executed, of course," he replied. He handed one of the fruits to Tailmon and the other to Hikari as he spoke.
"The DigiKaiser?" Hikari and Tailmon asked in unison.
"Ken? Had -," Hikari gulped. "Us - executed?"
"He wouldn't do that!" Tailmon protested. "Well, maybe once he would, but right now he's changed. I know he is. He's good now."
Hikari nodded her agreement. "And even then - I don't think he'd have us killed!"
Wizarmon shook his head. "Good? The DigiKaiser? He's the complete opposite of good!"
Tailmon and Hikari exchanged glances. "Now I know why this place seems different," Tailmon stated calmly. "It is different."
***
Patamon munched the remainder of Takeru's uneaten dinner as he watched his partner on the phone.
"I'm really confused, too," Takeru told his friend.
"I just don't understand what happened," Miyako was saying. "I really wish we didn't have to leave her - wherever she is - over night. All by herself." She hugged her knees as she spoke, already in her nightgown. Poromon sat by her side, looking up at her with worried eyes.
"Well, she'll turn up eventually," Takeru stated, trying to infuse his voice with some optimism. "And Hikari can take care of herself. I'm sure she can. You just watch. Tomorrow we'll find her and she'll be just fine."
Miyako was doubtful. "But why wouldn't she send an email?" she questioned, glancing at her useless D-Terminal. "She did the last time she got lost by herself."
"Maybe she forgot," Takeru suggested, knowing that he was really pushing it now. "Or maybe - maybe she dropped it somewhere. Or maybe it's not working. The batteries are dead or something."
Miyako snorted her disbelief.
"Okay, maybe not," Takeru relented. "But we'll find her tomorrow. It will be easier to search for her while we're in the Digital World, right?"
"Yeah, that's true," Miyako agreed. She sighed. "I guess I'd better get some sleep so we can get up in the morning and look for her. Thanks for helping me feel better, Takeru."
"No problem Miyako," Takeru replied. "Good night. See you in the morning."
"Bye Takeru," Miyako answered, hanging up the phone. Takeru hung up as well and turned to Patamon.
"I'm worried, too," he confessed to his partner.
Patamon merely nodded sympathetically. He was half asleep, stuffed with food now.
Takeru chuckled. "Good idea," he agreed, laying down beside his partner. "I'm tired too." Within a few minutes he was asleep, just like the rest of his friends.
Author's Notes: Okay, I know I left that sort of hanging. But don't worry. Wizarmon's explanation will be coming soon. Along with an explanation of where Hikari and Tailmon really are. Also, we'll find out what happens when the other Digidestined children go to the Digital World in the morning. Thanks to all those who reviewed the last part, it was really appreciated! The next chapter will be up soon.
The eyes moved towards Hikari and Tailmon and a dark form around them became more visible. It was a short figure, not much larger than Tailmon herself, and its head appeared pointed.
"Wizarmon!" Tailmon shouted cheerfully. "You're alive!"
"Of course I'm alive," Wizarmon replied sensibly, confused slightly. "You're the one who's supposed to be dead."
"D-dead?" Hikari stammered.
Wizarmon looked strangely at Hikari for a moment. "Yes," he replied. "And you should be, too."
"What? Why?"
Wizarmon was about to answer when a loud screaming noise pierced the silence. "It isn't safe here," he told them. "Come. I'll take you to my home. We'll figure everything else out there."
With that, he turned and disappeared back into the foliage. Hikari and Tailmon glanced at each other nervously. Should they accept his offer? They really knew nothing about this place. Why was Wizarmon alive? He should have been dead!
There was another piercing shriek, and both decided that staying with a digimon that was supposed to be dead was better than ending up dead yourself. Together, they crashed into the foliage in Wizarmon's wake.
***
"No, Mom, it was kind of sudden," Taichi explained to his mother. "She'll hopefully - definitely be back tomorrow night."
He slipped back into his bedroom, wiping his brow. 'Man, I thought I'd never get away,' he mumbled under his breath, relieved to be away from his mother's constant questions. He knew she worried about Hikari, but the woman's endless interrogation had gone on for a good fifteen minutes! He didn't think he'd be able to take much more.
"I'm so sick of lying to them," he mumbled under his breath. "I wish I could tell my parents the truth." He leaned up against the window and stared out at the night. "Oh little sister, I hope you're okay," he whispered. "I can't help worrying either."
***
Wizarmon led Hikari and Tailmon through the woods for a good five minutes until he finally stopped. He sped along so fast the other two had a hard time keeping up with him. Finally, with Hikari and Tailmon panting hard from the run, he stopped near a cave.
First the wizard glanced around, making sure that no one else was watching. Tailmon and Hikari also looked over their shoulders into the woods, although they weren't sure who they were watching for. They hadn't seen anyone except Wizarmon since they'd arrived. And the area appeared empty even now.
Still, precaution appeared to be necessary, and so the pointy-hat digimon surveyed the area carefully before he entered the cave. Then, he crept inside, motioning for the girls to follow. Which they did, after looking around one last time.
Outside, darkness had been approaching steadily. Inside, the cave was dim and dank. The two digimon and the human girl walked down a long corridor in single file. Wizarmon went first, of course, followed by Hikari, and then Tailmon, who insisted upon going last so she could protect Hikari. She would have liked to go first, but she didn't know the way, and so she settled for the rear.
It became darker and darker. Soon it was too dark to see, and Wizarmon took off his pointed hat and reached inside. From the recesses of his cap, he found a small battery powered flashlight, which he removed and flipped on. Tailmon and Hikari could only stare in fascination and continue to follow him to the end of the cave.
***
"Do you think Hikari and Tailmon are alright?" Iori asked Upamon as he pulled his nightshirt over his head.
"Probably," Upamon replied. His answer was slightly muffled by the sushi Iori had sneaked in for him from dinner. He was now devouring in hungrily.
"I wonder what happened today," the boy thought aloud. "It was certainly strange."
"Yeah," Upamon agreed between gulps. "I've never seen anything like it before."
Iori sighed slightly and sat down on the bed. "Well, hopefully we'll find her tomorrow when we get to the Digiworld. If we can get to the Digiworld."
"We will, Iori, don't worry," Upamon assured his partner.
"I hope you're right, Upamon," Iori responded as he turned off the light and climbed under the covers. "Well, good night Upamon."
"Good night, Iori," Upamon answered, settling down next to Iori.
***
At the end of the cave, there was a stone wall (as is at the end of most caves). Wizarmon reached forward with one hand and pushed slightly on the stone. A hidden panel was depressed and the stone began to slide out of the way. Behind was revealed another room.
"Wow," Hikari commented. They passed through the hidden wall and it closed behind them.
"I hope you'll forgive my humble abode," Wizarmon apologized as he reached for a light switch. "I've had to keep hidden, and it's rather difficult to get supplies. Especially considering there's hardly anyone to buy from."
Hikari and Tailmon both stared around the room. It was rather humble, but not too bad. The walls were, obviously, stone, and he'd apparently managed to find a decent power source considering the light bulbs embedded in the (stone) ceiling. The room was small, but not cramped. In the opposite right corner was a simple wooden structure that appeared to be a bed. In the left corner there was a small table with a few rickety chairs lying around it. To the left of the door was a low footlocker which was apparently used to store food. And in the last corner was another, slightly more comfortable looking chair and a pile of thick books. Under Hikari's feet was a semi-dingy woven rug that served as a welcome mat.
"What's happened here, Wizarmon?" Tailmon asked. "I thought you were always a traveler."
"I was," Wizarmon agreed solemnly with a slight nod of the head. "Unfortunately, traveling isn't safe now. It's much better to remain hidden."
"Why is that?" Hikari asked.
Wizarmon walked past them into the eating area and motioned to the table. After eyeing the chairs a moment to see if they would hold her, Hikari sat down. Tailmon remained standing.
"You have been gone a long time, I suppose. That would explain your ignorance. But you certainly seemed to be dead," the wizard commented, half to himself. He strolled back across the cave to the trunk and removed a few round fruits.
"How exactly did we- um - die?" Tailmon questioned.
Wizarmon looked at her as though she had two heads. "Why, the Kaiser had you executed, of course," he replied. He handed one of the fruits to Tailmon and the other to Hikari as he spoke.
"The DigiKaiser?" Hikari and Tailmon asked in unison.
"Ken? Had -," Hikari gulped. "Us - executed?"
"He wouldn't do that!" Tailmon protested. "Well, maybe once he would, but right now he's changed. I know he is. He's good now."
Hikari nodded her agreement. "And even then - I don't think he'd have us killed!"
Wizarmon shook his head. "Good? The DigiKaiser? He's the complete opposite of good!"
Tailmon and Hikari exchanged glances. "Now I know why this place seems different," Tailmon stated calmly. "It is different."
***
Patamon munched the remainder of Takeru's uneaten dinner as he watched his partner on the phone.
"I'm really confused, too," Takeru told his friend.
"I just don't understand what happened," Miyako was saying. "I really wish we didn't have to leave her - wherever she is - over night. All by herself." She hugged her knees as she spoke, already in her nightgown. Poromon sat by her side, looking up at her with worried eyes.
"Well, she'll turn up eventually," Takeru stated, trying to infuse his voice with some optimism. "And Hikari can take care of herself. I'm sure she can. You just watch. Tomorrow we'll find her and she'll be just fine."
Miyako was doubtful. "But why wouldn't she send an email?" she questioned, glancing at her useless D-Terminal. "She did the last time she got lost by herself."
"Maybe she forgot," Takeru suggested, knowing that he was really pushing it now. "Or maybe - maybe she dropped it somewhere. Or maybe it's not working. The batteries are dead or something."
Miyako snorted her disbelief.
"Okay, maybe not," Takeru relented. "But we'll find her tomorrow. It will be easier to search for her while we're in the Digital World, right?"
"Yeah, that's true," Miyako agreed. She sighed. "I guess I'd better get some sleep so we can get up in the morning and look for her. Thanks for helping me feel better, Takeru."
"No problem Miyako," Takeru replied. "Good night. See you in the morning."
"Bye Takeru," Miyako answered, hanging up the phone. Takeru hung up as well and turned to Patamon.
"I'm worried, too," he confessed to his partner.
Patamon merely nodded sympathetically. He was half asleep, stuffed with food now.
Takeru chuckled. "Good idea," he agreed, laying down beside his partner. "I'm tired too." Within a few minutes he was asleep, just like the rest of his friends.
Author's Notes: Okay, I know I left that sort of hanging. But don't worry. Wizarmon's explanation will be coming soon. Along with an explanation of where Hikari and Tailmon really are. Also, we'll find out what happens when the other Digidestined children go to the Digital World in the morning. Thanks to all those who reviewed the last part, it was really appreciated! The next chapter will be up soon.