CHAPTER 2: THE TOWN OF FIRE
The twins were staring at both screens, their eyes wide opened. The message they have just gotten was determinant, and was surely sent by Ophanimon.
-Is this the message you all got last time?- Kouichi asked. Kouji nodded.
-Almost the same- Kouji said- but I got it in my mobile phone... do you reckon that Takuya and the others got one too?-
-"We need your help once again, digidestined"- Kouichi read on the screen- I reckon they did-
The brothers remained silent for a while. To go or not to go? Both minds were synchronized in that question. A few seconds later, Kouichi sighted and Kouji cleared his throat.
-What the...- Kouji said- let's go, they need us...- Kouji said.
-I agree- Kouichi said.
Then, at the same time, they moved the mouse and pressed "Yes". The message changed in both screens: "Turn on the TV on channel 16 at midnight. Bring your cell phone. You know the way"
The twins looked at each other again.
-I'll go check if mom is asleep- Kouichi said, raising and heading to the bedroom's door.
-Take your shoes, and mine- Kouji said, looking at his socks- we'll be needing them-
-I'll be right back- Kouichi said.
The oldest twin closed very carefully his bedroom's door and headed to his mother's. He opened the door very softly, trying not to wake her up if she was asleep. Kouichi smiled. Mika Kimura was in Dreamland. Kouichi closed the door again, went downstairs and picked his shoes and Kouji's, then he went upstairs again to his bedroom.
-So?- Kouji asked, putting his mobile phone in his pocket and taking the bandana from the table to put in on.
-Mom is sleeping- Kouichi said, handing him the shoes- we're clear...-
-Okay, let's go- Kouji said- it's almost midnight-
The brothers got out almost on their toes to the living room, where the TV was. Kouji looked at the clock on the wall. Two minutes for midnight. Two minutes to go back to Digiworld. Two eternal minutes.
-Well, I suppose we'll be back in Digiwolrd- Kouichi said- we will turn ourselves into digimon again, right?-
-I hope so, Kouichi- Kouji smiled- and I hope Takuya and the others are there...-
-Less than a minute- Kouichi said, pointing the clock- turn it on now-
Kouji turned on the TV on the indicated channel. The symbol of Ophanimon appeared on the screen.
-Ophanimon!- Kouji said.
-What happened this time?- Kouichi said- why did you call us again?-
They got no answer.
-Ophanimon, answer please!- Kouji said.
As an answer, there was a huge light that made the twins lower their heads and cover their eyes. Once the light disappeared, the boys rubbed their eyes and looked around. They saw big copper boilers, and lots of strange beings happily jumping around.
-Kouji- Kouichi said- we're in Digiworld-
-Yes, we are- Kouji said- and if I'm not much mistaken, we're in the Town of Fire...- he similed- this is were I got the Spirit of Wolfmon...-
Kouichi smiled too.
-Do you think that Takuya and the others...- he started asking, but a distant voice answered his former question.
-Kouji!Kouichi!- Takuya shouted from afar, running to them waving his hand. Behind him, running to, where Tomoki, Izumi and Jumpei.
-They are here! They are here!- Tomoki shouted, almost jumping of joy.
-Hey, guys- Kouichi smiled.
-What took you so long?- Izumi asked- we thought you weren't coming...-
-We wouldn't miss it for anything- Kouji said.
Once reunited again, the six looked around again.
-We're in the Town of Fire- Takuya informed- do you remember? Here we met Bokomon and Neemon...-
-And speaking of them- Tomoki said- have you seen them?-
-Nope- Kouichi said, while Kouji shocked his head.
-We haven't, either- Takuya said- and it's very strange... Bokomon loved this place, he would go away just like that...-
-Yes, it's very weird- Jumpei said.
-We can ask someone- Tomoki said, and turned to some Pagumon- hey, Pagumon, have you seen Bokomon and Neemon?-
The Pagumon ignored him.
-Leave it, Tomoki- Jumpei said, crossing his arms- remember that Pagumon are very rude... they'll never help us-
-Maybe the Poyomon can help us- Takuya said- hey, Poyomon, have you seen Neemon or Bokomon?-
-We haven't seen them, Poyo- one of them answered.
-They left the town long ago, Poyo- another one said- they were tired of this place, Poyo-
-Tired?- Jumpei asked, raising an eyebrow.
-It's not possible- Izumi said, as confused as Jumpei.
-Well, thank you for your help, Poyomon- Takuya said.
-If we were you, we wouldn't look for them around here, Poyo- another Poyomon added- I believe they are far, far away from here...-
-Thanks- Takuya said, and the Poyomon went away. Takuya looked at his friend- what should we do?-
They thought about it for a few seconds.
-We should go to the Terminal of the Woods, to Seraphimon's castle- Kouji said- it's the nearest place we can go, and he can tell us why we are here or at least help us to reach Ophanimon- he added taking out his mobile phone- as these won't help us-
The other five nodded, and they all started to walk to the woods. Some Pagumon were watching them as they got out of the Town of Fire.
-Those humans are walking free- one of the Pagumon said once they were far away inside the woods- and they seem to know the place...-
-And they know Bokomon and Neemon- said other Pagumon.
-And they're going to the Terminal of the Woods- said the third one.
Let's go to the boss, he'll know what to do- added another one- he'll be very pleased with the information...-
The four Pagumon went jumping to the underground cave in the Town of Fire, in the same place where Kouji got his Spirit of Wolfmon. Hidden in the shadows, sitting in a chair, there was a human-sized digimon. He looked at the four Pagumon.
-Boss, we have good news- one of the Pagumon said- there are six human kids walking freely from this town to the Terminal of the Woods-
-They were looking for Bokomon and Neemon- said another one.
-Well, well- the digimon smiled- LordKnightmon will be very happy to know this-
The digimon got up and headed to the exit. The Pagumon followed him.
-Lord Leomon- a Pagumon asked- what will we do?-
-Don't let them get out of your sight at any time. I'll arrange everything...- Leomon said. The Pagumon got out to follow the kids.
-Six human kids- Leomon murmured- that is good news... very good news-
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
It was almost nightfall, and the six kids were still walking on the road they knew very well.
-Are you sure it's this way?- Kouichi asked, as he had never crossed those woods before.
-Very sure- Takuya said.
-Can't we find a Trailmon to take us?- Tomoki asked- my feet hurt a lot...-
-We haven't seen a single Trailmon since we arrived- Takuya said- and that is very strange... last time there was one almost every five minutes...-
-Maybe that was because all digimon were running away from their regions, Takuya, and the Trailmon had to come and go- Jumpei said- it's normal now that it seems to be very little movement...-
Izumi and Tomoki were satisfied with that explanation.
-Yes, that makes sense- Izumi said- why should they travel now?-
-Well, maybe you're right- Takuya said. Kouji crossed his arms and shook his head lightly, but only his twin noticed it.
-What happened?- Kouichi said.
-All this is very weird- Kouji muttered- Bokomon and Neemon are not home, Trailmon are not crossing and all this... quietness, it's not normal-
-I thought about it, too- Kouichi said- I don't know why, but I'm under the impression that we're being watched...-
-Yes, I noticed it too- Kouji said.
-Look there, Kouji- Kouichi said, suddenly pointing to a nearby tree. Kouji looked, and managed to see something gray- I think it's a Pagumon. Maybe it just wants to steal a chocolate from Jumpei while we're asleep...-
-Seems to be...- Kouji said- and I hope it's that-
-I'm tired!- Tomoki said- I want to rest!-
-Me too!- Izumi said, sitting on a rock and taking off her shoes- I can't walk another step...-
-They are right- Takuya said- we should rest...-
Kouji frowned.
-Takuya, this place isn't safe for us to stay- the youngest twin said.
-Why do you say that?- Takuya asked- I can see noting wrong if we stay...-
Kouji stepped forward, to be exactly next to Takuya.
-My brother and I think we're being followed- Kouji said in a very low voice, just for Takuya to listen- Kouichi saw a Pagumon, and I saw part of it too...-
-A Pagumon alone is harmless- Takuya said.
-I know- Kouji said- and I also know that Pagumon are never alone... there must be more around-
-Kouji, you sound as if you were afraid of Pagumon- Takuya said, raising an eyebrow and doubting of his friend's courage.
-Takuya, remember that this time we don't have Digivices or Spirits with us- Kouji said- we can't evolve... and they can be dangerous now...-
Takuya frowned. Kouji was right. Without the power to evolve, any digimon was a very serious threat to them. Kouji was not only brave, but also prudent.
-Okay, you're right- Takuya said- but the others can't keep walking, and the woods are dangerous at night... do you remember a place were we can stay safely?-
Kouji thought about it.
-The TV woods- Kouji said- or the Numemon village...-
-Those are very far away from here- Takuya said- we'll never make it...- Kouji frowned.
-Okay- Kouji said- wait for me here, I'll go to look for some place to stay nearby...-
-We'll wait- Takuya said.
-Wait, Kouji, I'll go with you- Kouichi said, following his brother. The twins walked inside the woods.
-Why is Kouji so mistrusting?- Jumpei asked.
-He and Kouichi saw a digimon following us- Takuya said- he's right. It's better to be careful now that we don't have our Spirits with us...-
-As if digimon were dangerous- Jumpei said, crossing his arms. Takuya scratched his head.
-Please stop criticizing Kouji, Jumpei- Izumi said- at least he worries and takes care of us, doesn't he?-
-Yes- Tomoki said- even though he worries a lot...-
-As you wish- Jumpei said, sitting on the ground next to a tree- but they should hurry or I'll fall asleep...-
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
-A refuge?- Kouichi asked.
-I told you- Kouji said- I don't trust digimon, least of all Pagumon.
Kouichi stared at his twin.
-Why is that?- he asked.
-Because of Neemon and Bokomon- Kouji said- even though things seem to be quiet, I'm almost sure something is wrong... can you see anything?-
-Hardly- Kouichi said, trying to see in the growing darkness- it seems to me that there is a cave there, in front of us-
The twins got to the cave Kouichi saw. They checked it. It was alone.
-I think this will help- Kouji said afterwards- lets go get the others...-
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
-A cave?- Izumi asked.
-Yes- Kouji said- I think we'll be safer there than here...-
-Le...le...let's go!- Tomoki said in the middle of a yawn- I'm very tired...-
-I agree too- Takuya said.
-I don't- Jumpei said, without moving- I don't see why that place is better than here... it's part of the woods anyway, and if someone is following us, it'll follow us there-
Kouichi looked puzzled at Jumpei, Takuya raised his eyes and Kouji frowned.
-Well, if you don't want to come, you can stay here, Jumpei- Kouji said- it might rain and you'll get wet... and it will be easier for them to finish you off if you're alone... as when you were attacked by the Pagumon last time...-
-I'm not afraid of a little helpless Pagumon- Jumpei said- maybe it is you who are the coward-
-What did you say?- Kouji said, now very angry.
-What you just heard- Jumpei said- that you're a coward.
-Jumpei!- Izumi said.
-Stop it!- Tomoki said.
-How can you say that, Jumpei?- Takuya said, more surprised than anything else- Kouji is no coward-
Kouji was closing his hand very angrily. First Hirota had made fun of his brother and his mother, and now Jumpei was calling him coward. It was too much for one day. He was about to say something, but Kouichi stopped him, putting his hand on his brother's shoulder.
-It's not worth it, Kouji- Kouichi said- we all know he's wrong-
Kouji looked at his brother and smiled.
-You're right, Kouichi- Kouji said- I was wrong to get angry...-
Kouichi smiled at his twin. Kouji looked at the rest of the guys, and started walking toward the cave, followed by his brother.
-Let's go, guys- Takuya said, walking behind them. Izumi and Tomoki followed him. Jumpei stayed standing there for a few seconds, his arms crossed. But seconds later he changed his mind and run to get to them.
When they got to the cave, they turned on a fire, took some leaves to get more comfortable and they agreed to keep an eye around. The first turn was Takuya's. The rest of the kids went to sleep.
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
-You say there are five humans walking to the Terminal of the Woods?- a voice said.
-Yes, my lord, the Pagumon saw them, and are watching them now, just awaiting your orders...- Leomon said.
-Well done- the digimon answered- now pay attention, this is what you must do...-
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
TO BE CONTINUED...
I'm so sorry for the delay! The thing is that I was literally some thousands of miles away from my PC, as I was in an exchange program in Italy. And I'm also very sorry for the mistakes, you know that English is not my native language, and I've been speaking just Italian for a month, so I need some practice.
As I said, I apologize for these two things, and I hope you like this story so far. Thank you for reading and for your reviews!
Abby L. / Nona