labyrinth2.html You guys really like my fic? *high pitched* Reeeeally?? ^^

Disclaimer: For every freakin' chap? Must I-- *sees lawyers glaring through her window* Ah. Um, I don't own Digimon or the movie it's based on, some other rich peeps do. Now get away from my window! PEEPING TOMS!! *bangbangbang*

Mew: *pops in* Ryuko's currently in the middle of something, so go ahead and read the fic. She'll be along shortly. ^_^


A MAZE OF DIGIMON
by Ryuko DragonHalf


"Miyako, remind me again why we're here?" Hawkmon demanded.

The girl with the purple hair huffed and gave her Digimon partner a LOOK. "I'm going to go tell that Kaiser off right now! I have to do it now before my brain explodes, okay?" She gave a small annoyed growl and resumed marching on.

The bird shrugged. "I just thought we could us the others to watch our backs, that's all," he said to the human's back.

"That's what you're here for, remember?" Miyako reminded Hawkmon.

"But what if he sees us and sends a whole army after us? I won't be able to protect us against them all!"

"We'll fight him, no problem. I have confidence in you."

"But, Miyako--"

"SHUT UP!!" the girl suddenly yelled as she spun to face him. Hawkmon reeled, eyes wide in shock. "Listen, I don't need you telling me to go home! That makes this whole ordeal harder! If you're such a big, brown, Digi-Chicken, YOU go back!!"

"Miyako, I'm only trying to look out for you!" he protested.

"Well, it's getting on my nerves!"

It was Hawkmon's turn to frown. "Now see here. It's dangerous in the Digital World for a human to be walking in alone! Yes, I know I'm with you, but I may not be able to hold off several Airdramon all at once. I suggest we go back, get the others, then come here for a showdown."

Miyako folded her arms stubbornly across her chest. "I told you before, I'm doing this without anyone's help. And you know what? I probably don't even need your help!" she declared in a fit of rage.

"Oh, you don't mean that," Hawkmon nervously chuckled. "Er... do you?" He looked her in the eye. Waves of confused emotions swirled and flickered across her golden brown eyes. He was entranced by them, wanted to understand each one and help his partner out. But she wouldn't have any of it.

"Hawkmon, stay here. I'm doing this alone." She started to walk towards the Kaiser's base, ignoring her friend's protests. The forest was a ways off still, but Miyako only stared at the dirt path. She silently worked out a plan as her feet moved.

Okay, so what do I do when I get there? Do I barge in and grab him by the collar? No, wait at the door with a box of Girl Guide cookies and ask for a donation. DUH! I'll have to catch him by surprise...

A sound behind her turned her attention away from her plans. Miyako stopped. There was a rhythmic, crunching sound nearby. Like footsteps. Someone was following her! Eyes widening and senses sharper than ever, she froze and tried to identify her intruder. The footsteps were light and small; it must be a Digimon. The steps began to slow. Was it going to attack her? It stopped as well. Probably crouching and ready to pounce! Summoning her last ounce of courage, she turned and faced her enemy with a shout. "AAAAA!!"

"AAAAAAAA!!' Hawkmon screamed back. He fell onto his tail feathers, panting and clutching at his chest. He gave Miyako a pained look. "M-My, what a loud scream you have..."

"Wha-- Hawkmon! I thought I told you to stay behind!"

"I may be your partner, but I don't have to listen to orders."

Miyako was on the edge. Her frustration at herself, at the Kaiser, and at Hawkmon piled up and spilled over. "Fine, I won't order you! I'll just wish you could go away! Leave me alone!!" With that, she turned and ran ahead, shouting, "Go away! Go away! Go away!" Her voice echoed into silence.

Hawkmon was left on the path, stunned. "Miyako... what did I do?"

There wasn't any time to answer his question, because he suddenly recieved a fair sized beating. He could only make out a growl and a sinister chuckle before his world went black.

----------

Meanwhile, the young girl was mentally kicking herself for blowing up at her best friend. "He was only wanting to help. Why did I tell him off like that? Baka. Baka baka baka!" She smacked herself in the head. The guilt was added to her already jumbled mixture of emotions, making her even more upset than before. She just wanted to sit down and cry. No, that would only make her feel even worse.. if that was possible now.

"Okay, let's think clearly for a second," she began muttering. "The Kaiser has several defenses set up around his fortress, so bringing Hawkmon would have been the better choice. I'm such a moron! Well, best go back and get him." She was about to retrace her steps when she ran into someone, quite suddenly.

"Hello, Child. And what brings you to my territory?"

Miyako's heart gave a huge leap and landed in her mouth. He had appeared seemingly out of nowhere, catching her by surprise and making her forget the speech she had worked so hard on. Nothing left her lips because her heart was in the way.

"Speechless, are you? I do tend to have that effect on people," he remarked casually. Then his voice took on a menacing tone. "Why are you intruding? Tell me now."

"Ah..." came the strangled reply. The poor girl was still in shock. It took a deadly glare and a step forward from the boy to snap her out of it. "Eep! Um, I-I was looking for Hawkmon, that's all! Heh heh, no plans to attack today, nossir! Just looking for my friend!" she babbled.

The Kaiser smirked, making Miyako very uneasy. She figured he would attack now that she was defenseless. She braced herself for whatever blast would come her way. However, the boy had other plans.

"You mean this pathetic lump?" He waved his arm and gestured behind him, revealing a rather large Airdramon, growling triumphantly with the familiar ring around its neck. She wasn't quite sure why this monster would be considered a pathetic lump, until she had a closer look at the limp form dangling from its mouth.

"Omigosh, Hawkmon!!" she cried. Her partner was unconscious and being held by one wing, which was now bent out of shape. Immediately, she ran towards the dragon who would dare harm her friend. The Kaiser, however, would't make this a simple task. He pulled out his trusty whip and gave the girl a good lash on her calf. He enjoyed hearing her cry out in pain and trip. It was delicious.

He wound up the whip and spoke sternly. "I could finish the both of you off right here, right now. But that would be too boring and easy."

Miyako looked up from examining her injury and sent her best glare, which the boy ignored.

"I'd rather have some fun with you first. So here is my proposal, Child. If you can make it through this forest, full of Digimon at my command, to my fortress, I will release your worthless excuse for a Digimon."

The Child of Love and Purity blinked. Then she smiled. Then she giggled. It soon became an all-out laugh-fest for her, and she was wiping tears from her eyes. It made the evil Kaiser confused.

"Wh-What are you laughing about??" he demanded.

"HAHAHA!! Oh, I'm s-sorry," she gasped between chuckles. "I just thought you.. hee hee... being an evil genius and all, ha ha ha.... you could come up with something better than that! WAHAHAHAHAAAA!!" The fact that his face was becoming a lovely shade of red served to make her laughs come faster and louder.

"I'm not finished!!" he roared. Her laughter stopped immediately, thank goodness, and she looked at him with curiousity. He was literally fuming. "You must pay for your insolence! For that, I'm giving you a time limit. Thirteen hours Digital Time. If you fail to make it on time, I will not hesitate to custom-fit a Dark Ring for your friend!"

She scoffed, unphased by the Kaiser's threat.. "Thirteen hours, ne? That'll be easy! I'm a fairly good runner and-- itai!" She tried to stand, but nearly fell again when the cut on her leg flared up. Just how deep was it?

"Easy, she says. Just wait until you see my army's forest." With a sinister smile, he leaped up over Miyako's head and landed gracefully on his Airdramon. "Remember Child. Thirteen hours, and your precious birdbrain will be mine... forever!" His laughter was more evil than Miyako's, and rang loudly in the open wilderness as the Airdramon took off. It held poor Hawkmon securely, who still hadn't woken up yet. They disappeared into the clouds, towards the Kaiser's fortress.

"Hmph! Dumb guy thinks I can't do it," she muttered, regaining her balance. "Well, I can just show him what for when I get there. And I'll give him my little lecture to boot!" She turned and resumed limping down the path.

It was about five minutes later when Miyako looked around to see how far she had come. Hey, not bad! The forest itself is huge, but I can make out a few paths going through the trees already! Maybe I can spot the one that leads straight to... uh.... She squinted and moved closer. Now there weren't just a few paths. There were dozens. Hundreds, maybe even thousands, cut through the forest and went every which way possible! And seated smack dab in the middle was the fortress. Without Hawkmon this would be a bit harder than she originally thought.

"That's great. Juuuust peachy! Figures he'd add a few twists to his crazy plan. Didn't think he'd do it literally." She sighed, wondering suddenly if thirteen hours would be enough. If she could make it past the Digimon. If she would ever see Hawkmon fighting on her side anymore. "NO! Don't go there, Inoue!" she scolded herself. "You have a friend to rescue and an evil cute guy to beat. Standing around moping won't help. C'mon, feet. Let's do this." And she stubbornly marched on.

She stumbled.

"Itaiii.. doggone leg!"

----------

*dragging a lawyer's body behind her* So what'd I miss, my "Mewse"?

Mew: Ha ha. Well, they finished this part of the fic.

They made it to the end?? Whoa! What are they doing now?

Mew: Giving you funny looks.

^^" So I have a temper, so sue me... and don't you answer that! *kicks aforementioned lawyer* Please R&R!

Next time: Miyako enters the maze and makes a new friend!