labyrinth 3.html Disclaimer: I told you! I don't own Digimon/the movie it's based on!

Lawyer: And which movie is it?

Sore wa himitsu desu. So there.

Lawyer: O.o Er, I'm sorry, that doesn't count, so I'll have to make you pay--

*glares*

Lawyer:...... some other time. Heh!

Mew: -_- On with the story already? Please?

Okay! And thanks so much for reviewing! I feel special. ^_^


A MAZE OF DIGIMON
by Ryuko DragonHalf

The trees towered over anyone who dared approach. Their leaves rustled gently in the wind, but the noise they made seemed to have an evil tone to it. The trunks were thick and near-black. It was impossible to see through the twisted mass of twigs and branches. Overall, it was pretty menacing.

"Hoo boy.." mumbled Miyako. Her neck craned backward to search for the tops of the trees, with little success. This would not be an easy job. Heck, just getting in was proving to be a challenge! "Stupid Kaiser doesn't even put in a door! This isn't fair!" she shouted to the silent trees.

She huffed and walked further down the perimeter of the forest. None of the trees had any gaps her size. Miyako considered digging under the roots, but that would be too time consuming. The thirteen hours wouldn't wait. Neither would the Kaiser.

The girl was about to look for an axe when she spotted something up ahead. It was hovering over the trees, turning this way and that. Its tiny wings beat frantically to keep its round body from plummeting. It suddenly paused, then dove toward the ground outside the forest. Its clawed feet were pulled forward and landed roughly on the dirt, as if stomping on a bug. It gave a cry of victory. "Yeah, that'll show ya!" The voice reminded Miyako of Veemon, only without that lisp. The creature turned and spotted a small puddle of water. It eagerly hobbled forward on its small legs and began slurping up the liquid greedily.

Miyako thought about calling to the Digimon, but remembered that it had come from the forest. It had to be one of the Kaiser's. She regretted wasting those few minutes and quietly moved on, so as not to attract the stranger. Unfortunately, her injury chose that moment to sting once more. "Argh! I hate this!" she whimpered.

The Digimon stopped drinking and turned. It saw the young girl crouching and examining her injured leg. With a flap of its wings, it landed beside her. "Hey sis, what're ya doing here?"

"AH! Um, well, I..." She took a good look at this bowling ball with bat wings. His yellow eyes were full of mischief and a toothy grin was showing from below a blue stitched mask. A small skull picture rested on his forehead. His claws were large and red. He somehow didn't seem too dangerous. So she fessed up. "I have to get to the Kaiser and rescue my friend. Uh, you wouldn't happen to know where the entrance is, would you?"

The Digimon smirked. "The entrance, eh? HAH, with that leg, you wouldn't last a... oh, hang on a second." He took off and resumed stomping on the ground. "Yatta! Take that, I got more!" he shouted to the patch of dirt he trod on.

Miyako slowly eased herself up, minding her leg, and moved to the bowling ball. "What in the world are you doing?" she queried.

The Digimon looked at her, yellow orbs gleaming. "I'm disinfecting!" he replied cheerfully. He bounced away, giving Miyako a chance to study what dared infest the Kaiser's forest.

On the ground was a nearly-microscopic Pixiemon, lying in a crumpled heap.

"Oh! How could you??" Miyako cried. "I didn't think the Kaiser would order something like this!" She angrily stormed towards the Digimon, the pain in her leg now gone.

The Digimon only held up one of his legs at a time, then held out his wings. "No ring, sis. This is a freelance job, and frankly, I like it!" He chuckled maliciously. "Guess you've never heard of the almighty DemiDevimon before! All Virus types know and respect yours truly. Whaddya think of that?"

Miyako wasn't impressed. "You're just a flying bowling ball to me." She continued as DemiDevimon facefaulted. "Besides, if you're not with the Kaiser, why should I fear you? You're not on the bad guy's side."

"But I'm not on your side neither," he challenged. "So I won't help ya into the maze! Nyah!" He stuck out his tongue and stormed off a few feet, intent on finding another micro-Pixie to trample.

Miyako followed the Digimon. "You don't hafta help me. All you hafta do is show me how to get in! Kudasai?" she asked, using her most sincere and innocent voice. She was pleased with herself when DemiDevimon turned...

And gave her the trademark anime-tongue-eyelid-nyah face. She fumed and charged at him, quickly abandoning the nice facade. "YOU SHOW ME HOW TO GET IN OR I'LL PLUCK EVERY LAST FEATHER FROM YOU!!!!!!" she bellowed, grabbing his stubby legs and shaking him. She was not in the mood to argue or be beaten down. Hawkmon needed her!

"Wagh-wagh-wagh-wagh-wagh-whoa-KAY-al-reh-dee-put-me-down!!" cried DemiDevimon, his words accentuated with every shake. Just as he requested, he was dropped uncerimoniously onto the ground. He decided that he wouldn't like this Child very much, but he would show her the way. If only to avoid her temper again.

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The Kaiser had seen the whole thing. He was fighting back tears as he laughed at DemiDevimon's poor fortune. That Child had spirit, he had to admit! She certainly was fun to toy with.

"Once again, another Digimon's ill gives you joy. I'm disgusted!" a voice called out from the darkness. It belonged to Hawkmon, who was dangling in a small cage, cradling his broken wing. He wanted to cease the Kaiser's laughter; it made him sick, even if it was a Virus type. At least his comment stopped his shoulders from heaving in joy.

The boy turned in his chair to give his prisoner a look. "Yes, I find it quite satisfying, don't you? Besides, this is nothing compared to what I have in store for her." He let out a low chuckle.

"Why are you doing this?" asked Hawkmon. "Why are you taking advantage of her helplessness? Answer me!"

"I saw you. When I flew in to capture you, I heard what she said. She wished you would disappear, and I've given her just that. Wishes should come true, shouldn't they?" The bird Digimon noticed that his face took on an odd look. It was one of... pain. The pain of remembering something. Hawkmon was about to speak his mind again, when the Kaiser's head snapped up again. "Wormmon!"

There was a faint skitter as the bug Digimon hurried in. "Yes Master?" he asked timidly.

"What about the Dream Spheres? Are they in working order?" he demanded.

"Hai. It requires the subject to eat a specific fruit, so that it can home in on the subject and take full effect. It sends the subject into a trance, allowing us to do whatever we want with them. They won't respond to any outside stimuli as long as they dream."

"Hah! Excellent!" the Kaiser cheered. "Speed up production. Make as many of those as possible. They will come in handy during this little escapade." He laughed again, sending more chills up Hawkmon's spine.

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Miyako had no idea how long she had walked in the maze. It was at least half an hour since the rude bowling ball had shown her a disguised gap in the trees and left her to her own devices. She had asked which way she should go, to which he replied, "Whichever way leads to the fortress! Later toots!"

"I swear, if I ever see that stupid bowling ball again, it'll be too soon!" she growled. Her leg was aching, her Digimon was missing, and the Kaiser had dropped her in a maze as if she was a lab rat. Needless to say, she was in a bad mood. "And to think, I wouldn't be like this if only he wasn't such a cutie. Oh man..." She held her head, trying to rid herself of the affectionate thoughts threatening to overtake her emotions. Why was he, of all people, having this effect on her?

It was a question she would have to answer later, since she had finally found a turn in the path. Remembering her mission, she walked on.

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Ack, short chap! My bad, vewwy bad. Dumb finals coming up... T_T Anyhoos, fill out that lil' boxie at the bottom there while I go deal with some lawyers and a smart-mouth Mewse.

Mew: What, am I not allowed to comment on your sorry writing skills?

Only if they're good.

Mew: Dangit, I'm dead....