Innocent Kiss
Chapter six part two: On how to keep going foward!

[Party three]

The maze wasn't as bad as it seemed so far, and Panda's team was making great time. However they could hear the sounds of the killer toys cutting through the walls, so they didn't let their guard down. As they scurried through the plastic corridors, Panda took the lead. About fifteen minutes into the labyrinth, some Kana noticed something odd about the floor ahead.

"Hold it!" She shouted grabbing the shoulder of the black and white builder. Everyone grouped around her to see what she wanted. "There's something strange here..." She said slowly shifting forward. Taking a roll of bandages from her pack, she tied it around her dagger's hilt and tossed the weapon on to the floor ahead. It landed blade first, breaking through the thin layer covering the hole. As the false floor crumbled away the ham-hams peered into a bottomless abyss.

"Thanks Kana. I would've been falling forever if you hadn't stopped me!" Panda exclaimed.

"Those are some quick reflexes!" Cappy complimented.

"It was nothing," The glasses wearing ham-girl shyly responded, retrieving her weapon.

"Still... " Panda began when the wall in the passage behind them broke down. Another one of the killer toys rolled into the hall, trapping them in-between it and the pit. "Penelope, stay under the pan with Cappy." He leveled his weapon when another toy emerged behind the approaching first. Panda fired, but the magical monster blocked the shot with one of its spinning saw blades. One of the toys rushed the hamsters, intending to slice them to ribbons. Kana and Panda managed to jump aside, narrowly avoiding death in the close confines. Cappy and Penelope where trapped however.

"Stay back! I'll protect you!" Cappy exclaimed. He placed his saucepan on its side, using the handle to wedge it in the path of the monster. Both he and the blanket-wearing hamster behind him used it as a shield. The metal mouse was cutting into the stainless steel sending sparks flying. Grabbing Penelope he rolled both of them out of harm's way, and then with great coordination, he fired his crossbow one handily, sending a bolt right into the machine's left eye. He kneeled into a crotch, calmly reloading and firing several more shots into it. Meanwhile, both Kana and Panda had their paws full, taking on the other aggressor. It kept on top of Panda, preventing him from firing. After it nearly took his right arm off, he found himself pinned against the wall. Holding his bleeding arm, he looked up as the machine raised its arm to strike. Suddenly Kana leapt on its back from behind, and sliding down, stabbed the dagger directly between its eyes. She was thrown clear as thrashed about. Seizing the chance, Panda fired again, this time blowing it away. The Ham-hams regrouped. Panda had a cut on his arm, and Kana had a bump on her head, but otherwise they got out all right. After Kana and Penelope patched them up, they headed through the hole in the wall, going deeper in the maze

"Ookyoo!" Penelope exclaimed cheerfully hugging Cappy who blushed lightly.

"Your welcome... I guess..." Cappy responded. The youngest ham-ham held on to his paw as they followed Panda and Kana. (Boss, you should have seen me... I'd bet you'd be proud.) He looked over to Penelope who didn't seem to be scared anymore. (I wonder...) He thought. She glanced back over to him and he turned away blushing lightly again.

"Pssst... Panda. Look behind us," Kana whispered giggling. He looked back concerned, at first, and then he noticed what she was telling him about. Cappy was currently looking at the ceiling, blushing while Penelope was leaning against his side, walking with her eyes closed and with a cheerful smile.

Panda smiled and shook his head. "Don't say anything. They're both shy and might not have the courage to say anything if we tease them."

"Ok. I got it. Still, it is quite cute!" Kana whispered back. Panda nodded just as they reached the center of the maze. There were six paths to chose from, and they could hear the machines closing in. "Ok, now what?"

"Ookwee?" Penelope suggested pointing at one hallway. Kana was going to ask why that way, when out of the other five tunnels, more of the killer toys emerged. The Ham-hams broke into a run, with Kana carrying Penelope, and Panda and Cappy providing cover fire. Both of the boy hams emptied their weapons into the horde behind them.

"I had to say this... but how are we going to get out of this mess? I'm running low on arrows!" Cappy exclaimed, shooting another toy in the head.

"Just keep running! We should be close to the end now!" Panda answered as he reloaded mid-stride. He turned, and bracing his wounded arm, fired all six shots into the toys behind them. The bodies of the fallen stalled the evil creatures, but they quickly begin to cut through them. The master builder and his cap-wearing friend raced off not wanting to see when that would happen. They caught up to the other two members of their party, who had stopped to wait for them.

"I think Penelope knows how to get out," Kana commented. The youngest member of their group was hoping up and down, pointing in one direction.

-Hif-Hif- "I can smell fresh air! Good work!" Panda praised. The young ham-girl beamed, then raced off, leading the others. Behind them the toys cleared the way with a crash, and the chase continued.

[Party two]

"Let's like, show them who's totally the boss!" Sandy exclaimed. She whipped her ribbon forward wrapping around one of the clay soldier's heads. And with a jerk, slammed it head first into the ground, shattering it.

"Oh Yeah!" Howdy yelled, firing arrow after arrow, into the ranks that charged them. Each shot passed through the attacking clay hams, breaking limbs and shattering torsos. Stan was really mixing it up. He pole-vaulted into a group holding hand-axes and holding his staff horizontally across his back span around knocking them down.

"Oh dear, this isn't good. We're greatly out numbered!" Maxwell said parrying a slash from a stone sword. He expertly lashed out, and shattered the wrist of the clay ham attacking him. Whipping the other end of his staff around, he broke its jaw, sending it crashing to the ground. He dodged a thrust form an earthen spear, and with a double-pawed strike, snapped the weapon in two. A solider sneaked up to his back and was going to club him with a rock mace, when one of its comrades was flung into it, crumbling them both. Sandy gracefully flipped over the heads of her attackers and landed near where she tossed the clay ham. Spinning around, her ribbon flashed out, tripping and throwing her enemies. Using the grace and strength that came from years of rhythm gymnastics, she was seemingly untouchable as she danced between the clumsy soldiers. Her bother soon joined her, and matched her style with his. Years of athletics and dancing gave him power and style, and the twin hamsters became a deadly hurricane, crushing anyone who came within striking distance.

"So sis, I guess they are learning why no one messes with us," Stan said with a smirk.

"Yes, no one can beat us when we work together!" She answered while smashing the face of a soldier with the end of her ribbon. Maxwell was a force to be feared as well. The book-loving hamster stayed calm and collected, anticipating his enemies' moves then countering them. Making full use of his knowledge, he was ten steps ahead of the mindless mob. His staff was held steady, only moving in a blur to strike. While Howdy didn't have the twins' dynamics, or Maxwell's skill, he made up for it in sheer wildness.

"Look out! There's one crazy son of a ham coming through!" he yelled. He was literally bouncing off the walls. The tan and white hamster fired arrow after arrow, and when someone got close, he used them as stabbing instruments. At one point Maxwell though he saw him run along the wall shooting, before jumping down and tripping someone, and then drilling them in the face at point blank range. Still, do to the sheer numbers facing them they began to grow tired and received some injuries

Realizing this, Maxwell shouted over the melee, "Group together! We have to break away from them!" The others acknowledged his order and after ten more minutes the Ham-hams had forced their way through the mob and were tearing down the hall. Howdy had the most injures since he was being reckless, but because of the adrenalin in his system, he wasn't feeling any of them. Maxwell got the second most, and the twins had the least injures of them all. Sandy had a scratch across her left paw, and Stan a cut across his right shoulder.

Realizing this Howdy made a gasping comment. "Hey Max. Do know ya know why you had better not ever hurt Sandy?" He said painting.

Maxwell rolled his eyes then answered, "Ok hypothetically, why not?"

"Because her brother can kick you tail!" Howdy said laughing at the fact that his girlfriend and her brother were better fighters.

"Howdy, now is not the time to... wait what's that?" Maxwell began to say. Ahead of them even more golems awaited them. However, there was some hope for behind the small army there was a door. Coming to a halt, they hid behind a curve in the hall. Luckily, they had out paced the ones behind them, so they could take a breather. Maxwell treated their wounds while Sandy stood on look out.

She glanced back as her brother helped Maxwell bandage a long gash on the brown and white hamster's side. It made her happy to know that the two hams she cared the most about got along together. After they were done, she approached her brother. "Stanly, could you look after Maxwell when we make a run for the door?" She asked. He gazed at her concerned.

"Sis, are you going to be cool with that? I mean we fight the best when we're together... I don't want to show them less then that..." He said trying to act nonchalant.

Sandy wasn't fooled and could see he was worried about her. "Don't worry. I'll stick close to Howdy so I won't be alone."

"Me worried? I don't worry. Stan the ham is always cool. Just, don't let him get in your way," He said with a wink. She giggled at hearing the apron wearing hamster's cry of indignation. The break was over when they heard the sound of the first group approaching. Everyone checked their weapons, and with a cry rushed the door. This time the fight was even more fast and furious, since this was an all or nothing gambit. The Ham-hams made headway, until disaster struck. Sandy was doing fine, but as she wrapped her ribbon around a soldier's arm, it pulled her off of her feet. Tumbling she glanced up only to have one of the troops stab her right side. Howdy quickly dispatched the menace before it could finish her off, but both Maxwell and Stan heard her cry of pain.

"Dude, are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Stan asked, fire flashing in his eyes.

"As you would say, totally," Maxwell said fury radiating from him. Howdy seeing what was coming, handed Sandy her ribbon quietly.

"Darling, I think these clowns angered the wrong Ham-hams. Let's get a good seat to see the smack down," He said helping her through the door. The first group had arrived to reinforce the others, but the ham-hams had reached their goal. The magic sustaining the clay hams didn't extend pass the hall, so Sandy and Howdy were safe. Maxwell and Stan stood with their backs to the door, and the earthen horde in a semi-circle in front of them. Maxwell calmly tossed his pack to Howdy and then held his staff in both paws, horizontally and with his head bowed. He looked up as Stan did the same, the latter holding his staff in front of him. Both rodents gave the magic soldiers a glare so strong some of them stepped back. Both groups of clay hams suddenly realized that the four hamsters ahead of them managed to destroy over two-thirds of their number.

"You morons hurt Sandy," Maxwell muttered softly.

"And for injuring my sis..." Stan whispered.

"YOU'RE GOING TO PAY!" They both shouted at the same time, and with a war cry they charged the clay hams.

"Like, I can't watch..." Sandy said turning away.

"You don't want to see such a spectacle?" Howdy said, reading his remaining arrows. He was going to be ready to give them cover fire if they needed it.

"No, because I would want to join in! They are going to get sooooo trashed," She answered. Howdy gapped at her, then glance in the direction of the battle, correction... the slaughter that was going on in the stone hall. The clay hams were no match for the fury of the onslaught that Maxwell and Stan were unleashing.

"...And me with out popcorn..." he murmured. Sandy cheered her brother and boy-ham on, bandaging herself so she could join in. After all, why should they have all of the fun?
[Party one]

At the start, the only piece in danger was Hamtaro, who was directly across from the Anti- Oxnard. So Dexter had him move two spaces forward and one to the left, putting him out of harms way. It was black's turn now and the Anti-Pashmina walked five black spaces diagonally to put her even with Oxnard.

"Dexter... what's she doing?" The seed carrying ham asked seeing her pull out a crimson dagger. The evil ham-ham smiled and slowly licked her blade smiling blankly.

"Oh don't worry. She can't hurt you until the next turn. All you need to do is move one space up!" The classy ham said from around Pashmina. Oxnard nodded and careful took a step up behind Hamtaro, who had turned and gave him a comforting smile. The Anti-Hamtaro mirrored his double by moving two spaces forward and one to the left.

"Pashmina dear, could you move three spaces diagonally to the right?" Dexter asked. Pashmina looked at him nervously, then nodded. She slowly moved into position next to the wall of the hall. She then saw Dexter's plan.

"Hey, I can see that other Hamtaro!" She exclaimed. "Is that good?"

"Yes indeed. It means on our next turn, you can take the black knight," Dexter answered smugly.

"Don't be so sure, ya geek!" Anti-Hamtaro said in hoarse version of the original's voice. "If she attacks me, she had better be able to beat me! This is no normal game." He smiled and drew his blood red Katana. He looked over to the protective hamster and licked his lips.

"Hey that's against the rules!" Dexter exclaimed. "You can't keep a piece on the field if it's taken!"

"You're such a fool! No wonder Pashmina can't stand to be around you!" The anti-Dexter mocked. The black king nodded to the anti-Oxnard, who gleefully crossed the board to put Dexter into check. "We play by the Master's rules here!"

"Well, we won't lose to fakes like you, no matter if you cheat or not!" Hamtaro shouted. The courageous ham drew his weapon as well. "Dexter I'm ready! Just say the word!"

"Hamtaro, don't worry about it. We just have to reach the door. So calm down and don't let them get to you," The bow-tied hamster said. He move himself one space diagonally to the left.

"How can you be so calm?" Oxnard asked worriedly.

"Simple, when you argue with some one like Howdy everyday, you develop thick skin. I'm not easily rattled." He answered.

"Oh no?" His evil double asked. He motioned for the anti-Hamtaro to move two spaces forward and to the right, stopping right next to Pashmina. Smirking evilly the clone swing at her head. She jumped back next to the wall as the sharp blade passed close to her body.

"Don't worry baby, I'm being gentle since it's your first time!" anti-Hamtaro exclaimed, leering at her. He swung a few more times at her then was content to watch her cower from him.

"Dexter help!" She exclaimed, eyes tearing up.

"Hey that's an illegal more! A knight can't attack a piece next to it!" Dexter exclaimed furiously. The evil doubles exploded into laughter at this out burst. "Ohhh! Hamtaro, attack that over-blown replica of Oxnard's!"

"Dexter! You're talking my language! Oopaa!" He exclaimed, running pass Oxnard. The anti-version was surprised by this aggressive move, and was stunned for a second. However when Hamtaro jumped into his square he came out of it. There was a shaking sensation then four transparent walls shot up to trap the two hamsters in the white square. The small patch they were standing on grew bigger as well. Hamtaro swing his sword in a downward ark, but Anti-Oxnard blocked with his flail. The larger adversary tried to bash his head in, but the orange and white hamster dodged to the side. He lashed out, blade singing, but the burly copy danced away. Both hamsters circled each other, anti-Oxnard spinning his flail, and Hamtaro holding his sword in front of him. With a cry, they both charged each other. Anti-Oxnard swung at Hamtaro's chest, but the plucky rodent rolled inside of his strike. Using his momentum he slashed at the evil hamster's front paws. The wickedly sharp sword did its work and cleanly sliced the paws off of his opponent, disarming him. However the result wasn't what the Ham-hams had expected. The magically made clone actually bled. Hamtaro backed up in shocked horror. He forgot what he was really fighting.

"Oxy I'm sorry... I..." he started to say, when anti-Oxnard turned on him snarling.

"You little pest! I'll tear you throat out with my teeth!" He yelled. The evil double charged forward and tackled Hamtaro, who was too shocked to fight back. This would have been the end for him, if he hadn't been holding his sword out. The double gasped as the keen blade pierced his black heart. The dark hamster tried to reach Hamtaro's throat with his fangs, glaring balefully into his tearful eyes. The copy gave one more lunge causing both of them to fall over, and then he vanished in a cloud of black smoke. The square returned to normal, leaving Hamtaro to stare at the ceiling. He could hear the voices of his friends, now that the walls were gone, but he was still disturbed.

What brought him out of his stupor was the voice of his best friend Oxnard. "Hamtaro! I'm all right! You just beat a fake me! So please get up!" Hamtaro blinked then looked over to his friend. Both Dexter and Oxnard looked down on him concerned.

(My friends are all right? I didn't just... hurt Oxy. He's still alive!) Hamtaro smiled and slowly got to his feet. "I think I'm going to be OK," He said giving both of his friends a strained smile.

Oxnard hugged him from his square while Dexter looked out to plan his next more. (Hamtaro, I'm sorry you had to do that... but we needed that rook gone, and I knew you could do it... I just hope we don't have to fight them all...) His evil double scowled, and then moved one space diagonally to the left. Dexter had Oxnard move forward two spaces so he was in position to attack anti-Hamtaro the next turn. "Ha! Now you have to pull your black knight back or risk losing it!"

"Think again, lack-wit!" Anti-Dexter exclaimed. He had anti-Pashmina move next to him, so she was in position to attack her double the next turn. "So what's it going to be? Will you take my knight, and lose your bishop, or will you move your bishop and allow my knight to go free?"

"Dexter, should I move?" Pashmina asked looking back at her double who was shaking in wicked anticipation.

"Please let her stay! Please! I so want to kill her! I'll be nice to you if you do!" Anti-Pashmina said giving Dexter a twisted parody of Pashmina's smile.

Dexter shuddered. "I'll have nightmares about that thing later," he whispered to himself. Shaking his disgust off, he signaled Pashmina to move to the square behind him. She nodded and carefully walked past the smirking Anti-Hamtaro.

"Don't smile in relief yet, sweetie, we have plans for you," he said.

"You're nothing like the original! He's sweet and kind and you're just a jerk!" She shouted. With a humph, she stalked back to Dexter and Hamtaro. "I don't know if I want to keep playing if hams like him are in!"

"Don't worry Pashmina. These bullies won't stop us. Just remember we're fighting for Laura and the rest of our friends," Hamtaro said comforting them. "They're nothing like the real versions of us!"

"Thanks Hamtaro. I prefer this you over him any day," she said smiling. Anti-Hamtaro moved out of harm's way and in position to attack Oxnard. Dexter told him to move across the field and to the edge of the tiled floor. Experimentally the sunflower seed-carrying hamster stuck a paw off the board. Or at least he tried. His paw smacked against a see through wall.

"Dexter! We're trapped!" He shouted back.

"I guess there's no choice... we have to take the black king," He shouted back. His evil double moved forward one space, and Dexter mirrored him. Anti-Hamtaro moved two to the right and down one, placing Dexter in check. The bow tie wearing hamster didn't lose his cool. Instead he moved diagonally to the right, threatening the black knight. He calmly aimed an arrow at Anti-Hamtaro who did his best to avoid being in the white king's sights. "It's no fun when it happens to you, is it?" He said smirking. Anti-Hamtaro snarled, but moved back so Dexter's double was guarding him. Hamtaro moved so he was one space diagonally behind Dexter. Anti-Pashmina moved so she was hugging the left wall. Dexter move Pashmina in position to attack Anti-Dexter if Anti-Hamtaro moved. Frowning his double moved a space to the left. Dexter had Oxnard move two spaces to the right and put the black king in check. Anti-Dexter moved back to the space he previously occupied. Dexter moved Hamtaro to his right, putting his evil double in check again. Anti-Dexter screamed but moved one space up so that he was threatening Oxnard, but that meant Anti-Hamtaro was on his own. Oxnard moved one space to the left out of danger. Anti-Dexter stubbornly followed. Oxnard ran six spaces down into Pashmina's range, leaving Anti-Dexter fuming. He ordered Anti-Hamtaro to attack his double.

"I don't care if you take him, but you're going to lose a friend!" Anti-Dexter screamed.

The black knight shrugged then rushed his double. Like before the square enlarged and closed off. The evil ham slashed wildly, forcing Hamtaro to go on the defense. Seeing an opening, he rolled aside and slashed out. His double leapt back, narrowly avoiding a nasty cut. Both Hamsters jumped off the walls swords slashing. Landing they ran at each other and began a complicated dance of death. Struggling, they locked blades.

"Give it up wimp! You can't beat me!" Anti-Hamtaro gasped out. "I have every move you have."

"I'll... never... give... up!" Hamtaro yelled. He pushed his rival back by kicking off his sword. They backed apart and circled. After a moment they flashed forward and attacked. When they parted this time, Hamtaro had several wounds, while his double had only a cut on his arm.

"You grow tired. Soon you'll be unable to defend yourself, and then..." He laughed then rushed the orange and white ham-ham. The swords danced, and no matter how many times Hamtaro struck his evil double, he never tired or felt pain. After another vicious exchange, he was knocked on his back by a kick. He barely avoided being decapitated by rolling aside, and found himself backed to the wall. Gasping, with his vision doubling due to pain and exhaustion, Hamtaro knew that he could only withstand one more attack. Gathering all of his courage, he charged. Anti-Hamtaro laughed and met his charge. The swords flashed, and both hamsters stopped with their backs facing each other. "Impossible..." Anti-Hamtaro whispered. The dark hamster dropped his sword from nerveless paws as he fell on his face. Hamtaro sadly looked back as the magical doppelganger vanished in a black cloud. As soon as the square returned to normal, Hamtaro collapsed. He leaned on his sword gasping.

"Hold on Hamtaro!" Dexter shouted. Oxnard moved one step forward and stood next to Pashmina. Anti-Pashmina moved next to Anti-Dexter, putting the white king in check. Dexter moved one space forward, frowning. Anti-Dexter smirked and moved to the left, standing behind Anti-Pashmina. Pashmina moved to up and to the left, and leaving Anti-Dexter on the right side of the black bishop. Dexter moved one space to the left, glancing back at Hamtaro, who was still leaning on his sword. (We have to hurry; I don't know how long he can hold without medical attention.)

Anti-Pashmina moved in front of the black king. Pashmina looked a bit panicked because she realized that soon she would be trapped. Dexter saw her predicament and asked her to move next to Oxnard. Anti-Dexter moved down and diagonally to the left, still guarding his remaining ally. Dexter thought furiously but before he could do anything, Pashmina moved next to him and into range of her double. Both Oxnard and Dexter gapped at her in surprise.

"Hamtaro is in trouble. We can't afford to play it safe, not anymore. I think I have a better chance at beating myself, and besides, you can't play your best if you keep worrying about me, Dexter!" She said. She turned and stared into the eyes of her double, which giggled hysterically. Anti-Dexter opened his mouth to shout an order, but Pashmina's double attacked her on her own. Whipping up her knife and charging, the copy stabbed at the scarf-wearing hamster. Pashmina dodged to the right as her double span the knife around so it was pointed blade up. Slowly Anti-Pashmina walked forward, slashing at her double. The original backed into the wall, holding her dagger in front of her. Her double lunged forward and she darted into her, blade flashing out. There was a cry of pain and surprise, and Anti-Pashmina backed up. The evil clone's dagger had cut her rival's arm, but Pashmina's dagger had found it's way into her heart. Pashmina looked on with pity as her clone reached for her throat. Anti-Pashmina mouthed something silently, before collapsing and vanishing in a puff of black smoke. Pashmina looked at her dagger as the last specks of blood vanished off of it like a nightmare in dawn's light.

"Pashmina, are you alright?" Dexter asked concerned.

"I'm fine, it's just a scratch." She said calmly.

"That was very brave," Oxnard said. "I'll try to be strong as well!"

"Thanks Oxy. I think we can win now." She answered. Dexter nodded and had Oxnard move to the left into Pashmina's range. Anti-Dexter backed up and to the left. Dexter moved up and to the left next to Pashmina, and his rival move back to where he was. Dexter calmly moved up one space, and his rival repeated his last move. Dexter moved one space up and to the left, and his clone moved one space down. Dexter moved down one space, and the other king mirrored him. Oxnard moved back two spaces, and Anti-Dexter moved in diagonally down. Dexter moved down one space, and Anti-Dexter moved to the left wall. Pashmina moved one space diagonally down, and Anti-Dexter moved next to her. Dexter moved one space to the right, and Anti-Dexter moved back to the wall again.

"It's over! Oxnard move over two spaces to the left wall!" Dexter said. Oxnard complied and the black king realized that he was in check, and had nowhere to go. "Checkmate, I believe Dexter said smugly. His evil double gave a fearful cry then vanished in a puff of black smoke. As soon as he did, the tiles on the floor vanished. Pashmina ran across the black marble and quickly opened her pack next to Hamtaro. The boy ham had fallen unconscious and she was worried he would go into shock due to blood loss. As she treated Hamtaro, Oxnard and Dexter scouted the way ahead. Seeing that the way was clear, they walked over to Hamtaro and Pashmina. The orange and white hamster was covered in bandages, but was now just asleep. Oxnard slung him over his back in a fireman's carry and they moved on, Pashmina in the lead and Dexter covering the rear.