Episode Thirteen: Last Laugh

*Roatha throws it away.*

D<Maybe we should find MagnaAngemon....>

R"If Patamon can Digivolve right now. Besides, it still does us no good to wander randomly."

*So he tries to use the Digivice to exorcise the evil or whatever.*
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*Gallantmon continues.*
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A"So--so we just stand here in the dark for who knows how long?!"

*She & Lalamon look around, as if expecting a skeleton to pop out & shout "a boogly-woogly-woo!"*

Eve:<I tend to think it was one per person. It seemed pretty personalized.>

Magnamon:<Ours was pretty boring. Saw a statue, Puppetmon, then Piedmon dressed up as a farmer who hurt Eve's feelings. That was pretty much it.>

Eve:<Aroma, don't worry. If Piedmon wanted to attack us here, he would have already.>
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*Cameron rolls his eyes and continues on*

<Seriously, digimon don't even do it...right?>

*Biyomon shrugs, very confused*
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*Kylie moans slightly, inspecting the wound while leaning against a wall*

<I don't know...if I should pull it out or not. I wish Aroma was here...>

*She tries to continue on, regardless of pain*

Azuma: "Or this is part of it. We only encountered it directly once. Every other time it was always some mind game and getting worked up about it is just going along with it."

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From one of the walls, emerges the Kylie-looking thing Cameron saw when shown Kylie's experiences in the maze, still as mangled and undressed as he remembers as well as featuring a messed up mouth from an event he did not witness. It pounces on him like an animal ready to kill its prey or a predator ready to violate its victim.

Mime!Kylie: "Big brother, help me! Help me find release!"

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Lack of a chosen direction is going to make that difficult on top of everything else that comes with the journey such as fatigue, so Gallantmon can have fun with that.

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The pain is quite intense and only gets worse. Whether it's due to the object in her leg or something else pertaining to that is something she'll find out soon enough.

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A Black Gear doesn't pop out although that would be exceptionally brutal and do away with the possibility of having to amputate.

*Eve nods, even though no one else can see*

<Indeed. Let us hope that the others to do get taken in by Piedmon.>

Magnamon:<Eve, have faith in everyone. Seriously.>

*He pats her on the back*
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*Lunamon helps Kylie along, seeing as she's the one with the tooth stuck in her*

Lunamon:<Are you SURE we shouldn't pull it out?>

*Kylie shakes her head, grimacing from the pain*

Kylie:<I don't want to cause more damage...we need to keep going...find Cameron...Biyomon...>
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*Cameron screams (for a multitude of goodd fucking reasons), and throws himself backward. Biyomon moves in front of him, digivolving to Karatenmon and slashing across the fake Kylie's chest*

Karatenmon:<You've been torturing Kylie for too long!>

This cuts the straps on the body harness making the creature even more unsightly to look at. Or more worth looking at. I won't judge.

It arches its back as the sword cuts through its flesh, moaning. He should be grateful it's too dark to see what else its reaction has to show.

Mime!Kylie: "Oh, big brother, you're always so good to me. Please don't stop."

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Whatever is inside begins wiggling about like someone's trying to remove it as gently as possible. Or it has a life of its own and it's trying to get deeper into her.

*Kylie stops, fear covering her face*

<It's...moving.>

*Lunamon looks up, then pulls the tooth out and drops it on the ground*

Lunamon:<We need to find the others. Come on! They'll know what to do.>

*She continues to drag Kylie down the hall*
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*Karatenmonturns and picks up Cameron, then runs off down the hall away from the thing*

Karatenmon:<That...thing was way to pleased to be hurt for me to want to hit it again.>

*I don't know, he points it at the tooth instead.*
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*The direction she was going before being interrupted by bullshit. Pun intended.*
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L"But this doesn't make sense, if there's really no way out, he could just wait until we--"

*Aroma crams her fist into the plant's mouth, producing muffled protests.*

A"Stop! You're not helping!"

Eve:<Remember who we're dealing with here.>

As if for the sole purpose of making them be even more on edge, a crazed laughter echoes throughout the hall.

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Mime!Kylie: "Haven't you failed me enough?!"

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It's a good thing forward is a viable option as navigating a four page thread is impossible for some people.

Along the frozen halls, the Piedmon-looking thing in coveralls appears.

Piedmon?: "What if I told you, the others are already dead and you're the last one standing? Would that be a testament to your strength or a testament to their weakness?"

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At the end of the hall is a door. Although unlike the door that appeared before the others, this one is made of steel, a faint red glow coming from the handle.

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It wiggles about, maybe reacting to the light or maybe it's like a fish out of water, gasping at its last dying breath.

G<"Mostly just a testament to your poor lying abilities.">
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R"Well...that was mildly interesting."
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*Aroma eeps & turns around, backing towards the others while tightening her grasp on Lalamon, who squeaks slightly.*

*Magnamon regresses, and Terriermon clings to Eve's shoulder*
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Cameron:<I'd be failing Kylie again if I dealt with you!>

*Continuing away*
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*Lunamon goes up and opens the door*

Standing on the balcony above them, Piedmon looks down below at the group as they cower at the smallest thing.

Piedmon: "Nel mezzo del cammin di nostra vita. Mi ritrovai per una selva oscura, Ché la diritta via era smarrita. Esta selva selavaggia e aspra e forte Che nel pensier rinova la paura!

Io non so ben ridir com'I' v'intrai, Tant'era pien di sonno a quel punto Che la verace via abbandonai.

Guardai in alto e vidi le sue spalle Vestite già de' raggi del pianeta Che mena dritto altrui per ogne calle.

Così l'animo mio, ch'ancor fuggiva, Si volse a retro a rimirar lo passo Che non lasciò già mai persona viva."

In a flock of doves, Piedmon disappears, a large set of doors ahead of them open up showing a hallway that resembles a dark wooded forest more than anything, Piedmon standing at the entrance.

Piedmon: "Ladies and gentlemen, when you've all gathered yourselves, proceed through the hallway. Our show will then begin.

The door close behind Piedmon as it walks through the dark woods.

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The creature does not pursue, but that doesn't mean it's gone or forgotten. Even if they never see it in the flesh, it will haunt their dreams for a long time.

The hallway stretches for an extended period of time, the creatures panting and weeping continuing the whole length of the hall, never fading.

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Piedmon?: "Is that so? Do I have to decorate these halls with their entrails before you can be convinced? You should know I am more than capable of doing so."

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It burns as grasping red hot steel with bare flesh does, the pain being very unbearable, but less so than the pain from being bitten the Kylie-looking creature and the after effects.

Rather than the voice that everyone else heard, Kylie and Lunamon hear the weeping of the perverse creature that took on Kylie's appearance.

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It continues to wiggle about like a caterpillar, not making much progress. Roatha and Roatha only hears a voice that sounds much like his own.

???: "Hey buddy, a little help here?"

*He looks around.*

R"Now what's this bullshit?"

D<What bullshit?>

R"That's what I just asked."

D<...What?>
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A"Nooooo, we can't leave the others behind!"
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G<All you're capable of doing is making fakes. You tipped your hand when you used that rubbish copy of me. Face it, clown, without the rest of your 'Dark Master' act, you're nothing but a washed-up has-been without an original idea to your name. That's why you're too afraid to face us head-on. You don't scare me. I'd pity you, if I could muster the strength to care.>

*Lunamon struggles to open the door, joined by Kylie. Both are doing there best to block out the noise*
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*Continuing down the hallway*
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Eve:<Don't worry, we'll wait for them.>

At the end of the hall is a door, the Kylie-looking creature nailed to it, arms and legs spread out in all its nude and decaying glory.

Mime!Kylie: "You've always let me down. Always let me fall. You're no better than the rest of them."

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Piedmon?: "Can you be certain the two frozen in the walls aren't the real deal? You're welcome to go back and dig them out. As for not facing you head-on...."

A sharp object pierces Gallantmon's armor, similar to the experience on top of the mountain, Piedmon leaning into Gallantmon, twisting the dagger, pieces of armor falling off and eventually Euryale and Guilmon get to experience the cold and unforgiving halls while the creature in the wall watches the whole thing.

Piedmon?: "What was the fate of the last three to attack you lot head-on?"

Piedmon: "They were defeated. Why attack you all at once straight on when I can split you all up and stab you in the back?"

Piedmon backs up, sinking into the wall.

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It hurts a lot. Like they're gonna need burn ointment at the least and a skin graph at the most kind of hurt, but the door opens up to nothing but darkness.

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???: "Down here. That wiggling thing on its last life? That's me. You have something I want, I know what you want, how about we cut a deal?"

The tooth continues wiggling, perhaps doing so to get Roatha's attention.

Piedmon: "It's called pragmatism.

*Roatha moves to finish burning it, but then stops.*

R"Meh, I've got nothing better to do. Shoot."

D<...Why are you talking to a tooth?>

R"I'll explain later."
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E"Cowardly trash."

*They continue forward, shivering, possibly out of coldness.*

G<Mmaybe we should be w-worried.>

"A b-bout Piedmon's bl-bluster? It doesn't even make sense."

G<But we can't really f-fight like this.>

"We can't biomerge, but you may s-still be able to D-digivolve. Try it out."

*And so he does, seeing how far he can still go.*
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L<But what if no one else co--?>

*Aroma shoves her fist in Lalamon's mouth again. The latter has an appearance of resignation to her fate.*

*Kylie and Lunamon enter the darkness, Kylie trying to hold back tears*
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*Karatenmon sets Cameron, who is now covering his ears, down on the floor. He then approaches the door, looking for a handle. If he sees one, he tries to open the door*

Cameron:<...Stop pretending to be my sister!>

Azuma: "They will."

From out of goddamn nowhere, Kylie and Lunamon appear, wounds and all. But they're not alone. A skeleton stands behind them raising its arms and going "BOOGA BOOGA BOO!" All rattly like before falling into a pile.

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There is a handle, dangerously close to the things nether regions. Grabbing it, Cameron's knuckles are likely to graze them.

Mime!Kylie: "Who's pretending? If anything, you're pretending to be someone that can be counted on. Your Crest wasn't Reliability, was it? Although wouldn't it be ironic if it were?"

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Piedmon and the thing that looks like it follow along. Guilmon can Digivolve to Ultimate staving off dying, but also being quiet exhausting. Who knows how long it'll last.

Piedmon: "Oh yes, you really should hurry. Freezing to death would be really unfortunate, wouldn't it?"

Piedmon?: "Not when you can cut to ribbons instead."

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???: "You want out of the maze and I don't want to die on a dirty floor. Slip me back in and we can have the perfect symbiotic relationship."

R"No."

*He finishes burning it.*
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*Aroma screams because that is genuinely startling & a muffled scream comes from around her fist.*
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*They nod at each other & Euryale grabs the metal cable thing sprouting from WarGrowlmon's back as he whirls around, firing an Atomic Blaster.*

<"We'll stand & fight!">

*Lunamon and Kylie blink, then move in the direction of the others. Eve runs over to help*

Lunamon:<Guys! We found you! Quick, something bit Kylie! She needs help!>

Eve:<What bit her?>

*Lunamon pauses, not saying anything. Eve helps Kylie sit on the ground*
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*Karatenmon tries to pull the door open, grimacing because [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] Cameron gets to his feet and glares at the thing's face*

Cameron:<You. Are. Not. My. Sister!>

Azuma: "They need to know."

Patamon Digivolves to MagnaAngemon, but as it amounts to more than just a bite, more than just a simple healing will need to be done.

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Mime!Kylie: "Keep telling yourself that. When pain overshadows happiness in all worlds, one can only accept it and even find pleasure in it. Deep down in the darkest reaches of your hearts you all know this to be true."

The door opens to the darkness, but it does not stop the creatures pseudo-philosophical rambling.

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Whichever one the attack is directed at, a portion of the wall it's in melts although both Piedmon and the thing that bares its appearance remain.

Piedmon: "This is one situation where aggression will only lead to your down fall."

Piedmon?: "But keep it up, it's amusing to watch you think you're making any progress."

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The tooth slowly begins to blacken and shrivel up, Dorugamon on the other hand sees that nothing of the sort is happening.

???: "You know you're not making a difference, right? Your partner can vouch for me. He can't hear me, of course, but he can see me and that's enough."

*Roatha kicks it away.*

D<What are you doing?>

R"It's being evil."
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E"(Some kind of trick. Well then, let's lure him out!)"

*They turn & rocket down the hallway, Euryale making a rude hand gesture.*

E"C'mon, PIEmon, isn't this the moment you looked forward to? The Child of Courage is running away from you! Y'know you wanna come rub it in!"
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A"Oh no, what d'we do?!"

*Kylie moves towards MagnaAngemon. After a moment, she begins to speak*

<It was...like a copy of me...all done up in the stuff that she made me wear...>
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*Cameron marches through the door, glaring at the copy as he does. Karatenmon regresses to Biyomon and follows*

Cameron and Biyomon appear out of goddamn nowhere and get to bear witness to Kylie's wounds which is probably a huge relief all things considered.

MagnaAngemon: "There's more to this than just a bite."

MagnaAngemon uses Holy Disinfectant. The wound remains, but it no longer burns and she won't have to worry about sharing the same fate as Roatha.

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The walls eventually return to white, no visible exit in sight. On the wall straight ahead is a pair of red banners spaced apart as if they're to be flanking a door while on the other walls are six portraits, three of Piedmon and three of the Piedmon-looking thing each looking at the banners like they don't belong.

Euryale hears a familiar male voice. It's boastful, but with a hint of sadness.

???: "I am the strongest of them all."

Piedmon: "You really thought you could lure me into a trap in my own realm?"

Piedmon?: "It's no wonder you were never a candidate for the Crest of Knowledge."

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???: "Suit yourself. Pretty embarrassing way to die though. In a maze having gone mad and turned down the only help you'll ever get."

Kylie:<What...CAMERON!>

*Cameron and Biyomon run over to Kylie and Lunamon, Cameron giving her a bear hug while wiping away tears*

Cameron:<Oh god, you're here! I...I...>

*He breaks down crying. Biyomon looks at Kylie's injury*

<What happened?>

Lunamon:<She got bit by a naked version of herself.>

Biyomon:<We, uh, encountered her as well...>

*Eve and Terriermon look on from a short distance away*

Terriermon:<Our maze seemed kind of tame, didn't it?>