Digimon Fan Fiction ❯ The Shuffle ❯ Desperate to be Me ( Chapter 12 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

The Shuffle

Chapter Twelve - Desperate to be Me


The concept and characters of Digimon belongs to Toei Animation and Akiyoshi Hongo. They are used without permission or the intent of profit.


Who's who:
Taichi is in Sora's body, Sora is in Taichi's, Mimi is Ken, Ken is Yamato, Yamato is Iori, Iori is Takeru, Takeru is Daisuke, and Daisuke is Mimi. The rest have been switched back.

Reminder, I will be referring to the characters per the body they are in. For example, if Mimi in Ken's body thinks about Daisuke in Mimi's body, then Mimi thoughts will regard that body in the masculine possessiveness, that Tachikawa's body is HIS real body since Mimi is currently male and will be referred to as such. When Sora, in Taichi's body, is talking she will be referred to as Taichi. The only exception is dialogue where the characters are the ones to refer to each other.

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Takeru's Journal:
Miyako and Koushiro got to peak at potential futures, and really only learned that fate is not predetermined. It did, however, help prepare them for the fight against Vadermon and Lady Devimon. Together they defeated their challenge, and made the morbid realization that if everyone was to succeed at Piemon's challenge-- there would be nothing to stop the devil clown from killing them in their weakened states.

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Yamato scowled at the tank holding Hawkmon before him. It had not opened for him like the other two nearby tanks had to have opened for his teammates. He didn't like what he knew he had to do to win this challenge, but if he wanted to reclaim his original form as Ken-- he had to do it. It was the best way to hold the evil memories of the Kaiser.

"And what do you hope to accomplish? He is not your partner," Piemon taunted.

"Right now I have none, and neither does he," Yamato retorted.

"True, but still, what do you hope to do?" Piemon pressed in a haughty voice.

Yamato appraised the demonic clown. "You know less than you let on. There are ways of evolving a digimon that is not your partner. Though the methods are not easy and not without risks. However, as the Digimon Kaiser, I explored some of those means."

Piemon shrugged. "So be it." He snapped his fingers and the tank opened. "You still have little hope of winning." The clown vanished from sight, his laughter echoing long after he left.

"What's going on?" Hawkmon asked with a yawn. "I thought my partner would either be Miyako or Koushiro."

"That was the hope, but they have other partners right now while we have none," Yamato corrected.

Hawkmon folded his arms. "Then how do you suppose we win? Can you even evolve me to adult?"

"Adult shouldn't be a problem. Perfection, though, you're not going to like," Yamato answered cryptically.

Hawkmon was initially confused, but then his eyes widened. "You don't mean...."

"I'm afraid so. We don't have any other options though," Yamato explained.

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He didn't know if he hated puzzles more as Iori or as Yamato. But either way, he was beginning to despise them.

Iori came to what he hoped to be where Armadimon was. He half-wanted to swear seeing he was extremely lost as this wasn't even the way out but the dead center of the Labyrinth. The huge opening held a Greek temple with a giant marble throne visibly inside it, and upon the throne sat the largest Minotarumon he had ever seen.

"Ah, visitors. I do not have many of them here," Minotarumon's voice boomed. "Do not fear me. I have long since given up hunting weak prey."

Iori scowled at being called weak, but without a digimon partner, taking on a digimon that was probably an Ultimate was akin to suicide. "Excuse me for the intrusion. I was seeking my current partner, Armadimon, and an exit for the Labyrinth."

"I cannot help you there. This maze was made to be my prison," Minotarumon replied in a strange neutral fashion.

"Your prison?" Iori questioned.

Minotarumon nodded. "A prison for the crime of existing. The Olympian Digital Gods existed since before the First Five Chosen stepped foot on the Digital World, at a time when Digimon were more often born to parents than reincarnated. And I am a powerful reminder of the infidelity that existed among the Olympians."

Iori clenched his fist tightly. "That is not a crime to be punished for."

Minotarumon laughed. "If only such a statement were true. Even in your world, you humans put yourselves into groups with each group feeling they are the right and superior. Your groups then inflict your ideals on other groups, even when it means killing another individuals of another group for simply being. You are Japanese, are you not? How long has your countrymen persecuted the Chinese, Koreans and your own Eta class with little or no reason?"

Iori slouched. "That it happens doesn't make it right. And how do you know of my world?"

Minotarumon smirked. "The Olympian Digital Gods are quite a short-sighted bunch. While I can never leave the Labyrinth, I have found great treasures hidden within the twists and turns. From here I can learn of many things that go on outside of this maze. And not just the present, but the past and possible future as well."

Iori remained silent.

Minotarumon chuckled. "Tempted to know your own fate, I see. That, I'm afraid, I can't answer. You future rests on the actions of your comrades. Too many variables in the coming day to give any accurate prediction."

"Is there anything I can do for you?" Iori wondered.

Minotarumon didn't immediately reply. "As tempting your offer may be, I am content where I am. An occasional visitor would be nice, but doing so would anger my stepfather. I would rather not be the cause of unrest."

"Thank you for your time," Iori bowed. "I need to find my way."

"So long, Chosen. Avoid eating from the maze, for that will work to ensnare you into the trap that binds me. May you find the happiness you seek," Minotarumon wished.

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Wormmon crawled behind Ken, uncertain if that was really Mimi. He didn't really know the girl, but the girl he knew moved lightly on her feet, bouncing from one thing to the next. The boy in front of him showed none of that, as the stride and determination displayed was more Ichijouji's.

"Where is that exit?" Ken questioned.

"Didn't you say we have to kill someone when we get there?" Wormmon wondered.

Ken didn't look at his current partner. "I'm trying not to think about it. It's just something that has to be done. I don't want to remain in this body."

"There's nothing wrong with being Ken!" Wormmon protested.

"It's not being Ken that's the problem, it's the memories of the Kaiser. I can't take the nightmares. I don't want to remember the tortures he put you through," the boy replied.

Wormmon flinched. "I see."

The pair blinked as they heard a baby digimon squeaking in distress. The small seed-like Nyokimon bounced toward them as fast as he could. Without warning a web shot out from a dark turn further down the path and yanked the baby digimon away.

Without a word, Ken and Wormmon rushed after the baby. Arriving at the shadowy turn, the pair froze the sight of an Archnemon sinking her fangs into the baby digimon's flesh. The giant half-spider, half-woman looked upon the two with delight and casually pitched Nyokimon over her shoulder, causing the baby digimon to crash into a wall before exploding into data.

Archnemon licked her lips. "Oh, look. The main course. Let me free you of this accursed place."

Ken clenched his fist around his digivice.

"Wormmon evolve!" With a flash of light, the small green digimon was replaced by a giant in dark green insectoid armor. "Stingmon! Spiking Finish!" A red blade emerged from the back of his wrist, and he launched himself toward the spider.

"Even better. Spider Thread!" Archnemon launched webs from the back of her own wrists, catching the charging digimon and securing him to the wall. As almost an after thought, a second web fired at Ken, trapping the boy as well. "I shall enjoy releasing you."

Ken scowled deeply. He wasn't entirely sure what the spider was planning to do to Stingmon, with her hands fondling the giant insectoid while she continued to lick her lips hungrily. "Releasing us from what?"

Archnemon laughed. "This infernal prison, of course. Many stupidly wander into this maze, but none who eat from it can ever leave."

"We haven't had anything to eat," Stingmon protested.

"This deep into the Labyrinth? You are such poor liars." Archnemon caressed the insectoid warrior's cheek. "There is but one way to be free, and that is to be deleted and sent to the Village of Beginnings."

"That is not an option for me," Ken asserted. "I am not a digimon."

"You must be one of those Chosen I've heard about." Archnemon shrugged. "I bet you're the thief. You'll be reborn however you Chosen are reborn."

"Chosen aren't reborn," Ken corrected.

"Well, then it sucks to be you, little one, for there is no escape except by death. I'm just the means of freeing you," Archnemon announced proudly.

"Do you feel no remorse?" Ken shot at her.

"Remorse for what? I'm saving them from this prison," Archnemon returned.

"Why must you live and others die?" Ken questioned with an odd gentle voice.

"Someone has to save those who wander into the maze. Why not me?" Archnemon retorted.

"Would you like to be free of the Labyrinth?" Ken asked.

"Freedom is a dream, but I do not want to be reborn just yet." Archnemon shuddered.

Ken closed his eyes, looking strangely calm. "You fear death yet give it to those who don't even ask or want it?"

Archnemon smirked evilly. "It's a dirty job, but someone has to do it."

"Then we'll save you, just as you believed you've saved that baby digimon and others," Ken pledged to her, the real Crest of Kindness began to glow brightly.

"Stingmon super-evolve!" The webs restraining him blew away. He curled up into a semi-fetal position before roaring and spread his arms and legs. His body grew larger and some of his armor exploded away revealing draconian flesh underneath. "Dino Beemon! Hell Masquerade!"

Archnemon took a step back as vicious blades extended from the newly evolved digimon. It almost looked like Dino Beemon was dancing toward her, but it was no dance she wanted to be a part of. Claws and blades swept past her, leaving her body in pieces before exploding.

"You really wanted her dead," Dino Beemon stated in surprise.

"There is much blood already on these hands. They can shed more to return me to innocence," Ken replied, grabbing hold of Dino Beemon's leg. "Let's hurry. You're not going to remain at this level for long."

"Right," Dino Beemon replied uncertainly. He personally knew that innocence once lost, can never be returned. No matter how much you wished otherwise.

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"This maze was designed by sadists," Aquilamon spat, dodging various traps.

Yamato clutched to the back of the giant bird. "Shut up. At least we're moving through this fucking maze faster. Now get moving, stupid shit."

Aquilamon scowled darkly at the order. Not liking the words nor the reason behind them.

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"This seems too easy," Iori commented.

"The traps do look to keep much larger digimon in check," Armadimon commented.

Iori nodded. "True. This is a prison for Minotarumon. Though I seriously doubt these traps would bother him now."

"Maybe they did when he was of a lower level," Armadimon surmised.

Iori shrugged. "He has been trapped here for an extremely long time."

Armadimon looked down a side path of the maze and stopped. "Someone has been this way recently."

"It would appear so." Iori gazed over the numerous traps that had been sprung. "And they've all been set off to attack the same direction."

Armadimon's eyes widened. "If the goal is to keep someone inside the maze..."

"Then if the traps go off toward us, then we're moving towards the exit!" Iori finished.

"Let's go!" Armadimon trotted ahead.

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Dino Beemon buzzed his way down the maze's corridors, out racing most of the traps being triggered and working to dodge the larger or faster ones. "I don't know how much longer I can keep this up."

"You've got to hold on. Prisons are to keep people in. We just need to follow the traps going off toward us," Ken pressed.

"Easier said then done," Dino Beemon retorted tiredly.

"Once you've devolved, you'll be powerless. And we can't risk replenishing our energies here," Ken reminded.

"Oh, shit!" Dino Beemon cursed. His increasing lethargy made him too slow. Blades from the walls shot out, striking his left arm and his wings. Screaming in pain, the giant draconian insect crashed into a roll, bouncing and tumbling further down the path while devolving all the way back down to Minomon.

Ken faired better from the fall, managing a controlled roll as he touched the ground. He frowned as he stood up, attempting to dust off non-existing dirt from his body by force of habit. He grimaced hearing Minomon groan in pain. "Are you all right?"

"I'm sorry I couldn't go farther," Minomon moaned out.

Ken shook his head. "You have nothing to be sorry about. You did your best. I'm sorry I pushed you too far. I'll get you out of here."

"But what about the challenge?" Minomon protested. "We can't defeat a Perfection now."

"I'll think of something," Ken vowed, feeling as though another piece that was Mimi died inside him.

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"So, you've finally arrived. You're even smaller than I remember," a giant cherry tree chuckled coldly.

"Jureimon," Iori spat.

"Who's he?" Armadimon questioned.

"A con artist who tricked me into fighting Taichi," Iori recalled.

"A con artist?" Jureimon sounded insulted. "I had only shown you the truth. A dark truth, true, but truth all the same. You did need to face Taichi. Though I suppose you still haven't fully done so, have you?"

"So, you know that I wasn't supposed to fight him," Iori growled.

"Love and hate are two sides of the same coin, boy," Jureimon retorted.

Armadimon blinked repeatedly. Then his eyes widened as he put it together. "Eeeewwwww!"

"Not a word of this," Iori ordered harshly.

"My lips are sealed." Armadimon gazed at the boy. "But what about Sora? Aren't you dating her, Yamato?"

Jureimon laughed. "You stole your beloved's girlfriend? You're more evil than I thought!"

"They never dated! And it's not like I was completely gay!" Iori protested.

"Switch hitter, huh? I guess Sora has something to be worried about," Armadimon mused.

"Assuming Taichi and Sora can get past Mugen Dramon's current form and Nanomon," Jureimon chuckled evilly. "You may as well forget about those two. Then again, if they live, then I suppose either one would become your dream mate."

"Shut up!" Iori slashed his hand through the air as if the cut the discussion. "I've heard enough from you."

"Can't take the truth still, huh? Always hiding your true self, and for what? Afraid someone will hurt you if they knew what you really are? That your friends will leave if they learn you're an ass loving freak?" Jureimon howled in laughter. "Why don't I just save you all the trouble of your worries by putting you out of your misery? Cherry Pluck!"

"Armadimon evolve!" A pillar of light flared around the small yellow armadillo, and faded to reveal a giant, armored, yellow dinosaur. "Ankylomon!" Immediately he jumped in front of Iori, shielding the boy from the explosive cherries Jureimon had launched with his body.

"Are you okay?" Iori asked.

"Never better," Ankylomon groaned.

"Always hiding, boy," Jureimon tsked. "You'll get nowhere if you can't confront who you are."

"Who I am right now is the Chosen of Justice," Iori proclaimed. "As a minion of the evil Piemon, for attacking without provocation, for creating unrest and hostility, to restore proper balance... I'm afraid I must sentence you to death."

"Ankylomon super-evolve!" Light enveloped the giant dinosaur who turned to stone and grew in size. The earthen body exploded away revealing a giant silver idol who lacked wings and any crosses that his jogress form held. "Shakkoumon!"

Jureimon let out a hollow chuckle. "You brandish justice as yet another shield to hide your true-self. You claim power when you have none. I know of Shakkoumon's true power, that his best attack is to send back whatever energy attack is thrown at him." The giant tree proceeded to use his cane to smack the idol digimon in the face.

"That is not my only attack," Shakkoumon retorted before unleashing a multitude of spinning explosive discs.

Jureimon screamed in pain, being far too close to hope to dodge. "You know this isn't justice. You only want to defeat me so Piemon would undo his curse. Killing me would be murder!"

"You cry this is murder when you launch the first attack? You protest the justice of this when you have made friends try to kill each other? Maybe acting as executioner does make me a murderer, but it is not done without justice!" Iori roared in anger.

"Justice is in the eye of the beholder! You call this justice, but what would the others think of your actions? What would your beloved Taichi think?" Jureimon taunted.

Iori folded his arms. "He would wonder why I let you live this long."

Shakkoumon shot forward. "Goodbye." He unleashed another volley of exploding discs straight into the tree's face.

"You can't hide forever!" Jureimon warned before exploding into data.

Shakkoumon devolved to Armadimon. "He can't even let that rest, can he?"

"I suppose he can't." Iori sighed. "Let's get out of here and wait for the others."

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"Where the hell did Piemon find him?" Yamato hissed angrily.

"Heat Viper!" Chimeramon shot out a beam of intense heat that blew out a hole in the maze's wall.

Aquilamon worked to dodge the amalgamation of digimon parts. "We are in Digital Greece. I think they're more common here."

"Are they still made from other digimon or are they natural?" Yamato wondered bitterly.

"Both, I believe. Miyako did some research on them," Aquilamon replied.

Yamato jumped off the giant bird, allowing his borrowed partner more freedom of movement. He glared at the giant Perfection beast. Unbidden memories of the Kaiser rose, remembering how he had made his own Chimeramon. He did not push those dark thoughts away, he embraced them. This was the embodiment of the Kaiser's cruel achievements. Untold number of digimon had been butchered by his creation, and he had to wonder how many this vile digimon had murdered as well.

Death was too good for such a beast. Yamato wanted it to feel the pain of those it killed. Wanted to torture it for the memories it triggered. He wanted it to suffer for the crimes of the Kaiser. To be destroyed in effigy for the murderous monster that he once had been.

Aquilamon had yet to be hit by the attacks of the Chimeramon, yet he screamed in pain as his body began to rip apart from darkness. The mixed-up digimon paused as the bird it tried to kill was swallowed by a black sphere. When the ball faded away, a tall half-human, half-bird hovered in the air. His dark purple feathers covered his body and he brandished a pair of long swords.

"Heat Viper!" Chimeramon fired at his newly evolved opponent, but missed completely as the dark bird now hovered behind it.

"Suffer as none have suffered before!" Karatenmon commanded darkly.

Yamato turned away as the Chimeramon began to scream. He clutched at his chest hearing Karatenmon laugh insanely while slicing the digimon into the many different parts that made it up. First the wings, then the arms, followed by the tail and legs. Limbless as it was, Chimeramon didn't explode into data until after his head was removed.

Karatenmon's attention turned toward Yamato. "What shall I do with you, oh great Digimon Kaiser?"

Yamato didn't like the evil smirk playing across the dark digimon's face. "Not much you can do. You're power is just about spent."

"True, but not before I can 'repay' you for doing this to me," Karatenmon smugly informed.

Yamato didn't bother to dodge as he was punted into the maze's wall. Slowly, the boy slid to the ground, clutching his stomach. A faint smirk appeared on his face as Karatenmon's form began to fade to the small baby form of Pururumon. Both Chosen and partner collapsed into unconsciousness.

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"Hey! You're not the one Piemon promised!" Garbamon complained. "I was supposed to fight the girl with Lilymon!"

Ken closed his eyes as he held the now slumbering Minomon tenderly in his arms. "I am Mimi. Didn't Piemon tell you he switched our bodies?"

Garbamon paused. "He talked about something, but I didn't understand it. Ah, well. I'll still be awarded for killing you. Poop Bazooka!"

Ken easily dodged the attack. This was perhaps the best opponent he could hope for. He didn't like what he had to do, but the alternative wasn't something he could live with. He had not mentioned how bad the dreams had hurt him. He already had passing thoughts of killing himself to end the nightmares. And he didn't want to imagine getting used to the dreams.

"Hey, stand still, you Chosen shit! I want payback for what you brats did to me in my last life!" Garbamon cursed.

"You worked for Pinnochimon. One of the most evil digimon to have ever lived," Ken shot back.

"Evil? Bah! He kept the forest in order. Sure it was a harsh rule, but he kept the peace!" Garbamon protested. "You miserable kids brought chaos back into our world!"

Ken blinked in surprise. He had never heard anyone that believed the Dark Masters were actually doing the Digital World good. "And how many did you kill to make Pinnochimon's order?"

"Who cares? They were all worthless scum!" Garbamon declared.

Ken shook his head. "That coming from someone like you."

"I won't be insulted by rotten Chosen!" Garbamon spat.

"Then let's finish this then." Ken set Minomon carefully to the side. He then rushed toward the digimon slug living in a trashcan. He dodged and weaved his way passed numerous volleys of the digimon's shit.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Garbamon questioned angrily.

"Ending this curse before it ends me." Ken made it up to his enemy, whirled around to the backside and wrapped his arm around what passed as the digimon's throat.

"Stop that!" Garbamon began to thrash under the hold the boy held him in. He could only claw at the arms squeezing the air from him. "Stop it," he coughed. His hands grew weaker, his movements slower. "Please... I don't want to die again..."

Tears leaked from Ken's eyes as he tightened around the neck. "I'm sorry." With one last choking protest, Garbamon's body vanished into black floating dots of data. The boy collapsed to his knees. "I'm so sorry... I had to do it. I'm sorry." His mind could not take the implications of his actions. He threw up his last meal before collapsing into an uneasy unconsciousness.

"That was entirely unexpected." Piemon laughed. "What lengths they will go to reclaim their identity. Dark evolving someone else's digimon and the pacifist killed with his own hands. Destroying them after 'curing' them will be assured!"

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Coming Next:
Daisuke, Takeru and Iori struggle through their challenges in their borrowed bodies.