The Forest Of Laughter
A heavy silence filled the Black Castle's meeting hall as Alexia unfolded the parchment. The dim candlelight flickered against the aged wooden table where the Tarot Alliance had gathered. She took a deep breath before reading aloud.
"If you really want to stop me, come to my world. The Forest of Laughter.
If you're brave enough, that is. If not… well, I'll keep playing my little games with your world."
Her voice was steady, but her eyes betrayed a hint of unease.
Cain leaned back, arms crossed behind his head, a smirk forming on his lips. "That clown really thinks we'll play by his rules?"
Jay exhaled sharply. "It's not about rules. Joker's been toying with us for too long. If we don't end this now, he'll never stop."
Merlin adjusted his glasses. "A world Joker created himself? That means he holds the advantage."
Ryuta, who had been silent until now, finally spoke. "Then we make it ours." His voice was calm, certain.
Yami, standing near the edge of the room, scoffed. "You say that so easily, but if we step into his world, we're walking into a trap. Do you even have a plan?"
Roy sighed, rubbing the back of his head. "If we had a plan for every little thing, we'd never get anything done."
A moment of silence passed. Then Parker grinned. "Well, if we're all going, we might as well enjoy the walk."
the Forest of Laughter
The road leading to the forest was unlike anything they had seen before. The very air around them felt warped, as if reality itself was laughing at their presence.
The sky was cracked like shattered glass, revealing glimpses of other places—twisted reflections of their own world.
The ground beneath them was an ever-shifting checkerboard pattern, alternating between black and white.
Trees whispered jokes as they passed, some lighthearted, others unsettling.
A floating sign read: "Welcome! Hope you packed a sense of humor."
As they walked, conversations filled the uneasy silence.
Cain nudged Parker. "How much do you wanna bet Joker's just stalling for time?"
Parker smirked. "I'd say he's playing with us, not stalling."
Chun and Zhang walked side by side, speaking quietly. "Joker knows how to manipulate people," Chun murmured. "If he uses illusions against us…"
Zhang took her hand. "Then we fight together."
Skyler whistled, looking up at the floating objects around them. "This place is kinda cool, actually. If it wasn't run by a maniac, I wouldn't mind hanging out here."
Alexia sighed. "Let's focus. The sooner we finish this, the better."
Yami remained quiet, his mind clouded with irritation. He had followed Ryuta into this mess, and now he was supposed to trust him? He clenched his fists, scowling.
After what felt like an eternity, they arrived at the entrance. A massive grinning clown face carved into the trees loomed before them. Its mouth was wide open, forming the only path forward.
Ryuta stepped forward. "No turning back now."
Without hesitation, he walked inside. One by one, the others followed.
The moment they stepped in, the ground shifted like quicksand, pulling them apart.
Ryuta landed in a dark void, face to face with a Joker who reeked of pure negativity.
Roy found himself in a sluggish, misty space, with a Joker that looked half-asleep.
Cain stood in a silent, gray void, with a Joker whose jokes were painfully dull.
Alexia was in a red-rose garden, where a Joker kept throwing terrible pick-up lines at her.
Skyler was surrounded by a melancholic blue mist, with a Joker who wouldn't stop crying.
Chun & Zhang were trapped in a shattered mirror world, where Joker kept trying to make them doubt each other.
Merlin stood in a library, facing a Joker with thick glasses and a 'genius' smirk.
Yami found himself in a black-and-white world, where Joker stood slouched, dressed in all black, sighing dramatically.
---
Ryuta vs. Negative Joker
Joker sneered. "What's the point, Ryuta? Everything you do leads to suffering. You lost your friend, and now you're just leading others to destruction."
Ryuta tightened his grip on Return to Life. "And yet, here I am. Standing."
Joker chuckled. "Let's see how long that lasts."
Dark chains shot toward Ryuta, but he slashed through them, pushing forward.
---
Roy vs. Lazy Joker
Lazy Joker yawned. "Man, I really don't feel like fighting. Can't we just… take a nap?"
Roy rolled his eyes. "Oh, so you're even lazier than me? That's impressive."
Joker stretched. "I guess I could try… but, eh."
Roy smirked. "Fine. If you're not gonna fight, then I'll just make you work for it."
He rushed forward, forcing Joker to dodge—if he was too lazy to attack, then Roy would exhaust him until he made a mistake.
---
Cain vs. Unfunny Joker
Unfunny Joker grinned. "Why did the chicken cross the road?"
Cain blinked. "What?"
"To get to the other side."
Cain cringed. "...That was awful."
Joker shrugged. "I know."
Cain sighed. "Fine. Let's see if you can handle some real humor."
Their battle became a war of wits—Cain striking between terrible punchlines, forcing Joker into a verbal battle where he couldn't keep up.
---
Alexia vs. Romantic Joker
Romantic Joker winked. "Ah, such beauty in battle! Your eyes burn brighter than any fire."
Alexia sighed. "This is going to be annoying."
Joker snapped his fingers, summoning rose-shaped daggers, throwing them toward her.
Alexia sidestepped effortlessly. "You flirt worse than you fight."
Joker gasped. "Oh, that one hurt."
She smirked, sword in hand. "Good. This one will hurt more."
---
Skyler vs. Sad Joker
Sad Joker sniffled. "Why does everyone leave me?"
Skyler hesitated. "Uh… dude, are you okay?"
Joker wiped his nose. "No. But that's the point."
Suddenly, heavy emotional weight pressed down on Skyler, forcing him to his knees. His own memories of sadness began to surface.
"Nope. Not happening." Skyler forced himself up, grinning. "I'll just make you laugh instead."
---
Chun & Zhang vs. Jealous Joker
Joker crossed his arms. "Why does she get to have you all to herself?"
Zhang scowled. "We're not falling for this."
Chun frowned. "Stay close."
Joker's illusions twisted the space between them, making them doubt their connection—but their trust in each other was stronger.
---
Merlin vs. Genius Joker
Joker pushed his glasses up. "You're predictable, Merlin. Every move you make, I already know."
Merlin smirked. "Then let's see if you can keep up."
Their fight became a mental game, a duel of calculated attacks.
---
Yami vs. Emo Joker
Emo Joker sighed. "Everything is meaningless."
Yami cracked his knuckles. "I hate you already."
Joker shrugged. "Same."
Yami clenched his fists. "Let's get this over with."