Nixie
She jumped when she heard the doors bashing again. Nixie looked at one of the computer screens. The Holy Patrol was trying to bring it down with a metal pipe. But it was no use. Nel-E said that the doors were bomb resistant. So unless one of them had a giant nuke, none of them were getting through. Still, the thought of being swarmed by the reinforcements on the way was quite troublesome.
"So what do you plan to do after you graduate?" M asked. He was leaning on a rail, looking down at Cora and the others still in their pods.
Nixie rubbed her arm as she thought of an answer to that question. Nothing came to mind and she merely shrugged. "I still plan on being a paleontologist. But...it's kind of hard to do with this thing inside of me." She pointed at her chest. The soul of the Ultimate Conductor Tyranno infused with hers was starting to pose quite a problem, especially around the skeletons of the other specimens at the museum and in her home. She and M wanted to keep that their secret, for they felt the group were already burdened with enough troubles. They didn't need to know the spirit inside Nixie was getting restless.
"Was it so hard for them to find a human bone or something?" M asked.
Nixie looked around to make sure Madeline and Jericho weren't listening. They were in a storage closet trying to empty the big metal shelf so they could use it as a barricade.
"They would have had to amputate my arm if they didn't find something to support it," Nixie said. "But from the start, I knew that was bullshit. I was able to swipe one of my grandfather's journals and learned some pretty...creepy stuff. It turns out the museum made shady deals with DracoTEK in order to get some extra funds to finance the digs. Some goon in the company's medical division had the bright idea of infusing dinosaur bones with people."
"That's fucked up. And you must have been really desperate to want to snoop through your grandfather's things like that Nixie."
"I was, M. Ever since Mickey came back and I turned savage because of the dinosaur spirit, I couldn't think about anything else. The more I pondered it, nothing about what happened at the dig made any sense. The advanced medical equipment. The billions of dollars invested in the dig. That's a hell of a lot of money to find a few dinosaur bones. I was there, M. I've been digging for bones my whole life. I know all the best places to look for fossils. But for some reason, my parents and my grandfather were moving us too close to the Tellvari Badlands."
"Damn, baby girl, that's practically in the Wastes of Odiva!"
"Exactly."
"I think DracoTEK was forcing you guys up that way."
"They were, M. According to my grandfather's journal, this guy named Dr. Guarnizo was the one who instructed them to look for fossils there. Baby, there was something about that dig site that rubbed me the wrong way. There were storms with purple lightning constantly darkening the dig site. Odd things started happening, too. People started disappearing and our equipment started going on the fritz with paranormal activity. I couldn't sleep at night because I always saw prehistoric monsters in my nightmares. Pfft. I wet the bed so many times from fear. Dad got very mad at me. We were supposed to be excavating a Daedalus skeleton, but it wasn't there. It was never there. Ultimate Conductor Tyranno was. Along with his sidekick, Dark Tyranno. That's the dinosaur that Hassleberry was infused with."
"So the landslide. You think..."
"I think it was no ordinary landslide. Someone did that in order to hurt one of our team members bad enough that they'd need the procedure. Sure enough, those two lab rats were me and Hassleberry."
"Damn, girl. And you've got the evidence to prove that stuff, too, right?"
"Yeah. After this is over, I'm going to have a serious talk with my grandfather. And I'm getting the museum's committee involved, too. If he wants to keep his job, he'd better speak the truth. And when I do get the truth, I'm suing DracoTEK for everything they've got. Unless..."
"Unless they get rid of the bone inside of you, huh?"
"That's right. I can't live with this thing inside of me, M. It's getting worse. I'm always hungry. I'm getting hot all the time even when I'm in a cool place. And now this." She opened her palms. Usually, she would have cast flames since she was a skilled magic use. But her flames were gone. Instead, they were replaced with round purple orbs, snapping with violet sparks.
"Goddesses above!" M said, backing away in shock. "Nixie...when!?"
"Right after Cora had her Duel with Prince Colvis on the ship. Ckkkk...Acckkk!" Her beautiful blue eyes turned purple and the pupils slit to look reptilian. Nixie started snarling like a beast.
"Nixie..." M said in fright. "Nixie what's wrong. Nixie."
Nixie was snarling at M and bending her fingers to curve them like talons. Her hair started to spike and her teeth became sharp. Suddenly, the growls she was making sounded more and more beastly. She's mine...Nixie hissed.
"Nixie...Nixie stop!" He grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her. "Nixie! Wake up! Wake up! Don't let him take over. Fight him! Come on, girl. Come on!"
As quickly as it happened, it ended. Nixie's eyes blinked and they went back to normal. "What's happening to me?" she said, placing a hand on her cheek.
"Nixie..." M whispered.
Nixie's face creased with sorrow and fear. "I'm scared..." she sobbed.
"Nixie!" M said hugging her. "We're gonna get through this. Stay with me, baby. We're gonna get you the help you need."
"Hey lovebirds!" Jericho called by the terminal. She was completely unaware of what just happened. "Check it out. They've exited the valley."
Cora
As soon as the party stepped out of the Temple of Skulls, it collapsed and then the Valley of the Tombstones started turning green. The dead trees started sprouting emerald-green leaves and golden flowers began to blossom from them. The festering-brown color of the earth was then replaced by a carpet of green grass with an array of wildflowers blooming, blasting the sea of green with bright pastels of colors.
"Wow!" Candy exclaimed. "Look! What are all those lights coming out of the ground?" She pointed at orbs of blue light rising out of the ground and floating gently into the sky like balloons.
"Those are the spirits of the dead, Candy," Artemis said. "Now that Berserk Dragon is gone, they can finally rest in peace."
Avramax nodded and made a brief smirk with the corner of his mouth. "Come, everyone. There are many more dangers ahead of us. We cannot delay."
"Damn right we can't," Mokuba said. "Let's go, you guys."
"I'm right behind you, Uncle Mokie," said Cora.
"Those younglings," Avramax said, following them down a dirt path out of the valley. "Who were they? Friends of yours?"
Cora pursed her lips and looked up at the sky. "No, not even. But the little kid in the baseball outfit was a dear friend of someone we know. He's been brainwashed into thinking this loony, fascist, cult is the way to salvation. He believes in that lie so much that he has become hellbent on trying to kill us. His little friend, too."
"I am sorry to hear that," Kanan said sympathetically. "If we encounter him again, I hope you will not hesitate. You know what you must do."
"Yes...yes, I do," Cora said. "I Just hope my friend can forgive me if it comes to destroying him ultimately."
The watch started to flash and beep. "Kara to party. Kara to party. Anyone there?"
Kasumi answered first. "Kara, what's up?"
"You guys are in luck. There's an in-game store called The Black Emporium. It's located right outside the city where Seto was last seen. If I were you guys, I'd head there right now and stock up on some legendary and epic gear. You can access it now that you're all high-ranked players."
"She truly is an angel," Kasumi said looking to the sky. "Alexis, I don't care what she says. She's getting rewarded for this."
Alexis just laughed at her. "Please. She's just being modest. At the end of the day, she always wants coin. Now, which way to this Black Emporium. I'm actually quite intrigued by this. I could use some new gear and stuff."
"I know just where it is!" Mokuba said. "Come on. Follow me." He started making a run up the hill and everyone followed his lead. Mokuba took them past rolling hills and a dark forest before eventually reaching a black tower at the center of a small island in the middle of a lake guarded by a sea serpent called Danger! Ogopogo! They could see the creature's black shiny body breaking the surface as it swam around, guarding the tower.
"We'll have to wait out here it seems," said Kanan. "There is a fell voice in my head, telling me not to go in there with you."
"Oh? How come?" Alexis asked.
"Psst," Mokuba said, beckoning her over. He whispered in her ear: "NPC Companions are not allowed in the Emporium. It's for players only, get my meaning."
"Oh, all right," Alexis said and stood back up. "Guard the entrance," she said. "Let us know if any trouble makers head our way."
"Yes, ma'am," Artemis said with a salute.
"Very well, then," said Avramax. "We'll wait out here."
The group descended down a dark and spiraling stairway that led them to a long tunnel with a wooden pier leading them down an assortment of goods. There were exotic pets in cages, glass display cases holding precious enchantment runes, crates full of epic-level armor, and barrels with swords crafted with over-the-top designs. Once they exited the tunnel, they found themselves in a rotunda made of black marble and lit with pyres of green flames. There was s sickly old wizard sitting on a throne at the center of the rotunda. He was reading a book through half-moon spectacles. His fingers were long and bony, some covered with warts. His nails were long and cracked, blackening at the bottom.
"Come in," he said. "Come on. Have a look around. Whatever you desire, I have it."
"He's the owner of the Black Emporium," said Mokuba. "I designed him myself."
Cora couldn't help but chuckle. "Well, you sure did outdo yourself with this character, Uncle Mokie. So, what do we have to do to get some gear around here?"
"Simple," Mokuba said. "All you've got to do is ask the shopkeeper what you want, and he'll open up a menu with all the stuff you can get."
"I want to try!" Candy said, running toward the shopkeeper without care. Her friends called on her to stop, but she did not listen. "Hello, sir," she said sweetly. "I'm a high-level ranger. What do you have in stock that can aid me on my quest?"
"Do you have gold?" the shopkeeper howled.
"Uh..."
Check your coin purse! Kara said on the radio.
Candy picked up the sack of gold coins and showed it to the shopkeeper. He seemed quite pleased with the large amount of gold she had in there.
"Well, well, well, you're loaded." He closed his book shut. "Huzzah, a paying customer at last. Tell me, what would you like my dear?"
"Well, I sure could use a new bow." Candy showed him the simple wooden bow in her inventory.
"Ah, I've got just the one you need. One deserving of a client with steep pockets. Perhaps I can interest you with this." He held up his hand and waved his bony fingers until a very exquisite bow appeared before her very eyes. "This bow is called Thori'dal. The Stars' Fury. I got it from a land far, far, away from here. You can kill an army of a thousand men with this bow. It's yours for the wee fee of five million gold pieces."
Candy became nervous and her throat went dry. "Uh..."
"It's okay, take it!" Kara said. "It's chump change compared to the gold I gave you."
"I'll take it!" Candy declared.
"Sold!" The Shopkeeper said. The old wooden bow Candy had was replaced and then Thori'dal appeared on her back, along with a quiver of glowing blue arrows. She then bought herself some new gear. She picked an armor set called Kaiser Dandelion.
In a flash, her new armor was equipped. Gone was the revealing skirt and bodice corset. She was now protected in a tight suit made of mithril chainmail under layered armor colored spring-green and accented with gold leafy engravings, with boots and sleeves of sturdy leather made from dragon-hide. Lights flickered around her neck and then a green hooded cape with gold elvish designs along the hem flowed down from her neck down to her ankles. The cape was a magic one that gave her protection against sneak attacks and revealed hidden enemies. And to finish her business, she bought a weapon called Sacred Sword of Seven Stars and a legendary scroll that gave her the ability to summon Super-War Lion. Her hair even changed. It was a much lighter shade of blonde and the pigtails she wore were held by two big blue ribbons.
Mokuba was next. "I'll take the legendary armor of Corvax the Mythic Dragon Slayer."
"Very well. Five million gold pieces!" said the shopkeeper.
Mokuba tossed him a heavy sack of gold coins. "Here's six million. Keep the change."
"Sold!" said the shopkeeper.
The armor was equipped on Mokuba's body. Thick steel accented with glowing blue patterns and crystals with lights trapped inside. Cora loved the look of the armor so much that she asked for it.
"I'll take what he's got," she said.
"Six million," the Shopkeeper said.
"No biggie. All right. Hand over that armor." Cora held out her hands. Lights sparked over her fingers and then there was a bright flash. What she saw made her face drop. "What...what...WHAT is this!?" she shouted holding up what looked like cloth with metal plates on it.
"The armor of the Mythic Dragon Slayer," said the shopkeeper. "Just as you requested."
"No! No! NO! This is NOT as I requested. Look at what he's got! Now, look at this!" She stretched the bottom part and held it over her face. "You've got to be joking."
"Cora..." Kasumi said, hiding her giggling with her hand. "Be...knccckk...be nice."
Cora whipped around so fast her hair gave a woosh. "BE NICE!" she shouted. She wasn't joking around. She was pissed. "LOOK AT THIS!"
"I am," said Alexis. She gingerly placed her hand on her cheek and tried her best to keep from laughing. She let out a snicker as she said: "Goddesses above is that a thong?"
Cora's eyes bulged, her face red with rage. "Thong!? No! This fucking thing doesn't even pass for dental floss! Mokuba! When I get out of this, you better show me the weeb responsible for designing this garbage!"
She tossed the armor - for lack of a better word - furiously at the ground.
Cora returned her purchase and just settled for a sword that belonged to Gilford the Legend. Even though it was a powerful weapon, Cora was still pretty mad she couldn't find some gear that looked good. Don't get her wrong, she liked sexy in her outfits but the designs in many of the armor sets she saw were just a little too much...for want the use of a better word (Anyone been to the Skyrim Nexus?). After everyone purchased their epic and legendary gear and spells, they bid the Shopkeeper goodbye and headed up the stairs out of the Emporium. Cora ignored everyone, walking with her arms crossed over her chest. She said nothing on their way back to the top and remained silent throughout the rest of the journey.
They rejoined Kanan, Artemis, and Avramax on the surface then left the land around the Emporium. Moments later, they came upon a hill overlooking a desert metropolis surrounded by a tan-colored wall and four large towers colored with bright patterns near the top and around the middle.
"Ah, civilization!" said Avramax. "There's bound to be someone down there who has information on your brother, Lord Mokuba."
"But how do we know which one?" Alexis asked. "Man, there's got to be thousands of people down there."
"We're just going to have to split up," Mokuba suggested. "There's plenty of us. Ask every NPC out there."
"If that's what it takes," Kasumi said. She was still clad in a cheongsam dress but it gave her steel boots and two golden gauntlets. The patterns on the black fabric were made of shiny gold and shaped to look like dragons. "I'll go with Cora to the north side."
"Candy and I will take the south!" said Mokuba.
"I'll go with Alexis to the harbor district," said Kanan.
"Very well," said Avramax. "Artemis and I will go to the noble's district. Let's meet back at the statue of the horned knight in a few hours."
Kasumi and Cora treaded to the north side of the city, dubbed the fountain district for all its beautiful fountains of marble, gemstones, and even gold and myrrh. They walked down alleyways concealed with blue, purple, and red tarps. The sun beamed down on the fabric, casting their colors all over the place, forcing them to fight for dominance of the alley and the pleasure of its inhabitants. Cora and Kasumi could smell all sorts of exotic scents. Beans, fruits, perfumes, hookahs.
"Swords!" shouted an alleyway merchant. "Swords! The strongest swords for the strongest warriors!" He held up one of his blades with his hand.
"Pets!" said another merchant. "Come! Come! Pick up a pet. I've got dragons, phoenixes, hydras, anything you can think of. Pets! Get your exotic pets here!"
Cora and Kasumi spent a good half hour asking the NPCs about any suspicious characters. None of them have seen a thing. It was a relatively peaceful afternoon for them. Great. They asked around again, this time asking the guards and even nobles. Nothing. Nobody had heard of Seto Kaiba. Nobody.
The few hours were almost up. Soon it was time to go back to the entrance of the city to meet up with the others. Hopefully, one of the other members of their group were able to find some information. Kasumi noticed Cora still walking about with a disgruntled look on her face. She placed a hand on her shoulder to comfort her, then leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek. "Hey," she said. "Everything all right? You're still not bummed out about the style of armor the Emporium had, are you?"
"There are worse things," Cora replied. She wanted to kiss Kasumi's hand, but it was covered under a thick layer of gold armor. Instead, she kissed her shoulder and leaned on it as they walked. "Believe it or not, even with all this going on, I'm freaking out about my exam tomorrow."
"Oh yeah?" Kasumi said, leaning her cheek on the top of Cora's head. "That bad, huh?"
"Yeah. It's on earthling socialism. I mean really, what's the point? I'm not an earthling. I don't plan on being an earthling. So who gives a shit if they're socialists? They could be fascist revolutionaries for all I care. It still wouldn't change the fact that after all I've done, Seto still doesn't consider me a Kaiba yet."
"Truly?"
"Yeah. I've just about had it up to here." Cora tapped her forehead. "Kasumi. I...if those whole Kaiba thing doesn't work out. I thought that maybe I could...I could live with you."
"Cora? Think about what you're saying."
"I've been thinking about it since the events on the ship. I've been through hell and walked through it without a scratch. Seto still sees me as a brat unworthy of his dragons. I don't want to spend the rest of my days trying to please a person who has no intention of being happy with me. Or acknowledging me as a part of his family despite what these dragons have done in his dreams. I'm tired. I'm exhausted. I'm growing depressed. You know...after I told Seto everything that happened on the ship and presented him with Krissa and The Legendary Dragon of White, he still wouldn't name me a Kaiba. I almost hung myself because I was so grieved. And last night I almost jumped out of the window of my room because everything started to feel so pointless."
Kasumi stopped. "Cora!" she clutched both of Cora's hands lovingly. "Cora, I had no idea it was getting that bad for you. You know you can always talk to me about anything. Please! For the love of Ana (Goddess of Love), who brought you and me together, speak to me before you even consider hurting yourself again. You're my greatest treasure, Cora."
"I am?"
"Yes. Ugh, when I saw you with Krissa, I felt like someone had replaced my heart with a stone. I couldn't eat. I couldn't sleep. All I could think about was the girl of my dreams holding hands with another. And now that I have you, I don't want to lose you."
Cora rubbed her nose against Kasumi's and kissed it. "What did I ever do to deserve you, baby? I love my Blue-Eyes White Dragons but I love you even more. Much more. I'm willing to give them up just to live a peaceful life with you. Fuck Duel Academy. Fuck our families. Let's just...let's just run away together. Somewhere quiet. Somewhere where no one can bother us. Somewhere where I don't have to share you with anyone."
"Cora, darling, I'm touched."
"Yeah. I can swipe enough gold from Seto to get us a nice castle in the Great White Mountains."
"No, Cora. We can't. Believe me, I want nothing more than to live in a castle estate with just you. It's tempting. But this is your destiny. All the things that have happened to you have happened for a reason. The Goddesses have laid out a path for you, and you must tread that path. I love you. But I fear I'm just an obstacle in the way of your destiny. Cora. Please. Don't give up just for me."
"But..."
"No buts. I am the heir to the Kingdom of Gō-Aki. As I said, I love you, too — more than anything — but it is my destiny to rule the kingdom. I cannot give it up. Not even for you, my love." She gave Cora a quick kiss on the lips. "I've been through many trials even since that destiny was laid upon my shoulders. I've been offered to so many suitors, I can't even count. I've been moved from place to place to learn different cultures, languages, and fighting styles to defend my kingdom should the need arise. I had to study dueling for an entire year of my life. And I couldn't lose. If I did, I got whipped, once for each loss I got. I swore after my sixteenth loss that I would never lose to the Dueling Monks. I had to be as swift and powerful as the Tenyi in my deck. You've got your own trials to deal with. Be a big girl and keep your head high. Face them with a smile on your face. Take comfort in knowing you won't face them alone; for I will always be by your side."
They nuzzled their noses together.
"I guess that's all that really matters," Cora said. "When we get out of this stupid game, wanna just cuddle on the couch when we get home?"
Kasumi narrowed her eyes and made a devious-looking face with a mischievous smile. "Mmmm," she purred, brushing Cora's hair with her fingertips. "I was thinking about cuddling in a nice, hot, bubble bath instead."
Cora smiled and tapped Kasumi on the nose. "You know, I like that idea even better."
Her watch beeped. "Cora! Cora, come in. It's Mokuba."
"Hey, Uncle Mokie. What's up?"
"We got a lead. Meet us at the entrance as soon as you can."
"Finally, some good news. Come on, Kass. Let's see what they found."
The couple ran back to the main entrance of the city. The whole party was already there waiting for them.
"So what have you found out?" Cora asked.
"I just spoke to an old woman," said Mokuba. "She said that there was a group of shady-looking people in town the other day. They stayed at the tavern with a prisoner and left about an hour ago."
"No kidding!" Kasumi exclaimed with joy. "That means he's not too far ahead of us. Excellent work, Mokuba. Which way did they go."
"They headed for the desert!" Candy said pointing toward the back gate of the city. "We need to cross through the Wastes of Korad'Ra."
"No, no we cannot!" said Avramax. "It's impossible to cross the deserts there."
"Not with these upgrades," Cora boasted. "Let's get going. The sooner we find those goons, the sooner we can go home."
"Lady Cora, wait!" called Kanan.
They didn't listen. Cora, Candy, Kasumi, and Alexis both ran across the city until they reached the end. There was no wall there. The desert just sat there, beckoning them to travel through it.
"Here we come, Seto!" Mokuba said. "Come on, you guys!" He broke into a sprint. Cora and the others followed. They traveled through the sands for about ten minutes and then a sandstorm kicked up.
"What's going on!" Cora cried over the fierce winds.
"Hang on, guys!" Mokuba shouted. "We just have to...AAAAAAAAAAAAUUUGGGHH!" The sand twister picked up Mokuba and sucked him into its vortex. Then it picked up Cora and the others and then everything turned black.
Cora woke up moments later. She stared up into the blue sky, laying on the sand at the edge of the city. A figure loomed over her and laughed. Avramax. "I told you, it's impossible to cross the desert on foot."
"The lad be right, child," said an old man sitting on a rocking chair on his porch. He was smoking desert weed with a long, tan, tobacco pipe, and he wore a turban on his head and ragged brown clothes.
"What are you talking about?" Cora said, sitting up. Kasumi also sat up and rubbed her head.
"There's a curse in that desert," the man answered. There be a great beast in there that kicks out anyone who dares to enter its territory. The only thing that can cross through the desert and resist the magic of the sand beast is a Niwatori."
"Niwa-what?" Candy asked. She slapped her left ear, making sand come out the other.
"Oh! A Niwatori chicken!" Kasumi said.
"You're saying a Niwatori monster can cross through the desert?"
"Indeed, fair lass."
"Where can we find some?" Kanan asked. "Please, it is of great urgency."
"Sorry, milady, but I'm afraid that's a prized bird. You're not going to find it just anywhere."
"Then where do you suggest we look?" Avramax asked.
"Well, there is a big tournament in the arena in the northern-most part of town. But be wary. Only the best of the best can enter those games. There's stiff competition there. The top-ranked gladiator is a sorceress who can turn you to as with just a snap of her fingers."
"We can take her on," said Cora.
"To the arena," said Kanan. "I know a shortcut. Follow me."
The group had to climb up to the second level of the city, called the Hanging Gardens. From where they were, they could see towering temples and stone skyscrapers going for and domed towers going for miles. The sheer size and beauty of the city almost healed them of the urgency to find Kaiba. The Hanging Gardens had all of its statues and structures covered by thick curtains of vines and flowers. Cora wanted to stay here and enjoy the sheer beauty of the Hanging Gardens, but she knew she had a job to do. She swore in secrecy that if Seto ever cleaned the game of the mess it was in right now, she would come back and visit this place.
After a long walk across a lengthy bridge, the group made it to the pride and joy of the city. The Shadow Colosseum.
"Look how massive that thing is!" Candy said. "People fight here?"
"That they do, little one," said Kanan. "They come to risk their lives here for wealth, fame, and most importantly —" she tapped on the picture of a Niwatori card "—this rare and valuable creature. All we have to do is beat their grand champion."
"I don't know what you mean by we," said a hideous toad-like creature. He was sitting on a chair munching on grapes as two beautiful elf girls clad in tops and small loincloths of thin white silk shaded him with giant feathers from a Queen Bird, one of the many beasts that foolish challengers to the arena had to face.
"Who in the hell are you?" Kasumi asked.
"I'm the Grand Battle Chief and Combat Outfitter of Shadow Colosseum," the creature replied. "And lemme guess, you want to take on our grand champion, don't you?"
"That's right!" Mokuba said.
"Huh. I don't think so. The people of this city take their gladiator matches very seriously. And neither of you looks like combatant material to me."
"We can handle ourselves!" Candy protested.
"Sorry there, sweet cakes, but that's a no. Only one combatant is allowed to fight in a championship match against the grand champion. I don't trust that either of you can put on a show but if it's a shot at the champion you desire, well, far be it from me to get in your way. Choose amongst yourselves. Who will be the one to challenge the champion?"
"I will!" Cora said before anyone else could speak.
"You serious, Cora!" Kasumi said. "You know what happens if..."
"I know, I know. But you guys forget. Thanks to Kara, I have my secret weapon. I'll be able to take on their champion."
"If that's what you want to do," said Alexis. "You sure you're going to be all right without us?"
Cora winked at her. "Yeah. I know what I'm getting into. And I wouldn't have volunteered if I wasn't confident I could win. Plus, look at the size of this sword I'm wielding. I'm unstoppable."
"Good luck to you, Cora," said Artemis. "Please, be careful."
Moments later, Cora was walking up the ramp of an underground tunnel. She saw light up ahead and then iron gates were raised. Cora equipped her helmet and walked out into the sands of the colosseum. She was shocked to see that an audience of 10,000 people was looking down at her. The stadium erupted with their cheers. They were so loud, Cora could feel it shaking her armor. Banners hung from the edges of the opening. The ground was nothing but sand, its surface disturbed by previous battles and stained red with the blood of the fallen. A circle of giant white pillars topped with gold circled around the center, which was surrounded by a fountain. As Cora stepped onto the center of the arena, a red and gold door in front of her opened. Four toadlike creatures came walking out holding up a palanquin. There was a woman sitting on top of the throne it was perched on. She had a gold and indigo mask covering her face and she had on a wide-brimmed witch's hat that matched the style of her outfit.
"Good people of Rondovia!" called the Grand Battle Chief from his box. "Welcome to the arena! We have quite the treat for you this afternoon. It seems another foolish warrior has come to take on our beloved, beautiful, grand champion, Madame Butterfly!"
When he said her name, the stadium shook with the thunder of applause.
"Allow me to introduce our foolish challenger, who has come to entertain you with her death tonight. Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for The Maiden with Eyes of Blue!"
Boooooo! Booooo! Boooo!
The crowd was definitely not on her side.
"Does this dimwitted maiden stand a chance against the Queen of Mean herself? Let's find out. Gladiators! Fight!"
Madame Butterfly jumped from the palanquin and shot two balls of fire down at Cora. Cora rolled out of the way; she felt the heat stinging her exposed flesh. Madame Butterfly cackled viciously, taking another elegant leap into the air and shooting more fireballs at Cora. Cora held up her massive sword and blocked the attack.
Ooooooooo! Hooted the crowd.
Madame Butterfly landed right in front of Cora. She held up her hand and conjured a reddish-pink sword. To Cora's shock, the sword extended like a whip. Madame Butterfly strutted slowly and sensuously toward Cora, whipping her blade around and striking Cora's giant sword. The whip-blade Madame Butterfly had started glowing and they took off into the air acting like missiles. Cora summoned the Protector with Eyes of Blue from her deck.
He jumped out of a blue glyph and blocked each of the projectiles with his giant blue sword.
"Come on, Cora!" Mokuba cheered from the stands. He was sitting with the others on the first row.
Madame Butterfly laughed again. Cora paused. She sounds familiar, she thought.
Madame Butterfly then summoned a monster of her own. "Go! Harpie Queen!" she shouted and she summoned a teal-haired Harpie with fair skin and a revealing outfit.
Harpie Queen let out a scream and soared toward Cora. She swung her massive sword, scaring the Harpie away. But then Madame Butterfly jumped in and tried to attack Cora. Cora dug her sword into the ground and used its handle to swing about, dodging Madame Butterfly's attack. Protector with Eyes of Blue then flew down and slashed her on the back, dealing a bit of damage.
"NOOOO!" the crowd shouted.
But Madame Butterfly had tricks up her sleeve. She held up a card called Mooyan Curry. A tasty broth in a gravy boat of gold appeared before her. She drank from it and her Life Points went up. The crowd cheered for her and chanted her name, begging her to slay the Maiden with Eyes of Blue.
"You've got spunk, kiddo!" Madame Butterfly said. "This is the most fun I've had in a while." She burst out laughing and commanded Harpie Queen to attack. Cora blocked the attack, holding up her arm. SMASH! Harpie Queen's razor-sharp claws were as strong as Aurachalcium Steel from Akuuda. Cora's gauntlet smashed to pieces, exposing her entire arm and taking her Life Points down by half of Harpie Queen's attack points. Madame Butterfly then whipped her sword, striking Cora's sword with enough force to knock her back. She fell on the water of the fountain with a splash and struggled to stand back up and continue fighting.
The both of them went back and forth, neither one of them letting up. The crowd was excited at first. It was quite a thrill to see Madame Butterfly up in arms against a worthy opponent. But the two warriors were so evenly matched that the fight started to get boring. The cheers then went to howls and angry shouts.
"Not to worry, friends!" said the Combat Chief. "This oughtta make the fight a little more lively. Release the Queen!"
"Queen!" Cora and Madame Butterfly said at once.
A shadow swooped over the arena, followed by a loud screech. A giant winged-beast monster called Queen Bird soared down from the sky. She tried to grab Mai, but she ducked out of the way. Cora hid behind one of the pillars to shield herself from the awesome gust of wind Queen Bird created. She looked up to get a good look at the winged beast. It looked like a giant vulture red vulture.
"So that's the way it's gonna be, huh?" Mai shouted. "First, I'm gonna take you out, toots! If you couldn't handle one Harpie Lady, how can you deal with more? I activate Elegant Egotist, which allows me to call on Cyber Harpie." In a flash of white light, burning green on the center, the armored Harpie Lady took form. She then flew side by side with Harpie Queen. Madame Butterfly laughed. "I have just what I need for a Synchro Summon."
"Synchro Summon!" Cora shouted. "None of those monsters are Tuners!"
"Oh, don't worry, hon. This monster I'm about to summon can make one of my Harpies a Tuner Monster. Harpie Queen, tune yourself with Cyber Harpie. Combine yourselves to form the all-powerful, Cyber Slash Harpie Lady!"
All these Harpie Ladies! Cora thought. Can she be...
Whoosh! Rarrrrrrwwww! Queen Bird swooped down again, talons raised. She took Protector with Eyes of Blue in her grip but Cyber Slash Harpie Lady would not allow the Queen Bird to take her kill. She flew up toward the bird as fast as a jet. She went so fast she broke the sound barrier and shook the stadium with a sonic boom. Cora grunted and covered her ears. She then watched Cyber Slash Harpie Lady scratch Queen Bird with her metallic claws. Rarrrrrwwwww! Queen Bird shrieked and dropped Protector with Eyes of Blue. He performed a flip and landed safely on the ground.
"You okay?" Cora called out. The Protector looked back at her and nodded. "All right. It's time to perform your special ability. You know what to do! Sacrifice yourself and special summon Blue-Eyes White Dragon!"
Protector with Eyes of Blue held his sword horizontally and slid his hand down the blade. As his palm slid by, the sword was lit with round bluish-white runes. "Mmmmmrrrrggh!" he growled. His body turned to light and the light took the form of a Blue-Eyes White Dragon. Volerion.
"YEAH!" Mokuba cheered. "That's it, Cora! Take em' to the hoof!"
"The hell did he just say?" Cora wondered.
"A Blue-Eyes White Dragon!?" Madame Butterfly called off her Cyber Slash Harpie. She flew towards her master and hovered behind her.
Cora pointed toward the flying monster and shouted: "Volerion! Take down that oversized bird! Burst Stream of Destruction!"
Volerion growled, his mouth twitched violently as he furiously charged his attack. He finally opened his jaws and fired the destructive beam at the Queen Bird. It struck her and created a tremendous explosion in the sky. The crowd shouted and yelled in fright as they were covered by a cloud of dust. When it cleared the flaming carcass of Queen Bird fell to the ground with a thud.
"NO!" The Chief shouted.
"Cora!" Madame Butterfly cried. She took her mask off and revealed herself to be Mai. "Cora! Baby is that you!?"
"Mai?" Cora said. She took off her helmet. Her long, brown hair flowed down to her back. "Mai!? You're here too...URK!" In the blink of an eye, Mai reached her and embraced her in a long bear hug.
"Oh, Cora! It's been a while! What on earth are you doing here!?"
"Urk...I could ask you the same thing? Aw, forget it." She hugged Mai back. She hadn't seen her since Korrinthia freed her and Ms. Goldwine from the Shadow Realm. "I'm so glad you're okay."
"Me, too, hun." She kissed the top of her head. "What's with that get up?" she said, stepping back and examining Cora's armor. "Really? Honey, you're armored from top to better except there? I mean that skirt! It is just as short as the one you wear at the academy. You look so ridiculous."
"Ha! You're one to talk. What's that you're wearing?"
"Oh, do you like it? It's an outfit worn by a character called Mona. She's from a game called Genshin Impact."
"Never heard of it."
"It's a game from Earth. Some techies in the gaming industry had it ported over from the Gates. I heard Kaiba is a big fan of the game so he made a bit of a crossover with his game. Got it in the Black Emporium. Not only is it stylish, but it makes my spells devastating."
"At least you found something decent to wear." She looked at her friends and signaled them to come down.
"She wants us to go into the pits?" Avramax asked.
"Does she want us to fight?" Artemis wondered.
"No," replied Kanan. "I think Lady Cora and the grand champion know each other."
"Do you think it's safe?" Candy asked.
"Of course, it is!" declared Kasumi. "That's Mai Valentine. Cora said she's awful nice. Come on."
Alexis's mouth went wide and she immediately clapped them over it. "Mai Valentine!? She's my hero! It's her! It's really her!" She was the first to jump over the wall. Mokuba and the others followed.
"What's this!" the Battle Chief shouted. "Asking for help is illegal! Return to your seats at once!"
Mai stepped back and studied the party one by one. "Well, well, well, looks like you've got yourself quite the traveling party. Oh...is the one with the orange-red hair this Kasumi I've been hearing about?" She held up her knuckles. "Cora...nice job."
Cora nervously bumped her knuckles with Mai.
"So, tell me, what are you guys doing here?" Mai asked.
"It's a bit of a long story," said Mokuba. "And I think we need to clear out of here as soon as we can. This crowd doesn't look too happy that we've stopped the fight."
Booooo! Boooo! Booo! Shouted the crowd.
"All right, now's not the time to talk," said Mai. "Let's get the hell out of here."
"Not yet!" said Mokuba. "We need that Niwatori card in order to cross the desert."
"The desert?"
"It's where they're probably keeping Seto," Cora said. "We can't cross the desert without that card."
"Well, then, I'm on it!" Mai said. "Cyber Slash Harpie Lady! Get that card!" She equipped her Harpie with Rose Whip.
Cyberslash Harpie Lady flew toward the chief's box and snapped her whip. It coiled around the card, carefully placed in a stand right next to his throne. Cyber Slash Harpie Lady reeled her wrist back and swiped the card.
"NO! THE PRIZE NIWATORI CARD!" the chief wailed. "I will not allow thievery in my arena! Send out the Inquisitor!"
The crowd cheered and stood up on their feet.
"The Inquisitor?" Candy said with a shiver.
"That doesn't sound good," said Alexis.
A round door opened from the center of the arena and from it a platform arose, carrying a black knight in heavy jet-black armor carrying a sword and a mace. He had a thick black cape behind him and his helmet was pointed like a wizard's citadel.
"Doom! Doom! Doom! Doom! Doom! Doom! Doom!" the crowd chanted.
Artemis equipped Apollousa and she fired her arrows at the Inquisitor. He deflected the missile with his mace. Artemis then notched two arrows and fired. The black knight had lightning-fast reflexes and knocked the arrows away with his mace and sword. Candy joined in, equipping Thori'dal. She shot threw arrows rapidly thanks to her abilities. But the black knight still blocked her attack with ease.
"Arrrgh!" Candy growled. "We don't have time for this boss fight shit! I activate Trap Hole!"
Suddenly the ground disappeared under the knight's feet. He hovered there for a few seconds. "Uh oh," he said. Aaaaaaahhhhhhhh! He screamed as he fell into the darkness.
"Nice work, Candy!" Artemis said with a cheer. She ruffled Candy's hair and summoned her bear with a snap of her fingers.
"Close the gates!" shouted the Chief. "Don't let them escape."
"I think we've wasted enough time in this arena!" said Artemis. "Break down those barriers, my friend!"
Her bear roared and charged toward the iron gates. He smashed through them as though they were match sticks.
"Hurry! Let's go!" shouted Mai.
She followed Cora and the others into the tunnels and they had to fight their way past a small army of Colosseum guards to finally reach the main entrance of the stadium. They dashed across the city, leaving it behind at last.
Now that they were in the shifting sands of the Wastes of Korath'Ra.
"So Kaiba Corp paid you to test out the game, huh, Mai?" Cora asked once they were a good distance from the city.
"Yeah. It was a big-ass paycheck, too. And they paid me more and more to keep quiet about it. So unlike Kaiba Corp. But I didn't think anything of it. I thought they just wanted to keep their prototype a secret until it was ready for distribution."
"It was most likely a ghost account used by the Church of Yeyu," said Mokuba. "We never contacted you for anything, Mai. I guess Knox wanted to see if the game was ready for his plan."
"So they kidnapped your brother, huh?" Mai said. "And they're going to use some phantom as a decoy to impersonate him."
Cora rubbed the back of her neck. "Look, I know how all this sounds but..."
Mai pressed her finger against Cora's lips to silence her. "Oh, Cora, trust me. When you've seen a one-month-old baby summon all three God Cards and destroy an Orc army, you'll believe anything."
"Wow!" Candy said in wonder. "So you really were there when Prince Yuri summoned them."
"Of course. I am his Godmother after all. I was always by his side until Yugi created that regency council and decided to banish Yuri in another world until it was safe for him to return."
"With all these heroes popping out, I think the world is a much better place than it was before," said Alexis.
"And you being one of those heroes, Princess," said Mai. "The Platinum Valkyrie. That's a title only bestowed upon a champion of the Light Goddess. Such a thing hasn't been seen in thousands of years. And your buddy Zane kicking crime in the butt as the Cyberknight. I also heard your little friend, Jasmine, is now taming the Seventeen Seas with the legendary Daedalus and a handsome prince as her sidekick. I didn't think that creature could be tamed."
"Well, it has," Alexis said, eyes glued to her hero, a woman she admired since birth. "Jasmine of all people. Huh. Who'd a thunk it?"
"A company of heroes," said Avramax. "Just where did you say you were from?"
"A land far away," Mokuba replied.
"But it's a land filled with heroes," Kasumi added.
"Mayhaps I will go there someday," Avramax said. "I would love to test my strength against them and see how I fare."
"There he goes again," said Kanan. "Always flexing his muscles to appease the little one here." She rumpled Artemis's hair.
"Hey," Artemis whined. "Kanan. You're messing up my ears."
"I wish I could be a great hero," Cora whined. "But...I'm just Seto Kaiba's adopted baby brat at this point."
Mai ruffled her hair. "Hey, don't count yourself out, kiddo. I said it once and I'll say it again. If your life is difficult, that means great things are on the way. You just gotta keep on trucking forward."
Speaking of trucking forward," said Mokuba, "if we take another step forward, we're going to get blown away by the twister and get sent back to town."
"Not a good thing considering there's an angry mob that wants to tear us apart," said Alexis. "I guess this is a good place as any to summon those Niwatori monsters. Mai, will you do the honors?"
Mai stopped and held up the card. Then enough Nitwatoris for all of them magically appeared. They each got on and kicked them into a sprint, taking them farther and farther into the desert. What lay ahead, they did not know, but they were not fearful, so long as they had each other.