Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D'sXWizard101
Chapter 18: The Tomb of Storms
Yusei and his wizard team bid farewell to Shalek the Wise before boarding the ship back to the mainland. When they touched down on the Oasis, they spent several minutes adjusting themselves to the warm weather again before reporting back to Sergeant Major Talbot. The major listened with amazement as the team spoke of how they reunited the Order of the Fang.
"Shalek the Wise told us we need to find Krokopatra in the Tomb of Storms," finished Yusei. "Do you know where it is?"
Talbot scratched his head. "The Tomb of Storms, eh? Sure you want to go there?"
"We have to go there! Cause we have to stop a bad guy from taking over the world!" said Leo.
"That's quite a dangerous place," warned Talbot.
"We've been in tougher spots before. And we have to defeat the leader of the tuts!" yelled Jack.
"The Tut leader is inside? Well, why didn't you say so?" remarked Talbot. "I'll get you in there right away, if you haven't already found a way in." He then pointed towards a section surrounded by 3 giant obelisks. "You're in luck! My men are overtaxed but one of the locals has found a way into the Tomb of Storms."
"Wow, really?" asked Crow.
"Yes, and once you're there, you're on your own I'm afraid. I can't protect the locals and launch an assault. You'll have to be your own army," stated Talbot.
"Don't worry, sir. We are more than capable of doing this," said Yusei.
"Ready? Go find Hetch Al'Dem nearby. He's been working with the summoning stones and will surely know how to get inside," said Talbot.
The team saluted him before going to speak with Hetch Al'Dem. He was a purple-colored Mander and was busy looking at the stones. When he saw the wizards approach him, he looked slightly shocked.
"We were wondering if you could help us find the entrance into the Tomb of Storms, mister," said Akiza.
The mander looked confused. "You cannot simply march into the Tomb of Storms. You must have three Golden Scarabs, and I only have one."
"Actually, sir, we have the other two," said Kalin as he and Crow presented the mander with the other two Golden Scarabs.
Hetch Al' Dem was amazed. "Oh, you have two of them? Hmm, easier than I though. Take mine by all means! That should get you in there, if you have not already found a means, Oh Crafty One."
"So, what's the next step?" asked Luna.
"Touch each Scarab, in turn, to each of the Obelisks, and you will activate them," instructed Hetch. "Then the Tomb and its secrets will open to you, assuming you had not already found your way in."
Yusei, Jack, and Crow each took one of the Golden Scarabs and held them on an obelisk as Hetch Al'Dem told. The obelisks glowed blue and within a matter of seconds, a giant stone head emerged from the sand.
"What on Earth?!" yelled Crow.
"That must be the entrance we've been seeking!" exclaimed Kalin.
"He's right! Let us enter the Tomb!" exclaimed Yusei.
Everyone entered the statue's mouth and were transported inside the Tomb of Storms. The main section of the tomb as a sight to behold. The walls were dimly lit with purple torches and the bottom platform was surrounded by a pool filled with glowing, green water.
"Ew, what is that stuff?" asked Leo.
Before anyone could remark to Leo, an eerie voice called out to them.
"Greetings!"
Everyone jumped at the sound and turned around to see the ghost of Krokhotep standing in front of them.
"You! You were one of the Tuts we defeated in the Krokosphinx!" exclaimed Yusei.
"Came to get revenge on us?" growled Jack.
Krokhotep shook his head sadly. "Don't fear me. I would like to atone for betraying the Order of the Fang. I was…blinded by Krokopatra and foolishly gave her the Krokonomicon."
"How could you…" cried Luna, tears filling in her eyes.
"With it, Krokopatra could force any Krok spirit to rise in her service as her new army," stated Krokhotep. We must stop her from using it…if it's not already too late!"
"How can we stop her?" asked Kalin.
"To reach her, you'll need a two-part Cipher. The head of the Ahnic family has the first part, deep inside the Ahnic tomb. Be careful," said Krokhotep.
"Don't worry, we will," nodded Akiza.
The team then entered the Ahnic Family Tomb and traveled down the musty, purple corridors while dodging the undead Kroks. Once they reached the far end of the area, they were met with the leader of the Ahnics, King Uro.
"If you have not come to bask in my glory, you must be punished."
"We came here to get your Cipher," said Crow.
King Uro then retaliated by shooting lightning at them with his staff, but missed. After several minutes of clashing, the king surrendered and fled, leaving behind the first part of the cipher. Everyone took the portal that opened up back to the main room and showed it to Krokhotep.
"Great job. If only I had half your courage…" trailed Krokhotep.
"Thanks…" muttered Luna.
"Now you will need the second part of the Cipher. It was cleverly placed in the tomb of an opposing family so that no one would ever unite the two halves," said Krokhotep.
"Until today!" smiled Leo.
The fallen leader nodded. "Let's see how cleaver they really are. Find the head of the Djeserit family int their tomb and bring back the second part of the Cipher."
The team then entered the other family tomb and confronted the leader of the Djeserit Family, King Shemet. He fought almost exactly the same as the leader of the Ahnics, King Uro, in that he also used lightning. However, he too was no match for the hero's combined might and crumbled away. Yusei took the second half the Cipher from the ground and ported back to Krokhotep.
"You've done well, but your trial is only beginning," said Krokhotep. "Your next quest will test you courage like never before!"
"What do you mean by that?" asked Kalin."
"Krokopatra rules from the Temple of Storms, secured by only one key. To make matters worse, four princes guard it within the royal palace," explained Krokhotep.
"So it's similar to the Pyramid," sighed Crow.
"The Ciphers will get you into the palace, but to even reach it you will need to make your way through the Karanahn Barracks. I'm sorry for the task ahead of you, Once you defeat the forth and final prince, you will have the Temple Key at last. Good Luck," instructed Krokhotep.
"Don't worry! We can take them all!" grinned Leo.
The team then entered the Barracks and split up to battle the princes. They divided themselves into four groups: Kalin and Jack, Akiza and Leo, Luna and Crow, and Yusei decided to fight alone. The princes were scattered into the four corners of the area and each kept a mander as a slave.
Each battle against the princes took several minutes, and the team sustained a few bruises from the storm enemies, but they slowly persevered over the Tuts. After the final price fell, the guards protecting the Krokopatra's lair disappeared. The team then returned to Krokhotep to report their discovery.
Upon hearing of their victory, Krokhotep's pained face broke into a sigh of relief. "You did it! A most excellent display of bravery. I thought no one could ever make it through."
"We made it with teamwork!" smiled Luna.
"You see, I was the one who crafted those obstacles. When I awoke, I feared those strangers digging up my home," said Krokhotep.
"You made them?" asked Yusei in surprised.
"Strangers? You mean the Marleybonians?" asked Akiza.
Krokhotep nodded. "But you, a stranger, have shown that Krokopatra is far worse. I hope I can repay you." He then pointed at the large stone Krok statue in the middle of the room. "It's time for your final, and next important task. I'm only sorry I could not do it myself."
"There's no need to apologize, Krokhotep," stated Yusei.
"You must enter the Temple of Storms and defeat the mighty Krokopatra. Only then you can recover the Krokonomicon and keep it from falling into the hands of evil. Inside the temple you will find the Gatekeeper. Tell him I sent you, and he will guide you to the end."
"Thank you for all your help," said Yusei. "And we promise we will avenge you and recover the Krokonomicon!"