Chapter 4
Into the Hornet's Nest
It began on the boat trip to Duelist Kingdom, with the group of friends looking out on the water as they approached. "Man, this Duelist Kingdom seems like a pretty big place, Yugi. Finding your grandpa's not gonna be easy." Joey remarked. "Well, we gotta start somewhere." Yugi responded. "Yeah, it's only a possibly 25,000 square yard island to search and several duelists to go through as we search. No biggie." Twilight added. Soon, the ship docked and everyone disembarked. "Whoa, check out the suits." Joey remarked, obviously referring to the guards. "Attention all duelists, please disembark in an orderly fashion." said one of said guards. "Hey, Tea, what if one of those security guys finds out we're both stowaways? We oughta just play it safe and either swim back or get on the nearest rowboat." Tristan said, worried that one of the guards would suspect. "We're on an island in the middle of nowhere, lamebrain! If you can just try and act normal, we'll be okay." Tea retorted, not amused by Tristan's sudden case of cold feet. Soon, the group disembarks as Tristan keeps telling himself to act cool. "Hey, you." called on of the guards, prompting Tristan to freeze up. "Don't look so nervous. You guys are our guests here." the guard continued. "That's right. I'm one of your guests." Tristan said before bowing and walking back to the group, relieved he wasn't found out. "I think I just had a heart attack." Tristan said as he caught his breath. "Way to play it cool, Tristan. That wasn't suspicious at all." Tea said, sarcastically. "Alright! Every single one of us made it here safe and..." Joey started to say, but was cut off by a sneeze.
"Gesundheit." Fluttershy said, kindly handing Joey a tissue. "You wouldn't have caught that could if it wasn't for that jerk, Weevil." Rainbow pointed out, remembering what happened the night before. "Speaking of our wormy friend, looks like he already crawled off the boat and is already looking to start some trouble." Joey pointed out as he looked over to Weevil. "That pesky varmint, I'd like to see that smirk wiped right off his face." AJ said. 'I would, too, but we don't have time for Weevil right now.' Yugi thought to himself before a guard showed up to greet the duelists. "Welcome, all duelists. Please, follow the stairs to meet your host." he said as he pointed to the castle. "That castle's gotta belong to Pegasus." Yugi said. "Of course it does, he's the president of Industrial Illusions." Pinkie pointed out. "Then what are we waiting for?" Joey asked as they, and the other contestants, went up the stairs. Then, something caught Tea's eye. "Huh? What's that?" she asked, and what she saw was none other than, once again, Bakura Ryou. "What is it, Tea?" Yugi asked. "It looked like, Bakura." Tea answered. "Wait, you mean that charming fellow, Bakura Ryou, from school?" Rarity asked with a smile, revealing she had a slight crush on him, but when they looked, he was gone. "Again with this Bakura stuff? You said you saw him on the boat here, and now you say you've seen him again?" Rainbow asked, not sure if Tea saw whom she saw. "Where is he, Tea?" Joey asked. "That's twice I've seen him now, but he's not there anymore. Maybe it's all in my head." Tea answered, unsure if she really saw him. "Come on, we're on a rescue mission, remember?" Tristan said before they all continued to walk up the stairs, unaware that Bakura was watching them.
Soon, all the duelists were at the entryway to the castle, and a few of them were amazed at the top ranking Duelists among them, including Regional Champion Weevil Underwood, the runner-up, Rex Raptor, and the third place-ranked Mako Tsunami. But they also were speaking of Yugi and how he was the one to watch out for instead of Seto Kaiba, due to Yugi winning against him weeks ago. "See, Yugi? Mai was right about one thing, you're famous now." Rainbow pointed out, gently nudging Yugi with her shoulder. "Attention! Please gather around! Your benevolent host is eager to greet you all!" announced one of the guards on the balcony. Soon, Pegasus appeared before everyone. "Boy, would I like to get five minutes alone with that guy." Joey said quietly, though AJ calmed him down, as the memory of his grandpa's soul being stolen away came back into Yugi's mind. 'I'm not leaving this island until I save my grandpa, no matter what Pegasus has planned for me.' Yugi thought to himself as Pegasus chuckled upon seeing him. "Greetings, Duelists! I am Maximilian Pegasus! It is my great honor and pleasure to welcome you all to the Duelist Kingdom. You stand before me the world's greatest Duelists, but come tournament's end, only one will be crowned King of Games. I implore you to assemble your dueling decks with care, with creativity, and with cunning, for this competition will test your skills like never before. To track your progress in the tournament, you've each been given a Dueling Glove, you've also been given two precious star chips. You must wager these star chips on each duel you compete in, to advance to the final level of competition. For a chance at the three million dollar prize, you must win ten star chips. Ten star chips will admit you into my castle, where you'll face me in one final duel!" Pegasus said. 'If grandpa's here, I'd bet my Dueling Glove he's hidden away in that castle, but I'll never get in there with all those guards around. We're just gonna have to win enough star chips to get inside.' Yugi thought to himself.
"This will be a tournament unlike anything you have ever experienced! State of the art dueling arenas cover this entire island, and intriguing new dueling rules will be in effect. I could tell you what these new rules are, but what fun would that be? You'll discover them as you compete, or you won't last very long. Remember; play boldly, think strategically, and duel mercilessly. You have one full hour to prepare, both your cards and yourselves. When the skies light up with fireworks, the duels will begin!" Pegasus concluded before walking away as the crowd cheered. 'The duelists have arrived, Yugi has taken the bait, and the games are about to begin! Everything goes according to plan.' Pegasus thought to himself. 'I gotta win my way into that castle. I just gotta.' Yugi thought to himself. Some time later, Yugi and the others were waiting for the competition to start, and Joey was having second thoughts about competing in the tournament. "Yugi, I don't know if I can win this thing. Maybe it'd be best for you to take your star chip back." Joey said. "Nah, you keep it. Your little sister is counting on you to win the tournament's prize money for her." Yugi responded. "Thanks, man." Joey said, grateful to have a friend like Yugi. "You can do it. You just have to steer clear of the more experienced duelists at first." Fluttershy advised. "Yeah, it's just a matter of working your way up." Tristan added. "Thanks, you guys. Well, Yugi, between your grandpa and my sister, we don't have any room for mistakes." Joey responded. "Right." Yugi concurred. "Especially since you both have one star chip each, so it's all a matter of picking the right opponents." Spike pointed out. Suddenly, the fireworks went off. "The fireworks! That means the competition is starting!" Tea said as she looked up towards the castle. All over the island, the other duelists were ready to play. "Let's do it!" Yugi declared as the contest began.
After the fireworks show, the group started walking around looking for a duel. "So, what's your plan, Yugi?" Joey asked. "Well, I might as well stick with Weevil. After all, we do have a score to settle." Yugi responded. "I was hoping you'd say that." Rainbow said with a smile. "Isn't that him?" Tea aksed as she looked down the road, and sure enough, she was right. "Weevil! I challenge you to a duel!" Yugi shouted, but Weevil turn and ran into the forest with a laugh. "Some champion he is! He's running away from us!" AJ said in surprise before the whole group gave chase. As they chased after Weevil, moths suddenly flew above their heads. "Whoa! Where are all these moths coming from?" Tristan asked. "They're disgusting!" Tea remarked. "I agree!" Rarity concurred, though Fluttershy was sort of offended. "He's fast for a small guy!" Tristan remarked. "Maybe you're just slow for a big guy." Rainbow suggested. "We're never gonna catch him! As long as the whole island's in bounds, he'll keep running all day!" Joey said. 'What's Weevil up to? He's wanted to duel with me ever since we met on the boat. So what's he running for?' Yugi pondered before he got some idea. "What did he say on the boat?" Yugi asked, remembering that Weevil said something about new rules that required more strategic thinking. "I remember! He said new rules would be in effect, and Pegasus confirmed it! So we better figure out what kind of rules they are, and fast!" Twilight answered. Soon, they finally caught up with Weevil. "There you are!" Rainbow shouted. "Welcome, said the spider to the fly. You flew right into my trap! Again!" Weevil said with a pleased look on his face, pleased with what he did on the boat ride to the island. "It's time you answer for what you did on the boat, Weevil!" Yugi shouted as he tapped into the power of his Millennium Puzzle.
"Alright, Weevil, time to find out if you're as good at dueling as you are at running away." the second Yugi spoke upon emerging. "Was I simply running away? Or cleverly weaving you into my web?" Weevil asked. "It's time to duel!" Yugi responded. "As you wish!" Weevil shouted as the ground started to shake. "It's an earthquake!" Tristan cried out as Weevil chuckled. "What have you done?" Yugi asked, thinking Weevil was up to something. Suddenly, a secret door in the ground opened up. "Whoa! The entire ground is transforming!" Tristan shouted in shock. Suddenly, from within the ground, a dueling field appeared. "It's a dueling field!" Spike said in surprise. "It's gigantic!" added Tea. "Man, these ain't gonna be like the duels back home!" Joey pointed out as the field finished assembling. "There must be at least a hundred of these all over the island!" Twilight hypothesized. "You've just stepped into a hornet's nest, and there's no way out!" Weevil declared. "I still can't believe these things are set up all over the island." Rarity said, still surprised at what she and the others saw. "This island is full of surprises, and I love it!" Pinkie said excitedly. "I'll just meet you on the field." Weevil said to his opponent before they both took the field. "I don't like this. Weevil's acting a little too cocky and confident." AJ said suspiciously. "I noticed that you have just one star chip, Yugi. I guess that means I'll have the pleasure of eliminating you from the tournament. Once you're gone, everyone else's chips will be easy pickings." Weevil spoke after both players put down their decks. "Not if I take your two first." Yugi responded. "What?" Weevil asked. "This will be an all or nothing match, for the both of us." Yugi answered. "Ha! Why should I risk both my star chips when you only have one?" Weevil asked, thinking Yugi was joking. "Because I have something else I think you'll want; my whole Duel Monsters deck." Yugi answered, holding up his deck before setting it back down. "So, you'd risk your grandpa's deck? Fine with me. Winning all your cards will be an easy way to prove that I've exterminated you once and for all!" Weevil responded, glad to take Yugi up on his wager.
"Did he say exterminate?" Rarity asked, worried. "He's not dealing with any regular duelist, Rarity. Swat that twerp down like a mosquito, Yugi!" Rainbow responded. Soon, some other Duelists spotted the duel as it was about to begin. "Whoa! Sounds like a duel is about to start over there!" said one. "That's Weevil Underwood, but who's the other guy?" another asked. "That guy is Yugi Muto, he beat Kaiba." Joey answered. "And we're close friends of his, so if you mess with one of us, you mess with all of us." Rainbow added. "I thought I wouldn't be seeing a Weevil-Yugi match up till the finals!" one of the Duelists said in surprise, proving that many wanted to see the players battle. "Weevi's the Regional champ, no new kid's got a chance against him." said another duelist. "But let's face it, Yugi's no new kid. He's a dueling prodigy." Spike responded. "Well, Yugi, my adoring public is waiting, as is your small entourage of fans, so, we should begin!" Weevil declared. "Let's duel!" both players said as their life point counters set to 2000 and both of them drew their hands. "Let's see how you like my Killer Needle." Weevil said as he played his first card, a level four, Wind attribute insect monster with 1200 attack points and 1000 defense points called Killer Needle, which appeared on the field as a giant bee. "You'll have to get through my Mammoth Graveyard first." Yugi responded as he played his own first card, a level three, Earth attribute Dinosaur monster with 1200 attack points and 800 defense points called Mammoth Graveyard, which appeared on the field as a massive skeleton of a mammoth. "This massive monster will match your annoying insect point for point!" Yugi said once it appeared.
"Okay, both monsters have equal attack points, so this could be a stalemate." Spike said. "Attack!" Yugi commanded as the monster charged. "Killer Needle, let's show the mammoth your stinger! Attack!" Weevil commanded as Killer Needle retaliated with its business end pointed right at the Mammoth Graveyard. Both monsters collided, but only Killer Needle came out alive, to Yugi's disbelief. "Gone after one sting? He must be allergic." Weevil jokingly suggested. "I don't understand! Both monsters had 1200 attack points! How was it not a stalemate?" Spike asked, shocked. "Have you begun to figure out yet why I led you all the way out to this forest area? If you just look around the field, then you'll see that it's an exact replica of our surrounding environment. One part wasteland and one part forest. And who thrives in the forest along with the larger animals? Bugs! The strongest, most powerful insects rule the forest! So as long as I play my bug cards in the forest part of the field, I get a 30% Field Power Bonus! Even plant, beast and beast-warrior monsters can get a Field Power Bonus from the forest, if you have any. I guess you just weren't listening when Pegasus said that this tournament would have exciting new surprises in store for us. Maybe if you were smart enough to steal the tournament's secret new rules like I did, you'd be getting a Field Power Bonus instead of me!" Weevil responded with a laugh as his Killer Needle's attack points jumped from 1200 to 1560.
"He cheated! He led us here because he knew he'd have an unfair advantage!" Joey shouted. "That proves he's nothing but a parasite!" AJ added. "Go ahead, call me a cheater, you're just angry that you didn't swipe the rule book yourselves. And because you didn't, your dear friend Yugi is about to get stung!" Weevil retorted, but Yugi started to laugh. "What? How can you be laughing?" Weevil asked, confused at the sudden outburst of laughter. "Because, take a look at your ferocious Killer Needle now!" Yugi answered as the monster was, somehow, destroyed. "What?! Oh, no! My monster! What have you done with my monster?!" Weevil shouted as he looked at the score and saw that Yugi's life points didn't drop a bit. "This makes no sense! My creature was supercharged with a Field Power Bonus, but according to this, Yugi's creature somehow became just as powerful!" he continued as he saw that the Mammoth Graveyard's attack power also increased to 1560, indicating that it, too, got a Field Power Bonus. "Looks like my Mammoth got a Field Power Bonus from the wasteland part of the field just like your bugs do from the forest!" Yugi said with a satisfied smile. "The Field Power Bonus advantage was supposed to be mine alone!" Weevil said with chagrin. "I kept wondering about something on the boat ride here, Weevil, why were we traveling to some remote island just to duel? But as soon as I saw this holographic display grid, it all came together. Every monster has a type of field it does best on, kind of like a homefield advantage. And what makes this island so special is that it contains every type of field imaginable. So when you 'deliberately' led us to this spot, you were clearly hoping to get some kind of field advantage." Yugi explained. "I get it now! If the forest gives insect, beast, beast-warrior and plant monsters a 30% Field Power Bonus, than the wasteland does the same thing with rock, zombie and dinosaur monsters, like Yugi's Mammoth Graveyard! So Weevil unknowingly evened the playing field and the clash between Yugi's and Weevil's monsters DID end in a stalemate!" Twilight realized.
Weevil simply growled before he started to laugh. "You're awfully clever to put it all together like that, Yugi, but figuring out one rule won't be enough! There are surprises hidden under every rock, and I know them all." he said. "So what if he knows everything about the rules of the tournament? You can beat him, Yugi!" Pinkie shouted. "Don't let that flea scare you, he's gotta be bluffing!" Rainbow added as Weevil drew his next card. "Really? Then let's see how you handle this bluff." Weevil responded as his next monster appeared, a level five, Earth attribute Insect with 1500 attack points and 2000 defense points called Hercules Beetle. "My Hercules Beetle will find a way to crawl under your skin." Weevil claimed as his monster's attack points increased to 1950. 'Even though I know about the Field Power Bonus, it's too late to rebuild my deck. I guess a combo attack would be my best bet.' Yugi thought to himself as he drew and prepared his next card. "I play Feral Imp." he said aloud before the creature appeared. "I know that monster, he's a rather cute level four, Dark attribute Fiend with 1300 attack points and 1400 defense points." Fluttershy said. "And now I'll add this Horn of the Unicorn magic card so its magic will raise my Imp's attack points." Yugi added as the horn appeared, making the Feral Imp seem more feral in the face while its attack points went up from 1300 to 2000. But Weevil just chuckled. "You'll have to do a lot better than that! Hercules Beetle, attack!" he commanded. "Feral Imp, Magic Lightning attack!" Yugi commanded, but Yugi's attack failed to destroy the beetled while the Feral Imp was destroyed.
"I don't get it. Yugi's attack should've destroyed the Hercules Beetle and dropped Weevil's life points to 1950, I should know because I used that combination in practice duels." Fluttershy said, confused. "She's right. My imp's Magic Lightning attack should've destroyed your beetle! Is this another trick, Weeil?" Yugi added. "No, Yugi. I only assumed that you knew that all monsters with a Field Power Bonus were also resistant to any type of magic attack performed by a monster equipped with a card like Horn of the Unicorn. And since my Hercules Beetle easily deflected your lightning bolts, he had more than enough power to destroy your puny Feral Imp and eat away 650 of your life points." Weevil answered as Yugi's life points dropped to 1350. "Then that means the effect of Horn of the Unicorn was negated, dropping the Feral Imp's attack power back down to its original value!" Spike added. "Even that four-eyed tick's weakest bugs are gonna be tough to beat so long as he has that Field Power Bonus." Joey said. "Yeah, but it's not exactly like it can be turned off." Tristan pointed out. "This just proves that Weevil's a no-good cheat!" Rainbow said, quite upset. "I'll pass this turn, so make your move." Weevil said. 'Maybe I should use my next monster to defend. By putting my card of choice in defense mode, my monster will take a hit, but my life points will be spared.' Yugi thought to himself as he set his monster of choice. "So, we're defending now, are we? Very clever. Since I can't see your monster's defense points, I can't be sure I can beat it, but even your strongest monster can't stand against my Basic Insect." Weevil said as he drew and played the very monster that led him to the Regional Championship trophy, which gained 150 attack points from the Field Power Bonus. "Not only does he get a Field Power Bonus, but I'm upgrading him with my Laser Cannon Armor equip spell card, and my Level 2 Power Boost equip spell card!" he added, boosting the Basic Insect's attack power by 1500 all together, totaling the attack points to 2150. 'No! His insect's so powerful now, my defense won't stand a chance! And after it falls, my life points are next.' Yugi thought to himself in worry.
"Now, Yugi, for all the innocent little bugs you've squashed, stomped, crushed or fumigated, it's...payback time! Weevil shouted as the Basic Insect fired its new weapon and destroyed Yugi's set monster, a level four, Earth attribute Beast monster with 1200 attack points and 1500 defense points, 1560 and 1950, respectively, due to the Field Power Bonus from the forest, called Griffore. "You'll have to do better than that, if you hope to survive my bug's laser powered arsenal." Weevil gloated. "Then I'll set this card." Yugi responded as he set his next monster. 'Another defense card no doubt, and I'll make sure defending is all he can do.' Weevil thought to himself as he drew. "I'm going to keep you on the defensive. Attack now, with any monster, and you will instantly activate this trap card." he said aloud as he set said card. "Looks like Weevil's got Yugi cornered like a cockroach on the run." Rainbow said. "Yeah, he can't even counterattack." Joey added. "As long as that trap card remains on the field, you're powerless to make a move against me. So, does my tightening web make you squirm?" Weevil spoke. 'He's so busy bragging he's not paying any attention to my moves. Maybe I can set a little trap of my own.' Yugi thought to himself as he laid a trap card as well. "Face it, Yugi, I've got you pinned down. And while you're totally unable to attack me, I can attack you anytime I want! Each turn you cower, I create a new monster!" Weevil said as he played his next card, which was a level four, Earth attribute Insect with 1200 attack and 1400 defense points, now increased to 1560 and 1820, respectively, called Gokibore. "Ugh! That creature is utterly dreadful." Rarity said in disgust as she saw the giant spherical cockroach appear on the field. Yugi drew his next card and passed, allowing Weevil to draw and summon another monster, another level four Earth attribute insect with 1200 attack points and 1500 defense points, increased to 1560 and 1950, respectively, called Big Insect. "I never imagined an ant could get THAT big!" Fluttershy said in surprise as Yugi drew his next card and passed. "Keep drawing, Yugi! My army of insects keeps getting bigger! I'm going to wipe out all your monsters in one bug blitzkrieg!" Weevil declared as he summoned his next monster, a level four, Earth attribute insect with 1150 attack points and 1400 defense points, now increased to 1495 and 1820, respectively, called Kamakiriman. 'That's right, Weevil. Put all your monsters on the field. That's exactly what I'm counting on.' Yugi thought to himself.
"Just look at our Yugi, he's so confident up there." Tea said. "I know. When he's dueling, it's like he becomes a totally different guy." Joey concurred. "That wouldn't be too far from the truth." Pinkie said with a smile. "Well, what do you know, I've already filled up my side of the field with monstrous insects, and you know what that means, Yugi! You're about to be exterminated five times over!" Weevil said with glee, revealing that a Duelist could only have five monsters on the field at once. "We'll see what my cards have to say about that!" Yugi retorted as he drew. 'Yes! The Dark Magician! This is perfect! There's no way Weevil can resist him as a target.' Yugi thought to himself. "Alright, Weevil, I defend with my favorite monster, the Dark Magician!" he said aloud. 'Huh? Why would Yugi call out the name of the monster he's setting? It's like he wants Weevil to attack.' Twilight pondered. "Excellent! I'll destroy your very favorite card first! Now, my pet, power up your Laser Cannon Armor!" Weevil exclaimed with a chuckle before ordering the attack, only for Yugi to chuckle himself "Wha? Why are you laughing?" Weevil asked, slightly worried. "Weevil, you're not the only one who can set a trap card." Yugi answered, shocking Weevil. "You were so busy grandstanding, you paid no attention to the cards I put into play." he continued. "But I thought they were all monster cards!" Weevil said in disbelief. "Not all. While you loaded the field with your bug monsters, I prepared a special surprise; the power of my Mirror Force trap card!" Yugi responded. "Hold your fire!" Weevil called out to his monster, but it was no use. "Too late, Weevil, you already ordered the attack on my Dark Magician, and Mirror Force will deflect it right back at you!" Yugi spoke as the trap sprung and the attack was reflected, destroying all of Weevil's monsters and taking a massive 1445 point size bite out of Weevil's life points. "My life points are devastated!" the Regional Champion said in shock as his life points dropped to 555 while Yugi smirked.
Everyone on the sidelines cheered at Yugi's massive comeback. 'He obliterated my army of beautiful bugs! How dare he!' Weevil angrily thought to himself. "You're a liar and a cheat, Weevil, but it was your overconfidence that allowed me to get the best of you. Your insects are decimated, your life points are low, and I'm willing to wager, you're running out of monsters." Yugi said, but Weevil just chuckled. "If I'm such a liar, then you're a poor betting man. I still have my most formidable creature waiting in the wings, and this unconquerable insect will swat you down once and for all!" he responded as Yugi wondered what he could possible mean.
