Chapter 6: The Hive
Yugi and his friends Tea, Joey, and Tristan, walk through the dense forest of Tentil lead by Cockroach Knight Number 42525 or Randolph as Tea calls him. The group walks with a squadron of Cockroach Knights accompanying them. Soon, the group came to a small clearing in the forest that was surrounded by monsters and supplies. Besides Cockroach Knights, inhabiting the camp were Mystic Horsemen and Ancient Elves of the forest. Some took refuge in the trees while others patrolled on land. In the center of the camp was the only tent guarded by a by the pyro fighter with shining armor and a broad shield; he was known as the Flame Champion.
"This is our camp," said Randolph. "The general is in that tent. I'll show you to him."
The group of Randolph, Yugi, Tea, Joey, and Tristan headed toward the tent as the Cockroach Knights were dispersed to attend to other duties. When Randolph led the group to the tent they were stopped at the entrance by the Flame Champion.
"Who are these beings number 42525?" asked Flame Champion.
"This is Yugi the Dark Magician accompanied by his companions," answered Randolph.
"What is it they request?"
"They wish to speak with Lt. Volcano."
"Very well, I will allow the Dark Magician to enter, but his companions will have to wait outside."
"What?" asked Joey. "Why do we have to stay outside?"
"This tent is for private discussions, no interlopers are allowed."
"Interlopers? Why I ought to-"
"Don't make a scene," cautions Tea. "These meetings are usually on a need to know basis."
"If I'm going to put my life on the line, I think I need to know."
"Don't worry Joey," says Yugi. "I will tell you if it will involve your life. Trust me."
Joey calms down for a second as Flame Champion opens the entrance to the tent for Yugi. Yugi enters the tent that is occupied by Lt. Volcano who sits on a chair next to a table.
"Ah so you're the great Yugi," says Lt. Volcano as he rises from his seat. "I'm glad you were able to make it. You could have come at a more needed time."
"What is damage so far," Yugi asks the Lt. Volcano.
"In a nut shell, we're hanging on by a thread. As you know the temple of Wood is one of the places were an Exodia piece is located. For centuries it's been hidden from the world, but Kaiba's Forces found it. Now it is under the domain of the Insect Queen."
"Kaiba has the Insect Queen on his side?"
"Yes, and with that he has a vast army of insect monsters at his disposal. About a month ago they laid siege to the temple and managed to over through it. Now the temple of Wood is one big insect Hive for the Queen. We've been trying to take it back, but they have many tricks and vast numbers, we haven't stood a chance. Yet, the worse part is not over; as we speak the Insect Queen is breaking in to the crypt of the Exodia piece. Its defenses have held up this long, but it's only a matter of time till they give in."
"…We have to assault the Hive and fast."
"But, we've tried that before they have an advantage in land and air. What else can we do?"
"…Maybe, there's another way?"
Moments passed before Yugi exit's the tent accompanied by Lt. Volcano to outside where Joey, Tristan, Randolph, and Tea have been waiting for the return of Yugi. Joey and the rest come toward Yugi to ask what had been going on in the tent.
"So what happened?" asked Joey. "What are we going to do?"
"We are going to fight," says Yugi. "So be prepared."
**********
As all the troops' squad leaders are assembled to overhear the battle plan, Yugi explains the situation to his group.
"We are going to try a frontal assault," says Yugi. "I am going to lead a team of three into battle with the enemy leader. Joey!"
Joey turns his attention toward Yugi.
"You are going in with me, can I count on you."
"Piece of cake," says Joey. "I am going to make me some extra crispy critters."
"Glad to hear it. The second member is going to be Flame Champion."
"As for the third, I have been given the option to select a third."
"I'll go," says Tea.
"I am afraid I can't do that."
"Why can't you Yugi? You're going to need some defense as well as offense."
"I know, but the risk is too great, there is a chance none of us will return."
"You think I don't know that. I have taken that risk time and time again, but I am still alive. So one way or another I am going with you whether you like it or not."
"Talk about twisting you arm," Tristan whispers to Joey.
"…Very well," says Yugi. "You will act as the third. As for you Tristan, you will be in the guard and keep the swarms distracted while we break into the temple."
"Can do," says Tristan.
"We start this mission as soon as Lt. Volcano finishes the meeting, then we will begin the assault."
"Yugi," asks Joey. "I could help overhearing something about us begin out numbered. May I ask how do you plan to get through that many enemies?"
"Don't worry I have a plan."
**********
On through the forest stealthily march squad after squad of Cockroach Knights along with Mystic Horsemen and Ancient Elves. At the front of the squads are Yugi and his group accompanied by Lt. Volcano and the Flame Champion. Lt. Volcano leads the troops to the edge of a clearing where the temple of Wood resides. The temple is wide, made of wood and mud, from the roof stick out several trees from the ground made to blend the temple in with the surrounding forest. Guarding the temple is a perimeter of Basic Insects, Killer Needles, and Girochin Kuwagatas. The squadron of Lt. Volcano halt at the edge of the clearing as Yugi is informed about the temple.
"The entrance will take you deep under ground were the Queen is hiding," says Lt. Volcano. "Good luck, I hope your plan works."
Yugi knobs his head as he slowly moves toward the temple in secret. When he is close enough to attempt his plan, Yugi runs toward the temple with great speed. The insects spot Yugi and attempt to attack him, but he easily disposes of them one at a time. After disposing of a few more bugs, reinforcements come in triple to replace there fallen comrades. Yugi appears to lead the bugs in circles as he appears to take the defensive for the time being. In a few minute Yugi has rounded a great quantity of bugs he retreats for the forest edge. Yet, rather than fully retreat, Yugi extends his hand toward the center of the bugs squad and unleashes a great force saying," Dark Hole."
Yugi completely retreats to the forest as a small dark sphere appears above the squad of bugs. Quickly it begins to grow as it forms a void that begins to draw objects toward it. The void begins to become bigger and stronger as the insects begin to feel the full effect of the void and one by one begin to be drawing in. Yugi and the forces of Lt. Volcano begin to grasp the trees for cover to prevent from being consumed by the void. In a few moments the void begins to dissipate as the last of the insects are drawn into the void.
As soon as the void closes Lt. Volcano takes it as the signal to charge and leads his troop for a full frontal assault. As the troops head toward the gates of the castle swarms of insects begin to emerge from the temple ready to attack. The troops of Lt. Volcano make ready to meet these foes head on as they prepare for an assault. The two forces begin to get closer to a collision until them me each other head on with fist and fangs. In the midst of battle Yugi, accompanied by Joey, Tea, and Flame Champion, begins to fight toward the gate. As they fight there way through the crowd, a swarm of Killer Needles begin to descend on the group. Joey heads toward the front of the group and prepares to attack the swarm.
"Watch this," he says to the Flame Champion. "Salamandra emerge."
With that said a dragon of flames emerges from the depths of Joey's sword and begins to engulf the Killer Needles burning them to a cinder. The Flame Champion sees how well he took out the squad and smiles on how he tried to show off his abilities.
"Not bad," he comments to Joey. "But watch this. Burning Spear."
In an instant a spear with a flame at the edge emerges in Flame Champions other hand not occupied by his shield and throws it toward the entrance. The Flaming Spear plows through the swarms and creates a path throw the swarm, guarded by a line of fire. Giving a smart look to Joey Flame Champions begins to lead Yugi and Tea down the cleared path to the gate. After admiring how well the Champion handled his flame, Joey guards the back of the group.
As the battle continues on the field, Lt. Volcano uses his fire magic to take out more insect soldiers, while the Cockroach Knights use there sword skills and great numbers along with the help of the Mystic Horsemen and Ancient Elves to take out there share of enemies. After frying a Basic Insect equipped with Laser Cannon Armor, Lt. Volcano looks over toward the gate to see Yugi and his team entering the gate. Yet, Lt. Volcano doesn't lower his guard as the battle on the outside is still proceeding.
Yugi and his team enter the temple and behold the sight that they see inside.
"What happened here, "questioned Tea.
The Flame Champion narrates the scene that they behold. "I use to be the inside of the temple use to reside flowers and many species along with pillars of wood and the trunk of the trees were taken care of by the priest and priestesses of the temple. Yet, the insects came and converted this once beautiful place into another hive of there own. Insects do not see things of beauty they only see order and perfection and now look at the temple."
The team surveys the temple now covered in foreign matter of crawling with shells and insect husks littering the ground. The roof had been broken open widely with pieces of the roof on the ground. Attached to the trunk of a tree is a cocoon of some sort moving around as if ready to emerge.
"Oh, no," says Flame Champion. "That's a Cocoons of Evolution. If it's ready to emerge, then are troops could be in big trouble. We have to destroy it now."
"Right on it," says Joey. "Salamandra emerge."
"No don't!" says the Flame Champion, but his warning goes unheard as Joey releases a torrent of flames upon the Cocoon.
As the cocoon appears to be in flames, Joey says," I hope you like your insect well done."
Instead of being burned the cocoon begins to break as a creature begins to emerge.
"Huh, "Joey says, baffled at what was happening.
"You idiot," says Flame Champion. "Insects need heat to incubate. You just gave him a boost Joey."
"What? How was I supposed to know?"
"It's called learning, think about doing it more often."
In a matter of moments the flames die out as a Great Moth insect emerges from the cocoon husk and spreads its wings across the hall of the temple. The moth instinctively begins to flaps its wings to take flight through the opened roof and into the battle field.
"We have to stop it, "says the Flame Champion. "If it takes off into battle we're toast."
Despite Yugi, Joey, and flame Champion's best efforts of magic and attacks the moth is not amused as it takes to the sky.
"No!" says Flame Champion. "We're too late."
The moth takes flight into the air, but instead of hitting the sky the insect hits it body on the side of some invisible barrier. As the moth descents to the ground for the moment the team is confused as to what stopped the moth from exiting the temple. Yugi and the others turn around to the sight of a purple light from behind to spot Tea a few feet away glowing a purple aura and holding her staff toward the ceiling.
"Tea," says Joey. "How?"
"Waboku," says Tea. "They don't come in and you don't some out."
"Great idea," says Flame Champion.
"Yes," says Yugi. "Now Tea, hold that barrier as long as you can, while we try to take it out before it breaks through."
At that moment the Great Moth takes flight once again and this time it rams the barrier with great force. Tea jerks back as if feeling the force herself at half power.
"Hurry," she says. "I don't know how much more I can take."
Once again the trio tries to assault the Great Moth, but there attacks seem to have little or no effect on the Moth as he continues to break through the barrier.
"This isn't working," says Yugi. "Even when we attack simultaneously we can't get his attention."
"We have to power up an individual," says Flame Champion.
"Wait," says Joey. "Maybe I we combine my Salamandra to your burning spear to one weapon for an even more powerful effect."
"It could work, but how do we do it."
"Just be prepared to through you spear, I'll be ready to do my part."
As if hearing about there plan, the Moth heads to the ground and prepares to fight the group.
"I think we got its attention," says Joey.
The Moth flaps its mighty wings and releases a golden powder into the air as the wind gust of its wings blows powder all across the room.
"Poison!" says Flame Champion.
Just before the poison could reach the group, Yugi says," Mokiou Mist." Then a wave of mist emerges from the air and drowns the poison to the ground where it can do no harm. In addition the moisture covers the Great Moth to prevent it from creating any more poison until he dries off.
"Thanks-," says Joey.
"No time, you must shot now before he dries off."
"Right," Joey and Flame Champion say simultaneously.
"Get ready for this," says Flame Champion. "Burning Spear."
"Salamandra," says Joey.
"Combined," says Flame Champion and Joey.
With great thrust and power the Flame Champion throws his spear at the moth. As the spear passes through the air the Salamandra that follows wraps around the spear to form an even more powerful attack. The Moth tries to leave from the aim of the spear, but as if guided to the center, the spear finds its place through the head of the Moth. The flame dragon that surrounds the spear evoloped the moth and causes it to burst into flames and fall to the ground a flaming insect that burns to cinders as the flames consume it. As soon as Tea is sure the monster is no more, she lets down the barrier surrounding the temple.
"Good work," says Yugi. "But the job's not over."
"Right, "says Joey. "Now let's go her majesty and give her what for."
Flame Champion leads the group to the other side of the temple to a door in the back.
"This door leads to the Exodia piece," says the Flame Champion. "We must descend into the catacombs and head toward the sacred tomb."
"Let's hurry," says Yugi. "Time is not on our side."
So, Yugi, Joey, Tea, and Flame Champion enter the back door and descend down into the catacombs.
When it appears as if nothing is currently occupying the hall an insect emerges in front of the same door. The insect is none other than Randolph the Cockroach Knight who had entered the temple the instant the defenses had been let down.
"Tea," he says to himself. "I will protect you." Then he opens the door and follows behind the team toward the tomb of Exodia.