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Fanfic Chapter 43: Duel Monsters Quest Pt 2: The Legendary Heroes
Episode Basis: The Legendary Heroes Pt 2

Previously on Yu-Gi-Oh! While testing out his new virtual pod, Seto Kaiba fell victim to a nefarious plot set forth by the Kaiba Corp. Board of Directors. Mokuba ran to get help and he, Yugi, and Joey entered the virtual world where they encountered zombies, sand storms, and a kooky old man who revealed that the only way to cross the desert is by the Niwatori monster card. To get it, Joey entered a match against the coliseum champion, a woman by the name of "Madam Butterfly." In the real world, Tea, Tristan, and Harold discovered that they had their own problems: Kimo and a team of guards sent by Kaiba Corporation to unplug the pods and remove any hope of rescuing Kaiba. Harold volunteered to intercept them in hopes of buying Yugi and the others time they need to rescue Kaiba. Can Joey and Harold win their battles?


As Kimo and his thugs entered the Kaiba Land theme park (still under construction), Kimo relished in what he would do the kids once he laid his hands on them. He would beat up the ones still in the real world, beat them up in body and spirit. Then he would unplug the pods to make sure the three who entered the virtual world would never come back, and then he would put a bullet through their bodies just in case they do find a way to come back. It would be the perfect revenge for what they did to him on Duelist Kingdom.

"Theme park's closed, boys," a hoarse voice said. "Why don't you come back in the morning?" Kimo looked up and saw a red cloaked figure sitting on a pile of lumber.

"It's him," one of Kimo's minions said. "It's the one who attacked us at Duelist Kingdom!"

"Who are you?" Kimo demanded to know.

"You don't deserve to know my name," the cloaked figure said jumping down. "But since you asked so politely, I'll tell you. You can call me… Avatar!"

"Avatar, huh? Well you're name's going to be mud after we get through with you. Get him, boys!" The guards lunged forward.

And hit an invisible wall inches before they could reach Avatar.

"Gets them every time," Avatar said chuckling as the ring of archaic symbols returned to his wrist band. He turned to Kimo. "Care to try your luck, big boy?"

With a roar of rage, Kimo charged forward. At the last moment, Avatar jumped out of the way and Kimo used his set of spiked knuckles to break the chord keeping a pile of steel pipes together. With the chord broken, the pipes tumbled onto Kimo.

Let's hope I can tire these guys out so they won't be able to get to the others inside.


Inside the experimental lab, Tristan and Tea shoved every movable piece of furniture up against it.

"Harold better be keeping them busy out there," Tristan said. "These won't be able to stop them for long."

Tea scrunched up and stared at the three boys in the pods. Yugi, I hope you're getting closer to reaching Kaiba, otherwise you won't be able to return in body and mind.


Even through the pig mask and green cloak, Joey's defiance showed through as he faced off against Madam Butterfly.

"I knew men could be dirty like pigs, I didn't know that they dressed the part," Madam Butterfly cracked as she revealed a Duel Monster card from her red cape. "Hope you duel better than you smell, you swine."

"You know what I like about butterflies? They don't talk!" Joey retorted. Man, this chick's almost as annoying as Mai.

"Let's duel!" They both cried.

(J: 1820)
(M.B.: 2000)

"This card will clip her wings," Joey said drawing a card. "I summon the Flame Swordsman!" The Flame Swordsman's attack and defense points appeared for all to see.

"Have I got a girl for you… Harpie Lady in attack mode!"

"At least it's a monster that Joey's used to fighting," Yugi told Mokuba.

Harpie Lady, I've definitely seen her before. Joey shrugged, eh, the Swordsman will take care of her. "Flame Swordsman, attack with Flaming Sword of Battle!"

"I knew it," Madam Butterfly said holding up another card. "Pigs don't know about trap cards. Go, Mirror Wall!" The Swordsman's attack was reflected back on it and the warrior was sent sliding back to Joey. And to add insult to injury, its attack points were lowered.

(FS: 1800-900)

Joey gasped, I've seen this strategy before, Mai always uses that combo!

Yugi was thinking the same thing: "Can it be?"

Madam Butterfly laughed, "My Harpie Lady really knows how to bring home the bacon."

That's it, only one Duelist can be this annoying.

"Ready for the big finish?" She equipped Harpie Lady with Rose Whip.

(HL: 1300-1800)

"Harpie Lady, Rose Whip attack!"

Harpie Lady charged towards the Flame Swordsman.

"TIME OUT!" Joey called. Harpie Lady skidded to a halt.

"What is it now, Wilbur?"

"I knew it; you're Mai Valentine, aren't you?"

The woman gasped, "But how…"

"Perhaps you shouldn't have used the same combo you used at Duelist Kingdom," Joey said emphasizing the last two words. The woman took a step back. Joey let out a slight chuckle as he took off his mask.

"Joey, is that you?"

"In the flesh, so to speak."

Now the woman took off her mask as well. Sure enough, it was Mai Valentine.

"I knew I recognized her," Yugi said.

"Mai Valentine, she was another Duelist Kingdom finalist, wasn't she?" Mokuba asked. Yugi nodded and the two boys jumped into the ring.


A/N: Okay, before I continue, I just wanted to point out some inconsistencies. In the real show, Mokuba recognized Bakura even though he hasn't met Bakura before. In this episode, it was the same thing with Mai. It's the little things that get me.


"Yugi, Mokuba, you're here too?"

"Mai, what are you doing here?" Yugi asked happily.

"I'm just testing this game for some suits at Kaiba Corp."

"Listen, you could be in real danger, Mai," Joey said.

"Yeah," Mokuba agreed. "Those same suits kidnapped my Big Brother."

"Kaiba's in a temple across the desert, he's trapped there but we can't cross without the Niwatori card," Yugi continued.

By this time, the crowd was turning ugly. Most of them were yelling for the match to continue.

"Looks like this virtual crowd's ready to lynch us if we don't finish the duel," Joey said.

"Well I'm not so keen about crossing the desert, but I'm definitely over this place." She gave them a wink. "And don't you worry about the Niwatori card. Just be ready with a huge distraction for when we leave."

"Got it covered," Yugi said holding up a trap card.

Mai locked eyes with her Harpie Lady. She then cried out, "Harpie Lady, Rose Whip Attack!" The Harpie Lady cracked the whip which took the Niwatori card from its spot next to the Battle-Master.

"Now, Yugi!"

"Right! Go, Solar Ray!" The entire temple was covered in a flash of light as everyone (Harpie Lady included) escaped.

"Smart thinking, Mai," Yugi said.

"I'm not just another pretty face," Mai said.

"Well guys," Joey said as he and Mai ditched their battle costumes. "I hope you can think of another plan, because we got tailgaters!" The crowd, having recovered from Yugi's trap card, was running after them. "You know, I've had just about enough of this! Go, Trap Hole!" A large hole appeared in the middle of the street causing some of the crowd to fall in. Fortunately, the trap hole covered the street so nobody could get around, at least not for a while. "By the time they get around that, we'll be long gone!"

"Joey…"

"Don't worry, Yug, I'll pay for it with my next allowance."

A few minutes later, the four were standing on the outskirts of the town. "Mai, would you do the honors?" Joey asked.

Mai nodded and held out the card. "I summon Niwatori!" Four large chickens appeared. "Let's head 'em up and move 'em out."

"You always wanted to say that, didn't you?" Joey asked.

"It was just too tempting to pass up."

Avatar used his shield to block the advance of another guard. Suddenly Kimo ran up behind him and hit him. The figure went down.

"Surround him, you fools!" Kimo instructed. "He can only make his shield go in one direction." The guards encircled him and started kicking him while he was down. "Stand back!" Kimo released another stack of plywood which all fell on Avatar. "That took care of him. Now, let's take care of the other brats." They turned and went inside.


Tristan saw them through the security camera. "Nuts, Harold must've not have been able to stop them!"

"Oh no!" Tea gasped.

"Nothing we can do now except to continue to block the door and hope for the best," Tristan said.

Tea just stared at Yugi's body in the pod.


"So you're saying Kaiba-Corp. paid you to come here and test it, Mai?" Joey asked as they trekked through the desert.

"That's right."

"I wonder why."

"Probably to make sure everything would go according to plan when they used it on my brother," Mokuba guessed.

"Well it must've worked because when I asked if I could leave, nobody answered me. Looks like we're all trapped here."

"Hopefully when we rescue Kaiba and finish the game, an exit portal will open up and release all of us," Yugi assured them.

"So Yugi, where's the rest of your merry little band?" Mai asked turning around.

"Back in the real world watching our bodies," Yugi said but mentally wondered why Mai would ask about Tea, Tristan, and Harold? "There were only three pods so half of us had to stay behind."

"Just as well, with those 5 goons reprogramming the entire game, this place ain't exactly the best place to honeymoon if you know what I mean," Mai said giving Yugi a wink.

"Uh… yeah, I understand you," Yugi said, a slight blush creeping onto his cheeks.

Fortunately, the subject was suddenly changed as an earthquake shook the desert around them. A large creature with a dragon-shaped head and vine tentacles appeared.

"It's a Sand Stone (1)!" Yugi recognized.

"We'll never get out of here!" Mokuba cried depressingly.

"That's it, no more playing around!" Joey said as he summoned his most powerful dragon. His monster stood the same enormous height as the Sand Stone. Its mouth was letting out steam. "Go, Red-Eyes Black Dragon, Inferno Fire Blast!" The large dragon let loose with a fireball that obliterated the Sand Storm. Everyone cheered.

"Hey look, the storm's clearing up," Mai said as the wind died down.

"Defeating that monster must've caused the desert to calm," Yugi figured. "Wait, look at that!"

"What is it?" Joey asked. They saw a large temple structure, it resembled a little bit to a Mayan High Priest's Grave Pyramid.


A/N: And now, kiddies, for your history's lesson. According to legend, the High Priest's Grave Pyramid was where young Mayans trained to become priests. It was said that there was a link to the underworld there. The initiate was supposed to go through three trials of the underworld. When/if they accomplish those trials, they would be admitted to a secret sanctuary where the last right would take place: they would remove a heart from a still living body and offer it to their gods. Gruesome? Oh yeah! Dangerous? You bet! Fun? Depends on your definition of fun.


"That must be the ancient temple the old woman told me about," Mokuba said. "Seto must be there!"

"Go, Drumsticks!" Joey cried as they took off again.

"Uh… guys, Joey just named his chicken."

"It's a Niwatori, Mai."

"Whatever."


"Hey check this out," Tristan said. "If I'm looking at this right, someone new's joined up with Yugi and Joey."

"Is it Kaiba?" Tea asked.

"No, it looks like… Mai?"

"Mai Valentine? What's she doing here?"

"Beats me, but hopefully she can help Yugi, Joey, and Mokuba find Kaiba before Lunk Head and the Brute Squad burst in. Keep watching, I'll go find something else to barricade the door with."


"Wow, this place is huge!" Joey said. The Ancient Temple was a lot bigger up close. It actually looked like a castle standing on top of a pyramid and braced up against the mountain. Mai breathed a sigh of relief.

Mokuba leapt off his Niwatori and ran inside. "I'm coming, Seto!"

"Mokuba, wait," Joey called out. He grunted in frustration. "Come on; let's go before we lose both Kaiba Brothers again."

The inside was a direct contrast to outside. The inside was just a deep dark cave. "This temple's seen better days," Joey commented.

"No kidding," Mai agreed. "Creepy."

"Yeah, let's try to stick together," Yugi suggested.

The group came to a large wooden door. Joey opened it and stopped dead in his tracks. They were in a room with walls in random directions.

It was a labyrinth dungeon.

"Whoa, this is just like where we dueled them weird Paradox Brothers," Joey told Yugi.

The doors swung shut. Joey pounded on them but to no avail. "Sorry, guys, it's locked tight."

"Well, no one ever won a game by going back the way they came," Yugi said. "We'll just have to go through that maze to find Kaiba."

A female scream echoed through the dungeon.

"Someone's in trouble!" Yugi concluded.

"I'm on it," Joey said shoving past Mai and running into the maze.

Mai pouted, "That doofus will do anything to meet a girl. I guess he knows I'm way out of his league."

Suddenly a metal tank with multiple drills burst through the wall and headed right towards them.

"It's a Labyrinth Tank, run!" Yugi cried. The tank chased then through the maze. They soon came upon Joey who was at an intersection.

"Joey, run!" Mai called out. Joey panicked and turned left.

But another Labyrinth Tank came around the corner blocking their way. They turned to take the right passage but a Labyrinth Tank was already blocking that. And the first one had already caught up to them.

"We're boxed in," Yugi said.

"Okay, anybody got a plan?" Joey asked.

"Yeah, get passed those tanks," Yugi answered.

"Got a plan B?"

Yugi drew a card. "I sure do, I use Magical Hats!" A hat covered them just as the three Labyrinth Tanks fired their lasers destroying it.

"I love that trick," Joey commented. The remaining Magical Hats had spread out in different areas of the maze. "You got us out of there just in time, Yugi. Now let's leave this party." The Magical Hat that really contained Yugi and the others started to move to an intersection. Once there, it disappeared and the group ran around several corners. "Okay, I think we're safe."

The ground under them trembled slightly. "Think again," Mai retorted. "It won't take those tanks long to zero in on us."

"Which way do we go?" Mokuba asked.

Suddenly a little fairy flew down and hovered by Yugi. "Look, guys, it's another fairy."

"You sure? Looks like the same one from the graveyard to me," Joey commented. The fairy was gesturing with its hand. "I think she wants us to follow her."

"Let's do it," Mai said. "I don't want to spend any longer in this place than I have to." The group followed the fairy until they found a peculiar sight.

"Uh… Mokuba, what are you doing wearing a dress?" Joey asked.

"Joey, I'm right besides you," Mokuba pointed out.

Joey turned and saw Mokuba giving him the classic Kaiba scowl. "Well if you're here, then who's that?"

"Iru!" The female Mokuba cried happily hugging the fairy.

"Whoa, freaky, they could be twins," Yugi commented. The female version of Mokuba had the same face, same skin tone, same hair; they were even the same height. The only way you could tell them apart (besides from the clothes) was that the female Mokuba had eyes that were violet.

"We heard someone call for help," Mokuba stepping up besides his virtual doppelganger. "Are you all right?"

"I lost Iru, my guide," she explained.

"Well we're all here now," Joey said. He turned to the female Mokuba. "So can you lead us out of this rat trap?"

She shook her head, "I'm lost too." The Duelists were crest-fallen. "But Iru will find a way out for us." That perked them up.

Sure enough, Iru lead them out of the maze.

And right into deep trouble.

"It's the Gate Guardian!" Joey realized seeing the triple monster. "The Kaiba Corp. crooks must've put it in here to stop us!"

"How can we defeat something that powerful?" Mai asked. "It can crush us in one attack!" She snapped her fingers. "Why is everything stacked against us?"

"We can overcome anything by working together," Yugi said.

"Right, Yug, let's team up!"

"Let's duel!" They both cried.

"I'll combine my Red-Eyes Black Dragon…"

"And my Summoned Skull…"

"And fuse them together with Polymerization," they both shouted. "To form the Black Skull Dragon!"

Unfortunately, the Black Skull Dragon's attack power was only 3200, weaker than Gate Guardian. "Nice try, guys, but we need more power."

"You want more power, you got more power," Joey said. "I equip Black Skull Dragon with Dragon Nails raising its attack power by 700 points!"

(BSD: 3200-3900)

"Molten Fireball Attack!" With a blast of fire, the Gate Guardian was destroyed.

"It's so amazing," the female Mokuba said. "You're all so brave just like the Legendary Heroes."

"It was nothing," Joey said rubbing his nose.

"Legendary Heroes?" Yugi asked.

But before she could explain, a chorus of voices came from the other side of the tunnel. An old lady accompanied by over twenty guards. "Nana!" She cried.

"My Lady, we've been worried sick about you," the old woman said. She then noticed Yugi and the others. "I see that you've made some new friends."

"They saved me; they're the bravest warriors I have ever seen."

The search party gasped.

"As thanks, I'd like to invite them as guests at the palace."

"The Palace?" The Duelists asked.


"Wake up, Seto Kaiba!"

Kaiba opened his eyes. "Where am I?" He asked.

"You're with me!" An orange human in a purple suit and hat rose from the ground.

"Witty Phantom (2)? You took me captive in my own game?"

"Yes."

"Then release me, I command it!"

"This is no longer your world to command," Witty Phantom said putting on his hat. "Your game's been reprogrammed. Looks like you're a little late to the party."

"Gee, I never liked parties," Kaiba replied dryly.

"But you're the guest of honor, or at least you will be very soon. You see, Kaiba, you will have the great privilege of being our offering to the Mythic Dragon (3). Until then, your misery will be in my capable hands."

"That's enough," Kaiba said and looked to the ceiling of the cave that he found himself in. "Override protocol, end the game now!"

Witty Phantom wagged his finger. "I told you, your program's been rewritten. Your silly little safety precautions are a thing of the past. Now when you lose the game, you lose… everything! Now excuse me, there's so much to do before the other offering arrives."

"Another offering?" Kaiba was puzzled. The only ones who know about this are himself, Mokuba, and the Board of Directors. But they wouldn't put his little brother at risk; a Kaiba is needed to make any change of control legal which is why Pegasus had him kidnapped in the first place. Who else, who else does the Board plan on bringing in on this scandal?

"I know how much you like the spotlight but I guess now you'll just have to share it." And amidst Kaiba's protests not to, the Witty Phantom left.


"I still don't know what to make of this crazy game world," Joey said as they rode in a second carriage behind the Lady Edina and her nana. "But I like this a lot more than I like the cave."

"Well I like Edina," Mai said. "At least she knows how to travel in style."

Yugi agreed, "You should be flattered, Mokuba, that your brother based such a cool character on you."

"Me?"

"Yeah… My Lady," Joey teased.

"Knock it off!" Mokuba snapped.

"Look at that!" Everyone looked out the side window to see a beautiful palace on top of a mountain.

"I hope they got food in this game."

"I just hope they can help us, we have to find Seto," Mokuba reminded them.

The red carpet was literally laid out for them as the carriages pulled to a stop inside the courtyard of the palace. Guards saluted as Edina and her Nana passed by.

Yugi felt something move around on his head. He looked up and just could barely make out a little fairy riding in his hair.

Edina saw it and let out a little chuckle. "It seems Iru has taken a liking to you."

"Tea's going to be jealous," Mai muttered in a sing-song voice. Joey snickered.

Ignoring the two older Duelists, Yugi asked, "Is this your palace?"

"Why yes," Edina replied. "I am Princess of the land of Sim-Lau, Edina."

"Princess?" The Duelists said shocked.

The crew was invited to a dinner held for the return of the Princess.

"Careful, everyone, keep your hands and feet away from Joey's mouth at all times," Mai cracked seeing Joey's "table manners". Then, "Are you all right?"

"Oh yeah," Joey gasped as the color came back into his face. "Happens all the time."

"Disgusting."

"Princess Edina," Mokuba addressed. "Do you have any word on my brother, Seto Kaiba?"

"Well I didn't want to say anything," Edina said morose. "But people often disappear when its time to make the offerings."

Even Joey paused upon hearing that (kind of a bad idea, since he currently had a drumstick in his mouth).

"What offerings?" Yugi asked.

"What do you mean?" Mai threw in.

"Every year about this time, we, meaning us and another kingdom, must make sacrifices to the Mythic Dragon. If we don't, it terrorizes our land. The other kingdom has already chosen their sacrifice, a stranger from a far-away land."

"That must be Seto! Please, tell me where he is!"

"He's taken to where all the people who are going to be sacrificed are taken: a dark castle floating in the sky."

"Why does that sound familiar?" Joey wondered as he finally had his fill.

"The Castle of Dark Illusions," Yugi concluded.

"Not that thing again," Mai moaned.

"That painting tells the tale." Edina gestured to a painting on the wall behind Yugi and Joey. On one side was day and on the other side was night. A bird was shown in between the two. "We have passed down the legend for generations. Long ago, a hero escaped that dreaded castle on a flying machine. It is said that he hid his vessel in Sim-Lau a thousand years ago. We have tried looking for it but it has been all but impossible. And there's no other way to get to the castle."

"What about flying on Joey's dragon?" Mai offered.

"A magic barrier keeps any and all Duel Monsters from entering or leaving the dark castle."

"Sounds like Mirror Force," Yugi analyzed.

Mokuba looked down glumly.

"Hey, don't worry," Mai said placing a hand on his arm. "Just keep telling yourself that it's just a game." Seeing the odd looks she was getting from the virtual characters, she quickly covered up with, "I mean life's a game! So what are you going to do about your kingdom's offering?"

All of a sudden, Nana got misty-eyed. Edina looked down at the table. "Well… I have chosen to be this kingdom's offering." Everyone gasped. "But don't worry about my fate, for with the legend comes a prophecy, a prophecy that says that one day, four great heroes will arrive from beyond the distant mountains. When these great heroes unite, they will create a power strong enough to destroy the Mythic Dragon.

"Are you saying that you think that's us?" Yugi asked.

"Yes, on your shoulders rests the fate of our kingdom!"

"Never fear, Super Joey will save the day."

"Super Dork is more like it," Mai retorted. "You do realize that this isn't just…" she cast a side glance at Edina. "This is serious. And don't forget, once you lose, its game over permanently."

"Whatever," Joey dismissed. "We have to go through that Mythic Dragon to get to Kaiba anyway, right? The way I see it, there's no choice." Yugi and Mokuba nodded.

"To properly prepare you for the journey, we will outfit you in the mantle of our greatest heroes!"


"Come on, you lugs, knock that door down," Kimo ordered.

"Sir, it's like there's something barricaded against it," one of his associates said.

"Well push harder!"

"Guess who, Gorgeous!" Harold cried leaping out from his hiding place and landing on Kimo's back. He quickly covered Kimo's eyes.

"Why you, let go, you little piece of sh…" Kimo moved around frantically trying to dislodge Harold, who got the goon in a scissor hold.

"Watch your language, young man, there're children in the room. Hey, if you guys want your boss in one piece, I wouldn't pull those pea shooters out."

Kimo backed up crushing Harold against the wall. Harold lost his grip and fell down. "Keep on trying to break in," Kimo instructed.

"Sorry, Unicorn-head," Harold said struggling to stand up. "You won't get rid of me that easily. As much as I hate to do this, I'll have to stoop to your guys' level." Harold came in low and slugged Kimo right in the crotch. Kimo gasped and fell into a ball.

"Normally, a situation like this calls for some catchy dialogue," Harold cracked. "But for you, I think a 'ow, that's gotta hurt' will do."

One of the guards snuck up behind him and clocked Harold with his gun.

"I've had it with these little ankle-biters getting in my way," Kimo said taking out his gun.


Tea and Tristan heard a shot rang out and gasped.

Tea feared the worse, "Oh no, Harold's…"

"Tea, don't do anything rash," Tristan ordered. "I'm sure Harold's fine, but we need to guard their bodies until they wake up."

"Harold, no," Tea muttered.


As Yugi dressed, he thought about their current predicament. It started out with a simple rescue mission, freeing Kaiba from those executive goons, but now apparently they have to fulfill an ancient prophecy while they're at it. Yugi looked down at his Millennium Puzzle. Can even Yami stand up to all this? It was times like this that he wished the others were here. Tristan, Harold, and Tea would definitely have some words of encouragement for him. Especially Tea, always the optimist, she would probably tell him to believe in himself and he can do anything. He wondered if they could hear him. After all, it was only their minds that were here, not their voices. "Tea, Tristan, Harold, can you hear me?" Nothing. "I guess it was too much to hope for."

"Hey Yugi, are you ready yet? What did you do, fall in the trunk?"

"No, I'm coming out," Yugi said. He came out and saw Mai decked out in a chest and shoulder plates, purple skirt and blue cape, along with a large sword strapped to her side.

"A girl like me could get used to this," she said. "How'd you make out, Yugi?"

"I feel a little silly," Yugi commented looking down at his blue armor and red cape. Like Mai, he had a sword strapped to him.

"I think you look great," Mai argued. "If only the guys back home could see you now."

"You know, Mai," Yugi said sitting on a box. "The Kaiba Corp. executives rewritten the game, you could be putting yourself in danger."

"Yugi, have you checked me out? I look way too good to be sitting at home."

"You're all right, Mai."

"Where's Joey by the way?"

"Back here," Joey called from behind a curtain. "And back here's just where I'm staying too."

"Oh come on, you can't look that bad."

"Wanna bet?" Joey pulled back the curtain and Yugi and Mai's eyes bulged out.

Joey was wearing an animal skin with bandages around his arms and a monster skull for a hat. He also carried a mace. "I'm wearing a bathroom rug here, people!"

"But Joey, this is the traditional garb of our bravest national hero!" Nana argued.

"Must've been a pretty burly guy who wore this last."

Lightning danced across the sky.

"That storm came out of nowhere," Mai commented.

"Something isn't right," Joey said as they ran to join Mokuba, Edina, and the guards out on the battlements.

"Look!" Yugi pointed to a dark shadow that came out of the clouds.

"A castle floating in the sky," Nana gasped.

"The Castle of Dark Illusions," Yugi said.

"Never mind the castle, look at that." Hundreds of flying Duel Monsters were coming towards them.

"There must be hundreds of them," Yugi said.

"Yeah, and they've all come to get their offering," Joey added.

"I never seen so many Duel Monsters," Mai said, a slight shiver of fear crawling up her back. "How are we going to stop them all?"

Yugi saw a figure leaping onto the roof of the castle. "Joey, look, it's the Armed Ninja!"

"No way is he laying a hand on the Princess," Joey said.

"Leave this to me," Mai said. "Dark Witch (4), attack!" The Dark Witch used her spear to get the first two. "Yeah, two down!"

"But a gajillion more to go," Joey said.

"This won't work," Yugi said. "There are too many to fight one at a time."

"So do you have a better plan?"

"I do. Mai, call back your Dark Witch."

"Okay. Dark Witch, return to your card form now!" The Dark Witch turned back into a card and fell into Mai's hand. "Now what?"

Yugi drew a card. "I'll activate the Dark Hole magic card and then they'll be lost in its vortex for…"

A dagger ripped the card in two. An Armed Ninja stood on the tower. "Nuts," Joey said. "That Armed Ninja destroyed your magic card, Yugi!"

The Armed Ninja threw a net over the Princess and dragged her upward.

"Princess!"

"Edina!"

"Axe Raider, use Kunai with Chain to attack the Armed Ninja!" The Axe Raider threw the chained weapon and destroyed the Armed Ninja. The Princess started to fall back to the castle but was picked up by the Whiptail Crow (5).

"No, what have I done!" Mokuba cried dropping to his knees.

Except the voice wasn't Mokuba.

"Huh, you're not Mokuba?" Joey asked.

The head turned around, the eyes were violet. It was Princess Edina wearing Mokuba's armor.

"Princess, why…"

"It was Mokuba, he volunteered to be the sacrifice in my place. He said he wanted to join his brother. It's my fault, all my fault! He was so brave and I was scared, scared of being sacrificed, but now..." Tears dripped down Edina's face. "I was supposed to be the sacrifice, not him! Please, you must save him, save Mokuba!"

"But how do we do it?" Joey asked. "Even if we could find the castle, there's no Duel Monster that can penetrate that barrier."

Yugi looked out over battlements. He gasped, "Guys, look, ancient ruins!" The others came to look at it. "It must've been uncovered by the storm. Among the ruins was the shape of a giant bird.

"That's the symbol of the legendary flying machine," Edina said referring to the bird-shape.

"So this is where your ancient hero hid it."

"But even if it's buried under there, it must be a fossil by now. How can we ever restore it?"

"I don't know but it's the only hope we have on rescuing the Kaiba Brothers."

Yugi, Joey, and Mai went down to the ruins. "Yug, it's hopeless, there's no way a plane that old is gonna fly."

"No, it won't," Yugi agreed. "That's why we have to restore it to the way it was a thousand years ago!"

"But how is that possible?"

"Oh, I get it now," Mai said.

"If the passage of time corroded the flying machine, then turning back the clock can make it as good as new! And what monster can adjust time like that?"

"The one you gave me before Pegasus's tournament!" Joey realized searching his deck for the card in question. "The Time Wizard, but if the hands land on skulls it could take away our life points!"

"We've got to risk it. Seto and Mokuba's future hangs in the balance."

"All right then, for them. Come out, Time Wizard, take these ruins back to the way they were a thousand years ago! Time Magic!" The Time Wizard's spin arrow started to do just that, spin. A strange glow encircled the ruins.

"I think it's working," Mai said.

"Yeah, the ruins are rebuilding themselves," Joey said as rubble began to stack in the shape of buildings.

"No, Joey, time's rebuilding them."

Edina and Nana were bewildered at what was happening.

"Wow," Mai gasped. "Old Sin-Lau is beautiful!" The buildings were scrunched together encircling the bird shape.

"Rats, it didn't work," Joey grumbled.

Suddenly the ground started to shake. "I think you spoke too soon!" The ground around them started to crumble and the three Duelists fell.


Back in reality, only Tea and Tristan and 100 pounds of furniture stood between their friends and their doom.

"Yugi, please return to us soon," Tea pleaded. "Or you might not be able to return at all!"

To Be Continued


Duel Monster Database

(1)
Name: Sand Stone
Level: 5
Type: Rock
Attribute: Earth
ATK: 1300
DEF: 1600

(2)
Name: Witty Phantom
Level: 4
Type: Fiend
Attribute: Dark
ATK: 1400
DEF: 1300

(3)
Name: Mythic Dragon (F.G. Dragon, Five God Dragon)
Level: 12
Type: Dragon/Fusion/Effect
Attribute: Dark
ATK: 5000
DEF: 5000

(4)
Name: Dark Witch
Level: 5
Type: Fairy
Attribute: Light
ATK: 1800
DEF: 1700

(5)
Name: Whiptail Crow
Level: 4
Type: Fiend
Attribute: Dark
ATK: 1650
DEF: 1600