Ketchum's Eleven
06: Into Kaiba's Vault
A PikaFlash's Studio Fanfiction
Disclaimer: All characters, songs and scenes belong to their respective owners...
An A/U Crossover Type fanfic...
At the warehouse, Eriol, Koji and Koichi were setting up the EMP bomb. An air freshener was hanging off the mirror of the second van the group bought.
At the Kaiba Land Vault Count Room, Keitaro opened the briefcase and revealed five emeralds. Seto looks at the emeralds.
"They're beautiful."
Keitaro gives a 'none of your business' look at Seto.
"Can you lift them out, please?"
Keitaro removes the tray that holds the emeralds and Seto checks the case's interior for any suspicious compartments. It's all clear. "Alright, Mr. Urashima. I acknowledge that the case does not contain any dangerous or illicit material. I also agree to take custody of your case for a period of 24-hours to be stored in our secured vault. While I cannot permit you to accompany the case to the vault..."
"Why not?" Keitaro asks.
"Insurance for one. Security another. And finally, I don't trust you," Seto explained.
The manager entered the room and whispered to Seto, but Keitaro was able to hear it.
"I've got two plainclothes on Ketchum. He's at the bar now."
Seto looks back to Keitaro. "Mr. Urashima. This is my manager. If you will allow, he will arrange for your briefcase to be stored inside our vault while you watch from a security monitor," Seto said. "Those are my terms. Yes or no?"
Keitaro's answer is simple enough. "It's your vault. You leave me no choice." Keitaro removes his handcuff from his wrist.
After getting dropped off by Eriol, Koji and Koichi appeared in waiter's outfits while pushing a trolley with food through the kitchen entrance.
At the same time, Yugi appeared in his suit. Ready for his next move. Metabee was speaking to Yugi through an earwig in Yugi's ear.
Metabee (through Yugi's earwig): Deep breaths. You'll do fine.
Yugi takes that deep breath. "Thanks."
Metabee (through earwig): No sweat, Yugi. You're like a Rosetta Stone.
Yugi smiles.
Metabee (through earwig): Now don't mess up.
Back in the Lord of Dragons suite, Koji and Koichi appeared from the lift with the trolley.
"Who ordered the penne, ice cream and red wine?"
"Penne and Ice cream's mine." Sakura said, raising her hand.
"I'll take the red wine," Metabee said.
Koji gave the food to Sakura and Koichi removed the tablecloth, revealing the cash cart for Pikachu to hide in. Sakura looks at Pikachu.
"You ready, Pikachu?"
Pikachu puts the finishing touches on his bandaged tail and nods.
Seto, Keitaro and the manager entered the security center.
"This is our security center, where we oversee all gaming in the Game Corner as well as our vault. You'll be able to monitor your briefcase from here," the manager explained.
Seto looks at his watch. "Oh, don't let me keep you," Keitaro said.
Seto nods and bows. "Mr. Urashima."
Seto leaves the security center.
Near the security door, Yugi was waiting.
Sakura (through Yugi's earwig): Yugi, you're up.
Yugi nods and sees Seto walking out of the door, while receiving the all important black portfolio from another manager. "I'm on him."
Yugi walks to Seto. "Mr. Kaiba."
"Yes?"
Yugi takes out his identification card. "Daniel Blue, Tokyo Commission for Gaming. Could I have two minutes of your time?" Yugi asks.
Seto sighs. As if this isn't enough to keep him from Misty but...
"Anything for the TCG," Seto said.
At the bar, Ash finishes his drink and he spots Misty walking towards the restaurant. Misty was in a dress that somehow compliments her beauty. Ash fixes up his bow tie and adjusts his cap before he follows Misty. Unknown to him, he's being followed by two plainclothes goons, named Jono and Honda.
The lid of the Cash cart is open and Pikachu jumps in from Sakura's shoulders and Sakura puts in a small oxygen tank.
"Ok. When do you need to make the deposit?" Sakura asks.
"Not until we get your signal," Koji answered.
"Hey, what do we look like? A couple of idiotic Digimons or something?" Koichi asks, with the hint of sarcasm
No one responds.
Sakura looks back at Pikachu. "Hey, Pikachu. How does it feel? You comfortable in there?"
"Pika, Pikachu," Pikachu replies in a positive tone.
"Great. Want something to read, like a magazine?"
Koji, Koichi, Sakura and Metabee saw a wooden sign with the image of a middle finger popping out of the cart, giving Sakura the answer on what Pikachu would do with a magazine in the fake cash cart.
"Ok, thirty minutes of breathing time starts...now." Sakura closes the lid and seals Pikachu in.
29:59 remaining
Koichi puts the tablecloth back on the cart while Koji snatches the bottle of red wine.
"And you'll get no tip, you Meda-bums!" Metabee yelled out as the K Twins left the room.
28:35 remaining
Yugi and Seto were walking in the Game Corner.
"It only came to our attention this morning, Mr. Kaiba. Apparently he has a record longer...well, longer than my arm."
Seto looks at Yugi. "If he is who you say he is."
Back at the suite, Sakura and Metabee were watching Seto and Yugi. Seto opens his black portfolio and read the note with the combination to the vault and hides it in his jacket pocket.
"Were you able to read it?" Sakura asked.
"His head is blocking the last two numbers." Metabee takes the microphone and tells Yugi to go to Plan B. "We missed it. Yugi, you got to get the combination yourself."
Yugi slightly nods, but Seto notices this. Seto decides to ask some questions.
"So, you've been with the commission long?"
"Only for 18 months." Yugi answered.
"I know a Yui Ikari over there. You work with her at all?"
Yugi paused for a bit, and then said, "Not since she disappeared without a trace last year."
James and the supervisor walked to Seto and Yugi.
"Eric Harrison?"
"What's this about?
"Mr. Harrison," Yugi said. "It has come to our attention..."
"I think it's better if we talk off the floor," Seto interrupted. "Would you come with us, Mr. Harrison?"
"Certainly, Mr. Kaiba."
As James, Seto and Yugi were walking away, a lift door opens and Koji and Koichi arrived in security uniform while pushing a cash card, leaving behind the waiters' uniforms and the tablecloth.
24:25 remaining
At the restaurant, Misty instantly got her usual table, considering that she is Kaiba's woman.
"Ms Ketchum." The waiter said as he moved a chair for her.
"Thank you." Misty looks back at the waiter and sees Ash at the entrance. "Excuse me..."
Misty walks towards Ash. "Ash. My answer is no."
"Misty, I'm only here for a moment."
"No. I'm having you thrown out at this instant."
Ash grabs Misty's arm.
"I know you're up to something, Ash. What? And don't say you came here for me. You're pulling a job, aren't you?"
"Mist..."
"Well, know this, Ashy. No matter what you do, you won't win me back. I can't afford it."
"Misty...I came to say goodbye."
This comes to a surprise to Misty. Something must be up; otherwise he wouldn't be giving up on her so easily.
"Well...goodbye."
Ash was about to kiss Misty, but decides to go for the cheek.
"Be good and take care," Ash whispered.
Ash walks off. "Good bye Ash."
Ash only reached the entrance to see the two goons that were following him.
"Mr. Ketchum..." Jono started.
"Mr. Kaiba would like to see you," Honda finished.
Ash knew this was happening. "I thought he might."
As Ash was escorted away, Tai was at a table, watching Ash and the two goons.
"What were you thinking, Ash?" Tai mumbled.
18:30 remaining
At a meeting room, James was sitting at the table while Seto Kaiba and Daniel Blue were standing up. Yugi removes the beeper from his belt and puts it on the table. Seto continues to look at his watch as the match is going to start soon.
"Thank you for your cooperation, Mr. Harrison."
James nods, acknowledging that.
"Or should I call you Mr. Stuart?"
James stopped nodding, knowing that his secret is out. Yugi takes out a mug shot of James.
"You are James Stuart, aka. Jimmy Stu. Formerly of the Celadon game corner, Goldenrod and Team Rocket?"
James did not answer.
"I take it from your silence that you don't refute that." Yugi looks at Seto. "Mr. Kaiba, I'm afraid that you've been employing an Ex-Team Rocket member. As you know, the TCG strictly forbids..."
"You racist..."
Yugi pauses.
"Pardon me?"
James started to rant. "You heard me. Just cause some purple-haired man tries to earn a decent wage in this region..."
"But that has nothing to do with..."
James still continued as he speaks over Yugi. "...some young twerp like you come here and kick me out onto the street. What do you want me to do? Shine your shoes? Do a funny dance on the table? You could as well call the Yu-Gi-Oh game 'Trunks-oh' if that's the case."
Yugi started to object. "I resent your implication that your hair color has something anything to do with this. Even I have purple hair, with a bit of blonde streaks. Vice-President Vegeta's son, Trunks also has an almost purple hair, only that he has lavender...almost like yours." Yugi looks back at Seto. "As I was saying, the Tokyo Commission for Gaming strictly forbids the employment of colored...oops. I mean...
"Why you little..."
James pounces on Yugi, starting up a small dust cloud fight as James strangles Yugi. Seto quickly tries to separate the two, not knowing that Yugi slips his hand into Seto's jacket and takes the vault codes and slips it into his own pocket.
James stopped. "Ok. I'm cool. You'd better talk to him, Mr. Kaiba."
Seto looks at Yugi. "You alright, Mr. Blue?"
"I'm fine."
Sakura and Metabee were watching the small skirmish between Jimmy and Daniel Blue from the Lord of Dragons suite.
"He's got it," Sakura said. Then, she gave the orders to the K twins. "Koji, Koichi, deliver the package."
14:05 remaining
Koji and Koichi were walking to the security door with the cash cart. Koichi reach into his pockets to find his card, only to find that it's not there. "Uh-oh. I think I lost my card."
"Seriously?" Koji asked.
"Yeah. I'm such a blockhead."
"You're a blockhead, a fool and a simpleton!" Koji slaps Koichi on the back of the head.
"Calm down, guys," The security guard said. "Listen, where did this come from?"
"Experts Dueling Room. Mr. Kaiba's stuff is in here," Koji said.
"Alright, to the counting room?"
"No, Mr. Kaiba's money goes straight to the vault," Koichi explained.
"Of course." Another security guard took the trolley into the authorized area.
"And next time, remember your cards or you'll get fired."
"Of course," Koji said.
"Yeah, sorry." Koichi apologized.
In the Security room, one monitor has Ash being escorted by Jono and Honda, on another, Keitaro's briefcase was being carried into a lift, followed by the security guard pushing the cash cart with Pikachu inside.
"There it is now, Mr. Urashima."
Keitaro was starting to sweat. "Wonderful."
11:20 remaining
Sakura slips on a white coat and prepares to put on some makeup. "That's my cue."
Metabee takes over the microphone.
"What's your status, Eriol?"
Eriol was driving the white van while listening to the books-on-tape version of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
Metabee (on Eriol's earwig): Yo, E!
Eriol turns the volume down of the radio down. "There's no need to yell, Metabee."
Metabee (on Earwig): What's your status?
"I'm there."
Eriol's van has reached the roof of a car park. The whole of Domino City can be seen on the top of this very tall car park.
James was escorted out by two security guards followed by Yugi and Seto.
"Please show this man off the premises." Seto looks at James. "And don't ever step into my Game Corner ever again."
"Racist!" James said, scaring Yugi.
James was escorted away. Seto looks at his watch. He's late and he hates being late.
"Mr. Blue, if you don't mind." Yugi was blank. "Mr. Blue?"
"Of course."
They walk for a while. After turning a corner, Yugi remembers about his pager.
"Damn! I forgot my pager. Sorry, Mr. Kaiba."
Seto sighs. This is no time for distractions. Seto looks at the cameras and decides to risk it. "Do you know the way back? Seto asks.
"Of course. Enjoy the fight."
"Thank you."
Seto walks off. Misty will be furious. As Yugi started walking back to the room, Yugi slips out the combination and reads the codes.
06:45 remaining
James was thrown out of Kaiba Land.
"Thanks, guys."
The guards walked back into the Game Corner and James smiled, walking off. " Mission complete."
06:30 remaining
Ash was in the interrogation room with Jono and Honda waiting.
"How long do you think Mr. Kaiba will be?"
"Just a few minutes more," Jono said.
Ash looks around. "Hmm, no cameras. Don't want anyone to see what's going on in here?"
The goons were silent.
"Let me guess. He's not coming."
The two plainclothes goons looked at each other. He knows.
"So, who is?" Ash asks.
At that instant, the door opens, revealing a short bald man with six dots on his head. Ash's first impression that this person used to be a monk of some sort.
"I guess Mr. Kaiba didn't like me talking to his girl."
"We'll step outside and leave Baldy here with you to talk things over."
The two goons left the room, leaving Ash with the Baldy.
Meanwhile, the cash cart with Pikachu was wheeled into the room with the briefcase by the two guards. As the cash cart was parked at it's 'usual' spot in the middle of the room, the other guard just simply puts the briefcase on the top of the cash cart with Pikachu inside, creating an unforeseen obstacle for Pikachu's amazing escape.
Metabee mumbled, "Oh shit."
Keitaro also saw the same thing.
"Does that satisfy you, Mr. Urashima?" The manager asks.
Keitaro nods as he was also sweating under the pressure. "Yes, I'm very satisfied." Keitaro checks his pockets for any lifesavers.
"You alright, sir?" The manager asks.
"Yeah, I'm fine."
Ash stood up from his seat. "Alright..."
The Baldy lands a punch at Ash's face. Ash gets back up and wipes a bit of blood off his lips.
"Krillin, couldn't you at least wait?"
Krillin scratches the back of his head. "Sorry, Ash. I forgot."
"That's fine." Ash said. "So, how's your wife?"
"Pretty good, thanks to you," Krillin replied.
"Let's get to work."
Ash moves a safe in the room and climbs up into the ceiling.
04:30 remaining
Meanwhile, in the hallway, Yugi was making his way to the elevator
Metabee (through earwig): Almost there, Yugi.
In the security room, Keitaro and a guard spots Yugi on the monitor.
"Who's that?"
The guard takes a mike.
"I think we got a bogey in the corridor..."
Keitaro finally couldn't handle the suspense and fainted.
"Mr. Urashima!" Everyone in the room turn their backs to their monitors.
Back in the corridor, Yugi punches in the combination of the codes in the lift.
In the suite, Metabee punches in a few keys on his keyboard.
"Going to video...now."
The surveillance camera in the lift changes from Yugi being inside into an empty lift. No one at the security center noticed the slight change.
"Call for a doctor!"
3:20 remaining
In the elevator, Yugi pushes up the ceiling and was about to put his briefcase up there when a hand takes the briefcase, catching Yugi by surprise.
"What the hell!"
Ash smiled. "Hey, Yugi. You didn't really think that I was going to sit this one out, did you?"
Yugi was pulled up out of the elevator through the ceiling onto the top.
"Why didn't you trust me?" Yugi asked.
"I do now."
At the Duelist Kingdom battle arena, Seto and Misty found their seats, one row in front of Tai.
02:45 remaining
Sakura walked towards the Security door in a white coat and a pink wig while carrying a doctor's bag.
"Did someone call for a doctor?" Sakura asked.
Ash and Yugi were removing their shirts and jackets and changed into black outfits as Yugi open a briefcase, with has hidden two electromagnets and a rappelling tools.
"How did you get here?" Yugi asked while strapping on his harness.
"Crawlspace in the ceiling and gave a friend a couple of million," Ash explained.
"What about the thing with Sakura?" Yugi asked.
Ash smiles.
Flashback
Sakura and Ash were at the balcony.
"You think little Yugi bought it?" Ash asked.
"Hey, I think even Tai bought it and he knew we were screwing around," Sakura said. "You sure about this?"
Ash nods. "Solomon wiped me out in my first ever dueling lesson. The least I could do is give his grandson a push."
End Flashback
"Why make me go through all this? Why not just tell me?" Yugi asks.
"Then, where's the fun in that?" Ash said.
The two tighten their harnesses and prepared to make the drop. "Pikachu has only three minutes of air left."
Meanwhile, in the security room, Doctor Sakura was doing her best to revive Hamtaro.
"Come on! Breath!" Sakura tried to do CPR to revive Keitaro, but it was no use. At that moment, two paramedics arrived with a stretcher and a defibrillator.
"I'm sorry...he's gone," Sakura said and everyone in the room all bow their heads.
"I told you to hurry!" Paramedic Koji said to Paramedic Koichi.
While all this is happening, Krillin was jumping around the room while hitting himself a bit to make it sound as though Ash is getting the beating of his life, while at the same time, making some slight moans and groans.
01:25 remaining
Under the elevator, Yugi and Ash attached the electromagnetic grapples.
"So, who do you like tonight?" Ash asked.
"Wa?"
"Gary or the other guy?"
"Oh, the battle." Ash nods. "I'll take the other guy," said Yugi.
Ash was silent. In response to that silence, Yugi asks, "Why? You like Gary?" Ash nods. "How strongly do you feel about it?"
"You looking for some action?"
"I'll put in a buck," Yugi answered.
"A buck it is." said Ash. The two finished attaching themselves to the grapples and started to hang over the lift shaft over a web of infra-red sensors.
"Metabee, we're set," Ash said to a mike.
Sakura was leading 'paramedics' Koji and Koichi with the 'dead' Keitaro on a gurney.
"Metabee, we're set," Sakura said to a mike.
In the suite, after receiving confirmation from the two, Metabee has wrapped himself in aluminum foil in a way to prevent the EMP bomb from affecting him (although this is unproven). Anyway, Metabee speaks to his mike to relay the message to Eriol.
"Eriol, we're set."
00:59 remaining
On the roof of the Car park, Eriol was adding some finishing touches on the EMP bomb.
"Give me a minute, boss," Eriol said.
Metabee (on earwig): We don't have a minute. In about thirty seconds, Pikachu will suffocate.
"Then give me thirty seconds!"
Eriol hooks up the wires and takes out a remote.
00:23 remaining
In the shaft, Ash and Yugi were hanging out in the elevator shaft, literally.
"Ever rappelled before?" Ash asks.
"Nope."
"Neither did I."
Eriol finished the job and said, "One blackout, coming up."
Metabee (on earwig): Then hit it!
Eriol pressed the button, and unleashes the EMP Bomb.
00:01 remaining
Everywhere in Domino City has lost power.
The buildings, the street lights, the cars...
In the Duelist Kingdom battle arena.
Gary and his opponent have released their Pokémon when the lights went out.
In the shaft, the sensors went out. Ash and Yugi took out some florescent tubes.
"Crack it!"
They crack the tubes and let it drop down into the shaft. "Now!"
The two released their locks and both dropped downwards into the shaft until the cords have reached their full extension, giving both Ash and Yugi an ultra painful wedgies feeling from their harnesses. They are only a few feet over the shaft bottom.
"Now, cut it!"
Both Ash and Yugi cut the cords before the sensors reactivate. The cords were recalled at a very fast speed and both Ash and Yugi landed on the floor. The infrared sensors went back online.
Back at the Duelist Kingdom Battle Arena, the lights went back on and there was confusion on both sides of the field. In the midst of his opponent's confusion, Gary secretly ordered his Pokémon to launch an attack at his opponent's Pokémon. In just one hit, the Pokémon is knocked out.
Seto was shocked at the turn of events. "What the hell was that?" Seto looks back and gives a suspicious glare at Tai in the row behind.
Tai shrugs. "I didn't do anything. I was here the whole time."
Seto mumbled, "And that was only the first round."
Eriol smiled. His mission is complete.
" Viva Domino City," Eriol said as the lights and power returned.
Back in the shaft, Yugi and Ash recovered from their fall.
Yugi got up. "You alright, Ash?" Yugi asked.
Ash rubs his back. "No, but it's sweet of you to ask."
The lights were returning in the vault when the cash cart lid opens up. Pikachu was having trouble to open the lid because of Keitaro's heavy briefcase.
Metabee watches this through his monitors when James entered the room.
"Are they in?" James asked.
"One second...hang on. I thought you got kicked out?"
James shrugged. "Meh. I slipped in during the blackout."
Metabee presses a button.
In the Security room, the surveillance video of the vault and vault corridor were replaced by another footage of the two locations.
"Tape from last night. Same guards, same shift."
Metabee and James watch their view of the vault. The briefcase is moving closer to the edge of the cart.
In all of the Gaming Corners owned by Kaiba, chaos is unleashed as everyone is trying to make up for lost cash and halve their bets, while stealing some at the same time.
Back in the vault, Pikachu pushes open the cash cart lid and sees the handcuff. Pikachu quickly grabs the handcuff by his teeth and was able to prevent the case from touching the floor sensors.
Outside the vault, the lift doors open and Ash and Yugi looked inside to see the three guards. Ash takes a gas emitter disk that is the size of a Hockey Puck and slides it across the floor near the three guards. The disk opens up, releasing the gas.
"Oh, Pika! Was that you?" One of the guards asked.
In the lift shaft, Ash and Yugi were silently counting. Thump! One guard down. Thump! Two guards down.
Yugi was about to open the shaft when Ash stops him. "Wait."
Thump! All three guards down.
"Ok."
They open the lift doors and entered the vault corridor and quickly tied up the guards.
"You think Pikachu made it out ok?" Yugi asks.
"I'm sure he's fine."
Yugi presses in the combination to the vault, opening only the first door.
"Right, we have a 13.2 pound Pikachu with a hundred and sixty million dollars behind that door. Let's get him out," Ash said.
"Sure."
Ash pounds on the door twice.
In the vault, Pikachu picks up all the 'emeralds' from Keitaro's Briefcase and prepares for his jump. This time, the only difference between the practice and the real thing is Pikachu's bandaged tail.
In the suite, James and Metabee were watching.
"Ten says he shorts it," James said.
"No bet."
Pikachu does the jump, only to slip on the shelf and almost slipping off onto the floor, but Pikachu quickly got a grip on the shelf and prevented a mishap.
Metabee and James sighed in relief.
"Damn," Metabee said. "Should have taken that bet."
Pikachu makes his way to the door and plants the first 'emerald' on the door and puts in a detonator receiver on the emerald. Then, Pikachu pounds on the door.
Ash receives the message and puts in a receiver on the end where the 'emerald' is expected to be.
In the suite, James and Metabee were watching when Eriol entered the suite.
"Where are we up to, guys?" Eriol asked.
"Pins and floor sensors."
"Wicked," Eriol said. "A tough vault door, but a little bit of semtex on Pikachu's side should do the trick."
Pikachu has finished putting in the 'emeralds' and detonator receiver on the door and landed a few final pounds on the door.
Ash received the message and plants a detonator on the door. Ash pounds on the door to give Pikachu a warning.
"Counting down from twenty...now." Ash said as he holds the remote.
In the vault, Pikachu was about to get away when his bandaged tail got caught on the door.
"16, 15, 14..."
Pikachu tries to pull his tail out with one paw, getting Pikachu closer to the explosive.
The team in the suite were aware of the danger, and Metabee quickly tries to communicate with Yugi.
"Yugi! Can you read me? Yugi, do not blow the door. You're about to kill Pikachu!"
Yugi did not respond.
"Damn, the EMP bomb must have blown out Yugi's earwig," Eriol said.
Pikachu prepared for the inevitable...
"4, 3, 2, 1..."
Ash presses the remote. but nothing happens. Ash shakes the device, checking to see what's wrong.
Inside the vault, Pikachu finally got his tail free, ripping off a bit of the bandage and quickly duck for cover in the cash cart.
Nothing happened.
"What's wrong?" Yugi asks.
Ash was confused. "I don't know."
"You check the batteries?"
Ash takes out the batteries and check their power level. Both have zero percent.
Yugi takes out some spare batteries and said, "You know, if you lose focus for one second in this game..."
"...and someone gets hurt," Ash finished as he takes the batteries and puts them in. "Yeah, yeah. I don't hear Pikachu complaining." Ash presses the button to test it out, only to detonate the bombs in the vault, catching the two thieves off guard.
"Oops."
They enter the vault. It was a mess. "Pikachu! You alright?"
Pikachu climbed out of the Cash cart he was hiding in. "Where the Pika you been!" Pikachu cursed.
Both Ash and Yugi apologized. "Sorry."
James, Metabee, Eriol and a now living Keitaro were watching the monitor of Ash, Pikachu and Yugi packing the money in the vault into some bags.
"Ever been in love?" Keitaro asks.
James gave a bit of thought. "Once with a redhead named Jessie," James replied.
Keitaro smiled. "This is better and much sexier."
Metabee sighs and takes the mike. "Sakura, you're up."
End of Part 6