Yami no Game: Dark Saga

Chapter 23

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"Ready or not, here we come!" Saruwatari called as two of the men start to ram the door. Kaiser and Honda started moving what they could to block the door before holding them in place to make sure they didn't get the chance to get in. Ruby watched and gave a sigh as he looked to the pods. 'Hurry up, you three. We might not be able to hold them back for long...' he thought. Back in the virtual world, Jou was facing off the town's champion, Madam Butterfly. She smirked as she gazed upon her opponent. "I knew men were dirty like pigs but I didn't know they would dress the part as well." she said with a chuckle. Jou groaned from under the mask. 'Man, there's one only person I know that could be this annoyin'...' he thought. "Ya know what I like 'bout butterflies...they don't talk smack!" he growled. "Ooooh, a little feisty piggy you are. Well let's just see how feisty you are in battle."

"Let's duel!" Jou drew his card and smirked. "Time ta clip yer wings! I summon Flame Swordsman!" he called as the warrior appeared onto the field. Madam Butterfly smirked before she drew her card. "A nice start. But I think I have the perfect girl for you. Come on out, Harpie Lady!" The femme avian appeared onto the field, smirking as she gazed at her target. 'Harpie Lady, huh? Now there's a card I definitely seen before. Ah well, the swordsman will take care of her.' he thought as Flame Swordsman ran at the other, ready to fight. "So gullible. I activate my trap, Mirror Wall!" she called. The wall appeared before her monster and Flame Swordsman gave a hiss as his attack rebounded on him, causing him to skid back with his attack falling to 900. "Wait, I know that combo! Only one person uses it!" he whispered to himself as Madam Butterfly laughed again. "Now, you swine, it's time for you to get slaughtered!" she said as she drew another card. 'That's it! I really do know only one duelist who could be this annoying in five minutes!' Jou thought with a growl. "I knew it..." Yami murmured. "Knew what?" Yugi questioned as he looked up to him. "Just keep watching."

"Time for the big finale!" she announced as she activated the card. "Rose Whip attack! Show that swordsman who's the real warrior here!"

"Hold on!" Jou shouted as he removed the mask as the whip came flying at his swordsman. She gasped lightly before calling to her monster to stop her attack. "Jounouchi?! Is that really you?" she asked as she removed her own mask. "That was Mai?!" Yugi called in surprise. "Indeed it was." Yami replied as Yugi hopped over the wall down to the arena, Mokuba, Yami and Aqua right behind him. "Mokuba? Yugi? Yami and Aqua? What are you all doing here?"

"My brother was trapped in this game and we're here to save him but what are you doing here?"

"Well...some suits from KaibaCorp. hired me to test out the game." she told them. Jou nodded. "Well that explains that but you might be in serious danger, Mai. Those suits took Kaiba and imprisoned him in a temple across the desert. We need that Niwatori card to get there." he explained. "And that's the prize for this match..." she murmured. They didn't get the chance to speak more as the crowd started to get rowdy, wanting the match to continue. "Oh man...this crowd may be virtual but they look pretty pissed."

"Then let's get the card and get out of here. Harpie Lady, Rose Whip!" Mai called, pointing towards the card. She nodded and flicked the whip, grabbing the card and bringing it back. "Got it!"

"No, the Niwatori card!" The toad exclaimed, horrfied. The group started running off, Jou tossing the pig mask and cape, Mai doing the same. "Pick up the pace, guys!" Aqua called as the angry townspeople started coming after them. "Alright! It's time for some ground control!" Jou announced as he stopped and turned, drawing a card. "Trap Hole!" In the townspeople's path, a gaping hole appeared, preventing them from crossing. "By the time they get past that, we'll be long crossed the desert!" he said triumphantly as he caught up with the others as they reached the outskirts of town. They looked out to the looming desert before Yami looked to Mai. "If you would do the honors." She nodded, holding up the card and four Niwatori chickens appeared before them. Yami and Aqua stepped back before returning back to their soul room as they mounted the chickens and were off into the desert. "So Mai, you're telling me that KaibaCorp. paid you to test out this game?"

"Pretty much."

"Wonder why?"

"It might've been to make sure that this would go all according to plan before nii-sama tested it." Mokuba suggested and Yugi nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I agree but they probably weren't factoring the chances of us coming in or else they would've barred the lab from entry." he pointed out. Soon, the ground started to rattle beneath them. "What going on?!"

"It must be another obstacle programmed into the game!" Yugi cried as a fissure tore the ground and vines shot up from the dark recesses. The monster roared as it appeared through the fissure. "It's a Sandstone monster!" Jou cried out as the Niwatori started panicking a little. "Alright! Time to tip over this sandcastle!" he said as he drew a card. "I call out the Red-Eyes Black Dragon! Black Fire Bullet!" The dragon appeared, steam rising up from her jaws before charging up her attack and released it at the weak monster, taking it out easily before returning back to the card. "And that's that." With the monster gone, the storm around them started dispersing and soon, the location they needed to get to appeared before them. "Hey look! It's some sort of temple!" Mokuba called. "I see. Is that where we're heading?" Mai questioned. Mokuba nodded.

"Yeah. An old lady in town told me that my brother was taken to a temple across the desert so that must be it." She nodded before they all urged the Niwatori on. When they reached the place, it definitely looked grander than it did from far away. "Shoot! This is one swanky place!" Jou commented as they arrived. As soon as the Niwatori stopped, Mokuba was off and running towards the temple. "Hey, Mokuba, wait!" Yugi called. "Man that kid just doesn't stop. Well, we better catch him before we lose 'em both." Jou muttered as they climbed off their mounts and went inside after Mokuba. Bats chittered as they flew through the dark cavern they walked through. "Huh, this place looks like it seen better days..."

"Yeah, it's really creepy."

"Yeah, best we stick together." Yugi murmured as they came up to a large door. "Allow me." Jou offered as he walked up and pushed the doors open, walking inside. They stepped back at the next obstacles to hinder them. "It's a labyrinth dungeon! It's like the time Yami and I fought them weirdo Meikyu Brothers." But their shock didn't last long as the door slammed closed behind them and Jou ran back in hoped to find a way to open them again. "Shit, there's no way out!"

"It would do us no good anyway. We won't finish the game retracing our steps." Yugi murmured as he looked to the matter at hand. "So we have to go through the maze if we're ever going to find Kaiba..." he murmured. A scream was heard from deeper in the maze, catching their attention. "Someone's in trouble." Jou nodded before shoving past the others. "I'm on it!" Mai huffed when he shoved past her. "Hey, watch it! Sheesh, that doofus would do anything to meet a girl. Guess he knows I was just way out of his league."

"I'll say..." Mokuba murmured before turning as he heard something smash through the walls of the labyrinth and gasped as a Labyrinth Tank came charging out. "Watch it, it's a Labyrinth Tank!" Yugi called. "Let's get moving!" Mokuba cried as they ran into the maze, Jou looking left and right for the best way to go. "Jou! We gotta go now!" Yugi cried and he turned back and saw what was chasing them before taking the left path along with the others. They didn't get far as they were halted as another Labyrinth Tank came out. Skidding to a halt, they backtracked in hopes to go the other way only to meet the same. "We're boxed in!" Mai cried out in horror. "Ok, anyone have a plan?!" Jou questioned. "We get past those tanks!"

"Got a plan B?!" he squeaked as the Labyrinth Tanks' eyes started to glow. "Because we need one fast or we're going have more holes in us than Swiss cheese!"

"I'll use Magical Hats!" Yugi called as he used the card and a hat dropped over them just in time to switch their positions as the tanks made their attack. "Man I love that trick! Now let's get movin'." Jou spoke as they began to move. "Ouch, Jou! That was my foot!" Mai hissed as the hat dispersed. "Looks like we're in the clear." Yugi murmured before hearing the sounds of the tanks moving from their spot, now in search of them. "We need to move and fast. The tanks are making their move." A fairy came flying in and Yugi looked up. "Hey guys, look. It's another fairy, just like the one Mokuba, Jou and I saw earlier." The fairy giggled as she waved to them. "Looks like she wants us to follow her." Yugi murmured. "I'm game. Let's go." Mai answered. They followed the tiny fairy until the voice from before sounded as the fairy stopped before a girl that eerily looked like Mokuba. "Earu, you've returned." she greeted before looking to the others that followed her. "Whoa, Mokuba, that fairy turned ya into a girl!" Jou commented. Mokuba snorted as he came up beside him. "Really? Can she make you smart as well?" he questioned haughtily. "They look like they could be twins, though." Mai pointed out.

"So, can ya get us outta this rat trap?" Jou asked and the girl shook her head. "No. Earu, my guide, and I are lost too." she murmured. They sighed but the girl calmed them. "We may be lost but Earu will find a way out for us." she said and that lifted their spirits as they followed the tiny fairy. "Hey, I see the exit!"

"Me too! We're home free!" Jou called as they finally got out the maze only to be stopped by Gate Guardian standing before the exit, roaring as it looked down to the party before it. "Did I say home free? I mean in deep trouble!"

"I can think of anything strong enough to take him down! He'll destroy us in one attack!" Mai cried, worried. "Those suits at Kaiba Corp. musta put him in ta stop us!" Jou whispered. "Don't worry! If we work together, we can take on anything." Yugi spoke as the hulking monster stepped forward, ready to make its attack. "Good thinkin', Yugi. So let's get this show started! I'll combine my Red-Eyes..."

"And my Summoned Skull..."

"Fuse them together with the power of Polymerization to create the Black Skull Dragon!" They both called as the dragon appeared before them. "Nice effort, guys, but that guardian still has more attack points compared to him!" Mai commented. "Man, I hate this! Everything is rigged against us!"

"Not yet it isn't! I still have my Dragon Nails card which will give our dragon an extra 700 attack points. Just enough ta get rid of that guardian once and for all!" The blonde stated as the weapon was equipped onto the dragon, bumping his attack up from 3200 to 3900. "Now go! Meteor Flare!" he called, the dragon giving another roar before letting lose the attack, destroying the guardian. "You all are so very strong. Just like the heroes of legend." The girl spoke one more. "Oh, it was nothin'." Jou said, grinning. "Heroes of legend?" Yugi murmured, mulling over the thought until they heard voices coming from the direction there were heading. Once they were in view, the girl smiled. "Obaa-san!" The elderly lady smiled. "My lady, we were worried sick about you." she whispered before spotting the others behind her. "Oh, and it seems you made some new friends."

"Yes, they are the bravest warrior I ever did see. They saved me from this place. As thanks, I would like to invite them to the palace." she spoke and the woman nodded. "Sure. We shall leave right away."

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In the bubbling pits of the unknown, high above on a platform did Kaiba, tied up to a slab of rock, wake up from his daze. Completely disoriented and trying to figure out what was going on, he took a glance around. "Where...am I?" he questioned. "You're here with me, Seto Kaiba." A voice whispered as a figure appeared out of the ground, revealing it to be a monster. "Witty Phantom? You took me as a prisoner in my own game?"

"Why yes, Kaiba."

"Then release me now." The phantom tsked. "You're late to the party, Kaiba. This world is no longer yours to command. The program has been completely rewritten." Kaiba snorted. "Never did like parties." he muttered. "Such a shame. You're the guest of honor. You see, you're going to be our offering to the Mythic Dragon! So until then, your misery shall be in my capable hands." Kaiba growled in anger. Enough was enough for him. "That's it. Override protocol. End this simulation!" The phantom laughed at his attempt. "Don't you see? This game is out of your hands now. All of Ruby's little safety precautions are a thing of the past. Now if you'll excuse me, there is so much work to do before the other offering is brought to us."

"Another offering?" Kaiba murmured as the monster walked off, disappearing soon after.

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Once they were out of the labyrinth cavern, they climbed into carriages that awaited them outside and were on their way. "After everythin' we've been through, I like this part of the game." Jou hummed. "Yeah, that Adena sure knows how to ride in high style." Mai spoke. "I agree. Mokuba, you should feel honored that Kaiba and Ruby based such an awesome character after you." Yugi said. "Really?"

"Yeah...'My Lady'." Jou joked and Mokuba hit him in his arm. "Hey guys, look at this!" Yugi called and they all looked out the window to the castle town that they were heading. "Oh, sweet! I hope they have food in this game!"

"I just hope they can help us. We need to find nii-sama before it's too late." Mokuba murmured. As they reached the castle, they left the carriages and were amazed as they headed in along with Adena. Earu floated down, nestling into Yugi's hair and he smiled. Adena turned and chuckled softly. "Seems Earu has taken a liking to you." she said and Yugi looked over to her. "Is this your palace?" he asked and she nodded. "Yes. I am the princess of this land. Princess Adena." They were taken aback by that but soon followed her inside where they were treated to dinner. Enticed by the spread, it didn't take long before Jou was stuffing his face. "Everyone, please keep all hands and feet away from Jou's mouth." Mai muttered, a little disgusted by his table manners. He sat up, pausing for a moment as he choked just a little, catching Mai's attention as she asked if he was alright. "Yeah, I'm fine. Happens all the time." he said, chuckling slightly. "Disgusting..." Mai muttered. Mokuba looked over to Adena. "Hey Adena, have you heard any news of my brother?" The princess looked down solemnly. "Well, I didn't want to say anything but you deserve to know. People often disappear when the time for the offerings have arrived." she murmured. "Offerings?"

"Yes. Every year around this time offerings are collected from this and another kingdom to bring back the Mythic Dragon."

"The Mythic Dragon, huh?" Yugi hummed. Adena nodded. "And we just got word that the other kingdom has made their offering. A stranger from a distant land." Mokuba stood at this. "That must be my brother! Please, you have to tell me where he is!"

"He was taken to a dark castle floating in the sky." she spoke. "A dark castle?"

"Why does that sounds familiar ta me?" Jou pondered. "It must be the Castle of Dark Illusions." Yugi replied as he looked to him. Jou nodded in agreement. Adena pointed over to a painting that hung on the wall. "That painting tells the tale. Long ago, a man escaped that dreaded castle on a flying machine and hid it within these lands a thousand years ago. But his ship was never found and there's no other way recorded in history of how to reach the castle." she explained. "We could fly up there on our dragons." Mai suggested. "It can't be done. A magic barrier protects the castle from monsters entering it." Adena spoke. Mokuba frowned and looked to the table. "Mokuba, don't worry. Just keep telling yourself that this is all just a game." she whispered but noticed she caught Adena and her grandmother's attention as well. "I-I mean life a game! But back to the matter at hand. What are you going to do about your kingdom's offering?" Adena looked down. "We have already chosen...it is to be me." she whispered, making then gasp. "You can't!"

"Don't worry about my fate. With the legend comes a prophecy that epic heroes will come from the distant mountains to these lands and save it from the Mythic Dragon. United, they will have the power to destroy the dragon." she said. "So you really think we're those heroes."

"Yes. On your shoulders rests the fate of this kingdom." Jou leapt up from his feet, fired up. "Yeah! I like the sound of that! Super Jou to the rescue!"

"More like Super Dork. Jou, this isn't an eating contest. As you told me, this can get really dangerous. Who know what those suits put in here to hinder us?" Mai murmured. "Whatever. Besides, we need ta get through the dragon to get ta Kaiba, right? Way I see it, there's no other choice in the matter." Yugi nodded in agreement and Adena smiled. "To properly prepare you for this journey, we shall adorn you in the finest armors in the kingdom." she said as they were ushered off to get fitted for their armor. Mai looked at herself in the mirror once she had her blue and green armor on and smiled. "A girl like me could get used to this. How are you holding up, Yugi?" He turned to look over to Mai. His armor consisted of white gold and mithril, a combination that will keep him well protect while being light. He wore a white tunic underneath that and the chainmail and some brown slack with black boots. A white cape adorned his shoulders and he took a moment to look at him. "I dunno. I feel just a little silly."

/I don't think it's silly at all. You look adorable./ Aqua whispered from within, chuckling softly and that made him blush a little. Mai chuckled before looking to the curtain. "Hey, Jou, what's the holdup?" she called. "I'm thinkin' I'm changin' my mind on this whole hero thing..."

"Oh come on. It can't be that bad." Jou mumbled something before coming out from behind the curtain, drawing a gasp from her. He wore ruby colored chainmail over a brown tunic, rich amber and bronze plate armor with shoulder pads and breastplate resting over that with amber gauntlets, green pants and brown boots. "Jou...you look wonderful. Why are you changing your mind?"

"Just doesn't feel right. Then again, you don't get a chance in everyday life ta wear armor." The elder woman smiled. "This was the armor worn by our finest dragon knight. I'm sure it will suit you well." she said. But their little chat was interrupted as lightning streaked across the sky. "Lightnin'...that can't be good." Jou muttered as they all walked outside to see the reason for the storm that appeared out of nowhere. "Princess you should stay inside." Adena's grandmother spoke as she tried to usher her back inside. "Look, a castle floating in the sky!"

"Forget the castle, look at all those duel monsters coming at us!" Mai cried. "Looks like they came for their offerin'." Jou growled. /Yugi! Look out!/ Yami called and he turned to see the Armed Ninja coming their way. "Watch it! The Armed Ninja!"

"Don't worry, I'll handle this." Mai spoke as she pulled out a card. "I summon the Dark Witch!" she called as the monster appeared, taking down two of the monsters from the horde. "That won't do, there's too many. Mai, call back your monster!" She looked down to Yugi in question before she nodded and called back her monster. "Now what? Do you have a plan?" Yugi nodded as he stepped forward. "I'll use the Dark Hole trap card to take them all out at once!" But before the card could activate, a kunai came flying out, tacking the card to the ground. "The Armed Ninja! We forgot 'bout him! That no good monster took out your card!" Jou growled before the monster tossed a net over the princess, dragging her off. "Not this time. Come on out, Axe Raider. Use Kunai with Chain to nail that ninja!" Jou called as the monster appeared, weapon in hand. With a roar, Axe Raider tossed it at the other, defeating it. Adena dropped towards them but was soon swept up by the Whip-tailed Crow. "Oh no, the crow got her! They're getting away!" There was no way to catch up with them now and could only call out for Adena as she was carried off. But to their surprise, Adena was right there beside them as she collapsed to her knees.

"No...they've got Mokuba..." she whispered. "Mokuba?! But how?" Jou questioned. "He asked me to switch outfits with him so he would be taken instead of me." she explained. "Oh it's all my fault. I should've been the offering, not him." she whimpered before looking to them. "Please, you must save him." Yugi nodded. "We will. Don't worry." he said. "But how are we gonna do that, Yugi?" Jou asked. "I don't know." he answered softly as he moved toward the wall, sighing deeply before looking down. "Wait, look down there!" There others gathered beside him to take a look. "Looks like ancient ruins."

"But wait! Those markings! They're the markings of the Great Flying Machine!" Adena gasped. "Really? So that's where they have been hidden this whole time! It must've been uncovered by the storm." Yugi spoke. "Well let's get down there and take a look." Jou and Mai nodded and they were off. Once they arrived, they looked around for some sort of clue. "So if the machine was buried, that would make it inoperable, right?"

"Yeah but there has ta be some way." Jou murmured. /Yugi, I have the way. If the ruins were buried a thousand years ago, only one card can restore them and Jou has it./ Yami whispered. "Oh, that's right! Jou, you have the card we need!"

"I do?"

"Of course. Think about it. What's the only card that can control time itself?" Jou blinked a moment before wracking his brain for the answer and got it. "Oh yeah, my Time Wizard!" Jou pulling out the card from his deck before going tight lipped. "But Yugi, if it lands on skulls, it will take our life points." he murmured and Yugi nodded. "I know but it's a risk we have to take." Jou nodded before summoning the monster. "Here it goes. Time Wizard, Time Roulette go!" The clockwork monster cast its magic and soon, the area around them started to bend and shift as withered buildings were being repaired by time itself as the years rolled back a thousand years. Adena and her grandmother watched in awe as the old town was reborn right before their very eyes. When the magic was complete, Jou took a look around. "Man, it didn't work..." he murmured before a rumbling was heard. "I think you spoke too soon, Jou!" Yugi gasped as the ground started to crack beneath them. They yelped as they fell into the fissure and Adena called out for them in worry.

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Outside, Kaiser and Honda were still holding back the guards but the barrier proved to be useless since they didn't have the strength to keep holding on but they weren't going to let that stop them. Ruby watched worriedly before looking back to the pods. 'Hurry, Yugi...if you guys don't make it out...you may never get back to reality...'

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Zypher: And there you have it. Another chapter for you all before I leave out for Otakon. Hoped you all enjoyed and for the final votes on the Dungeon Dice matter, looks like anime won so I'll start collecting up my episodes for that so we can get that on the road [but for those who wished to see the manga verse, I may just put that as a bonus segment once this story's done]. Thanks for all your votes on Doom Saga [love the poll system XD] so I know what needs to be done for that. More polls for this story shall be posted. If anything, three more shall be placed for Grand Championship, Capsule Monsters and Noah Virtual World so I'll have my count on those so I know whether I need to find the place to break them into the story [at least Noah's world and Capsule Monsters since both are smack dab in the middle of a season or at least with Cap Monsters in between the Grand Championship and Millennium World]. So place in your votes for the first of three is up: Noah's Virtual World!

And as a final note, apparently a hacker has found their way here to so for all respected authors that read my fics, I beseech thee to change your passwords immediately so this hacker won't be able to get into your profile and start deleting stories and changing info. CrazyAboutYugi has suffered already and we don't want you to be next. So heed this warning, respected authors and I'll shall see you all on Monday with a possible new chapter.