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The Orichalcos Saga
Fanfic Chapter 215: The Longest Night
Episode Basis: Paradise Found
Previously on Yu-Gi-Oh! Alister brought out his Air Fortress Ziggurat, a card based on the action figure that he carried around in memorial of his younger brother. The thing was huge, so huge it had to remain outside the Seal of Orichalcos. But that didn't make its attacks any less lethal. Thanks to Hermos and Tyrant Wings, the Blue-Eyes Tyrant Dragon devastated Air Fortress Ziggurat. Kaiba won but the plane was ready to crash. When all of a sudden, all four Legendary Dragons appeared and guided the plane to safety. Everyone was reunited (whether they wanted it or not) but Roland had some bad news for Kaiba.
In Dartz's headquarters, a suit came in. "Excuse me, Master Dartz, but we've received word from our business division."
"Go on."
"The takeover is complete. Kaiba Corp. is yours."
"Excellent. Begin the dismantling and integrate its resources into our organization. It's almost time for phase two."
"I can't believe it," Mokuba said. "Kaiba Corp. is gone? Everything we worked for, everything our step-father worked for, it's all… gone."
"Who could've done such a thing?" Amara asked.
"I'll give you three guesses and the first two don't count," Tristan replied.
"Dartz," Joey said.
"But how could one man take over an entire company?" Mokuba asked. "Surely our network would've alerted us to such a takeover."
"Mokuba and I each own a majority of Kaiba Corp with a small percentage lent out to outside investors," Kaiba explained. "The only way one man could've bought an entire company is if he bought out the investors and then hacked into our accounts and transferred the shares from there."
"For someone to have that type of resources," Amara said. "He would have to be a bigger tycoon than you, Kaiba… uh… no offense."
"None taken," Kaiba replied. "But you might be on to something. Gozaburo once ranted about an ultra-powerful global network out to control the world. Politics, religion, the economy, social trends, this one group is at the head of it all. I didn't believe him at first, but perhaps there's something to it."
"Well we got our own resources," Joey said and pointed to the four dragons behind them. The dragons all let out a roar. Three of them disappeared, one into Yami's deck, another into Kaiba's and a third into Joey's. "And I thought I've seen everything."
"Not all of them disappeared," Tea said pointing to the burly yellow dragon. The dragon faded and became two Duel Monster cards. One of them inserted itself into Yami's deck, much to his surprise. The other just floated to the ground where Tea picked it up.
She screamed. "Guys, you're not going to believe this." Everyone crowded around Tea and gasped.
The card was Wingweaver.
"Wait, isn't that Harold's favorite card?" Mokuba asked.
"Then that yellow dragon must've belonged to him," Tristan figured.
"So why isn't it with him?"
"Guys, focus," Tea snapped. "It's Wingweaver, his first Duel Monster Card, the only tangible link he has to his past! Harold would rather have his arm chopped off than have this card leave it."
"The only way it can be here is if Harold is no longer able to hold on to it," Yami deduced. "I'm afraid we have to assume the worse."
"Oh God," Tea gasped. "This is insane."
For once, Kaiba was inclined to agree. Yami turned to him. "Kaiba, the solution to all this lies in Florida. If you're willing to help us bring this evil down, we're willing to help you get your company back."
"Sir…" Roland began.
"Save it," Kaiba interrupted. "I'm not your boss any more."
"No, sir," Roland's partner said. "Kaiba Corp. is much our company as it is yours. I will not rest until it is back in your control."
"The same goes for me," Roland agreed.
"See, Seto, we're all with you," Mokuba said.
"Fine, then on to Florida and let's make it snappy." Everyone climbed into Kaiba's helicopter and took off.
"We could figure out how to stop this mess if we can get to the museum and translate those inscriptions," Yami said.
"Not to worry, my team's already there," Kaiba said.
"But what if Doma intervenes?" Amara asked.
"My security team will handle it."
The security team, however, was moot because they were attacked by a mysterious motorcyclist.
On the inside, Roberts and his team of three were busy at the computers.
"I finished compiling all the images," an assistant reported.
"Good, prepare to upload them. The sooner they're in Mister Kaiba's hands, the sooner we can get out of here." A crash came from the hallway. "Hold them off," Roberts ordered his three assistants. "I'll start the upload."
"There's a message coming in over the red line," the pilot reported.
Kaiba opened his briefcase and the laptop within it. "This could be what I'm waiting for. Roberts?"
"Yes, sir, we're ready to upload the images of the underwater ruins."
"I get it now," Joey said. "Kaiba made sure his team got there before Dartz."
"Well what did you expect?" Mokuba asked. "My Big Brother's always one step ahead of the rest."
"Fortunately for us," Amara chuckled.
"Sir, someone found us."
"Then upload them right now!"
"Yes, sir." A bar came on the screen which slowly changed from green to red. When the bar was about all the way red, there was a commotion at the other end. "Oh no, they're here!" Roberts ran off screen. Someone wearing black leather ran across the screen as well. There was a flash of green and a loud scream from Roberts.
"At least we were able to get the information we need."
In the Hawkins' trailer, Professor Hawkins was also on the laptop looking at the images and communicating through video link with Yami. Kevin looked over his shoulder. "I'm looking at the images now, Pharaoh, unfortunately here they are more distorted than I thought. Is there any way you can clear them up?"
Yami looked off screen before replying, "Kaiba says that there's no way to clear the images from here."
"I understand but the only way to translate them successfully is if we clear them up."
On the helicopter, Kaiba heard the Professor's complaint. "Then we have one dangerous option left." He turned to the pilot. "Set a course for Kaiba Corp.'s USA Headquarters."
Everyone was surprised but Tea voiced all of their concerns. "Surely Dartz and his gang have taken it over by now."
"Maybe, but its central computer is the only way to clear up the images."
Yami turned to Professor Hawkins. "Did you hear that, Professor?"
"Yes, I did, we'll meet you at the pier."
"This is suicide run!" Tristan complained.
"We have to stop these criminals before they make their next move no matter the cost! We have no time to doubt ourselves now."
Kaiba smirked, "You seemed really gung-ho ever since you lost your title."
"This isn't about some lousy title, Kaiba," Yami said. "If I had my way, I would gladly pass my title on to Joey or Amara or even you. But this is about something much more personal." Kaiba was surprised by the anger and sadness in his rival's eyes. "In my duel with Raphael, I didn't just lose my championship status or the title as 'King of Games', you could say I lost a part of myself in that duel, an important part. Hopefully once this mess ends I can get back the part that I lost."
"First, let's see if you can get your dueling spirit back," Kaiba said.
Even after what happened at the Stone Wilderness, Pharaoh still hasn't forgiven himself for what happened to Yugi, Tea thought. Kaiba's right, if the Pharaoh is going to have any chance of rescuing Yugi, he's going to have to regain the spirit he lost when he lost Yugi.
Dartz walked into his inner chambers, a white chalk image of the Seal of Orichalcos was painted on the ground with candles at various points and intervals. Harold's and Jonah's bodies were still up against the wall. Soon the Great Leviathan will return, Dartz thought. But before he can, there are several things that need to be done. He placed the Avatar Armlet at the center and sat in front of it. Now that the Armlet has been enhanced with the power of the Orichalcos, I can raise more Orichalcos Soldiers all over the world. "All-Mighty Armlet, rise forth the ancient soldiers and send them to do thy bidding, collect the power needed for your revival!" Energy sprayed out of the Armlet and into the sky.
All over the world, crystal shards started falling to the ground. The green crystals would glow and produce a Seal of Orichalcos. An Orichalcos Soldier would rise from the seal. And anyone unlucky or foolish enough to get too close to either crystal or soldier would receive a nasty surprise, they would have their souls stolen.
Now we shall prepare a welcome for the remaining three Chosen Duelists, Dartz thought.
At Kaiba Corp.'s now empty USA Headquarters, a large Seal of Orichalcos appeared around it. Orichalcos Soldiers and monsters appeared inside them.
"There they are!" Duke waved the helicopter in. Joey, Tea, Yami, Tristan, Amara, and Mokuba immediately exited. Kaiba soon followed but turned back to Roland. "Take Alister to the hospital," he instructed. "I'll radio you when we have our next destination."
"Yes, sir." And the helicopter started up again.
"Glad to see you're all in one piece," Duke said.
"Same here," Joey agreed. Then he noticed that both Rebecca and Kevin looking down. "What's with them?"
"We ran into Mai and one of those Doma creeps in the desert," Duke explained. "Mai tore up Kevin's favorite card."
"Gee, don't you hate it when people tear up your favorite card?" Tristan asked while glaring daggers at Kaiba's back. Kaiba either didn't get the hidden jab or didn't consider it much of an insult.
"He was using some strange cards that I've never seen before," Rebecca spoke up. "It seems like he combined the cards with himself. He did the fighting."
Joey didn't reply, he stepped between Rebecca and Duke and patted Kevin's shoulder. "Sorry, man, I know I should've told you about her back at the ranch."
Without looking at him, Kevin shook his head, "It's all right, Joey, I think I can understand your reasoning."
"But I make you a promise I will get her back to the Mai we all know and love, in the words of the Pharaoh, 'no matter the cost.'"
Kevin turned around and faced him. "Thanks, Joey. Mai was right, you do have a big heart."
"Any word on Yugi?" Rebecca asked Yami. Yami shook his head. "We have to find him, he's the only one who can help us beat these guys! If you don't find him, I'll never forgive you!" She turned away from him.
"I miss Yugi too," Yami said solemnly. "I promise we'll rescue him. But first we need to make a visit to Kaiba Corp."
"Then let me come along for tech support," Rebecca requested.
This is the American Duel Monsters Champion? Kaiba thought. "This isn't some field trip, kid, but if you want to tag along, go ahead." He turned to leave. "I don't know about you geeks but I have a company to save. So anyone who's going with me, let's move out."
As Yami passed Tea, she whispered, "Good luck." Yami nodded.
"Come on, Tea, let's go warn the authorities," Tristan said. She nodded and the two ran off.
"I have a bad feeling about this," Amara said.
Yami and Kaiba entered a manhole cover. "Where are we going?" Yami asked.
"We're taking a short cut to my central computer," Kaiba explained. "This passageway was originally designed to be a bomb shelter but when I took over I converted it into something much more useful." Kaiba used his locket to open the doors to the elevator. "With any luck, Dartz and his Brute Squad will be guarding the front entrance so they won't even see us enter." The two entered the elevator. But as the elevator started to ascend, it suddenly stopped. Kaiba and Yami looked up to see a monster burst through the roof of the elevator and vanished through the wall just as quickly as it appeared. "I don't know what that was but I'm not sticking around to find out!" He smashed the emergency stop controls and he and Yami opened the doors by hands.
The hallway they found themselves in was filled with monsters.
"You have to believe us, officer!"
"Yeah, there really is a group going around stealing souls with a magic card!"
"Come on, you kids have been watching too many cartoons." Tristan and Tea have been trying (unsuccessfully) to convince the police to arrange an evacuation.
"They're trying to take over the world," Tea whined.
"This so-called biker gang of yours," the other officer said. "Do they wear a symbol like…" The officer lifted the bill of his cap revealing a glowing Seal of Orichalcos on his forehead. "This!"
Tea screamed and backed up. "Let's get out of here!" Tristan cried and grabbed Tea to run.
"You fools aren't getting away that easily." The officer threw an Orichalcos stone which landed right in front of the two teens. A Seal of Orichalcos appeared on the ground and an Orichalcos Soldier climbed out.
"It's one of those things that dueled the Pharaoh," Tea recognized.
The Orichalcos Soldier raised its arm to strike them down.
"Penumbral Soldier Lady (1), attack with silver moon saber!" A red-haired woman in armor stabbed a sword into the back of the Orichalcos Soldier. The soldier fell over dead.
"That's why I don't trust the police for anything," Amara said.
"Thanks, Amara," Tea said.
Amara turned to the cops. "As for you two, I think you need time to think about what you did." She slid a magic card into her Duel Disk. "Go, Lightning Vortex!" Lightning bolts struck the cops and they fell over.
"Amara," Tea said aghast.
"Don't worry, they'll live. They'll smell like chicken in the morning, but they'll live." She kicked the stone into a sewer grate. "Come on, it's not safe to be out here alone, especially for a couple of non-Duelists like you two." The three ran off.
Yami and Kaiba backed up to the elevator doors. "These aren't holograms," Yami announced.
"You're nuts!"
"Dartz has released them from a parallel universe." He cast a side glance at Kaiba and smirked. "Unless you have a better explanation."
"I still think you're nuts," Kaiba replied. "But now is not the time to argue." The two activated their Duel Disks as they ran towards the monsters.
To Be Continued
Duel Monster Database
(1)
Name: Penumbral Soldier Lady
Level: 6
Type: Warrior/Effect
Attribute: Dark
ATK: 2100
DEF: 1400