Episode 36: The Swarm
Yugi is standing in a dark room, except he is not Yugi in Yuni's body, he's in his own body. He looks panicked. A spotlight in turns on several meters in front of him. The light reveals Yuni, who's facing away from Yuni. Yugi says, "Yuni! Is it really you!? I'm so happy to see you!"
Yuni makes an undecipherable noise.
Yugi says, "What was that? I couldn't hear you."
Yuni says in a quiet, monotone voice, "Why…?"
Yugi looks confused. "Why what?"
Yuni says again, "Why Yugi…? Why didn't you save me…?"
"No, I swear, I did everything I could! I tried to save you!"
"Why didn't you save me…?"
Yugi walks up to Yuni and places his hand on Yuni's shoulder. "Yuni, I did everything I could. Please believe me."
Yuni turns around and faces Yugi. Upon turning around it is shown that he has no face, only a flat, featureless head.
Yugi, back in Yuni's body, wakes up panting heavily. He thinks, What a nightmare! It's almost weird to be having my own dreams again. Yugi gets out of bed and leaves Yuni's room.
Once he's down stairs, Yuni's grandpa says, "Good morning Yuni! You're up early."
Yugi attempts to disguise his voice and says, "Yeah, um, I had a nightmare."
"Well that's too bad. How about some breakfast? I'll make whatever you'd like."
Yugi thinks for a second and says, "Alright, just give me some eggs."
Yuni's grandpa looks shocked. "Yuni! I thought you hated eggs!"
Yugi thinks fast and says, "Oh, yeah, of course. The eggs are for Brutus. He asked me to bring him some breakfast."
"Oh, ok. That makes more sense." He walks over to the food synthesizer and starts working it. "How does that kid's parents do it? He eats so much food." He puts a container of scrambled eggs in front of Yugi. "Alright Yuni, what do you want?"
Yugi says, "I'm sorry…Grandpa, but I'd better get going. You know, the tournament and all? I'll eat something on the go."
Yuni's grandpa looks a little disappointed. "Ok Yuni, good luck with your dueling."
Yugi starts to exit.
Yuni's grandpa adds, "Oh yeah, and be on the look out for that crazy duelist who's destroying the city with real monsters! I don't want you competing in any duels that put you in danger! I wouldn't want anything to happen to you Yuni!"
Yugi cringes and says, "I'll try…I'll try."
Yugi finds Tori, Brutus and Zenith standing nearby Yuni's house. They were all talking, but stop upon seeing Yugi. Tori says awkwardly, "Yugi, how are you?"
Yugi replies, even more awkwardly, "Fine, I guess." Yugi walks closer to them. He hands Brutus the container off eggs. Brutus looks confused at first, but than his face lights up, he opens it, and starts to chow it down.
Tori says, "We were talking, and we think that the best course of action would be to return to the underground base of the Disciples of Darkness. Maybe we can find something there."
Yugi says, "Yeah, that makes sense. Let's go."
Brutus says, "Before we go, I have a very important question."
Yugi says, "What is it Brutus?"
"Do you have any more food?"
Yugi, Tori, and Zenith fall to ground in an anime-like manner.
The four are at the spot outside of Kaiba Land that they were at previously, except all of the damage caused by Chronos is gone. Zenith says, "Is it just me, or was this place wrecked last night?"
Brutus says, "I would have sworn it was."
Tori says, "The Disciples of Darkness must have covered it up in order keep their base hidden."
Yugi says, "And we have no clue where any of the normal entrances are." He turns towards Zenith and says, "Zenith, do you think you can get us back into Kaiba Land?"
Zenith responds, "I don't think so. I had to pull in quite a bit of favors to get those tickets. I don't think I could do it two days in a row. I do think I could us into to Duel Land though."
Tori says, "No, we don't need to get into a theme park, we need to get to that trap door we were captured by. It's the only entrance we know of."
Brutus says, "But I want to go to Duel Land. I've never been there before."
Zenith says, "Oh, it's amazing. You'd love it. I'll take you some day."
Brutus says, "I'm holding you to that."
Yugi says, somewhat annoyed, "I'm sorry, but can we please focus on the task at hand, we need to get Yuni back."
Brutus says, "Whoops, sorry. I got distracted."
Tori says, "Why don't we take a walk through the city for a little, maybe we'll find some sort of underground tunnel entrance."
Yugi says, "Sounds like that's the only option we have. Let's go."
The four walk back towards the main city.
The group is walking through the city. There is no one to be seen nearby. Brutus says, "Hey, have any of you guys noticed that we stopped seeing people a couple of blocks back? This part of the city is normally pretty crowded."
Tori says, "You're right, that is strange."
Zenith says, "It's kind of creepy."
A seemingly disembodied voice says, "Do you not like being alone? Allow us to fix that."
Everything goes black, and all light goes away. When the light returns, the group is surrounded by several dozen cloaked figures. Three of which have grabbed Tori, Brutus, and Zenith and are restraining them. Yugi demands, "What is this!?"
One of the cloaked figures steps up and say, with the same voice that spoke before, "Is it not obvious? This is a trap. You will duel me, or your friends will pay for it."
Yugi says, "Who are you?"
The man lowers his hood. Like the previous Disciples, he has a pale white face. He has large, bug eyes, with pupils that take up most of the eye. He says, "I am Swarm."
Yugi says, "My problem is with Ruin. Why don't you just tell me where he is?"
Swarm says, "You are being hunted by the Disciples of Darkness. Your quarrel is with all of us. And it is my turn to try to defeat you, after what happened to Ruin."
Yugi says, "Fine, if it's a duel you want, it's a duel you'll get. It's time to duel!"
Yugi and Swarm activate their Duel Gauntlets. The Duel Computer says, "Official World of Duel Tournament now commencing. Yuni Oha: 2,292 points vs. Swarm: 0 points. Scanning decks…decks accepted. Commence dueling."
Swarm draws and says, "I'll take the first turn. I summon Dark Hive Soldier (Dark/Level 4/Insect/Effect/ATK 0/DEF 0)." The monster is a bipedal, ant-like warrior, wearing black armor. "When I summon Dark Hive Soldier, I can special summon another Dark Hive Soldier from my hand." Another monster appears. "Now I'll set a card and end my turn (Swarm's hand: 3)."
Brutus says, "How stupid is this guy? He just left two zero attack point monsters on the field in attack mode!"
Yugi draws. "I summon Cyber-Technokinetic (Light/Level 4/Psychic/Effect/ATK 1900/DEF 200). Let's squash your bugs. Go Cyber-Technokinetic! Attack Dark Hive Soldier now!" Yugi's monster levitates several pieces of machinery and assembles into a device that fires a laser at Dark Hive Soldier.
Swarm says, "I activate my quick-play spell card, Hive Mind! This card makes it so that one Dark Hive monster I control gains attack equal to the number of Dark Hive monsters I control times 1000 until the end of the turn (ATK: 2000). Counter attack my soldier!" The attack bounces harmlessly off the armor of the monster. The insect then runs at Yugi's monster and destroys it (Yugi's LP: 3900).
Yugi thinks, Shoot! That was careless of me. Of course he had a plan in place. Why else would he leave a monster with no attack in attack mode? Yugi says aloud, "I'll set a card and end my turn (Dark Hive Soldier's ATK: 0) (Yugi's hand: 4)."
Swarm draws and says, "I can't believe you fell for my trap. It was so obvious. Let's move on. I summon Dark Hive Drone (Dark/Level 4/Insect/Effect/ATK 0/DEF 0)." This monster is another humanoid insect, but it is a bee instead of an ant. "When I summon Dark Hive Drone, I get to draw a card for every other Dark Hive monster I control." Swarm draws two cards. "Now, I tribute my two Dark Hive Soldiers in order to special summon Dark Hive Princess (Dark/Level 6/Insect/Effect/ATK 0/DEF 0)!" This monster is a feminine, humanoid insect. It resembles no specific type of insect. "When I summon my Princess, I'm allowed to add one Hive or Swarm spell card from my grave. I'll bring back my Hive Mind, which I will now activate, increasing the attack of my Princess by 2000. Attack Yugi directly!"
Yugi says, "I activate my facedown card, Mirror Force! This card destroys all attack position monsters you control!"
Swarm laughs, "Too bad for you! I activate effect of Dark Hive Drone. I can tribute it to negate the destruction of a Dark Hive monster I control, which means I can continue my attack." Dark Hive Princess summons a swarm of fly-like insects that fly at Yugi and attack him (Yugi's LP: 1900). Swarm mocks, "Where is that King of Games, Yugi Muto, I've heard so much about? First you make one of the most amateur mistakes a duelist could make, then you fail to defend yourself. You are pathetic. You don't even deserve to occupy the body of Yuni Oha. At least he was a challenge."
Yugi thinks, Maybe he's right. It's been too long since I've dueled. Even back when I was dueling all the time, all my important duels were done by Atum, I'm not used to dueling people like this by myself. Maybe I'm not cut-out for this.
Brutus sees the doubt on Yugi's face and says, "Don't listen to him Yugi! Remember that Yuni used to call me an amateur all of the time, but I didn't let that get to me! I dueled anyways! You are the greatest duelist to ever live! You can do this!"
The Disciple holding back Brutus puts his hand over Brutus' mouth and says, "Shut up kid."
Yugi face brightens. He's right. I know I'm a good duelist. Why am I doubting myself? Yugi says, "Your attempt to destabilize me has failed. Finish your move."
Swarm says, "Look at you, all full of hope. I'll have to crush that. I set a card and end my turn (Dark Hive Princess' ATK: 0) (Swarm's hand: 3)."
Yugi draws. Upon seeing the card he drew, he thinks, What a surprise seeing you here. I didn't know you were in this deck. Yugi says aloud, "Since you control a monster, and I control none, I can special summon Cyber-Tech Accelerator (Wind/Level 5/Machine/Effect/ATK 2000/DEF 2000), which I will immediately tribute in order to summon Cyber-Tech Skull Archfiend (Dark/Level 6/Fiend/Effect/ATK 2500/DEF 1200)!" The monster is reminiscent of the monster Summoned Skull, but it is a cyborg version of it. "Now Cyber-Tech Skull Archfiend, attack with Cyber Lightning Strike!"
Swarm says, "Not so fast, I activate my facedown card, Swarm of Destruction! This trap allows me to special summon two Dark Hive monsters from my grave and then give one Dark Hive monster I control 1000 attack points for each Dark Hive monster I control. I'll summon my two Dark Hive Soldiers and give my Dark Hive Princess 3000 attack (ATK: 3000)!"
Yugi says, "I planned for a move like that this time! I activate the effect of my Skull Archfiend, since it's attacking a monster with attack higher than its original attack, your attack is cut in half (ATK 1500)! Finish your attack Skull Archfiend!" Yugi's monster fires two bolts of lightning from its wing tips at Swarm's monster (Swarm's LP: 3000). "Now I'll set a card and end my turn (Dark Hive Princess' ATK: 0) (Yugi's hand: 2). How's that for a King of Games? I'm not as lousy as you thought, huh?"
Swarm draws and says, "Mere luck. I'll show you a skillful move. I summon Dark Hive Spawn (Dark/Level 1/Insect/Effect/ATK 0/DEF 0)." This monster is a monstrous larva. "I can tribute Dark Hive Spawn in order to special summon a Dark Hive monster from my grave. I'll bring back my Dark Hive Princess." Swarm's monster starts to grow and mutate. It grows into Dark Hive Princess. "Just like before, I'm allowed to bring back a Hive or Swarm spell card from grave. I'll bring back my Hive Mind again, but I won't stop there! I evolve my Dark Hive Princess!" Swarm's monster becomes cloaked in a light and starts to grow and warp. "I Evolution summon Dark Hive Queen (Dark/Level 8/Insect/Evolution/ATK 0/DEF 0)!" When the light dissipates, it reveals a monstrous insect. It no longer has a humanoid form. Instead it has a large abdomen, six legs, and wings. "Once per turn, Dark Hive Queen is able to spawn a Dark Hive monster from the graveyard. I'll bring back Dark Hive Drone! Now I activate Hive Mind on my Queen (ATK: 4000). Attack now my Queen! And since I'm the one attacking, you can't activate your effect." Dark Hive Queen sends a swarm of insects that swarm Yugi's monster and destroys it (Yugi's LP: 400). "Thanks to my Queen, at the end of a battle phase of a turn that I activated a Swarm or Hive spell card, I can bring it back from the grave and set it. Also at the end of the turn, I can tribute a Dark Hive monster I control in order to prevent my Dark Hive Queen from devolving. I'll tribute a Dark Hive Soldier and set a card (Dark Hive Queen's ATK: 0) (Swarm's hand: 2)." Dark Hive Queen consumes the soldier.
Yugi draws. He thinks, I just know that he's stalling until he can draw a Corruption of Darkness and can Darkness Evolve his Dark Hive Queen. I've got to destroy it. He says aloud, "I activate the effect of the Cyber-Tech Component in my hand. By banishing a Cyber-Tech monster in my grave, I can special summon it from my hand (Earth/Level 2/Machine/Effect/ATK 500/DEF 900). If I tribute Component for the tribute summon of a Cyber-Tech monster, I can have it count as two tributes. I'll tribute it in order to summon Cyber-Tech Magician (Dark/Level 7/Spellcaster/Effect/ATK 2500/DEF 2100)!" Yugi thinks, It's good to see you with my own eyes, my old friend. He says aloud, "I also activate my Cyber-Tech Spellbook of Penetration! This card allows me to switch one card you control to defense mode, such as your Dark Hive Queen. You see, I've found the way around your Hive Mind. It only works with monsters in attack mode, and you see this card also gives me a piercing effect. Attack now with Cyber Piercing Attack!" Cyber-Tech Magician launches a spear shaped magic attack.
Swarm says, "I guess it's a good thing that I had a back up plan. I activate Defensive Swarm! This card gives my monster 1000 defense points for every other Dark Hive monster I control (DEF: 2000)! Also, I'll activate the effect of Dark Hive Drone, and tribute it to negate the destruction of my Queen!" Yugi's attack finishes and pierces through the monster and into Swarm (Swarm's LP: 2500).
Yugi grunts and thinks, Darn it! I forgot about the effect of his Drone. I'll just have to prepare for the worst. He says aloud, "I'll set a card and end my turn (Yugi's hand: 0)."
Swarm draws. "This draw just sealed your fate! I activate the effect of my Queen and special summon Dark Hive Drone from my grave. Now, at long last, I'll activate Corruption of Darkness! Now go, Darkness Evolution!" Dark Hive Queen becomes cloaked in darkness and begins to morph. "I Evolve my Dark Hive Queen into Darkness Evolution: Dark Hive Swarm Lord (Dark/Level 9/Insect/Evolution/ATK 0/DEF 0)!" The new monster is much larger, and more monstrous than before. It appears to be a male monster, instead of female. "Swarm Lord gains 1000 attack for every other Dark Hive monster I control (ATK: 2000). To add to that, I'll summon another Dark Hive Soldier (ATK: 3000). Just because I can, I'll activate Hive Mind, giving my swarm Lord an additional 4000 attack (ATK: 7000)! Attack now Swarm Lord, Swarm of Darkness!" Swarm Lord sends out a massive cloud of insects that fly at Cyber-Tech Magician and destroys it. "You lose."
Yugi says, "Not yet, I don't! I activate Last Chance! I can only activate this card when my life points would become zero. I can negate all damage I would take and make my life points become 100 (Yugi's LP: 100). Also I get to draw two cards."
Swarm says, "Fine, I'll just finish you off next turn. I'll activate the effect of Swarm Lord, which allows me to set my Hive Mind straight from my grave after activating it. I'll switch my two dark Hive Soldiers and Dark Hive Drone to defense mode and end my turn (Swarm Lord's ATK: 3000) (Swarm's hand: 1)."
Yugi thinks, That last draw gave me a Cyber-Tech Spellbook of Suppression and a Cyber-Tech Dragoon. Nothing that could immediately help me. It's all up to this draw.
In the audience, Tori says, "Come Yugi! You can do it! Draw that card!"
Yugi draws. He smiles. "I summon Cyber-Tech Imitator (Light/Level 1/Spellcaster/Effect/ATK ?/DEF ?)." Yugi summons a featureless, white, humanoid figure. "When I summon this card, I can banish a monster from my grave in order for this monster to become an exact copy of it. I'll banish Cyber-Tech Magician (Name: Cyber-Tech Magician) (Attribute: Dark) (Level: 7) (ATK: 2500) (DEF: 2100). Now that I control a Cyber-Tech Magician monster, I can activate Cyber-Tech Spellbook of Suppression, making it so that you can't activate any spell or traps this turn! That means you can't activate your Hive Mind! Now attack my Cyber-Tech Magician, Cyber Magic Attack!"
Swarm questions, "What are you doing? You don't have enough attack to beat my monster!"
"When I said that Imitator becomes an exact copy, I meant an exact copy. Right down to the effect, meaning it can activate its Effect Sealing Magic (Swarm Lord ATK: 0)!" Yugi's "Cyber-Tech Magician" launches its magical attack and destroys Swarm Lord (Swarm's LP: 0).
The Duel Computer says, "Yuni Oha wins. For overcoming a superior strategy, Yuni has been awarded with 643 points for a total of 2,935 points. For showing signs of a good strategy, Swarm has been awarded with 134 points, for a total of 134 points."
Swarm starts to laugh evilly. He says, "So, you really are as good as they say. You are lucky. We have you outnumbered twenty to one, so we could just take your card by force, but Lord Oblivion wants it taken through a duel. I'm sure we'll meet again." With that, Swarm turns into a shadow and sinks into the ground.
Yugi shouts, "No! don't leave! Where's Yuni!?"
After Swarm goes away, all of the rest of the Disciples of Darkness also sink into the ground and go away. Brutus shouts out, "Yeah, you better run! And don't you come back either!"
Yugi walks over to his friends and asks, "Are you guys alright?"
Tori says, "I'm fine. But how about you? You seem a little down."
Yugi says, "I should have known it wouldn't have been simple to get back Yuni, but I'm just disappointed that we didn't learn anything from those guys."
Brutus says, "We just need to keep on looking."
Zenith says, "Yeah, and we're with you all the way!"
Yugi says, "Alright guys. We can't give up. Let's go see if we can find anything else out about the Disciples of Darkness. Let's get back Yuni!"