Chapter Sixteen
The rest of the Big Five had gathered back in their augmented reality conference room to converse.
"So now Crump's been captured and you were mind-controlled by that white-haired brat," Nesbitt said, glowering at Gansley.
"I had no idea he had that card on him, or that he would use it," Gansley snorted. "He seemed like far too much of a gentle weakling."
"You should never underestimate those gentle weaklings," Johnson intoned, pushing up his glasses. "Crump said he can become fierce when his loved ones are threatened!"
"You shouldn't underestimate ancient Egyptian vigilantes who adore their descendants either," Nesbitt retorted. "Lector warned us about pushing that man too far."
Johnson snorted and looked away, uncomfortable.
"Nevermind all that," Gansley interrupted. "I'm sure we can all agree that we have been going about this very poorly. But our ultimate tag team duel will give us a chance to redeem ourselves. All we need to do is pick five Duelists to go up against. Of course, we all know we want Seto Kaiba. I also want Yugi involved."
"Little Yugi or the Pharaoh?" Johnson asked.
"Both of them, really," Gansley said.
"No fair you having two choices," Nesbitt snapped.
"Well, who do you two want?" Gansley retorted. "Joey Wheeler again?"
Johnson looked uneasy. "Frankly, I'm not sure who to pick. Perhaps that Mai Valentine woman. We never have taken revenge on her even though she was part of trapping us in the virtual reality world to begin with."
"Then maybe I'll choose Joey Wheeler," Nesbitt said. "I say we should focus our revenge first on everyone who was involved with that first incident. After they're defeated, we can go after the next tier of Duelists."
"What about little Mokuba?" Gansley asked. "He was most certainly involved that first time."
"Yes, but he isn't much of a Duelist," Johnson said.
"No matter," Nesbitt sneered. "I know how to get Mokuba involved in a different way."
"Oh?" Gansley raised an eyebrow. "Do tell."
Nesbitt's sneer only widened. And as he described his cold plan, Gansley and Johnson were quick to agree. It was perfect.
xxxx
Marik was tense as he drove up and down the streets in search of everyone else. It shouldn't be that hard, really. And with Wingweaver searching the skies, that should in theory make it even easier. Instead, they were all baffled.
"I don't know what we're going to do, Marik," Mokuba lamented, shifting Revival Jam on his lap. "We can't find them anywhere!"
"Yes, and the city looks so different, I can barely figure out where we're going," Marik frowned.
"We should have run into some of them by now," Duke said. "You guys said that Johnson fixed it so you were in the same space as Yami Bakura, but you couldn't see he was there. Maybe Lector's doing the same thing now."
"I wouldn't be surprised," Marik said. "But if that's the case, we won't find anyone until the Big Five want us to find them. That's never a good sign."
"I know." Duke slumped back, holding a hand to his forehead.
"If they're keeping us out of all of the action, maybe it really does mean they're sending everybody into the climax," Mokuba worried.
"Oh, you're going to be part of the action."
Everyone jumped at Nesbitt's cruel voice. The man suddenly appeared in front of the car, forcing Marik to throw on the brakes.
"So the coward is back," Duke scoffed.
"You weren't man enough to take a loss, so you just left," David added.
"I'm back now, although you won't likely appreciate the genius of my plan until later." Nesbitt touched the hood of the car with both hands.
"We won't appreciate it at all," Mokuba shot back.
Then the scenery changed. Now they were outside of the car, standing on a concrete floor inside a dark and unwelcoming building. The Dark Magicians were not with them.
"What is this?!" Marik demanded indignantly.
"I just needed to get you out of the way for a while," Nesbitt said, "but make no mistake, your role in our adventure is vital to its success."
"Somehow I don't like the sound of that," David cringed.
"Me either," Mokuba frowned. "What is this place?!"
"Try to get out all you want," Nesbitt taunted. "You'll never find the exit in time!" Then he was gone.
Duke was deeply frowning. "It looks like some kind of a warehouse," he said. "But it's probably like that castle Tristan and I were stuck in. We couldn't get out until Noa was willing to let us go."
"Well," Marik said, "we're just going to have to try anyway."
Mokuba nodded in agreement. He released Revival Jam and ran ahead.
"Mokuba, wait!" Marik called. "We need to stay together!" He picked up Revival Jam and gave chase.
David looked to Duke. "So, where do you think our wayward Magicians are this time?"
"Who knows," Duke said in frustration. "Maybe their magic failed them again, or maybe Nesbitt deliberately didn't transport them with us." He twirled a piece of hair around his finger. "But if they're back with the car, they'd better not try to drive it!"
"It's nice to see you have things in the proper perspective," David quipped as they chased after the other members of their group.
Duke grunted. "Honestly, if they drive as badly as they teleport, someone could get seriously hurt if they're behind the wheel."
". . . Good point," David conceded.
xxxx
Seto glowered at Crump, his eyes daggers of suspicion, as Rishid steered the Ishtars' van up and down the streets in search of more loved ones. Crump, in typical fashion, was taking great pleasure in taunting all of them and trying to flirt with Ishizu, who was absolutely not impressed.
"Really, I wonder why I can't ever find a girl who likes the cold," Crump smirked. "It seems like you should, my dear, since you've perfected the art of frosty behavior!"
"I see no reason why I would behave any differently with you, after all that you have done," Ishizu coolly responded.
"Can it, Crump," Seto growled. "No one cares about you or your misplaced interests."
"Maybe you should get some similar interests," Crump sneered. "But no, you always have to be interested in work and not girls."
Seto snorted. "I barely have time for the important things in life. As if I'd take away from that for something as frivolous as a romantic attachment."
"It wouldn't have to be an attachment," Crump grinned wickedly. "You could try a new girl each day."
Seto's expression contorted in disgust.
"What about friendship?" Crump went on. "Did you ever get around to admitting those people are your friends?"
"What business is that of yours?!" Seto snapped.
"Ooh, I see I've hit a sore spot," Crump cackled. "Just what I was hoping for."
Seto scowled. He finally had admitted, privately, that Yugi and the rest were his friends. That was one thing his fight with that insane serial killer had made him see. But it was true, he still hadn't said a word about it aloud. And he certainly wasn't going to in the presence of any of the Big Five. The last thing he needed was for them to realize that they could use even more people against him in addition to Mokuba.
Without warning Crump stood in the van, breaking the ropes with which Seto had bound his wrists. "Now . . . !"
"Mr. Crump, sit down!" Ishizu cried.
"I don't think so." Instead, Crump placed his hands on Seto's shoulders and they both teleported out.
Rishid slammed on the brakes. "What just happened?!"
Ishizu was staring at the empty space behind the front seats. "I don't know," she gasped. "I think Mr. Crump just took Kaiba somewhere!"
Behind them, Mai's car also screeched to a halt. "Mai's gone!" Téa shrieked. "And so is Joey!"
Ishizu turned to look out the window. Téa had been forced to leap over the seat, grab the wheel, and bring the car to a halt. She was still clutching it, breathing heavily, her face pale. In the backseat, Serenity looked the same.
"Holy Moly!" Valon yelped. "It's true; they just up and blinked out of the car!"
"Oh my," Bakura gasped.
"I am afraid the Big Five are going ahead with the next stage of their plan," Ishizu exclaimed. "And apparently we are not part of it!"
"Well, we've gotta find where they are!" Téa cried. "Our friends are part of it! Our family too."
Rishid nodded. "We'll find them." He started driving again.
"Hey . . ." Serenity looked worriedly to Téa. "You don't have your license yet, do you?"
"No," Téa admitted. "I've been saving all my money for dance lessons!"
"Hoo boy." Valon looked back at the blue sedan. "Hey, Alister, can you come drive Mai's car?" he called.
Looking slightly put-out, Alister got out of their car and walked over. "Yes."
Relieved, Téa slid over. "Thanks."
Alister nodded and took the wheel.
Once again, the other vehicles set out behind the van. By now, the occupants were even more worried about their loved ones' safety.
xxxx
Yugi's group had walked for several blocks when Lector abruptly stopped, spun around, and faced them with a cruel glint in his eyes.
"Alright," he intoned. "This is as far as we go."
"What?!" Atem frowned. "Why? I don't see anyone else!"
"Oh, we'll be seein' them very soon now," Lector sneered. With that, he abruptly vanished, taking Yugi and Atem with him.
"What the . . . ?! Yugi! Atem!" Tristan ran forward to the spot. "Oh man, I can't believe this! They're completely gone!"
Yami Bakura snarled. "Apparently the Big Five has grown tired of us and wants to focus on other prey."
Tristan clenched a fist. "I'll give them something to prey on! Come on, we have to find them!" With that he took off running ahead.
"Tristan, wait!" Yami Bakura tore after him. "We have to think this through! Where would the Big Five be most likely to take them?!"
"I don't know!" Tristan called back. "Unless maybe it's KaibaCorp!"
"That isn't a bad guess!" Yami Bakura told him. "But it's all the way downtown! Let's go home and we'll take Bakura's father's van!"
Tristan stumbled to a halt. "Can you find your way back home with the way the neighborhood looks right now?"
"Yes," Yami Bakura insisted. "Bakura and I walked through most of the neighborhood earlier today. We're not far from home!"
Tristan sighed. "Alright. It would definitely go faster that way."
Yami Bakura was right. Within five minutes they were turning onto a familiar street and going up to a familiar house. But instead of going inside, Yami Bakura went for the garage. He quickly unlocked it and the van and climbed inside. Dark Necrofear and Electric Lizard slipped onto the middle row.
Tristan got in next to Yami Bakura and his stomach dropped. ". . . I just realized. This is my first time riding with you driving."
Yami Bakura chuckled, pulling down his seatbelt. "Nervous?"
"I'd be lying if I said No," Tristan retorted.
"I have a license, you know," Yami Bakura said.
"So do a lot of people who shouldn't have one," Tristan said.
Yami Bakura just laughed. He pulled out of the driveway, probably too fast, and then leaned out the window to automatically close the garage with the door opener. Before Tristan could brace himself, Yami Bakura sped out and down the street.
Tristan screamed. "You're only supposed to drive 25 miles per hour on residential streets!"
Yami Bakura slowed. "Ah, you're right."
Tristan scowled. "You're messing with me again, aren't you."
"Perhaps." Yami Bakura shifted gears and turned the corner.
To his credit, he actually was a good driver. He kept within the speed limit and didn't make any dangerous moves—at least not until a Vorse Raider got in the way in the business district and he was forced to wildly swerve, taking the van half along the sidewalk and taking out a stop sign while he was at it. The sound of a resulting police siren behind them caused him to swear under his breath.
"Oh great," Tristan moaned, covering his eyes.
"Surely they'll realize it wasn't my fault," Yami Bakura growled, gripping the steering wheel as the officer approached with a flashlight. Sullen, he rolled down the window.
"Can I see your driver's license?" the officer asked.
Yami Bakura grunted but took it out of his pocket. "You saw that beast in the road, I trust. I had to swerve to avoid it."
"I saw it." But when the policeman saw the license, he leaned down and stared at the picture. "That doesn't look like you."
A smirk, and the Ring glowed. "How about now?" Yami Bakura replied as he shifted to his Egyptian form.
The policeman dropped the flashlight and turned pale. "What the . . . ?!"
"Now, if you will excuse us, we're on a rescue mission. If we succeed, the city should get back to normal." Yami Bakura sped off, being careful to keep to the speed limit.
"Oh man," Tristan groaned when they were out of earshot.
Yami Bakura laughed. "I believe we sufficiently rattled him."
"I don't know whether I feel sorry for him or not," Tristan said. "But I hope you won't do that again!"
"I will if it needs to be done," Yami Bakura said, even as he switched back to his other form. "You should be thanking me for getting us out of that fix."
"Okay. Thanks," Tristan shot back. "But didn't you ever think that might happen if you were pulled over while you were in the form you just switched back to again?!"
"I can't say I did," Yami Bakura retorted.
"Why doesn't that surprise me?" Tristan muttered.
"Relax," Yami Bakura told him. "It's not a big deal."
"And just what if that guy finds a reason to arrest you?" Tristan demanded. "Or us?"
"What reason could he possibly have?" Yami Bakura snorted. "Oh, he might still fine me for the stop sign, but can I be arrested for turning from Eurasian to Egyptian and back again? Can you be arrested as an accessory to it?"
Tristan flushed at how preposterous it sounded. "Well, no," he admitted.
"Then don't worry so much," Yami Bakura said. "You may end up laughing about it later."
Somehow Tristan couldn't picture that. "You probably will," he retorted.
"I'm laughing about it right now," Yami Bakura said.
But he quickly sobered. Tristan had deduced correctly that he was trying to hide his pain. Suddenly it hit him how amusing it would have been if this incident had happened with Bakura as his passenger, and that unless some miracle happened, such a thing could never happen. The boy he loved so dearly was gone. If he was alive, Yami Bakura would never give up searching until he was found. And if he was dead . . . well, then he would have to find a way to properly punish the Big Five, instead of just dealing momentary damage to their holographic bodies. And after that . . . he honestly didn't know what.
". . . Why did you immediately switch back again?" Tristan asked. "We could get stopped by the cops again and the whole thing will play out all over a second time!"
Yami Bakura was silent. "I would rather be in this form right now." He didn't elaborate and Tristan didn't press, but Tristan had also been partially right when he had speculated in the past that Yami Bakura liked this form because it helped him feel close to Bakura. When he was so grief-stricken over Bakura, he preferred this form over the one that made him think about how long he had been around.
"Hey," Tristan perked up as they neared the downtown area. "There's KaibaCorp. And it looks like maybe there's people on the roof?!"
Yami Bakura growled. "I wouldn't be surprised." He pulled over to the curb and got out.
As Tristan followed, several large screens appeared, suspended in mid-air in front of the KaibaCorp building and showing the roof from several different angles. Yugi, Atem, Joey, Mai, and Seto were all standing there, confused and angry. The Big Five were standing across from them.
"Well, now we're all here," Gansley sneered. "And now we're going to duel."
"No way!" Tristan gasped. "They're going to duel on the roof!"
Yami Bakura narrowed his eyes. That brought back some memories he would rather forget.
"What can we do?!" Tristan cried. "We've gotta stop this! Somebody could get blasted off the roof and be done for!"
"And just how do you propose to stop it?" Yami Bakura retorted. "We don't have any flying monsters. And if we go inside the KaibaCorp building, we will most likely be stopped by a myriad of traps!"
"So what do you think we're gonna do? Just stand here and watch?!" Tristan snapped.
"For now, yes," Yami Bakura said. "Those are some of the best Duelists around. They can hold their own. And the roof is a safe enough place to duel."
"Maybe under ordinary circumstances, but this is hardly ordinary," Tristan exclaimed. "I'm sure the Big Five have everything booby-trapped up there as well as inside!"
"Joey has a Red Eyes Black Dragon," Yami Bakura said. "It may find its way over here and it can catch anyone who falls."
"Yeah, maybe," Tristan frowned. "Mai has a Baby Dragon too. But I don't see them around. The Big Five probably separated them from their monsters!"
Yami Bakura had to admit that seemed to be true. "They can take care of themselves even without real monsters," he said.
"Oh yeah?" Tristan retorted. "Well, take another look!" He pointed at the screen.
Yami Bakura looked, and swore under his breath.
xxxx
Seto was not in good spirits. It had already been one of the worst days of his life when he had hoped it would be one of the best. So far, the entire city was under siege due to the Big Five's grudge against him, Bakura had been hurt and Yami Bakura thought he was dead, Mokuba was missing, Seto had been taunted by Crump, and now he had been pulled into a life-or-death duel against his will along with several of the others.
It wasn't a surprise to find himself with Yugi, Atem, and Joey at any rate. But he was definitely surprised to see the fifth person the Big Five had pulled into their new sick scheme. "Mai Valentine?!" he exclaimed.
"That's right," Mai said, averting her gaze. "I sure picked a crazy day to finally come back, didn't I?"
"Hey, this is just par for the course in Domino City," Joey said.
"I can't argue with that," Mai smirked a bit.
Atem glowered at their enemies. "Alright. So now you have what you want and we're all here to duel you. Let's get it over with."
"Or do you have any more schemes we should know about first?!" Yugi added.
"Well, now that you mention it . . ." Gansley started to sneer.
"We happened to collect a friend or two in this place, just like many of you did," Crump said.
"Oh yeah?! How come we don't see them?!" Joey demanded.
"You will, Joseph." Johnson adjusted his glasses with a calm and collected smirk. "And while we can't actually summon him into the game right away, I'm sure his very presence will be more than enough to shake all of you up."
A huge shadow fell over all of them from above.
"Oh no," Atem gasped.
Seto went stiff. "It's not . . . !"
"Affirmative," Nesbitt sneered. "Our Five-Headed Dragon!"
The treacherous beast landed behind the Big Five with a mighty flap of wings. All five elemental heads roared.
"And rest assured," Lector drawled, "we will be summoning him into our duel. One head to eliminate each one of you!"
