A/N: Just a heads up, there's going to be a lot of rhyming in these next two chapters, and I'm sure some of them will be quite painful. I apologize for any groan-inducing rhymes, for I am not .

Chapter 46: Tag Team Troubles Part 1

The selected group of Lancers made their way through the streets of Paradise City before coming to the dockyard. Unfortunately for them, the pier was loaded with warehouses.

"Great! Now how will we find them?"

Ishizu closed her eyes, concentrating on the cube's energy. Finally, she pointed towards the warehouse that Zuzu had dueled Panik in.

"There."

Almost as if on cue, the doors to the warehouse creaked open, inviting them in.

"Well, that was convenient."

"Be on your guard. No doubt they're expecting us."

"Right!"


Deep in the base, the man who had broken into Leo Corp watched the events unfold, smirking as he stroked the Quantum Cube.

"So, they've arrived just on schedule, hmm? Now Ishizu, we shall see who truly deserves to wield the power we've been given."

As he finished speaking, the cube began to glow.


Yuya darted his eyes around, taking in the surprising change of scenery. As opposed to the empty industrial building he had been expecting, he found himself surrounded by stone walls that seemed to stretch on forever in every direction.

"What the-'

"Gong don't like this."

Yuya turned, relieved to see his best friend behind him.

"Where is everyone? We all went in together."

"I don't know, but I have a feeling that Quantum Cube has something to do with it. Let's try and find our friends."

"That's a good idea, but which way do we go? All of these walls look the same."

As if the universe itself decided to answer his question, strange energy lines darted across the cracks in the walls in one direction.
"Well, I guess that's as good of a sign as any."

With no other options, the two friends started down the long, endless corridor, the energy lines as their guide. After what felt like hours of walking, they came to a large intersection, with four paths to take and no energy lines to follow.

"Well, that's just great. Now which way do we go?"

"The only way to go!"

"Down the path of sorrow and woe!"

Yuya and Gong quickly ducked out of the way as two orange and green figures somersaulted from behind them, doing a series of flips over their heads.

"You fools are trapped!"

"Your path is blocked!"

When the two stopped jumping about, they were revealed to be two bald men in orange and green robes, with the symbols "Mei" and "Kyu" tattooed on their foreheads.

"You now face the brothers Paradox!"

Yuya and Gong braced themselves, raising their duel disks for battle.

"I take it you're here to stop us?"

"And here we thought teens like yourselves were fools!"

"But when we're done with you, you'll be nothing more than mindless ghouls!"

"Do you guys always do that?"

"Do what?"

Yuya groaned. It was clear that the two were just acting like that to unnerve them.

"Alright, let me guess. If we want to get past you, we'll need to beat you in a duel?"

"Correct, but this is no ordinary duel! You'll be facing us together, but one-on-two, you would be creamed!"

"Therefore you must duel, as a team!"

Yuya and Gong looked at each other, and nodded.

"We'll take you on, and find our friends!"

"I wouldn't be so sure about that," said the one with green robes. "Remember, in a tag duel, you share not only the field, but also the graveyard."

"And a life point counter, so if one loses, both losses!" The orange robed one added. Yuya gulped, but kept a brave face.

But my deck has a lot of spells and traps, and Gong's strategy relies on not using any! If we're sharing a graveyard, that means I'll have to duel like Gong. But if we want to find our friends, I have no choice!

"FIne by us! Right, Gong?"

"You know it!"

"The order shall be this: First I, Para, will go, then Gong, then my brother Dox, then Yuya. Any objections?"

"None!"

DUEL!

Para/Dox: 8000

Gong/Yuya: 8000

"I'll begin with summoning Labyrinth Heavy Tank (2400/2400) in attack mode! I can normal summon this monster without tributing, but that's not all! With his second effect, I can place a Sanga of the Thunder from anywhere into my Spell and Trap card Zone!"

As Para said that, a box barring the kanji for Thunder appeared in front of him.

"Next, I'll set one card face down. Make your move, if you can!"

"Or are you terrified to come up with a plan?"

Gong just rolled his eyes, and drew his card.

"Gong starts with Superheavy Samurai Flutist (500/1000) in attack mode! But he won't be staying for long, because by tributing him Gong can special summon Superheavy Samurai Big Benkei from his hand in defense mode! But just because he's in defense mode doesn't mean he can't attack, so take out his Heavy Tank!"

But Para was not afraid.

"Go, Labyrinth Wall Shadow!"

"What?"

Before Benkei could move, a hideous green ghoul emerged from the wall behind it and swiped it with one of his huge claws, destroying it in a single strike before retreating back into the wall.

"What was that?"

"That was the effect of Labyrinth Wall Shadow! At the start of our opponent's battle phase, we can target and destroy one monster you control that has 1600 or less attack! And while your Benkei may have an impressive defense stat…"

"Its attack points fall flat!"

"What are you talking about? You didn't play any card called that!"

"You fool, look around you! The minute you stepped into this dueling arena, our field spell immediately activated. You should watch where you step, young travelers."

Gong gritted his teeth, mentally kicking himself.

Damn it, my Flutist could've stopped it! If only I hadn't let my guard down.

"Gong ends his turn."

"Gong."

Gong glanced over to Yuya, who's face remained calm.

"Don't worry, we've got this."

"We'll see about that! I activate another effect of my field spell! This time I'll place Suijin."

Once more, another box rose out of the ground, this time with the symbol for water.

"Next, I'll activate the trap card, Prey of the Jirai Gumo! Not only is it a trap card, but it also becomes a monster upon activation (2100/100)! Now then, attack them directly!"

The trap monster scurried across the field, striking Gong with one of his legs.

Gong/Yuya: 5900

But before the tank could move in to do the same, a green robotic samurai blocked his way.

"What's this?"

"You didn't think you were the only ones with a few tricks up your sleeves, did you? If I take battle damage when I have Superheavy Samurai Prepped Defense in my hand and no spell or trap cards in my graveyard, I can special summon him in defense mode (100/2100)! And don't think about attacking, because he can't be destroyed this turn."

Dox snarled, but realized there wasn't anything else he could do.

"I end my turn."

"Alright, time for the fun to start! First, I summon Performapal Skullcrobat Joker in attack mode! And with his effect, I'll add Odd Eyes Mirage Dragon to my hand. Now, with the Scale 4 Performapal Trump Witch and the Scale 8 Odd Eyes Mirage Dragon, I set the pendulum scale! Come on out, Odd Eyes Pendulum Dragon! But they won't be staying for long, because my Trump Witch will fuse them together to summon Rune Eyes Pendulum Dragon! And since I used a level 4 or lower Spellcaster to summon him, he can attack two monsters per turn instead of just one!"

"What?"

"Oh no!"

"Oh yes! Rune Eyes, attack his Labyrinth Heavy Tank!"

Para/Dox: 7400

"Now, attack Prey of the Jirai Gumo!"

Para/Dox: 6500

"I'll end my turn there."

"Great job, Yuya! We're still in this!"

"Fools! The only thing you're in is a world of pain!"

"Yes, for by banishing Sanga and Suijin, I can summon Gate Guardian of Water and Thunder (2550/2300) in attack mode!"

"Why? He has less attack points than Rune Eyes!"

"Not for long, I activate Double Attack! Wind and Thunder! As long as I have a Gate Guardian Monster, I can target and destroy one card on the field! I'll destroy Performapal Trump Witch! But that's not all"

"Once during a chain, our Gate Guardian of Water and Thunder can reduce one monster's attack to zero! I'm afraid your Rune Eyes is about to be all washed up!"

The lower half of the monster let loose a tidal wave at Rune Eyes, sapping away all of its attack points (3000-0).

"Attack!"

The two halves unleashed their elemental attacks, shocking and blasting Rune Eyes into oblivion.

Gonga/Yuya: 3350

"I'll end my turn. You'd better hope whatever card you draw next can help you, because otherwise you're done!"

But Gong wasn't scared. In fact, he was laughing!

"I'm glad you think your imminent demise is funny."

"I'm not laughing at that, I'm laughing because you genuinely think you have use beat! Gong's about to turn this duel around!"

"Oh really? We should like to see you try!"

"Ask and you shall receive! Since there are no spell and trap cards in Gong's graveyard, I can special summon Superheavy Samurai Trumpeter! Next, I'll summon Superheavy Samurai Soul Claw (500/500))! Now, my level 2 Trumpeter with my level 2 Soul Claw and level 3 Prepped Defense to Synchro Summon Supeheavy Samurai Ninja Sarutobi (2000/2800) in defense mode! Next, I'll equip him with Superheavy Samurai Soulshield Wall (2800-4000)! Attack his Guardian!"

The Ninja robot disappeared from view, only to appear right behind the guardian and destroy it with a single swipe of his staff.

Para/Dox: 5050

"Impressed yet?"

"Hardly! When Gate Guardian of Thunder and Water is destroyed, I can special summon the monsters used for its summon back to the field! Come forth, Sanga of the Thunder (2600/2200) and Suijin (2500/2400)!"

"Gong ends his turn."

"And I shall end this duel! By banishing Prey of the Jirai Gumo from my graveyard, I can add Kazejin from my deck to my hand. And now brother, I believe its time we showed these fools just who they are messing with!"

"Indeed! Kazejin, Suijin, Sanga, combine your powers into one!"

The two monsters on the field, as well as the one in Dox's hand, glowed, before shooting up into the fusion portal overhead. As Yuya and Gong stared in horror, Para and Dox began to chant.

"Elements of Thunder, Water, and Wind!"

"Suijin, Sanga, Kazejin begin!"

"Meld your powers in eternal light,"

"Show these fools your unstoppable might!"

"He is pain beyond description!"

"He'll mark the grave with your inscription!"

"Gate Guardians Combined (3750/3400)!"

Yuya and Gong backed away slowly as the behemoth of a monster towered over them, roaring with the voice of three titans.

"What is that thing?"

"Bad news, that's what…"

To be continued…