Chapter 2
Isolated in Cyberspace: Part 1
"Deck Master - Deepsea Warrior"
The Big Five and the group of Duelists they had captured were staring each other off as the older men laughed. "My analysis shows that your chances for escaping are 0%, at least for five of you. So in other words, those of you unfortunate enough to duel against us, are finished." Shuzo said. "Well put, Shuzo. It's only a matter of time before the five of us are set free from this virtual prison. Remember; when one of us defeats one of you, we'll gain control of your body, leaving your mind trapped here forever." Konosuke stated.
"You crooks haven't changed a bit." Seto said, angrily. "Let's get this party started. You five stiffs are going down!" Joey shouted. "Going down, you say?" Konosuke asked before a hole formed right under Joey's feet and sent him plummeting. "Joey, no!" Serenity shouted, but before anyone could follow him, the hole disappeared. "Where did you send him!?" Rainbow shouted before another hole formed under her feet and she fell through. "Rainbow!" Twilight said in shock before that hole filled in, too.
"As you can see, before the virtual dueling begins, we plan to separate all of you. But don't worry, the girl will join him as part of his team. As for the rest of you, ta-ta." Konosuke said before holes formed underneath Tea and Applejack, followed by Serenity, Spike, Rarity, Duke and Tristan. "I'd say your problems are plummeting." Konosuke stated. "Seto?" Mokuba asked before a hole formed underneath both him, his brother and Fluttershy, sending them falling. "YUGI!" Fluttershy shouted as the hole filled back in.
"THAT'S FAR ENOUGH!" Twilight shouted. "Where did you send our friends?!" Yugi asked, demandingly. "Oh, they'll be fine, depending on whether or not they have adequate dueling skills. But as for you, Yugi Muto, you're the soul reason why we sought control of KaibaCorp the first time." Chikuzen stated. "He's absolutely right. You defeating Seto Kaiba caused him to abandon his corporate station, and without the head of the company, morale around the headquarters began to fall. Furthermore, he was scheduled to defend his title as Duel Monsters champion, but he dropped out of the tournament he was to compete in because of you." Shuzo added.
"So you're blaming Yugi for all this?!" Pinkie shouted, clearly upset. "We would've found another way to take over if he hadn't beaten Kaiba, but yes, Yugi Muto IS to blame. So it's only natural for the current world champion to compete in this tournament of ours. Now, let the games begin!" Konosuke responded before a hole formed underneath Yugi, Pinkie and Twilight, sending them all falling together. "Seto!" Mokuba shouted. "Don't worry, Mokuba, they'll pay for this!" Seto replied.
Soon, everyone arrived in different places. Joey and Rainbow were outside a fancy mansion. "Man, Rainbow, I don't think that we're in Kansas anymore." the underdog said. Tea and Applejack had landed out in a rocky canyon. "Oh, great. Where are we, AJ?" Tea asked. "Wish I knew, sugar cube." AJ replied. Serenity and Rarity had ended up on the edge of a lake. "Hello?! Spikey, where are you?!" Rarity called. "Can anybody hear us!? Where are we?!" Serenity shouted.
In what appeared to be a hallway of a mansion, Tristan, Duke and Spike were coming to. "Duke, Spike, speak to me!" Tristan said before waking them up. "Hey, where's Serenity?" Duke asked, worried. "And where's Rarity?" Spike said, doubly worried. Out in the middle of a forest, the Kaiba Bros and Fluttershy were coming around as well. "Seto! Are you okay?" Mokuba asked. "I've been in better moods. And you?" Seto replied. "I'm fine. And so is Fluttershy over there." Mokuba said. "Why did they pairs us up and send us into a virtual forest?" Fluttershy pondered.
Elsewhere, Noah was sitting in his control chair and watching our heroes coming around on different monitors that encircled him. "Make yourselves at home. The fools, I have them right where I want them. All of them paired up and isolated in my virtual world. And I'll be watching from the front row as my associates take care of business." he said. "Now, who should be the first to suffer?" he pondered as he looked at the monitor that saw Duke, Tristan and Spike looking in vain for Rarity and Serenity before switching over to the monitor that had Mokuba pondering which way he, Seto and Fluttershy should go.
But then, he switched over to the monitor that had Pinkie, Twilight and Yugi wandering around in a forest. "Ah, yes. Who better to destroy first than the infamous Yugi Muto? That is, if he's willing to do battle. Or perhaps one of his two friends will fight for him." he added. "Regardless, one of you will become nothing but program data digitally trapped in the world I've created." he said, thinking that one of them would easily fall.
"All this foliage looks pretty realistic. Hard to believe it's all virtual." Twilight said, impressed. "Well, one of you better get used to this place, because I'm going to make sure one of you never leaves!" Konosuke's voice boomed before, from the water, a humanoid amphibious creature emerged with a Duel Disk on its left arm. "Are you familiar with the phrase 'It's time to duel'? Well, this is the last time one of you is ever going to hear it!" said the creature, revealing itself to be Konosuke. 'Wait a second, I know that creature, it's a level five, Water attribute warrior/effect monster with 1600 attack points and 1800 defense points called Deepsea Warrior!' Twilight thought, completely surprised.
"Why, you three look as if you don't recognize me." Konosuke said. "I recognize anyone by their voice, you're Konosuke, aren't you?" Pinkie asked. "That's right, young lady. I am Konosuke, former vice president of business strategy at KaibaCorp and proud founding member of the Big Five. But for now, I've taken the form of the Deepsea Warrior, as I'm certain Princess Twilight recognizes, based on the look of surprise on her face." he replied.
"If you're trying to intimidate us, Konosuke, it's not working." Yugi said, bravely. "He's right. Behind your virtual disguise, you're just a man with a lot of business savvy." Twilight concurred. "I was taught how to duel by my grandfather, and you wouldn't stand a chance against me." Yugi stated. "Is that what you think, Yugi? Well, once I defeat you, I'll return to the real world and carry your title as Duel Monsters world champion with pride." Konosuke replied.
"So you want to take Yugi's body and his championship title?" Twilight asked. "That's correct, your highness. And how I'll savor the glory and prestige that comes with the title of Duel Monsters world champion, though I will have to change that haircut of yours to something more formal and befitting of a champion, Yugi." Konosuke answered with a chuckle. "And I'm sure some of your friends will be perfect fits for the rest of the Big Five." he continued.
'This must stop. At least four of our friends may be in danger of losing their bodies forever.' Yami said. 'Yeah, cause if they lose, they'll be stuck here.' Yugi mentally concurred. "We have no choice but to defeat the Big Five at their own twisted game." Twilight stated. 'She's right, and it starts here and now.' Yami said before he took over for Yugi. "Listen, Konosuke, you and your partners won't succeed in trapping any of us here, mark my words." the ancient one said boldly.
"Is that so? Well, let's see which of you wishes to duel then. That way we can see who can easily keep up with the new rules." Konosuke replied. "Then try dueling against me!" Pinkie said boldly before stepping forward. "Pinkie, are you sure?" Twilight asked. "Never been more sure in my life." the party girl stated, more determined than her usual self. "Very well. You remember our demonstration of our patented Deck Master system of dueling, don't you? It begins with each of us picking a monster to serve as our Deck Master for the duration of the duel. And since I've already taken the form of a monster, the Deepsea Warrior, I will serve as both the Duelist and the Deck Master. Now, it's time for you to build your virtual deck." Konosuke said before several cards appeared in front of Pinkie's face.
"I have to build my deck from these?" Pinkie asked. "Yes, the cards that you had on hand before your arrival here are invalid in this world, so you'll have to build a new deck from the card database that me, the rest of the Big Five and Noah put together. Once you see a card you desire, just touch it and it'll be added to your deck." Konosuke answered. "Choose wisely, for once you make contact with a card, it's yours for the entirety of the duel." he advised as Pinkie picked her cards. "Don't worry, I won't let any gems slip by." the girl replied, confident in her choices.
Soon, the deck appeared in the drive recognizer. "Now I have to select a Deck Master, right?" she asked. "I'm glad to see you pay attention thoroughly. Yes, choose one monster to be your Deck Master. Each card has its own unique Deck Master ability in this unique dueling system. Of course, I can't tell you what each effect is, so pick carefully." Konosuke replied. "Don't worry, I like surprises. That's why I'm considered a party planner when it comes to throwing one. Hope you like surprises, too, because my Deck Master will be an old favorite of mine, the Sauropod Brachion!" Pinkie declared as her Deck Master appeared beside and right behind her.
"How interesting. Of all the monsters to pick from, you chose a dinosaur. An admittedly very strong dinosaur in terms of defense." Konosuke said, seemingly intrigued. "Well, you have your deck master, and I have my own, one that's quite similar to myself, the powerful and ruthless Deepsea Warrior. But enough talking, let's get down to business!" he declared before his Duel Disk activated and his life points set to 4000, as did Pinkie's.
"Ladies first, then." Pinkie said before drawing. "And I activate Double Summon, which allows me to summon twice in one turn. So I'll summon the Ancient Elf and Giant Soldier of Stone, both in defense mode." she said before her two monsters appeared, ready to defend. "And now I'll activate my Deck Master's special ability!" she added. "Well, this is a surprise. You see, Sauropod Brachion's Deck Master ability allows you to increase the defense points of your monsters by 100 multiplied by the number of monsters you have on the field." Konosuke said.
"That means, Ancient Elf and Giant Soldier of Stone get 200 defense points each." Twilight said as Ancient Elf's defense points rose to 1400 and Giant Soldier of Stone's defense points rose to 2200. "Next, I'll set a card face down and end my turn." Pinkie said to conclude her move. "Impressive move, but now it's my turn." Konosuke said as he drew. "I'll set a monster in defense mode and end my turn, for now. After all, what fun would it be if I wiped out everything you own so soon?" he said as his facedown monster appeared. 'Now let's see if this child takes my bait.' he thought. "It's your move, but know that it's only a matter of time before I wipe out all of your life points." he added.
"I've heard that one many times before." Pinkie replied. "Tell me, what's your full name?" Konosuke asked. "You can call me by my middle name, Diane." Pinkie replied. "Well, Miss Diane, you haven't the business skills to wheel and deal with a mogul like me. So why'd you choose to duel against me instead of letting one of your friends have the honor?" Konosuke asked. "Because like in Duel Monsters, I play with honor, loyalty and respect. I don't rely on my business skill from working in a bakery with my family and making deals. This isn't a boardroom, so I don't think your corporate speeches are necessary right now." Pinkie answered.
"Your family runs a bakery? Well, you must've picked up a thing or two about working a small, family-owned business from your parents, but you'll have plenty of time to think about them when you become trapped here for eternity. So go ahead and make your move so I can seal this duel and escape from this cyber world." Konosuke said. "As you wish." Pinkie replied before drawing.
"I play Polymerization to fuse my Ancient Elf and Giant Soldier of Stone together to summon Mystical Sand!" she declared. In moments, both monsters vanished to form a witch known as Mystical Sand, a level 6, Earth attribute rock/fusion monster with 2100 attack points and 1700 defense points. "Now, before you say anything; yes, I know that fusion monsters need to wait a turn to attack, so instead I'll summon the Mad Sword Beast in attack mode!" she added before her new creature appeared.
"This allows me to reactivate my Deck Master's special ability and increase my monster's defense points by 200!" she pointed out before Mad Sword Beast's defense points rose to 1400 and Mystical Sand's defense points rose to 1900, respectively. "Now, Mad Sword Beast, attack his facedown!" she commanded before her creature charged in and struck the creature, which was a level three, Wind attribute winged-beast/effect monster with 500 attack and defense points called Ashingray, destroying it.
"I guess I should thank you." Konosuke said. "Why would you want to thank me for destroying your monster?" Pinkie asked. "The creature your destroyed was called Ashingray." Konosuke answered. "Did it have a special ability?" Pinkie wondered. "Yes. When it's sent to the graveyard, the Duelist that struck it down must discard one card." Konosuke confirmed. "Shouldn't be much of a problem, Pinkie has plenty of cards left." Twilight said as Pinkie discarded. "Yes, but so does Konosuke." Yami pointed out.
"Now here's my monster's other special ability; its destruction allows me to summon another Ashingray to the field. Then I can reshuffle my deck." Konosuke said before setting his creature and shuffling his deck. "A poor decision at first, Miss Diane, though I will admit, using Mad Sword Beast was a bold move, considering that its special ability has taken away 900 of my life points after it struck my first Ashingray." he added before his life points lowered to 3100. "Then again, if you had done the appropriate research, you would've avoided such an embarrassing loss." he continued.
"I end my turn, but I'm not done yet." Pinkie said. Meanwhile, Rarity and Serenity were watching some swans swim on a lake as they watched from a dock. "Aren't those swans just lovely, Serenity?" Rarity asked. "Yeah. Maybe this place isn't so bad after all." Serenity suggested. "I will admit, the scenery is wonderful, dear." Rarity replied as the breeze blew past. "And the breeze feels nice, too." Serenity added before one of the swans took off, causing some water to land on both girls. "Whoa, that's some cold water!" Serenity said in surprise.
"It's strange. If this landscape is just a virtual illusion, how can either of us feel anything like cold water?" Rarity pondered. "I don't get this place at all, Rarity. But it all feels, so real." Serenity said as she placed her hand in the water. Suddenly, they looked up and saw dark clouds rolling in. "Rarity, I think we better go find Joey and Spike. But where could they be?" she wondered.
Meanwhile, Joey and Rainbow were wandering through the mansion they ended up on the outside of. "Man, this is weird. First I was talking smack to those Big Five sleaze-balls, and then we both ended up outside this mansion." Joey said. "Looks more like a castle on the inside than a mansion." Rainbow pointed out. "Hey, Big Five! If any of you weasels are watching our every move, than why don't one of you come out and give one us the opportunity to duel you!?" she shouted.
"I'm with Rainbow, we're not scared of your outdated neckties and uptown attitudes!" Joey concurred. "So come on out already, you boys are too old to be playing hide and seek with us!" Rainbow called. Elsewhere, Duke, Spike and Tristan were looking for Serenity and Rarity, calling out their names. "Guys, this virtual hallway could go on forever like the endless hallway scene on the Haunted Mansion at Tokyo Disneyland." Duke pointed out.
"We have to keep looking, they've got to be in here." Spike insisted. "The only question is where." Duke stated. "And look ahead of you, guys. This thing could go for miles." he added as they all looked down the seemingly endless hallway. "Well, I'm not stopping until I find them. And standing around means giving up, so come on!" Tristan stated. The three boys soon started running again.
Meanwhile, in the forest, Seto, Mokuba and Fluttershy were walking along. "Seto, I know the Big Five want to use us in order to escape this place, but what's the deal with that Noah kid?" Mokuba asked. "I'd like to know that myself. You've never made enemies with a child before. So what does he have to gain from all this?" Fluttershy pointed out. "I'd like to know that myself. I never met the kid before in my life until today. But if I had to guess, I'd say that he wants what's mine. Just like everyone else who's went up against me, he wants to be as powerful as I am." Seto responded.
"What puzzles me the most is how he created this place. There's no way that punk built a virtual universe all on his own." he added. "Not without help. Maybe he had someone help him make it?" Fluttershy suggested. "Good point, Fluttershy. You think it was the Big Five?" Mokuba replied. "I doubt it. Those old fools couldn't have pulled this off. Granted, it's only a copy of the virtual technology I invented, but someone else is involved and I'll find them. It's only a matter of time." Seto responded before Mokuba continued on ahead.
"Then me and Fluttershy can help you. Come on!" Mokuba said before Seto and Fluttershy followed behind him. But all the same, Fluttershy was thinking about Yugi. Back at the duel, Konosuke was about to make his move. "Prepare to lose your mind!" he declared as he drew and looked at his card, a level two, Earth attribute reptile/effect monster with 500 attack and defense points called Ipiria. 'Excellent. Ipiria is just the monster I need to help close this deal. Soon, I'll be free and alive again.' he thought.
"As you know, Diane, I'm a businessman. And in the world of business that I'm certain your parents are well acquainted with, there are three secrets to success that are guaranteed to help you crush the competition. So listen closely, they may help you when its time for you to take over your parents' bakery. The first is to build a powerful workforce, so, come forth, Ipiria!" he stated before his creature appeared. "This creature's presence allows me to draw one card to increase my dueling options." he explained before drawing. "Now I'll switch Ashingray to attack mode, thus building up my workforce." he continued before his creature was flipped and revealed.
"The second secret of success is quite a simple one; knowing your own resources. By switching Ashingray from defense to attack mode, I activated its special ability, forcing you to discard one card from your hand." he added. "If you say so." Pinkie said before discarding. "I told you you couldn't keep up with the bigwigs. Now, the last and most important secret of success in the business world; always keep your competition guessing. And I assure you, you have no idea of the horrors I have in store for you!" Konosuke declared.
Back in the endless hallway, Tristan, Spike and Duke had come to a stop. "No offense guys, but I think it's time we give up the search." Duke suggested. "I'm not giving up yet, and neither is Spike." Tristan said. "He's right. We need a new plan." Spike pointed out. "Why? It's obvious this hallway was built to go on forever. It has no end." Duke stated. "So what?" Tristan asked. "So we can't find the way out because this virtual hallway doesn't have one." Duke replied. "Try having a little faith once in a while." Spike said, undeterred.
"You got any bright ideas?" Duke asked. Spike soon spotted a suit of armor wielding a battle axe. "I think I do. If there isn't an exit in this place, then we have to make one!" the boy answered before he started chopping at the wall with the blade. "I get it! We smash through the wall!" Tristan said. "Good luck with that. Don't forget, these walls were created by computers to look like the real thing." Duke pointed out. "If they were made to look like the real thing, than they have the same properties! Including splintering!" Spike stated as he kept on swinging like if he was Paul Bunyan.
'Wait, he's right! If he can hold that axe, than the walls really CAN be broken!' Duke thought in surprise. Meanwhile, Tea and AJ were wandering through the rocky valley. "Hello?! Anyone out there?!" Tea called out. But only her echo was all that came back. "This place is as hot as the desert around the town of Dodge Junction." AJ said. "And it looks like a virtual Grand Canyon." Tea added. "Only a lot more creepy." she pointed out. "Where in tarnation is everyone?" AJ pondered. Little did either of them know that they were being stalked by Hitotsu-Me Giants. Suddenly, one of them made rocks on a cliff fall, catching their attention before the creature fled.
"What was that?" Tea asked. "I don't know, but I got the feeling we're being watched." AJ said, wary. They soon saw that she was right as several Hitotsu-Me Giants with axes in hand were ready to attack. "We're surrounded!" Tea shouted. "Just back up slowly. No sudden movements." AJ said, cautiously. But Tea accidently shifting a pebble with her heel made one of the giants pounce and throw his axe at the ground, just barley missing both girls but causing some shards of rock to cut Tea's cheek.
"Run for your life!" AJ shouted before they did so. "Someone! Help us!" Tea called as the two frightened girls ran. Suddenly, another giant came up and took a swing at them. Meanwhile, Fluttershy and the Kaiba brothers walked along. "Hey, guys, what's that up ahead?" Mokuba asked. "Am I seeing things or is that a door?" Fluttershy pondered. Mokuba soon ran on ahead with his brother and Fluttershy right behind him. "Mokuba, wait! This could be a trap!" Fluttershy called. "She's right, so slow down!" Seto suggested.
"I bet it's an emergency exit back to the real world!" Mokuba said, excited and hopeful. "Mokuba, stop right there!" Seto stated before the kid stopped. "Let Seto and me go first." Fluttershy advised. "We have to be careful." Seto said as he opened the door leading to a bright light. "I can't see. It's too bright." Mokuba said before the light faded and showed a place that was familiar to both of the Kaiba brothers.
"Wait a second. I know this place. It's the orphanage we grew up in. But it can't still be around." the boy said. "It's likely a trick, Mokuba. A cheap virtual illusion like everything else." Seto stated. "But how does Noah know about it?" Fluttershy wondered. "Good question, how does that kid know we once lived here?" Seto pondered.
Meanwhile, the duel between Pinkie and Konosuke continued. "I suggest we consider closing the book on this duel, Diane. Thanks to my wise investments, I predict a major growth in power for me, while you sink into debt despite the edge your Deck Master, Sauropod Brachion, gives you in terms of your monsters' defenses." Konosuke said. The creature then lowered its head and made low vocalizations. "I think it might be trying to tell Pinkie something about these Deck Master rules or an idea it has." Twilight said quietly to Yami.
"Don't worry, we'll figure a way out of this problem." Pinkie said, reassuringly. 'I wish I could speak dinosaur, because if Sauropod Brachion has some advise, than now would be the best time to listen.' she thought. "Considering surrender?" Konosuke asked. "Never." Pinkie replied before drawing. "Alright, now...Mystical Sand, attack Ipiria!" she commanded. "An interesting move, Diane, but a very poor business decision. And now, it's time for you to pay the price!" Konosuke stated.
"What do you mean, Konosuke?" Pinkie asked. "As you know, I've taken the form of Deepsea Warrior, and that means I have a Deck Master ability, it allows me to sacrifice my two monsters to create this; the Reflector Hole, which will bounce your attack right back!" Konosuke replied before Mystical Sand went into the hole, but came back out the same way, with her attack target switched to Pinkie's life points. "No!" Twilight shouted before Pinkie took the blow, causing her life points to drastically drop to 1900.
"Looks like your life points are starting to collapse, and before long, you'll be completely drained of everything you have." Konosuke stated. "You haven't put me out of business yet, Konosuke." Pinkie retorted, defiantly. "It's only a matter of time, Diane. Soon, my colleagues and I will destroy you and four of your friends in the greatest corporate takeover in history!" Konosuke stated. "Speaking of whom, I wonder how they're holding up in their new environment." he pondered.
"Think about it, they could be suffering losses just like you, perhaps greater losses. And you and your teammates can't save them." he continued. 'He's right. We've got to end this and find them!' Yugi said, mentally. "One more attack to your small reserve of life points and your resources will be completely wiped out! Leaving you trapped here forever!" Konosuke declared with an evilly triumphant laugh.