Chapter 16
On the Wrong Track: Part 1
"Runaway Duel Express"
The group soon arrived at the train station bound for the Sky Harbor airport. "How long will this train ride be?" Tea asked. "Depends on how many stops are between here and our destination." Rarity answered. "You guys will do fine. I promise to keep Rebecca and the professor company." Duke said, reassuringly. All the while, Yami remembered when Professor Hawkins explained to his granddaughter that the ancient one had a lot on his mind and had to be alone for a while, despite her protests saying that the group needed her intelligence.
Yami also remembered how heartbroken Rebecca was when she was told she couldn't join them to save her best friend. "Come on, Yami. We better get aboard before the train leaves." AJ said before the group started to board the train. And so, with a blow of the horn, the train heading for the Sky Harbor airport departed from the station. "Well, may as well find our seats." Twilight said after they bid farewell to Duke, who waved until they were out of sight.
"I knew there was a reason why I like trains." Pinkie said with a goofy smile as she snacked on a bag of cookies. But Yami remained silent. 'Yami barely said anything since we left Rebecca and her grandpa.' Fluttershy thought. "Hey, Yami? You okay?" she asked. "If you want to talk about it, I'm here for you." she said before putting her hand on his. "I know. I miss Yugi too. But what happened wasn't your fault. If it means anything, just know that I forgive you." she added.
"We'll save him. I promise you we will." said before Yami stood up. "I'm sorry, Fluttershy. I just, need some time alone." the ancient one said as he headed for the inter-carriage space. "Poor Yami." Fluttershy said as she watched him walk on, as did the others. "Man, losing Yugi must've effected him more than we thought." Tristan figured. "Yeah, he seems to be alone. Losing Yugi crushed him, but he'll feel better once we get closer to saving him." Joey added. "Trust me, they'll be together soon enough." Spike said as she comforted Fluttershy.
In the inter-carriage space, Yami stood and watched the desert go by in the window. 'How could I have been so selfish? I was like Arkana from Battle City. I gave in to the darkness in my own heart, and Yugi paid the price.' he thought as he remembered how he treated his monsters during his duel against Rafael and how he lost Yugi before punching the wall in anguish. "I've lost him forever." he said before slumping down to the ground.
In the other carriage, the others were getting worried. "He's been gone for a while now." Spike said. "Speaking of gone, where is everybody?" Pinkie asked, looking around to see they were the only ones in the passenger carriage. "Okay, I'm officially frightened." Rarity said as she held Spike close. Meanwhile, at the hideaway of Doma, Dartz was in his temple, laughing. "A vacant train is the least of your problems, my young friends. And I'm just getting warmed up." he said. All the while, the train kept rolling on down the line.
The group searched around but couldn't find anyone in their passenger car, or in the one behind theirs. "This train looks totally abandoned." Tristan said, bewildered. They soon met up with Yami, who had just come out of the inter-carriage space. "We've got trouble, Yami." Rainbow said. "If you haven't noticed, this whole train's deserted." Joey added. "If you ask me, I'd say this train ride is another trap by Doma." AJ figured. "If that's the case, they may be aboard this very train." Rarity hypothesized. "We better head to the front of the train." Twilight suggested. "Good idea. Now let's hightail it to the hog, pronto!" Pinkie added before they all started to head toward the engine.
Suddenly, as Yami, Twilight, Applejack and Fluttershy went across the inter-carriage space to the next car, the coupling disconnected. "Oh, no!" Tea shouted. "Quick, grab my hand!" Yami shouted before Tea jumped across. "Yami! Tea!" Tristan shouted. "Twilight! Appleajack! Fluttershy!" Spike called. "What do we do now!?" Spike shouted. "Get help! We'll try to find a way to stop this runaway train!" Twilight shouted back before she, Yugi and the other girls went toward the front of the train. As for the others, they soon slowed to a stop. "Twilight said to get help, but how? We're still in the middle of the desert and we don't know how far the tracks go." Rainbow stated.
"Let's just hope they can find a way to stop that engine." Rainbow said, bluntly. "Guess its just us now." Tristan said before they heard a chuckle. They looked and saw it was Rex Raptor, wearing a Chaos Disk. "Rex? What are you doing here?" Joey asked before they noticed his Chaos Disk. 'Oh, no. Not him, too.' Spike thought. "I still have a score to settle with you from Duelist Kingdom, Wheeler." Rex answered as he hopped out of the train car and walked forward till he was across from Joey. "After all, you won both my Red-Eyes Black Dragon and my Dragon Nails cards, a defeat I haven't forgotten about." he added.
"Rex, now isn't the time." Joey said calmly. "No, it's the perfect time, for revenge." Rex replied. Back at the runaway engine and the two cars it was pulling behind it, Yami, Twilight, Applejack, Fluttershy and Tea searched around for someone, anyone, who could stop the train. "Excuse me, Mr. Conductor? Is anyone there?" Fluttershy asked as she pressed the intercom, but no response came. Little did any of them know that the engine had no driver. "No answer?" Tea asked. Fluttershy shook her head. Yami then headed forward and found a ladder leading to the roof of the engine.
"Yami, what are you doing?" Twilight asked. "Trying to find a way to get inside the engine, so we can stop this train." Yami replied. "Well, there's only one way in." AJ said, pointing to the ladder. "You're right, we'll have to go in from the roof of the engine. There may be an emergency hatch." Yami concurred before he started to climb up. Once he reached the top, he saw Weevil on the far side. "Weevil Underwood. Are you the one behind this runaway train?" the ancient one asked. "Explain yourself, now!" he demanded before Twilight, Applejack, Fluttershy and Tea joined him. "What do you want from us, worm boy?" Tea asked, annoyed.
"You four aren't important right now, I'm just looking for a rematch with the King of Games. For the title!" Weevil answered. "Did you not noticed that we're standing on the roof of a runaway train?!" Twilight asked. "Oh, I noticed. But when a Duelist challenges a champion for their title, they're obligated to accept." Weevil answered. "Who put you up to this?" Yami asked. "No one did. I figured this would be the perfect time to test out my new secret weapon." Weevil answered as he pulled out his fragment of the Orichalcos stone.
At the same time, Rex did the same thing. "That's a piece of the Orichalcos stone." Rarity said in surprise. "Where'd you get that thing, Raptor?" Tristan asked. "No need to ask him, we already know he's working for Dartz and Doma. That Chaos Disk on his arm confirms it." Rainbow pointed out. Back on the train, the others were finding out Weevil sided with Dartz and Doma as well. "Weevil, listen. Whatever Dartz said to you was a lie." Fluttershy said. "He and the rest of Doma are only using you, just like they were using Bandit Keith when I dueled him last night." Twilight added, surprising Yami, AJ, Fluttershy and Tea.
"So, Bandit Keith was part of Doma? I guess since you dueled him and you're still standing, that means he gave up his soul. But I won't fall like that no good cheat who only duels for money, for I intend to gain ultimate power!" Weevil replied. "You're intentions are wrong and foolish." Yami stated. "Then prove it by dueling me, with the title at stake." Weevil replied. "Weevil, you don't understand what else is on the line in this duel than just a title! If one of you loses, you lose your soul!" AJ shouted.
"I know the risks, which is why I'm even here! To make the Duelist who defeated me and took my regional championship title at Duelist Kingdom pay!" Weevil replied. "Is that what this is about?!" Yami asked, angrily. "Correct. But don't worry, you'll get a consolation prize if you lose. You'll get to join your friend Yugi, Pharaoh." Weevil answered. "Where is he? Tell me!" Yami shouted. "Even if I knew, I wouldn't tell you. So just duel me or we'll all end up dying if this train derails!" Weevil replied.
"Fine, then let's duel!" Yami said, not willing to take anymore nonsense. "Wise choice, Pharaoh!" Weevil said. Meanwhile, Rex activated his Chaos Disk. "I'm gonna enjoy this." he said. "What did you do to our friends?" Joey asked. "All I did was give them some alone time with Weevil by disconnecting the front of the train from the middle of it. Speaking of Weevil, he's likely dueling your friend the Nameless Pharaoh as we speak." Rex answered.
"How did you...?" Spike began to ask. "Come on, you don't think we'd join Doma and not learn that Yugi was sharing his body with a 5,000 year old Egyptian ghost all this time, did you? It's a fair rematch between them in my mind, since Weevil didn't really duel Yugi at Duelist Kingdom, but rather the ghost of the Nameless Pharaoh. In the meantime, I'm gonna keep you all company." Rex interrupted. "I can't believe it. I was a bit inspired by you to put dinosaurs in my deck to fit with my earth and rock-only play style, and you go and do this?!" Pinkie shouted. "Rex, you and Weevil have no idea how big a mistake you made by joining Dartz and his Doma gang." Joey said.
"Oh, really? Well, we'll just see about that. Won't we?" Rex replied before walking back a ways. "I've been given more powerful dinos than you could ever imagine!" he added. "Look, Rex, not only can I duel circles around your sorry prehistoric behind, but you're half my size. So why don't you just get out of the way and take us where that train was heading." Joey stated. "Sorry, punk, I'm not going anywhere until we duel! So activate your Duel Disk, draw your cards and let's get it on, chumpasaurus!" Rex replied as he drew his hand.
"Don't say he didn't warn you." Rainbow said. "Hurry up and make this dino boy extinct so we can go find out where the others went, Joey." she added. "Well, no offense, but this is between me and Wheeler, so I'll activate this to give us the proper space we need!" Rex shouted, causing everyone to take notice. "Look familiar?" he asked before their faces turned to shock as they saw him holding a Seal of Orichalcos field spell card. "Drop that card now, young man! It's too dangerous for anyone to use!" Rarity stated. "Stay out of this, Miss Fancy-pants." Rex replied before looking at Joey. "Based on your reaction, you're not as tough as I once thought you were, are you, Wheeler?" he asked before activating the Seal of Orichalcos.
"We tried to warn you!" Spike shouted before the seal expanded and sent Tristan and the others flying back, all the while Rex chuckled wickedly. "Now that's what I call power." he said before lifting his beanie hat to reveal the Seal of Orichalcos on his forehead. "What were you thinking playing that card?" Joey asked. "Be careful, Joey. Rex just raised the stakes big time!" Tristan said. "Trust me, I know. He's putting both his soul and mine up for grabs." Joey replied. "Let's do this, Joey. It's finally payback time!" Rex said.
"Forget it, Rex. I won't duel!" Joey retorted. "You don't have much choice or say in the matter. Back out now, and you'll prove that the Domino City Underdog is really just a coward!" Rex replied. Back on the train, Yami activated his Duel Disk and both he and Weevil drew their hands. "I've improved my deck since our last duel. But you'll see that for yourself soon enough, your highness." Weevil said. "You can't do this." Tea said. "Tea, we have to get back in the train. It's too dangerous up here." Twilight said, urgently. "And there's no telling what Weevil plans to do now that he's with Doma." AJ added.
"Don't worry, I won't keep you in suspense when it comes to my plans." Weevil said before drawing. "I'll start the duel, by playing the Seal of Orichalcos!" he added. "Weevil, don't be a fool!" Yami said, trying to get Weevil to change his mind. "What's the problem? Rex and I saw you play this card before. If I'm not mistaken, this is the same card that locked Yugi away and left you alone in his body." Weevil replied. "Now it's my turn to experience this card's power! And when I beat you, you'll join your little friend!" he added. "Weevil, I'm begging you, don't put both your soul and Yami's on the line!" Fluttershy said.
"So you call him Yami? Fair enough, but I don't need your advice!" Weevil replied before activating the card and sending Twilight, AJ, Tea and Fluttershy flying to the roof of the car behind them. "Tea, Fluttershy, Applejack, Twilight! Are you four alright?!" Yami called out. "We're okay!" Twilight called out. "Alright, now that the spectators are away from the battlefield like they should be. We're ready to duel." Weevil said as the Seal of Orichalcos appeared on his forehead. Meanwhile, Dartz sensed that both Rex and Weevil were beginning their duels.
"Looks like the battles are underway." he said. "Yes, master Dartz. And if all goes well, the soul of the Nameless Pharaoh will soon be yours. Of course, we win no matter what the outcome of the duels those kids are fighting, because whatever the final outcomes are, we'll get two souls." Raf said. Dartz just chuckled. Back on the train, Yami and Weevil's duel was underway. "Since I challenged you for the title, I'll start things off." the ex-regional champion said. "And I'll do that, by playing Pheromone Wasp!" he added before his monster, a level three, Wind attribute insect/effect monster with 800 attack and defense points, appeared.
"It's not strong now, but the Seal of Orichalcos can change all that." he continued before his wasp's attack power increased to 1300. "Next I'll set two cards face down and end my turn." he concluded. "Very well. My move." Yami said before drawing. "I summon Obnoxious Celtic Guard in attack mode." he said before his warrior appeared. 'I'm worried he might attack, Yugi used to be the brains who came up with strategies for the duels they competed in, and now that Yugi's gone, he might play into Weevil's hands.' Fluttershy thought.
"Celtic Guard, attack the Pheromone Wasp!" Yami commanded. "I don't think so. You just activated my trap, a handy little card called Mimesis!" Weevil said as his trap sprung. "You see, it allows me to swap my Pheromone Wasp for another monster in my hand, meaning I get to choose which monster your Obnoxious Celtic Guard attacks!" he explained. "Without further ado, I'll let my Parasite Caterpillar take the place of my wasp!" he declared before his new monster, a level three, Wind attribute insect/effect monster with 800 attack and defense points, appeared. But like the Pheromone wasp before it, the Parasite Caterpillar's attack points increased to 1300.
"I know that card, it infects the attacking monster and turns it into an insect!" Fluttershy said in surprise before the mighty warrior's blade sliced the Parasite Caterpillar to ribbons. "Your girlfriend's right, Yami, and now watch as your warrior becomes part insect!" Weevil declared with a laugh as bug-like appendages came out of its sides. "You're only half the Duelist I remember from when we first met at Duelist Kingdom, Yami. Likely because you lost the brains of your little outfit!" he continued before laughing again.
Back at the other half of the disconnected train, Joey still refused to do battle. "Are you gonna duel, Wheeler, or just stand there like a loser while I take you apart?" Rex asked. "I got no choice. I didn't want to do this, but you got yourself a duel!" Joey answered. "It's the only way to save Yuge." he added as he activated his Duel Disk. "Smart answer. I've been waiting for this moment ever since I returned home from Duelist Kingdom." Rex said while Joey drew his hand. 'As much as I don't like this little runt, I have to find a way to make sure that the Seal of Orichalcos doesn't take his soul, or mine. No one deserves that.' the underdog thought.
"Now that the duel is starting, I'll go ahead and play these!" Rex declared before his first two monsters, both level three, Earth attribute dinosaur/effect monsters with 1400 attack points and 400 defense points, appeared next to each other. "Wait a minute, why'd you play two of those monsters? You're only supposed to play one per turn!" Spike said, thinking Rex was cheating. "You must not know the special ability of my two Gilasaurus, I can summon them directly to the field if they're in my hand, which they were. So that means Joey's gonna have to deal with double the dinos." Rex replied as the two dinosaurs hissed like velociraptors.
"Talk about a bad start for Joey." Rarity said, worried. "And I'm not finished yet. Next I summon Kaitoptera!" Rex declared before his new prehistoric creature, a level four, Wind attribute dinosaur/effect monster with 1400 attack points and 1000 defense points, appeared. "Oh, dear. Rex already has three monsters on the field." Rarity said with worry. "And on top of that, the Seal of Orichalcos will make them even stronger!" Rex pointed out as his three dinosaurs gained 500 extra attack points, bringing their individual totals to 1900.
"You know, now that I think about it, you just lucked out by drawing a good opening hand. But you can't win a duel with just luck, as my many past duels have taught me." Joey stated. "That's funny, you only beat me at Duelist Kingdom because you got lucky with your Time Wizard." Rex replied. "Well, you clearly don't know Joey. He's improved since Duelist Kingdom." Tristan said. "Appreciate it, Tristan." Joey replied.
"Never mind. I'll go easy on you for now and end my turn by setting a card face down. Now let's see what you've got." Rex said as he concluded his move, prompting Joey to draw. 'I've only got one monster in my hand that'll make sure my life points stay safe, despite its card effect saying I need to make a sacrifice in order to attack with it.' the underdog thought. "I summon Panther Warrior in attack mode!" he said aloud before his feline warrior arrived.
'Good thing I have a combination that always works with Panther Warrior.' he thought before looking at his hand. "I'll set a card face down and end my turn." he said. Back on the train, Yami and Weevil's duel continued. "Time to say hello to an old friend, I bring Pheromone Wasp back to the field." the ex-regional champion said as his bug returned to the field and regained its Orichalcos-enhanced strength. 'My only monster has been infected by his Parasite Caterpillar and became part insect. Worse yet, it can't defend my life points any longer.' Yami thought.
"Attack, my wasp!" Weevil commanded before the bug struck Yami directly, decreasing his life points to 2700. "Are you alright, Yami?!" Twilight called. "But that's not all. Attacking you directly, Yami, activates my wasp's special ability. Thanks to my wasp, I can now summon any insect monster from my deck to the field, and I know just the one! I summon a leech known as Leghul!" Weevil declared before his new insect appeared, now with 800 attack points. "Next I'll activate a magic card called Insect Barrier!" he added before doing so. "This defensive barricade will prevent any and all insect monsters on your side of the field from attacking." he explained. "Wait, does that means Obnoxious Celtic Guard can't attack no matter what?" AJ asked.
"But of course, cowgirl. Since that mighty warrior destroyed and got infected by my Parasite Caterpillar, he'll be part insect for the next few turns, until the transformation is complete." Weevil answered. "What transformation?" Yami asked. "Like a caterpillar undergoes metamorphosis to become a butterfly, so will the Obnoxious Celtic Guard until he becomes a creature known as Poison Butterfly!" Weevil explained. "But despite its impressive amount of attack points, 2700 to be exact, it won't be able to touch my life points thanks to my Insect Barrier. Plus it can't attack or defend, meaning it'll be virtually useless!" he added.
'Weevil's become a much stronger Duelist than the last time we met. Now that he's infused with the power of the Seal of Orichalcos, he's seemingly unstoppable. But I refuse to let him stand in my way. I have to rescue Yugi.' Yami thought. "Alright, my move." he said before drawing. All the while, at the hideaway of Doma, Dartz watched on through a flame and chuckled. "It won't be long now. The soul of the Nameless Pharaoh is nearly in my grasp. After all, we have the perfect bait." he said before laughing once more.