Yugioh/ML Chapter 31

When Everything Breaks

Longg was in one of the medical huts, lying on a small bed as the doctors attempted to find a way to remove the cybernetics from him without death or injury. In a split second, those cybernetics activated, subsuming his mind. He flew out in search of Adrien, in the hopes of freeing him.

…

Ladybug, Rena Rouge, Tikki, and Trixx were dragged into a small chamber on a remote island. Duusu and Mayura were leading them down a long hallway, where at the end they were going to be turned into monstrous human-kwami hybrids, and lose everything they once were.

Obviously, none of the four prisoners wished to receive such a fate, but escape seemed impossible. The data shackles they were bound by prevented any movement that Duusu did not approve. Even Tikki and Trixx's own powers were impeded. It was thus time for Ladybug to attempt a risky gamble, one she wasn't sure would work, even if she was right about Mayura's true identity.

"Mayura, please. You have to stop this, now."

Duusu chuckled at the futility of Ladybug's attempt. "It's no use, Ladybug. In truth, we have been wiping her memory, keeping her a docile, perfect servant, like all humans should be."

"But I know that deep down, you don't want to be suppressed or controlled by anyone, do you, Mayura? That's not even your real name, is it? Your true self is a free spirit, a bounty hunter whose allegiance is to no-one but herself. You're Nathalie Sancoeur, better known as Safari!"

The next few seconds were the most tense of Ladybug's life, as she wasn't sure if her words had gotten through. However, Mayura did stop, allowing the four to stop as well.

"What are you doing?" Duusu frowned at Mayura. "You are supposed to obey me, you overgrown lummox!"

Mayura did not respond at all.

"I said that you will obey me! Mayura, escort the prisoners to the conversion lab at once!"

Mayura's hand slowly clenched into a fist, then opened only to grab Duusu.

"My name is Nathalie." She threw Duusu into a wall, then grabbed him with her other hand before he could react. This freed up her hand to press a button on her duel disk, causing the data shackles to dissolve. "Go, now! I can't hold him for long!"

The four of them started running back the way they came, but Ladybug stopped to look back. "Thank you, Safari."

Feathers were slowly growing up Safari's arm from her hand. "Repay me by getting that little bastard Nooroo! Now, go!"

Ladybug joined the others in their escape, silently hoping that Nathalie made it out okay.

…

Luka waited in the command room, anxious. He hoped that everything was proceeding according to plan. "Attack squadron, report status." There was no response. "Attack squadron, report!" Nothing. His worry only increased, as did his concern for Juleka.

…

"What's going on!" The Rook demanded in the virtual conference room. "Why is all communication down except for this room?"

"Because I shut it down." In front of the avatars, Nooroo himself appeared. "Greetings, directors."

"Nooroo! How delightful to see you!" The Bishop greeted him, expertly hiding the fear in his voice.

"Don't pretend with me, Mark. Oh, yes. I know everything about everyone in this room. You see, I am the one who has been buying up the stocks of Sol Technologies. As of today, I effectively own this company. But as an insurance policy, I have decided to resort to good old-fashioned blackmail. Each of you should be receiving emails containing incriminating evidence, photos of your affairs, the works. All those who don't wish to see the contents of those emails end up on every news site on the internet will do as I say from now on."

The silence was deafening, exactly as Nooroo wanted it. He knew that behind those avatars, the humans were sweating, judging whether or not to give in to Nooroo's demands. Not that they had a choice.

"What are your orders, Sir?"

Smiling, Nooroo waved his hand. "Communications are now back up. You shall continue your invasion of my home, but with one key difference. You shall not capture my fellow kwami, but round them up. The old structure needs to be torn down."

…

Back in the command room, the static cleared up. "Sorry about that, Mister Couffaine." The squad leader reported. "There was some kind of interference, but it seems to be over now."

Luka allowed himself to breathe. "Alright, move in."

Within Link Vrains, the squadron of experimental hybrids began to fly into the Cluster and enter the portal. However, they were shunted out by the new barrier made by Stompp and Wayzz.

Back within the conference room, Nooroo cursed under his breath, then vanished.

…

Nooroo returned to the Kwami world, where the kwami were beginning to panic, as Stompp and Wayzz had reported that their new barrier was meeting resistance, which meant an invasion was imminent. Worse still, Tikki, Trixx, and their humans had somehow escaped Duusu's grasp and were helping the kwami prepare.

Knowing that those four had probably exposed his plan to the rest of the kwami, Nooroo decided not to reappear in public, instead making his way back to the island where the amplifier was nearing completion.

…

Adrien almost couldn't believe his luck, as the kwami that were guarding his cell had vanished for some reason. Thus, when Longg arrived, he was broken out and his duel disk returned with no trouble at all. "Longg, what is the reason for the disappearance of the guards?"

"Sol Technologies has begun their invasion of the Kwami world. All the kwami are gathering at the new barrier, where the humans are attempting to get in."

"And where is Plagg? I won't be able to destroy the Kwami without him."

"Scanning…Plagg found."

Out of Longg's eyes, a map of the collection of islands was generated. A red dot indicating Plagg's presence was shown on another island on the opposite side of the entrance, which perplexed Adrien. Why was he all the way over there? Adrien decided to find out, taking his duel board and heading that way.

The trip to that island didn't take long, but Adrien couldn't find Plagg, or anything of note. "Longg, you're sure Plagg is here?"

"Yes, Master. Plagg is on this island."

"Hmm…scan for any hidden entrances or mechanisms."

Longg emitted a blue light from his eyes, systematically scanning the island piece by piece. Eventually, it stopped on a particular rock. "Entrance found. Press down on the rock to activate."

Doing so, Adrien unlocked an invisible door which he then walked through, finding the hidden warehouse where the amplifier was almost finished.

"Longg, why are the kwami rebuilding my weapon?"

"Oh, Adrien." Plagg floated down from above to meet him. "You're ever so stupid. This isn't your machine; it's Nooroo's."