//------------------------------// // Dungeon Crawl // Story: An Equestrian Element // by Quillion9000 //------------------------------// Pegasus’ Castle: Dining Room, Late Evening… There wasn’t the feast, like there had been the past two nights, but there was still a respectable amount of food that could feed everyone still left within the castle. While almost everyone had eaten together, Yugi and Sunset hadn’t joined them. From the moment their duel ended to now, they’ve been in the former’s room going through every card between the two of their decks. Everyone there respected that as even the smallest of advantages was worth taking where Pegasus was concerned. Of course, that did include making sure the pair were well fed which led to Arctic and Thunder offering to take them each a plate of food. The brother pair now returned to the dining hall, having successfully given the plates over to the pair. “I say Pegasus has to be up to something.” Tristan commented. “Sure, Shining Armor has him rattled but enough to change things like he has? I don’t buy it.” “He’s after something, that much I think we all know by now.” Tea voiced. “I sure hope Yugi and Sunset can handle him tomorrow.” Bakura stated. “All throughout this tournament, Pegasus has been stacking the deck in his favor.” “That could be all this change is.” Mektaveus reasoned. “I mean, he seemed more than merely rattled to me at what happened yesterday.” “Even with the change in plans, we saw firsthand how skilled Yugi and Sunset are.” Joey declared. “Giving them time to prepare like this only makes his chances worse.” “Kaiba might have come back around to beat Yugi, but I think those two reached his level in their duel.” Tea declared. “I bet Joey’s right.” Tristan merely hummed in response, uncertain, while Bakura shook his head. “I don’t know.” “You can’t have such a negative attitude you two.” Joey responded. “After all, the two of them will be counting on us to cheer them on.” “Pegasus has never played fair though.” Tristan reasoned. “He kidnapped Yugi’s grandpa’s soul and used Mokuba against Kaiba. Going into tomorrow’s duel, we don’t know what other tricks he’ll have.” “Whatever tricks he tries, or whatever cards he plays…” Tea declared firmly. “…I’m confident Yugi and Sunset will overcome them.” “I don’t know if I agree.” Arctic voiced as he and his brother made themselves known. “You guys say Yugi and Sunset are on Seto Kaiba’s level, I do believe in that according to what you’ve said, but according to you guys’ Kaiba already lost meaning it should be fairly even.” “Please, that overdressed primadonna won’t stand a chance tomorrow.” Joey assured. “It sounds reasonable.” Sonata stood. “Anyways, I’m going to my room.” She looked at Arctic and Thunder. “Just in case I fall asleep, night you two.” “I think Sonata has the right idea.” Joey stated. Tea and Mektaveus agreed as they followed the other two leaving Tristan, Arctic, Thunder, and Bakura in the dining room. “I suppose there’s nothing we can do but wait for the duel to play out.” Bakura figured. “I mean, Pegasus does hold all the cards.” That drew attention from those remaining. “As long as he has his prisoners, we’re at his mercy no matter tomorrow’s outcome.” Tristan stood. “Right.” He then took off running drawing the others’ attention. “Whoa man, what are you doing?” Thunder asked. “I’ll see if I can find Mokuba or Seto’s bodies.” Tristan had stopped at the door to look back at them. “If I can get either of them back, even without their souls, then Pegasus at least won’t hold every card.” Arctic and Thunder shared a look as Tristan ran out the room before ultimately running after him. Maybe it would be a fruitless effort, but at least it was something they could do to help. This left Bakura alone who smiled like his other self. “A search for the empty vessels is not a bad idea.” Dungeons Tristan, Arctic, and Thunder made their way along the dungeon halls on the lookout for Mokuba or Seto’s bodies. They were currently walking past various suits of armor. “Why does one person even need a castle?” Thunder questioned. “Couldn’t Pegasus have settled for a mansion?” “Something smaller would likely make it easier to find at least one of the brothers.” Tristan stated. Suddenly, there was humming which caused the three of them to look around frantically. “Quick, in the armors.” Arctic whispered. The three of them managed to get within a suit of armor each before one of Pegasus’ men came walking down the hall. Fortunately, he noticed nothing out of the ordinary and turned a corner. Not even a moment later, they could hear something followed by conversation. “Time to change shifts. How is the little twerp?” “He’s glassy eyed and glum like usual. No need to worry about him wondering off.” “Of course not, but we still must be careful since he’s Pegasus’ pet prisoner.” “Yeah, yeah. Anyways, I’m out of here.” The other guard walked off while this time Arctic paid particular attention considering they’d passed by that hallway and to see the statue of a dragon there. This time he heard something moving that sounded more mechanical compared to the aesthetic of the place. Then, what had to be the relieved guard walked on by. Once he was gone, Tristan managed to motion for them to follow him to that hallway. Unfortunately, the armor they were now in was rather heavy, so it did take a moment. “Where did the other guard go?” Tristan asked. “This is a dead end, and I didn’t see him come out like that other guy.” “It’s really strange.” Thunder agreed. “In some of the Daring Doo books I’ve read, places like this have all kinds of hidden mechanisms.” Arctic reasoned. “I wouldn’t put it past Pegasus to put some sort of mechanism in that dragon statue.” “Then, I’ll check…” Tristan began. He had walked forward only to trip on some loose stone. Before he could fall to the ground and send the sound of clattering metal out, he grabbed onto the dragon’s head, catching himself. This resulted in it coming down and opening a section of the nearby wall to reveal a staircase down. “Whoa, secret staircase.” Thunder marveled. Both brothers had joined Tristan who now stood. “Based on what those guards were talking about, I’m betting this is the way to at least one of the brothers.” Arctic reasoned. The current trio made their way down and came across the first guard they saw humming to himself once more as he sat before a cell. “Man, this is boring. What’s the point of guarding some kid without a soul?” “Maybe to stop others from coming to get him.” Thunder voiced. The guard turned to see the three armored teens before Tristan just slammed a gauntlet covered fist right into his face knocking the man out. “Sweet dreams.” Tristan commented. Arctic had approached the cell only to see Mokuba’s body within. “Seto’s younger brother is in here.” Tristan looked around before spotting a pair of keys on the ground and picking them up. “Let’s get him out.” He came over and inserted the key into the box. Pegasus’ Room Pegasus was enjoying some wine on his balcony when he received a call on his cellphone. “Yes?” “We’ve detected a potential problem in sector 5. We’re attempting to verify, but our guard down there won’t reply. There appears to be a breech.” “I see.” Pegasus smiled. “Send some guards to deal with the problem, and I’ll be on my way.” The creator had no intention of rushing things as he stood and slowly made his way out of his room. Dungeons The current trio had ditched the armor before Tristan put Mokuba’s body on his back. They then made it up the stairs and began running for the way they came down here. Unfortunately, the guards were on their way. “We got to run the other way.” Arctic voiced. They managed to run for a bit, but it wasn’t long before they were cut off by guards. “Hold it right there!” “No place left to run punks.” This was not the situation any of them wanted to be in. Arctic and Thunder weren’t really fighters which left Tristan as their best bet of making it out of this. One of them could certainly take Mokuba, but even with him free, their odds weren’t looking great. “You’re surrounded.” “Now, hand over the kid.” Despite the odds being against them, Arctic took Mokuba to free up Tristan. Said guy and Thunder then stood protectively on either side of Arctic. Despite neither brother being much of a fighter, Thunder was at least a bit more athletic due to rushing around as he does. “No, come get him.” Tristan stated. Before anything could happen, there was a dark chuckle. “Lay one hand on the boy, and you imbeciles will rue the day you were ever born.” “Who’s there?” Bakura walked on out as the men pulled their guns. “You just walked into a world of trouble, kid.” “Bakura, get out of here!” Tristan then looked at the brothers. “You two, take this chance and go with him!” “Step out of those shadows or else.” “Or else you’ll do what, pathetic little drones?” Bakura asked. “We warned ya.” “Yes, and now I am warning you.” Bakura pulled out a chain energy card. “Don’t mess with me. Chain Energy!” Suddenly, both were restricted by the power of the card. “I’m stuck.” “Me to but how?” “If he can do that, why hasn’t he stopped Pegasus?” Thunder asked. “Come, now is our chance to escape.” Bakura stated before taking off. That prompted the three of them to follow. Thunder took Mokuba from his brother since he figured it’d be easier for him to carry the weight as they all needed to move quickly now. The group eventually entered an area with staircases. “Bakura, what was that you did back there?” Tristan asked as they all ran up. “I mean using that magic card for real.” “Not now.” Bakura responded. “Those guards are still behind us.” “That is a good point.” They stopped at a door as Arctic tried it. “Still, I think we’d all like answers once we’re safe.” The door was locked. “This one is a no go.” “I see light shining from above not far up the stairs.” Thunder took the lead. “Come on.” They all ran upcoming before coming to the doorway. “It’s a way out!” This led outside and right into a sheer drop down. “NO!” “Hold onto Mokuba tight!” Tristan yelled. Thunder managed to tighten his hold on Mokuba’s body as Tristan grabbed him to pull them back with all his might. He got the pair back inside to safety. “That was close.” Thunder was panting as he looked back at Tristan. “I owe you one.” Before anyone could speak, they heard and saw the men coming after them. Considering they were now on a solitary staircase with no easy means of escape, this looked rather dire. “Unless we want to jump, which I wouldn’t advise, I think this might be the end.” Tristan voiced. “No, there is another answer.” Bakura voiced. “I don’t think the four of us make up for the number of them after us.” Tristan retorted. “I believe with a little help from the shadow realm, they’ll need to make up the numbers for ,e.” Bakura declared as he fished out his deck. “The Shadow Realm?” Tristan asked. “Didn’t they tell us that was bad?” Thunder asked. “Fairly certain they did.” Arctic responded. At this point, the guards were at the bottom of their staircase. “It’s over.” “Give us back our prisoner, and you may still be able to leave in one piece.” “You ignorant mortals.” Bakura retorted. “It’s far from over as I’ve barely begun to play.” He held up his deck. “I’ll show you the cards fate has dealt you.” “Stop talking nonsense and give up!” “What’s with Bakura all…” Tristan thought. “Wait, I think I remember him acting like this. It was back when the spirit of the Millenium Ring dragged us into that Shadow Game. I thought it was just a bad dream, but it looks like it really did happen. Somehow, he’s back.” “Now, I’ll teach you the true meaning of fear as I summon the Man-Eater Bug.” Bakura chuckled as he withdrew the card and his ring glowed causing the monster itself to appear. “Mortal fools, prepare to meet your doom.” “Run! Let’s get out of here!” It was too late since the monster came barreling down on them making them scream. “Present day humans are so fun to terrorize, don’t you think?” Bakura asked. This unsettled the other three. “I don’t think we do since we are present day humans.” Tristan stated. “Since you don’t think the same of yourself, what are you?” “Me?” Bakura chose another card. “Someone with great power which will soon be greater.” He threw the card. “Since I have things to do, I can’t stay around here having fun, so I’ll summon Morphing Jar to put an end to this.” Morphing Jar appeared and shot out of his jar past Man-Eater Bug before chomping down on the men making them vanish. “The jar’s magic will send these ridiculous thugs to the graveyard. A fitting place for the likes of them.” Bakura then walked down the steps with the others hesitantly following. All that was left of those men was a broken set of sunglasses. “You’re not our friend Bakura.” Tristan stated. “You’re who was beaten and sent to the card graveyard which means you shouldn’t be here anymore.” “If I were a mere novice who didn’t understand his own power, I’d have stayed there.” Bakura declared. “In the end, no mere graveyard was going to hold someone like me. Such an event did show that Bakura will betray me if given the chance. Now, I’m looking for a new host.” “If Bakura is a problem to you, then that means…”Arctic looked at the currently soulless Mokuba resulting in the other two doing the same. “Looks like present humans can actually apply a little thought.” Bakura chuckled. “Now, you three will turn him over or face the same fate as those guards.” The trio shared looks all around confirming they were of the same mind. “We won’t do it.” Tristan stated firmly. “You know I have the power to back up my threats.” Bakura reminded. “If you don’t hand him over, I’ll send you all to the same place as the guards, and unlike me, you won’t find your way out.” For all the magical power the other Bakura had, his current body wasn’t much in the way of physique. “Alright, I’ll get them to give him up.” Tristan sighed. He managed to lay a hand on Bakura’s shoulder, which he clearly didn’t like. Before the guy could express this, Tristan suddenly grabbed him and flipped his body over the shoulder sending him into the ground hard enough to wind him. In one, swift move he knocked the body out. Tristan then snatched the Millennium Item while the brother pair were stunned. “Thunder, catch!” he tossed the item to the younger brother who caught it. “Hurl that things as far you can out the doorway!” Thunder understood and bolted up the stairs. Once there he hurled the ring into the forest hopefully disposing of it. With that gone, Tristan picked up Bakura’s body, and the group decided to leave. Hallways Tristan, Arctic, and Thunder made it back to the main part of castle just as Pegasus rounded the corner with Kemo and Croquet. They immediately prepared to book it once more before Pegasus chuckled. “Well done gentlemen.” Pegasus clapped. “I don’t know how you escaped my guards, and I won’t find out since I think the mystery of it is rather entertaining. As your reward, keep the body.” “You don’t care about him?” Tristan asked, shocked. “Why would I when his soul is still mine?” Pegasus asked. “As for what I may need his body for, Seto Kaiba is a much better prize in that regard.” He stepped closer. “That said, don’t think about trying to find his body. I won’t be as lenient should you succeed in that endeavor. You three would be wise to remember you are on my island as guests, but that can quickly change should you act out of line again. I assure you; I won’t find any further instances of acting this way amusing. Understood?” The three of them were rather silent at that prompting a frown to cross Pegasus’ face. “Whether you agree or not, doesn’t matter.” Pegasus promised. “From here on out, I’m keeping an eye on all of you.” He walked past them with his men. “Act out again and there will be problems.” Dining Room: Later… Despite it being night, no one was quite asleep meaning the trio gathered them. Given the nature of this conversation, they even got Yugi and Sunset. Once they were all in the dining room, Bakura awoke confused. The trio explained everything that transpired stunning everyone. “I don’t remember any of that, but I trust you.” Bakura nodded. “If the spirit of the ring was back, then it’s best you got rid of it.” “That leaves what we’re going to do about Pegasus.” Joey stated. “Right now, we’re stepping on egg shells.” Sunset voiced. “That’s why we can’t do anything more than what has already been done.” “Sunset’s right.” Yugi nodded. “Pegasus isn’t a great person, but he at least seems to respect everything around games. That includes any words spoken in association with it. If Sunset and I get his word before the duel, he should respect it by freeing the souls and Kaiba’s body.” At this point, none of them really seemed to have a choice given what Pegasus said in that hallway. Tristan, Arctic, and Thunder had tried to circumnavigate the creator, and while it worked to an extent, everyone could recognize it would not be a great idea to try again. Duel Arena: Morning… Sunset and Yugi were back in the room they’d stood in with Mektaveus and Joey the day prior. Their decks were fine turned, and they had plenty of strategies. Additionally, they went over every piece of information they had on Pegasus factored in as well. “We’re as ready as we could possibly be.” Sunset voiced. Yugi nodded. “We are, so we shouldn’t keep him waiting.” He transformed before they walked on out into the duel arena. Everyone else was up on the balcony with Mokuba’s body sat against the wall just behind them. “The challengers have entered the stadium, so for your dueling pleasure, Castle Pegasus is proud to present the creator of Duel Monsters.” Croquet announced. “The undisputed ruler of Duelist Kingdom, Maximillion Pegasus!” Pegasus motioned for one of his men to step forward with his deck before taking it and walking to the left-hand red side. “Yugi-boy and Sunset Shimmer, you have turned into quite the duelists. You bested everyone to distinguish yourselves atop this very game.” “Pegasus, when we win this duel, you are to release every soul in your possession and return them to their proper bodies.” Yugi declared firmly. “We also want you to let us return to our homes and give anyone you consider prisoners the same curtesy.” Sunset added. “I am a man of my word.” Pegasus agreed. “As those are your requests, I will fulfill them provided you beat me. Though, I will say such terms are merely an additional prize to be won. Both of you, as I have dragged Sunset into this, will be entitled to one wish more.” “Such a prize can be anything your heart’s desire, within Master Pegasus’ power.” Croquet informed. “You could ask for this island, his company, or even his Millenium eye. Anything you could possibly imagine.” “That’s crazy!” Joey exclaimed. “He must be rather confident in his victory to offer so much.” Arctic commented. “Of course, my victory will mean I claim your souls forever.” Pegasus declared. “As you can see, there is much to be claimed; however, much can be lost.” “It’s a risk we’re willing to take.” Sunset declared. Yugi nodded. “In the end, we don’t intend to lose.” “Both of you are so courageous and defiant.” Pegasus praised. “Did you hear that?” Tea asked worried. “If they lose, Pegasus steals their soul.” “What a real creep.” Joey commented. “Even with what’s on the line, they still won’t back down.” “They’re willing to put it all on the line for the people Pegasus has wronged.” Mektaveus nodded. “That’s truly worthy of respect.” “Since a hologram cannot cut and shuffle a deck, we shall rotate them clockwise to do it.” Croquet announced. Two men entered the main arena with Yugi’s deck going to Sunset, Sunset’s deck going to Pegasus, and Pegasus’ deck going to Yugi. While Yugi and Sunset did shuffle and cut the decks they were given, Pegasus opted not to with Sunset’s. “It’s good as is.” The creator announced. “Now, the decks will be returned, and life points are set.” Croquet announced before Hologram Pegasus appeared with a deck which was shuffled. “This will be the true definition of tag duel. Each pair starts with 4000 life points while sharing fields and graves. This means if duelist A summons a monster and sets a spell in monster in one zone, their partner cannot use that zone. The only thing that is yours is your hand. Also, unless a card specifies it, no one can attack until everyone has had a turn. Understood?” All duelists nodded. “Then, begin!”