Chapter 186: Link Summoning, You Big Dummy (47)
The group first sent the two elders home, then, led by Mokuba, returned to Kaiba Land.
Although Kaiba was currently trapped in a Duel Monsters game device within the KaibaCorp Headquarters building, it was clear that they couldn't possibly walk into a trap there. After all, the headquarters had completely fallen under the control of the Big Five; if they went there, Mokuba might be captured before they could even rescue Kaiba.
According to Mokuba, the devices used to enter the Duel Monsters Game weren't only located at KaibaCorp Headquarters. Several test machines, used during the game's development, also existed in an unopened development hall at Kaiba Land.
By the time Chumley and the others arrived at Kaiba Land for the second time, it was already getting late. The visitors in Kaiba Land had mostly dispersed. This was unusual, as Kaiba Land normally stayed open until 8 PM, but it was only 6 PM now.
"KaibaCorp is my brother's dream. He wants to bring joy to children by building Kaiba Lands all over the world. But the Big Five, who have been working at KaibaCorp since it was a weapons company, don't believe Kaiba Land can bring in any profit," Mokuba explained, his eyes dimming. "They probably shut down Kaiba Land the moment they took control of KaibaCorp."
"Grandma used to say, 'Those who steal from others will lose their own treasures,'" Chumley said, pointing a hand towards the setting sun dipping below the horizon. "Taking other people's things without permission is not a good habit."
To maintain secrecy, only Mokuba, Yugi, Joey, Chumley, and Tristan came along this time. Téa and Rebecca remained at the Kame Game Shop with Professor Hawkins and Grandpa Muto.
With the Big Five now in charge of KaibaCorp, employees loyal to Kaiba were either placed under house arrest, controlled, or dismissed. There had been a massive purge of members, and even traitors like Sawatari had been reinstated. The original staff of Kaiba Land were nowhere to be seen; only security guards dressed in black remained.
Because Kaiba had entrusted the important Kaiba Land to Mokuba for daily management, Mokuba was extremely familiar with the park. He easily led the group inside without alerting any patrolling security guards.
Arriving at the development hall, which was cordoned off with caution tape and bore a "No Entry for Unauthorized Personnel" sign, Mokuba took out a key and opened the door, saying with a hint of ease, "Those Big Five guys are very meticulous; this rebellion has probably been brewing for a long time. My employee card has probably been revoked, but luckily, this place uses a physical lock."
Pushing open the development hall's main door and switching on the lights, Chumley and the others immediately saw several large game pods arranged in the center of the hall. There were a total of five game pods, with four of them having their translucent hatches already open and ready for use. However, to Mokuba's surprise, the fifth game pod was already in operation?
"That doesn't make sense, I don't remember this one being developed," Mokuba said, bewildered, as he ran to the fifth game pod to check. But because the hatch was made of translucent frosted glass, he could only make out that the person inside had blond hair, but couldn't tell if it was a male or female.
After adjusting something on the control panel, Mokuba frowned. "No, this person is also trapped inside the Game, just like my brother. He's probably one of the Big Five's previous test subjects."
"Those despicable Big Five, harming innocent people!" Joey said, gritting his teeth as he looked at Mokuba. "This thing, we just sit in it, right?"
"Wait a moment," Mokuba said, skillfully operating the equipment. His fingers nimbly tapped on the keyboard, and after some tinkering, the indicator lights on the remaining four game pods lit up, becoming operational. Next to the armrest inside each pod, a Card Slot popped out; its size looked perfect for a Deck.
"After placing your Deck inside, you'll be able to use Duel Monsters in the Game. The maximum number of Cards is 40, so it's best to adjust them," Mokuba said, walking over with a complex expression. "The Big Five installed a virus in the game pod they prepared for my brother, so his Deck data wasn't imported at all. If only I had checked it back then."
"Don't blame yourself too much, Mokuba," Yugi comforted him, only to awkwardly realize that Mokuba was now slightly taller than him. "It's all the Big Five's fault, it has nothing to do with you."
Chumley, meanwhile, placed his adjusted Deck into one of the pods and looked at Mokuba. "The most important thing now is to rescue Kaiba. By the way, these pods shouldn't have that virus, right?"
"Oh, it's quite comfortable lying in here," Joey said, having already impatiently sat down, feeling the comfort from behind him. "If this Game gets released later, it probably won't be cheap, right? I should really enjoy it while I can."
Tristan looked at the number of game pods. "Huh? It seems there are only four usable ones here? But there are five of us."
"I'm going to save my big brother!" Mokuba stated, undeniably, pulling out a Deck from his person. "I brought out my big brother's Deck. He's always protected me; this time, it's my turn to save him."
Yugi nodded. "That's very brave, Mokuba. In that case, let me, Chumley, Mokuba, and Joey go together."
"Oh, you guys just go ahead, I'll protect you here!" Tristan said, confidently patting his chest. "Yours truly is Tristan Taylor, the Fighting King of Domino High School!"
"That name's too long, Tristan," Joey quipped, setting his Deck down. "We're counting on you to watch over things."
Yugi, Chumley, and Mokuba also entered their respective game pods one by one.
"Alright, it's starting. Countdown, three," Tristan said, standing by the control panel and pressing the switch in the order Mokuba had given him.
The translucent hatches gradually closed, and the Card Slots holding the Decks retracted. The game pods began to read the Card data.
"Two,"
"Everyone, please come back safely."
Tristan blessed them, looking at the fully closed pods.
"Just watch me, yours truly is super strong!" Joey replied with a laugh.
Yugi: "Mhm, it's a promise."
Mokuba: "Big brother..."
"For this kind of situation, this line is indeed the most fitting," Chumley said, closing his eyes.
"One, entering the Game now!"
"Link Summoning, you big dummy!"
Even with his eyes closed, Chumley could clearly see the dazzling, seven-colored light. A sensation of weightlessness washed over his body, and he felt himself falling endlessly downwards.
DM World, here we go!
(end of chapter)