The aircraft gradually ascended above the clouds. This should have been a space filled with sunlight, but perhaps due to the influence of the Gloomy Castle, the sun was nowhere to be seen. Fortunately, this was the Digital World; otherwise, if Chumley and the others were standing on the deck, flying to such a height, even if they didn't suffer from oxygen deprivation, they would have been frozen stiff.
However, it seemed Chumley was the only one searching for the rules of real-world physics in the Digital World. Joey gripped the helm, his face stern as he looked into the distance. "Hey, everyone, do you see that over there?"
Mai Valentine and Yugi also wore grave expressions, as if facing a formidable enemy. By the distant Gloomy Castle, as if they had long anticipated Chumley and the others' arrival by air, vast legions of flying Fiend-Type monsters were already waiting. The very instant the aircraft broke through the clouds, they flapped their wings and swarmed from the Gloomy Castle.
"Here they come!" As the battle state triggered, Yugi drew a Card without hesitation. (Dark Magician) appeared before him. "Everyone, prepare to break through!"
Mai Valentine also Summoned several (Harpie Lady) monsters and equipped them with various Equip Spells. For a moment, their combined presence was almost as intimidating as Yugi's (Dark Magician), and they were far more numerous. "A worthy Opponent. Don't hold back, vent all you want, My Ladies!"
Joey also took a moment to Summon (Red-Eyes Black Dragon). "Go, Red-Eyes!"
As for Chumley, he Summoned the three (Ojama) brothers for the first time in a while.
"Long time no see, chyeah~" "When ya talk about Soul," "Ya gotta talk about us brothers, chyeah!"
The moment the three jesters appeared, they struck poses for the camera, leaving Chumley bewildered. "Hey, you Fodder Monsters, where are you looking!"
"Big Bro, you're so cruel, calling us Fodder Monsters again~" (Ojama Yellow) said with a bashful look, slowly sidling up to Chumley and about to rub against his leg before being kicked away.
"Enough nonsense, you Fodder Monsters!" Chumley Activated the Spell Card in his hand. "If I wasn't trying to conserve some energy for the final battle, I wouldn't be using you at all! Activate Spell Card, (Ojama Delta Hurricane)!"
The three (Ojama) Monsters pressed their backsides together and began to spin at high speed, transforming into a tri-colored hurricane that surrounded the giant bird aircraft, sealing off any Monster that tried to break in. Any Monster attempting to breach the hurricane and reach the aircraft was immediately met with a threefold counterattack from the (Dark Magician), (Harpie Lady), and (Red-Eyes Black Dragon).
"Come on, come on, come on! I'll take you all down!" Joey watched excitedly as (Red-Eyes Black Dragon)'s Attack successfully Destroyed several Monsters attempting to Direct Attack the ship's hull. But in the next instant, a few Monsters found the weakest point of defense—the underside of the ship—and launched suicide attacks.
"Boom!" "Boom!"
Amidst the massive explosions, the ship's hull trembled violently. Chumley steadied Yugi, who had almost fallen, while Joey caught Mai Valentine, who had nearly been thrown overboard, in his arms. Both of them blushed crimson.
Because the explosions had knocked the ship slightly off course from its original defensive perimeter, a gap appeared in their tight formation. A Dark Napoleon rushed toward the group on the deck, its Target aimed squarely at Chumley.
Right now, the group could barely even stand, let alone Summon a Monster for defense. The Monsters they had previously Summoned were all far from the deck, unable to catch up to the Dark Napoleon.
But just then, Aierlu, who was in Yugi's hair, suddenly flew out, positioning herself in front of Chumley, who was supporting Yugi.
"Puchi!"
The Dark Napoleon's sharp claws easily swatted Aierlu aside. Chumley, however, made full use of the time Aierlu had bought him, Summoning (Gaia), who finished off the Dark Napoleon with a single lance thrust.
Although the perpetrator was slain, it was, in the end, too late. Chumley turned his head to see Yugi weeping as he held Aierlu.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry! It's all because of me!"
Aierlu managed a faint smile, dissolving into motes of light in Yugi's hands and transforming into a single Card: Key-Heart Fairy, Aierlu's true form.
At the same time, because of Aierlu's death, Yugi became furious. 'I'm counting on you, Yami Yugi!'
Sensing Yugi's rage, Yami Yugi within the (Millennium Puzzle) felt it as his own. 'Leave the rest to me, Aibo!'
After a flash of light, Yugi's entire demeanor changed. He raised his hand and Drew two Cards from his Deck. "Come forth, (Dark Magician Girl)!"
"And now, (Dark Burning Attack)!"
Working together with his newly appeared apprentice, a massive magic missile, taller than a person, rapidly formed before the (Dark Magician) and (Dark Magician Girl). The overflowing Magical Energy even crackled into thick bolts of electricity. The two pushed the missile forward together. With a deafening "BOOM," a large empty space was cleared out before them!
"Now, Joey!" Chumley noticed that the three brothers forming the (Ojama Delta Hurricane) seemed dizzy and were struggling to maintain the storm. He quickly Activated a Spell Card. "(Lightning Vortex)! Buy me some more time!"
"Nooo, Big Bro!" "You're just using us and throwing us away!" "Stop iiit!"
No matter how the three (Ojama) brothers protested, their bodies each erupted, and bolts of lightning spread through the swarm of Fiend-Types, successfully preventing them from closing the pathway that had been so painstakingly opened.
The giant bird aircraft successfully passed through the channel, breaking out from the Fiend-Type army. The Gloomy Castle was now right before their eyes!
"We're going to crash!" Standing at the very front, Joey noticed they were extremely close to the Barrier and quickly shouted a warning, grabbing onto the railing to keep from falling.
"KRAK!"
The beak at the front of the giant bird aircraft made contact with the Barrier. A massive amount of electricity was discharged from the breach. The people on the ship held on for dear life, gritting their teeth. "Almost there!"
"Push through!"
The aircraft slowly inched its way into the Barrier. After a tense stalemate, the aircraft finally broke completely through the Barrier's obstruction and entered the Gloomy Castle. The castle itself was now within arm's reach!
But just then, accompanied by several Dragon Roars, a few attacks suddenly shot out from within the castle. A pillar of Water, flames, blades of Wind, clods of Earth, and a wave of Darkness—the giant bird aircraft had just escaped the Barrier and lacked sufficient speed. It was struck dead-on by all five attacks!
However, they were now inside the Barrier. Chumley and the others could simply use Duel Monsters to fly instead!
From within the smoke and dust, (Red-Eyes Black Dragon) took flight, nimbly dodging the incoming attacks. It carried the group to the front of the castle, smashing through the wall with its own body and bursting inside.
(end of chapter)
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