Invitation

It seemed like forever since the whole gang had a peaceful day without the world being threatened by ancient evil forces. But Yugi and his friends needed the luxury to relax after all they had been through in the past few days. Everyone was back together in a lush plain on the mainland miles away from civilization.

The group stayed with Rebecca and her grandfather for the while so they could rest up. Duke, Tristan, and Joey were sound asleep in their chairs until Rebecca woke them up by beating on a frying pan. Téa looked around and saw that Yugi and Emily weren't in the trailer. She and Rebecca decided to look for them.

Yugi and Emily were sitting near the lake enjoying the scenery. The water was a nice, clear blue reflecting the sky and the leaves in the trees were gently rustling. "Finally, some peace and quiet for a change," said Yugi.

Emily yawned and stretched. "Yeah, after everything we've been through, it's nice to just kick back."

Their friend, the spirit of the Millennium Puzzle, agreed that they were finally having a normal day, but soon the thought became less pleasant. "But it seems that every time we restore peace to the world, a greater evil awaits."

Yugi and Emily understood his thoughts. "Think of it this way," Emily was saying, "each challenge and journey brings us one step closer to uncovering the mysteries of your ancient past."

Yugi takes the three Egyptian God cards and looks at them. "She's right, and we can finally pick up where we left off. As soon as we get home, we're going straight to the museum." So it was decided that the team would start making arrangements to return home to Domino.

Téa and Rebecca found Yugi and Emily and told them that everyone was having brunch now. So they all went back to the trailer and sat down for some pasta and bread. "Thank you for the meal, Professor," said Emily.

Arthur accepted her thanks and said, "There's plenty more if you kids want to stay."

Yugi kindly refused. "Thanks, Professor, but we really should be getting back home."

Rebecca didn't like the sound of that. "How can you leave when I haven't gotten a chance to see your powers?"

Duke agreed. "It's too soon. You guys should stick around."

Even Téa liked being out in the plains. "What do you say? It is kind of nice."

Joey swallowed his drink and took his turn. "Give me one good reason why we should leave." While everyone was debating on the matter, Arthur dismissed himself to answer his cell phone.

"For my father," Emily replied.

Everyone was confused at her reply, but soon realized what she meant. "I understand," said Téa. "You guys have more important things to do."

Yami appreciated that Yugi and Emily were considering the promise to carry out their task, but figured there wouldn't be any harm in waiting a little longer. "Yugi, Emily, I've waited five thousand years to learn about the mysteries of my ancient past. I really don't think another day or two is going to hurt."

They were surprised to hear him say that. With that being settled, Yugi and Emily agreed with the others to stick around a while longer. Everyone was happy to hear that.

After brunch, the friends went back to the lake. Joey and Yugi decided to stretch their wings and fly around. Joey got the idea of doing something crazy with Yugi like doing a high-five with their wings while in their air, but Yugi told him it was dangerous. Emily was now strong enough to carry Rebecca on her back, so she gave her a ride as she flew around the lake. The younger blonde laughed and cheered like she was riding a roller coaster. Duke was lounging in the hammock reading a small book while Tristan was making rocks skip across the water and Téa was sitting near the water.

Rebecca was exhilarated and wanted Emily to do more like display her magic. Joey and Yugi stopped flying around and decided they had enough. Even though Duke was glad to know that the gang would be sticking around, he was curious and wanted to ask them, "When is your flight home anyway?" Everyone looks at each other in silence. Not hearing a response, Duke wonders, "Someone did make plans, right?"

"Well, actually," Emily stammered.

"Pegasus flew us here," said Joey. "We can't afford a return flight."

"Oh, no," Duke moaned.

"You're kidding me," Tristan snapped. "And you didn't think of this before?"

"Obviously it didn't occur to you either," Joey countered.

Before the group started to think that they were hopelessly stranded, they looked up and saw a helicopter. They recognized that it was one of Kaiba's choppers and they even saw him coming out. Before the helicopter lands, Kaiba unfolds his wings and flies down to his friends. "Hey, guys. Miss me?" For once, they were actually happy to see him. Joey tries to run up to him to high-five him, but Kaiba catches him in his arm and uses his free hand to scratch Joey's head. When the chopper finally lands, Mokuba jumps out, which makes Rebecca very excited to see him.

"What are you doing all the way out here?" Emily asks Kaiba.

"I came looking for you," he answers. "It looks like you guys could use a lift. Want me to take you home in style?"

It sounded too good to be true. Kaiba wouldn't make such a generous offer even if he was a changed man. "What's the catch?" Joey asks.

Kaiba thought he'd never ask. "In exchange for the door-to-door service, you'll have to enter my new dueling tournament." He decided to explain all the details back at the trailer. They all gathered around the picnic table and Kaiba decided to get down to business. "Tell me, have you guys heard about our latest theme park?"

"Who hasn't heard about KaibaLand?" Rebecca asked. "It's only been in every newspaper."

"Then you know it's about to open," Kaiba tells her. "And I want to kick things off with a bang." Although Kaiba managed to get back his company, his reputation was still in a bad disposition. That was when Mokuba got the idea to celebrate the opening of their theme park with the biggest event; something that would attract the attention of every reporter. Kaiba liked the idea and decided that the event would be a new tournament. But not just any tournament. A tournament that would give challengers the right to challenge the King of Games for the championship crown: the KC Grand Championship. So the tournament contracts were built and organizations for the tournament were set underway and the Kaiba brothers began scouring the globe for the top-ranked duelists in the world. All they needed now was the world champion.

Yugi and Joey were amazed with that they were hearing. It sounded like it would be the tournament of the millennium. Kaiba just hoped it would be the biggest thing since Battle City. As exciting as this all sounded, there was a downside to it. Kaiba would not be participating this time. He's had his hands tied and has been working so hard to get his company back under control as well as opening up his theme park. Though Kaiba was one of the world's greatest duelists, he didn't have a choice. It wasn't an easy decision, but nothing's easy when you're president of a major corporation and trying to bring something great into the world.

But his friends understood and decided to help him. Not to boost his public image, but because he was a friend in need. And Kaiba was helping his friends as well by getting them back home. Even Yami agreed to accept taking part in the tournament. So Yugi spoke for himself and for the spirit of the Millennium Puzzle. "Wow, the greatest duelists from all over the world. How could I say 'no'? Kaiba, you can count me in!"

Kaiba was happy to hear him say that. "You mean it?"

Yugi nods. "Of course. I'd never turn away from a friend."

Joey agreed. "If you're counting Yugi in, you're asking for me too, right?"

"What about me? I'm the youngest regional champion to play the game," Rebecca boasted. "Plus, anywhere Mokuba goes, I go too."

Kaiba reaches into his coat pocket and brings out three envelopes containing invitations. "It just so happens that I have these invitations here. I have one for Yugi, one for Joey, and one for you, Emily."

Emily was surprised to hear that Kaiba would have an invitation for her. "But Kaiba, I'm not an elite duelist. I've never even entered a tournament before."

"Maybe, but after witnessing your skills and strength back at the temple, I have to admit, I was impressed with the courage you displayed. I think you've got what it takes," Kaiba tells her. "Besides, Yugi taught you everything you know."

"Yeah, but I'm not as good as Yugi is."

Kaiba knew Emily wasn't being modest, but he wanted to give her a chance against the big leagues. If she could beat someone like Dartz, then there's no reason why she shouldn't be able to stand a chance against top-ranked duelists. "Don't worry," he says, setting his hand on her shoulder. "You'll be okay. I trust in my friends."

Emily was feeling anxious, but in a good way now. This would be her first tournament. It was nerve-wracking, but it was also exciting. She accepted Kaiba's offer and agreed to take part in the tournament.

Now that everything was settled, Kaiba decided it was time to take his friends to KaibaLand. So everyone boarded his helicopter and left the plains.