Taking it Easy

It got dark really quick after Joey's duel with Rex. The gang decided to look for a nice quiet spot where they could camp for the night. But that wasn't their only concern. They had to remember that they still had no food for themselves and they certainly didn't want to go to sleep hungry. So they decided to search for any food they could find before setting up camp.

But everyone's stomachs were beginning to get the better of them and Joey certainly wasn't one to stop to think before sampling a taste. He even considered taking a bite out of the first mushroom he saw near a tree. Yugi had to remind Joey that eating a wild mushroom can make one very sick.

Seeing them this way, Max teased them and told them to let Joey eat the mushroom while she and Mai enjoyed their chocolate bars. It was easy for Yugi and his friends to smell the chocolate, which made their stomachs rumble.

Joey freed himself from Tristan's grip and approached Mai and Max. "That's it. You can duel me, you can insult me, but you can't eat in front of me."

Again, Max decided to torment Joey. "Oh, come on. We're more than happy to share our food with you, if you're willing to give us your star chips." Joey was hungry, but he wasn't desperate. Remembering what he had worth fighting for gave him some sense to know that it was an offer he had to refuse. But Max admitted that she was kidding. She and Mai had plenty of food and didn't want to always be carrying it around. They would both gain entry into the castle by morning, so it would be best to get rid of the extra weight.

Mai and Max had plenty of delicious things. There were candy bars, canned fruit, potato chips, soda, and other goods. But in exchange for the meal, everyone had to help out. Max sent Joey and Tristan to fetch water and Mai told Yugi and Emily to gather firewood. The gang still didn't appreciate their bossy ways and always barking orders, but they were willing to swallow their pride if it meant swallowing food.

With the rest of her friends gathering stuff needed to make dinner, Téa was offered a place where she could rinse off. A makeshift shower was built in the trees near the campsite. Sensing a bit of kindness in Mai, Téa found herself opening up to her. She just couldn't understand Mai or Max. At first, they're like spoiled brats who always put themselves first. But now, they're actually being friends with everybody. At the same time, Mai couldn't see why Téa spent her time with such weird people. That was simple. These were Téa's best friends. There was even no need to explain what she saw in every one of them. All that mattered to Téa was that they all looked out for each other like family. But soon enough, they would all learn more about one another.

Téa finished rinsing off, but before she could get out and let Emily have her turn, she heard something rustle in the bushes. Mai, Max, and Emily went to check it out while the others were preparing dinner. They looked around, but saw nothing. They figured it was probably a bird or squirrel. Whatever it was, it was gone now.

The girls were all rinsed off and feeling much better. But they didn't bring fresh clothes because they didn't think how long they would be on the island. But that didn't matter. Now everyone could sit down together and enjoy their dinner of curry. It took a long time to cook, but it was ready and tasted delicious. It had a few hints of spice and sweetness to balance the flavors and the rice had a little crunch to it. It felt good for everyone to have their minds off of the tournament and spend time together as friends getting to know each other.

After dinner, Mai decided she needed a little time to herself. So she left the campsite and walked out to a more open area where she could feel the gentle breeze. That was when she felt that sensation again; something she never felt before because she spent most of her time alone. Now she started to wonder if this was what it felt like to have friends. But Mai didn't spend much time thinking about all of that. A stranger came up from behind her and dragged her away.

The rest of the gang finished their servings and worked together to wash the dishes and put them away. But they were all worried about Mai and knew she had been gone for too long. They also knew she wouldn't leave her stuff behind. They were about to consider looking for her until they heard rustling. Was Mai playing a prank on them?

No, it wasn't Mai. To everyone's surprise, it was Bakura. Téa wasn't seeing things after all. Bakura was on the boat with them and Téa also noticed him in the woods on their way to the castle. Bakura wasn't a contender in the tournament. He actually came along looking for Max. Ever since Bakura first met Max, he had tender feelings for her and would do anything to ensure her safety and happiness. It was difficult to keep those feelings contained, but Max knew right away that Bakura was in love with her. She didn't love him in the same way, but she thought of him as her best friend and didn't mind him always following her.

Now that there was one more friend to join them, everyone decided to forget about Mai and figured she could take care of herself. Everyone saw Joey looking though his cards and asked him to forget about dueling for a while. But Joey told them he was just admiring his favorite card Flame Swordsman. As funny as it sounded, Joey confessed that he felt like he was actually the card every time he played it. Tristan looked though his cards and said he felt the same way about his favorite card Cyber Commander. The others found it silly to be comparing themselves to their favorite playing cards, but Yugi didn't think it was silly at all and figured everyone had a card they could identify with. For him, it was the Dark Magician. When Emily and Téa showed their favorite cards, Joey and Tristan laughed and teased the girls. Téa's was the Magician of Faith; a peaceful spellcaster with a weak offense, but a handy special ability. Emily chose Dark Magician Girl. She thought she looked like her favorite card except of course, her eyes were blue and her hair was much brighter and straighter than the Magician's. Seeing the two Dark Magicians made Joey and Tristan tease their friends about their cards being boyfriend and girlfriend like they were. Yugi and Emily decided to let them have their fun.

Finally, Max and Bakura revealed their favorite cards. Max's monster was the Angel of Death and Bakura's was actually a Change of Heart magic card. Bakura saw that his friends were curious about the cards, so he got an idea and suggested demonstrating their powers in a duel. "We could have a duel right now. Not for star chips. Just for a little fun." Everyone agreed and figured it would be nice to play an ordinary duel like they always did back home. Bakura makes another suggestion and asks, "Why don't you guys put your favorite cards into Yugi's deck so it'll be like we're all playing?"

"Okay," said Yugi, "But I should warn you, with this all-star team of cards, we'll be tough to beat."

"True, but maybe we'll surprise you," said Bakura.

Yugi's deck was prepared with his friends' cards placed inside it while Max placed her card inside Bakura's deck. Max and Bakura didn't mind it just being the two of them alone in their team, but Joey promised that their team would go easy on them.

The stage was set, but they weren't ready to begin yet. "Before we get started, there's a little something I'd like to share with you all; especially you, Yugi," Bakura told them and placed his hands close to his chest; revealing a golden crest with the Millennium symbol. Max placed one hand over her neck in the same way and revealed her jewel.

But Yugi only took notice of Bakura's item and reacted in shock. "It can't be," he gasped, "A Millennium Item!"

"Yes," said Bakura, "and the magic of my Millennium Ring will take us to the Shadow Realm."

"Man, I hate magic," Joey moaned as their surroundings changed into black and blue darkness.

"Why are you doing this, Bakura?" Yugi asked.

"You've something I want, Yugi, and I aim to take it!" he answered and activated the magic of his Ring; capturing everyone's souls and trapping them within their favorite cards. Seeing them all look so lifeless, Bakura chuckles to himself. "Well, that wasn't too difficult."

"It wasn't very fun either," said Max. "But nonetheless, we have what we came to acquire."

Bakura nods. "Their souls have been locked away and now after countless centuries, the Millennium Puzzle is ours." He kneels down, but before he touches the Puzzle, it begins to activate. Bakura and Max back away and groan from the light. Looking down, they fear that in their presence is who they think he is. "No! It can't be!"

Yami gets up and asks the two, "You want my Millennium Puzzle? Then you're going to have to duel me for it. But if I win, you'll free my friends and send us all back."

Max smiles and tells him, "Fine, we agree to your ridiculous terms."

"But we promise you that there is more at stake than you comprehend," Bakura adds, "and this is one Shadow Game that you cannot win!"