The Message

Duke finally managed to get into the security system and unlock all the doors. At the same time, the Kaiba brothers arrived at Industrial Illusions. "What are you guys doing here?" Mokuba asked.

"We could ask you the same," Joey retorted.

"Certainly not the dweeb convention." But Kaiba noticed that not everyone was present. "Speaking of which, where's Briar? She's usually with you."

"She's been kidnapped," Yami tells him.

Kaiba's eyes widened. He was concerned, but he didn't want to forget about his business for being here. "What about Pegasus? Any sign of him?"

Yami shakes his head. "We're too late."

"Believe it or not, Max got here before we did and captured his soul with some Orichalcos card," said Joey.

That got Kaiba's attention once again. "Orichalcos?" Seeing his expression, Yami asks Kaiba if he experienced its magic before. Kaiba nods and tells the story of his adventure and how he had been tricked by Alister and dueled against him. "From what I can assume, whoever captured Pegasus is out to take control of my company."

Yami takes out the card that came with Pegasus' message wondering if it may contain a clue. That made Duke remember that there was one door that wouldn't unlock even after he cracked the security code and he led the team to it. That would be the place containing the answers everyone sought. Duke led the team to Pegasus' office where the locked door was. As its image suggests, the card contains a key, making it a card key and giving Yami the impression of using it as so and swiping it through the security panel.

They all walk inside and see the many contraptions built with the images of Toon Monsters. Talk about a private room seeing as it was filled with the Toons Pegasus loved dearly. Then a projection of Pegasus appeared in the center of the room. "Yugi boy, at least I hope it's you who found this room. By the way, if you couldn't tell, I did all of the interior decorating myself. Pretty impressive, isn't it?"

Everyone didn't exactly think so. When would Pegasus grow up and get over himself?

"If you're hearing this, the gentlemen who were after my soul were finally able to capture me," continued the message. "So please listen closely. It all began when a mysterious man tried to buy out my company. But there's more. This individual possesses an ancient power stronger than any I've seen; maybe even stronger than that of the Great Goddess Millennia. His name is Dartz. You're in danger. Dartz plans to use my game to destroy civilization. He must be stopped and the key to taking him down is somewhere in this room.

"Ever since my retirement began, I've had a lot of time on my hands. So I began to further my studies on the ancient Egyptian origins of Duel Monsters as well as the history of Pokémon and I made an astonishing discovery. These creatures existed long before the pyramids were even built. And that is where this Dartz character comes in. He's trying to resurrect the most terrifying beast ever to roam the earth: the Great Leviathan. By draining the souls of man and beast in order to build up the strength of this unstoppable monster.

"If his plan works, Dartz will have succeeded in unleashing a devastating power; the likes of which have not been seen for ten thousand years. You're our only hope, so I've created an exclusive one-of-a-kind-card just for you, Yugi boy! I've hidden this one-of-a-kind card somewhere in this room. Think strategically now, where can one find an extra card?"

Everyone looked and saw a Pot of Greed. Just like in the game, it permits players to draw extra cards from their decks. Weevil and Rex race to claim the card, but Tristan beats them to it. It's got blue coloring like the Legendary Dragons, but no image. "Oh, real special card," Tristan says sarcastically. "This thing's completely blank, guys."

"Then it's worthless," Kaiba assumed. But Yami disagreed.

"You must give that card to the chosen one and fast. Time is running out." Pegasus sighs and says sadly, "My cute little Duel Monsters, soon they'll all be gone along with the rest of the world. Only you and the chosen one can save the world and the creatures that made my game so famous." The message ends and the projection fades.

"Jesus, this can't be happening," Joey groans. "Why in God's name would Max take part in a plot to destroy the world? I'm tellin' ya, she was brainwashed or something."

"Will you stop?" Kaiba asked. "Look, I realize that people are running around the world stealing souls and terrorizing everyone so they can fulfill their plans for domination, but we can't lose our heads."

Joey couldn't believe what Kaiba said. "Did I just hear you correctly? Do you really believe that?"

"I don't know what to believe, but I have to embrace that this is all real and we're in more danger than ever," Kaiba replies. "I know I always thought it was a bunch of nonsense, but now something inside is telling me to stop ignoring it and start accepting it. I can't explain it. Besides, Pegasus said that someone was out to take over his company, so I know it's not him who's behind all this. This is bigger than any of us."

Even Yami was amazed with what he was hearing. It sounded like Kaiba was finally beginning to believe in destiny. Yami draws the Eye of Timaeus from his deck and shows it to the brunette. Joey does the same thing as he takes the Claw of Hermos. Yami also unfolds his wings and asks, "Kaiba, you have one of these cards, don't you? And a pair of wings as well?"

Kaiba nods and shows them the Fang of Critias and unfolds his wings. Joey concentrates and unfolds his wings as well. He was freaked out a little, but he managed to calm down. Then the three cards begin glowing.

"I believe the only way to defeat this Great Leviathan is to use these three cards together," Yami tells Kaiba. "I was told that three modern day warriors were chosen to wield these three Dragons and here we are. So trust what's inside your heart and join us." Kaiba knows he must. He said it himself that the more he ignores it, the more it'll torment him. So he agrees to take this chance.

Joey agrees. "If we stand together, those hoodlums won't stand a chance." Tristan liked that Joey was feeling back to himself. Joey even knew that feeling worried about Max and Emily wouldn't bring them back. Still, Joey knew that Max had been on the path of evil before, but he never thought she would take it so far.

"So now that we know who's causing this whole mess, what are we supposed to do about it, guys?" asked Téa.

Right now, the first thing on their agenda was to locate Dartz and his lackeys. Then they would be able to rescue Max and Emily. Joey was the first to suggest that, but where they would begin was another problem. No one had any idea on the enemy's whereabouts.

Then Mokuba got an idea. He remembered that Rebecca and Professor Hawkins had their own laboratory in the area. Everyone agreed because they remembered that Arthur was the one who discovered the ruins of Atlantis and knew that he might have some further information on the matter. So it was decided that the group would go to the laboratory and pay the Hawkins a visit. Kaiba said he would meet the group there. He had to manage a few things back at his own company after receiving a distress message from headquarters. With that being settled, Duke decided to give the gang a ride to Professor Hawkins' laboratory.

Far away, but still in the company's range, Max was hollering and cursing at Valon for what he did. "What the fuck were you thinking!? I was doing just fine until you had to butt in and ruin everything!"

Rafael didn't believe her. "You're a real piece of work, you know that? He saved your soul and this is your way of thanking him?"

"I never even asked him to!" Max shouted. "Maybe next time, he'll butt out!"

"Next time, we'll just let you lose," Rafael countered.

"That's enough, mate. I'm fine." But Valon wasn't fine. What he just did back there caused serious injury to his arm and he could barely even move it.

"Yeah, fuck off," Max barked, "unless you want to end up like your 'mate' here."

Rafael stands up and reminds Max what just happened. "You have no idea of the danger you were in. Do you remember that Hermos card Wheeler played? It's an ancient Dragon that can only be controlled by a chosen warrior of legend." He even reminded Max of the times he saw her quiver in fear.

But Max continued to put on her façade. "I'm well aware of what I was up against. And I could see that Wheeler was chosen. That's why I plan to crush him for sure next time!" She gets on Valon's motorcycle and starts revving it up. "Later, losers!"

"Hey, wait, that's mine!" Valon shouts, but Max kicks up some dust in his face and rides off. Valon stands up and says, "I can't let Max get hurt. I've got to stop her."

"Will you just let her go already?" Rafael asks. "We've got important things to deal with right now." He turns his attention to Emily and sees her lying on the ground unconscious.

"I guess you're right," said Valon. "We'd better take the princess back to headquarters where the boss is waiting."

But Rafael had another idea. "Let's focus on the pharaoh."

"But Master Dartz said to wait."

"Yeah, well, Master Dartz doesn't always know what's best. We should take out the strongest soul first. Once we get him out of the way, the others will fall right into our hands one by one."

"But how do you know the pharaoh will duel?"

"Because my plan is already in place," Rafael answers. "It's only a matter of time."

Far away in the valley, Professor Hawkins was continuing his research, but the same image kept appearing. It was the scene depicting the battle between the Great Leviathan and Lugia. Rebecca was coming home with some groceries, but her horse Copernicus was acting restless and knew something terrible was afoot. Looking in the sky, Rebecca saw a helicopter coming down and landing near her grandfather's laboratory, which was unusual because the professor wasn't expecting any visitors.

Rebecca saw men in dark suits and helmets jump out of the chopper and break into the lab. They were dragging her grandfather with them. Rebecca tried to pursue them and stop them, but the helicopter was back in the sky and getting further away. At the same time, the lab immediately caught on fire from a small detonator placed inside. The helicopter was gone, leaving behind a Duel Monster card containing a message. With the kidnappers gone and the laboratory down in flames, Rebecca cried out for her grandfather to come back.