Joey's Awakening

Everyone remained at the docks. Emily used her magic to help dry her friends off. She produced heat in her hands and flapped her wings to let out a gentle wind. After that, she walked up to Téa. "Téa," she began, unsure of what to say. "I'm… well…"

Téa sets her hand over her shoulder. "You don't have to say anything."

But she did. "I'm sorry! I know I promised you I would save you, but if I did, I would have lost you forever! I could never forgive myself if I let that happen!" she said, crying.

"I know," Téa says, hugging her. "And I'm glad you didn't. You did what I wanted you to do and helped Yugi and Joey instead. That's why it's all okay."

"I meant what I said, Téa. I would rather die than let my best friend get killed."

"If you girls were in the same situation as me and Joey, I'm sure you'd do for each other what we did," said Yugi. "And we'd do the same thing if we were in your situation."

Hearing what they're all saying, Joey decides to own up to his mistakes. He felt more helpless than anyone else did though. "I'm sorry too. Even though what happened wasn't my fault, I almost destroyed our friendship and got us all killed." The same mark appeared and was glowing again, reacting to Joey's words and his sense of loyalty to his friends.

"But you didn't," Yugi tells him. "You saved us all and our friendship."

Joey continued to scold himself. "I had no choice. Once I realized what I was doing, I had to set everything right or do myself in trying. Ever since we've been friends, we've always kept our eyes out for each other. I wasn't going to let some evil nutcase change that. Even if… even if my brain was turned to mush!"

"But everything's okay now," said Emily. "You're back where you belong and that's what counts."

Joey wasn't listening. "That Marik made a complete fool out of me. How can I ever show my face in the finals now?"

"Will you get a grip?" Mai asked. "Who cares about how you looked? You showed some real courage today just like how you did in Duelist Kingdom for your sister. Why she's here is because of you. You're her hero."

"What kind of a hero loses his mind and almost gets two of his best friends killed!?" Joey asked. "Talk about setting a bad example."

"Stop punishing yourself," Tristan snapped. "Your sister gets her strength from you. That's why she waited until now to take her bandages off."

Finally, Joey notices his sister can finally see. "I was afraid at first," she tells her brother, "but hearing you and Yugi and Emily save each other inspired me. After I took my bandages off and opened my eyes, you showed me what loyalty and courage are all about. I just had to come here for you. I made it through my operation because of you. You've always been there for me. Today, it was my turn to be there for you, big brother," she sobs and hugs him. "Joey, I'd say we're a pretty good team."

Joey sighs in agreement as he hugs his little sister.

"I'm glad we're all together again," said Yugi.

"And I'm glad this whole mess is finally over," Emily added.

Joey releases his sister and removes the Millennium Puzzle from around his neck. "I believe this is yours," he says, returning it to Yugi. "Thanks for everything, pal. I owe it all to you and Emily for never giving up on me."

Yugi nods. "Thank you for coming back to us, Joey. And, Emily, thank you for saving our lives."

"How could I do anything else," she asked. "Everyone right here is my family and I'm so thankful. If I lost you, I would never be able to find another family like the one I have."

Everyone agreed. That reminds me, Yugi wonders, I owe you my thanks as well, Yami. You trusted me enough to handle this on my own. I could never have broken through to Joey if you hadn't believed in me. You and I make a great team, but it's nice to know that I have the strength to hold my own if I have to. And you helped me to find that strength inside myself.

Emily notices that Kaiba is still around. "Kaiba," she calls and runs up to him. "I need to thank you, for saving my best friend when I couldn't. I can't stand you half the time, but I have to remember that you care too. That's why I'm grateful to you. You really are a friend I can depend on," she says, wrapping her arms around him.

Kaiba frees himself and moves Emily away. "I don't need your gratitude. I did what I had to. Got that, Briar?" He turns his attention to Yugi and tells him, "As for you, Yugi, I'll see you at the Battle City finals." Then he and Mokuba head on their way.

Yugi and his friends couldn't forget about the finals. They also had a feeling that Marik would make his next move there. But they didn't want that fear to come into mind. Still, Yugi hoped that in their next encounter, Marik would show his face now that he knew he couldn't control Yugi's friends.

There was something Joey couldn't take off of his mind. He started remembering the visions he had while Red-Eyes Black Dragon was helping to set him free from Marik's control. Who was that girl from his visions? Joey knew there was something familiar about her. He had a feeling she was someone special to him. Then he heard the same voice in his head, promising he would always be under the Black Dragon's protection. Joey knew that this was going to torment him a lot. He wanted to learn more about those visions and who that girl was.

Seeing Joey looking troubled, Emily decides to look inside his heart. She also begins remembering what happened back there. Somehow, Joey's bond with his Red-Eyes Black Dragon triggered something inside of him. It was like some sort of dark secret he kept buried inside was being revealed. Then she began wondering if something else allowed Joey to break free from Marik's complete control. She remembered hearing that the Millennium Items allowed their wielders to borrow the powers of the Great Goddess herself. Maybe that same goddess was also involved and freed Joey herself like she knew her powers were being used for evil purposes. If there was a goddess, she would be proud of Yugi and his friends for their bravery and loyalty to one another. There was also the mark that was shining on Joey's head. No one knew what it was, but they had a feeling it meant something.

Emily's concentration was broken as Serenity was talking to her. "Emily," Serenity was saying. "I'll never forget how you saved my big brother. And now that I'm here, I can watch him duel in the Battle City finals."

Mai laughed and said, "Look, Serenity, I know you're excited to see your big brother dueling in the finals and all, but between us, girlfriend, Joey's not going to last too long in the competition; especially once he has to face me in a duel."

"Oh, yeah," Joey snorted. "Who beat who last time?"

Mai rolls her eyes. "Pure luck. Besides, Duelist Kingdom is ancient history and this time, I plan to wipe out you and Yugi."

"Not a chance," Joey argued. "After what Yugi and I have been through, this tournament's gonna be a breeze! Speaking of which, it's time to use our locator cards and find out where the finals are being held." He activates his duel disk and places his locator cards in the five panels and the slot for field cards.

The locator cards began projecting a hologram of a stadium, revealing the hidden location. A voice spoke and announced, "Congratulations. Our satellite network has confirmed that you are a Battle City finalist. Stand by for directions to KaibaCorp stadium."