Later that day, Yugi went and explored the streets. Unfortunately, he ran into Joey and Tristan again. They had been picking on Yugi ever since they decided that Yugi was an ideal bully target. Yugi hurried back the other way when Joey said, "Come back here, you shrimp!"

Yugi ran as hard as he could, but he then Tristan came the other way. "So, shrimp, what you got there?" Tristan asked and snatched it away.

"Hey, that's mine!" Yugi exclaimed.

"Hey, Joey, I bet we can sell this for a lot of money." Tristan ignored Yugi and informed Joey about the gold puzzle piece.

"No! That's mine!" Yugi exclaimed again.

"Well, I hope you'll shut up after we beat you up!" Joey was annoyed. They beat Yugi up. (I do not want to explain it in detail.)

Yugi was left hurt and scared. However, it was dark and he couldn't get home.

Yugi crawled through the streets. Then, Tea found Yugi and brought him to the game shop. "It was a close call, Yugi." Tea said, "Oh, Yugi, I think this dropped from your pockets." Tea gave Yugi the card, the Ties of Friendship.

"Thank you, Tea." Yugi thanked in return.

[In Egypt]

Marik went back to wearing the cloak again. Marik is now about to aboard a private airplane to America. I must find the card…the card that will enable me to hold the Millennium Heart. I must find the Ties of Friendship! "Meanwhile, my mind controlled slaves, go and make sure of it that the Puzzle Pieces of the Millennium Puzzle is never reassembled!" Marik said to his whole army of Rare Hunters.

"Yes, sir." The army said in return.

I must also go to the only known person who possesses the Ties of Friendship, Yugi Moto. I will make sure of it that the Ties of Friendship will be in my hands! Marik laughed maliciously.

[3 days later]

Yugi is on his way home. It was a long day today. He was able to retrieve the piece of puzzle that Tristan and Joey stolen when they got in trouble. However, Yugi sensed that there's more to the Puzzle Piece than there is…suddenly, the advertising screen turned to breaking news… "There are many gold pieces discovered all over the world. It is a gold puzzle piece…the scientists have managed—!" Before the news even ended, a black robed guy appeared on the screen and started stealing the puzzle pieces. Suddenly, a voice came, "Yugi Moto."

"Huh?" Yugi saw a dark robed figure in front of him. Suddenly, the streets were empty…

"You have something I want!" Marik said.

"Stay away from me!" Yugi said bravely.

"Give me your Ties of Friendship! Or else I'll take it from you!" Marik threatened.

"No way! Whoever you are, I'm not scared of you!" Yugi threatened.

"I have no choice…" Marik's voice trailed off. His Millennium Rod appeared and Marik raised it toward Yugi. "Now, you'll be my mind slave!!" Marik laughed.

"NOO!!" Before Yugi can say anything, Marik has fully taken control of Yugi.