Mime Control
Marik was on his way to Battle City, but he wasn't ready to confront Yugi yet. He still remembered the promise he made to him after he defeated Arkana.
One of Marik's Rare Hunters appeared. "Is it time, Master Marik? The quiet one awaits."
"Yes, I shall control his mind and eliminate Yugi once and for all." Then he began activating the power of his Millennium Rod. Marik's new mind slave was a mime named Strings. Under the influence of Marik's power, Strings ran through the city in search of Yugi.
Yugi and Emily were standing near a lake below a highway. They couldn't keep their minds off of what Marik kept ranting on about. Speaking of minds, Emily discovered a new power the Millennium Star offered and learned she could communicate with Yami and Yugi mentally. But she could only do it as long as she was close to them. "Marik keeps talking about wanting the power of the pharaoh," she was telling Yami, though Yugi was in control. "But you are the pharaoh. If you had all this power inside you, don't you think we would know about it? I guess you must if you saved the world five thousand years ago. What happened?"
"I'm not sure," Yami answered. "It's all still unclear."
"Well, we know that Marik's family has been protecting your tomb for years and for some reason, he thought he deserved to be pharaoh instead of you."
Yugi spoke up. "But we're going to do everything in our power to make sure that Marik doesn't get away with it. As long as he can't defeat us in a duel, he can't take the Millennium Puzzle or your hidden powers. Destiny brought this Puzzle to me and even though I didn't know it when I first put it together, I was meant to have it. Now you and I are bonded forever no matter what and I'm going to help you save the world just like you did in the past."
Emily nods. "And so am I. You may have done it alone five thousand years ago, but now you have us and the rest of our friends to help you. And with our support, you'll never lose."
"Thank you both," said Yami. "Your friendship means a great deal to me."
"Together we're going to figure out the mysteries of your past and put a stop to Marik's plan," Yugi promised. "I just hope I'm strong enough to hold my own."
"You've already proven your strength, Yugi," Yami tells him. "Your courage and determination are greater than I've ever seen. I said it before; you have the heart of a champion."
Everyone keeps quiet until they sense the presence of an evil force approaching. "Show yourself!" Yugi demands.
Then Marik's mind slave appears. "Prepare to duel, Yugi, and lose your Puzzle!"
"Marik!" Yugi and Emily gasp.
"Yes, and soon, you and the entire world will be calling me Pharaoh!"
"You coward!" Emily cried.
"We'll meet soon enough," Marik promises. "Until then, why should I waste my efforts when I can defeat your boyfriend and your father by using my mind slaves? Battling with my Millennium Rod is no different than Yugi using his Millennium Puzzle to duel."
The Millennium Puzzle began activating and Yami came to take control. "That's not true," he protested. "You force your servants to do your dirty work by controlling their minds against their will. I duel with respect and honor."
"And I will do what is necessary to claim your Puzzle."
"To do that, Marik, you'll have to defeat me and break the Heart of the Cards. And I can assure you that won't happen."
But Marik wouldn't stop. "You don't even know how to use your power. So destiny has chosen me to take the power of the pharaoh away from you and then use it to destroy you."
"That ancient power is not yours to take, Marik."
Emily faces Yami and tells him, "You tell him! No way is he getting his hands on your power!"
"I just did."
"Okay then." And Emily stepped away to watch from the sidelines. She held up her thumb and winked at Yami and said, "Do your thing, Father Pharaoh!"
Yami smiles back and nods. "It's time to duel, Marik."
At the Domino museum, Ishizu stared at the royal tablets. "The wheels of fate are in motion. Now Yami faces Marik and although my brother follows the path of evil, he can be saved. There is goodness inside of him. But in order for his good side to shine, Marik must fail in his quest to obtain ultimate power."
Outside the museum, Max and Bakura met up and their evil spirits began taking control. "Our Millennium Ring and Cobalt Star shard have brought us to the museum," said the evil spirit controlling Bakura. "There is a Millennium Item inside." But Ishizu could sense the evil spirits from inside and hid herself from them.
"The mystical energies are growing stronger," the spirit of the Millennium Ring said as he and his partner walked inside the museum. They came to the room Ishizu was in when the presence mysteriously disappeared. "What's this? The force is gone."
"Look," the evil Max said, turning her attention to the tablets.
Her partner walked closer towards them. "The royal family's tablets are here." He chuckled as he looked at the images. "It's been quite a long time since I laid my eyes on these stone carvings just like how it seemed like it was only yesterday when the princess inherited the Millennium Star."
"Yes, and once we obtain all seven Millennium Items and the Millennium Star, we can unlock the ancient magic depicted by these tablets."
As Ishizu remained in hiding, she was listening to the evil spirits. "These spirits have some knowledge of the ancient scriptures, but don't know all. For my brother seeks a power far more dangerous. He plans to obtain the power of the pharaoh in hope that it will give him the strength necessary to use the Millennium Star. My brother must not succeed or the whole world will be in jeopardy. Only the true pharaoh can stop him."
Marik makes the first move by placing a card face down and summoning Humanoid Slime, a feeble creature with 800 attack points. Yami figured that Marik was luring him into attacking by playing a weak monster so he could activate his face down card, but Yami wasn't going to fall for it. He played a card face down and summoned Gazelle the King of Mythical Beasts in attack mode. Marik made his next move by summoning a reptile called Worm Drake. Next he played Polymerization to merge his monsters together to form Humanoid Worm Drake, a diabolical creature with 2200 attack points. Marik was one of the many people in the world who believed that rules were made to be broken. He activated his hidden card Quick Attack, allowing his fusion monster to attack immediately. But Yami was a step ahead of Marik this time. He activated his face down card De-Fusion, turning Marik's one monster into two again.
By the way things were going, Yami and Emily were disappointed that Marik wasn't putting up much of a challenge. But Marik was simply toying with his opponent so he could learn his strengths and weaknesses. He would soon unleash the rage of his Egyptian God card. Yami decided to remove Marik's monsters from the field. He summoned Beta the Magnet Warrior to join Gazelle in attacking Humanoid Slime and Worm Drake and dealing 1000 points of damage to Marik's life points.
Marik had enough and decided to make the duel interesting by summoning a plasma being named Revival Jam. It looked pretty feeble, but Emily learned to remember that things aren't always what they appear to be. Surely this monster was stronger than it looked. Next, Marik played a magic card called Jam Breeding Machine, a card capable of creating slime tokens. It was plain to see that Marik was going to create enough slime tokens to sacrifice in order to summon his Egyptian God card.
Yami saw that now was the perfect time to summon a powerful beast. He had to eliminate the rest of Marik's life points before he could summon his Egyptian God card. He sacrificed his two monsters to summon Buster Blader, a mighty warrior with 2600 attack points. With a swing of his mighty sword, the warrior splattered Revival Jam, but the plasma monster quickly regenerated after the attack. Marik wasn't joking when he said his monster would provide the perfect defense. Not even the mightiest blade or most powerful spell could melt the plasma being. Marik made his move by creating the first slime token and playing a card face down.
The slime tokens didn't provide the same defensive capabilities Revival Jam did. They had 500 attack points and were vulnerable to attack. A swing from Buster Blader's sword would deal 2100 points of damage to Marik's life points. But Marik knew Yami would attempt to attack his slime tokens in a desperate attempt to stop his plan from succeeding. So he revealed his hidden trap Jam Defender. Now Revival Jam would shield Marik's monsters from all attacks and continue to reform itself on the field. Marik's monsters and life points had now become untouchable. But he wasn't willing to take any chances after witnessing all of Yami's duels through the eyes of his previous mind slaves. After the second slime token appeared, Marik trapped Yami in a magic prison known as Nightmare's Steelcage, preventing him from attacking and protecting him from enemy attacks for two turns.
But Yami wouldn't give in. "As long as I believe in the Heart of the Cards, I won't lose."
"Your misguided faith is weak compared to the overwhelming power of my Egyptian God card, but you'll soon witness that firsthand once I summon it," said Marik. "History may be on your side, but destiny is on my side as I move one step closer to obtaining your Puzzle. You're not even worthy of your powers. For as long as I can remember, I was taught to obey the ancient scriptures and protect the pharaoh's tomb until his return. Now I realize that your time as pharaoh has expired and I must take your place. And your Puzzle is the key to your power."
Yami, Yugi, and Emily all wished that they knew more about what happened in the ancient past. But there was no time to worry about that right now. Their main priority was not letting Marik win this duel. But there was nothing Yami could do except draw his card and end his turn. The third and final slime token appeared. Now the stage was set as the sky became dark with clouds and lightning flashed all around the dueling field.
"Prepare to experience an ancient force like no other as I sacrifice my Breeding Machine and slime tokens to summon the beast of your demise!" Marik cried. "A creature whose power is absolutely limitless. Meet your maker, Pharaoh, and the last monster you'll ever see. Slifer the Sky Dragon!" And a great red Dragon appeared on the field. "You're finished! Prepare to feel his wrath!"
Emily fell back and cowered as she saw the divine Dragon appear. Even Yami stared in fear. "How can I stop it?" and Slifer roared at them.
"You're staring into the eyes of one of the most feared creatures in all of Duel Monsters," said Marik. "The Egyptian God monster cannot be defeated."
But Yami thought differently. "Every monster has a weakness, Marik, and I'll find Slifer's."
"You're in no position to be making threats," Marik was telling him. "All you can do is watch my Egyptian God card grow stronger."
"Stronger?" Emily echoed. "But how?"
"The number of cards I hold in my hand determines Slifer's attack points," Marik explained. "Right now, I hold two, giving him 2000 attack points." But that wouldn't last. Marik played Pot of Greed to draw two cards from his deck. He lost one card, but gained two. Now Slifer had 3000 attack points. But Emily didn't think Slifer's power wouldn't be as limitless as Marik was claiming. In Duel Monsters, players were limited to holding six cards in their hands. Still, she wasn't going to make any assumptions. She didn't know more about the Egyptian Gods than Marik did and was worried Slifer would have many dangerous abilities. Not even Yami had any understanding of the destructive powers an Egyptian God monster held because he had no memories of the days they devastated the world. He was just going to have to play by the rules of today.
Slifer had 3000 attack points, but Buster Blader receives 500 attack points for every dragon-type monster on the field. So right now, the warrior was 100 points stronger than Slifer. But it wouldn't last. Slifer would gain another 1000 attack points next turn. But Yami trusted in his deck. He looked at his hand and saw a few cards that might be able to help him.
Marik continued to goad Yami. "You had your chance to be pharaoh. But now it's time to let me take over. But your daughter can join me and become my queen."
"Not a chance, Marik," said Emily. "It's our destiny to stop you together." The thought of Marik making her his queen actually disgusted her. She decided she would rather be a princess in a world that still shines with hope than become a queen ruling a world plagued by evil. Yami made his move by placing two cards face down and summoning Kuriboh in defense mode. Now the Nightmare's Steelcage was disappearing and Yami was open for an attack.
"Prepare to feel the wrath of an Egyptian God card," said Marik. "You're about to experience a force so mighty, it nearly destroyed the world!" Marik drew his card and Slifer gained 1000 more attack points, but as the Sky Dragon attacked, Yami revealed one of his hidden cards. It was Lightforce Sword, dropping Slifer's attack points back down to 3000. But as Buster Blader raised his sword, Revival Jam stepped in to protect the Sky Dragon. Jam Defender was still in play and the plasma monster would continue to intercept all of Yami's attacks. Marik played a magic card called Card of Safe Return, a card that allowed him to draw three cards every time a monster would reappear on the field. He drew his three cards and his Sky Dragon now had 5000 attack points. His Thunderforce attack destroyed Buster Blader and dropped Yami's life points down to 2100.
Yami drew his card. It was a trap called Magic Cylinder, but it had to be combined with a spellcaster in order to work. Luckily, Yami was holding Dark Magician Girl in his hand. So he summoned her by sacrificing Kuriboh. But doing so activated Slifer's special ability. Now any new monster summoned to the field would have 2000 points blasted depending on what mode it was in. Since Dark Magician Girl only had 1700 defense points, Slifer's Lightning Blast would destroy her. But Yami saved her just in time by playing Magical Hats. And not only was Dark Magician Girl hiding under one of the Hats, but she was also preparing a counter attack as Yami played two cards under the Hats.
Marik was ready to make his Sky Dragon's power limitless. He played a magic card called Infinite Cards, allowing him to exceed the limit of holding six cards in his hand. Next, Slifer launched his Thunderforce on the Magical Hat on the right end. It was the Hat that concealed Dark Magician Girl, but as the Sky Dragon attacked, the Thunderforce was being drawn in by the Magic Cylinder. Also, Yami's second trap Spellbinding Circle was activated and lowered Slifer's attack points by 700. The Magic Cylinder redirected the Sky Dragon's attack, but once again, Revival Jam took the blow and quickly recovered, allowing Marik to draw three new cards. And since Spellbinding Circle only lasted for one turn, Slifer was free and got back his attack points plus another 1000 attack points as Marik began his turn. With 9000 attack points, the Sky Dragon was unstoppable and Dark Magician Girl was destroyed.
"Behold the ultimate five card combination that makes me unbeatable," said Marik. "I've created a strategy that cannot be defeated. My Egyptian God card will continue to grow stronger and your attacks are completely useless."
Yami fell to his knees and placed his hands on the ground. "No, I can't let Marik win my Puzzle."
Emily just stared at the Sky Dragon in fear. Just when she thought Yami was turning things around, she remembered the cards Marik had in play. "It can't end like this," she whimpered.
Just then, Kaiba showed up. "Get on your feet, you fools. Since when do you bow to your rivals?"
Yami faced him and replied, "Never."
"Then both of you get up and stop embarrassing yourselves so you can defeat this nobody and relieve him of his Egyptian God card. And do it now. Don't let him win, Yugi. You can defeat Slifer the Sky Dragon. Just figure out its weakness," he was saying in his own way of encouragement. "Now get up and keep fighting. Prove to me that you can take down his Egyptian God card, Yugi."
It wasn't like Kaiba to encourage others. But it was enough to give Yami the strength he needed to keep going. He gets back on his feet and promises Kaiba, "I assure you I will defeat him."
Marik scoffed. "My Egyptian God card is unstoppable." He turns his attention to Kaiba and tells him. "And you're my next victim. Once I defeat Yugi, I'll set my sights on your Egyptian God card."
"Save your breath," said Kaiba. "Your empty threats don't scare me."
Yami had to make every move count. Slifer now had 10000 attack points now that the effects of Lightforce Sword wore off and he couldn't afford to make any mistakes. He played a card face down and summoned Big Shield Gardna in defense mode. Of course, the monster lost 2000 defense points thanks to Slifer's Lightning Blast, but still had 600 points.
As Marik drew his card and Slifer's attack points increased, the Sky Dragon now had 11000 attack points and destroyed Yami's last defense. This is insane! Emily thought. As long as Infinite Cards is in play, there's no limit to the growth of Slifer's strength. It'll continue to grow stronger as Marik continues to draw cards. Her eyes widened. That's it! But I can't tell Yami. He's got to figure it out on his own. I just hope he'll be able to figure it out before it's too late.
Kaiba was wondering the same thing as he saw Slifer continuing to grow in attack points. Slifer the Sky Dragon has one fatal flaw. Now let's see if Yugi is duelist enough to figure it out.
And Yami did know what to do. "I will make Slifer destroy itself!"
A smile appeared on Emily's face. He figured it out!
About time, Kaiba wondered.
"What are you talking about?" Marik asked.
Yami sighed. "It's all a matter of common sense. If my monsters are too weak to destroy Slifer, then I must use your Egyptian God card against itself."
"Haven't you realized by now that an Egyptian God card can't be controlled? It's too powerful."
"We're very much aware, Marik," said Emily. "But that's not what we intend to do. Maybe you don't know everything about the Egyptian Gods as much as you think you do."
"How dare you deny my wisdom of the ancient ways," Marik scolded. "I know all!"
"We'll see how much you know," Yami said, drawing his card. First he played Monster Reborn to bring back Buster Blader from the card graveyard. To everyone's surprise, it came back in attack mode. This seemed to do more good for Marik as he drew three cards and Slifer blasted 2000 attack points, leaving the warrior with 1100 attack points remaining. But it was enough to make this last move count. Yami ordered Buster Blader to attack, drawing Revival Jam out to defend. As the plasma monster began reforming itself, Yami played Brain Control to use Revival Jam to his advantage. Now that Revival Jam reappeared on Yami's side of the field, Slifer was forced to launch its Lightning Blast and since Revival Jam couldn't be destroyed, Slifer would continue to attack every time it reformed itself. Not to mention Marik would be forced to continue drawing cards from his deck.
This can't be! Marik thought. Whenever Revival Jam reappears on the field, Slifer the Sky Dragon is forced to attack it. And since Yami controls Revival Jam, it will revive itself on his side of the field, which makes me draw three new cards. Then my Dragon will attack again! Each event triggers the next in a never ending cycle! My Egyptian God card will continue to grow stronger as I draw cards in each cycle, but it doesn't matter because I'm trapped! "Ahh! There's no way out!"
"That's right, Marik," said Emily. "And when you run out of cards to draw, you will automatically lose the duel."
Yami agreed. "As powerful as your Egyptian God card may be, no monster is without weakness and Slifer's weakness rests in its second mouth. I've turned your Egyptian God card against you, causing you to use up every card in your deck. That means I win. It's over."
Marik couldn't believe he lost control of his own monster and the monster itself. "You'll pay, Yami," he vowed. "You may have defeated Slifer the Sky Dragon, but I hold another Egyptian God card; a much more powerful one. So savor this victory while you can because it will be your last."
Mokuba went down to the arena and took Slifer the Sky Dragon and a locator card from Strings. "This card is awesome. I wish Seto and I could keep it, but as Battle City commissioner, I have to hand the card over to you, Yugi, and you earned it. But don't get too attached to it, because my brother intends to win it from you."
"Thank you, Mokuba." Emily said.
"I must be careful," Yami said, looking at the card.
Kaiba walked up to Yami and Emily. "Congratulations on figuring out how to defeat Slifer the Sky Dragon, Yugi. But it's a shame you won't be having it for long. You and I are going to duel for it right now. Then when I defeat you, Slifer will be in my deck where it belongs. You see, I already possess another Egyptian God card and I intend to win the other two. Once I win Slifer from you and obtain the last one, I'll be the number one duelist in the world."
Marik laughed and began speaking through Strings once again. "Silly fools."
Emily growled. "We've had enough of your tricks, Marik! It's time for you to show yourself!"
"Not to worry, Princess. You'll meet me sooner than you think. I'm on my way to Battle City as we speak. Once I arrive, the next phase of my plan will begin. I assure you the power of the pharaoh and the magic of the Millennium Star will be mine. My loyal mind slaves are preparing for my arrival right now."
"Where are they?" Yami demanded to know.
"I have Rare Hunters everywhere in Battle City," Marik answered. "And I can see all. I see a young princess wielding a powerful gift. I see a Millennium Puzzle that will be mine. I see a defenseless city waiting to be conquered. And I see potential mind slaves in every crowd. I'm always searching for new servants to add to my army of Rare Hunters. I wonder who'll be next." Then he began looking through the eyes of his Rare Hunters. "So tell me, Pharaoh and Princess. Which of your friends would be the perfect mind slave? Téa or Joey perhaps?"
"You leave them alone!" Emily shouted.
Marik chuckled. "Well, it appears I've touched your sensitive side, haven't I, Princess? Perhaps I can use your friends to get what I want from you and your father; namely your Puzzle and Star and the Egyptian God cards."
"We're warning you," Yami growled, "leave our friends out of this!"
"Or else what?" Marik asked. "Your friends are meaningless to me and besides, I have nothing to lose and the whole world to gain!"
"Do not test us," Emily warned. "We're the ones you want, so leave our friends alone! They did nothing to you, so you settle your score with us!"
"Just as my Dragon's one weakness destroyed it, your loyalty to your friends will destroy you," Marik said and dispatched his mind slave.
"Let's go, Yami," said Emily. "Everyone's in danger."
But Kaiba stopped them. "Get back here right now!"
Yami stopped. "Our duel will have to wait, Kaiba. You heard Emily. Our friends are in danger and their safety is more important to us right now." And they began running again. They had to find their friends before Marik and his mind slaves could.