Denizens of the Deep
They came to the aquarium and found Mako giving the crowd a show with the whale. He was in the competition, but stopped for a lunch break, ignorant of the fact that he was stealing the whale's meal. But the manager decided to let it slide for Mako. She was running a high fever and was too sick to work with the whale. So Mako volunteered to work for her.
Mako hadn't seen his friends since Duelist Kingdom and was happy that they were all here. He accepted Joey's challenge and both duelists agreed to put up two locator cards. Whoever would win this match would go to the finals.
Joey decided to go first. When he drew his card, he looked at it in disappointment. It was the Parasite card he forgot to get rid of after his duel with Weevil. But he figured he could use it to his advantage, so he played it face down. Mako summoned Flying Fish and declared an attack. Joey tried to use the Parasite Paracide to infect Mako's monster, but the Flying Fish was too strong and destroyed it. The Fish had 800 attack points while the Parasite had 500. But the Parasite was played in defense mode, so Joey didn't lose any life points. It was pretty embarrassing of Joey to play a card he didn't know how to use. He summoned another monster in defense mode. Mako decided not to attack this turn. Instead, he played a card face down.
Joey sacrificed his monster and summoned Garoozis. Mako activated his trap Torrential Tribute to wash the reptile away and send it to the graveyard. After that, Mako's Flying Fish attacked Joey directly. After that, he played a card face down. He was really going to give it his all and show no mercy. It had always been that way for him since he began searching for his lost father. He duels with the same determination he shows whenever he faces the sea. Joey felt his heart going out to Mako. They each had a loved one who inspired them and gave them strength in spirit. With that being said, they decided to continue the duel with honor and give it their all.
Joey summoned Alligator's Sword and played two cards face down. Mako sacrificed his Flying Fish and summoned Amphibian Beast. It was about to attack Alligator's Sword with its Sea Claw until Joey played Fairy Box. It looked like one of those arcade games as Joey's reptile would stick its head out of one hole and another. It was clever, but Mako knew that Alligator's Sword couldn't breathe underwater, so he played the field spell Umi to raise the tides and turn the field into an ocean. Alligator's Sword came up for air, but as Amphibian Beast attacked, Joey revealed his second hidden card Skull Dice. The roll resulted in a four and Amphibian Beast was defeated. Now the score was nearly tied with Joey standing at 3200 life points and Mako standing with 3300.
Joey played Baby Dragon in attack mode and merged it together with Alligator's Sword to form Alligator's Sword Dragon, a monster with 1700 attack points. Joey remembered that fusion monsters had to wait one turn before attacking, so he ended his turn. Mako played a monster face down. Because it was underwater, Joey couldn't tell what kind of monster it was or if it was in attack or defense mode. The benefit of the monster being in the water allowed Joey to land a direct attack on Mako's life points and bring him down to 1600 points remaining.
If there was anything Mako learned about the sea, it was to never underestimate its strength. Just as a rose has its thorns, what may look like a beautiful scenery can become a dangerous battlefield. And when out in the sea, there's no telling what may attack or when it'll strike. Mako played another mystery card. Joey decided to attack Mako directly again. He would win if he attacked successfully, but Mako wasn't going to give him the opportunity. He played his trap card Tornado Wall, creating pillars from the water on the playing field and blocking all enemy attacks. Joey wasn't sure what to do. As long as Tornado Wall was in play, Mako's life points were untouchable. But if he stopped the effects of the trap and covered the playing field in water again, Joey would have to contend with all of his hidden monsters. He decided to take his chances and go back in the water. Mako sacrificed his hidden monster and summoned a stronger one called Legendary Fisherman. It was a man riding on a shark and had 1850 attack points. And as long as the field was covered in ocean water, magic cards had no effect against it. The Fisherman attacked Alligator's Sword Dragon and dealt 50 points of damage to Joey.
To protect his life points, Joey played a monster in defense mode. The Legendary Fisherman launched a surprise attack from underwater and pierced Little-Winguard with his harpoon. It was one of the many cards Mako was proud to own. To Mako, the Legendary Fisherman represented his father. It was actually a gift from him long ago. Mako received it in a letter that told him to never give up and keep having courage. And Mako wouldn't give up on searching for his father. He would be strong for the both of them.
As much as Joey admired Mako's determination and spirit, he still decided he would be the one to win the duel. So he played a monster in defense mode and a card face down. Mako was ready to make the biggest splash in the duel. He played Fortress Whale's Oath, a ritual card that allowed him to summon a mighty beast known as Fortress Whale for the sacrifice of two monsters in play or in his hand. It was a whale of a Duel Monster and had 2350 attack points. But the ocean gave it a 200 point boost.
In the alleys of Domino city, Marik, Max, and Bakura continued to talk about their plans. Max still didn't like the idea of cooperating with Marik and the last time Bakura asked her to trust him, it didn't work out well. She had plenty of ideas of her own, but she continued to put up with her partner because she knew he could be pretty hopeless without her. "What do we need to do for you in order to gain the Millennium Items," she asked Marik.
"First answer me this: how strong are your dueling skills?"
"They're very strong," the spirit of the Millennium Ring answered. "My partner and I have played several Shadow Games throughout history."
"We've been to the Shadow Realm and back, enduring and surviving all of its evil ways," said the spirit of the Cobalt Star shard. "Surprised?"
"I'm not," Marik answered. "It all makes sense now."
"We've returned for the sole purpose of obtaining the powers of the Great Goddess Millennia through her sacred treasures," said the evil Bakura.
"Now answer our question," his partner demanded. "What do you want from us?"
"I'm going to need the both of you to duel on my behalf," Marik told her. "Then I'll deliver the Items to you."
"Max and I will duel whomever you wish. Provided we receive our payment."
"But what do you expect to gain from us should we succeed?" Max asked.
"I told you," Marik was saying. "I'm a collector, just like the both of you. Win me the cards I want and the Items are yours."
Bakura immediately agreed. "Very well, but there is another thought to consider."
Marik had a feeling he knew where Max and Bakura were going. "Yes, I should mention this. I'm also looking for a girl named Emily."
"The princess who holds the Millennium Star," said the spirit of the Ring. "I suppose you want her power as well."
"What makes you think we can cooperate with you on something like this," asked Max. "I have seen your thoughts and I know your ideals. There's no point in lying to us by saying you don't want the Millennium Star. But nonetheless, we shall help you. But make no mistake. We still have our own priorities to consider."
Marik growled. "I won't try to do anything to betray you two," he promised. "I just don't want to take my chances against the princess. The powers of the Millennium Star are too great."
The spirit of the Cobalt Star shard grinned. "All the more reason we should work together then." Then the deal was made and the trio began putting their plan into motion.
Back at the aquarium, Mako demonstrated the awesome power of his two rarest and most powerful monsters. The Legendary Fisherman harpooned Joey's hidden monster Rocket Warrior and Fortress Whale attacked Joey directly, leaving him with 500 life points remaining. Joey wasn't sure what to do. There wasn't a card powerful enough in his deck to destroy the Fortress Whale and the Legendary Fisherman was still hidden underwater. Looking down at the field, Joey saw two shadows swimming in the water. Just then, the aquarium's whale leaped in play. Now Joey knew where the Legendary Fisherman was hiding and how to draw him out. He played two cards face down and summoned Panther Warrior. But with no monsters to sacrifice, his feline couldn't attack, so he had to end his turn.
Mako was about to attack with his Fortress Whale, but Joey activated his trap Magical Arm Shield and used it to fish his Legendary Fisherman out of the water and take the attack, dropping Mako's life points to 900. Mako was devastated. To him, attacking his own card was like crushing his inspiration. But Joey reminded Mako that he never needed that Duel Monster card to inspire him and give him strength and that he always had it in his heart. Mako's memories of his father will always be in his heart and he'll continue to inspire him in spirit. Joey would know because Serenity would continue to inspire him. Mako was having a hard time taking in all that Joey was trying to tell him. He declared his Fortress Whale to attack. But Joey was ready. He activated his second trap Kunai with Chain, giving Panther Warrior 500 attack points. Joey wasn't done yet. He activated his last hidden card, Lightning Blade, giving Panther Warrior 800 more attack points and destroying Fortress Whale. Now Mako was down to his last 150 points.
"Any last words?" Joey asked.
"Yes, six: this duel is not over yet," Mako answered. He played a magic card called Return of the Doomed to bring back one of his monsters and hide it underwater. Joey wasn't sure if it was his Whale or Fisherman. He drew his card. It was Giant Trunade, a magic card that would unleash a storm and send all magic and trap cards back to the players' hands. It would drain the ocean and draw Mako's monster out into the open.
"What on Earth are you waiting for?" Mako asked with his voice raised. "Hurry up and make your move so my creature can strike and end this duel!" And Joey did make his move. He played Giant Trunade to drain the sea, revealing Mako's Legendary Fisherman. Tears fell from Mako's eyes and flowed down his cheeks. "You've exposed my monster," he said sadly. "It's all over now. Just finish him off."
"It's been an honor to duel you," Joey said sincerely. He played Scapegoat and sacrificed one of his lamb tokens, allowing Panther Warrior to attack and ending the duel. "Are you all right, Mako?"
Mako rubbed his eyes and wiped his tears away. His sadness quickly turned into joy as he smiled and replied, "Yes, that was an excellent duel! Congratulations!" Then they both walked to the center of the arena. "Here, my two locator cards and my two rarest cards," he said, presenting Fortress Whale and Legendary Fisherman.
"You don't need to give me your Fisherman," Joey said. The rules never said the loser had to give up more than one of his rarest cards.
But Mako insisted. "Yes, I do. You earned it. Besides, you were right. I don't need that card to remember my dad. His courage and support are always with me inside my heart."
Joey acknowledged Mako's words and accepted the card. "Don't worry. I'll treat it with respect."
Mako held out his arm and he and Joey grasped hands. "You'd better! And best of luck in the finals!"
"You're all right, Mako," Joey returned. The whale leaped in the air as if it was congratulating both duelists and telling them what a wonderful show they put on.
Out in the city, Kaiba finally got word on where Joey was located and was leading Yami and Emily to the aquarium. "My satellite tracking system found your friends, you guys."
"Well then, where are they," inquired Yami.
"Relax, I'll tell you exactly what you want to know. That is, if you'll agree to duel me as soon as we find them."
That was the last straw for Emily. She stopped walking and raised her voice. "God bless it, Kaiba, this is not a game! Don't you understand our friends are in jeopardy? A madman is after them and they need our help." She took a deep breath and continued softly, "Besides, Yugi already accepted your challenge and you will get your duel eventually. Just until we know our friends are safe."
Kaiba stopped and looked back at Emily. He knew that eventually, he would find a way to make her snap. It was actually amusing. But she was right. There was no time for any games. "We'll then, if that's the case, you and your boyfriend had better follow me," was all Kaiba would say to her.
"I only hope we're not too late," Yami said as they continued walking.