Friends in Need
Yami made the first move in the duel and the clock on the anchor began the countdown. He didn't want to hurt Joey, but he had to find a way to stop the duel. The anchor would take two or all of them down with it. Yami summoned Gazelle the King of Mythical Beasts in defense mode. Marik destroyed Gazelle by playing a magic card called Raigeki. To complete his move, Marik summoned Alligator's Sword and dealt 1500 points of damage to Yami's life points.
Marik laughed. "Surrender yet or do you want more? I hope you're not going easy on me because we're old friends. You'll be sorry."
"We're not friends, Marik," Yami growled, drawing his card. He summoned Big Shield Gardna to the field in defense mode.
Marik knew how to keep on mercilessly attacking Yami. He played another rare and powerful magic card called Hinotama, dealing 500 points of damage. The duel had only just begun and Yami already lost half of his life points.
Kaiba growled as he watched the duel. "That third-rate duelist never had cards that powerful in his deck. So he is being helped."
Marik laughed as he watched his opponent panic. He knew that for certain he would win this battle. Odion came and informed him that Joey's sister had arrived in Battle City. Hearing that, Marik figures he could use that to his advantage and tells him to send the Rare Hunters to capture Serenity.
As Yami was recovering from the blast, he continued trying to figure out a solution. If he would lose, Marik would gain everything. But if he would win, Joey and Emily would get dragged to the bottom of the ocean. All three of them would be doomed in less than an hour unless something would be done to save everybody.
Serenity and Tristan finally made it to Domino City. Serenity began looking back on her childhood from when she explored the city with Joey. She could picture the place in her mind clearly. Tristan tried calling Téa so he could ask where to meet everybody, but got no answer. Then he realized he should have planned where to meet his friends before he left to pick Serenity up from the hospital.
They decided to walk along the way. Everybody couldn't be too far and had to be in the city. Just then, Tristan saw Rare Hunters closing in on them like predators. "What do you guys want with us?"
"Tristan, what's going on?" Serenity asked.
He pulls her closer to protect her. "We don't want any trouble."
"You may not want any trouble, but we do," said one Rare Hunter.
To escape, Tristan carries Serenity on his back and runs down an alley. The Rare Hunters run to the other end of the alley and cut them off. Tristan and Serenity were about to be captured and taken to Marik until something knocked them out. "And there's plenty more where that came from, tough guy," said a familiar voice.
Tristan recognized the voice. "Is that Duke Devlin?"
"The one and only," Duke answers, striking the Rare Hunters with his dice. "So how've you been, Tristan?"
"Talk later, run now," he says, carrying Serenity. Duke agrees and escapes with them.
Back at the pier, Téa demanded to know what was going on. "Why is Joey dueling against Yugi? Is this some sort of freaky dream?"
"No, Téa," Emily told her. "Marik has taken over Joey's mind and pitted him against Yugi."
"The same Marik you told us to watch out for?" Téa asked.
"Hey, you," the Rare Hunter in the crane called to Téa. "Stop making a fuss. If you don't keep quiet, kid, you're done. So don't test me."
Téa looks up and sees the crate above her. "You wouldn't do it! You don't have the guts!"
"You want to bet?" the Rare Hunter challenged, placing his thumb near the button on the remote.
Seeing he was being serious, Téa decided it would be wise not to test him. She turned to Kaiba and begged, "You've got to stop this duel right away or the whole world may be in danger of being destroyed! Do it now!"
"We can't," Mokuba told her, putting his eyes on the crate. "You'll be killed."
"Well then, maybe you can help, Emily," she called to her. "You can use your powers to help Yugi and Joey."
"But if I do that," Emily said, crying, "I'll lose you forever."
Yami could sense Emily's pain and knew how she felt. That was why he wanted to continue the duel without hurting Joey. He had no monsters powerful enough to stand against Alligator's Sword, so he played a card face down and summoned Kuriboh in attack mode.
Marik wondered what Yami could possibly be thinking playing Kuriboh. If he was trying to lose on purpose so he could save his friend, it would be reasonable. Marik had Alligator's Sword attack, causing Yami to reveal his Spellbinding Circle and stop the reptile's attack. Marik was done playing games and mercilessly attacked Yami once again with another Hinotama card. Now Yami had 1500 life points remaining.
"I've attacked your life points yet again," Marik told him. "As soon as I wipe out the rest, the anchor will drop and take you and Emily with it."
"Marik, I can assure you that you'll never get away with your plan," Yami groaned.
"Is that so? I say you're in no position to be making any threats."
Yami got back to his feet. "I know the real Joey is in there and I'm going to set him free no matter what it takes. There's no way you'll win my Puzzle or my Egyptian God card."
"Joey is gone," Marik argued. "So just make your move. Not that it matters. None of your monsters are powerful enough to attack mine."
"Joey, snap out of it," Téa cried. "We're your friends! Don't you remember?"
Then Yugi began speaking through to Yami. Feeling their connection, Emily joins in. "Téa's right," Yugi says. "I have an idea that might be able to save Joey and get us all out of this mess. It came to me when Téa reminded us of our friendship. That's how I know there might be a chance to break through to Joey. You should let me duel in your place."
At first, Emily was surprised to hear that, but she immediately understood and agreed. Yami, on the other hand, wasn't too sure. "But why?"
"Because through thick and thin, Joey and I have shared a really strong bond," Yugi answers. "A bond that I think might be enough to break through to him. We've been through so much together like the time he and Tristan rescued me and Emily from the fire. They risked their lives for us and now it's my turn to risk my life for my friends."
"And I'm going to help," Emily said. "I don't need to use my powers to free Joey from Marik's control. As powerful as my gift may seem, nothing is more powerful than a sacred bond between friends."
"This is a very dangerous match," Yami warned.
Yugi was aware of the danger, but he wasn't afraid. When fighting for a friend, Yugi would never let fear stand in his way. Emily knew as much, so she said, "Yami, if anyone can break through to Joey, I believe Yugi can. Joey is Yugi's best friend. And if Téa and I were in their place and I was being forced to fight against Téa, I would do everything in my power to help her because she's my best friend. So you see, this battle affects me too. I can't use my magic, but I don't need to. It's friendship that counts. We already proved that to Pegasus when we all faced him together. Now we can prove it to Marik also."
"That's why I want to go in there and do whatever I have to do," Yugi said. "If it were the other way around, Joey and Téa would do the exact same thing for me and Emily. Please understand that this isn't something we want to do, but something we feel we have to do."
Yami could see the spark of courage in Yugi's eyes shining like fire. He even saw the same blue light shining on his forehead revealing the Egyptian symbol of courage. He could see how strongly he felt about this. "If you and Emily feel that strongly, Yugi, then go," he replied. "Go and rescue your best friends. And know that I will be right here should either of you need me."
"Thank you, Yami," Emily and Yugi whispered.
The connection breaks and Emily finds herself bound to the anchor again. Marik's facing Yugi now, she thinks to herself. But Yugi can do this. What he feels in his heart, I feel it too.
Sensing it with his Millennium Rod, Marik begins to throw a fit. "That spineless coward! He sent little Yugi to protect himself!" Marik yelled. "You cheat! I want to destroy the pharaoh!" He calms down for a minute and has second thoughts. "But then again, this might be just what I needed. I can win this duel with ease now that I'm up against little Yugi instead of the pharaoh. And it doesn't really matter which of them I defeat. I'll still be able to claim my prizes."
Remember, Yugi, Yami was saying in the back of his mind, Joey, Emily, and Téa are counting on you, but you'll come through as long as you believe in the Heart of the Cards.
Yugi agrees and draws his card. His belief allowed the card he drew to be the Red-Eyes Black Dragon. Yugi had a feeling the card would be the key to saving Joey, but Yami reminded him that he had to play it wisely and think his moves carefully. Sensing it in the connection, Emily remembers that Joey gave Yugi the Black Dragon so a part of him would live within his deck. Perhaps allowing Joey to see his prized card would help him break through.
It was time for Yugi to jog Joey's mind by bringing along an old friend who isn't too easy to forget. Yugi was about to sacrifice his two monsters, but Yami stopped him. An immediate summoning was too risky, especially with only 1500 life points. But Yugi saw another alternative that would allow Joey to see the card without playing it on the field. It was Exchange, a magic card that allowed the players to trade one card from their hands and keep it for the rest of the duel.
You need to decide what to do now, Yugi, Emily thought. But I have to help too like I said I would. Joey's my friend too. He said that whenever he feels down, all of his friends stand by to support him. We've all been there for one another. "Joey, do you remember what Téa said? Remember our friendship! Remember the bond we made!" Then the image Téa drew on everyone's hands appeared in her mind. The ink washed off from their hands, but the pact was forever marked in their hearts. "Our ring of friendship can't be broken!"
Hearing that, Yugi decides to take whatever risks would come his way in every move he would make. He and his friends made a pact that they would always be there for one another. Like Emily said, no magic is powerful enough to destroy any bond of friendship and it's time to prove it to Marik. Finally, Yugi plays Exchange.
Marik laughs. "You must be desperate to play a card like that! But if you insist, I'll be glad to take a card from your hand." Under Marik's control, Joey walks over to the other side of the arena. Yugi reveals his hand. Seeing the Red-Eyes Black Dragon, Joey recognizes it. It's faint, but Emily senses Joey trying to resist and feels Marik's control slipping. Marik urges Joey to take the Black Dragon from Yugi's hand, but Joey remembers his promise and mentally argues that his friend needs the card. Instead of taking Red-Eyes Black Dragon, Joey takes Card Destruction.
It made Yugi happy to see that Joey didn't take Red-Eyes, but he wondered if his best friend was back. "Joey, are you there?"
"No," Marik answers. "I told you, Joey is gone. I had no need for your Red-Eyes Black Dragon. I plan to defeat you with my arsenal of rare magic cards."
"There's no point in lying, Marik," Emily argued. "Yugi and I could sense Joey resisting your control and neither of us had anything to do with it."
Emily's right, Marik growled to himself. I did feel my control over Joey slipping and she wasn't even using her powers. But no matter. I assure her and Yugi that it won't happen again. Joey holds out his hand and Yugi takes Magical Arm Shield. After that, Joey walks back to his side of the arena.
"You can lie to yourself all you want, Marik, but we all know that my best friend is still here and he will be set free," Yugi promised.
"You're the one who's only fooling himself," Marik argued.
"Emily and I could sense that Joey was trying to break free and get out," continued Yugi. "He resisted taking Red-Eyes because he remembered the promise he made to me." Now Yugi knew for sure that he could use Red-Eyes Black Dragon to bring his best friend back. Seeing the image on the card was one thing, but it would do more if Joey saw the monster itself. Finally, Yugi sacrificed Kuriboh and Big Shield Gardna to summon Red-Eyes Black Dragon.
Sure enough, it was working. The Joey Yugi and Emily knew and loved was fighting to break free. Marik felt his control over Joey slipping again. For any duelist, it's hard to see a card he cares about to be used against him. And it would only get harder in the state Joey was in. Seeing Red-Eyes Black Dragon in front of him made him feel like he was being reunited with a long lost friend, like someone from his past was coming back into his arms again.
"Joey, I'm only doing this because I'm your friend," Yugi called. "So prepare to be knocked back to your senses!" And the Black Dragon attacked Alligator's Sword with Inferno Fire Blast, dealing 900 points of damage to Joey.
Marik would not let his control over Joey continue to slip away. "Sorry, Yugi, your trick didn't work. I'm still in control. And now it's time for me to wipe out the rest of your life points and take what belongs to me."
Yami saw that the duel was starting to get too dangerous and wanted to get back in the game, but Yugi refused. It was his battle and Joey was his friend. Seeing Yugi remove the Puzzle from around his neck, Yami wonders what he could be planning. "I know I can save Joey," Yugi promised, "You have to trust me. Since the day I first solved the Millennium Puzzle, you've given me hope, courage, and confidence. You even helped me to make new friends. But I can't go through my life depending on you. I need to know that even without the Millennium Puzzle and your guidance I can still be brave for my friends. I guess what I'm saying is, I need to prove to myself that I can be like you even without you. Do you understand?"
Yami did understand. He could see the fire in Yugi's eyes as well as the light on his forehead glowing. Yami could see himself inside his counterpart, fighting on with the same bravery and determination. But it was still a very dangerous fight. "You are aware of what will happen if you lose this duel, aren't you?"
Yugi was completely aware. That was why he wanted to take all the risks. It wasn't about him anymore, but all of the people he loved.
"Go for it," Emily immediately said. "You believe in yourself. It's only right and fair that we believe in you. And like I already said, I'd be doing the exact same thing if I was in your shoes."
Yami accepted Yugi's decision. "You have the power to win this. We all believe in you."
"And I won't disappoint you," Yugi promised. He was ready to save his best friend, the people he loved, and the world on his own. He held onto the chain and began walking to the other side of the arena.
Marik paid no attention to what Yugi was doing. He played his third and last Hinotama card, bringing Yugi down to his last 1000 life points. Téa had enough. Once again, she begged the Kaiba brothers to stop the duel. Looking at the crane, they reminded her that there was nothing they could do. Marik wasn't done with his move. He summoned Rocket Warrior in attack mode. Its special ability allowed it to weaken any monster it would attack by 500 points for the duration of the turn. Next, he played Attricion, a magic card that allowed Rocket Warrior to lower a monster's attack points by 1500 when attacking in its invincible mode. Rocket Warrior broke one of the Black Dragon's wings as it weakened it. The effect of Marik's cards weakened the Black Dragon down to a sparse 400 attack points.
Seeing the Red-Eyes Black Dragon injured, Joey begins trying to break free once again. It was like seeing the Black Dragon in pain made Joey feel like he was hurting someone he loved deeply. Suddenly, a strange vision flashed before his eyes. He saw himself standing in front of a tablet with Red-Eyes Black Dragon's image. He also saw himself holding a maiden with long black hair. In his head, he heard himself say, "Forgive me, my love. I failed you." Joey groans and presses his hand against his head. "What's happening to me?"
What's going on? Emily wondered. I feel a strange power coming from Joey like something inside of him is awakening.
Yugi saw Joey trying to break free and wasn't going to give up until his best friend was safe. He even had another idea on how to break through to Joey. "You're my best friend," Yugi said again. "And just like you gave me your Red-Eyes Black Dragon, I want to give you something that's meaningful to me." He walks up to Joey and holds out the chain. "Please take this. It's my most precious possession; the Millennium Puzzle. Now a piece of me will always be with you," he says, putting the chain around Joey's neck. "Take care of it, Joey. It's yours now." Now both friends had a part of themselves living within each other.
It was bringing tears to Emily's eyes. But as emotional as it was for her to take in, there was something else she was concerned about. She wondered if the Red-Eyes Black Dragon wasn't just affecting Joey's mind, but also his heart. It was like she could hear the Black Dragon calling out to Joey with a human voice. Emily always knew that a duelist and his monster are bound together by the Heart of the Cards, but she had a feeling that there was more to it than that with Joey and Red-Eyes; that they were connected together by something entirely more.
It's like Red-Eyes Black Dragon wants to help Joey, she thought to herself. It's like it's trying to save its friends. There's a lot more to this monster. I'm sure of it. It's because of the bond between Joey and his Dragon that Marik's power is weakening. When Joey saw his Dragon being injured, it triggered something inside of him. I could feel it by looking in his heart. Marik may be able to control Joey's mind, but he can't control Joey's heart. And now I know, the heart is where the truth lies and the truth will set my friend free.