"Initiative is doing the right thing without being told." -Victor Hugo
For a while, Yami spent his time blaming himself for what happened to Yugi- well, until Joey knocked him down that is. Cecelia watched him with pity. The poor thing lost his closest friend. She wanted to go and say something to him to make him feel better, but how could she comfort him when she couldn't even comfort herself? So she stayed quiet and listened to the conversation as it unfolded.
"So they wanna rule the world- we've dealt with that before." Said Joey nonchalantly.
"No, Joey. This time things are different." Said Yami.
"Yeah, they're not just talking about wiping out all life on Earth; they're doing it!" Said Tristan.
"But we know how to stop 'em!" Joey added.
"Huh?"
"We gotta go straight to the source, and destroy that secret weapon of theirs!"
"Oh, you mean that weird monster zapper in the sky?" Asked Tèa.
"Unfortunately that thing's after more than just monsters. It's using human souls, to power itself up so it can wipe out the rest of us." Said Tristan.
"Yeah, and right now that thing's got Yugi, so I dunno about you, but I'm not gonna stand here twiddling my thumbs! I'm gonna take action!" Joey replied.
"Look, Joey- I wanna help Yugi, too, but we can't just fight this thing by ourselves, we need help!" Said Tèa, standing up.
"No, Tèa." Said Rebecca.
"Huh?"
"In case you forgot, those jerks burned down my grandpa's laboratory and destroyed all his research! And without any hard evidence, there's no way anyone's gonna believe our story."
"But we have proof- it's all down in those underwater ruins!"
"Whatever was there won't be of any help to us now. The ruins are gone, guys."
"Someone ruined the ruins?!"
"They're one step ahead of us." Said Duke.
Just then, Professor Hawkins entered the room.
"Don't give up so easily."
"Gramps, you're awake!" Cheered Rebecca.
"Yeah, shouldn't you be resting?" Said Tèa.
"I'll be fine. Anyway, who could sleep with you kids chitchatting all day? Besides, I can help you find the information you need. You're right about looking to the ruins for answers."
"So, did you discover anything more about these thugs?" Asked Yami.
"Well I can't be sure, but based on the inscriptions I found, there's a good chance these fellows are descendants of Atlantis! An ancient continent, said to have disappeared into the ocean thousands of years ago, without a trace."
"Are you sure?" Asked Tèa.
"Professor, if your hunch is right, why would these people wanna destroy what was left of their ancestors' city?" Duke inquired.
"They must be trying to hide something. Those ruins revealed the history of Atlantis, and it's not a pleasant one. They must want to keep it a secret."
"How much of this history do you know?" Asked Yami.
"Thousands of years ago, Atlantis was home to the most advanced civilization the world had ever known! It truly was a paradise on Earth, a land of eternal tranquility where everyone lived in peace. Until one day, when a dreadful creature was called forth from the depths of the Earth by an evil king."
"An evil King?" Murmured Yami, remembering what Rafael said about him being an evil King during his time as Pharoh. "Oh no..."
"What's wrong? You okay?" Asked Tèa.
"I'm fine." He said bleakly.
"It seems this power-hungry king drew his evil strength from a mysterious stone. And this stone drew its strength from another world." Hawkins continued.
"It's that rock they wear on their neck! Isn't it!" Said Joey.
"I'm not sure; that was all I was able to translate."
"No!" Yelled Joey.
"Chill out man, you'll blow a gasket!" Said Tristan. But Joey was too riled up to be calmed down.
"You guys don't get it, do ya! Those Atlantis freaks are trying to cover somethin' up about this ancient mega-monster."
"Of course! There was probably something written in those ruins about how to destroy that thing before it destroys us!" Said Duke.
"I get it- hey Joey! I guess you had your good idea for the year!" Tristan teased.
"The ruins may've been destroyed, but there are copies of the inscriptions at a museum. It's in Florida, where I was doing my underwater research." Said Professor Hawkins.
"Perfect! So all we have to do is go there and translate the rest!" Tèa said.
"Haha, what're we waitin' for! Let's head to the Sunshine State, and find out the secret to defeating these guys and saving Yugi, right?!" Joey asked.
"Huh! I'm right behind ya, man! Heh! Goodbye to Death Valley, hel-lo to fun in the sun!" Tristan cheered.
"That's great. Just one question: how're we supposed to get there?" Asked Duke.
"We're doomed." Said Tristan.
They tried calling Kaiba to ask for a ride, but were denied. Not that Joey was surprised. But it was still a harsh blow to their hearts.
"Now what?" Asked Yami.
"No ride?! That stinks!" Said Joey.
"Ugh, that jerk! How're we supposed to get down to Florida now?!" Asked Tristan.
"Well, I say the Professor stays here and we hop the next flight!"
"He's right, gramps, running around the country is not the best thing for you right now." Rebecca pointed out.
"Duke- why don't you stay here and keep an eye on the Professor?" Joey suggested.
"Sure." He said, nodding.
"So I guess a private jet is outta the question, huh?" Asked Tristan. Suddenly he remembered that Cecelia was there and looked up at her. "Cecelia, is Pegasus' private jet still here?" He asked. Every eye in the room turned to her hopefully.
She shook her head. "No. There was a serious problem at the castle in duelist kingdom and the rest of the servants had to fly back to help fix it. It looks as if we're marooned." She said dejectedly.
Rebecca sighed sadly.
"I'll book our flights, and we'll take a train to the airport. I just hope we can save Yugi before it's too late."