*I want to thank mykland for the transcripts

Duel 009

In the Forest:

It had not been long since Joey had defeated Mai, but he was still glowing from his first ever victory. The two Star Chips in his Dueling Glove were shining in the sun and Joey was gloating over them.

"Whoo-whee! Haheh, two stars! Hmhmhm, this is so awesome, I can't believe it happened! I can't believe how well I played. Am I cool or what! Heheheh!" Joey gloated.

"Joey is still smiling," Téa remarked as she stood with the others, "Is there a time limit on how long he gets to crow?"

"Cut 'im some slack, Téa. Did you ever think Joey would actually beat Mai in a Duel?" Tristan chimed as Joey was polishing the Chips with his sleeve, "He should be very happy. He beat Mai Valentine in his first Duel. Even I find it hard to believe. I mean, Joey…who would've thought?"

"I knew he'd do it! I'm really proud of you, Joey," Yugi spoke, "If you continue like this you may win the next Duel too" "That just proofs that all that training you received from Grandpa Muto has paid off!" Satomi stated.

"Yeah!" Joey exclaimed, but then his stomach began to grumble. "Ugh, I'm getting kinda hungry. Must have been all that Duelin'! Did any of you guys remember to bring any food wit'cha?" Joey asked. "Nope, sorry, Joe," Everyone else said.

"Ogh! What were we thinkin', comin' here wit' no food? How're we ever get through the rest of the competition without anything to eat?" Joey groaned. "Why didn't anyone prepare food for this tournament?"

"Right, that's a good question, Joey. That is a problem. The game will last for two days. We'll eventually need food and something to drink," Yugi stated, "This Dueling really takes it out of you, and I haven't seen any burger stands or restaurants since we got here."

"Shouldn't the organizer of this event provide it for us? They aren't very organized!" Téa complained. "Like I said before, Pegasus is very eccentric," Satomi stated. "Well, we better do something fast! I've gotta have my five basic food groups, or else…it's metabolic meltdown!" Téa fumed. "Calm down, just chill!" Satomi said.

"Oh yeah! Hey, chill out, you guys, I got it covered! I brought something with me," Tristan remembered. "Yeah?" Everyone else said. "Tada Check it out, the Great Outdoor Survival Guide Book!" Tristan announced holding up a book.

"Ugh…' Téa, Yugi, Satomi moaned. The others were not as thrilled. "What? Can we eat it?" Joey asked.

"Better than that, it lists all the plants, berries, and grasses we can eat!" Tristan explained as he flipped through the pages, "If there's an emergency, we can follow the steps in this book for looking for editable plants and mushrooms." "Eeew!" Everyone else groaned.

"Idiot! That's too risky to eat!" Joey snapped, "Do I look like a squirrel, ya big doofus?!" then he started to smell something in the air. "I don't need your dumb book anyhow; I smell somethin' cookin' that-a-way! Hah! See yuh!" Joey said, "Let's go guys! Food!" Joey yelled as he ran, leaving the others behind, towards a clearing up ahead, which seemed to lead to an ocean.

"He can smell it?" Téa asked, "He must be hallucinating." "Don't be so sure. Ya know, it wasn't his brain that beat Mai, it was his nose," Tristan added, "He beat her with his sense of smell. His nose must be very sensitive." "Either that, or the smells in questions are just strong," Satomi added.

At the Seaside:

The waves crashed against the rocky cliffs as the gang found a campfire with fish cooking over it like hot dogs. "We found food! Really!" Joey rejoiced, "Mmm, aw, man, I just love barbecued fish!" "Really?" Yugi asked, "Smells good…" "This seems too good to be true," Satomi said, and they're grilled fish more likely."

"Aw, yeah, and I bet it tastes even better!" Joey beamed as he started to run towards the fish. "Stop! Those are someone else's!" Téa warned, "What makes you think those fish are yours to eat?!" "Hey, trust me, we eat first and ask questions later! Your stomachs will thank me!" Joey responded as he continued to run to the campsite, "It must be a blessing of food from God. Heeheeheehee!"

"Joey! Ugh, he'd say anything to full his belly!" Téa muttered, "He has no self-control." "You're right about that. Some people have absolutely no self-control," Tristan remarked, arms folded, "But, I think Joey may be right this time." "Huh?" Téa, Yugi, and Satomi said.

"Hey, Joey, save some for me-e-e!" Tristan called out as he ran after Joey, "Don't eat by yourself!" "Ugh…" Téa and Satomi groaned.

Joey and Tristan each took a skewer from the fire and prepared to dig in. "Ahh man, this looks awesome!" Joey exclaimed, "It smells nice." "Ow! Owow! Hot, hot!" Tristan said as he nearly got burned.

"Then from the ocean, a tanned boy wearing short jeans, a diving mask, and holding a harpoon with a fish flailing around on the spear came over the cliff to see the gang at the campfire. Yugi, Téa, and Satomi joined the others only to stand by the fire. "Ready, set, feeding frenzy!" Joey and Tristan shouted, "Let's eat!"

"Enjoy yourselves, you fish thieves, this is your last meal!" the guy bellowed. Gaining the fivesome's attention, "How dare you eat my fish, you thieving poachers! Has no one taught you manners ya freeloading sardines! Who dares to touch my fi…" the guy started to say.

A wave had come from behind and crashed over him, dragging him back into the ocean. "Uh…" Yugi said as he was the others were dumbfounded by the sudden disappearance. "What was that?" Joey asked, "So, can we eat now?" Satomi elbowed him in the side for that statement.

The fisherman climbed back, disgruntled now that his entrance was ruined. "Alright, let me try that one more time," the guy mumbled. "I knew this was a bad idea…" Téa muttered, "I just knew we'd get caught."

"Rrgggh, how dare you steal my fish, you bottom feeding freeloading thieves!" the guy roared, "Ya can't just eat my fish without permission!"

"Heeey, chill out, guy, it's just a few fish," Joey said. "A few fish that do not belong to you! And to steal a fisherman's catch is to prove you have no honor!" the Guy snapped. "We didn't even eat it yet…" Joey said. "Don't pretend you didn't. Give the fish back to me then," the boy demanded.

As the fisherman argued, Yugi noticed a Dueling Glove on his right hand. "A Dueling Glove…and Star Chips? Wait a second! Aren't you Mako Tsunami, the top-rank Ocean Duelist? And the 3rd place runner up of the National Championship?" Yugi asked.

"Mmmgh. Yeah, that's right," the boy now known as Mako answered, thrown back by the boy's respectfulness, "And who might you be?" "Yeah, you're that freaky fish guy," Joey stated. "I am not a freaky fish guy!" Mako snapped. "That's a lie! You're just homeless…" Joey started to say. "Who are you calling homeless?" Mako snapped.

"I am Mako Tsunami, Duelist extraordinaire of the seven seas!" Mako exclaimed, "I'm a great sea Duelist!"

Téa and Satomi noticed something on Mako's head and began laughing. "Ehh, what are you laughing about?" Mako asked, frazzled that his moment was being anticlimactic again, "What's so funny?" "Heheh, your head! You've got company!" Téa answered, "An Octopus to be exact!"

Sure, enough a little pink octopus was peeking out from Mako's googles. "Huh…?" Mako grunted. "Hahaha!" Joey laughed. "Rrrgh, off with you!" Mako growled as he ripped the poor thing off his head and threw him back into the sea.

"No, don't!" Tristan cried, "OCTOPUS!" "I wanted to eat that!" Joey complained. "You're demented," Tristan said, not admitting he wanted to too.

"Hunh. Are you telling me that those two are here as Duelists?" Mako asked turning back to Yugi, "You guys sure seem to be Duelists to me." "Nice to meet you. I'm Yugi Muto," Yugi introduced himself, "Sorry about your fish."

"You? You're Yugi Muto, the only Duelist to ever defeat Seto Kaiba? And so easily? Hahah! What a fine surprise! I've heard you're good. It's an honor to have ya in this tournament, and it will be my very great honor to face you in a Duel!" Mako exclaimed. "N…Not really…so easily," Yugi stammered, "But same here, it would be an honor to face you, Mako."

"Ok, Ok. I must apologize; I've been ungracious. Sorry for my rudeness. Since Yugi Muto is friends with you all, I will forgive you. Please! Come sit down, eat your fill!" Mako offered. "Really?" Tristan asked. "Seriously?" Joey asked. "Tha-a-anks!" Joey and Tristan exclaimed. "You are welcome," Mako

Faster than you can say, seafood feast, they ran back to the campfire. "Let's dig in!" They both exclaimed, "Feeding Frenzy!"

Without further ado, they started digging into the fish. Tristan was so relieved by his taste buds, he cried in happiness. "Oh, man, Freaky Fish guy really knows how to cook! Hmm-hmm!" Tristan exclaimed, "It's great to have friends!"

"That's good," Téa said, "Really good, huh?" "Mmmm-hmm!" Yugi agreed. "Heheheh!" Mako chuckled in his head as he also dug into his fish.

BUURRRPPPP! Joey belched as they finished the meal. "Ew!" Satomi exclaimed. "Wow, that was good!" Joey said, "I'm full."

"The grilled fish was delicious!" Téa said, "Where'd you learn to cook like that?" "Hahaha! I've had to fend for myself since I was a tadpole. But it was my father who taught me how to fish and cook," Mako explained, "If I win the tournament, I will buy a boat and catch some better fish for you," Mako

"So-o-o, that's what brings you here to the competition?" Yugi asked, "You want a ship?" "Part of it…I want to buy a newer model. Then, go out to the sea again. So that I can catch more fish at a time," Mako explained, "In fact, I was raised on a fishing boat, where I learned to love the sea, so if I win here. I would love a vessel of my own. Of course, I'll have to beat a few Duelist first. Hahahahaha!"

"Your own boat? How great would that be, living life out on the big blue sea!" Téa said, "It would be great to live out on the sea. I envy that kind of lifestyle." "That's a real dream come true," Satomi added.

"Yes, the ocean is amazing, and we have shared a special bond since I was born. The ocean is my world. I've been living at the Ocean's side since I was born. That's why I know the ocean's happiness, and when it's sad. I understand the sea very much," Mako explained with feeling, "I can tell when the sea is happy by the way it sparkles, and when it is angry, by the shifting tides…"

"Ehaha, excuse me, I didn't mean to be so serious," Mako apologized, sheepish by his speech, "Sorry for sayin' strange things."

"Oh no, not at all…don't apologize!" Téa reassured. "We all have our passions," Satomi said. "You save our hides! We'd be stravin' without you!" Joey added, "You even gave us a free dinner."

"Well then, it's time to go," Joey said as he and the other stood up to leave, "This's really been great; thanks again!" "Really, leaving so soon, are you?" Mako asked with a glint in his eyes.

"Nice meeting you, Mako!" Téa said, "Thanks for the food!" "We'll have to repaid you sometime," Satomi added. "Let's work hard," Yugi said, "Maybe we'll meet up in the competition."

"We certainly will…sooner than you think, my friend!" Mako said as he grabbed his harpoon, "Wait, Yugi. I am not interested in your friends. But Yugi… you won't run away!"

"Huh?" Yugi said. Suddenly, Mako hurled the harpoon at Yugi's feet. "Guhhh!" Yugi exclaimed, near fainting by the near piercing in the foot.

"Ahuhuhuhuh, I treated you to dinner, perhaps you will…honor me with a Duel," Mako "You…!" Joey growled, "He's nuts!"

"No, but I am an expert fisherman. I'm not stupid enough to feed you and then let you go," Mako said, "And you have taken my bait! Ahahahaha!"

"What bait?" Téa asked, "What do you mean?"

"Why, the fish of course! I hold the advantage in the sea. I take care of this area, this is the place where I use food to reel in hungry Duelists. I laid it out and lured you three right in! But I never expected to catch Yugi Muto!" Mako explained.

"I guess we should have figured something was fishy," Satomi said. "Darn. You treat people like fish…" Joey said. "So that's why you were being really nice to us," Tristan said.

"Aahh, forget this crazy chicken of the sea, Yugi," Joey exclaimed dismissing the idea. "Can't we just give the guy a few fish?" Tristan asked. "It's in our stomachs now, genius" Satomi deadpanned.

"I reeled in another Duelist a short time ago, but he was not a worthy opponent. Just like choosing an opponent to test my power. But a Duel against you, Yugi would be a true test!" Mako said referring to the Star Chips on his Glove, "But, you are not good enough. Yugi, let's Duel. I'll beat ya!"

Then the Millennium Puzzle was glowing again and Yugi had changed again. "Alright," Yugi said, "Mako Tsunami, I accept your challenge!"

With that, a Duel Ring rose from the ocean. "This is my area…Duel Ring!" Mako exclaimed, "Behold, Yugi Muto! We shall battle beside the majestic sea!"

"The playing field is equally split into two halves; one half is land, the other is sea," Mako explained as he and Yugi took their places on the podiums, "In this field's condition, I'm the navy head, and you're only a tiny soldier. Is that ok?"

"Yeah, it's ok," Yugi said, "And the stakes, Mako?" "I wager two Star Chips on this match," Mako said, "So, each player will bet two Star Chips." "Alright!" Yugi agreed as they placed the Star Chips on the tables, "Two Stars."

"Yugi, you have fallen into my trap now," Mako thought to himself with a savage glint in his eyes, filled with excitement, "Finally, an adversary of real merit! How I have waited for this day!" "Duel Start!" Mako and Yugi exclaimed at the same time.

"This should be some match!" Téa stated, "Yugi, do your best!" "Don't lose to that ocean jerk!" Joey exclaimed, "Sink that soggy sucker, Yugi!"

"I'm curious to see, how you will combat my mighty denizens of the deep!" Mako said, "My card is…this!" As Mako placed his card, light appeared under the water, but no Monster appeared.

"What? What's this? There's no data for that card…The Monster isn't even materializing!" Yugi said, but then he realized, "His creature is underwater! How do I choose which card to play, when I can't even see what I'm fighting!" "What does this mean?" Joey asked, "This I don't like."

"The ocean conceals many things beneath its shifting surface," Mako said, "Well, what will you do? This is my attack! Rrgh! If that thing stays submerged, I can't attack!" Yugi said, "Do I have to fight against an opponent that I can't see?" Yugi said. Below the water's surface, a tentacled beast was eying Yugi through the water, ready to strike.

"Hey, what's wrong? It's your turn!" Mako said, "I promise he won't stay submerged for very long!" "So, all my opponent's Monsters are hidden, but they definitely are there. Therefore, the data isn't there," Yugi thought, "I have no idea what that thing is down there. So, I better prepare for the worst, with as strong a defense as possible!"

"Hm! Clearly this is Yugi's first encounter with sea-based Duel Monsters. He will learn firsthand what a powerful ally the sea can be! It gives my creatures a Field Power Bonus, and it conceals them, making their stealthy attacks even more lethal!" Mako thought, "After the Fiend Kraken 's Attack Points are increased from the Sea's Field Power Bonus, it's Attack will be upped to 1560 and Defense 1829. But you don't know this quite yet. That's the horrible thing about the ocean."

"Something's fishy! How can he fight what he can't see?!" Joey asked. "Beats me," Téa answered. "A scuba gear equip card?" Satomi suggested. "Darn, he can't attack!" Joey said. "No way…" Téa exclaimed. "This is totally bogus!" Tristan said, "That's unfair, Mako!"

"Ahahahaha! It seems that my ocean-based strategy has taken you by surprise, Yugi!" Mako stated, "If the Legendary Duelist's bothered by such minor details, he's not worth playin'!"

"Maybe so…but I can still raise a strong defense!" Yugi thought, "Here, I can only hope." "My Card is this!" Yugi said, "I call upon the Horn Imp!" on the land, a brown creature with a horn on his forehead appeared.

"Now, Fiend Kraken, Go!" Mako ordered, "Ensnare him!" Two tan tentacles with red suckers came from the water and wrapped around the Horned Imp, raising him in the air. "What? My Imp! Attack!" Yugi commanded to no avail. The Horned Imp was helpless.

"Ugh!" Joey and Tristan exclaimed. "What is that?" Téa asked. "Whatever it is, it's bad news for Yugi!" Joey stated, "Aw, man, Yugi's Imp is done for!" Joey said, and the Imp was hopeless against the giant squid creature.

"Fiend Kraken, end this now!" Mako commanded, "Tentacle Submission!" With that, tentacles crushed the Imp and he shattered into pieces. And the tentacles wave triumphally as if it was applauding itself.

"Horned Imp, Defeated," Mako said, "Well done, Kraken!" "Ugh…" Yugi growled, the Duel was already heading off to a bad start. "Wow, and that was just his opening move!" Téa said, "Now he can't move an inch!"

Then the tentacles went underwater again, unseen by the opposing Duelist, namely, Yugi. "It's gone back into the ocean again!" Yugi said, "Ugh! You're good, Mako; A brilliant opening play."

"This is the Sea Stealth Attack!" Mako said, "I am pleased you appreciate it! Though I very much doubt your Imp did." Neither did Yugi, as his Life Points are now 1740. Which would mean that Fiend Kraken's Attack Power was 1560! "Sea Stealth Attack?" Yugi asked, "Well, now I know what I'm up against."

"Yes, the mighty ocean commands respect, as do the creatures that inhabit it!" Mako said, "It's just the beginning of the Ocean! Now, go back to your Field."

"As long as I can't see the opponent's where his attacks are coming from, I can only use a defense right now. But I won't give up just yet. Next turn, I will show you my strength," Yugi thought, "Maybe I can prepare an attack, that will destroy his creatures, even though I can't see them."

"Feral Imp," Yugi announced, "My Feral Imp should dispense with Mako's Monsters, no matter how deep they're hidden in the sea."

"I am familiar with your feral Monster, and its electrical attack! I know what you're aiming for. So, for my next Card, I play my Giant Jellyfish!" Mako said as he set the card facedown, "He'll go in Defense Position. Hahahaha, behold!"

Then a squealing sound like an elk was heard. "Ah! I don't like the sound of that!" Yugi said, "I can't see it again…" "Hahahaha! That is the battle cry of my creature!" Mako said, "What are you gonna do, Yugi?"

"It'll be crying all right, once I combine my Feral Imp with the magical Horn of the Unicorn!" Yugi said. The Feral Imp started sparkling all over its body with electricity as it roars like a monkey as the Unicorn Horn was added, making it more fiercer looking and has 2000 Attack Points.

"All right!" Joey said, "That's it!" "What?" Téa asked. "Yugi can't see Mako's Monsters, but he knows they're all underwater, and water conducts electricity!" Joey explained, "That Monster is going to hide in the Ocean Field. That means that all his Monsters are hiding underwater. Yugi planned to trap him in the Ocean."

"Oh…so they're vulnerable to the Feral Imp's electrical attack! Whoa that is so clever!" Téa said, "There is another attack."

"Magic Lightning, Attack!" Yugi commanded. The Feral Imp attacks the water and a spinning pillar of water emerges into the air. "Alright!" Joey exclaimed, "S a fish-fry!"

Mako just grinned, knowing something the others didn't. "But wait, what is this? Nothing's happening, Mako still has all his Life Points!" Yugi said, "Why haven't your Life Points changed?"

"Ahahaha! Your strategy has failed, Yugi!" Mako said, "You fell into my trap." "What? How?!" Yugi asked. Then the Jellyfish mentioned from before rose from the ocean and hovered over the water.

"As a Sea Duelist, I understand water conducts electricity; so, I played my Giant Jellyfish! It has the magical ability to absorb all electrical attacks, protecting all of my ocean creatures!" Mako explained, "Then, they can resolve that electricity, and use it against you on all your monsters!" "Rrrgh!" Yugi growled as the Jellyfish went back into the ocean, as the Kraken's tentacles appeared again.

"And now it's time for my counterattack! Fiend Kraken, Attack! Tentacle Submission!" Mako commanded, "Crush his Feral Imp!"

"Crush him, now!" Mako commanded. The tentacles wrapped around the Imp and crushed it as it did the Horned Imp. Yugi was really having a hard time keeping it together as the tentacles submerged into the sea again and Yugi's Life Points are now 1480. "Ahahaha! Did you enjoy my Kraken's embrace? Hahahahaha!" Mako said, "In the sea, I will always win!"

"I've never Dueled against creatures like these before! It feels as if I'm battling Mako's sea Monsters, and the awesome power of the ocean itself!" Yugi thought, "You are very good Mako Tsunami. Your Attacking technique and strategy are perfect! In the ocean, that's hard to be controlled…" "Do any of your Cards have the power to stand against my Ocean pets?" Mako questioned.

"What should I do? I guess I can only keep attacking," Yugi thought. "I have the power of Silver Fang," Yugi proclaimed as he set down the green wolf. "And I combine him with the magic of the Full Moon, to double his ferocity!" Yugi said as Silver Fang appeared with a ferocious howl and a large moon appeared in the background.

"Ahahahahaha! Ferocious, indeed! What kind of card is that? What in the ocean can you attack with that? I will let you experience the ocean's heavy force!" Mako said, "The moon also controls the tides, causing them to rise. Allowing me to unleash my next creature! Arise mighty Kairyu-shin!"

"Rrgh! What's this?!" Yugi asked, as a large sea serpent appeared with a roar in a rising tidal wave. "Whoa, what is that?" Joey asked, "That is one big fish!"

"Behold the colossal Kairyu-Shin, a creature so enormous, that when he rises up from the ocean depths, he creates his own tidal wave!" Mako said, "The ocean's Field Power Bonus makes it power-up! Now raised to 2340 Attack Points, 1950 Defense Points!" "What a beast!" Yugi

"Your wolf is brave, Yugi, but he will not stand before my Kairyu-Shin's Tidal Attack!" Mako said, "You can't look down on the sea. The aftermath of destroying an ocean isn't funny."

Kairyu-Shin unleash its attack and the waves bowled over Silver Fang, drowning him as he howled in agony. "No! Silver Fang!" Yugi exclaimed as the crashing wave splashed sea form over him.

"Silver Fang, gone. Now I am not being hurt by your Monster,' Mako said, "But my Kairyu-Shin's Tidal Attack did more than simply wash your wolf cub away." "What?!" Yugi asked. "Look at the field!" Mako pointed out, "It considerably altered our playing field."

Yugi looked over the Field, saw that there was only enough land for one monster card. "Ah…! This is…! My land!" Yugi said, "Most of my Field is underwater now! Kairyu-Shin's attack has nearly washed away my entire land-based playing Field!"

"Kairyu-Shin is showing you his anger! That hit took over 95% of your Field, under the water! Also, you have no more space from your field to use anymore cards! You're going to lose soon," Mako said, "Ahahaha. You should consider yourself lucky, Yugi. In my previous Duels, when Kairyu-Shin attacks, absolutely nothing is left standing in its wake. I think it was quite considerate of my pet to leave you a little patch of dirt to stand on! Don't you?"

"…Or does it make you uneasy to be surrounded on all sides of the sea…?" Mako asked. "That means my opponent isn't just Monsters, but now the whole ocean," Yugi thought.

"Your eyes are showing fear to the Ocean. Just like when I was a kid," Mako said with the utmost seriousness. "What do you mean?" Yugi asked. "All men give pause before the savage power of the mighty ocean. Even the greatest of fishermen," Mako explained. "You mean your father…" Yugi said, remembering what he said earlier about his father teaching Mako's love of the sea.

"My father was a great fisherman. The greatest fisherman in the land. He taught me my love of the sea. But the sea…my Dad…one day the sea…took him…" Mako said as he leaned on the console, setting the Cards in his hands down and he thought back to his father.

"I used to think the ocean gave people warmth and made them full of life. But I gave up that theory after that day…" Mako explained, "I loved going out on the boat with my father…just the two of us, and the big, beautiful ocean! …Never suspecting that the sea would turn on us."

Flashback:

Years ago, about thirteen-year-old Mako and his Father were on a small white fishing boat as Seagulls flew overhead. The father son duo was pulling a rope aboard when Mako's Father got a strange feeling.

"Look, Mako! There's a storm blowing in," Mako's father said. "A big one?" The young Mako asked feeling fearful. "Maybe. I've learned to never take chances with the sea," Mako's father explained.

He remained quiet for a moment before speaking again. "Mako, the ocean itself is a Monster," Mako's father said. "Monster?" A young Mako asked losing his grip on the rope. "I heard that we should not underestimate the Ocean's power…" Mako's Father said. "Oh," Young Mako understood.

"And Father was right! Suddenly the calm, friendly sea turned into a raging maelstrom! It pitched our boat as if it were a toy," the present Mako said as he remembered the dark clouds spread over the horizon, which turned the tranquil sea into deadly waters with its choppy waves, "It's peace in the past was like a dream to me… Suddenly, it showed me its ugly and terrible side."

"Ahh, Father, I can't hold on!" young Mako exclaimed as he tried to hold on to the side of the boat. "It's okay Mako," Mako's Dad reassured.

"Dad…that!" Young Mako pointed to a tidal wave heading their way. "Mako, you will die if you get swept under by the sea," Mako's Father said as he got a rope and tied his son to the mast, "There, I've tied you down. You'll be safe here, son, I promise."

"Dad, look out!" Young Mako called out as the tidal wave came above them. "Who-o-o-a-a-a!" Mako and his father cried out as everything went black.

End Flashback:

"When the Storm finally died out and I woke up, our little boat had washed ashore. I was alone on the boat. Then, I couldn't find my Dad…" Mako said full of anguish as he felt like he relived the disaster all over again, "My father was right, I had been perfectly safe…but because he had stopped to tie me down, he had no time to secure himself to the mast! I thought I had lost him forever, but then I noticed that our lifeboat was missing!"

Yugi could only listen in silence, understanding where Mako was coming from. Unlike Weevil, he was honorable, and he was also fighting for a loved one like him.

"I know my Father is alive! So, I will win this contest, buy a ship, and search the seven seas until I find him! that is why I Duel, Yugi, that is why I must win, and you must lose!" Mako exclaimed as he clenched his fist, "Do you understand this, Yugi? I must challenge the ocean for my Dad. And someday, I won't be afraid of the sea anymore. I will be the greatest fisherman. That is what I'm here for. So, I cannot lose. Finish the game, Yugi. It's your turn!"

"I understand, Mako, believe me; but I still can't let you win," Yugi said, "I will finish this with you peacefully then," Yugi
"Ha!" Mako exclaimed with a grin, ready to continue the challenge.

"Oh, wow. Yugi…" Téa said. "Mako Duels for his dad like Yugi Duels for his Grandpa," Joey said, "He actually has a soft side too." "Whoa, this is too intense!" Tristan said, "What an opponent…" "I had to admit, when he said that fish was bait, I thought he was a sneak like Weevil and Mai, but he's got a heart as well," Satomi said solemnly, "And I know how important a father can be."

"Only 5% of the Field, so I have to get that card. Let's settle this!" Yugi thought to himself, "With so little land left to me, I've really gotta make the next play count. I need something that will help me turn the tide. Something like this Card."

"Here comes, Giant Soldier of Stone. This giant soldier can effectively use the remaining 5% left. So, his Attack and Defense Points go up from the land!" Yugi said as a giant statue appeared face up on the tiny island, "You may've shrunk my battlefield down to an island, Mako, but my Stone Soldier still gets a Field Power Bonus!"

"Your massive Monster can barely fit on that little rock, let alone do battle with my undersea attack force!" Mako stated. "Mmm," Yugi mused. "It's a very good attack force. And he is surrounded by the ocean, making him easy prey for…Great White Terror! This Monster can move freely in the ocean. So, it increases the attack's area," Mako said as a Great White Shark Monster, "This savage shark will lead my other sea creatures in an all-out ocean onslaught!"

"Man, Yugi's guy is outnumbered three-to-one! His Stone Soldier's about to become fish-food!" Joey exclaimed as Mako's Monster under the water surrounded the Soldier ready to strike, "Darn it! It's stopping him from moving!"

"Now the Giant Soldier of Stone can't move. Don't even think about trying to increase your field. Yugi, sorry but I've won," Mako said, "This is it, Yugi. It's over…but you played honorably."

"You have been a fair and noble opponent too. Mako, but I, also, Duel with the fate of a loved one at stake," Yugi said, "And I can't afford to lose. I switch my Stone Soldier to Attack Mode! And I return your earlier words. I was waiting for this moment!" "What was that?" Mako asked blinking figuring out what Yugi meant.

"Giant Soldier of Stone, Attack!" Yugi ordered. "What? Attack Mode…? But why?! My Monster have already blocked him. how can he still attack?" Mako asked, "He cannot attack my sea Monsters while they're underwater!"

"But his target isn't your Sea Monsters. This attack does not limit just to Monsters, but the card I played on the field before. I'm having him attack a Card I put on the Field myself…" Yugi pointed out and the Soldier slowly drew out his sword and pointed it towards the sky, "The Moon!" "What?! No!" Mako exclaimed, realizing he was in trouble.

"Now, Stone Soldier! Destroy the moon!" Yugi commanded, "Attack! Rock Crush Sword!" The Stone Soldier raised its sword and pierces the moon, shattering it and sending pieces of moon to fall in the ocean below.

"Ugh!" Mako grunted when he noticed that the water was disappearing, "What? What's happening?! The tide! The ocean is dissipating! Why?! "It's going out! But how?!"

"The Full Moon Card increased the tide. As you yourself said before, Mako, it is the moon that controls the ocean's tides…its ebb and its flow. So, I ordered my Stone Soldier to obliterate the moon, causing the ocean's tides to reverse and recede," Yugi explained. "Wha…what?! Rrrrgh!" Mako growled in frustration.

"When the Moon was destroyed, the Field Power Bonus is decreased dramatically!" Yugi said as all the ocean Monsters were lying on the dry ocean floor, gasping for air, "My Stone Soldier has beached all you Sea Monsters; you have no ocean let!" "My Monsters…No…my…precious…fish!" Mako muttered.

"The circumstances are obvious, that's the truth. And now I'll deliver the final blow. I combine my Curse of Dragon Card with the magic of the Burning Land Card, to wipe out your remaining Life Points! Burning Land Attack! All of the Opponent's Monsters are killed," Yugi said as the Dragon burned the sea creatures to ashes, "And that takes your Life Points down to zero." "Rrrrgh…aaah, no! I lost!" Mako screamed.

"Hahaha! Awesome! Yugi won! Way to go, Yugi!" Téa cheered. "Yeah! Alright!" Tristan and Joey grunted as they posed as musclemen. "That's our boy!" Satomi exclaimed.

"My Water Cards lost on my own Field. Destroying your own moon card was a brilliant and unexpected move. Yugi, I lost, you are very good," Mako admitted, then he gave a deep sigh and regain a cheerful face, "Ahaha! What a grand Duel! I salute you, my friend!"

"You are also very good," Yugi said, "This victory was not easily won, Mako. You're a great Duelist yourself." "Ha!" Mako said as he cheerily flicked something off his nose with a wink.

With the Duel done, the ocean arena had disappeared under the waves again. "I am down to one Star Chip, but I will start over again!" Mako said. "And I bet you'll do fine," Yugi said, "Let's do our best." "You'd win that wager! Ha!" Mako exclaimed as they grasped each other's hands as rivals and friends.

"All Duelist have their own hopes and expectations," Téa said, "You know, I can't help but like that Mako. He's such a great guy and all. I hope he finds his father someday." "Mmm-hmm," Joey agreed.

Then Mako's stomach growled very loudly, causing an awkward moment. "Ahahaha! My friend, dueling you is hungry work!" Mako said, "People who arrive on the island, should fill-up their stomachs first. See ya! Let's go get some food!"

Then he took running and jumped into the ocean. "Time for Mako to fish again! Farewell…!" Mako exclaimed as he swam into the great sea with a hearty laugh. This caused the others back on land to stare at his retreating figure flabbergasted.

"He seems to be…" Téa began to say. "Very Optimistic," Tristan added. "Well, bye, Mako…" Téa said. "Wish he'd bring us some fish…" Tristan added. "We'd have to Duel him again…" Yugi said. The others just laughed. "I think one Duel was more than enough," Satomi said.

"Forget about it! But guys, I am getting seriously hungry," Joey said. "Me too," Tristan agreed. "Didn't we just eat?" Téa asked. "Hey, let's have some more food!" Joey said ignoring her statement. "Not a problem! We've still got my Great Outdoor Survival Guide!" Tristan offered.

"No way!" Téa declined. "G'head, Tristan, eat all the pages you like!" Joey insisted. "That's one way to get your fiber," Satomi teased, earning another laugh.

"Alright, let's go!" Yugi said. Everyone nodded and began to walk back to the forest. As they walked back, Yugi glanced back at ocean to see that Mako was no longer in sight. And then he returned to his friends to continue the journey to rescue his grandfather.