Transcripts:
First Duel

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Episode Originally Aired: November 3, 2001

NO TEASER OR PREVIOUSLY

(Opening)

ACT 1 <1:03>
(Beyond the treetops of Duelist Kingdom's forest, looms Castle Pegasus. Inside, Pegasus sits alone at the head of a banquet table.)
Pegasus: Hmhmhmhmhmhmhm. All over the island, my unwitting pawns are in place. The duels have begun--
(He snaps a pocketwatch that he'd been looking at closed)
Pegasus: ... And by *now*, the slow process of elimination is *well* underway.

(Pegasus continues to speak, as we watch Yugi and his friends hike out of the forest and onto a grassy, meadowy cliff with a beach sprawling below it. )
Pegasus (VO): Only the strongest Duel Monsters players will survive, and those of *insufficient* skill will fall by the wayside.
(Joey punches his hand, optimistic)
Joey: Okay, bring 'em on! I'm itchin' to duel and I'm takin' on the next player we see!
(Joey runs out to the edge of the cliff, as his friends dubiously watch)
Téa: Y'know, I'm not so sure Joey's up to this.
Tristan: Yeah, there are tournament-level players here. But don't you think he's smart enough to realize...
(Joey has jogged out to a grassy rise near the edge of the cliff; he turns and waves at them, grandstanding.)
Joey: Here I stand, the next Duel Monsters *champion!*
(All three nearly groan aloud; so much for that.)
Téa: He needs a reality check.
Tristan: Guess he's about as smart as he *looks*.

(Out at the edge of the cliff, Joey looks back out at the sea. He gets goofy with his friends, but he has a lot at stake here. A breeze off the ocean stirs his hair.)
Joey (mutters): I *better* be the champion... (think) For Serenity's sake. She's always counted on me, even when we were kids...

(Flashback. A bus stops, then continues on its way. The two passengers who just climbed off are Joey as a little kid, in a light green shirt and blue shorts and sneakers; and Serenity as an even littler kid, in a cute pink dress, neat white socks, and red shoes. They hold hands.)
<2:00>
FB Young Serenity: Where are we, Joey? Where have you taken me today, big brother?
FB Young Joey: To the beach. That's what you said you wanted.
(Little Serenity lights up, and giggles. They turn and start walking up the road.)
FB Young Serenity: Hey, Joey?
FB Young Joey: Yeah?
(The two start running, they're so happy to be there together.)
FB Young Serenity: You're the world's *best brother*!
FB Young Joey: Heheheheh.

(Down on the beach, beautiful, sparkling waves lap at shells on the sand. In the distance stands a picturesque white lighthouse, with seagulls flapping around it.)
FB Young Serenity: Oh, *Joey*! It looks so-o-o *pretty*!
FB Young Joey: *And* so *cold*!!
FB Young Serenity: Hm?
(She looks over at Joey. He's taken off his sneakers, and tries to dip a foot in the water; the next wave swamps him, and he scampers away, clowning around. Serenity watches, giggling. Joey lies on the sand, a shoe in each hand, happily drying off.)

(Later on, as the sun sets in a beautiful vista of pink, purple, and orange clouds, the two build a sand castle)
FB Young Joey: What a great day. We gotta come back here!
(Serenity looks up at him, afraid. Joey keeps building, keeping up a brave front for her sake.)
FB Young Serenity: ...But how?
FB Young Joey: Don't worry. Even if mom and dad *do* get divorced, and we have to live apart, I'll still... bring you back to this place someday.
(Serenity eagerly leans forward and offers a pinky)
FB Young Serenity: You promise?
(Joey hooks his own pinky around hers)
FB Young Joey: Yeah-- I *promise*.
(End flashback.)

(Seagulls cry overhead against the shining white clouds, as Joey stands there lost in thought) <3:00>
Joey (think): I'm your big brother, Serenity; I'm supposed to take care a' ya. I'm gonna win this tournament *and* the prize money. I'm gonna make sure you don't lose your eyesight, and show you that beautiful ocean one more time-- *I promise*.
(As he's stood there, Yugi, Tristan, and Téa have caught up, and all of them are having a quiet moment. Téa is the first to hear the noise, and points it out to the others.)
Téa: Look there!
(The boys look where she's looking, and see duel arenas; three of them are visible, spaced across the landscape, and the tournament is in full swing.)
Tristan: Duel Monsters stadiums! Look at 'em-- they're all over!
Yugi: You said it! Lots of dueling going on!
Joey: Right-- I'm goin' in!
Tristan: You sure you wanna do this? If you lose, you give up your only star chip!
Téa: That's right.
(Joey's confidence evaporates, and he falls over.)
Joey: Gggh!
Yugi: Don't panic. You can *do* this, Joey. You *do* know that, don't you?
Joey: I hope you're right, Yugi; this'll be my first official duel, and I can't afford to get knocked out at the *start*!
Yugi: True; but not everyone here is a pro. I'm sure you can find someone on *your* level.
Téa: Go for someone easy, Joey.
Joey: An', I guess I should think about which field my cards're best suited for. They're mostly monsters and fighter-types. I... <4:00> guess that makes this meadow region my kinda turf!
Yugi: That's right, Joey. See? You know what you're doin'!
(Just then, they overhear--)
Mai: You *lost*, crybaby, now give me your star chips!
Téa: A voice that *annoying* could only belong to-- *Mai*!

(Indeed, Mai is standing over by a meadow arena with a big 10 on the side, gloating over her victory. Her opponent is upset)
- It's not fair, you cheated somehow! How could you know what your cards were when they were still facedown!
Mai: I'm *psychic.* And you're, (wink) *done*.
(The opponent walks away, crying into his sleeve. Mai laughs out loud, then gasps, spotting Yugi's group.)
Mai: *Well*. Look who's here!
Joey: Wow; Mai's already won two more star chips.
(Mai's eyes glint; she has a nasty plan. Then she turns fake-friendly)
Mai: Hey, Yugi! Are your duels going well?
(Téa is giving Mai the evil eye. Yugi answers with calm reserve.)
Yugi: I'm making progress.
(Mai picks up Yugi's gloved hand and looks at the stars. Téa glares even harder.)
Mai: So you have three star chips, do you? I might be up for a duel myself!
Téa (sotto to Yugi): *Take her*!
Yugi: Huh?!
Téa (sotto to Yugi): Knock her out of the contest and *off the island*!
Mai (still fake-friendly): Mmm! You know, I'm *definitely* in the mood for a duel right now! So get ready, because I choose to challenge... *you*, Joey!
Joey: Whaa? You challenge *me*?
Mai: Do you have the *guts* to accept?

ACT 2 <5:00>

Mai: Get it? I wanna play *you*, kid.
Joey: Huh! Guess you heard about my skill.
Mai: *Don't* flatter yourself. I overheard you and Yugi talking on the boat, and I *know* he gave you the *only* star chip that you have. My motto is, take out the *weakest players first*. (wink) And considering that you wouldn't even *be* here if Yugi hadn't given you one of *his* chips, you've got to be *the* weakest duelist on the island!
Joey: Hey... do ya have to be so *insultin'*?
Téa: This time she was being *truthful.*
Joey: Who!
Téa: Mai's ruthless; don't duel her first!
Tristan: Don't you get it? If you lose this contest, you're out for good!
Téa (sotto to Yugi): Yugi, stand *up* for Joey! You have to fight her in his place.
(Yugi looks up at Mai, whose eyes dare Joey to accept her challenge; then over to Joey, who is shaking with anger.)
Yugi: This is *his* decision to make.
(Joey is surprised out of it by Yugi's words, and turns to stare at him.)
Yugi: Show Mai what you're made of!
Joey: Right-- she thinks I'm a pushover, but she'll see!
Téa: *Yugi*!
Tristan: You can't be serious, Joey!
Joey: I've never been *more* serious! Don'tcha see, this is my chance to prove myself. To show *everybody*. Don't forget, Gramps trained me... <6:00>
(Joey then qualifies his statement, and Yugi, Téa, and Tristan look even more worried as he speaks.)
Joey: I mean, sure, Gramps didn't get a chance to *finish* my training, and, granted, I wish I'd had a chance to practice more before getting thrown into a tournament *this huge* with so many heavy-hitters, but honest-- I think I can take 'er.
Tristan: Oh, man. You'd better be right, for your sister's sake.
Téa: Yeah, you'd better not screw this up, Joey.
Joey (to Mai): I accept. Let's duel.
Mai: Get ready to *lose*!

(Joey rises into place atop the blue podium of the arena. Mai faces him across the field. Yugi, Tristan, and Téa are standing on the sidelines toward Joey's end.)
Téa: Go get 'er, Joey!
Tristan: Kick her butt!
Joey: Yeah!
Yugi (murmurs): He'll do fine.
Mai: Since you only have one *measly* star chip, I only have to bet one of *mine* against you.
Joey (think): At least this region'll give me a field advantage... (aloud) Huh? Oh, no!! What're all those mountains doin' on my field!!
Mai: The field we'll battle on is forty-percent forest, forty-percent mountain, and the last twenty-percent is meadow. So deal with it or surrender.
Yugi: Calm down, Joey, you'll be okay! Your monsters will still get a <7:00> field power bonus on the meadow part of the field!
Joey: Oh. Yeah. Listen, Mai-- not for nothin', but I gotta ask you one question before we duel.
Mai: Hmm? What?
Joey: Why did you decide to take part in this tournament? Tell me, Mai-- why is it you *duel*?
Mai: *Why* do I *duel*?
(She turns goofy and her head fills with figurative air as she rattles off her reasons)
Mai: For all the comforts that I crave! Designer clothes, travel perks, *anything* to avoid *real* work! Hot cars, turbo-charged for livin' large!
Joey: Huh! So that's why you want the prize money? How selfish!
Mai: How dare you try and judge me, who d'you think you are, you pathetic little snot!!
Joey: Hey, you're only duelin' for *things*. But for your information, some of us fight for the people we love.

Yugi: You'll show 'er, Joey. Show her what it's like to duel from the heart!

Joey and Mai: Duel.
(Joey looks at his hand for a moment)
Joey: Hmm, so to start the game off, Masaki, the Legendary Swordsman!
[Masaki the Legendary Swordsman 1100/1100//earth]
Joey: The field power bonus will bring his power up over three hundred points!
(Masaki's new stats are 1430/1430)
Joey (triumphant): Hey, I made my first move!
Mai: Hm!
(Mai closes her eyes and starts humming mystically.)
Joey: Huh?
<8:00>
(Everyone is watching Mai; what on earth is she doing?! She has the five cards in her hand facedown on the surface in front of her, the area between the card zones and the edge of the table, and she's still humming to herself.)
Joey: Whaddaya think you're doin'!
Mai: Divining my card. I have to mystically choose which one of them's the best.
(Joey looks pretty freaked out to hear this.)
Joey: Eh?! What're ya... a *psychic*?
(Yugi's watching all this carefully)
Mai: And the best card would be... Mm. The Harpie's Lady! (sic)
[Harpie Lady 1300/1400//wind]
(Harpie's Lady appears on the mountain portion of the field, with a loud caw. Her hands and feet are talons; blue, feathery wings sprout from the back of each arm; and she has a tail of blue feathers as well. Other than that, she is a light-blue-skinned, pretty, fierce lady with unnaturally red hair and skintight top and leggings.)
Mai: Her strength is boosted by the mountains' field power bonus!
(Harpie's new totals are 1690/1820)
Joey: I'll *still* take it on! Atta-a-a-ck!
(Joey's Swordsman draws his katana and rushes at the Harpie.)

Yugi: Joey, wait! Land monsters are at a disadvantage to flying monsters!

(The Swordsman slashes, and misses as the Harpie leaps skyward and he slashes the air where she was standing. She is now directly above him. Joey watches in panic.)

Yugi: Monsters that can fly have a *magical resistance* against monsters that can only walk on the earth!
Téa: So Joey blew it already?
Yugi: No, but he attacked too soon before he thought about what her monster was capable of.

(The Harpie dives, and slashes the Swordsman; he doesn't stand a chance.)
Joey: Huh! My samurai's *sushi*!
(Joey's lifepoints fall to 1410)
Mai: Ohh, cards, <9:00> *speak* to me...! Mm-mm-mm... And I'll choose again-- without *looking*.
(A facedown card)

Joey: Huh?! How's she *doin'* that?!
Téa: He's losing it!
Tristan: Guess that mop-head *wasn't* ready for this duel.
Yugi: Hey, Joey! *Think about what you're doing* before you move again!

Joey (think): How can she read the cards when they're lyin' facedown?
Mai (think): Ha! My little card trick has made this kid forget everything he ever *knew* about Duel Monsters! All *I* have to do is just *keep pushing his buttons.*
Joey (think): What do I do? (aloud) Maybe, *this* one! Tiger Axe!
[Tiger Axe 1300/1100/L4/earth]
Joey: My field power bonus should raise its attack power, so it can take on the Harpie's Lady head-to-head!
(New stats are 1690/1430)

Yugi: You're not *thinking*! It's still resistant to magic!

Mai: Right. Tiger Axe is another handicapped *earth-based* monster!
(Harpie shrieks and slashes Tiger Axe; it evaporates. Joey's down to 1020 lifepoints, while Mai still has a perfect 2000)
Mai: Hmph! It'll take stronger monsters than your land-based *wimps* to beat my Harpie's Lady! Now I'll play *this* lovely card <10:00> without even looking.
(Another facedown)
Mai: I'll give you a hint-- it's an equipment magic card that will help me defeat *your* next card in *one turn*.
Joey: Again with all that psychic stuff? (think) Can she see *my* cards, too? Since I can't see what she's playin', I gotta get defensive.
(Joey sets a facedown monster)
Mai: Running scared, huh? Well let me *show* you my surprise-- "Cyber Shield", to juice up my Harpie's Lady!
(Cyber Shield is glossy, metallic-maroon armor that raises Harpie Lady's points to 2190/2320. She caws, and dives with both clawed feet first onto Joey's set defense monster. It appears, looks like some kind of green-skinned warrior, TYG006_id1, but not for very long. It's destroyed, too.)
Joey: How's she *doin'* that?!
Mai: Ahahahahaha, this is so much *fun*! In case you were wondering, the *next* card you were thinking of won't work *either*.
Joey (mutters): Mai has ESP, that has to be it...! I'm gonna lose this duel match, and the chance to save my sister!

ACT 3 <10:50>

(In Arena #10 on one of the meadowy plains of Duelist Kingdom, surrounded by forest at a distance, Mai and Joey face off. Mai has Harpie's Lady on her field, and Joey's is empty. Yugi, Tristan, and Téa are the only ones standing close to the arena, but other bystanders are noticing the duel and milling about at a distance.)
Mai: Ahahahaha! This game is mine! You can't *win* against *me*.
(Joey is talking fast, half-muttered)
Joey: She's right, she's too much for me!

Yugi: *Settle down*. <11:00> Joey, remember what my grandpa taught you about how to play Duel Monsters.
Téa: Don't let her rattle you! She's just trying to psych you out!

(Mai starts to get suspicious of this cheerleading; Joey might actually listen!)
Mai: Mm?! Stay out of this!
Téa: Huh?
Mai: Your brainless cheerleading isn't going to help him against the superior power of my Harpie Ladies. Don't you guys get it yet? Friendship doesn't win duels, never *will*. It hasn't helped *him*. He's defeated and he *knows* it.
Téa: Not true!
Mai: No? I beg to differ. There can be only *one* champion. On this island, in this game, someone can be your best friend *today* and your worst enemy *tomorrow.* Once the competition forces you to face each other in a *duel*... where's your *friendship*, *then*?
Joey: Huh?
Mai: That's why the only person a duelist can trust is *himself*. I hope that your defeat today teaches you that lesson, kid.
(Joey is paralyzed with fear, angry and helpless.)

Tristan: He's losin' it!
Téa: He needs help; Yugi, *help him*!
(Yugi frowns; he's going to set this straight. Once again, the mysterious Millennium Puzzle begins to glow, and shakes and sways on its own. Whether aloud or in his head, we'll never know, Yugi cries out--)
Yugi: Yu-Gi-Oh...!!
(As the word is spoken, the voice speaking it grows deeper. <12:00> From a grey void appears swirling lines, strange symbols, rushing wind, and a column of blue-white light, in which there appears a figure. He's like Yugi, but isn't. He immediately takes charge of the situation.)
Yugi (Yami): Don't listen to her, Joey-- we're here to *help* you, just like you're always there for *us*!

(Both duelists stop and stare at Yugi, startled by the commanding presence.)
Mai: Huh?
Joey: W-wha?

Yugi (Yami): Trust me on this. She's just trying to divide and conquer, a strategy that's been used for *centuries*.
(The outline of a small golden eye glints on Yugi's forehead, as he adds--)
Yugi (Yami): Believe me-- I know.

Joey: When you get that look in your eye, I believe everything... you say.
Mai: Hahahaha! D'you really think Yugi wants *you* to be the grand-prize winner?! *He's* a duelist too, ya know. To win you'll eventually have to take *him* on.
Joey: She's right; we *will* hafta duel... but...

(Flashback to the conversation Yugi and Joey had on the school rooftop before they left for Duelist Kingdom)
FB Joey: Yugi, you're the best friend I ever had. Don' worry, we'll rescue your grandfather. We'll do it together-- we're a *team*.
(End flashback)

Joey (mutters): We *are* a team. But I also have to win the contest, for Serenity...

(Flashback to the tape Serenity sent him)
FB Serenity tape: I'm sending you this video just so you don't forget your little sister's face. It seems like I'm running out of time; take care, Joey.
(End flashback)

<13:00>
Joey: What do I do? Maybe Yugi's right about this thing. I have to stop listenin' to Mai's nonsense, and *start* usin' my head.
(The pressure's starting to show; Joey's fighting back tears.)
Joey: Rrrgh, I just gotta concentrate on how to win the game!
(Joey closes his eyes, and it's as though he's standing alone in a void.)
Joey (think): ...There's *gotta* be a way to beat Mai. If I can just figure out how she knows what her cards are... if she's not psychic, there must be somethin' *else* she's doin'. (sniff) What's that *strange smell*? I never noticed that smell when my eyes were open. I'm smellin' a buncha different *perfumes*, comin' from... her cards! Huh.
Mai: Let's go, kid, it's your turn.
Joey (think): That's *it*! (aloud) I see through your card trick! You sprayed all your cards with *different perfumes*. An' by smellin' each different scent, you can tell which card is which, even when they're facedown!
Mai: Uh!
Joey: So you don't have to *look* in order to play your cards. <14:00> That way you can psych the other player out.
Mai: No way! How could an amateur punk like *you* see through my aroma strategy! It's just impossible!
Joey: I gotta admit, Mai, ya really had me buyin' in to the whole 'psychic power' schtick. I was too freaked out to think things through because a' that. (points, accusingly) But you're not a psychic at all! You're just a big *fake*!

Yugi (Yami): All right, Joey!
Téa: Go get 'er, Joey!
Tristan: You da man!

Joey: Yugi, you were right!
Mai: Just because you saw through my little psychic *act*, doesn't mean you're going to be able to defeat me *in a duel*!
Joey: I think you're wrong. Before you were winnin' by confusin' me and trying to pit me against my friends; but now my mind is clear. I know who I can trust. All you've got left is your cheap tricks, and I won't fall for 'em anymore!
Mai: Uh-
Joey: I'm gonna blast your Harpies outta the sky wit' *this*!

Yugi (Yami): Good card, Joey!

Joey: Baby Dragon!
[Baby Dragon 1200/700/L3/wind]
(Baby Dragon is a cute little orange dragon, almost cartoony in appearance.)
Mai: Ha! *That* wimpy card is your *grand play*? I only wish it was worth some more so when I *devastate* you <15:00> it'll do more damage to your lifepoints! (sic) *My* card will be, "Elegant Egotist"! Its magic will make *duplicates* of my Harpie's Lady (sic)!
(Harpie glows, and the glow splits into red, green, and blue; now there are three glowing blurs.)
Joey: Oh, no!!
Mai: Harpie's Lady (sic) *one*...
(The first Harpie, with the red hair, is still here)
Mai: ...*two*...
(The second Harpie has purple wings and spiky blue hair)
Mai: ...*three*!
(The third Harpie has short, bright-orange hair and green wings)
Joey: It's three times the trouble!

Téa: *Now* what? He was struggling when there was only one!
Tristan: Don't give in, Joey! You've still got all kinds a' moves left!
Téa: Really? What moves would those be?
Tristan: How would I know? Ask an expert-- ask *Yugi*.
Yugi (Yami): It's Joey's duel; *he has to figure it out*.

Joey (mutters): I don't have any cards strong enough to beat three Harpie Ladies...
Mai: Ha! And I'm going to *keep* using the magic of "Elegant Egotist" to double my Harpies again and again each turn! Ahaha! But *while* my Harpies multiply, I can't attack you, so it's *your move*. Of course you'll soon be up against an *army*!
Joey (mutters): An army of Harpies? How the heck do I fight an army?!

ACT 4 <16:00>

Joey: She's got a whole army! How'm I supposed to beat *that*?!
Yugi (Yami): Don't give up, Joey!
Joey: Huh?
(Joey looks over at Yugi)

Yugi (Yami): Think hard about her strategy; she's been using *only one* monster card, and strengthening that *one card* with *many* magic cards. But there's a *serious flaw* in her dueling strategy, Joey!

Joey: Usin' magic on one card? That's true! She's just been juicin' up the Harpie Ladies every turn; but if she has mostly magic cards, maybe the Harpie Ladies are her *only* monsters! I bet if I can just defeat 'er Harpies, she won't have any monsters left to *play*!

Yugi (Yami): That's right, Joey, now think-- what card in your deck will *help you win*?

Joey: Which of my cards? You tell *me*. (think) Wait-- I think maybe you *did*!

(Flashback. On the boat to Duelist Kingdom, Joey shows Yugi the cards he traded for)
FB Yugi: "Salamandra", and a "Kunai With Chain", Baby Dragon, and "Shield and Sword"? *Great*! With these new magic cards, *combined* with your monsters, you'll have a real strong deck!
FB Joey: All right!
(Yugi opens the box that once held the pieces of the Millennium Puzzle, in which he keeps his spare cards, and hands Joey one of them.)
FB Yugi: Here-- add *this* to your deck. It can be helpful in a tight spot.
(End Flashback)

<17:00>
Joey: The Time Wizard... This is the kind a' tight spot Yugi musta been talkin' about. Now if I can just remember what Gramps taught me about the way to use a magic card; 's my only chance. But, do I have it in my hand?
(Mai, meanwhile, is ignored throughout this deliberation, and is getting pretty tired of it.)
Mai: If I'd known how long it was going to take you to make a move, I would've brought a *magazine.*
Joey: Uh-oh. The Time Wizard's not in my hand. Ah, I'll have to *draw* for it.
(Joey reaches for the top of his duel deck with a trembling hand; this is it.)
Joey: But what if I don't get it? Rrgh, what if...

Yugi (Yami, think): Trust in your cards, Joey, trust in your*self*!

Joey: Uh, here I go. It's all or nothin'! Rrrgh!!
(Joey draws, and lifts the card...)

(Yugi is staring intently, willing the card to be the right one; maybe that intense look even affected the draw. Joey still has his eyes closed, hardly daring to look. He peeps at it, then cheers out loud!)
Joey: Hm? All *right*!! It's the Time Wizard!!
(The Time Wizard appears on the field, a round, red analog clock with eyeballs on its face and clock hands for a nose; white-gloved hands and purple-slippered feet; with yellow gears for shoulder clasps, from which hang his fuchsia cape; with another gear for the band of his hat, and two more for anklets; and carrying a little staff with a dial at the top.)
[Time Wizard 500//L2/light]
Mai: Hm? What good is *that* thing?
Joey: Don't you *know*? the Time Wizard can make time go faster, causin' my Baby Dragon to grow into a *Thousand* Dragon!

Yugi (Yami): Right, Joey; and that's not the *only* effect your Time Wizard will have.

(Time Wizard speaks in a mechanical, nasally voice and raises the little staff above its head.)
Time Wizard: Time magic!
<18:00>
(Before our eyes, the air above Time Wizard begins to swirl inward on itself, and shoot out beams of green and red light.)
Joey: Baby Dragon, transform into-- Thousand Dragon!
(Thousand Dragon is Baby Dragon, a thousand years old. His bright orange hide has turned more of an ochre or brownish-yellow, he's grown hair on his face, and his attitude is one of smug laziness, ready to pounce.)
[Thousand Dragon 2400/2000//]
Mai: So now you have a bigger dragon. Big deal! My Harpie Ladies *still* have greater attack power! Attack it, my three Harpie sisters!
(Then she sees that the Harpies are worn with age; their vivid hair is faded, and their faces are covered with wrinkles. They still look vicious, but they sit limply on the ground, too feeble and aged to fly.)
Mai: What?! What happened to my Harpie Ladies?! They've gotten so *old*!
(Their attack points are now 1300 apiece; they've lost all their bonuses.)

Yugi (Yami): Heheh. I *warned* you; a millennium has passed on the playing field, and your Harpie Ladies have become old and decrepit. Face it, Mai-- time's running out for you *and* your *ladies.*
Mai: Nnnggh...
(Joey still can't believe it)
Joey: I believed...! And the cards came through for me! Awesome!! Go, Thousand Dragon!
(Thousand Dragon takes flight, looming over the zombielike Harpies)
Joey: Attack with Inferno Flame Breath!
(Thousand Dragon breathes fire, singeing the entire field. Mai looks slightly ill, watching as her Harpies get toasted. Joey is confident and resolute. Mai's lifepoints go straight from 2000 to 0, and Joey still has 1020 left.)

<19:00>
Téa: He did it, Joey won!!
Tristan: I *knew* you could do it!
Joey: Thanks, guys!
(Yugi winks and gives Joey a thumbs-up.)
(Mai is leaning on her hands against the card console, completely floored.)
Mai: Nngh, *how*! How could I ever lose, to such an *amateur*!
Joey: Hey-- Mai.
Mai: Huh?
Joey: I tried to tell ya, there's more to Duel Monsters than just kickin' the other guy's butt.
(For once, Mai is speechless, listening intently, shocked into taking him seriously.)
Joey: If you're ever gonna be a real champion, ya gotta learn to *care* about someone. Other than yourself. Isn't that right? Yugi?
Yugi (Yami): Mmm-hmm!
(Yugi nods, and the Puzzle glows again. The timider, gentler Yugi has returned, and is no less proud.)
Yugi (think): I'm proud of you, Joey. All your hard work and training paid off. You went from a guy with nothing but eagerness and attitude, to a winning duelist who battles with his head, *and* his heart.
(Joey stands atop the dueling podium, two fingers up in a victory sign; and Yugi can tell that Serenity has won along with him.)

END <19:45>

* Special thanks to YouTube for making this video easily accessible.
* Special thanks, of course, to Kazuki Takahashi, 4Kids TV, et al. for Yu-Gi-Oh!
* Special thanks to Yugioh Wikia (http://yugioh.wikia.com) for the air date.

Last Updated: October 19, 2010

I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh!, at all, and these transcripts are unofficial and without any permission whatsoever. Please link back to me or credit me somehow if you use my work. For more information about my transcript format, please click here.