Haru was now currently walking through the wastelands trying to find Jaden. When Haru returned to the fortress, he found that Jaden was gone. So Haru scoured the land and defeated any fiend he came across who might hold any information about Jaden.
Haru: Hmph! After all me and Jaden have done for them, this is how they repay us. Well who needs them?! They can rot here for all I care.
Haru bitterly said as continued walking. Blair and Sora were watching.
Sora: The time is now. Haru's trial will soon begin.
Haru: Huh?
Up ahead, Haru spotted some kind of construct in the distance.
Haru: Maybe I can find Jaden there!
Haru ran at full speed for the construct, but he was suddenly met with a Mega-Dozer bursting out of the sand. Haru moved out of the way before it could grab him.
Haru: Just great!
Just then, a dagger came out of nowhere and cut the insect. It screeched before digging back into the sand. Haru looked to see people.
Haru: Sora? Blair?
Sora: Hello.
Blair: Hey, Haru.
Haru: What's going on? What are you two doing here?
Blair: We came to help. Jesse's our friend too.
Haru: Well, we can go look for him after Jaden's found.
Blair: Wait, Jaden's not with you? Where are the others?
Haru: Hmph. Who cares?
Blair: Huh?
Haru: The only one who matters is Jaden. I couldn't less about the others.
Sora: Do you really mean that?
Haru: Of course I do. Now, come on! We have to look for Jaden.
Sora: No. She said causing Haru to look back at her, surprised.
Haru: What?
Sora: You're not thinking clearly.
Haru: I'm just fine!
Sora: No, you're not. You're too blinded by your rage to see what's in front of you.
Blair: What do you mean, Sora?
Sora says nothing and simply points her at Haru. A light shines from the ring causing Haru to wince in pain as the light tried to overpower the darkness currently attached to him.
Blair: What is that?
Sora: A Darkness.
Haru: Grr! What are you talking about?!
Sora: Haru, if you really wish to help Jaden, you must first help yourself.
Haru: What... what do you mean?
Sora lifts up his finger and shines the light again. This time, the light seemed to cause Haru's eyes to grow weary as he begins to fall. Blair and Sora manage to catch him in time.
Blair: What do we do now?
Sora: There. She pointed west. We must hurry. If we wish to get home safely, we must find the Pharaoh.
Blair: The Pharaoh?
Sora: We don't have much time for me to explain, but you must trust me for now.
Blair: Okay, I will. The two begin to carry Haru towards the west. So, Sora, where exactly is it where going?
Sora: Somewhere Haru might be able to find help.
Blair: You know, for a while now you seem pretty worried about Haru. I figured it's because you liked him, but I get the feeling it's more than that.
Sora: Hmm.
Flashback
A few years ago in Egypt, a young child was lying in bed with a wet cloth placed on her head. She slowly opens her eyes.
Young Sora: Where...am I? She wondered.
???: Good. You're awake. The girl looks to her bedside and sees a stranger.
Young Sora: Who are you?
Ishizu: My name is Ishizu. And I am a friend. You were in a terrible crash. But thankfully, you were uninjured.
Young Sora: Mother and father...?
Ishizu: They are safe as well. You needn't worry.
Young Sora: Thank you.
Ishizu: Do not thank me. Thank the hands of destiny for guiding you here.
Young Sora: Huh?
Ishizu: Sora, you have been given a great purpose. And in the future you must bring your friends back from the darkness.
Sora: Future? Darkness? Wait, what do you mean by that? And how do you know my name?
Ishizu: You see, just recently I received a premonition. It was strange because I thought I had lost the ability to do so. It showed a very unpleasant future shrouded in darkness and chaos. Two boys, whose fates are tied together are dragged into darkness.
Sora: And you think I can help?
Ishizu: You will. One of them will be guided back to the light by you, so that he can in turn save his friend.
Sora: I don't understand.
Ishizu: You will, in due time.
She places her hand over Sora's and gives her a ring.
Sora: [Gasps]
Ishizu: These boys must unite to defeat the Darkness. Only then will your mission be complete.
End of flashback
Sora: 'I won't let you down, Ishizu.'
Later, Haru opened his eyes and looked at a ceiling.
Haru: Where am I?
As Haru was regaining consciousness, he heard the sound of birds chirping and people walking around.
Haru: What is that? Haru stood up and walked outside and saw a bustling city in the desert. Ah?!
???: Good to see you again, old friend. Haru turned around and went wide eyed when he saw who it was.
Haru: Yugi?!
Atem: Heh. Not quite.
Haru: You're the Pharaoh!
Atem: Yes. I suppose this is the first time we've officially met outside of Yugi.
Haru: But, what are you doing here? Where am I?
Atem: My kingdom. Many years ago.
Haru: I've heard about this place from my brother. It's a lot different in person.
Atem: Yes. Oh, look down there.
The Pharaoh pointed down at two children causing trouble. They were in a fight until they accidentally fell and knocked someone down.
Boy: Ah! We're so sorry miss! The boy said to the woman they bumped into.
Mana: It's fine. No harm done.
Haru: She looks familiar.
Haru began to see the resemblance to this energetic woman and a certain monster card.
Haru: It couldn't be...
Atem: Yes. The Dark Magician Girl herself. This is where you and her first met as well.
Haru: Huh?
Atem: Although, I suppose I should say your past self.
Haru: You're saying that kid is me?
Atem: I didn't see it at the time. But when I saw you back at Battle City, something nostalgic washed over me.
Haru: That's all well and good, Pharaoh, but I can't stay here for long. I'm kinda on a mission right now.
Atem: Your friend Jaden. Yes, I know. He is in terrible danger. Haru gasped hearing this.
Haru: Then I have to go!
Atem: Not yet. Before you can save him, you must follow me.
Haru followed the Pharaoh into his castle and eventually into his throne room. Atem approached his throne.
Haru: So, why exactly did you bring me here for?
Atem: Simple. Atem tosses Haru his duel disk. We duel!
Haru: What?!
Atem: If you truly wish to save your friend, you must grow stronger. The way you are now, you cannot even help yourself.
Haru: Pharaoh, I don't have time for this!
Atem: Then make time. Because the only way you're leaving this castle is by dueling me!
Haru: Grr! Fine! I'll take you on! Then I'll find Jaden!
Haru & Atem: Prepare to Duel!
(Haru: LP: 4000)
(Atem: LP: 4000)
Haru: I'll go first!
Haru draws, but was confused. He looked to see that none of his cards were there.
Haru: What's going on?! These aren't my cards!
Atem: But they are. Remember? Back in Grand Championship you used these same cards to duel. You were so determined to win and face in the title match. Let's see if that determination will hold.
Haru: Okay, I draw! And I set one monster, and two other card! And that will be it for me!
Atem: I draw! And I summon my Breaker, the Magical Warrior!
(ATK: 1600)
Atem: And when it's summoned to the field, it receives a counter and 300 extra points (ATK: 1600-1900)
Haru: This can't end well.
Atem: Breaker, attack his monster!
His monster swung its sword, cutting through the card, which was briefly shown to be Giga-Tech Wolf.
Haru: I activate my Time Machine Trap card!
Haru: This brings back my Wolf! (DEF: 1400).
Atem: Hmm. I set one card and end my turn!
Haru: I tribute my Giga-Tech Wolf to summon Jinzo!
(ATK: 2400)
Haru: Jinzo, attack his Breaker!
Jinzo creates a ball of static electricity and launches it at Breaker, destroying it.
(Atem: LP: 4000-3500)
Haru: Just to remind you, don't bother using any Traps while Jinzo is on the field. Cause any that you play will be destroyed.
Atem: I'm well aware. I draw! And I summon my Palladium Oracle Mahad!
(ATK: 2500)
Haru: But that monsters a level 7! You can't summon it!
Atem: But I can. You see Mahad's ability allows me to special summon it to field from my hand when I draw it.
Haru: Uh-oh!
Atem: Mahad, attack Jinzo with Oracle Magic Attack! And when Mahad attacks a DARK monster, it gains 2500 ATK. (ATK: 2500-5000) Mahad destroys Jinzo.
(Haru: LP: 4000-1400)
Haru: Grr! I can't believe this!
Haru said frustrated. Atem noticed the dark energy behind him.
Atem: Haru, are you alright? You seem upset.
Haru: I'm fine. Now let's keep going, I draw.
Atem: 'Haru, you need to look past your anger. If not, then I fear the worst.'
Haru: I play my facedown Call of the Haunted.
Haru: I'll use it to bring back Giga-Tech Wolf. Next I'll sacrifice it to summon Machine King!
(ATK: 2200-2300)
Haru: And that's not it! I'll also equip it with 7 Completed!
Haru: Giving my King another 700 ATK! (ATK: 2300-3000) Now King, give his highness the royal treatment.
Machine King powers up energy in its chest and fires it at Mahad, destroying him.
(Atem: LP: 3500-3000)
Haru: Yes! Perfect shot!
Atem: Perhaps, but you've made a bit of an error.
Haru: What do you mean?
Atem: When Mahad is destroyed, I can summon another monster directly from my deck. Now meet a familiar face, Dark Magician!
(ATK: 2500)
Haru: Great. I'll just set this facedown and call it a turn.
Atem: My turn! And to begin, I activate the Spell Thousand Knives.
Atem: While Dark Magician is out on the field, I can use this Spell to destroy one of your monsters. Such as Machine King!
The knives lunge at the Mechanical King, until Haru's facedown automatically reveals itself.
Haru: I play the Trap, Spell Shield, Type-8!
Haru: This Trap cancels out your Spell and destroys it.
Atem: Well played. For now I shall set this facedown. Your move, Haru. I do hope you can entertain me.
Haru: 'Entertain?! I don't have time to be dueling! Doesn't he see that?' It's my turn again. And I summon Reactor Slime.
(ATK: 500)
Haru: Now, my King gains another 100 ATK. (ATK: 3000-3100) Machine King, attack! His machine prepared to destroy Dark Magician.
Atem: I play the Trap, Negate Attack!
Haru: Ah!
Atem: I was afraid of this. Haru was confused by what the Pharaoh meant. You are too impatient.
Haru: Can you blame me?! I'm trying to save my friend and you're making me duel for no reason.
Atem: There is a reason! If you would just stop and think you could see that.
Haru: What are you talking about, Pharaoh?
Atem: Haru, have you stopped and considered your other friends. They are out lost in a dangerous world filled with fear and terror. Yet you ignore them just to search for Jaden.
Haru:....
Atem: I understand he is your friend, but you have other friends that are just as important.
Haru: I.....I guess I did forget. It just.....we tried to help Jesse. And somehow, along the way....everything just went wrong. Nothing but one bad thing after another.
Atem: I was in your shoes once before. I wanted to win, so I took a path I never thought I would take. I feared you might suffer that same fate as well.
Haru:....
Atem: Haru, tell me, why did you start dueling in the first place? To win? To defeat everyone you came across? To be acknowledged?
Haru: Uh.
Atem: Your reasons were just as simple as Jaden's. To have fun.
Haru: It's kinda hard to have fun when things are this grim.
Atem: And that's precisely why you must remember why you duel. Joy is the light inside the darkness. And if you use it, I'm positive Jaden will find his way too.
Haru: What do you mean?
Atem: Haru, I'm afraid a great evil is at work here. Much more sinister than Yubel. An ancient evil that I thought I had vanquished. But it appears I was wrong.
Haru: Then what should I do?
Atem: You must gather your friends and combat this evil. I am here to help guide you as is Sora.
Haru: Sora?
Atem: Yes. She plays a key role in this as well. But more on that later. Right now, we're in the middle of a duel.
Haru: Oh, that's right. Well then, your move, Pharaoh.
Pharaoh: Very well. Dark Magician attack his Machine King! His monster does so. I place one card facedown and end my turn. Your move.
Haru: Oh, yeah! I'll start things off by playing Pot of Greed. 'Heh. I have everything I need.' I activate my Reactor Slime's effect. One per turn I can summon two Slime Tokens to the field. (ATK: 500)
Haru: And with these two monsters, I can sacrifice them to summon Perfect Machine King!
(ATK: 2700)
Haru: And just like his predecessor, it gains more ATK. 500 more. (ATK: 2700-3200) Perfect Machine King, attack Dark Magician with Automaton All-Out Assault!
A cannonade of missiles reduced the magician to nothing but tiny pieces of light
(Atem: LP: 3000-2300)
Haru: And now, to take out some of your LP's with Reactor Slime! His Slime burst towards Atem and swiftly impaled the Pharaoh
(Atem: LP: 2300-1700)
Haru: And that should be enough for right now! Has the duel become more entertaining, Atem?
Atem: It certainly has! I draw! And I shall set one monster. Then a facedown.
Haru: Alright then! I summon my Robotic Knight to the field!
(ATK: 1600)
Haru: And with another Machine-type in play, Perfect Machine King grows even stronger (ATK 3200-3700). Next my Machine King is gonna destroy your facedown.
Atem: Bad move! For the monster I set down was Man-Eater Bug! And due to its ability I can destroy your monster. Your Reactor is getting destroyed! Man Eater Bug destroys Reactor Slime.
Haru: I still have my Knight. And he's about to cut down your LP's! Robotic Knight strikes Atem directly.
(Atem: LP: 1700-100)
Haru: How's that?! You think you can come back from that your highness?
Atem: Yes, I do. I draw! Hm. Atem was pleased with what he drew. I activate the Magic card Monster Reborn! With it, I return Dark Magician back to the field. And finally I call upon the power of an ally from long ago. I activate the Eye of Timaeus!
Haru: The Eye of Timaeus?!
Haru Watches as a large green dragon appears on the field. Dark Magician rides on its back as the two join forces to create a new monster.
Atem: Behold, Amulet Dragon!
(ATK: 2900)
Haru: Timaeus. I've never heard of that monster.
Atem: This dragon has helped me many times in the past. I owe him and his fellow knights for their help in dealing with the Leviathan. Watch as its power grows! For every Spell I banish from either of our graveyards, Amulet Dragon gains an additional 100 ATK points!
Haru: And with five Spells in our graveyards...
Atem: You catch on fast. (ATK: 2900-3400) Go, Amulet Dragon, destroy his Knight!
Amulet Dragon charges a powerful blast and fires, reducing the Machine-type to ash.
(Haru: LP: 1400-0)
Atem: Are you alright?
Atem walked over and offered his hand to Haru. As the boy looked up at his role model, the darkness that had taken root in him was disappearing completely.
Haru: Heh. Ha ha ha! You know what? I think I am. Haru takes his hand and stands up. Thanks for setting me straight Pharaoh.
Atem: Think nothing of it.
Haru: I mean it. I was obsessed with finding Jaden and now all my friends are gone. And if you didn't help me, who knows what would have happened.
Atem: It's alright, Haru. You were simply lost. I just helped you get back onto the right path.
Haru: Thanks.
Atem: And now, I think it's about time you went on your way.
Haru: Right. If I'm gonna have any chance at rescuing Jaden and Jesse, I'm gonna need my friends to help. I have to find them first.
Atem: Of course. Though, you might need this just in case. Atem hands Haru the Eye of Timaeus.
Haru: You're giving this to me? Why?
Atem: Something tells me it'll come in handy. Farewell, Haru.
Atem said as his voice began to echo and Haru's vision turned white. The scenery around him faded away. Haru then opened his eyes and saw that he was resting by a fire. He noticed Sora resting her head on his shoulder.
Haru: Uhh. 😳
Blair: Oh, good you're awake. Blair returned with firewood. She noticed Sora sleeping. Looks like someone's comfortable.
Haru: How long have I been asleep?
Blair: About an hour or two.
Sora: Mmm. Sora began to wake up.
Blair: Morning. She looks to her side and sees Haru awake.
Sora: You're up. Did you have a nice nap?
Haru: I guess you could say that.
FLICK
Haru: Huh? The boy looked at his lap and saw the Eye of Timaeus. 'The card! This is just like back when I was a kid.'
Flashback
VO: Back when I was really sick, I had this weird dream.
Young Haru: Where am I?
Atem: Hello.
Young Haru: Huh?
Atem: It's good to finally meet you again.
Young Haru: Who are you, mister?
Atem: A friend. Here to give you this. He hands Haru the blank card. It's yours. It will help you in many battles.
Young Haru: I don't get it.
Atem: You will, in time.
End of flashback
Haru: 'The Pharaoh's been there all along. Helping me from the sidelines.' Haru looks up at the sky and sees the comet still tearing through the sky. 'I won't let you down.' Okay! Time for some action!
Blair: Woah. Where'd that come from?
Haru: If we wanna find Jaden and the others. We need to do it together. Blair, Sora, you with me?
The two girls look at each other and give a nod of approvement. They all stand up and head out in search of everyone.
Haru: 'If the Pharaoh is right and there's some great evil behind all this, then we'll need every one of us to fight back.'
To Be Continued