The Gauntlet is Thrown.

~Eleanor's POV.~

It's been about a few days since Yugi defeated Kaiba in a Duel. It's been very quiet and calm. Kaiba's been missing school recently, and even dropped out of the Championship Tournament. Some say that he got sick and had to quit. But, I reckon it had something to do with what that 'Other Yugi' did. I'm not gonna go into detail.

Anyway, school was just nearly finished and Joey and Téa were dueling. So far, they were both neck-in-neck and it's Joey's turn. Yugi was playing referee, while Tristan, myself and other students just watched.

"Joey, make a move already!" Tristan cried in impatience.

Joey picked a card and placed it on the mat, "'Kay, here ya go, tough-guy! My Rock Ogre's gonna rock ya block off!"

Rock Ogre, as its name indicates, is an ogre monster made of rock and stone. It's a level 3 earth attribute monster with 800 attack power and 1200 defense power.

Téa flipped her face-down monster, which happened to be Happy Lover. Happy Lover is a light attribute level 2 monster with 800 attack points and only 500 defense.

Joey chuckled in overconfidence, "Yeah, Téa, like that wimpy card has a chance against my giant rock guy! Give it u-u-up! Hee hee!"

Téa just ignored his taunt, "Guess I don't stand a chance, unless maybe I use-" Then she played a magic card with a picture of a blue cloud with a face, blowing a gentle force of wind, "The 'Breath of Light' card."

Joey looked at the card in confusion, "Huh?" Then asked Yugi, "Can she do that?"

Yugi nodded with a smile, "Oh, yeah. The 'Breath of Light' wears down rock monsters."

I lightly chuckled, "He he he. Reduces them to rubble!"

Realization hit Joey as he gasped and dropped his cards. He lost another Duel to a girl.

Téa smiled in victory, "That brings your Life Points down to zero, Joey! Once again, you lose and I rock!"

Tristan lightly chuckled, "You stink at this game!"

Joey groaned and slumped over the desk. Another game lost. That's got to be a new world record.

The End of School bell rang and everyone was ready to leave. Joey wanted Yugi and I to stay behind. He wanted to talk to us about something. So, we hung out around the chin-up bars on campus. Joey was tall enough to lean on the bars. Yugi and I sat next to him. Yugi on the bars, me on the ground.

Luckily I was wearing black short leggings under my uniform. :p

Joey sighed in frustration and depression, "Tristan's right. I do stink. I can't win at Duel Monsters to save my life!" He looked at Yugi, "What is it, Yugi? Why can't I ever win? Teach me what I'm doin' wrong!"

Yugi hopped off the bars and walked over to him, "Well let's start by checking your Deck, Joey."

Joey stood upright in surprise, "Huh?" Then dug into his pocket, "'Kay." He got his Deck and gave it to Yugi, "Here ya go." Then he leaned on the bar again.

Yugi took the Deck and thanked, "Ah, thanks."

He started looking through the cards. His enthusiam quickly faded and was replaced with concern. His eyes getting bigger with each card.

Joey smirked, "Powerhouse lineup, don'tcha think?"

"No one could win with these!" Yugi blurted, "Joey, your Deck's filled with nothing but monster cards!"

I raised an eyebrow at him, "Wait, what?"

Joey nodded, "You got it. I packed it with every butt-kickin' monster I could find!"

"But that's not how the game works!" Yugi answered.

Joey raised a brow, "Huh?"

"Duel Monsters is all about combining your monster cards with your magic card, to increase their strength." Yugi explained.

I nodded and added, "Along with trap cards to decrease or avoid your opponents attacks."

Yugi looked at the Deck again, "With no magic or traps in your deck, your monsters will get creamed every time!"

I lightly smiled and assured, "It's a simple rookie mistake, Joey. Everyone makes it."

Joey gasped and quickly made his way to Yugi and I, "See! That's the kinda stuff I need to know! Yugi, Ellie, ya gotta help me learn more!"

Yugi and I drew a blank.

*A Little Later, Outside Game Shop...*

Yugi, Joey and I made our way to Game Shop.

"My grandpa's the real game expert in the family. Maybe he can help." Yugi suggested.

"No harm to ask, right?" I asked with a shrug.

We entered the shop and Grandpa was inside, putting up a poster of the Duel Monsters Championship competition. Yugi called, "Hey, Grandpa, I brought you a new student."

Grandpa looked at us with confusion, "Huh? Student?"

"I was hopin' since you know more about Duel Monsters than anyone, maybe you'd teach me." Joey explained.

Grandpa climbed down from his step-ladder and looked at Joey, "Teach you? Duel Monsters is a very complex game."

Joey nodded, "Yeah, tell me about it- Téa beat me three games in a row!"

"Actually Téa beat you five times in a row, Joey!" I spoke up.

Joey looked at me and took a step back, "Five?! Aw, man!"

Then the poster caught his eye. It depicted a clash battle between a blue armored knight and a vicious red dragon.

Grandpa looked at the poster and nodded, "Yes, I could teach you to be a great tournament duelist." Then he looked at Joey with a fierce face and tone, "But only if you're willing to spend endless days and sleepless nights filled with rigorous training!"

I noticed a change in Joey's calm and cool demeanor, but he quickly covered it up and smiled, "Aw, piece a' cake!"

Grandpa glared at the tall high school student, "With an attitude like that, teaching you might not be worth my effort!"

Joey took a step back and started to panic.

"Nice goin' there, smart-mouth!" Yugi commented.

I covered my mouth to suppress a laugh. Joey quickly went on his knees and started begging Yugi.

"Please, Yugi! Help me convince 'im! I will work hard, I promise!" He pleaded.

"Listen, Joey, teaching you Duel Monsters is too big a challenge, even for my grandpa." Yugi explained.

"It's not... Impossible." Grandpa admitted in a grudging tone.

Joey looked up at Grandpa, "You mean it, Gramps?"

I removed my hand and folded my arms, "Joey, he already said he can't do it. And if he can't do it, he can't do it."

Yeah, I knew what was going on here. Grandpa was giving Joey a good scare before he finally accepts. He's done this with me, when I started learning about Duel Monsters. Only thing was that he found out the hard way that I don't scare easy and I'm an extremely quick learner.

Grandpa looked at me with a subtle wink, "I never said I couldn't do it." Then glared at Joey, "But if I agree you must work hard!"

"I'll do anything!" Joey quickly answered, "I promise, I promise!"

Grandpa stared at Joey for a few more seconds, then stood up straight, "Hmph. Fine, then we'll begin your instruction immediately, my young friend, and believe me-" He cracked his knuckles, ready for rough training, "Under my tutelage, you will learn!" And he started asking, "Now, can you name the most powerful duel monster?"

"Uhhh..." Joey drew a blank, then answered, "No."

"Can you name the weakest?" Grandpa asked.

"No-o-o..." Joey answered.

Grandpa raised a brow, "You do know what a trap card is, don't you?"

Joey nodded, "Kinda..." Then admitted, "I-I have no idea."

I face-palmed and sighed, "Oh boy..."

This is gonna be a long few weeks...

*A Few Weeks Later...*

"Good evening, duel fans and our ten-million viewers at home, and welcome to the Duel Monsters duel dome, where tonight, the Duel Monsters Regional Championship will be decided! Of the two-hundred duelists that have competed in this marathon tournament, only two competitors remain standing." The announcer shouted, as the current Duelists were presented upon the Duel Stadium.

"Put your cards together for Weevil Underwood, the Bug Brawler!"

Upon the right Podium stood Weevil Underwood, a short fellow, a little shorter than Yugi, with a nasty little grin, light blue hair styled in a bowl cut, and dark blue eyes. He wore big, round glasses with yellow frames, and his jacket was a green color, with a white shirt and a red bow underneath.

"And his opponent- The number-one-ranked Rex Raptor, Dino Duelist!"

Upon the left Podium was Rex Raptor. He was just as short as Weevil, keeping his wild brown hair down with a bright red cap, with a few purple-streaked bangs poking out of the front. He wore a green shirt and a khaki vest, and looked ready for a fight.

However, my friends and I were watching the tournament on the television, in the living room of Game Shop. Since it was a weekend, we were out of our school uniforms and wearing our casual outfits.

Téa sat on the ottoman, wearing a pink turtleneck sweater, a blue miniskirt, and tights.

I was sitting on the floor, cross-legged, wearing my favorite small dark grey shirt, with a smiling star badge pinned on it, over an indigo one-piece long-sleeved shirt and shorts combination with black skin-tight shorts underneath ending above the knee and a black belt around my waist.

Yugi wore his usual blue pants and blazer, and of course the Millennium Puzzle, sitting on the couch in his socks.

Joey sat next to Yugi, in jeans, a white shirt, and a green jacket.

And Tristan, sitting on another ottoman close to Joey, was wearing black pants and a white shirt.

"Bug-Boy versus Dinosaur-Breath? What kinda match is that, that shoulda been me in there!" Joey shouted in a pout.

"I know you've been training for weeks." Téa pointed out, "But those guys are in another league, you're just not ready yet."

Joey closed his eyes, folded his arms and lifted his head, mock-affronted, "Sure, rub it in!"

"And on top of that, you're so tired, you can't keep your eyes open." I added.

Joey didn't open his eyes. If you listen closely, you can hear him snore quietly. He's fallen asleep, proving my point to rest my case.

"I think Grandpa's lessons have been a bit too tough for him..." Yugi spoke up, ruefully.

I can understand why. For the past few weeks, Grandpa's lessons have been very strict and dangerously tough. Joey has barely slept a wink. However, the lessons have taught him so much and Joey's coming along very well.

"Ya see, it's true what they say-" Tristan whispered, then raised his voice a bit, "You snooze you lose!"

Joey woke up and looked at Tristan in annoyance. Téa laughed whilst I gave a small smile.

Joey lowered his head and groaned, "I musta been nuts to think I could ever learn this crazy game!"

Suddenly, speak of the devil and he does-eth appear. Grandpa walked into the living room, with a package in his arms, "Time for your lesson."

Joey turned to Grandpa in shock, "Wha! We're not done?"

"Not by a long shot, you slacker!" Grandpa teased. Joey groaned, but Grandpa continued, "Now, quit your whining, Joseph. I know you've been working long and hard, but you really are coming along as a duelist. And I'm quite proud of you."

Tear welled up in Joey's eyes, as he leaned forward to hug Grandpa, "Gramps, thank y-"

Oblivious, Grandpa moved away from Joey and walked toward Yugi, "Oh, by the way, Yugi. Eleanor."

And the sweet moment was ruined. Joey fell off the back of the couch and probably landed on his face.

"This package came for you two." Grandpa told us.

Yugi blinked in confusion, "A package? What is it, Gramps?"

Grandpa shrugged his shoulders, "I don't know. It just came in the mail."

Yugi took the box from Grandpa and read the label on the corner of the box, "It's from Industrial Illusions!"

Joey climbed back onto the couch and raised a brow, "Industrial Illusions? That's the company that makes the Duel Monsters game! Why the heck would they be sendin' a package to you, Yugi?"

Yugi shrugged, "I have no idea. Is it possible they heard I beat the world champion?"

"You mean, Kaiba?" Téa asked.

Yugi nodded, "Yeah. It wasn't an official match or anything, but Kaiba did drop out of the tournament because of me."

That's right. Yugi defeated Kaiba in a Duel by successfully summoning Exodia and destroyed his three Blue Eyes White Dragons. Kaiba has never been the same since. Even that shadow in his aura was gone. Whatever that 'Other Yugi' did, must've made Kaiba reconsider his choices.

I shook my head at the memory, "Nobody's gonna forget that anytime soon."

Joey rubbed his temples, "Just hearin' Kaiba's name gives me a headache!"

"Whoa!" Tristan gasped, his eyes on the television, "Guys, Raptor just stomped Weevil!"

We returned our attention to the Duel between Weevil and Rex. "Yugi- These guys any good?" Joey asked Yugi.

Yugi nodded, "Oh, yeah. They're both pretty tough customers. Weevil specializes in insect cards, and, he's a great strategist. Then you've got Rex Raptor and his dinosaur cards; he uses their power to overwhelm his opponents."

Joey smirked, "Itsy-bitsy bugs against duelin' dinosaurs? Raptor has got this one in the bag!"

"I wouldn't be so sure..." Yugi noted.

"A-a-alright, Weevil. Consider yourself- Dinosaur chow!" Rex announced, as he played a card onto the podium.

On his side of the field, a large dragon with two heads appeared on the field. It was Two-Headed King Rex. A level 4, earth attribute, dinosaur monster with 1600 attack power and 1200 defense power.

"Ooh! And Raptor plays the strongest card in his deck, the terrible Two-Headed King Rex! Looks like this match could be over, right here, right now!" The Announcer gasped as the monster appeared.

"Your move!" Rex told Weevil.

Weevil chuckled, "Heheheheh, and all I have is this weak little bug."

"Weevil Underwood counters, with a Basic Insect card!" The announcer announces, as a small, praying mantis creature with claws appears on Weevil's side of the field.

Basic Insect is a level 2, earth attribute insect monster with 500 attack power and 700 defense points. Not very fair, right? But wait and see...

Joey leaned back, "He plays a wimpy bug against a giant dinosaur? The place'll be covered in bug guts!"

Yugi shook his head, "Maybe. But I wouldn't underestimate Weevil!"

"King Rex, let's take this championship!" Rex told Two-Headed King Rex, "Stomp 'em!"

Two-Headed King Rex moved to attack, but Weevil started laughing, "Heheheh, you've attacked your way into my trap! But then- How could your tiny dinosaur brain know, when an enemy attacks, my vortex activates!"

Weevil flipped his face-down card, which was revealed to be a trap card called Infinite Dismissal. Good move.

Rex's eyes widen and he gasped, "Oh no! It's a trap card!"

"Which totally traps your King Rex in its inescapable embrace!" Weevil added, as a localized whirlwind appeared around King Rex, keeping it from moving.

"Oh no! My King Rex!" Rex cried.

Weevil played another card, "And while he's trapped there, I'll upgrade my Basic Insect by giving him armor with laser cannon!"

He played the magic equip card, and the armor and laser cannon appeared on Basic Insect, increasing his attack power.

Weevil smirked, "Not such a weak little bug after all, hmmm?" The shouted, "Atta-a-a-ack!"

Basic Insect fired its new cannon and hit King Rex square in the chest. Rex groans aloud, as King Rex recoiled from the energy blast and the electricity that came with it, and disappeared. Dropping Rex's Life Points to zero.

Weevil grinned, "And King Rex is, extinct."

Rex groaned and lowered his head, muttering something under his breath.

"A stunning upset by Weevil Underwood, our newest champion!" The announcer cheered.

Weevil's podium lowered him to the arena floor, and he raised his deck with a triumphant snicker.

Joey leans forward, stunned, "Man, King Rex squashed by an insect?!"

Then the announcer continued, "And now, a very special honor for our new champion! Here to present the Duel Monsters Championship trophy, the creator of Duel Monsters and the president of Industrial Illusions, ladies and gentlemen and fellow duelists- I give you Mister Maximillion Pe-e-egasus!

The floor inside the border of one of Weevil's trap zones contained a separate panel; a trapdoor. The trap door slid open and a tall man entered the stadium by way of an elevator platform. The man wore a red outfit, with tanned skin and had his long white hair concealing his left eye.

I narrowed my eyes at the man. Something about felt off about the man, but I couldn't put me finger on it.

The man, Pegasus, held a golden trophy, rather modest in size. The lights shined down and the stadium audience went crazy. Pegasus walked over to Weevil and handed him the trophy, speaking with measured sincerity and warmth, "Congratulations."

Weevil blushed in starstruck and took the trophy, "Uh... Thank you!"

Pegasus continued, "And as regional champion, I invite you to compete in a bold new tournament I'm hosting at Duelist Kingdom!"

With that, the program was over and switched over to commercials. I switched off the television with the remote.

Grandpa smiled, "Ha! With all the excitement of the Championships, you forgot to open your package, Yugi!"

Yugi placed the box on the carpet and wondered, "What could it be?"

He opened the box and gasped. Téa, Joey, Tristan and I leaned in. Inside the box was two red gloves with a thick metal wristband that has star-shaped holes punched in them; a plastic case containing four small star-shaped objects, and a plain black videotape.

"A pair of some kind of gloves." Téa identified.

"And stars?" I added.

"Maybe there's an explanation on the video." Tristan suggested.

Yugi picked up the video and looked at it.

"Pop it in and check it out." Joey told Yugi.

"Okay." Yugi put the video in the VCR below the TV. We all gathered around to watch. After a moment of static, the face of Pegasus appeared on the screen and he spoke to us.

"Greetings, little Yugi. Young Eleanor. I am Maximillion Pegasus." Pegasus greeted with a smile.

The others gasped, while Joey spoke up, "Pegasus?!"

"We just saw him on TV!" Téa pointed out.

I stayed silent and glared at the white-haired man.

"The famous Maximillion Pegasus sends greetings to my Yugi?" Grandpa gasped.

"I have heard some terribly interesting things about you, Yugi." Pegasus continued.

Yugi blinked in confusion, "Huh?"

"Your impressive defeat of Seto Kaiba intrigued me so much, I've decided to investigate your amazing dueling skills personally!" Pegasus invited, "Right here, right now, we shall hold a special Duel. We'll play with a strict time limit of fifteen minutes, and when time's up, the player with the highest Life Points will be the winner! Are you ready?"

Yugi blinked again, "Wha?"

"Wha?! He can't seriously expect you to fight a duel against a videotape!" Joey pointed out.

Tristan nodded in agreement, "That's crazy!"

Pegasus chuckled, as though he heard Joey and Tristan's remarks, then looks right at us, through the screen. A few strands of his hair fell aside, and through them was a strange golden eye. It shined with an inner power, and the picture on the screen wavered as though seen through a heat haze. He answered, "No- it's magic!"

Suddenly, everything around Yugi and I, including Grandpa, Joey, Tristan and Téa, turned blue, frozen in place and lifeless. The living room gone, replaced by a surrounding of black and blue clouds.

I gasped and looked myself over to find that I wasn't frozen. I looked back at Joey, Tristan, Téa, and Grandpa, frozen motionless, "Everything's growing dark and cold and the others aren't moving!"

"What have you done to them?! Where have you taken us?!" Yugi asked, starting to panic. Then he looked at me and gasped, putting his hands over my cheeks, "Ellie, your face!"

I placed my hands over his hands and assured calmly, "I'm alright, Yugi. I promise."

Pegasus chuckled, "We're no longer in the world you know. But I will return you- after our game!"

Yugi and I turned to Pegasus and called in unison, "Then it's time to duel!"

Suddenly, the Millennium Puzzle began to glow. It shook and swayed on its own. In a bright light, which I had to shield my eyes from, Yugi cried and was replaced by the 'Other Yugi'. The same Yugi that helped defeat Kaiba.

He smirked at Pegasus, "Start the clock and make your move, Pegasus."

Pegasus nodded, as a Duel Monsters play-mat appeared between him and Yugi, "Certainly. Let's begin!" Since it was the first move of the game, Pegasus placed a card face-down on the Trap/Spells part of the field, "Nervous, Yugi-boy? You should be. You have never faced a duelist like me before!

Yugi drew a card and added it to his hand, "You may be good-"

"-I assure you I am-" Pegasus interjected.

"But I will beat you to save my friends!" Yugi told him, about to play a card, however a golden glow emanates from behind Pegasus' hair where his left eye would be, "You won't save anyone with that dragon card." Pegasus told him.

Yugi blinked in shock, "How-?!"

I silently narrowed my eyes at the man in the television. He was right. The card Yugi was about to play was Koumori Dragon. A level 4, dark attributed dragon monster with 1500 attack points and 1200 defense power.

"I told you you've never faced anyone like me before-" Pegasus smirked, "I know every move you'll make, before you can even make it! Knowing every move you'll make gives me a distinct advantage, wouldn't you say?

Yugi blinked, "What?!"

"For example, I can anticipate your next play, and counter it with this 'Dragon Capture Jar'." Pegasus told Yugi, as he held up the trap card. The card glowed in a bright light, forcing me and Yugi to shield our eyes. Koumori Dragon appeared from its card form.

"It will draw the Koumori Dragon from your card and imprison the beast!" Pegasus smiled, as the dragon was sucked into his trap card, "Trapped. Never to be played against me."

I narrowed my eyes at Pegasus again. This is crazy! First he reads Yugi's mind, then he brings Koumori Dragon to life! What is this place?

Pegasus turned to me, as if he could hear my thoughts as well, "This dark dimension we're in is known as the Shadow Realm..." He drew another card, "A mystical place where incredible monsters can be summoned and the impossible is quite possible!"

My eyes widen in surprise and shock, "Did you just say 'Shadow Realm'?"

Pegasus nodded. I closed my eyes and searched through my memories. Where have I heard those words said? Shadow Realm... Shadow Creatures... Ancient Egypt...

"But what you're telling me can't be true!" Yugi argued.

"Tell me, Yugi, do you believe there is magic in these cards?" Pegasus asked him.

Yugi shook his head and picked a card from his hand, "Don't you know? You invented this game."

"No, Yugi. He didn't." I spoke up, opening my eyes from my thoughts.

Yugi blinked then looked at me, "Huh?!"

Pegasus smiled at me, "I'm impressed, young Eleanor." The he nodded, "She's right. In ancient times, the Egyptians called this 'the Shadow Game'. Powerful pharaohs would hold mystical duels in other dimensions, just as we're doing now. But not with cards! They battled with real monsters, and real magic. Magical forces so powerful, the Egyptians lost control of them, and nearly destroyed the entire world!"

"It's a good story, Pegasus, but these monsters can't be real!" Yugi pointed out.

Pegasus smirked and summoned a monster in Defense Mode. It looked like a living oriental bottle with arms playing a long flute-like instrument, "Tell that to my Dragon Piper! As his flute of resurrection frees your Koumori Dragon, but puts him under my control!"

My eyes widen as Koumori Dragon emerged from the Dragon Capture Jar trap card, ready to attack.

Yugi noticed this, "I have to counterattack!"

I quickly grabbed my deck from my belt and placed a card on the field, "Dark Assailant!"

My monster appeared on the field, ready to defend Yugi. Koumori Dragon stuck its head out of the TV screen and blasted my Dark Assailant with its fire breath. Yugi and I covered our faces, surrounded by fire.

"Ugh! The heat!" Yugi gasped.

Yugi's Life Points dropped from 2000 to 1500.

Pegasus smiled with glee, "Ha! As you see, Yugi, these monsters are very real!" He snickered, before continuing, "And also quite dangerous!" He snickered again, before noticing that neither Yugi nor myself were laughing.

Pegasus looked at me and glared, "I'll give you that freebie for now, young Eleanor. But try and help again, and there will be consequences." Yugi and I glared at him, Ah, Yugi-boy. You really are quite entertaining- the way you scowl and sneer, so defiant and yet helpless, and so completely ignorant of the power of your Millennium Puzzle!"

Yugi and I blinked in confusion, "What?"

"Five thousand years ago, a powerful pharaoh locked the magic of the Shadow Games away." Pegasus explained.

"What's this have to do with me?" Yugi asked.

"The Pharaoh captured these vast magical energies in seven mystical Millennium Items." Pegasus answered.

Yugi looked away, "Seven items? You're saying that-" He looked at Pegasus, smiling in genuine amazement and intrigue, "My Puzzle's one of them?"

Pegasus nodded, "Yes, and there are mystical energies locked within it- magic that could change your life forever if you only knew how to unleash it!"

"But why are you telling us this?" Yugi asked.

Pegasus smirked, "Why? Simply because I need you to know. But perhaps I have said too much." He placed another card face-down, "And since the clock is still ticking, I propose we resume playing our little Duel."

I kept my eyes on the white-haired man before us. I have to admit one thing, he's right. Time is running out, but Yugi and I still haven't figured out whether he's telling the truth, or if this is some kind of trick.

As if he can read my mind, Pegasus lifted the hair over the left side of his face, revealing a golden Eye of Horus in place of his real. My eyes widen at the sight of the eye.

The Millennium Eye!

That's how he's been able to read Yugi's and my minds so easily. Wait! How did I know what the eye was called? And why does it look familiar to me?

Yugi reached for a card, but Pegasus started to chuckle. Yugi and I catch this and began thinking. If the Millennium Eye is capable of reading minds and seeing into the wearer's opponent's hands... What about the Deck itself?

"Hurry up now, Yugi-boy; time is running out- for you and your friends!" Pegasus told Yugi.

Yugi began to look a little lost in thought. It's too bad I can't help Yugi without Pegasus catching me. Finally, great minds do think alike. Yugi drew a card from his Deck and placed it on the mat, without knowing what the card is.

"I already know you plan to play the Zombie Warrior." Pegasus smirked, flipping his trap card, "And I'm already prepared, to counter it with a trap card that makes even zombies lie down and play dead!"

Yugi grinned, "Not this time. I figured out your little game, Pegasus. You may be able to see the cards in my Hand, but you can't see the cards I pull from the Deck!

Pegasus frowned, "Hmm?"

"My next card is-" Yugi flipped the face-down card and revealed to be a monster card, "The Dark Magician!"

I looked at the card and smiled, "Good move, Yugi."

Pegasus frowned, not amused by this move. He shrugged in sarcasm, "Oooh, the big scary Dark Magician."

I raised a brow. Did he actually know Yugi would draw The Dark Magician at some point in this Duel?

"Mock me all you like, Pegasus; but my Magician will destroy that dragon!" Yugi told Pegasus.

Pegasus nodded, "Go right ahead if you think it'll help."

Yugi smiled, "It'll do more than help, Pegasus. It'll bring you closer to defeat, and me closer to saving my friends."

"If it can do all that, by all means play it." Pegasus insisted.

"Dark Magician!" Yugi called the magician from the card.

Dark Magician emerged from the card and pointed his staff at Koumori Dragon.

"Dark Magic Attack!" Yugi instructed.

Dark Magician launched his attack at Koumori Dragon. Pegasus flinched, as the dragon was destroyed and Pegasus' Life Points now stand at 1200.

Pegasus recovered from the attack and laughed, "Nicely played! But by using your Dark Magician, you've let me manipulate you once again. By playing that one card, you have ensured my victory."

Yugi and my eyes widen in shock, "No."

Pegasus smiled, "We shall see, Yugi." He drew his next card and gasped in awe, "Oh! A very rare card." He showed up what he drew, "This is the fearsome Faceless Mage."

"I've never seen that card before!" Yugi gasped, but recollected himself, "But my Dark Magician is one of the strongest magic cards in the game!"

"But how will he fare once I combine my Faceless Mage with the equally rare 'Eye of Illusion'?" Pegasus asked.

My eyes widen with shock and worry. Faceless Mage may be a weak level 5 monster, but with the Eye of Illusion magic card, who knows what can happen. Yugi has to play this carefully.

Faceless Mage appeared from the card with a sinister chuckle.

"Dark Magician, Dark Magic Attack...!" Yugi quickly shouted.

I gasped and shouted, "Yugi, don't!"

But I was too late. Dark Magician attacked; Faceless Mage cast a spell of its own and a golden eye shape appeared in the air before it. The result was an explosion of light, which Yugi and I had to shield our eyes.

"Dark Magician!" Yugi called out.

The smoke and light faded to reveal that nothing happened. Faceless Mage was unharmed, but something didn't feel right. Pegasus snickered with a smile. Pegasus, what have you done? What did that Eye of Illusion do to Dark Magician!?

"His Faceless Mage should've been destroyed." Yugi noted, "But it's still standing and I'm running out of time."

Yugi and I glanced at the clock. 5:02, 5:01, 5:00, 4:59... Agh! This Duel is driving me crazy! I can't think straight! Come on, Yugi. You can beat this creep! I believe in you and Grandpa's Deck.

As if he can hear my thoughts, Yugi glanced at me and nodded. He drew his next card and summoned a monster, "I attack your combo with the Celtic Guardian! This mighty warrior will cut your Faceless Mage down to size!"

I narrowed my eyes at Pegasus, waiting for something to happen. Celtic Guardian is a tall elf warrior with 1,400 attack power. 200 points stronger that Faceless Mage. But...

Pegasus smirked, "True, your Guardian is mighty; but you have once again underestimated the incredible power of my Eye of Illusion!"

I gasped as realization hit me, "No!"

"Dark Magic Attack!" Pegasus instructed.

An orb of dark magic attack Celtic Warrior and he was destroyed on the spot. Yugi's Life Points drop to 400. This isn't good.

"But that's impossible! The Faceless Mage doesn't have a Dark Magic Attack." Yugi pointed out, then realization hit him, "Oh, no...!"

Dark Magician turned to Yugi and I, eyes glowing in a trance and the glowing Eye of Illusion on his chest. Just as I feared would happen.

Pegasus smiled and placed a card face-down, "Well, Yugi, our time together is nearly up." He claps his hands to applaud himself, "And as I've more Life Points than you, it appears, I am the victor."

That's it! I've had enough of these childish mind games!

"Time's not up just yet, Pegasus!" I shouted, "And you've left your Faceless Mage vulnerable to a physical assault!"

Pegasus stopped smiling and, for the first time, looked frustrated. With a swift motion, I pulled a card from my Deck and threw it on the mat, "Summoned Skull! Attack!"

Summoned Skull appeared from his card and lunged for Faceless Mage. However, the clock reached zero and both monsters vanished before they can battle. The Duel was over. Pegasus had 1200 Life Points, Yugi was left with 400.

Yugi and I growled. We lost the Duel and I helped finish it. Now what will happen?

Pegasus smiled, "Hm, well, we've run out of time. But how close was that! If you had been able to complete that attack, I would have lost! But I didn't, did I. I have taken the measure of your talents this day, Yugi Muto, and when next we duel, we shall play for far higher stakes!

We're done with your games, Pegasus!" I told the white-haired man, "Now let us go!"

Pegasus wagged his finger, clicking his tongue, "You presume I'm giving you a choice in the matter." He pulled his hair aside, revealing the Millennium Eye, "But- I'm not! For I, too, possess one of the seven Millennium Items- the all-powerful Millennium Eye!"

"A Millennium Eye?!" Yugi gasped.

Pegasus nodded, "That's right, Yugi-boy, and now I'll show you both the true extent of its magic!

With that, the Millennium Eye glowed in its golden aura; Yugi and I braced ourselves for the worst, but a beam of light missed us and hit Grandpa, frozen in time behind us.

"You see, I have found that, given the proper incentive, anyone can be made to play my game!" Pegasus told us.

Just then Grandpa's face appeared on the screen, calling out to me and Yugi for help through the static, "Yugi...! Ellie...!

I looked at the screen and gasped in horror of what just happened, "No! Mr. Muto!"

The Other Yugi faded away back to Yugi. Yugi gasped in confusion, then in alarm from what just happened. He sees Grandpa through the static, "Grandpa!"

Grandpa's face disappeared from the screen, and the Shadow Realm disappears, returning Joey, Téa, and Tristan back to normal. However Grandpa's body keels over, unconscious. Yugi doesn't notice, as he was busy, frantically shaking the TV set in growing panic, "Grandpa? Grandpa?!"

"Yes, we will duel again, Yugi-" I hear Pegasus' voice around us, "How else will you ever reclaim your grandfather's soul!"

"Grandpa!" Yugi cried in panic.

I tightened my fists of anger. Pegasus has gone way too far. Forcing us to duel within the Shadow Realm. Playing mind games with Yugi. Manipulating Yugi like a doll. And then taking Grandpa's soul like that! This will not go unpunished, Pegasus! Not by a long shot!