(James' POV)

It was lunchtime at Domino High School and we were hanging out with our friends. Yugi and Joey were playing the Duel Monsters card game whilst Tristan, Téa, Bakura, and my girlfriend Lucy; along with myself, were observing their match. From the side-lines

"Hey Joey! Earth to Joey! Hey, are you in there? It's your turn." Yugi exclaimed.

"Ummm..." His opponent hesitated.

"Oh, isn't he cute when he's thinking?" Tristan mocked, getting our friend in a loose head-lock

"Hey Tristan, Yugi here's teaching me how to play Duel Monsters." He told Tristan.

"Drooling monsters?" He questioned.

"Duel Monsters, you Nimrud." The blonde complained.

"Sheesh." I thought as Tristan let go of Joey.

"They've been at it for hours. Joey's starting to get the hang of the game, but Yugi's like an expert." Téa clarified.

"Okay Yugi. It's time to duel." Joey placed the card 'Kagemusha of the Blue Flame' on the duelling field.

"See, each card has an attack number and a defense number. The first player to eliminate the other player's life points wins the duel." Lucy explained.

"Pretty good move, huh Yugi?" He bragged.

"Yup! Pretty good move, but not good enough." Our friend played the 'Blackland Fire Dragon' on the field to combat Joey's warrior.

"What?! Thanks a lot. A card that powerful totally wipes me out." Swet dropped from Joey's forehead as he lost the game.

"Whoa, you stink at this game, Joey." Tristan laughed.

Yugi did too. "You did fine, Joey. I just have better cards. See, my Grandpa owns a game shop and I get all my best cards from him."

"Your own game shop. What're we waiting for? Let's go!" Joey suddenly hyped back up.

"Okay, maybe I could even get my Grandpa to show us this super rare card he's got."

(Kaiba POV)

'Rare card? Could they have found the card that I've been searching for?' I thought cunningly.

(After school at the game shop)

(James POV)

"Grandpa? I'm home." Yugi introduced himself as we all walked in.

"And I see you've brought company." Mr. Moto smiled.

"Gramps, could you show my friends your awesome, super rare card?" He requested.

"Rare card? My special card? Hmmm..." The old man put his hand to his chin.

"Please! Please!" Yugi pleaded.

"Pretty please?" Joey begged.

"Hmmm... Hah hah! How could I refuse? You kids are in for a treat. I don't take this card out too often. Ready? Here it is." He got out a small box and produced the card. "The Blue-Eyes White Dragon, so rare, so powerful, I never let it leave my hands."

Joey's jaw dropped. "Awesome!"

Tristan snatched the card from Mr. Moto. "It doesn't look all that special to me..."

The old man snatched it back. "Ahh! This card is priceless. There are only four of them in all the world."

"Speaking of priceless, I'm ready to trade!" Joey looked around the store.

"Not for this card." Yugi's grandpa suddenly got protective, obviously not wanting to let the card leave his side.

"Huh? Nah, I didn't mean that card. I meant, show me some other cool cards to get me started."

As our blonde friend looked in the glass cabinet Seto Kaiba walked into the doorway, carrying a metal briefcase.

"Hello, can I help you?" The owner greeted.

"Huh?" We all turned around.

"If you can't, it certainly wouldn't surprise me." The rich boy laughed.

"Seto Kaiba!" Yugi shouted.

"Kaiba?!" Joey announced.

"Doesn't he have a big fancy company to run? What's he doing down here?" I asked.

"Not that it's any of your business, but I came to see the card." He clarified.

"Hey, are you into Duel Monsters too? This is perfect. Maybe we could all duel together sometime." Joey smiled.

"Me? Duel you? I'd have more of a challenge playing solitaire." The rich snob walked in.

"What?" Joey narrowed his eyes, getting serious.

"I am the number one ranked duelist in the country, and the favourite to win the Duel Monsters championship. Hah, you wouldn't last two minutes in a duel against me."

"Ooh, I'm shaking. Maybe you'd like to settle this with fists instead of cards." Joey clenched his fists.

"Whoa! Take it easy, Joey." Yugi ran out in front of Joey, wanting him to stop.

"But Yugi, Kaiba's asking for it." Joey suggested.

"Now does this shop have any worthwhile cards or not?" Kaiba asked, catching sight of the Blue-Eyes, he lunged forward. "Can it be? The Blue-Eyes White Dragon in a dump like this?"

'Was he even aware of what he just said.' I contemplated.

Yugi's grandpa covered the card. "Well, enough window shopping. Is there anything else I can help you with?"

Kaiba growled and put the briefcase on the desk, turning it around and opening it.

"Huh? Oooh." Grandpa was amazed at the cards.

"Listen to me, old man. Gimme your Blue-Eyes White Dragon card and I'll trade you all of these." Kaiba suggested.

"Whoa!" We were al in disbelief that Kaiba would even suggest this. Was it really that rare?

"Ahh, nice. But no thanks." He declined.

"Huh?!" We were all amazed.

"Nngh. Fine. If you won't trade, maybe you'll sell it. Name your price. I can pay anything you ask." He withdrew the briefcase.

"I'm sure you could. But this card is worth more than you could ever offer. Not because of its power or because it's so rare, but because of what it means to me. This card was given to me by a dear friend and so I treasure this card as I do that friend. So, parting with it is completely out of the question." Solomon clarified.

Kaiba looked devastated.

"You'd feel the same even if it were a common card, right Grandpa?" Yugi asked.

"Exactly. You see, this precious card has bonded with my heart."

"Fine! I've heard enough of your nonsense." He walked out of the shop with his briefcase.

(Kaiba POV)

'Heart of the cards. Ridiculous. Cards are all about power. And one way or another, his Blue-Eyes White Dragon card... will be mine.' I thought, as my limo drove to the headquarters of my company.

A few hours later, I was discussing with my lackeys about the Blue-Eyes. "Gentlemen, there's a little something I'd like you to pick up for me at the Game Shop."

"Gladly, Master Kaiba." He agreed

(Grandpa POV)

"Good morning." I turned around to find two men in suits "Hmm?"

One of them stepped forward. "My master, Seto Kaiba, challenges you to a duel. You may come with us now."

"And if I were to decline?" I asked.

"I'm afraid I must... insist." He told me.

'Young Kaiba doesn't understand. But I'll teach him a lesson about the heart of the cards.' I said to myself.

(James POV)

"Man, I hope he has some cool cards today." Joey wished.

"Me too!" I told my friends.

"Yeah!" The girls said enthusiastically.

"Okay Gramps, I'm back to get more cards. Hey, hey Gramps!" Joey called.

"Grandpa, I'm home." Yugi announced

"Maybe he... went out?" Téa suggested.

"Maybe. But why would he leave the door unlocked?" Lucy asked.

(Yugi POV)

The phone on the wall then began to ring, and I picked it up. "Hello. Game Shop."

"Ahh, Yugi. Perfect." The voice said from the other end of the call.

"Kaiba?!" I asked, recognising the voice's owner.

"Your grandfather's here visiting. But he's not feeling well. Why don't you come by my office and pick him up?" He suggested.

"Kaiba! What've you done, Kaiba?!" The line went dead.

After calling a cab to the Kaiba Corp building, me and my friends ran inside, quickly making our way to the elevator. We soon arrived at the top floor and I was horrified at the scene that had befallen me. I rushed out to my grandpa who was on the floor holding his stomach in pain. "Grandpa! Grandpa. A-are you okay?"

Thankfully, he was still conscious, he propped himself up on his elbow. "Yugi. I failed. I wanted to teach that boy Kaiba a lesson about the heart of the cards, but I lost." He groaned.

"Grandpa!" I worried.

"How's the old man feeling, hmmm?" Kaiba asked from a doorway.

"Kaiba, you sleeze. What've you done to him?" James asked.

"We had a duel, that's all. With each of us putting up our most valuable card as the prize. But I guess playing against a champion like myself was just too much stimulation for the old fool." Seto laughed.

"Kaiba, you should be ashamed of yourself." Lucy pointed at our blue-eyed classmate.

"It was fair." Kaiba held up my grandpa's Blue-Eyes. "And look at the sweet prize I won." He ripped it in half and we all gasped in despair.

"Grandpa's most treasured card!" I breathed.

"Yes, the Blue-Eyes White Dragon is a rare and powerful card and this one will never be used against me." Kaiba laughed.

"Ahh, my Blue-Eyes White Dragon. My treasure." Grandpa grimaced.

"Grandpa! Hold on." I looked up at Seto. "How could you do such a thing?"

"Yugi, here." Grandpa held out his deck to me. "Take this."

"Huh? Grandpa." I asked, fearing the worst.

"I built this deck. I put my soul in these cards. And I taught you everything I know, Yugi. Take them. Take my cards and teach him respect. Teach Kaiba respect for the heart of the cards, Yugi." He plead.

"But Grandpa, you need help. I've got to get you to a doctor." I looked down, wanting to help out my grandpa in any way I could.

"That sounds like an excuse. Your friends can care for your grandfather while you and I duel... unless you're afraid?" He smiled.

"Take him Yugi!" Joey encouraged.

"Huh?" I turned back to my five friends.

"We can take care of your grandpa while you take care of creepy Kaiba. Teach that rich, spoiled brat what a real duel's all about." James urged.

"For your grandpa, Yugi." Téa continued.

"I don't know..."

"Trust me, you're like the best player I've ever seen, and you've got the Millennium Puzzle. You can do this Yugi! I know you can!" Joey further explained.

"We all do." Téa believed.

I nodded and took the deck from my grandpa. "Okay, Grandpa. I'll do it."

"I know you will, my boy." He smiled.

Téa then took out a black marker from her blazer pocked. "Everyone, put your hands together and I'll mark us with a special sign." She drew a smiley face on our combined hands.

"What gives, Téa?" Tristan asked.

"It's a symbol of our friendship so when Yugi's duelling, no matter how tough it gets, he'll know that he's not alone, we're all right there with him." Téa described.

(Joey POV)

We rushed Mr. Moto outside to the ambulance and Tristan helped get him on.

"Joey, Tristan and I will take Yugi's grandpa to the hospital. Why don't you get back in there and cheer Yugi on?" Téa told me.

"Okay, take good care of him, Téa." I nodded.

(Yugi POV)

"I designed this virtual stadium myself. Impressive, hmmm? I think you'll agree, it adds a bit more life to the game. We each begin with two thousand life points, the first player to hit zero loses. Are you ready to play, runt?" Kaiba questioned.

"Play-time is over, Kaiba." I called out. "YU-GI-OH!" Then a flash of light came as I transformed into my alter-ego.

"What the-?" Kaiba asked.

"Now, Kaiba, prepare yourself, because it's time to duel." I pointed out.

"Virtual systems ready." He drew his cards. "So, let's begin. I attack with the mighty 'Hitotsu Me Giant'. Brace yourself, Yugi. You've never duelled like this before." The cyclops appeared on the field.

"He's brought the monster on the card to life." I recoiled.

"It's my virtual simulator. It creates life-like holograms of every Duel Monster." Kaiba explained.

"So, this is how you beat my grandfather. Well now it's my turn. I call on the 'Winged Dragon- Guardian of the Fortress'." The blue dragon appeared on the field

"Whoa, monsters! Real monsters!" I heard Joey's voice from the audience.

"Fireball attack!" I called out. As the dragon blasted the Giant with a fireball and it shattered.

Seto LPà1800

Yugi LPà 2000

I then heard a smaller voice from the stand. "Big brother! Are you alright?"

"Alright! Go Yugi!" Joey shouted.

"Hah. Well played, Yugi... for a beginner." He drew his next card. "But how will you deal with this?" Kaiba asked as 'Saggi the Dark Clown' appeared to face my Dragon.

"Saggi the Dark Clown? But that card has hardly any attack strength." I questioned.

"True, your 'winged dragon's' attack is fourteen hundred, while my 'dark clown's' is only six hundred, but if I combine it with this card..."

"Ahh, A magic card!" I grimaced.

"Exactly. The 'Negative Energy Generator'. It multiplies my monster's attack by three. 'Dark Clown', attack with Dark Light!" He called out, a dark ball blasted out at my fortress guardian.

Seto LPà 1800

Yami LPà 1600

"As you can see, combining cards can be very effective." Kaiba suggested.

'He's good. He knows every aspect of this game. But my grandpa put all of his gaming knowledge, his whole heart, into assembling this deck. I have to believe that it holds some secret strategy.' I thought, looking at the card I just drew. 'Ah, this card is useless. I can't beat the 'Dark Clown' with this. I'll have to use a different monster in defense mode. The monster will be sacrificed, but my overall life-points will be safe.' I placed my 'Feral Imp' in defence mode.

"Dark Light Attack!" Seto called out again. And my monster was destroyed.

"Hang in there, Yugi!" Joey plead.

"You're not faring any better than the old man did, Yugi. Your deck is just as weak and feeble as your grandfather." Kaiba implied.

"My grandpa is a great man, and a better duelist than you'll ever be. He entrusted me with his cards and I can feel his heart in this deck. I doubt you have that kind of faith in your cards, Kaiba." I told him.

"Wha-?"

I drew my card and smirked. "And my faith rewards me with 'Gaia the Fierce Knight'! With a destructive power of twenty-three hundred."

It struck the clown in it's heart with the jousting stick.

"Ahh."

Kaiba LPà 1300

Yugi LPà 1600

"Way to go, Yugi!" Joey edged me on.

"Alright, Kaiba, your move." I told him.

"Hah. This'll be over sooner than you think." He drew his card and laughed. "Hmm. I call on the 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon'." He placed the card on the field and the dragon appeared.

"No way." I sneered.

"Impossible! We all watched Kaiba tear that card in half." Joey believed.

"Surprised? Did you think your grandfather was the only one to possess a 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon;?" He asked.

The white dragon attacked my knight and the card was destroyed "Argh!"

Kaiba LPà 1300

Yugi LPà 900

"Your 'Fierce Knight' is destroyed. Faith or no faith, you will fall before my superior monsters, Yugi. Power is what this game is all about, you fool." Kaiba explained as he destroyed another of my monsters. "Faith is for losers... like your pathetic grandfather. In your entire deck, there's not a single card that can stand up to a 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon'." He held up another 'Blue-Eyes'. "So what hope do you have against two?" It appeared on playing field.

"Why don't you just admit defeat, Yugi?" Kaiba recommended.

(Grandpa POV)

I was on a stretcher wearing an oxygen mask. "Don't give up... Yugi." I breathed, barely able to keep my eyes open.

(Yugi POV)

'I won't give up. Grandpa's counting on me.' I thought as I drew a card. 'Huh, a magic card.' "'Swords of Revealing Light'! It stops all monsters on the field for three turns." I explained as the swords pierced the dragons.

"How desperate. What possible good will a three-turn delay do you?" Kaiba asked.

'He's right. What do I do? I can't figure out what to do with these cards. They're just a bunch of... pieces. How can I use them to battle an expert like Kaiba?' I asked myself.

"For someone claiming to have faith, you're giving up too easily, Yugi." I heard my grandpa's voice. "Listen, sometimes the cards are like a puzzle. You have to put all the different pieces in their proper place."

"Ahh, like the Millennium Puzzle?" I asked him.

"Exactly. Each piece helps build a greater entity." He explained

"Grandpa!" I tried to call him back as he began to disappear.

"Like the pieces of a puzzle, Yugi. Remember..." His voice reminded me.

"Puzzle? When are the cards like a puzzle? Wait! Grandpa once said…"

I had a flashback to when me and grandpa were at the shop and he was educating me on duel monsters. "Duel monsters contains only one unstoppable monster- 'Exodia'. But he can only be summoned by drawing all five special cards. A feat that, to this very day, no one has ever accomplished."

"Quit your stalling, Yugi. Or you will be forced to forfeit the match." Seto told me.

"I never forfeit." I stated boldly. 'Huh? Another piece of the puzzle.'

"Draw any card you like, it won't change a thing. My dragons may be frozen for another two turns, but my new monster is under no such spell. 'The Judge Man', with an attack power of twenty-two hundred." The judge appeared on the field and attacked my defence.

Yami: I drew my card, it was my favourite. 'I can attack with the 'Dark Magician'. But he won't stand a chance once Kaiba's dragons are free of my spell.' I placed the mage on the field. "'Dark Magician... attack!'" I commanded and his new monster dissolved.

Kaiba LPà 1000

Yugi LPà 900

"Judge Man falls."

"Ahh, a sacrifice that doesn't even phase me. And though neither dragon can move for one more turn, my next card is... the third 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon'!" Kaiba called out as the final 'Blue-Eyes' showed up on the field.

"Nngh!"

"Now my dragon, attack!" He ordered, the dragon attacked and 'Dark Magician' vanished from the field.

Kaiba LPà 1000

Yugi LPà 400

"So, tell me, Yugi, how's your faith now? On my next turn, all three 'Blue-Eyes White Dragons' are free to attack. This game's over no matter what card you draw. You can't possibly stand against my three 'Blue-Eyes White Dragons'. It's over, Yugi. You were never a match for me."

"Don't listen, Yugi!" Joey encouraged.

'Kaiba had three 'Blue-Eyes' all along. He only wanted my grandpa's card so it couldn't be used against him. My only chance now is to assemble all the pieces of 'Exodia'. But the odds are against me. I don't think I can do this. Wha-' The deck appeared to move away from my hand. 'The deck! It senses my doubt!' My alter-ego and I split for a brief moment 'Don't lose focus, Yugi. Don't lose faith. Concentrate!' He told me as we melded back together. 'Wha-?' I looked down at my hand and remembered. 'Our friendship symbol!'

I saw Lucy, James, Téa, Tristan and Joey appear next to the deck in my mind.

"Yugi, we're right here with you." Téa told me.

"Yugi, you've got to believe in yourself." Tristan continued.

"Just kick Kaiba's butt." Joey encouraged.

"We believe in you, Yugi." Lyra told me.

"We know you can do it." James followed up.

'They're right. I've got to believe in the cards like my friends believe in me.' I placed my hand on the deck and drew the top card.

"Draw your last pathetic card so I can end this, Yugi."

"My grandpa's deck has no pathetic cards, Kaiba. But it does contain..." I paused and held up the card. "The unstoppable 'Exodia'!

"Ahh!" He recoiled. "Impossible!"

"I've assembled all five special cards. All five pieces of the puzzle."

A blue star appears on the playing field and Exodia's limbs appeared inside it, one by one

"'Exodia'! Ahh, it's not possible! No one's ever been able to call him!"

"'Exodia' Obliterate!" It obeyed me and the 'Blue Eyes' were destroyed.

"AHHHHHH!" He screamed.

Kaiba LPà 0

Yugi LPà 400

"You did it! Yugi, you won!" Joey cheered.

"This can't be. My brother never loses." Mokuba cried.

"You play only for power, Kaiba, and that is why you lost. But if you put your heart in the game, there is nothing you can't do." I explained.

"But... but how? How could I have lost to him?" Kaiba questioned.

"Kaiba, if you truly want to know..." The same eye as the one on my puzzle appeared on my forehead "...open your mind!" I commanded as he fell to his knees. "There Kaiba, maybe now you will begin to see..."

(Téa POV)

Yugi's grandpa opened his eyes. "Huh?" He asked.

"Grandpa's awake!" I exclaimed with happiness.

"Yugi won." He coughed.

(Pegasus POV)

The next day at industrial Illusions headquarters, I was sitting in my office when my subordinate entered the room.

"Mr. Pegasus, sir. Seto Kaiba, our uncontested champion, he's... been defeated in a duel, sir, by someone named Yugi." He announced.

"Hmmm..." I hummed, my millennium eye flashed a bright yellow as if to see the future events of the next few months…