"Now," said Bakura, drawing his card. "I summon Dark Elf, a powerful creature with 2000 attack points! I must pay 1000 life points to attack with it, but it is worth it to see that gleam of fear in your eyes!"

"Ah-h-!" Tea gasped.

"ATTACK HER DIRECTLY, MY DARK BEING!" cried Bakura. "DARK ENERGY WAVE!"

Tea watched with trepidation as a power came towards her in the playing field that was darkness. It looked like a distorting wave of energy sweeping towards her. Then it hit her, and she heard herself cry out.

"AAAAAAHH!"

"I'm not finished, worm! ATTACK HER NOW, MAN-EATING TREASTURE CHEST! VENGEANCE BITE ATTACK!"

Tea quickly braced herself, but the attack was still overwhelming. She cried out again, almost losing her balance, almost wishing her friends could hear her.

"Can you see what's going on in there?" Tristan asked Yugi, who was no longer transformed.

"No..." Yugi answered. "But I think – something bad happened to Tea."

"What is it...?" asked Joey.

"I think..." Yugi gulped. "I think she's losing."

Together they stared grimly at the ball of darkness before them, like a giant lightbulb of darkness.

Meanwhile, Yami Bakura set one card face-down and ended his turn.

"There will be plenty of pain later," he assured her, "Once you're safely tucked away in the shadow realm, where you belong!"

Tea's life points were at 3800. She realized she was trembling all over. But...

"It's far from over!" she yelled.

"Oh?" asked evil Bakura.

"I draw," said Tea, instead of answering. "Which, as you know, means I get 500 life points from Solemn Wishes. Also, my Marie the Fallen One's effect gives me 200 life points for each of my standby phases, so now I have 4500 life points."

Yami Bakura laughed. "It won't save you. I shall see to it that you have lots of time to be afraid before darkness overpowers you."

Oh no, Tea thought. There are... no monsters in my hand! I have none on the field! On my next turn...!

"I... end my turn," Tea whispered.

Yami Bakura roared with laughter. "You are making this much too easy for me, little fool! I summon La Jinn, the Mystical Genie of the Lamp!"

"Kaiba uses that fiend monster..." observed Tea.

"And it's the last monster you'll ever see!" roared Bakura. "DARK ELF, ATTACK HER DIRECTLY!"

"AAAAAAH!" screeched Tea.

"You have 2500 life points left, Tea," said Bakura softly. "Does it thrill you, counting down your life points? Does it send a chill to your heart...?"

Tea growled. He wasn't going to get a reaction from her, that much was certain.

"MAN-EATING TREASURE CHEST, GO!" yelled Bakura in what was almost frenzied joy. "ATTACK!"

Tea was knocked backwards by the force, then slowly got up, shaking madly and so numb that she could hardly stand.

"Had enough torture?" asked Bakura, grinning. "But I'm afraid I have one more monster. Tea, say hello to the Genie that will seal your fate!"

Tea could only moan, her life points down to 900. This was bad. She'd told herself she wouldn't let this creep win, but now...

"La Jinn -" Bakura said softly.

Tea squeezed her eyes shut.

"...No, don't attack," said Yami Bakura, finally. "I wish to drag it out a bit longer... cause your friends a little worry..."

Tea wasn't really relieved; she knew how this would end. And the sadistic enjoyment Bakura took in her downfall made her slightly sick.

"I-I get 700 points from Solemn Wishes and Marie the Fallen One," she said.

Bakura watched the girl in amusement.

"I set a monster face-down in defense mode. I end my turn." Though hurt, she looked up at Bakura, her eyes blazing. She had 1600 life points left.

Yugi, Joey and Tristan were all very uneasy now. They watched grimly, fascinated, as the dark shadows drifted and swirled around the duelists inside. They watch with wonder, just praying that Tea would be the victor.