YAY! The last part of monster world! Next comes the original saga! And that means we are just a jump, skip, and a hop away from the new chapters.

Disclaimer: I don't own the Yugioh characters or storyline.


Chapter Twenty-Nine

Monster World pt.2

Bakura laughed.

"That's two of you locked into this world. If all seven of you are trapped, then there's no one to roll the dice and the game automatically goes to me. Then you will be trapped here forever."

"Bakura, you're going to pay for that!" Kay growled.

"Heh heh. It's time for the magic gunman to attack Zorc." Honda gripped the dice, his hand shaking a little.

"Come on, Honda. You can do it!"

"You must roll the dice. If you get less than 70, you have conquered your fear and may attack first. However, if not, Zorc makes the first move."

"Me? Afraid? HA! My hand does not shake with fear, Bakura. It shakes with anger!" Honda tossed the dice and they hit the table. Bakura smirked and Honda gasped.

It landed on 94.

"Are you kidding me? I'm not scared of Zorc!"

"There is no you, only your character. The magic gunman is frozen in fear. He curses his cowardice. Now, I roll for Zorc."

Bakura threw the dice. Kay, Honda, Yugi, Cat, and Jounouchi gasped in horror.

"A super critical?" they cried.

"That's two in a row! Bakura, what have you done to the dice?" Yugi yelled. Bakura snickered.

"The dice don't lie…" he said softly. Honda's eyes went blank and the magic gunman flinched.

"Honda!" Anzu and Kristen said.

"I'm sorry…guys." He looked up at them. "But I wasn't afraid! Believe me." Anzu nodded.

"We know that."

"I guess it's up to the others, now."

"Well, I guess it's now up to your four."

"Whose turn is it, Bakura's?" Jounouchi growled.

"Hers." He pointed to Kay.

"Fine." She snatched up the dice and threw them.

72.

"Too bad, it looks like Zorc gets to attack again."

"Damn it." Bakura smirked.

"Hold on a second!"

"What is it, Jounouchi?" Bakura sighed, a bored look on his face.

"Forget Kay's roll. I wanna go up against Zorc. Mano e mano."

"Jounouchi, don't be stupid."

"Unfortunately, I can't ignore a roll. When the dice are thrown, I have to go off their outcome. And now…" Bakura tossed the dice. He smirked. "Super critical."

"That's impossible!"

"Sorry." Kay's eyes went blank and she collapsed against the board as well.

"Kay!" Her figurine shook its head and blinked.

"You alright?" Kristen asked.

"Yeah. Something reeks of a fix. No way Bakura could roll three super criticals in a row by chance."

"My thoughts exactly, Kay." Honda nodded seriously.

"I guess we leave the rest to Cat, Jounouchi, and Yugi."

"My move!" Jounouchi picked up the dice and tossed them. Bakura grinned.

"Haste makes waste, Jounouchi."

"Wha?" His eyes widened at the dice. "Fumble!"

"Yes, exactly."

"Bakura, this isn't right! There's no way you could keep rolling super critical and my friends roll fumbles!" Yugi yelled. Bakura chortled.

"I'm sorry Yugi, but it's like I already said – the dice don't lie." Jounouchi's eyes also went blank and the warrior blinked. He looked around at the other figures.

"Sorry, guys."

"It's ok, Jounouchi."

"Well, Yugi, I'll let you and your little friend decide who faces Zorc next." Bakura smirked. "So let's have it."

"Yugi, can I roll next?"

"Cat, are you sure about that?" he asked. She nodded.

"We can't afford to let you turn into a figurine. You're the best gamer here. And, who knows? Maybe I'll be lucky." She picked up the dice and tossed.

"You need less than 60 to have the courage to face Zorc." At gasped.

"Less than 60? But I thought it was less than 70!"

"Your courage is less than that of your friend's." The dice spun and landed. Bakura grinned.

"65. Too bad." Cat growled. "My roll." He tossed the dice and they landed on, you guessed it-

"Super critical!" Cat's eyes went blank too and she collapsed against the game board.

"Oh no, Cat!" Her magician blinked and she looked around.

"Ugh, sorry guys." Yugi growled and glared at Bakura, who continued to smirk arrogantly.

"Well, Yugi. Amazing how quickly the others have left the game. You're the only one who can roll and you must move all of the figures." He snapped. "And before I forget, if any of their hit points reach 0, the character dies. And I don't just mean the figure,

I mean the person within the figure dies too."

"No way!" Jounouchi cried. "I'm too young to die."

"You can do this, Yugi!" He gasped and looked down the figures. Kristen was looking up at him. "I believe in you!"

"Us too!" Yugi nodded.

"Well, Yugi, the magic gunman gets another chance to strike Zorc. So roll your dice."

"Before I do, Bakura, transfer my soul into my miniature as well!" His face fell into shock.

"What?"

"Yugi, what are you doing?" Jounouchi cried.

"I want to fight with my friends on the board. If they're risking their lives, then I want to share the same fate."

"Yugi…it would be simple to grant that wish. But who shall throw the dice if you're a miniature?"

"You'll just have to wait and see."

"Ah well. As Game Master, it is my duty to be of service to the players. I'll do as you say. And with it, it's game over!" Yugi's eyes went blank and he fell back against his chair limply. His miniature blinked and came to life.

"Yugi!"

"Well, all of the players have been turned into lead figures, so I guess it's game set and-what?" Yami sat in Yugi's seat, smirking.

"It's the pharaoh!" Bakura growled. "Damn it, I forgot about you."

"It's my roll, Bakura. Magic gunman has a chance to hit Zorc." He tossed the dice and Bakura gasped.

"03? That's a critical!" Honda smirked.

"Finally, time to do a little damage. Thunder grenade!" He aimed his gun at Zorc and shot his left arm.

"You got him!" Zorc stared at the smoldering arm. Bakura glared at Yami.

"I'll get you for that one!"

"Way to go, Honda! You shot off Zorc's left hand!" Kay's figuring raised her left hand. "High five!" His figurine high fived her.

"Let's just get on with this game, shall we?" Bakura said, frowning.

"Look at Zorc's hand!" Kristen cried, pointing.

"It's mutating!" The clawed hand started to shift and morph into a dragon and a floating eyeball monster.

"Any piece of flesh cut from my body transforms into a monster on my command."

"Rats!" Pokii floated up to Yugi.

"Zorc is the source of all darkness. His evil will continue to sprout more monsters until you destroy him once and for all."

"Leave them to us, Master Zorc…" the monsters said.

"Very well," Zorc said, turning around, "kill them."

"You're running away, Zorc?" Kay asked in disbelief.

"Coward!"

"I have a special place for our duel. Fight your way to may castle while the fires of hate continue to burn in your heart. That is…if you can." He snickered and spread a pair of dark wings before flying away toward the castle.

"With those words, Zorc takes flight toward the castle to await your duel with him.

"Warrior, it's your turn to attack." Jounouchi smirked.

"Let me at 'em, Yuge. I'll kill these monsters."

"Go on, Yugi, throw the dice. But if you fumble, Jounouchi will die." Yami smirked and threw the dice. Bakura gasped and his eyes widened.

"I don't think he'll die yet."

"Super critical?!"

"The warrior cuts the monster in half with his sword." Jounouchi grinned.

"Heh, I'm awesome."

"That was amazing, Yugi!" His figure anime fell. "You got another super critical." He turned and glared at Anzu.

"Hey, what about me? I did all da work!" he yelled.

"Please, Jounouchi. You can't even move without him rolling those dice." He glared at Kay.

"So Bakura, I killed the monster. What happens now?"

"Uh…seeing his companion slain, the monster freezes in hesitation and loses his turn. Beast Tamer attacks next."

"I'll capture the monster!" Yugi said.

"Your potential of brainwashing is very low. You must roll under ten to take control of the dragon." Yugi gripped the dice.

"Here goes." The red die hit first and landed on 8.

"Heh, the tens column is an 8. Wait, what?!" The white dice spun and smacked the red one, throwing it and causing the number to change.

"One of the many ways of cheating with dice is a double hit. The same class as your series of super criticals, Bakura." Yami smirked. The dice landed on 02.

"Another critical!" Yugi grinned.

"That means I brainwash him!" The dragon transformed into a cuter, chibified version of itself.

"So Bakura was cheating." Kay and Jounouchi glared at him.

"Hey Yuge, can you really control the roll of the dice?" Yami nodded.

"Yes." Yami smirked. "Too bad for you Bakura, if you can cheat, I can too."

"Ok, from now on this is how we roll. We let the dice roll off our hand – spinning is prohibited."

"I'll agree to that." Jounouchi pointed his sword at Bakura.

"Yo, Bakura! Next time you cheat, you should turn into a miniature too!"

"On with the game!"

"Hey Yugi, should we go straight to Zorc's castle or what?" Kay asked.

"Maybe it'd be smarter if we go for another village to obtain supplies and possibly extra information."

"No way! I wanna beat that freak now and get back in my own body!" Jounouchi said. Kay sighed.

"Jounouchi, if we go now, Zorc might kill us instantly. Do you honestly want to take that chance?"

"Uh…I guess not."

"The adventurers leave the forest."

"Very well. It takes two turns. I will roll the dice to see if you encounter more monsters." The died fell of Bakura's hand. "Judgment roll."

They bounced and landed on 92. He growled and cursed silently. Yami chuckled.

"Looks like no monster encounters here. My adventurers escape your forest of death." They left and Jounouchi sighed.

"Man, is it good to be out of there." Cat nodded.

"I'll say. Now the monster encounter chance is back to 30 percent, right?" Bakura nodded.

"Indeed. So, Yugi, what is your next move?" Yami looked thoughtful and scanned the board. There were two villages on the board besides the one they had already visited. One was in the mountains and the other was close to Zorc's castle but at the edge of a dark forest.

"The adventurers will go to that village." He pointed to the one in the mountains.

"Interesting choice, Yugi; and a wise one at that. Monsters don't tend to live in the mountains. They're too easily spotted. Once you enter the mountains, the encounter rate drops down to 10 percent."

"Good move, Yugi!" Kristen said. Yami nodded.

"It takes six turns for the adventurers to reach the mountains. Time for another judgment roll." Bakura rolled the dice and grinned.

"04."

"Oh no! Another critical!"

"Two monsters fly down from the mountain peaks." A dragon and a gargoyle snarled at them. "It's the magician's turn to attack."

"Which one?" Anzu asked. Bakura pointed to Cat.

"Her." She glared at Cat who nodded in determination.

"OK. I'll attack the gargoyle." Yami rolled the dice.

"You need a roll of 10 or less to kill it." Yami watched the dice hit the table and grinned.

"08." Bakura gasped.

"Then…she kills it." Cat waved her wand and created an explosion that incinerated the gargoyle.

"Way to go, Cat!" Kristen and Kay said. She smiled sheepishly.

"Way to go, Cat!" Anzu mocked bitterly, her arms crossed over her chest.

"Who attacks now, Bakura?" Yami asked.

"The priestess." Kristen gulped.

"Ok."

"The dragon has an HP of 140, so it would take a super critical to kill it."

"You're forgetting about her wisdom, Bakura. My roll does not mean she will try to kill the dragon."

"What can she do, then?"

"You'll soon find out. But first, I must know who will attack after her?" Bakura looked at his laptop.

"The illusionist."

"Alright." Yami threw the dice and they landed on 34.

"Too bad. That's nowhere near enough to kill the dragon."

"I already said my intention was not to kill it. This is your game, Bakura. I'm surprised you are unaware of what other powers my priestess has."

"What do you mean?"

"She can temporarily transfer some of her attack power to an ally. Since I rolled a 34, she will give 34 percent of her wisdom points to the strength and speed of any other adventurer I choose for two turns." Kristen's figure glowed with a lilac light.

"And you're choosing the illusionist, correct?" Bakura asked venomously. Yami nodded.

"Yes. And since 34 percent of 18 rounds to 6, my illusionist gets a new strength of 16 and a new speed of 24 for two turns." Bakura growled.

"So, what happens next?" Jounouchi yelled.

"The dragon is too nervous by the spell cast by the priestess, it does not move. Attack goes to illusionist." Kay grinned.

"Thanks for the power boost, Kristen!"

"Sure thing, Kay."

"Heh, fools." They all looked at Bakura. Even with the new power boost, you must roll 05 or less to kill the dragon. And next turn, the dragon gets to attack you unless you destroy it."

Yami threw the dice and they landed on…

"05." Bakura's eyes widened.

"That's impossible!"

"Go, illusionist." Kay raised her wand and glowed red. The dragon also started to glow and it looked dizzy. It spun around in the air before passing out on the ground and fading away.

"Whoa…" Jounouchi shrugged.

"Not at cool as when I slice em up with my sword." Kay hit him over the head with her wand. "OW!"

"Idiot…" she sighed.

"The adventurers continue on their quest through the mountains until they come upon the village. Unlike before, the villagers appear a little more at ease and friendlier to them."

"Now this is more I like it." Jounouchi grinned and Honda hit him in the head.

"Be careful, doofus. We don't know if this is a trick."

"Ow!"

"Maybe we can get some better equipment while we're here."

"While in this village, the heroes increase their hit points."

"Get out!" Honda said.

"Yes. You each gain 10 hit points that will last unless you flee from a battle."

"Sweet!"

'so what now, Yugi?" Kristen asked.

"I'm not sure."

"Let's get some new weapons!" Jounouchi exclaimed excitedly.

"Jounouchi, we have no money."

"Ah, so it's money you want, is it?"

"The adventurers turn to see an old woman smiling at them."

"If you wish to earn a little money, perhaps you can assist me. See, I sell rare stones for a living, but there is a nasty goblin guarding the area I usually collect the stones from. If you could come with me to help defeat the goblin, I will pay you handsomely."

"Do the heroes accept or deny the old woman's request?"

I say we take it!" Jounouchi said, grinning.

"You moron, remember the last guy we tried to help? It nearly killed us!" Kay snapped.

"Maybe we can split up?" Honda suggested.

"What good will that do?" Anzu asked.

"Well, if it's just a goblin, maybe Jounouchi and I can take care of it ourselves. And if it is a trick, the rest of you won't have to deal with it."

"But, if it is a trick, what if you two…y'know, don't make it?" Cat asked. Jounouchi struck a pose.

"Hey, we're heroes! Dat's what heroes do!"

"Wow…that was so lame in so many ways…" Jounouchi stumbled and glared at Kay.

"What do you think, Yugi?" Honda asked. Yugi sighed.

"Well, as much as I don't want to split up and take the risk, it does seem like a pretty ok idea. Just be careful you guys."

"Hold on, should they both go?" Kristen asked. "I mean, they do have the strongest stats. Maybe one should go and someone else should join them."

"How about Cat?" Anzu suggested.

"Me?" she asked, blinking. Jounouchi grinned.

"Yeah, Cat. You're mega tough!"

"Well…ok, if you say so."

"So it's settled." The old woman turned.

"Follow me." Jounouchi and Cat waved good bye to everyone else and followed her.

"So, the magician and warrior follow the old woman while the rest of the adventurers stand by at the village inn. She leads them into the mountainous terrain to the highest mountain."

"Here. The goblin lives high up, where the stones form, inside a dark cavern."

"The two heroes climb the mountain without too much difficulty and reach the Goblin's cavern. When they arrive, a deep growl from deep within the darkness rumbles."

"Who dares to tread upon my home?"

"Goblin, we're here to send you packing!" Jounouchi growled.

"The goblin exits the cave and looms over the two heroes." A large, ugly goblin walked out of the cave, a bone hanging out of his mouth.

"Fools. I will eat the flesh off your bones."

"Judgment roll for whoever attacks first. Lowest number attacks." Bakura rolled his dice and landed on 56. Yami rolled and landed on 48. "Very well, the warrior gets first strike." Jounouchi smirked.

"I am ready."

"The Goblin has an HP of 100. You must roll less than 25 for it to die." Yami rolled.

"33."

"The goblin takes 82 points of damage." Jounouchi slashed and cut off the arm of the goblin. "The magician steps up to finish the task. You must roll less than 75 to defeat it. The odds are in your favor."

Yami rolled the dice and came up with 63.

"The goblin dies." Cat cast a spell and the goblin blew up.

"We did it, Jounouchi!"

"Heck yes!" They both grinned. The old woman crept up to them.

"Well done, young heroes. Come with me and I shall fetch your reward." Jounouchi grinned greedily.

"Ya don't have to tell me twice!"

"So, the two heroes follow the old woman into the cave. However, they find that nothing is there."

"Yo lady, where's the reward already?"

"Oh, silly me."

"The old woman stops and turns around."

"Come closer and I shall give it to you."

"Jounouchi, I'm not so sure about this…" Cat whispered.

"C'mon, Cat. Don't be such a scaredy cat." Jounouchi paused and then laughed at his own joke. Cat rolled her eyes and they both approached the old woman.

"Suddenly, the old woman shoves the two and they fall down into more darkness, only to hear her laughing."

"Enjoy your reward of wandering in the old mines forever!"

"She shouts down at them." Yami's eyes widened.

"Cat! Jounouchi!"

"Meanwhile, at the village…"

"They have been gone a long time…" Honda said. Kay nodded.

"Yeah, I'm getting worried." Anzu shrugged.

"I'm sure they're fine."

"With Jounouchi, I'm not too sure…" Kay mumbled.

"The sound of a scream from outside captures their attention."

"What was that?" Yugi asked.

"The five run outside and gasp to see dark knights on black, winged beasts flying around, terrorizing the townspeople."

"Who do those punks think they are?" Honda growled, placing his hand on his gun.

"Suddenly, one of the knights notice them and fly to them."

"You are conspirators against Master Zorc. We are here to destroy you."

"Bring it on!"

"Three knights are there total on three beasts, which makes for a total of six enemies. The knights have 70 hit points and the beasts 40."

"That's nothing!" Honda said.

"Be careful, Honda. If their hit points are low, they probably have incredible strength."

"Magic gunman makes the first move." Yami threw the dice.

"14."

"Missile barrage!" Honda shot a knight and his beast, destroying them both.

"Seeing one of the knights dead causes the other two to hesitate and the Beast Tamer attacks next."

"Ok." Yami rolled.

"30."

"You have just enough power to wipe out one knight." Yugi used Pokii and his dragon's power to attack one of the knights, killing him. "The knight's beast is angry at Yugi for attacking and moves to strike." Bakura rolled the dice and it landed on 07. "The beast attacks and wipes out 21 of Yugi's 27 hit points."

"Yugi!" He fell down and shook, but was still alive.

"I'm ok…" he said weakly. Yami glared furiously at Bakura, who merely smiled.

"Illusionist attacks next."

Yami rolled again and Bakura gasped.

"Super critical?!" Kay aimed her wand at the remaining knight and two beasts. She created a dark spell that smothered them before exploding with a pretty, glittering effect.

"Good job, Kay!"

"Now, I roll again."

"What?" Bakura asked. Yami threw the dice and landed on 17.

"Good. Now I can activate my priestess' healing powers to cure Yugi." Kristen glowed pink and walked over to Yugi. She touched his forehead and he, too, glowed pink and his hit points were restored.

Bakura growled.

"Damn it!" Yami smirked smugly. "Fine, back to the other two. Deep within the mountains is a network of tunnels from old, abandoned mines." Cat opened her eyes and sat up.

"Ugh…hey, Jounouchi. Are you ok?" she asked. He sat up, dazed.

"Yeah…I just hurt…everywhere. But otherwise, I'm peachy." She sighed and looked around.

"It's too dark to see anything." She looked at her wand and it lit up, illuminating the cave.

"The tunnels are dark and dusty with rotting wood and rusting tracks." Cat stood up and looked around. Then frowned at Jounouchi.

"I told you not to trust that old lady. But nooo, don't listen to Cat."

"Aww, shut up! Like you're always right."

"Well, what's done is done. Now we need to figure out how to get out of here."

"The chance for a random monster encounter in the mines is 0. However, there are monsters hidden in there, so if your characters accidentally come across them, they will attack. The mines are a maze, so one way can be safe and another deadly. Be careful…"

Yami frowned and looked at the board, which had flipped to reveal the network of mines.

"There is, lucky for you, more than one exit. But the difficulty of getting to each one varies. Good luck, you'll need it."

Cat and Jounouchi walked along the tunnels and came to a fork.

"Which way do we go?" Jounouchi asked. Yami frowned. The left way would be closer to the village, but he guessed monsters were hidden along that route."

"Go to the right." Cat and Jounouchi walked down the white tunnel. Bakura chortled.

"That move was completely predictable. A monster appeared!"

"What?" A gargoyle appeared and roared. Jounouchi and Cat yelped.

"Due to their surprise, the Goblin strikes first." Bakura rolled and got 21. "The goblin slashed its claws at the warrior and takes away ten hit points." Jounouchi's points went down to 15.

"Jounouchi!"

"Because her comrade is in pain, the magician must step up and attack first." Yami rolled the dice and got 39. "The magician is afraid, but her wish to assist her friend gives her strength and she attacks, taking out most of the gargoyle's hit points. And because of her determination, she gets to strike again."

Yami grinned and rolled again, landing on 56.

"She gathers up just enough power to destroy the gargoyle."

"Jounouchi, are you ok?" Cat asked. He nodded.

"Yeah, I'm fine…let's just keep going." They continued down the dark tunnel. Bakura smirked.

"The way they chose makes for a longer journey out of the tunnels. And who knows what traps I have lain." Yami frowned and crossed his arms over his chest.

"We'll be ready for them, Bakura." Bakura snickered and grinned at Yami, a dangerous gleam in his eyes.

"We shall see, Yugi. We shall see…"

"What was that?" Jounouchi asked stopping and looking around. Cat stared at him.

"What is it, Jounouchi?"

"I thought I heard something."

"It was probably the echo of our footsteps. We need to keep moving."

"Suddenly…" Bakura started and Jounouchi groaned.

"I hate it when he does that!"

"As Jounouchi steps forward, he steps on a trap that causes some of the ruins to come alive and form a monster!" The old tracks and wood laying around in the minds began to float and swirled around, taking the form of a wolf-like creature. "The monster has 50 hit points."

"Brace yourself, Cat!"

"The warrior and magician take a defensive stance and the monster, angry at their trespassing, attacks first." Bakura took the dice and rolled. He frowned. 78.

"That's a low number, Bakura. You seem to be losing your touch," Yami stated smugly, earning a glare from the spirit.

"Quiet, you!" he hissed. "The monster rears up to attack, but the magician and warrior dodge it. Warrior attacks." Jounouchi grinned.

"Yeah! Roll a good number, Yuge." Yami threw the dice.

21.

"The warrior strikes the monster and injures it. Magician quickly steps up to finish it off. You need a roll of 40 or higher to defeat the beast." Cat stepped forward, a look of determination on her face.

Yami rolled up a 28.

Cat spun her staff and unleash an attack, destroying the monster.

"The warrior and magician celebrate their victory before continuing to look for a way out of the dark mines." Bakura frowned.

"And now, let us return our attention to the others."

"Of course…" Yami said coldly.

"Jounouchi and Cat have been gone for a really long time," Kristen said quietly. "do you think something happened to them?"

"With Jounouchi, that's a pretty safe bet." Kristen bit her lip anxiously.

"Do ya think we should go look for them?" she asked.

"I dunno. I want to. Let's ask Anzu, Honda, and Yugi." She nodded.

"But before the Illusionist and Priestess can move, they hear screams."

"Again?" Kay asked.

"Someone needs help."

"The two foolishly run out of the village and come across an ogre." Bakura placed a giant ogre figurine on the field.

"GRAH! I AM A SERVANT OF ZORC! THOSE WHO DARE TO OPPOSE HIM SHALL SUFFER!" the ogre growled viciously.

"The Illusionist and Priestess brace themselves for battle."

"Let's beat this thing!"

"The ogre has 200 hit points. Illusionist strikes first." Yami rolled the die.

"09. A very good roll. Illusionist creates a spell that leaves the ogre dazed and allows the priestess to move." Yami rolled again and winced.

"89." Bakura tsked.

"Not your best roll. The Priestess stumbles and the ogre recovers before striking at her." Bakura rolled and smirked.

"04." Yami's eyes widened.

"Critical!"

"The ogre swipes at the priestess, nearly removing all of her hit points." Kristen fell back, and Kay gasped.

"Ki-chan!" She sat up weakly, left with only two hit points.

"The illusionist, fueled by anger for her friend, attacks next." Yami rolled.

"25."

"A powerful hit, but not strong enough to wipe out the ogre. The ogre takes the illusionist by surprise and attacks her next." Bakura rolled.

"34. The attack causes her to lose seven hit points. Illusionist attacks next. You need a roll of 65 or higher to win." Yami rolled.

"52."

"The illusionist finishes off the ogre and rushes to the side of her friend and takes her back to the village for medical treatment. Back in the mines…"

"Ugh, where are we. I feel like we've been in here for days."

"It's only been a little while, Jounouchi."

"Hey, does that look like light to ya?" Jounouchi and Cat stopped, looking up above them.

"Instead of continuing on their path, the warrior and magician stop, looking up at a small sliver of light peering through the ceiling above them. What do they do? Attempt to find an exit at this point, or move forward?"

Yami smirked.

"They say only reach for the light at the end of the tunnel. They'll remain here." Bakura's mouth formed a thin line.

"Very well. Upon investigation, they discover the light is a hole and the warrior strikes with his sword, creating an exit."

"Yeah!"

"The magician and warrior climb out of the mines and into a clearing a good distance from the mountain."

"Ah, light!" Jounouchi exclaiming, spreading his arms out wide to embrace freedom. Cat nodded.

"It's good to be out of there."

"While the two are safe for now, it is still a good distance away from the village where their comrades reside. Travel with caution." Yami chuckled and Bakura growled. "What is so funny?"

"You try to intimidate but look at the area. My characters are in a field, where monsters are unable to hide. And it is a straight shot back to the village. The encounter rate is under ten percent."

"Don't be overconfident." Yami smirked and Bakura scowled. "It takes you four turns to return to the village." Bakura rolled the dice for monsters, but none of his rolls made it. He growled and Yami smirked. "The two reach the village, hungry and thirsty, but only to forget this when they find their friend hurt."

"Kristen!" Jounouchi and Cat exclaimed.

"You're ok!" Yugi, Kay, Honda, and Anzu said.

"The friends reunite and learn that the priestess will recover by the next day." Yami nods and Bakura looks at his laptop. "The adventurers stay the night at the village, an innkeeper offering them rooms and a meal as thanks for protecting their village.

"The sun rises the next morning and the travelers prepare for their expedition. However, before they go, the town elder confronts them at the village gates."

"You are very brave. Thank you for assisting our village."

"Hey, no prob. That's what we're here for!" Jounouchi says, laughing. Honda punches him in the back of the head.

"You weren't even here to help!" he snapped.

"OW!"

"The elder chuckles and holds out a bag."

"I offer you these gifts as thanks for your help. I hope that these will help you to defeat Zorc."

"Within the bag, you find two potions to heal your hit points. After thanking the elder, the adventurers continue on for Zorc's castle and prepare for the final showdown. The travelers reach the gates."

They stood outside a dark castle with clouds surrounding it, blocking out all sunlight. Kristen shivered.

"This place is creepy."

"It's the last battle we will face!" Honda said, nodding with determination. "I'm ready."

Pokii flew over to Yugi.

"Be careful! There are traps for you in Zorc's castle!"

"Ok, we'll be careful Pokii."

"The gate to the castle opens. It seems Zorc is expecting you." A wooden gate rolled down from the castle and everyone gulped. "At last, we have reached the goal of the adventurers. The path to the castle is now open."

"Awright, let's do this!" Jounouchi said, raising his sword to the darkened sky.

"And with that, the adventurers enter the castle." The castle folded away, revealing the gaming area. "You've come to the last stage of your quest. Somewhere in this castle lurks Zorc, awaiting the adventurers."

"Zorc, come out here so we can kick your butt!"

"Do you really want to provoke a fifty foot monster that could eat you?" Kay asked dryly and Jounouchi glared.

"Shut up!"

"Hey." Honda poked them. "Look at that tower." He pointed to a tower with an opening on the bottom and a stone with half of two ovals on it. The group walked over to it and stared.

"What do ya think that is?" Jounouchi asked.

"I'm not sure." Cat, Yugi, Jounouchi, and Anzu all stepped through the indent.

"Wait a sec; guys-" Kristen started.

"No, wait!" Yami yelled. Jounouchi looked back.

"But we're already in here." A sound from above made them look up.

"The ceiling's falling!" a square plate with spikes fell on them and the force knocked back Kay, Kristen, and Honda.

"NO!" Yami said. Bakura tittered wickedly.

"The adventurers have fallen into a trap. But do not fear, it's not instant death. You have three turned to save them before the ceiling completely crushes them all."

"Damn you…" Yami growled.

"Ouch! I can't hold it up!" Cat squeaked.

"I don't think we got a choice, Cat." Jounouchi winced. "Yowch! This thing isn't just heavy, it's got spikes!"

"Yami, please hurry!" Yugi cried.

"In order to save them, you must create column to support to ceiling. For that, you must roll a certain number." Yami glared and threw the dice.

04.

"Yes! A critical!"

"Unfortunately, that isn't enough." Yami gasped.

"What?!"

"What are you talking about, scumbag?" Honda shouted up at Bakura. He, Kay, and Kristen could only stand there, unable to help out.

"You need to roll a specific number. Here's a hint, you must roll doubles. Oh, that reminds me. This is Zorc's castle. There's a thirty percent chance that Zorc will appear. Judgment roll!""

"No!" Bakura smirked as 28 came up.

"Read it and weep." Yami growled and Honda stood ready.

"Don't worry, we'll handle Zorc!"

"Zorc appears!" Indeed, the monster appears to them all. Yugi, Cat, Anzu, and Jounouchi yelp from fear and from the pain of holding up the ceiling.

"Fools! You have wandered into my trap! Now I shall rip you to shreds while you are held by my deadly spikes!"

"Not while we're around!" Honda said, aiming his gun.

"The magic gunman distracts Zorc so you have one chance to try and save your friends, pharaoh. Heh, good luck." Yami rolled and it came up 13. He grunted.

"No good."

"Distracted by the failure, magic gunman does not move quickly enough and Zorc attacks first." Bakura rolled and came up with 41. "Not the greatest roll, but enough to inflict 10 points of damage to the gunman, illusionist, and priestess." Kay, Kristen, and Honda flew back, their hit points lowered.

"No!"

"This is your last chance, pharaoh. If this roll fails, your friends will be crushed to death. And, uh, you know what that'll mean, right?" He smirked.

"You sick, twisted fiend!" Bakura chuckled.

"Why thank you." Yami gripped the dice.

"Let this be the right number!" He tossed the dice and they rolled. His heart thumped in his chest as he watched them fixedly. "Come on…"

33.

"Was that it?"

The pillar appeared and everyone cheered. Yami sighed in relief and smiled.

"They're safe."

"You found the pillar, but Zorc gets to attack now. He turned back to the other four." Bakura rolled.

12.

"Zorc strikes the tower." Yami smirked.

"you forget, my characters have higher speeds. They escape before Zorc destroys the tower."

"What?!" Zorc turned to look over his shoulder to see all seven adventurers.

"Now that they are at his back, surprise attack!" Yami rolled a 15 and Jounouchi slice at Zorc.

"Take that, ugly!" he yelled.

"Hmph…on this turn, the adventurers snuck up behind Zorc and gain and extra attack."

"Yami, let me kill him!" Honda said.

"Ok. Roll!" Yami threw the dice and came up with 09.

"Gah, another critical?!"

"Gotcha, Zorc!" Honda shot a barrage at Zorc.

"Now, my magician gets an attack."

"Which one?" Anzu shouted. Yami looked a little taken back.

"Uh…" Kay coughed.

"CAT!" she said between phony coughs. Anzu scowled and Bakura snickered.

"Yes, Cat gets the next attack." She smiled sheepishly and Yami rolled.

12.

She fired a powerful attack and Zorc fell back.

"You are able to perform one more attack…" Bakura said quietly, his voice laced with venom.

"Who goes next?" Kristen asked. Yugi stepped forward.

"I will." Yami rolled a 07. Yugi sent Pokii and his dragon after Zorc and they both dealt a good deal of damage. Bakura winced.

"How is Yugi rolling all of these criticals?" he asked himself, trying desperately to figure out how to stop it.

"Heh. Don't you get it Bakura?" Jounouchi asked. "Winners never cheat and cheaters never win!" Bakura smirked and chuckled.

"Oh really?" He smirked and the smoke cleared and Zorc stood with a hole in his chest, but otherwise looking unharmed.

"How is that possible?" Honda shouted.

"After those criticals, he should be down!"

"Fools, you are all at level one! You do not have the skill to defeat Zorc!"

"What?!" Yugi cried.

"That's dirty!" Pokii said.

"Now, Zorc attacks!" Bakura held up the dice and rolled.

00.

"Not a super critical!" Bakura laughed as Zorc attacked with an explosive assault, dealing damage to all seven of the adventurers and knocking them back.

"HA! Zorc's power is so devastating, they are all dead."

"That can't be…" Yami said darkly. The miniatures lay on the ground, eyes blank. Bakura shrugged.

"Don't delude yourself. But to humor you, I'll look at their stats with my computer." He typed something in, still grinning smugly. But the results made his expression drop instantly. "That's impossible! They each have one hit point left?!"

Everyone stood up weakly, glaring at Bakura and at Zorc. Yami's face brightened.

"I knew it!" Yugi smiled at him.

"You…didn't really think we'd lose so easily…Bakura?" Jounouchi asked, smirking. "We're not going down that easy…" Bakura stared ahead and gasped in horror when he noticed that his left hand was typing on its own…without him thinking to do it.

"What the hell is going on?" he cried. The message appeared.

I am Ryou Bakura. I won't let you kill my friends. I'll fight too.

"It's not over yet, Bakura!" Yami rolled the dice and it came up 05. Kay jumped up and struck Zorc's eye with her magic attack, blinding him in that eye.

"Kay took out his eye!" Honda exclaimed.

"Awesome!" Cat said, grinning. They all cheered and Kay grinned.

"Yugi…you're starting anger me…" Bakura muttered, his left eye closed as if Kay has struck his eye too. He noticed his left hand again and grunted.

I won't let you control me anymore! I'm going to help my friends strike you down!

Bakura looked panicked for a moment, but his expression cooled and he moved his computer away from his left hand, smirking victoriously.

"Now, let us continue. Zorc's left eye was destroyed, but only a small fraction of his hit points are lowered."

"Gah! It doesn't matter how many criticals we get! We're not dealing enough damage!" Jounouchi cried.

"What can we do?" Anzu asked.

"Now, according to the scores, Anzu's magician is next."

"Finally!" She waved her wand and created a wave of magic that healed all of them completely.

"Yeah Anzu!" She beamed and smirked a little at Cat, who was oblivious to it.

"Fine, you're healed! But Zorc hits with 80 or less. He'll wipe you out this turn, just watch!" Bakura started to roll with his right hand, but the left threw dice and he gasped.

"What the-"

He got a 99.

Zorc created an attack that blew up in his face.

"Ha! Fumble!" Bakura gripped his left hand, growling.

"This damned hand!" he said. He slammed it through a sharp tower of the castle and everyone gasped as he bled. "Take that, Ryou Bakura!"

"Ryou…"

"You mean, he's helping us?" Cat asked.

"I think so." Jounouchi frowned. "Just like in duelist kingdom…"

Insert flashback here

"I know what to do!" Yugi stepped forward. "I will use my controlling hand's powers."

"What? Are you joking?" Bakura asked. Yami smirked.

"No. This is no joke." Yami rolled the dice and landed on 05.

"Critical!" Zorc laughed.

"Fools! Your level could be infinite before you can dream of controlling me! Y-…WHAT?" Smoke came from where his left hand had once been. Yugi's hand extracted a small, white person from the arm. He landed in front of Yugi.

"Ryou…" Ryou smiled up at Yugi.

"Thank you for saving me." He stood. "I am the white wizard, Bakura. Please let me join your party."

"Of course!" everyone exclaimed.

"Let's defeat Zorc!" Ryou nodded.

"Yes." Bakura growled at them, his fist clenched and trembling slightly as he watched in horror. He was losing control of his own game!

"Magic gunman strikes next!" Yami rolled and came up with 15.

Honda smirked and shot Zorc in the chest, slicing through the flesh.

"GAH!"

"Hey, what gives? Did you see how powerful that was?" Ryou smiled.

"I lowered his defense with my magic. I do not obey that Bakura's rules. I go by the other game master – Ryou Bakura." A huge hole appeared in Zorc's side and everyone cheered.

"Ryou, you rock!" Kristen and Cat cheered in unison.

"We've gained a very powerful ally!" Yami said with a grin.

"You won't win so easily!" Bakura growled.

"Don't be so sure." Bakura's grin widened into a malevolent smirk and he chuckled wildly.

"I am sure! Behold."

"Hey guys, Zorc's changing shape!" Anzu yelled, pointing. It was true. Zorc morphed into a strange, dark, skeletal monster form of himself, and he looked even stronger than before!

"Behold Zorc's final form. He is now more powerful than before." Jounouchi gulped.

"Uh, guys? Any ideas? 'Cause I'm fresh out." Yami narrowed his eyes.

"Now, Zorc attacks!" Bakura rolled the dice and it came up…

00.

"NO!" Laughing, Bakura pointed.

"This is the end for all of you!" The hole on Zorc's chest opened and an eyeball peered out at them before it glowed, storing energy for the ultimate attack. They stood there, bracing themselves for the devastation that was sure to occur momentarily.

He finally stopped gathering energy and released a hot, white beam from the hole and it flew at the group.

"NO!"

Ryou leapt up and aimed his staff.

"Shining shield!" A shield of glowing, white light appeared in front of them all and fought the attack. Everyone grunted and tried to fight back.

Finally, the attack and shield faded, leaving everyone badly damaged but still alive.

"You all ok?" Kristen asked. Ryou was on the ground and everyone rushed to him.

"Ryou! Are you alright?" Cat asked.

"I-I'm ok. But this needs to end now. I don't have enough magic to protect us again. If we don't defeat Zorc this turn, it's all over!"

"Look!" Yami pointed at the revealed eye on Zorc's chest. "That must be his weak point." Yugi nodded.

"Yeah!"

"No, it's closing!" It was true. The hole was beginning to close and cover the eye again.

"We can't let it close!" Bakura chuckled.

"Looks like you're out of luck."

"NO!" They all gasped.

"Pokii!" Yugi cried. The little pink creature had lodged himself into the hole, preventing it from closing.

"Hurry! You need to defeat him now and destroy me with him! Please, do it now!" Pokii cried.

"But…we can't destroy Pokii!" Kay cried.

"He's our friend!"

"Don't worry." They looked and Yami grinned. "We'll never sacrifice a friend for the sake of destroying an evil soul so long as there's an alternative way." Yami smirked. "Beast tamer!"

Yugi stepped forward and Yami rolled.

02.

Yugi created a powerful punching hand and hit Zorc's critical spot and extracted Pokii, safe and sound.

"He's ok!" Kristen exclaimed, beaming. Bakura doubled over, glaring.

"You little…you'll pay for that!"

"Zorc's down! Warrior strikes next!" Yami rolled the dice.

01.

"YES!"

Jounouchi slashed at Zorc and sliced his torso off his lower body.

"He did it!" Anzu cried.

"We've won!" Yami growled and glared seriously.

"Not yet…" Zorc growled and used his right hand to support himself, glaring at them all.

"He's not dead?! But how?" Kay asked.

"Yugi, now we must roll once more to decide who moves next! This roll will determine the fate of your friends!" Bakura said, pointing at Yami.

"Fine, let's go!" Yami said.

They threw their dice up into the air and everyone watched, hearts pounding in anticipation as they awaited the fall of the white and red dice.

Yugi's roll landed first and everyone stared. They gasped in delight.

00.

"YES!"

"Not so fast, pharaoh." Bakura pointed. "It's not over until you see my roll."

00.

"What? But…how?"

"HA! This is how it ends. Both sides die! Zorc unleashes a deadly attack at the same time as the heroes and they all perish! How dramatic. How moving. THIS was the best game ever." Yami growled.

Bakura smirked, but he heard a noise and looked at the dice. His expression crumbled into uncertainty and then fear. The dice jiggled back and forth and cracks began to form.

"How is this…no…it can't be…" Bakura leaned forward. "RYOU BAKURA?!"

"Ryou…he…how is he doing this?" Cat asked.

"His soul is in those dice!" Yami said.

"But how?" Kristen asked.

"If he destroyed the dice which his soul inside…how will he survive?" Yugi asked. Yami didn't answer. They all knew the answer.

"RYOU!" The dice shattered and everyone gasped, staring.

"NO! My dice are nothing but dust! This can't be happening!!"

"Hmph. No dice, Bakura? No roll! We attack Zorc!"

"No!"

"Cat, attack with a final magic blast!" Cat leapt up and aimed her staff at Zorc, creating a powerful magical attack that destroyed him.

"We've done it!" Bakura's ring glowed dark and he yelled as he vanished, leaving Ryou with his head resting against the table.

"We've done it!"

"But…Ryou…" They all looked up.

"He…his soul was in the dice."

"So…he's dead?" Kristen asked.

"No." They all looked at the white wizard. "Ryou's soul is also inside of me. If Yugi can roll a critical, I can use my magic to bring him back."

"Yugi?" They all looked up at him and he smiled.

"I'll be sure to roll a critical." He threw the dice.

Soon, everyone began to open their eyes.

"Yugi?" Ryou said. Yami pat his shoulder and smiled.

"It's over, Ryou."


"Man, am I glad that's over!" Jounouchi sighed the next day at school as he reclined to a chair. Kay nodded.

"I'll say. It feels good to not be five inches tall anymore."

"I'm glad we beat that evil spirit."

"Yeah, but it seems like he never stays down for long…" Honda mumbled.

"Way to keep a positive attitude!" Anzu snapped, elbowing him in the ribs.

"Ow! Well excuse me for being realistic." They all laughed a little. Ryou walked into the classroom, carrying something in his hands.

"Hi everyone."

"Hey Ryou."

"What's up?"

"Check this out. I made it myself." He placed a box on the desk and they all gasped and stared with wonder. "This diorama is a memento of our adventure!"

"Wow, it's so cool!" Cat exclaimed. Ryou smiled.

"I hope we can all play again someday." They stared at the diorama. It had miniatures of Yami, Yugi, Anzu, Jounouchi, Honda, Kristen, Cat, and Kay as well as Pokii and the dragon, all posed and ready for action.

"Sure! Just so long as you don't go psycho and turn us into miniatures again."

"Jounouchi!" They chuckled a little before the teacher came into the classroom.

"Take your seats, class!" And things slowly returned to their normal routine.


Yeah, I made the Monster World filler two parts instead of one. I hope you liked rereading it.