DISCLAIMER: If you recognise it from somewhere else, it isn't mine.

Match Of The Millennium Part II

'Yugi!' Téa called. 'Don't let that creep intimidate you!'

'Yeah, just play your game!' Joey added.

The smirk that Pegasus was wearing made Yami uneasy. But all the same, maybe this combo would work. He couldn't give up. There was just too much riding on the game. Something in the back of his mind niggled at him. There was a way to thwart the Millennium Eye, but he just couldn't remember what it was.

'It's my turn,' Yami said. 'And first I'm laying this card face down. He laid down the Spell-Binding Circle. 'And next, I'll throw the Summoned Skull in defensive mode.' The monster appeared on the field. 'And I'll leave it at that.'

'Goody,' Pegasus said. 'Now it's my turn once again.' He drew. 'I'm switching Ryoran into attack mode.' The monster, cliché as it sounded, burst out of his shell and roared. 'Ryoran, Fire Stream attack!' The monster shot fire at them.

'With your attack, you've activated my trap card.' Yami flipped it up. That was a little too easy. 'The Spell-Binding Circle.' The Circle appeared on the field, blocking the attack from his Skull. It shot forward and wrapped around Ryoran. 'My Circle has stopped your attack and that's not all. It also ensnares Ryoran in a binding spell of magic.'

'Oh, no!' Pegasus said over-dramatically.

Yami ignored that. 'And reduces his attack power by seven hundred points.'

YGO

Shamee's punch missed him, sending her sailing right past. She spun around and scowled at "Bakura". 'I knew it. I thought we got rid of you last time.'

"Bakura" chuckled. 'You only claimed that victory because Bakura betrayed me.'

'That's the problem with a vessel,' Shamee said. 'Its got a mind of its own…oh, rat rot!' She glanced at the door.

'Hey!' someone suddenly called from behind.

Shamee turned her head and winced. There were five guards running up the hallway towards them.

'Hey, that's the kid that took Mokuba!'

'He must be in that room! Get them!'

Shamee turned, because she knew that Tristan was still where he could keep an eye on the Evil Spirit. Before she could say or do anything, though, Shamee felt Shadow Powers be exercised. Tristan cried out in surprise as something leapt over her shoulder and the Man-Eater Bug was suddenly attacking the goons.

YGO

Yami shifted his card. 'And now, Pegasus, with my Skull poised for attack and the magic of my trap in full effect, Ryoran will be struck down. Go, Lightning Strike attack!' The Summoned Skull began his attack.

'Not so fast, Yugi.' Pegasus lifted his card and flipped it over. 'I played this.'

'What?' Yami was sure he'd never seen that before. 'What is that?'

'A trap,' Pegasus said. 'Well, a trap for traps, actually. It's called Trap Displacement and with it, I can take the Spell-Binding Circle set on one of my monsters and switch it to one of yours.' As he spoke, just that happened. 'Observe.' Ryoran's attack points returned to normal while the Summoned Skull's attack points dropped to 1800.

'No!' Yami knew it was too easy. 'Now, Ryoran's attack strength is back to normal and my Summoned Skull's 700 points weaker.'

'Why, it's almost as if I knew exactly what you were thinking, isn't it?' Pegasus chuckled.

Yami's eyes narrowed.

'Fire Stream attack!' Pegasus called to Ryoran. The monster attacked and the Summoned Skull was destroyed.

Yami's life points dropped down to 1400. Yami stared in fear. Was he really going to lose this whole thing due to something he was reasonably sure he should have power over? The thought caused physical pain, like when he'd considered he may have to lose to Kaiba, to shoot through his mind. Pegasus knows every duelling strategy I think up. I can't hide anything from his eye.

YGO

'As you can see, there's not a trace of those pathetic mortals left,' the Thief King said, smirking at Shamee. 'Now, why don't you open the door for me?'

'Why would I do that?' Shamee asked.

'I'm in need of a new host.'

Tristan frowned. He went to say something but Shamee saw him and shook her head.

'He's not after one of us, Tristan,' she said. 'He wants a vessel without a mind or soul of its own.'

Tristan looked at the door. 'You want Mokuba.'

'Yes,' the Thief King said. 'Now, Sharee, open this door.'

Shamee closed her eyes and made to walk towards it. Just as she passed the spirit in Bakura's body, though, she spun and karate chopped him in the neck, knocking him out cold. He dropped to the ground and Tristan came over.

'I'll have to find out where you learned that stuff someday.' He looked down with a thoughtful look on his face. 'Since the Evil Spirit in that necklace is what's controlling Bakura, we've gotta get rid of the necklace.' He leaned down and pulled it from Bakura's neck. 'So long, Evil Spirit!' Shamee watched Tristan run to a window, open it and fling the Millennium Ring out into the forest. She knew it wouldn't help. That thing would just find its way back to its chosen vessel. But whatever helped him sleep at night.

'And this time, don't come back!' Tristan came back. 'Good riddance.'

YGO

'My turn, Yugi-boy.' Pegasus drew.

And I'm sure it's another perfectly prepared move. Hm…If I'm going to win, I have to find a way to keep his Millennium Eye from reading my thoughts.

'Fat chance!' Pegasus said. 'Nothing you do can stop it. Face it, Yugi, you're at the mercy of my Millennium Eye.'

Yami's eyes narrowed and he gritted his teeth, despite the sweat rolling down his face.

'Don't you see?' Pegasus asked. 'I already know every card you keep in your deck and have in my possession every card needed to stop them. I can see every strategy your feeble mind has concocted and have already designed my own counter-tactics to render them completely useless. But even without my Millennium Magic, you're no match for me. After all, who needs magic with this card? Perhaps you'll remember it.' He took it from his hand and held it up eagerly before playing it. 'That's right, Yugi. It's the magical Toon World!'

The book appeared on the field, shooting up into the air and hovering.

'I thought as much,' Yami said. He watched Toon World pull Ryoran and the Red Archery girl into the bindings. The book closed.

'As you recall, Toon World protects my monsters behind its impenetrable hardback binding,' Pegasus said. 'Bindings that they'll only vacate when they're about to attack you.' The book opened and the two monsters appeared on the field in their toon forms. 'Oh, and seeing how all my monsters have been transformed to their super-powered toon form, it will be an attack that's certain to leave you in stitches.' He laughed. 'What's the matter, Yugi-boy? Don't you have a sense of humour?' He laughed even harder.

Yami growled.

'Monga Ryoran, attack the monster Yugi has in defensive mode,' Pegasus ordered. 'Nasty Nostril Flame Attack!' The toon Ryoran threw his head back, sucking air in, and then blew it out, sending flames out and destroying the Stone Soldier.

Yami covered his eyes from the flame. When he lowered his arm, he saw the Ryoran lean close to him and snigger before pulling back and disappearing into the book.

'Looks like your Soldier of Stone couldn't stand the heat. Aren't my toons simply marvellous?' Pegasus flicked his hair back. 'I can't help but feel the same proud satisfaction that a parent would. I guess that's my reward for having created the card.' He chuckled.

Yami felt a tic near his left eye as he ground his teeth harder. That cheat. The Toon World card is one of a kind. It was thought too powerful for distribution. That's how he was able to beat Kaiba with it.

'And next, I think I'm switch the Toon Mermaid into attack mode,' Pegasus said. 'You know, to let her out of her shell.'

Yami looked down at the cards in his hand and then drew. If I keep throwing my monsters in defence mode, Pegasus's toons will just keep picking them off. He looked up. My only chance is to take the offensive. Maybe by attacking, I can uncover some kind of weakness in these toon monsters. 'Celtic Guardian.' The monster appeared on the field. 'In attack mode!' My Guardian may not pack enough punch to beat that mermaid, but with both their attacks at 1400 she shouldn't be able to beat him either. His eyes narrowed. 'Go, Celtic Guardian! Super-Blade Slash!' The Celtic Guardian rushed forward and leapt up. As he came down, he brought the sword down on the Mermaid. What Yami really wasn't expecting was for the clam to spontaneously grow arms and catch the blade before it hit. 'No way! The clam caught my attack!'

'The clam caught Yugi's attack?' Téa demanded. 'What's going on here?'

'I don't know, Téa,' Joey said. 'That match-up should've been a draw.'

Pegasus laughed. 'Should've, would've, could've. I'm afraid that you're all just going to have to accept the reality of the situation. Yugi's Guardian is the catch of the day!' The clam pulled the Guardian forward and then kicked it back across the field. 'And if there's one thing I love, besides winning that is, it's a fish fry!' The Mermaid aimed with her bow and arrow and shot, destroying him.

'That was no draw!' Téa insisted.

'You're right,' Joey stated. 'Something's off with those toons!'

Yami ground his teeth. Okay, well…maybe if I play a stronger card.

'Afraid not,' Pegasus said. 'No card in your deck is strong enough. My toon monsters can't be beaten by sheer brute force.' The Mermaid and the clam laughed before they disappeared back into Toon World.

Then what can I do? Attacking's useless. That Millennium Eye gives Pegasus access to my every card, thought and strategy. How can I possibly win this duel?

'It's my turn, Yugi-boy.' Pegasus took cards from his hand. 'And I think I'll just lay these two cards face down on the field.'

Yami stared down at the two grid squares that glowed. Great. More to worry about. 'It's my move now.' Hm. With those two cards out, I guess I'll have to defend. It may cost me a monster, but it's better than losing life points. He took a card from his hand and laid it down. 'I'm throwing a monster in defence mode.'

Pegasus chuckled. 'I knew you would, Yugi-boy. After all, that's the reason why I played this card face down.' He had the card in question in hand.

Yami drew back, tensely.

Pegasus laid it back down, this time face up. 'Behold the trap known as Gorgon's Eye!' It rose out of the floor. 'I think you'll find his glance most arresting.' It was an eye with many snakes coming out of the edges. When the Eye opened, his Horned Imp appeared on the field and was immediately affected.

'My Imp!' Yami exclaimed. 'He's been turned to stone!'

'As will every other monster you throw in defensive mode. For the Gorgon's Eye is a permanent trap.' The Eye went back into the floor. 'And you should know that every time I destroy one of his concrete victims, half of their defensive power will be deducted from your life points. Sorry, but there is a bright side to having a set of fossilised monsters, Yugi-boy. They make fine paperweights.' Pegasus laughed at his own joke.

Yami growled in frustration.

'Hm,' Pegasus remarked. 'Tough crowd. Well, here. Maybe you can learn to lighten up from my second face down card.' He picked it up enthusiastically. 'Doppelganger, the Copy Card! Know why he's grinning, Yugi? Because this little fella loves what he does and does what he loves.'

Yami drew back slightly. He used this on Kaiba!

'Correct, Yugi-boy!' Pegasus played it. 'This little rascal can transform himself into any card on the field that I want.' The tail came out first and wiggled before the rest of him came out comically. He shot up and twirled around Pegasus. 'Oh! Beg your pardon. Any card that he wants. So which one will it be this time, Doppelganger?' The monster looked at him and then whispered in his ear. 'Perfect!' Pegasus gave the creature a thumb's up. 'You always have the best ideas!' He turned back to him. 'Well, Yugi-boy, it seems that he would like to transform into that Summoned Skull that I defeated a few turns ago.'

'My Skull?' Yami demanded. 'He's in my graveyard.'

'Yes, but your graveyard pile is on the field.' Both Pegasus and the Doppelganger shook their fingers at him. 'So it's fair game for my Doppelganger.'

Yami gasped. He was in more trouble than he'd thought.

Pegasus gestured. 'Go, my furry friend!' The Doppelganger shot up, into Toon World. The card on Pegasus's side changed. 'It's really something, isn't it, Yugi-boy? I can copy one of your monsters, recruit him to my team and turn him into a toon all in one move.' The book squirmed before opening. 'And with that, a dark new chapter of Toon World has been written.' He spread his arms. 'The chapter of fiends! And he's our story's protagonist. Or antagonist, depending upon your point of view.' A warped version of the Summoned Skull popped out. It stuck out its tongue and shook his head. 'The Toon Skull!'

On the upper gallery, Yami finally heard Shamee. She made a loud sound of disgust. 'See now, that's just wrong!'

Yami had to agree. He growled. 'What have you done to him?'

'Nothing compared to what he's going to do to you!' Pegasus crowed.

'You're twisted, Pegasus,' Yami insisted. 'You take such delight in creating such a monstrosity.'

'Don't say that,' Pegasus said. 'You'll hurt his feelings. You may not know it but beneath that gruff exterior lies a very sensitive toon.' The Skull took on a female face and batted its eyelashes.

Yami's body was nearly shaking in rage. 'Pegasus, just move!'

'Whatever you say, Yugi-boy,' Pegasus said. 'Toon Skull, Lightning Strike attack!' The Toon Skull attacked and destroyed the petrified Imp. 'Your Horned Imp is demolished. And since he was first turned to stone by my mystic Gorgon's Eye trap, half his defence power is removed from your life points.'

Yami's life points dropped to 900. The Skull flexed his muscles a few times before going back into Toon World. The book closed.

'What splendid showmanship!' Pegasus exclaimed. 'Wouldn't you agree, Yugi-boy? Perhaps I'll coerce him to do an encore a little bit later.'

YGO

Shamee scowled as she looked over the banister. Behind her, Tristan put Bakura down.

'What happened?' asked Joey.

'We had a bit of an adventure,' Shamee said, not taking her eyes off the duel.

'That Evil Spirit took over Bakura again,' Tristan said.

'You'd remember it as that dream where there were two of me, two Yugis and everyone was forced to dress as Duel Monsters,' Shamee explained. 'But, seriously, three people having exactly the same dream?'

'Now that you mention it…' Téa scratched her head. 'It does seem a little implausible.'

'A little?' Shamee asked. She leaned on the banister properly. 'He's got Toon World out, eh?' She raised her voice a little. 'You can still kick his butt, Yugi!'

YGO

Yami had heard Shamee's call. But how? The magic of Toon World makes it seem impossible.

'It's your turn!' Pegasus called in a sing-song voice.

Yami drew and looked at the card he'd pulled.

Pegasus chuckled. 'I see you've drawn the fabled Dark Magician.'

'Ah!' Yami drew back. Then he gritted his teeth.

'Your favourite card if I'm not mistaken,' Pegasus went on. 'His trouncing should be especially painful for you.' He chuckled. 'I so look forward to when you put him into play, Yugi-boy.'

I don't know what to do. I can't even try attacking those toons while they're inside that magic book. Yami looked down at his hand. And the Gorgon's Eye turns any defence monster I throw to stone. It all just seems so hopeless.

'It certainly does.' Pegasus interrupted him. 'Oh, sorry. Were you just having a private conversation with yourself? I'm so gauche. I really must learn not to keep butting into other peoples' business. After all, accepting defeat is such a personal matter.'

Yami ground his teeth. He wasn't going to give in.

'Don't you listen to him, Yug!' Joey called. 'Remember everything that's at stake here.'

Tristan continued. 'Your grandpa, Mokuba, Kaiba.'

'They're all counting on you, Yugi,' Téa reminded him. 'And we know that you're going to come through for all of them. You can do it! We believe in you!'

'Yeah!' Joey added.

They're right. I just have to remember what I'm fighting for here. To save the soul of my grandfather and the souls of both the Kaiba brothers too. I can't let them down. If I give up hope now, I'll lose those three forever. Their souls will remain imprisoned in the Shadow Realm and Pegasus will be free to continue his evil ways, with no one to stop him. I can't let that happen. I can't give up! As hopeless as it seems, I have to keep battling. I have to save my friends.