Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh, or Duel Monsters, or Master of Cards by Chuck ZFB. I strongly recommend that you read his story before mine. This is a PARALLEL of that fic, and was written with his permission. So, if you don't like parallel stories, don't go any further. But, if you do, read on. And now I present....

Chapter Four: Life's Retaliation

Things were not going my way. Pegasus was in complete control of the field. I was defenseless, and he had a monster with 2200 attack points. Not exactly an easy task. I picked up my card. 'Alright. This'll work.' I smiled. I slapped it down onto the table, and on the field appeared about five or six green skinned goblins, each one armed with axes, picks, knives, hammers, and just about any other for of weaponry you can think of. They pounced upon the creature that could barely pass for a rabbit. Or as Kaiba liked to put it, the deranged rabbit. Something I have to agree with him on. Anyway, mt goblins tackled the monster and a huge explosion fallowed, with a decline of Pegasus Life Points by one hundred. The score was now Pegasus 7700, myself 8000.

"What now Pegasus. My Goblin Attack Force crushed that beast. And although it will force them into defense mode for one turn, it doesn't matter. For I'll also lay two new cards face down. You move."

"Yes, and I think that maybe I should step my game up." he said. "I'll first use this Heavy Storm to destroy all Magic and Trap cards on the field, regardless as to what position they're in." he laughed. The wind of a hurricane kicked up and swirled, pulling on everything around us. I watched as my two traps, a Waboku and Attack and Receive, were whisked up into the air, and landed safely in the graveyard. "And I will then play my Red Archery Girl in attack mode, and eliminate your goblins from the field. Attack!" A clam shell rose out of the surface of the table. It opened to reveal a cute, little mermaid with green hair and a small bow and arrow. She pulled her arrow back and released. As her arrow zipped across the arena, my goblins actually lined up single file, each one exploding into shards of light as he was struck. "And I'll next attack your Life Points directly with Bickuribox. GO!" he commanded. I sat paralyzed as the demon toy sprung forth and slashed with his scythe. I felt the cold steel pass right through, me, and my Life Points dropped to 5700.

Then, I felt it again. A lack of energy, a cloudiness over my mind, and a pain in my chest that was indescribable. I reared back in pain. My head felt like it going to explode. I braced myself on the table. 'What is causing this?' I demanded of myself. It was so frustrating. I needed to figure it out, but I couldn't focus to think it out. 'Alright, breath in, breath out. Focus all energy.' I recited to myself. I cleared my mind as best I could. 'Wait!' I shouted to myself. 'That's right. It's the Shadow Realm. The more monsters I have, or the stronger they are, the more strain it puts on you mind and body. Using a monster like Goblin Attack Force used a lot, because it has such a high attack, and it was composed of several beings. Alright.'

"I'm onto you Pegasus." I cried, lifting my head to stare into his face. I grinned weakly. "And I have no intention of losing to you. Not if it was because you were hiding like a coward behind a veil of confusion, and it cost me my friends. I can give my life willingly, if it will win for me!" I shouted. Then again, easier said then done. If I continued at this rate, I would die. But, I don't know if it would save my friends. I put my hand on my deck. I picked the next card up, shaking. "I'll lay a card face down, and put a monster in defense mode."

"How pathetic." he drowned. "Now, with this card, no defense is any good." hi voice began to chime. He held a card up. The green outline expressed it to be a magic card. I swear my hear skipped a beat, or two...or ten. It was none other than his ultimate weapon; Toon World. "And I'll use it to summon my Toon Gemini Elf, and my Toon Cannon Soldier. And, of course, I will pay one thousand Life Points to Toon World." First, two young ladies in blue dresses, and overly exaggerated body figures appeared, emerging from a green pop-up book. These were fallowed by a purple block with green arms and legs, and a small gun barrel in place of a head . "But since I just summoned them, I can't attack with them this turn. But, I can eliminate your defenses. Bickuribox, attack." A small turtle that looked like it was made of stone, and had a few plants growing on its back.

"Not so fast, Pegasus." I shouted back, using as much of my strength as I could spare to smile. "I activate a Trap Card, Mirror Wall!" A barrier of blue crystal pieced together between his monster and mine. The image of Bickuribox appeared on the surface of it, and the monster demon puppet struck, along with its reflection.

"Aaah!" he cried. His monsters attack points instantly cut in half to 1150.

"And now its my turn." I said, drawing a card. "First, I'll destroy Mirror Wall by not paying the two thousand Life points." I had to be careful. If I were to pay Mirror Wall's upkeep, I would be disastrous. "Next, I lay card face down, and then I sacrifice my Island Turtle, to summon, my Summoned Skull!" I shouted. My ultimate fiend rose up and glared at Pegasus and his monsters. "Summoned Skull, use Lightning Strike to annihilate the weakened Bickuribox." I shouted. My monster emitted high voltage lighting, directing it at the one monster that was once Pegasus strongest on the field. "The score is now you with 5350, and myself with 5700."

"Maybe, but you still lack the power to defeat me, as I will show you now. I'll first attack your Life Points directly with my two Toons," he explained. The elves both lunged at me, swiped at me with there long clawed hands. The strike bypassed my monster, as if it wasn't on the field. Then, Cannon Soldier charged up his gun-barrel, and fired a direct hit on my Life Points, or more accurately, me! I rocked back in my seat, startled by the blast. "But it doesn't end there. For now I summon another Witch of the Black Forest, and use Cannon Soldier to sacrifice her, deal another five hundred points of damage to you, and activate her effect." My eyes widened in horror as another black robed woman appeared, faded into the clumsy machine, and then, another golden blast struck me, this one harder. My seat actually tipped over, and I fell to the ground. "And to finish my move, I will switch both my Toons to defense mode." he bagan to laugh. As to weather it was the fact that I was now down to 1900 Life Points, or that I was struggling to get back up and into the game.

I finally managed to get back into my chair, but had to lay my head on the table. I could barely feel anything in my body, my mind hurt so much...But then I remembered a statement I had made. 'I am willing to give my life for my friends.' I put a hand on top of my deck, began to pull it off the top, but my hand dropped. Neither myself, or myself could tell what card it was.

Then, I began to remember my friends. 'They're fighting for themselves, and me. I can't give up on them now. They need me to keep going. Everyone is depending on me.' Then, I said it one last time. "I am willing to give my life for my friends."

Suddenly, I felt different. I could sense my energy draining, but my mind was clearing. "I give my life to my monsters! In doing so, I can relieve my mind, and clear my thoughts!"

As I said this, I felt a burning sensation flare up on my right hand. I looked and saw a dark blue light blaze. A crest was in the center. I looked like a cross, only the tips of the crossbar widened, and hooked down just the slightest bit. The top had a loop on the end as well. It was an Ankh, the Egyptian symbol of Life.

Strangely, I felt my strength return. Everything was so clear. I felt renewed, and more powerful than ever before. I also felt a strong connection to my friends. I could sense them near me.

"What...What's happening?!" Pegasus demanded. We both looked around to see the "walls" of the Shadow Realm melting away. I saw two tables, identical to the one I was sitting at, over to my right, about ten feet or so between each. But the reliving part was who was sitting at them.

***

Tina...

Pegasus had just destroyed my Wingweaver, one of my best monsters, before I could even attack with her. And what was worst, I was feeling weak. Overcome by some force. But I just couldn't figure out what it was. 'I'm I just going crazy?' I asked myself.

It was Pegasus turn. With no monster on either players side, all he had to do was play a low level monster, and he could get at my Life Points without even trying. "First, I'll use this Heavy Storm card, to completely clear the field." I watched in horror as a large cyclone whirled to life, spinning vertically, and pulled all of our face down cards up, spun them around a few times, and then dropped them safely in our graveyards. "Ooo. Two Trap Holes, a Fissure, and Dark Energy. Tough loss." I gritted my teeth. "Now I'll lay my Red Archery Girl in attack mode. And I'll smite your Life Points down with her." An off-white clam shell emerged from the table. It opened to show a pretty little mermaid, clutching a small archery set in her arms. She drew her arrow back, released, and giggled as the arrow actually hit me. I felt as if someone had just jammed a large needle into my chest. I recoiled back in pain and shock.

"I'm going to lay two cards face down," I said, putting my De-Spell, and Waboku down. "And then I'll attack with Flash Assailant, who has an attack of 2000. Slash that mermaid." I commanded. A dark skinned man in aquamarine pants, no shirt, a blue head bandana, eye patch, and armed with a long knife, lunged at the Red Archery Girl, and speared through the alvine's shell, fallowed by an ear shattering scream. "Now you have only 5700 Life Points." I smiled. Then, the pressure came back. 'What is this?!" I screamed.

"It doesn't matter now." he laughed. " For now I'll use my newest Magic Card, Toon World!" A small green story book burst onto the field. "I do hope you have a good sense of humor. Although, your friends didn't take very kindly to it. Oh well. I summon Toon Goblin Attack Force. Attack." A huge force of green goblins in yellow hard hats, armed in just about every way possible, jumped onto me, and began to instantly bang away at my arms and head, which really didn't help the pain I was already in.

"Perhaps I should tell you finally what this incredible pressure you feel is. As you may, or may not know, in the Shadow Realm, each and every monster relies on its masters power to sustain it. Normally, it will forge a link between itself and your magical energies. However, your powers are so weak and unexercised, that they must target a new source of energy. In your case, your physical and mental capacities. So, the stronger the monster you summon, or the greater power it has, the more it will deteriorate you." Then, he broke into that insane laughter that only he is capable of.

'So that's it. And, that would explain why he wanted to duel here. It gives him an advantage. However, since he's not using his magic to put the strain on me, it wont be considered cheating. Not literally, any way.' I thought to myself. 'Well then, I need to think of some way to overcome this, and fast.' I reached for my deck...and then, I stopped. It was as if I had been hanging on by a thread, and then, it snapped. I collapsed. My head dropped and hit the table. My eyes closed. I was doing everything I could to stay awake.

Then, I heard a familiar voice. "I am willing to give my life for my friends."

It was Lance.

'Such a kind sacrifice. But Lance, is that really the only solution?' I asked, as if hoping Lance could hear me. 'Is that really the best way to do it?' I asked one last time. I could feel my mind slipping away. It felt that darkness closing in on me.

Then, I felt as if I had fallen into a black hole, and then encountered a bright, pure silver light. It was calm and soothing. I thought as though it were speaking to me.

"I understand." I soberly said.

My eyes snapped open. I lifted my head. Pegasus reeled back in surprise. An intense shine was bursting from the top of my hand. I saw what appeared to be two triangles standing next to each other , and a third stood on top of their tips, (think, the Tri-Force from Zelda). It was a bright silver.

I looked over at Pegasus, his face in horror and shock. I began to focus, and I pictured the Shadow Realm walls deteriorate. "You lose." I said.

***

Meren...

"Aaaaah!" I screamed as the pink sphere closed in on me. I found my hand moving towards my only face down card, unconscious and moving as if by itself. The card was flipped. Three women in blue robes, each holding a religious symbol. They took the blow and withered away. Pegasus glared as I realized what had happened. "Waboku." I whispered. I then silently thanked the Heart of the Cards. Why? Because it was the only logical explanation for how that card was there when I needed it most. But, I doubted that that would help. In one more turn, I would most likely pass out, and lose by default. But for now...

"I attack with the Dark Magician Girl!" I shouted. She swung her staff down on without effort, striking the demented dragon down. (Me:3100 Him:5000). Then, my head fell. Not onto the table, not down onto my arm. I hit the floor.

"Does this mean you surrender?" Pegasus inquired in an all to innocent tone.

'Do I?' I asked myself. 'It would be easiest.'

"Is that really the best way to do it?"

It rang through my head, clearer than anything I had heard all match long. But the startling thing was that the voice belonged to my sister.

"You have a unique gift." a new voice explained. "You have a faith in your deck like I have never before seen. Now stand up to Pegasus. Do not let him intimidate you. Rise up, and have faith. NOW" Then, I felt it. I felt a presence. No, two. Two people were near me. They were burning with a power, and I felt that same energy growing within me. I stood up, startling my opponent beyond all reason. I sat back down, and stared into his eyes strongly.

That was when I noticed the golden light my hand was emitting. On top of my hand was a gold illumination. In the middle of it all, was a yellow symbol. It showed a crescent moon with a small orb on the inside.

"What is this!" Pegasus shouted. A brilliant yellow light flared to life behind his hair. I watched as a he searched for something. But I somehow knew that he wasn't looking through my mind. "NO!" he finally shrieked.

I looked around, noticing the Shadow Realm to be falling apart. The walls were disintegrating. I noticed two tables to the left. Tina was sitting at the center one, and Lance to the far left. Both were looking at there hands, a light much like my own coming from them. Across from them at both tables, was Pegasus. That was just creepy.

"Hm hm hm." the voice that had encouraged me laughed. We all looked behind us, as all three Pegasus' just stared on. "Pegasus, I'd like to make a wager with you." he confidently stated. The shadows moved off of him, and his spiked hair. "If you lose, the Millennium Eye is mine." he looked up and opened his eyes. "And if you win, you may face me."

All as one, we all shouted his name.

"YUGI!"



To Be Continued....



Thanks to all who read this. Questions, comments, even flames and criticism are all welcomed by me. Just don't reprimand me over my spelling. And keep the reviews coming. And tell me wether I should continue with this one, or the Return to Duelist Kingdom. I need a bit of a break, so vote on that subject while I do so. Thank you all, especially Chuck ZFB for allowing me to write off of his story, and Tina and Meren for agreeing to be a part of this. And if you think that this is to much like the Master of the Cards, leave me alone. It will only be like that until I can finish this Shadow Realm fiasco. So there.