Sorry for not updating earlier, school and such. I've had this chapter written too, just not online. I hope you guys enjoy it and that I'm not talking to myself.

So, please read and review, I can't improve without criticized work. Just, don't kill me or anything.

"Joey, make a move already." Tristan chuckled.

I laughed silently; I had known these guys for about a month now, and Joey's dueling skills really hadn't improved.

The blonde smirked before making his move, "Kay, here ya go tough guy!" He threw down his card.

I just glimpsed at Téa, and she glanced at her face down monster card and flipped it up. It was Happy Lover, with an attack of 800 and a defense of 500. But she also didn't look too worried. Hmm…

"Yeah Téa, like that wimpy card has a chance against my giant rock guy. Give it up!" Joey started to laugh in victory.

"I guess I don't stand a chance, unless…" Téa placed a spell card on the field. "I use the Breath of Light card."

Joey looked lost, "Huh? Can she do 'dat?" He stared at the card, as if though it would start giving him all the answers.

Sorry Joey, cards don't work that way. If they did, well, I would have won a lot more duels. Heh heh.

Yugi started to help the poor kid, "Oh yeah, the Breath of Light card wears down rock mosters. Turns them to rubble!"

"Uh-oh, looks like you're in trouble now, Joey." I crossed my arms and watch him sweat-drop.

"That brings your life points to zero, Joey. Once again you lose and I rock!" Téa was enjoying this a little too much.

Tristan laughed, "You stink at this game."

"Ugh!" Joey face-planted on the table.

Yugi, Joey and I were hanging out ourselves by the west end of campus, Joey looked plain downcast. I actually felt sorry for the boy.

"Tristan's right, Yugi. I do stink. I can't win at Duel Monsters to save my life. What is it? Why can't I ever win? Teach me what I'm doin' wrong!" Joey pleaded.

I uncrossed my arms and walked to Joey's one side, "First of all, stop whining. Second of all: Let me see your deck." I held out my hand expectantly.

"M-kay." Joey fished his deck out of his jacket pocket and handed it to me. "Here ya go."

I smiled warmly and started to go through his deck, I was sure that my expression changed exponentially as I rifled through his deck. "Wha-!" I blinked. I shook my head and gave the deck to Yugi. He had mirrored my reaction almost perfectly.

"How's line up? Pretty good, doncha think?"

"No one can win with these." Yugi raised an eyebrow.

"Joey, your deck is filled with nothing but monster cards." I was still dumbfounded. I was sure that Joey had to have some type of concept to this game, but, I guess not. Oh, Joey. I shook my head.

"You got it! I packed it with every butt kicking monster I could find." Joey grinned.

"But that's not how the game works." I frowned at his logic.

"Huh?" Joey looked clueless. Yeah, I know. Not much of a surprise there.

"Duel Monsters is all about combining your monsters with your magic cards to increase their strength." Yugi said, "With no magic in your deck, your monsters will get creamed every time."

Joey ran from his spot to face us up close, almost in desperation. "See! That's the kind of stuff I need to know! Guys, you gotta help me learn more!"

We walked into the Game Shop, the door ringing behind us. I was gonna start my shift, while Joey got some help from Mr. Motou. Poor man, he's gonna have a hard time with this kid.

"My Grandpa's the real game expert in the family, maybe he can help." Yugi smiled, and stopped right inside. "Hey Grandpa, I brought you a new student!"

"Huh? Student?" Mr. Motou sounded confused, but then it melted away when he saw me, "Ah, Elisa, there's some new merchandise you need to unpack. It just came in."

"Sure thing, Mr. Motou." I placed my bag beside the counter.

"I was hoping since you know more about Duel Monsters than anyone, maybe you'd teach me." Joey asked tentatively, I could hear the nervousness in his usually easygoing tone.

Mr. Motou scrutinized the blonde, "Teach you? Duel Monsters is a very complex game."

"Yeah, tell me about it. Téa beat me three games in a row."

"Actually Joey, Téa beat you five games in a row." I corrected him while pulling out merchandise from the boxes.

Joey looked shocked. But how could he? It's not like he would forget something like- ah, who am I kidding? Joey would totally do that.

"Five! Aw man!" He glanced from me to the tournament poster that Mr. Motou just finished putting up.

"Hm, yes. I could teach you to be a great tournament duelist." Mr. Motou met his gaze steadily, "But only if you're willing to spend endless days and sleepless nights, filled with rigorous training."

"Heh, piece of cake." Joey smirked.

Mr. Motou glowered at Wheeler, "With an attitude like that, teaching you may not be worth my effort!"

Joey cringed, "Ahh!"

"Nice going, Smart-Mouth." Yugi scoffed. He shook his head and smirked at me and I returned the grin.

Joey got to his knees and started to beg Yugi and his grandpa. "Please Yugi, you gotta help me convince him. I will work hard, I promise!" He pleaded.

I giggled, "I could totally put this on the internet. Joey Wheeler: The boy who's pride is being flushed down the toilet." I snorted and returned to my work.

"Listen, Joey, teaching your Duel Monsters is too big a challenge, even for my grandpa." Yugi frowned at his friend, while Mr. Motou just nodded in silent considerment.

"It's not...impossible."

Joey looked up at him, "You mean it, gramps?"

"Joey, he already said he couldn't do it. And if he can't do it, then he can't do it." Yugi smiled a little at the blonde.

"I never said I couldn't do it. But if I agree, you must work hard!"

"I'll do anythin'. I promise, I promise!" Joey recoiled a fraction.

Mr. Motou sighed and relaxed, "Fine, then we'll begin your instruction immediately my young friend, and believe me, " Mr. Motou cracked his knuckles, "Under my tutor-age, you will learn! Now, can you name the most powerful Duel Monster?"

Joey's expression was blank, "Uh...no."

"Can you name the weakest?"

"Nooo..."

"You do know what a trap card is, do you?"

"Kinda...I have no idea." Joey sighed in defeat.

"This is going on my blog, for sure now." I snickered.

"Hey!"

I had to admit it, Joey's training was coming along nicely. Even when had both Yugi and I duel him for practice. I do say that it wasn't as easy to defeat him now as it was six weeks ago. Although, we do still kick his ass from one end of the duel to the other. Heh, it was so much fun. Screw therapy, I have an awesome outlet for my frustrations. And since he had only started his training not so long ago, he came along a hell of a lot faster than I ever had. It took me years to get to where I was now.

We sat in Yugi's living room, watching the finals of the regional Duel Monsters' Tournament. Man, I wished I had joined it.

"-Put your cards together for Weevil Underwood, the bug brawler." A boy with a bad haircut and glasses appeared on the screen. "And his opponent, the number one ranked Rex Raptor, the dino duelist!" Another appeared and it showed that they were both on platforms, ready to duel.

"Bug boy versus Dinosaur breath? What kind of match is this? It should have been me in there!" Joey was ranting beside me.

"I know you've been training for weeks, but those guys are in another league. You're just not ready yet. " Téa smiled.

"Sure, rub it in." Joey crossed his arms and closed his eyes. I saw him start to nod off.

"And on top of that, you're so tired that you can't even keep your eyes open." I smiled impishly. What I would give for a loud noise maker right now, he he.

"I think Grandpa's lessons have been a little too tiring for him." Yugi commented, meeting my gaze with a friendly smile.

"You're tellin' me." I grinned.

"You see it's true what they say: You snooze, you lose!" Tristan teased and laughed at his best bud.

Joey hung his head, "Ugh, I must have been nuts thinking I could learn this crazy game."

"I wouldn't go as far as insanity. This crazy game's just too much for ya." I grinned. His expression made me laugh loudly, "Oh, you know I'm just kiddin'."

"Time for your lesson." Mr. Motou walked in behind us, carrying a medium sized package.

"Wha-? We're not done?" Joey exclaimed loudly, shaken from his fatigue.

"Not by a long shot, you slacker." Mr. Motou smiled, "Now quit your whining, Joseph. I know you've been working long and hard, but you really are coming along as a duelist. And I'm quite proud of you."

Joey's brown eyes filled with tears, "Gramps, thank you." he rushed to give him a hug, but, somehow, Mr. Motou was too fast for him and Joey hugged nothing but air, causing him to fall off the back of the couch.

"Oh, Yugi. I almost forgot." Mr. Motou said.

"Yo, Joey. Are you okay?" I turned around to see him on the floor.

"BOO!" Tristan shouted in my ear.

I yelped in surprise and fell right onto Joey. He grunted and exhaled sharply.

"I'm sorry, Joey." I murmured, still confused and shocked. I got to my feet with some effort and helped up my friend.

"Ah, no problem, 'Lisa."

"This package came for you." Mr. Motou added.

"What package?"

"I don't know, it just came in the mail." He handed it to him.

Yugi read the label, "It's from Industrial Illusions."

I ran around the couch and claimed my seat before it was gone. And Joey decided to jump over the back and back to his seat.

"Industrial Illusions? That's the company that makes the Duel Monsters' game. Why the heck would they be sending a package to you, Yugi?" Joey asked.

"I have no idea." Yugi replied honestly. "Is it possible that they've heard I beat the world champion?"

"You mean Kaiba?" Téa asked.

"Yeah, it wasn't an offical match or anything, but Kaiba did drop out of the tournament because of me."

I growled and crossed my arms, "If I didn't forget to register and Kaiba was still in it, I would have kicked his rich-punk butt."

"Just hearing Kaiba's name gives me a headache." Joey leaned his arm against the back of the couch.

"Ditto." I muttered.

"Whoa! Guy's, Raptor just stomped Weevil." Tristan sounded impressed.

"Yugi, these guys any good?" Joey asked Yugi.

"Oh yeah, they're both pretty tough customers. Weevil specializes in insect cards and is a great strategist."

"While Rex uses his monsters to overpower his opponents." I half smiled, kind of bored.

"Itsy-bitsy bugs against dueling dinosaurs. Raptor has got this one in the bag." Joey scoffed. I closed my eyes and leaned my head against the back of the couch.

"I wouldn't be so sure." Yugi said.

I don't think I noticed that I nodded off during the rest of this duel. And I accused Joey of not getting enough sleep.

"Man, King Rex squashed by an insect?"

I jerked fully awake. "Wha-? Never mind." I decided to pay more attention now.

"And now a very special honor, for our new champion. Here to present the Duel Monsters' championship trophy. The creator of Duel Monsters and the president of Industrial Illusions, ladies and gentlemen, I give you Mr. Maxamillion Pegasus!" The announcer called.

A door opened up from the ground and a man with long silver hair and a pretty boy red suit appeared. he had a nice gold trophy in his hands and he walked over to Weevil. Of course, I already knew that this was Pegasus, for my mom was employed by him back in California. I miss the sun :(

But he continued to talked about how there was gonna be a big Duel Monsters tournament. I got more and more excited as he explained it.

"Aww! I wanna go to that tournament!" I complained, "Seems like fun after the boring couple of months we've had around here."

"Ha! With all the excitement of the tournament, you forgot to open your package, Yugi." Mr. Motou laughed.

We all surrounded the medium sized box while Yugi opened it. "What could it be?"

I scanned the contents of the box, some type of fingerless glove sat in there, along with two stars and a video tape.

"Ah."

"Some kind of glove."

"And stars." Joey added.

"Maybe that video tape has some type of explanation." I suggested. Yugi took the VHS tape out of the box and stared at it.

"Pop it in and check it out." Joey said.

Yugi put it into the VCR, "Okay." (OMG! This was before DVD's Back in the stone age!)

The static cleared to show the man that was on the television only moments before, Maxamillion Pegasus.

"Greetings little Yugi, I am Maxamillion Pegasus."

"Wha-!" I gasped.

"Pegasus?"

"We just saw him on TV." Téa said.

"Shh.." I waved at her to keep quiet.

"The famous Maxamillion Pegasus sends greetings to my Yugi?" Mr. Motou inquired.

"I have heard some terribly interesting things about you, Yugi." Pegasus smiled, "Your impressive defeat of Seto Kaiba intrigued me so much, I've decided to investigate your amazing dueling skills personally. Right here, right now. We shall hold a special duel, we will play with a strict time limit of 15 minutes. And when times up, the player with the highest life points will be the winner." Pegasus paused, "Are you ready, Yugi?"

Joey's eyes widened, "He can't really expect you to fight a duel against a video tape!" He exclaimed.

"That's crazy!" Tristan frowned.

Pegasus chuckled, "No. It's magic." Something glowed from behind his hair and my surroundings became cold and dark. I almost couldn't move, but my Millennium Medallion protected me from being frozen. I opened my eyes.

"Everything has gone dark and cold, and the others...Elisa?" Yugi's expression was perplexed.

"What's going on, Yugi?" I hoped that he would know.

"No!" Yugi whipped his gaze back to the recording of Pegasus, "What have you done to my friends? Where have you taken us?" he demanded.

"We are no longer in the world you know, but I will return you, after our game." Pegasus was cool and calm, unaffected by Yugi's outburst.

"How?" I murmured, mostly to myself.

"Then it's time to duel!" Yugi's Millennium Puzzle glowed brightly, making me squint. When the light cleared, a more confident Yugi was in his place. It was an odd feeling, the same thing happens to me when the Medallion activates. I feel more, sure and confident. I wonder why...

Yugi smirked, "Start the clock and make your move, Pegasus."

The screen on the TV panned and widened to Pegasus sitting at a Duel Monsters' field. "Then let's begin."

The clock appeared at the bottom of the screen, and started to count down. I scowled at those numbers; what was Pegasus planning? And how could Yugi get his life points down enough before this duel ends?

"Nervous, Yugi-boy? You should be, you never had faced a duelist like me before." Pegasus's gaze cut through me, "As should you, Miss Elisa." He laid a card face down.

"How'd you...!" I blinked in surprise.

"I know everything that happens here." Pegasus answered simply.

I fell silent, not sure what to say now.

"You may be good." Yugi started his turn.

"I assure you, I am."

"But I will beat you to save my friends." Yugi held up a card.

"You won't save anyone with that dragon card." Pegasus sighed.

"How?" Yugi became speechless.

"What? Pegasus can see the cards in your hand?" My eyes widened.

"I told you that you've never dueled anyone like me before," Pegasus pointed out, "I know every move you make, before you make it."

Yugi and I both scowled at the silver-haired man. What a cheat! This isn't a fair duel at all! Of course, the concept of a fair duel was thrown out the window then all of this freaky magic appeared.

"Knowing your every move you make gives me a distinct advantage. Don't you think?" Pegasus's smile was polite.

"So, you're just a cheater then?" I demanded.

"Ohoho! Far from it, my girl. But for example, I can anticipate your next play and counter it with this Dragon Capture Jar." The card Pegasus held glowed, "It will draw the Komori Dragon from your card, and imprison the beast." The dragon appeared and then disappeared into the trap card. "Trapped, never to be played against me."

'This is crazy!' I thought, "You're crazy, Pegasus!" I growled. "Now start talking: where are we?"

Pegasus laughed, "My, my, girl. You never cease to amaze me with your outbursts. This dark dimension we're in is known as the Shadow Realm. A mystical place where incredible monsters can be summoned and the impossible, is quite possible."

"But what you're saying can't be true." I said. Magic? Really? I don't believe it for one second.

"Tell me, do you believe there is magic in these cards?"

"Don't you know? You're the one who invented the game." Yugi said, looking closely at a card from his hand.

"What if I told you, I didn't." Pegasus countered.

"Huh?" Yugi gasped.

"In ancient times, the Egyptians called this the Shadow Games. Powerful Pharaohs would hold mystical duels in other dimensions. Just as we are doing right now. But not with cards, they dueled with real monsters and real magic. Magical forces so powerful, the Egyptians lost control of them and nearly destroyed the entire world." Pegasus had a smirk on his features as he explained the origins to us.

"It's a good story, Pegasus, but these monster's can't be real!" I shouted, smoke rose from Pegasus's cards and formed into a monster.

"Tell that to my Dragon Piper. As it's flute of resurrection brings back your dragon, but puts him under my control." the Kormori Dragon roared as it reformed on Pegasus's side of the dueling field.

"I have to counter attack! Silver Fang!" A yellow light formed into a wolf monster. And the Dragon attacked, destroying the wolf.

Yugi-1500

Pegasus-2000

"Urgh." I growled.

"Ha! As you see Yugi, these monsters are very real, and also quite dangerous." Pegasus laughed. "Ah, Yugi-boy, you really are quite entertaining. The way you scowl and sneer. So defiant and yet so helpless. And completely ignorant of the power of your Millennium Puzzle."

"What?"

"5000 years ago, the Powerful Pharaoh locked the magic of the Shadow games away." Pegasus continued.

"What's this have to do with me?" Yugi's violet eyes narrowed.

"The Pharaoh captured these vast magical energies in eight mystical Millennium items."

"Eight items? And you're saying, my puzzle is one of them?" Yugi arched an eyebrow.

"You and Miss Elisa both have one. So yes, there are magical energies locked within them. Magic that could change both of your lives forever, if you only knew how to unleash it." Pegasus smiled again.

"But why are you telling us this?" My bright blue eyes narrowed at Pegasus.

"Why? Simply because I needed you to know." Pegasus said, innocently. "Perhaps I've said to much, and since the clock is still ticking, I propose that we still play our little duel."

'What is this nut tryin' to say? He knows something, but he won't tell us.' I thought.

Pegasus lifted the hair that was covering his left eye, revealing what looked like the symbol on both Yugi's and my Millennium Item.

'That's it! That eye where a normal human eye would be, it must be what's readin' Yugi's mind and his cards.'

"Hurry up now, Yugi. Time is running out." Pegasus turned up the pressure, "For you and your friends."

I watched as Yugi placed a card from his deck and straight onto the field, without looking at it.

'What? What the hell is Yugi doing? he didn't even look at that card!'

"I already know you plan to play the Zombie Warrior, and I'm already prepared to counter it with a trap card that even makes Zombie's lay down and play dead." Pegasus smirked.

Yugi mirrored with his own smirk, "Not this time, I figured out your little game, Pegasus. You may be able to see the cards in my hand, but you can't see the cards I pull form the deck. My next card is..." he flip summoned his monster, "The Dark Magician!"

Fear flickered from within Pegasus's amber eyes and he scoffed sarcastically, "Ooh, the big, scary, Dark Magician." He mocked.

"Mock me all you want, but my Magician will destroy that dragon!"

"Go ahead if you think that'll help." Pegasus said.

"It'll do more than help, Pegasus. It will bring you closer to defeat, and bring me closer to saving my friends." Yugi smiled.

Pegasus closed his eyes for a brief moment, "If it can do all that, then by all means play it."

"Dark Magician!" The sorcerer came out of the card, "Dark magic Attack!" He thrust his staff and launched a magic attack and destroyed the dragon, bringing his life points to 1200. But the confusing part was that Pegasus started to laugh.

"Hahaha! Nicely played. But by playing your Dark Magician, you've let me manipulate you even more. By playing that one card, you have ensured my victory."

"No." Was Yugi's reply.

"We shall see, Yugi." Pegasus looked at his hand, "Oh, a very rare card. This is the fearsome Faceless Mage."

'I don't think I have ever seen this card. And I work for Yugi's Grandpa.'

"I've never seen that card before." Yugi's eyes narrowed, "But my Dark magician is one of the strongest magic cards in the game."

"But how will he fare once I combine my faceless Mage with the equally rare, Eye of Illusion?" The Mage appeared out of the card.

"Dark Magician! Dark Magic Attack!" Dark Magician responded to Yugi's order by attacking, but, nothing happened. "Dark Magician!" The smoke cleared to show both monsters.

"That attack should have worked!" I gasped.

"His Faceless mage should have been destroyed. But, it's still standing, and I'm running out of time." the clock was just past the five minute mark now.

'What happens when someone loses?' I thought, I couldn't shake the feeling that something really bad happened when one lost a shadow game.

Yugi drew his next card, "I attack your combo with the Celtic Guardian! This mighty warrior will cut your Faceless Mage in half." The Warrior appeared on the field.

"True, your Guardian is mighty, but you once again underestimated the power of my Eye of Illusion." Pegasus reminded him.

"No!" Yugi's teeth clenched.

"Dark Magic Attack!"

"Wha-? That came out of nowhere!" I exclaimed as the Celtic Guardian was destroyed.

Yugi-400

Pegasus-1200

"But that's impossible! The Faceless mage doesn't have a Dark Magic Attack!" Yugi retorted.

I blinked, 'It was Yugi's own Dark Magician that attacked him.' I growled, "This isn't good at all!"

"Well, Yugi. Our Time limit is almost up, and as I have more life points than you, it seems I am the victor." Pegasus clapped at his own victory.

"Time's not up just yet, Pegasus! And you left your Mage open to a physical assault!" Yugi held up his Summoned Skull Card.

'Hurry, Yugi! Call on your monster!' I was frantic now.

"Summoned Skull! Attack!" But, there wasn't enough time to do so, so it just stopped just short.

"Well, we've run out of time. But how close was that, if you had been able to complete your attack, I would have lost. But I didn't, did I? I have taken the measure of your talents this day, Yugi Motou. And when we next duel, we shall duel for higher stakes."

"I'm done playing your games." Yugi sneered.

"Don't expect me to participate either, Pegasus!" My eyes narrowed.

"You presume that I'm giving you a choice in the Matter, but I'm not. For I too possess one of the eight Millennium Items. The all powerful Millennium Eye!" he moved his hair to show off the golden eye.

"Millennium Eye?" Yugi and I said at once.

"That's right, you two. And now I show you the true extent of it's magic." It flashed and the beam of light soared over our heads and connected with Yugi's Grandpa, "You see, I have found that, given the proper incentive, anyone can be made to play my game." Something flashed into the television, and Mr. Motou appeared onto the screen.

I felt instantly back to my normal, somewhat shy and impish self as shock crossed my mind.

"Grandpa!" Yugi exclaimed, he gripped the television.

"Yes, we will duel again, Yugi. And you need to watch out also, Elisa. For I will be monitoring your moves as well..." Pegasus laughed and his voice died away.

"Grandpa! Grandpa!" Yugi shouted, he kept crying out until tears ran down his face. I hugged him.

"Don't worry, Yugi. We'll get your Grandfather back." I said.

"We couldn't move. All we could do was sit there and watch. I'm so sorry, Yuge." Joey apologized.

I let go of Yugi and smiled warmly in encouragement, "Don't worry, he'll be back. But, for now, we need to get your gramps to a hospital." My cell phone started to ring, making all of us jump. "I'll be back." I sighed. I ran to my bag and fished my phone out in time to see it was mom calling. "hey, mom?"

"Why, we hear each other again, Miss Elisa. What a shame, I was hoping to see you, but when we arrived at your house, only your mother was home. So, until we see each other again, she'll be in my care until the end of Duelist Kingdom. I can't wait to see you and Yugi-boy." the line went dead. I stood there, frozen. My phone slipped out of my hand and fell to the floor. The others stared at me.

Joey ran to my one side, "Elisa, what happened?"

"'Lisa?" Tristan came to my other side.

I gulped and felt hot tears sting my eyes, "My mom. Pegasus. Captured." I could only get out small coherent phrases and words.

"No!" Téa gasped, her one hand covered her mouth.

"Why is Pegasus doing this?" Yugi asked sadly.

I crumpled into the nearest set of arms and started to cry. Okay, I was never one to cry, to show that kind of emotion whatsoever. But this was my mom. The only one I had left, and Pegasus took her from me. I didn't realize who's arms I fell into, until Joey rubbed my back comfortingly.

"We'll get 'dem all back! Just wait!" Joey's voice burned with determination.

'I sure hope you're right.'

Please review, I'd like some type of improvement on this story, if it isn't good enough.