To all my readers-This is the first time that I'm going to do Yugioh without making any character name changes. I want you all to know that my OC Paige Muto is related to Yugi and her looks are based on him. So, think of Paige as a feminine Yugi and Atem. Before anyone asks, yes, I will be doing all 5 seasons of Yugioh and that includes Capsule monsters as well. I was once asked if Paige would be dueling and yes, she will. You won't be able to see her duel until season 2 when Kaiba starts his Battle City Tournament.

If anyone, and I mean anyone tries to rush me while writing this fanfic or any of my other fanfics, all written chapters will be delayed for a week. No exceptions. Leave a positive review and Happy Reading!

I DONT OWN YUGIOH AT ALL! I ONLY OWN THE OC AND HER DUELING DECK!

Shoutouts:

Guest-You brought up a very good question. Paige will be feeling indecisive about the duel.

"This final playoff match between Yugi Muto and Joey Wheeler will not only determined who wins the tournament, but also, who wins the match with Mr. Maximillion Pegasus." said Croquet.

"I have to win that match with Pegasus. I have to stop him and save our grandpa." thought Yugi.

[Flashback]

Yugi and Paige see their grandfather's soul in a dueling card.

"Grandpa!" shouted the siblings.

"Yugi! Paige!" shouted Solomon. "Whatever it takes, Pegasus must be defeated!"

[Flashback ends]

"I have to win this for Serenity." thought Joey.

[Flashback]

"I was hoping to see you once more." Serenity said in the tape she sent Joey.

"Here." said Mai, handing Joey her handkerchief to dry his tears. "Now go and win for your sister."

[Flashback ends]

"Who would have guessed that out of all the duelists who started in this tournament, 2 best friends would wind up in the final match." commented Bakura.

"Yeah! This is definitely harsh, but at least one of 'em's gonna get a chance to take on Pegasus." said Tristan.

"I guess you're right." said Tea. "But don't you think it'd be easier if they just flipped a coin or something? Then we could get our match with Pegasus now."

"That would be a great idea if they did, Tea." said Paige.

"I don't think that it works that way, you two." said Tristan.

"Well, why doesn't it?" Tea asked, then faced Tristan. "Yugi and Joey are like brothers. They shouldn't be forced to fight each other like this."

"I totally hear what you're saying, but it's just how this tournament works." replied Tristan.

"Well, I don't like it." said Tea.

"Nobody does, Tea." said Paige, looking at Joey and Yugi.

"Joey, wait a sec." said Yugi.

"Listen, Yuge, I hope that this isn't about you having any second thoughts about duelin' me." said Joey.

"Huh?"

"Come on, pal." said Joey.

"I'm sorry, Joey, but I don't know if I can do this." said Yugi, not making eye contact with his best friend.

"Aw, suck it up, Yugi." said Joey.

"Huh?" said Yugi.

"You said it yourself. If it came down to us, we'd both just play our best and most honorable duel." said Joey, reminding Yugi of what he told him. "That's the only way we're gonna really know which one of us is best prepared to take on Pegasus in the final match. So, lets duel!"

"Ok, maybe Joey is right." thought Yugi. "I may not want to do this, but still, it has to be done if we want to beat Pegasus."

"Whadaya say, Yuge?" asked Joey. "Let's do this thing!"

The millenium puzzle starts glowing.

"YUGIOH!"

"All right, Joey." said Yami, nodding at the blonde. "Time to duel."

"Your gracious host will now make a few opening remarks." said Croquet.

"Oh, boy." said Tristan as Pegasus stood up and cleared his throat.

"Congratulations, duelists, you're the finest in the world." Pegasus said to Yugi and Joey. "And for that reason, I look forward to a match that sure consist of your dueling best. After all, should you give me anything less, I will know."

Pegasus chuckles as his millenium eyes glowed. "Yugi, before we start, I just want to say thanks, man." said Joey.

"Huh?" said Yami.

"Just look at me. I'm in the final match of the biggest Duel Monsters Tournament that's ever been thrown." said Joey. "And it's all 'cause of you, bud. You got me here. You looked out for me."

"You're wrong, Joey. You earned your place here." said Yami.

"Thanks, pal." said Joey. "Just know that no matter what happens here, you're my friend. And you always will be, Yuge. But, uh, don't think that means I'm gonna go easy on you in this match. Or that I expect you to go easy on me. I'm ready for your best. Ha! So let's do this!"

"Hmm." Yami nodded.

"Hmm. I don't think Pegasus has to worry much about these two not dueling their hardest." thought Bakura. "With what's on the line here they're both sure to go all out!"

"How amusing." thought Pegasus, chuckling to himself. "The same best friends who would do anything to help each other have now become arch rivals, pitted against each other in a desperate match that can boast but a single winner. What a splendid show this should make."

"All right, Joey. You asked for my best and I intend to give it." thought Yugi.

"Yugi, I won't insult you by giving ya anything less than my all." thought Joey. "If I tried, Paige would kill me. I'm gonna come at ya hard right from the start."

"Let the match begin!" said Croquet.

"Let's duel!" said Yami and Joey.

"Good luck to both of you!" Paige called out.

"I'll throw this in attack mode." said Yami, going first.

"Bring it." said Joey as Yami sets down Celtic Guardian.

"Go, Celtic Guardian!" shouted Yami and Celtic Guardian appears on the field.

"Hmm." Joey scoffed; a small smirk appeared on his face.

"You know, it was one thing when Joey and Yugi had duels back home and there wasn't anything big on the line." said Tea. "But here…."

"Everything is at stake." said Tristan.

"Everything is on the line for both of them." said Paige.

"Huh?" asked Tea.

"The money for Serenity's operation, the match that could save Paige and Yugi's grandpa." Tristan said to Tea. "Talk about pressure. I wish they could both win."

"So do I." said Paige.

"The stakes are high, but hopefully after everything's said and done there'll be a way for both of them to get what they've fought so hard for." said Bakura.

"Wishful thinking, Bakura." thought Pegasus. "But after everything's 'said and done', I'll be the only one to get what I want. Including what I want from you!"

"Alright, Joey. It's your turn now." said Yami.

"Okay, you asked for it!" shouted Joey, drawing his first card. "I'm throwin' Giltia the Knight! In attack mode!"

Giltia appeared on the field spinning his staff before pointing it at Celtic Guardian. "How's that for starters?" asked Tristan.

"It's interesting." said Paige.

"Hmm." said Yami.

"Giltia, attack!" shouted Joey. "Soul Spear Assault!" Giltia rushes forward and knocks Celtic Guardian's sword out of his hands, causing it to land to the side behind him. Giltia then slashes Celtic Guardian, destroying him on the field.

"Your Celtic Guardian's been creamed." said Joey.

"Hmm." said Yami as his life points dropped to 1,550

"I warned ya, Yugi." said Joey. "I'm not gonna pull any punches in this here duel!"

"Joey's really not kidding." said Tristan. "Check out the score. He's in the lead."

"I'm surprised by this." said Paige.

"Don't forget though, Tristan, there's a long way to go." said Bakura. "Anyone can score an early lead in a duel, but only a few can play well for the entire match."

"Only the best." said Tea.

"Exactly right, Tea." said Bakura. "You see, Tristan, even though Yugi's behind in life points now, he's proven himself able to stay focused and make the big plays when they count. Not that Joey hasn't shown the same promise, it's just that Yugi's had more experience. And that may be what gives him the edge here."

"Joey left his Knight on the field completely unprotected." thought Yugi, looking at the field. "Just one of those amateur mistakes could cost him the match if he were dueling Pegasus. What is he thinking?"

"Time out, Joey!" Yami called out.

"Time out?" asked Joey.

"Ever since we arrived on this island, I've done my very best to teach you everything I know." Yami explained. "Now you must put everything you've learned into play. Think strategically, you cannot afford any mistakes."

"Mistakes? I don't get it." said Joey. "What are you sayin', Yuge, that I did something wrong already? It's only been one turn so far."

"What I'm saying, Joey, is that on a duel of this magnitude, every single move you make is crucial. One false card and it can cost you everything you've worked so hard for." said Yami.

"I got it. Every move I make here has gotta be right on the dot." said Joey.

"That's right, because here no one lets a mistake go unpunished. Not Pegasus, and not me." said Yami.

"Ok! Time in!" said Joey. "Now gimme your best shot, pal!"

"I intend to." said Yami, placing his next monster card down. "Go, Gaia the Fierce Knight!" Gaia appears on the field, sitting tall on his horse and ready to battle any monster. "Attack!" shouted Yami as Gaia's horse rushes forward in order to strike Giltia.

Giltia howls as Gaia's lance hits him in the chest, destroying him on the field. "Giltia the Knight is no more!" said Yami.

"You sure took it to me there, Yuge. Good move." said Joey as his life points dropped to 1,550. "Now let's see what Ol' Joey can come up with! There. Armored Lizard. In defense mode."

Armored Lizard (ATT:1,500/DEF:1,200) appeared on the field with its arms crossed in front of its chest. "I know that Joey has a better monster than that." thought Yugi as Yami smirks. "Hmm, I wonder what he's planning here?"

"I don't get what Joey's trying to do here." said Paige.

"Neither do I." said Tristan. "What's he playing that throwaway monster for?"

"Who knows?" said Bakura. "Perhaps Joey hasn't learned as much as we thought."

"Oh!" said Tea as she and Paige looked at Tristan.

"I see, Joey." thought Pegasus, chuckling to himself.

"Come on, Yuge. It's your turn now." Joey said to his short best friend.

"And I'll play this: the Summoned Skull in attack mode." said Yami, placing the card on the field.

"That's it." thought Joey as Summoned Skull roared its way onto the field.

"Lightning Strike!" shouted Yami as lightning hits Summoned Skull's body. "Attack!"

Just then, Summoned Skull sends its lightning towards Armored Lizard, who then growls in pain before being destroyed and sent to the graveyard. "Armored Lizard is vanquished." said Yami as Joey's life points didn't drop.

"Hmm." said Bakura, then takes a closer look. "Look at Joey. He almost looks glad his creature was struck."

"Man, that's sad. He's in denial already." said Tristan.

"No. That's not what I meant." said Bakura, then looks up at Tristan. "I think that Joey played that mediocre monster of his so Yugi would be lulled into a false sense of security and attack it."

"Interesting." said Paige.

"After all, Joey knows full well that Yugi has monsters in his deck that could easily beat his Armored Lizard." added Bakura. "No. I think that Joey was just trying to draw Yugi's monster out."

"Sorry, bud, but I was hopin' you were gonna throw down that Summoned Skull card." said Joey. "I needed him out for my strategy to work…a strategy that has zero mistakes, I might add. But here. You don't have to just take my word for it. You can see for yourself! Get ready, bud, cause now it's my turn to teach you a lesson!"

"Grr…" growled Yami.

Outside the castle, a thunderstorm was brewing. "Joey sure seems confident that whatever he has planned will take down Yugi's Summoned Skull." said Tea.

"Ok, Yuge. I'll play this first in attack mode." said Joey, playing his Flame Swordsman.

"The Flame Swordsman?" questioned Yami. "Why play him?"

"Heh heh."

"The Swordsman won't stand a chance." said Tristan. "The Summoned Skull's attack power is too high."

"Not once Joey plays that." said Bakura.

"Huh?" said Tea and Tristan.

"No way!" said Paige as Joey reveals Shield and Sword.

"I hate doin' this to you, but I'm playing the magical Shield and Sword card." said Joey.

"Oh, no!" Yami cried out.

"Now you're in for it, Yugi-boy." thought Pegasus, seeing Yami's reaction.

"The magic of the Shield and Sword card flips each monster's attack points with their defense points." said Bakura.

"I get it now." said Tristan as each monster points were flipped. "Joey's Swordsman'll have more attack points than Yugi's Summoned Skull. Clever move."

"Very clever indeed." said Paige, crossing her arms.

"So, how's that for puttin' every slick move that I've learned here into play, Yuge?" Joey asked. "Bet you wish you didn't show me the ropes quite so well now, huh, bud? Attack! Flaming Sword of Battle!"

Flame Swordsman heats up his sword as he aims it at Summoned Skull, then shoots out the flames, destroying it on the field. "Summoned Skull's been reduced to ash." said Joey.

"Well played, Joey." said Yami, his life points dropping to 1,150. "You not only reduced my life points, but you took out one of my best monsters, too."

"Thanks, pal, but that's nothing compared to some of the other moves I got ready to bust out in this duel." said Joey. "Heh heh heh."

"And I look forward to them, Joey, but remember," said Yami. "you're not the only one with powerful moves ready to play."

"Well then, bring 'em on, pal." said Joey.

"This duel is really heating up." said Tristan.

"Yes. And with the level of skill those two possess, I have a strong feeling that things are only going to get hotter down there." said Bakura.

"No kidding." said Paige. "I just hope that whoever wins, the other doesn't get upset."

"Uhh! Oh, great!" said Tea.

"How splendid!" chuckled Pegasus, thinking to himself. "The passion, the drama, the ferocity! Friends make such wonderful adversaries."

"So, lets see one of them moves, Yuge." said Joey.

"Very well, Joey. Summoned Skull will now be avenged." said Yami.

"Oh yeah? Well, you're gonna have to get through my Flame Swordsman first." Joey tells him.

"Idiot." muttered Paige.

"Precisely." said Yami, placing his next card. "Curse of Dragon, Attack Mode!"

Curse of Dragon screeched and roared its way onto the field next to Gaia, the Fierce Knight as Joey groans at this. "And next I'll use this Polymerization card to fuse my dragon with Gaia, the Fierce Knight!" said Yami.

"What?!" shouted Joey.

"Behold….Gaia the Dragon Champion!" said Yami as Gaia and Curse of Dragon fused together. Gaia's outfit changed as its power (ATT:2,600/ DEF:2,100) became stronger than ever as Joey groans.

"Now, my Dragon Champion, attack!" shouted Yami as the dragon cried out as it goes for Joey's Flame Swordsman, destroying him on the field. "Your Swordsman's been trounced."

Joey growled as his life points dropped to 750.

"Oh, my." said Tea.

"This is getting intense." said Paige.

"See? This is what I meant." said Bakura.

"Huh?" said the girls.

"No matter what happens, Yugi keeps a laser-like focus and makes the big plays when they really count." explained Bakura. "And now I guess we'll see if Joey can do the same."

"How can Joey make a big play with that Dragon Champion out there?" asked Tristan.

"Its not about what's out. You see, just as Yugi was able to keep his cool while facing that Flame Swordsman, now Joey needs to maintain his focus even while he's being attacked by his best friend." Bakura explained to Tristan. "He's being forced to think on his feet."

The three turned to Paige, who shrugged at them, wondering what she thinks. "If Yugi can get Joey to think more strategically, then he can beat my brother. Otherwise….Joey's next move could be a mistake that could cost him this duel." said Paige.

"You know, it's as if Yugi and Joey are pushing each other to duel their very best." said Tea.

"I think you're both right." said Bakura. "They're pushing each other as hard as they can now so no matter which one of them wins the duel, he'll be at his best when he faces Pegasus."

"Oh." said Tea.

"I know where you're going with this one, Bakura." said Paige as Pegasus chuckles to himself.

"It seems I'm the only one who appreciates watching two friends push each other to the brink of their abilities." thought Pegasus. "I guess it's something of an acquired taste."

"So even though they're being forced to fight against each other, they've actually found a way to help each other." explained Bakura. "It's amazing."

"Its not just amazing, Bakura." said Paige. "Its brilliant. I wonder why my own brother couldn't tell me about this."

Down below in the duelling arena, both Yami and Yugi smiled as they heard her. "Whoa." said Tea.

"Ok. Come on, deck. Don't fail me now." thought Joey, drawing another card from his deck. "Hmm. Copycat. Oh!" Joey looks at the other cards in his hand. "All right. I got the Graverobber, too! I think I could use these two in a way that'd be able to take out Yugi's Dragon Champion, maybe even clinch the match. Ha ha! All right, Yugi. Ready or not, here I come. I think this combo of mine might actually work. Heh."

"Hmm?" thought Yami, watching Joey closely.

"What could Joey be smiling about?" Yugi asked. "Gaia the Dragon Champion is one of my toughest monsters."

"Yugi, your Dragon Champ's done for. Watch this!" said Joey.

"He's done for?" asked Yami.

"Joey must have something big planned." said Bakura.

"Huh?" said Tea, Paige and Tristan.

"First, I'm summoning the Red Eyes Black Dragon in attack mode!" shouted Joey, bringing Red Eyes Black Dragon to the field. "Yahh!" He wasn't finished as Red Eyes roared its way onto the field.

"Huh."

"And I'll add Graverobber to steal a monster from your graveyard." said Joey.

"My Skull?" asked Yami as Joey's Graverobber laughs while stealing his Summoned Skull.

"Yeah. That's right, Yugi. Now he's mine." said Joey as Summoned Skull appears on his side of the field.

"No!" said Yami, shocked as Joey chuckled.

"And next, I think I'll throw down this little critter right here." said Joey, causing Yami to growl. "Check out, the Copycat card! Now I can copy any card you have on the field."

Yami growls again, realizing what Joey was planning. "And I know which one I want, too." he added. "The powerful, mystical, magical….Polymerization!"

"My Fusion card!" exclaimed Yami.

"Really? I thought Joey was going to go for his Dark Magician." Paige said to the others who muttered in agreement.

"Bingo! I may have never played it before, but I've seen you use it plenty of times." said Joey.

"Huh? Wha…"

"Red Eyes Black Dragon and Summoned Skull, combine yourselves into one." said Joey as both monsters combined themselves, creating a new monster. "Check it out. The Black Skull Dragon."

"Oh, no!" said Yami.

"That's a new one, even for me." said Paige as the others gasped while Black Skull Dragon (ATT:3,200/ DEF:2,500) roared out in dominance.

"Superb! Two fused duel monsters set for great battle. Great!" said Pegasus, clapping.

"All right, buddy. I'm pretty sure you know what's coming next, so you'd better brace yourself." said Joey as Yami growled softly. "Go Black Skull Dragon. Attack the Dragon Champion now! Molten Fireballs!"

Black Skull Dragon opened its mouth, preparing its Molten Fireball and releases it upon Yami's Dragon Champion, destroying both monsters on the field. Yami's life points dropped to 550. "I did it! I cant believe I actually did it!" crowed Joey. "I just took down one of the most powerful monsters in your whole deck. I just beat your Dragon Champion."

"Hmm." said Yami.

"You gotta admit, Yuge. That was a pretty sweet move I played…" said Joey. "With the whole Polymerization thing and all."

Just then, it was thundering outside and it started to rain. "I get it." said Joey as Yami looked unimpressed. "You got your game face on to try and keep me in suspense, huh, Yugi?"

"No, Joey. I'm just letting you enjoy your triumph." replied Yami. "You played a fine move…and now allow me to play mine."

"Uh-oh, guys. I think this duel's heating up again." said Tea.

"Yeah. Did you see that look in Yugi's eyes?" asked Tristan.

"Sure do. What kind of move will Yugi play next?" asked Paige.

"That stare's meant doom for many a duelist!" said Bakura. "But at the same time…."

"What?" asked Tea and Paige.

"Joey seems to be almost unstoppable right now." he tells them. "Its truly anyone's duel."

"Yugi….Joey…." said Tea as Paige looks down at the duel.

"Bravo!" chuckled Pegasus, moving some of his hair back. "I so look forward to seeing how this will turn out."

"Ready, pal?" asked Joey. "'Cause my Black Skull Dragon's about ready to end this match."

"Wrong. This duel's just getting started." said Yami.