*Author's Note: Ahh... Yakawashi Clarissa speaking here. I'm afraid DarkGatomon is still out looking for Yami Yugi... At least, I think that's what she's doing. Regardless, I will be opening the story today.
Zero - Thank you so very much for your support! Hopefully DarkGatomon will be able to find Yami Yugi herself, however. I shall definitely mention your kind offer to her, though. I'm sure Ay appreciates it very much, as well. Also, we really do appreciate you and that lovely gift you gave us, and your continuing praise. I must say that I feel we have been poorly lacking in updates, though. Do please excuse us for this, as we have been very busy.
Catling: *snickers slightly and speaks in an aside* In case you haven't noticed, 'Ro, C-chan over doesn't have a clue about sarcasm.
tefla - You may certainly suggest scenes! DarkGatomon doesn't always use them all, but she always appreciates them.
Shadow Vitani - Oh, yes, everyone is welcome to cookies! Ay made them especially for all of you. Please, help yourself. *gestures to the plate on the table*
Bronze Eagle - I do believe the "we" of which Yami Bakura spoke was indeed Ryou and himself. I apologize on DarkGatomon's behalf if this was not clear.
Catling: *aside* "Apologize on DarkGatomon's behalf?" Since when does Deeg ever apologize? Or want people to think she does? *shakes head* I'd better get this fic started before Riss gets herself in trouble...
*With that, Catling wanders off, while Clarissa kneels down and tries to comfort Ay.**
Téa: Brilliant! Even Pegasus can't tell which Hat Yugi's hidden his Dark Magician in.
Joey: Can anyone say "famous last words?"
Pegasus: Ah, I see.
Yami: See what?
Pegasus: In a nutshell? Everything.
Pegasus: All I need to do is probe your feeble mind to learn which Hat hides your mage.
Téa: Would this be a bad time to be picky and point out that it's not a Mage, it's a Magician?
Joey: Ohh, yeah.
Pegasus: Or have you forgotten the power of my Millennium Eye?
Yami: Er...
Pegasus: *startled* You actually did? Again? That's almost as impressive as it is sad, Yugi-boy.
Pegasus: Prepare yourself, Yugi-boy! Here I come!
Yami: Very well. Just a moment, please, then?
Pegasus: What? Well, alright. Might as well give you time to accept defeat.
Yami: Thank you. *proceeds to have a five-minute conversation with his aibou on the merits of soul-shuffling*
Téa: I know Pegasus has magic, but so do you! The magic of your Millennium Puzzle!
Yugi: That's it! Remind me to kiss you when this is all over!
Téa: Uh... I don't see how that would be my fantasy, not yours, but, um... I appreciate the thought.
Yugi: *desperate* Spirit... Listen to me! Quickly!
Yami: *mentally* I'm listening. How long until I become psychically deaf from all your screaming, I don't know.
Yugi: Well, I'll be extra-sure to make it quick, then!
*Yami sweatdrops, wincing.*
Yugi: Grandpa said to trust in the power of my Millennium Puzzle, but he never said anything about you.
Yami: You think you can get at its power without me? You think you could survive its power, if you got it? You think I would just step aside and let you have it?! Are you sure you're okay?
Yugi: YES!
Yami: Well, I'm not!
Yugi: Spirit, if I'm to have any chance of beating Pegasus, I'm afraid I have to banish you from the corridors of my mind.
Yami: *panics* You WHAT?! What do you mean, "banish?!" Where do you think I can go?! This isn't my home, this is my universe. I can't just stay at a Comfort Inn until you regain your senses!
Yami: Yugi, if we don't work together, we won't stand a chance.
Yugi: Maybe not, but if we keep playing like we have, we'll lose.
Yami: What do you mean?
Yugi: "What do I mean?" What duel have you been watching?! He's destroying our monsters by the dozen, while we can't score a single hit, and you don't think this is cause for worry?!
Yugi: We're losing because Pegasus can read our mind, because we're working so close together. That's wrong.
Yami: *sarcastic* Really? And here I thought his doing that was just peachy-keen.
Yugi: It's the wrong strategy for us to be using in this particular game. If we keep dueling with our spirits merged, Pegasus's mind-reading powers will beat us. And if we lose, everyone loses. But I have another idea.
Yami: Well, it had better be a good one! *twitches slightly*
Yugi: Oh, it is, I assure you. Of course, it will require some sacrifice on your part.
Yami: *tightly* Out with it.
Yugi: I'm getting there. And I really think it will be the best, for everybody.
Yami: *twitch, twitch*
*On the outside...*
Téa: Hey, Joey?
Joey: Er, yeah?
Téa: Why has Pegasus started gasping like that?
Joey: Err... Looks rather like he's being strangled, but...
Téa: ...nobody's touching him.
Pegasus: *gasping* I... didn't know... you could... do... that... *collapses in a heap, knocked out from mental asphyxiation by Yami*
Yugi: Each time we play a card, Pegasus reads our mind. What if we keep our minds separate, and then switch our minds back and forth?
Yami: Ahh, switch minds. So you're saying I don't have to die. That is a good plan.
Yami: A dangerous move, but it just might work.
Yugi: Dangerous? I don't see how it's that dangerous. Pegasus won't hurt me -- until the duel's over, at least. And I might not play as well as you, but I still have to be better than having nothing secret at all.
Yami: *sighs* Come now, you of all people should know my idiosyncrasies. If I want to say it's dangerous, what's the harm? *shoos Yugi off, mildly annoyed*
Pegasus: *thinking* I felt him resisting him resisting my probe, but there's no way he could've deceived me.
Yugi: Maybe you probed the wrong mind, Pegasus! One that doesn't know where the Dark Magician hides.
Téa: But that makes no sense! If Yugi didn't know, then wouldn't Pegasus have read that, rather than some random choice?
Joey: Even ignorin' that, wouldn't Yugi've known? I mean, he has to know where the Dark Magician is -- you can just see it on the board!
Yugi: Or maybe your mind-probing powers aren't as all-seeing as you think.
Pegasus: You dare mock the awesome powers of my Millennium Eye?! You go too far, Yugi-boy.
Yami: *frowns; mentally* Yes, you really do. This might be a neat trick, but it doesn't do to get overconfident.
Yugi: *mentally; angrily* Be quiet! You're all against me, I know it! Be quiet and go away!
*Yami takes that as wise advice and beats a hasty retreat back into his soul room.*
Téa: Whoa! Yugi! I sure hope he knows what he's doing.
Joey: *surprised* Since when did "Yugi" become a swear?
Téa: Since right now, that's when!
Joey: Millennium Puzzle, Millennium Schmuzzle! I just wish I could help him somehow, but no. All I can do is cheer from the sidelines while my best buddy duels his toughest duel all by himself!
Téa: What? "All by himself?" The entire cachet of this strategy is having Yugi and Yami work together!
Yugi: Pegasus, do you know what the card is that I just pulled and laid on the field? Just use your Millennium Eye to read my mind. That is, if you think you can.
Pegasus: *growls* No problem! You can hide nothing from me!
Yugi: We'll see about that!
Pegasus: Ahh, Mirror Force? Nice card.
Yugi: *startled* What?! *mentally* YAMI! I thought you were going to help me out here!
Yami: Give a guy some warning, next time! It's your own taunting that made him react so fast!
Yami: Sorry, Pegasus, but I don't know what this facedown card is, either. Reading my mind will tell you absolutely nothing. *pause* That just sounds so wrong...
Yami: You see, Pegasus, I don't know what that card is, because I am no longer Yugi Moto, but someone else altogether.
Pegasus: Well, I don't think that quite fits into the rules, do you, Croquet?
Croquet: No, sir, absolutely not!
Pegasus: Ahh, what a pity. Yugi Moto is disqualified, the match goes to me, and his soul is now mine! *chuckles* I do so hope you enjoy your new residence, whoever you are.
Yami: *groans and addresses his aibou* I told you this was dangerous.
Yami: Through the magic of the Millennium Puzzle, two minds inhabit this body. Now each time you try to read one of our minds, we'll use the Mind Shuffle.
Pegasus: *aghast* Mind shuffle?! I'm all for bad puns, but that goes too far!
Yami: *shrugs* I'm a card spirit. What did you expect from me, especially on such short notice?
Goon: So, punk, what's it gonna be?
Yami Bakura: *chuckles* You ignorant mortals. It's far from all over. We've barely even begun to play. *holds up his deck* And I'll show you the cards Fate has dealt you. *starts pelting the goons with cards*
Goon: Ow! Hey!
Goon 2: That hurts!
Goon 3: Ow! They're sharp! YOWCH!
Tristan: *thinking* What's up with Bakura all of a sudden? *sighs* Poor guy. I guess the stress made him snap.
Yami Bakura: Now I'll teach you the true meaning of fear...
Tristan: *sardonic in the face of death* Ooh, is that like the true meaning of Christmas? Is it supposed to be used for the good of humanity? And will I get a candy cane once I've learned it??
Goon: Oh, no! He's brought the monster on the card to life! And he's gonna sic it on us!
Tristan: *surprised* You know, I really didn't think Pegasus's goons could have that kind of astute grasp of a situation.
Yami Bakura: Present-day humans are so fun to terrorize, don't you think?
Tristan: No, I don't. Present-day turtles, on the other hand... *gets a demented look* Ohh, yeah...
Tristan: No, I don't. But then again, I am a present-day human. What the heck are you?
Yami Bakura: *chuckles* Me? Someone with great power, soon to be greater.
Tristan: And someone who refuses to give a straight answer to that question, no matter how many times it's asked, it seems.
Yami Bakura: But I can't spend the day having fun. I have things to do.
Tristan: *mutters* Places to destroy, people to kill...
Pegasus: My mind-scanning abilities are only one of many skills that I possess, and that you need to worry about. Or have you forgotten who invented this game?
Yami: According to what you yourself said in our first match, it wasn't you. So, yes, clearly I have. But why does it matter?
Pegasus: Besides, I can sense that you are prepared to switch minds. Yes, you're ready to switch again the moment I begin to probe your mind.
Téa: Huh? Now I'm confused. Which one is which, now?
Joey: Uhh, I think it's Big Yugi out right now.
Téa: And he knows about the Hats, right? So shouldn't it be our friend that's out, then? Except... he knows about the face-down card... So it's a win-win for Pegasus! AGH! It makes no sense!!
Yami: I suspect that you've relied on the magic of your Millennium Eye for so long your dueling skills have diminished.
Pegasus: *chuckles* Even if your little theory was true, I'm still far-and-away a superior duelist to you.
Téa: Oh, great, he's rhyming again...
Pegasus: Toon Summoned Skull, attack the middle Hat!
Yami: *smirks* And what did I just say about diminished skill?
Joey: Damn, everyone really does guess the middle Hats!
Yami: For my next turn, a quick ch...
Yugi: ...ange is in order! *fumbles with his cards, nearly dropping them* Whoops... Hard keeping track of everything on such short notice.
Téa: *excitedly* See? You can tell he's not gay because he can't multitask!
Joey: *sweatdrops* Whatever you say, Téa...
Yami: *thinking* So, Yugi's played another card face-down, and even though I don't know what that card is, I have faith in Yugi and faith in the Heart of the Cards. Especially the Heart of the Cards.
*Anime fall from Yugi, who'd been basking in his other's praise.*
Pegasus: Does your heart grow cold, knowing that your demise is only moments away?
Yami: *shrugs* I have been living, if you wish to call it that, for over five thousand years. I can scarcely feel cheated by this.
Yami: No! His Toon monsters are virtually unstoppable, and my Dark Magician is totally unprotected.
Yugi: *shouting to deaf ears* No, he's not! Let me out! Let me play!!! *groans and collapses against a wall, dejected* I knew there had to be a downside to this separate-mind strategy... *sighs deeply*
Yami: *thinking* I don't have a move, but Yugi might!
Yugi: *switching* Of course you don't have a move. *shakes head and sighs* Spirits these days...
Yugi: I defend my Magician with the card I played face-down. The magic card Living Arrow!
Pegasus: What? Your hidden card is the Living Arrow?!
Yugi: *mocking* That's right. That *is* my secret card. And since you're the *creator* of Duel Monsters, you must know *all about* the Living Arrow card.
Yami: Uhh, Yugi? Is there really a need to be so... disparaging?
Yugi: *angrily* I don't think you should be talking, magic-boy.
Yami: Alright, no more outside time for you! *seizes control from Yugi, who, inside his soulroom, is now starting to look slightly like a dragon*
Pegasus: It doesn't matter, 'cause it's already too late for you to stop my Summoned Skull attack. Your Dark Magician is vanquished!
Yugi: *snickers* So what's it gonna be, *Pharaoh?* You gonna lose, or let me back in control?
Yami: *mentally* ... Damn you... *retreats back into his soul room, while Yugi laughs*
Yugi: It deflects back Summoned Skull's attack, and since the other card neutralized the magic that made your Toons untouchable, your Toon monsters return to their original form and appear on the field just in time to catch the blast.
Téa: Where he can destroy all three with one attack. Wow.
Yugi: We did it! All the Toons are destroyed!
Yami: Yes, and it was your plan, Yugi. I'm very proud of you.
Yugi: *mentally* Heh. Flatterer.
Téa: At last! Those creepy Toon monsters seemed almost unbeatable, but I knew Yugi'd figure out a way to defeat them!
Joey: Uh, since when were cartoons creepy, Téa?
Téa: Hey!! They ARE! With their big eyes and their freaky behavior and it's all just... *shudders*
Joey: Okay, you are now officially "weird."
Yami Bakura: As you can see, there's not a single particle of those pathetic fools left in this dimension.
Tristan: Good thing they didn't bleed all over the floor, I guess...
Tristan: I know you're not really our friend Bakura. You're the one Yugi beat. He banished you to the graveyard, and in the process he freed Bakura from your mind control.
Yami Bakura: *chuckles* I'm surprised you can say that with a straight face, standing here talking to me as you are.
Tristan: *sweatdrops* Well, I've had practice.
Yami Bakura: That wouldn't have happened if Bakura hadn't betrayed me. I've decided I need a new host.
Tristan: You won't take me without a fight!
Yami Bakura: Now, really. That doesn't even come close to making sense.
Tristan: Hey, I guess belligerence really does help!
Tristan: You won't take me without a fight!
Yami Bakura: Not yours. I want a vessel without a mind or soul of its own.
Tristan: *with dawning recognition* You want Mokuba.
Yami Bakura: Yes! To conquer the world, I shall take over the body of Mokuba, easily the weakest person in the world, and then I'll... Um...
Tristan: It's obvious that you've thought this through...
Pegasus: You're one step away from becoming world champion; you've been to the Shadow Realm and back; and most importantly, you've finally begun to master the power of your Millennium Puzzle, and you see, Yugi-boy, for me, that's what this whole tournament has been about. For I plan to take possession of your Puzzle!
Yugi: Well, I don't really see what that has to do with me.
Pegasus: *startled* What?
Yugi: I mean, why does my having mastered it affect you?
Pegasus: ... Uhhh...
Pegasus: For I plan to take possession of your Puzzle!
Yugi: My Puzzle?
Yami: No!
Pegasus: Yes! You and I will finish this contest in the Shadow Realm, Yugi, and this time, it's winner take all!
Yami: *ignoring that* I love how he gets to answer me, even when I'm not in control...
