Yugi Muto

Yugi Muto, aka Yugi Mutou in the manga and Japanese version of the Anime.He is the main character of the original Yu-Gi-Oh! Series, along with the spirit of Yami Yugi. Together with Yami Yugi, he holds the title "King of Games" (King of Duelists in Japanese version), by winning the Duelist Kingdom, Battle City, Grand Championship and Battle City V2 (in Yu-Gi-Oh! GX).

Background
Yugi lived in his family's game shop, Kame Game, with his mother, and grandfather. His grandfather taught him a lot about the game, Duel Monsters.

Joey and Tristan used to bully Yugi. Joey even went as far as taking a piece of Yugi's Millennium Puzzle, and throwing it into a canal. However Yugi stood-up for Joey and Tristan, when they were attacked by Tetsu  Trudge, claiming that they were his friends, whereas Ushio claimed he was protecting Yugi in order to earn money. Joey and Tristan came to be Yugi's friends after the incident and Joey recovered the piece of the Puzzle.

After solving the Millennium Puzzle, Yugi unknowingly became host to Yami Yugi. He shared his body with Yami, who occasionally takes control, typically to help Yugi and his friends.

Yugi and Joey once visited Burgerpalooza, only to find Téa working there. She feared that if they told, she would get expelled as it's against school rules to have part-time jobs. (In the English version, she worried about getting fired, as they could have revealed that she was under 18, the required age to work there.) She splattered their burgers in ketchup, warning them not to tell. They told her that they did not even know she worked there, and they wouldn't say a word.

Yugi later found Tea in a warehouse, being filmed by a pervert, who threatened to reveal she was working at Burgerpalooza. (In the English version, he was a mugger who tricked her by writing a note, pretending Yugi and Joey had given her a dance studio.) Yugi tackled the man, but got thrown against a wall. Téa was also knocked unconscious after trying to attack him. Yugi then transformed into Yami Yugi, who defeated the man in a card draw game and Mind Crushed him. Yugi came to believe that he had saved Téa himself, although he didn't remember how he did it.

Personality
Yugi was a very shy, boy that would always stay in the classroom during lunch time playing games. One day his grandpa gave Yugi the mystical millenium puzzle. It said that the one who solves the puzzle will be granted a wish. He tried to solve the puzzle for 8 years but eventually on day he was on the track to solve the puzzle. It almost was like the puzzle built itself. Yugi is kind-hearted, caring, selfless, understanding, considerate, and child-like.

Appearance
Yugi's character design was overseen by Kazuki Takahashi. His normal outfit consists of the standard male Domino Junior/Senior High uniform complete with a closed buckled collar. His extremely extravagant hair features multiple layers including long blond crooked, pointy locks for his fringe, the rest features a set of five large spikes and two smaller spikes colored black with a magenta sheen along the edges. So far, he is the only character in the franchise to have his hair divided into three colors. He wears the Millennium Puzzle on a lace around his neck. In the manga and second series anime, the lace is later replaced with a chain. In the manga (post Volume 7) and in the second series anime, he often wears a KaibaCorp Duel Disk on his left arm.

When he plays Dungeon Dice Monsters against Duke Devlin, he wears a black long-sleeves shirt, a gray sleeve-less vest, dark blue pants and black shoes.

When he and Téa took a day together to find out about the Millennium Puzzle, he wore a black linen shirt and several pieces of wrist-chains, along with a pair of leather pants.

In Yu-Gi-Oh! GX, Yugi is shown much taller, as he is taller than Jaden who is taller than Yugi's past self. In Yu-Gi-Oh! GX, Yugi's present day face is not directly shown. However as he is now older, his voice is a mix between his and Atem's. Except for his eyes, he now looks like Yami Yugi (Who's real Name is Atem).

In Yu-Gi-Oh! Capsule Monsters, Yugi wears a different attire of a violet jacket and jeans. He also wears the Capsule Shooter on his left arm. In episode 4, he gains a duel armor that allows him to become one with one of his capsule monsters.

Yu-Gi-Oh! Duelist Manga
Yugi lives with his mother and grandfather, Sugoroku in the family game shop, Kame Game. By the pilot, his father is away on business. Yugi found the Millennium Puzzle on a shelf in the shop. He spent eight unsuccessful years trying to solve it.

One day, Yugi stayed in the classroom during lunch time, declining an offer to play basketball with the rest of class. As he worked on the unassembled Millennium Puzzle, he was interrupted by Honda and Jonouchi who took the puzzle box from him. Jonouchi managed to secretly steal a piece and offered the box back if Yugi would punch him, which Yugi refused to do. Anzu arrived and caught the box midair as Jonouchi tossed it to Honda. Jonouchi and Honda left after Anzu told them off. Yugi then told Anzu that the Puzzle was a memento of his grandfather and he had spent eight years trying to solve the Puzzle, believing a wish will be granted a wish upon completing it.

The hall monitor Ushio believed Yugi was being bullied by Honda and Jonouchi, so he took it on himself to be Yugi's bodyguard, although Yugi denied that Honda and Jonouchi had been troubling him. Regardless Ushio beat them both up and showed them to Yugi. Yugi protested as Ushio continued to hit them, resulting in Ushio attacking him too. Afterwards Ushio imposed bodyguard fees of ¥200,000 and threatened him with a knife should he not pay.

That night, Yugi worked on the Puzzle, while thinking of way to make the money. Unlike other days, he was able to assemble the Puzzle more easily and quickly, until he realized the last piece was missing. As he searched the room, his Grandfather appeared and gave him the last piece, which Jonouchi had returned earlier.

When Yugi assembled the Puzzle, he became the Guardian of the Shadow Games and his body came to bear host for the spirit of the 3,000-year-old Nameless Pharaoh. The spirit, known as Dark Yugi shared Yugi's body, unbeknownst to Yugi.

Dark Yugi arranged to meet Ushio, defeated him in the money and knife Shadow Game and inflicted a Penalty Game on him. Dark Yugi changed back to Yugi, who had no knowledge of what had happen. The next day at school, Jonouchi answered Yugi's riddle. "something you can show, but can't see", saying it's friendship and that they're friends.

A ZTV director arrived at Domino High School to make a documentary about bullying, Caught on Camera: School Violence. Seeing a TV van, Jonouchi spread rumors that there was a star at their school, but Yugi was skeptical of this. The director's assistant, Fujita overheard Yugi and Jonouchi mention a star. He lied to Yugi that there was a star and he could meet them behind the gym. When Yugi arrived Fujita proceeded to attack Yugi to fake a bullying scene on camera. Jonouchi managed to break-up the fight, but couldn't cease the production. However Yugi switched to Dark Yugi, who later confronted the director and beat him in a dice game Shadow Game.

The untalented singer, Sozoji, forced Yugi to sell tickets to his concert. After Hanasaki tried to sell Yugi a ticket, Yugi took all Hanasaki's tickets off his hands. Knowing neither of them were going to be able to sell the tickets, he tried to spare Hanasaki the burden. The day of the concert, Yugi informed Sozoji that he couldn't sell any tickets. As punishment, Sozoji forced Yugi to listen to music at full blast and revealed Hanasaki, beaten-up, as the audience for the next song. Dark Yugi once again took over and beat the bully in the silence game Shadow Game.

Yugi was keen to eat at Burger World with his friends one day after school. However Anzu strongly discouraged this idea. Yugi and Jonouchi noticed Anzu was acting suspicious and avoiding walking home from school with them. To get to the bottom of it, they followed her home from school and found that she had been working at Burger World. Since part time jobs were against school rules, she got them to promise they wouldn't tell. An escaped convict entered the restaurant, took Anzu hostage and blindfolded her. Everyone else had to lie on the floor apart from Yugi, who was forced to serve him vodka and Lucky Stripe cigarettes. Dark Yugi took control of Yugi's body and faced the convict in the one finger BATTLE! Shadow Game. Anzu thought his voice sounded like Yugi's, but his actions and bravery were completely different. Dark Yugi defeated the convict, setting him alight. Yugi was oblivious to the game when he regained control of his body.

Yugi became envious of the alleged psychic Kokurano, as he tried to seduce Anzu. For Yugi's disbelief in his powers, Kokurano said that in Yugi's future countless letters would fall from the heavens and bring disaster upon him. Later that day Kokurano knocked over bookshelves on top of Yugi. Dark Yugi then emerged to punish Kokurano and save Anzu.

For the Domino High school festival, the class followed Yugi's suggestion to set up a section for Carnival Games. However Goro Inogashira and his classmates tore down their stand to make way for their own. Yugi got injured trying to protect their stand and was taken to the infirmary. Anzu took care of him for a while, but after she took her eyes off him he disappeared, having changed to Dark Yugi in order to get revenge on Goro.

Despite Honda's wishes, Jonouchi let Yugi in on the secret that Honda had a crush on Miho Nosaka, and asked him for help. Yugi suggested that they browse his family's store for a present, where they decided on a love letter jigsaw puzzle. Having never sent a love letter before, Honda got Yugi to write one and threatened him, should Miho not like it. The next day at school, the teacher Ms. Chono found the puzzle on Miho's desk before Miho. She confiscated it and demanded the sender come forward. Yugi, Jonouchi and Honda all claimed to have done so, but Chono continued to solve the puzzle to find out who really sent it and planned to punish the others for lying. Dark Yugi emerged and turns the puzzle into a Shadow Game, Dark Puzzle; as Chono continued to complete the puzzle, she felt the pain she was inflicting on others. The makeup on her face began to crack-up, revealing her true ugly self. Chono fled the room, sparing the boys any trouble. After Miho turned Honda down for a date, Yugi and Jonouchi treated him to a hamburger to cheer him up. Since then Honda became good friends with Yugi.

After Jonouchi bought a pair of Air Muscle shoes from the Junky Scorpion, he, Yugi and Honda were ambushed by the Muscle Hunters, who stole the shoes. After finding out that they were sent by the store owner, Dark Yugi emerged and returned to the store, to win back Jonouchi's shoes. Not knowing how he got the shoes back, Yugi returned them to Jonouchi.

Yugi introduced Jonouchi and Anzu to Duel Monsters at Kame Game. Seto Kaiba arrived and took interest in Yugi's grandfather's rare "Blue-Eyes White Dragon" card. Unable to buy it off him, he attempted to steal it from Yugi the next day at school, by switching it with a counterfeit. Despite noticing this, Yugi waited until no one else was around, before asking for the card back. Kaiba denied stealing it, but when Yugi persisted, he stuck him with a briefcase mocking Yugi and his grandfather's attitude. Dark Yugi then took control and defeated Kaiba in a Shadow Game of Duel Monsters, winning back the card and giving Kaiba a Penalty Game, making him believe he is in the Duel Monsters Spirit World, where he experienced death.

After realizing Jonouchi had missed school for the first time, Yugi, Anzu and Honda investigated. They visit Jonouchi's apartment, but got scared off by his father, who mistook them for Jonouchi and yelled at them for disappearing for two days. The trio searched the city and found Jonouchi with Hirutani's gang attacking a boy. Yugi ran over to ask Jonouchi what was going on, but Jonouchi denied knowing him. As Yugi continued to plea with Jonouchi, one of the gang members punched Yugi in the face. Yugi refused to believe Jonouchi had changed so they followed the gang to J'z. Honda insisted that Yugi and Anzu wait outside, for their own safety, while he went inside. However Honda could only report that the gang had left, so the trio split-up to look for Jonouchi. Unable to find Jonouchi, Yugi clasped the Millennium Puzzle and asked it to tell him where Jonouchi was. Dark Yugi took control of his body and went to Hirutani's torture chamber, where the gang had Jonouchi tied-up. Dark Yugi managed to take out the gang in Landmine Search Network and relinquished control to Yugi, who escorted Jonouchi out.

Yugi read that there was to be an Egyptian exhibition, Egypt Unearthed at the Domino City Museum in the newspaper, Japan Daily News. Two months later the exhibition took place. Since his grandfather knew Professor Yoshimori, the archaeologist who discovered the tomb, Yugi was allowed come for free and invited his friends too. Anzu noted that Egypt is where the Millennium Puzzle came from and reminded Yugi that his grandfather had said all the archaeologists involved in finding the puzzle had died mysterious deaths. Yugi assured his friends that he isn't cursed. However he thought to himself that he had suffered memory loss, but opted not to tell his friends thinking they'd find it creepy.

Outside the museum, Yugi was introduced to Professor Yoshimori, who in turn introduced him to Professor Kanekura. Kanekura begged Yugi to let him put the Millennium Puzzle on display and Yugi reluctantly allowed him to borrow it for one day. During the exhibition, Yugi didn't feel right without the Puzzle. Yoshimori showed Yugi and his friends around and Yugi bumped into Shadi, who claimed to be bearing the tears of the mummy that was unable to cry itself. After the exhibition closed, Yugi returned to collect his Puzzle. Unable to find Kanekura, he met Shadi and explained what he was looking for. Shadi was astonished to learn that Yugi may be the one who solved the Puzzle. To check, he used his Millennium Key to look into Yugi's soul room. However he found two rooms, one for Yugi and one for Dark Yugi.[13] Shadi left Yugi's mind, after he was defeated by Dark Yugi. He returned the Puzzle to Yugi, saying that there is no need to thank him as he is in his debt, since Yugi's other self had saved him. However Yugi laughed at the idea of there being another person living inside him.[14]

After hearing the news of Kanekura's unexpected death, Yugi, Sugoroku, Jonouchi and Anzu went to Domino University to cheer him up. However Yoshimori, possessed by Shadi, started attacking Yugi's friends. Shadi redecorates Anzu's soul room and ordered the other Yugi to appear. He told Yugi that he can make Anzu die by commanding her to do so. This prompted Dark Yugi to appear.

Dark Yugi faced Shadi in the Trial of the Mind in order to save his friends and defeated him. Anzu and Jonouchi saw Yugi shortly after he won the game and notices he had been acting differently. They approached him over this matter, but Dark Yugi relinquished control to Yugi, causing them to think they'd been mistaken.

Yugi got a Digital Pet, which he named U2. At school, he connected it Jonouchi's pet, where it initially got bullied, but they started to get along afterwards. After Kujirada's pet ate Jonouchi's and Anzu's pets, he connected it to U2. Initially U2 got chased, but then used the data it incorporated from its connection with Jonouchi's pet to transform to a more powerful form. The powered-up U2 struck Kujirada's pet defeating it. After U2 reached its life expectancy, Yugi stayed awake to watch him disappear.

Kaiba's brother Mokuba, approached Yugi in search of revenge. Using his gang, who were armed with dangerous weapons, he forced Yugi into a game of Capsule Monster Chess. As Mokuba's minions tried to mess with Yugi's Millennium Puzzle, Dark Yugi emerged, as Mokuba had hoped for. Even though Mokuba rigged the dispenser to give Yugi low level monsters for the game, Dark Yugi accepted the ante of having one of Yugi's fingers cut off should he lose, provided he may subject Mokuba to a Penalty Game, should Mokuba lose. Dark Yugi won and Mokuba warned him Death-T is coming, before he believed himself to be trapped in a giant capsule, as his penalty.[19]

At an arcade, Yugi heard rumors of Kaiba building the ultimate game. He took his mind off it, by playing a fighting game, Virtual VS. He received multiple challenges from Street Fighter, defeating him each time. Not too pleased with this Street Fighter beat-up Yugi and stole the Millennium Puzzle. After Jonouchi saw what happened he chased down Street Fighter and won the Puzzle back in the Game of Death.

Shortly after leaving the arcade, Yugi and Jonouchi were invited via limousine to Kaiba Manor. At the mansion, Mokuba treated them to a meal, which turned out to be a game called Russian Roulette Dinner, in which he poisoned Jonouchi. In order to save Jonouchi Dark Yugi emerged and defeated Mokuba.

The next day, Kaiba took Yugi and Jonouchi to Kaiba Land as special guests. He treated them to a special show. However the show turned out to be Kaiba facing Yugi's grandfather in a game of Duel Monsters inside a Battle Box. Kaiba defeated Sugoroku using his 3 "Blue-Eyes White Dragons" and tore-up Sugoroku's after he won. Kaiba subjected him to an artificial Penalty Game to force Yugi into competing in Death-T. Sugoroku handed Yugi his Deck to use against Kaiba, before being rushed to hospital.

Jonouchi insisted on helping Yugi. Honda who'd brought Johji to Kaiba Land came out of the crowd to help Yugi too. Much to everyone's surprise they were greeted by Anzu as they started the first stage. Anzu, who was working there, explained the rules of the shootout game they were about to play; Players basically take out their opponent's by shooting the sensor on their vest. However Kaiba had hired professional hitmen, armed with lethal guns as their opponents, while Yugi and his friends guns were totally ineffective. Jonouchi managed to kick out one of the opponents, while Honda and Johji used Anzu's working gun to take out the other two in a fake surrender.

During the second stage, Yugi and his friends resisted screaming on the Electric Chair Ride.[25] The ride took them to the Murderer's Mansion, where they get their hands stuck in a guillotine. Yugi had to think fast as he solved the bllood puzzle riddle in time to save the group from getting their hands sliced off.[26] In the final part of the stage, Jonouchi was locked in a room, where he faced the Chopman in a deathmatch. While the Chopman's weapon was stuck, Yugi diverted Jonouchi's attention to a candlestick he could use to pick the lock on his cuff. He then instructed Jonouchi to lock the cuff onto the door with the candle slipped inside it. After the Chopman unstuck his weapon he yanked the chain, ripping out the door. Jonouchi made his escape, while the candle hit the tar covered floor, incinerating the Chopman.

At the start of the third stage, the friends were left waiting in a empty room for a long time. Yugi used the time to apologize to his friends and blamed himself for dragging them into this. Jonouchi seized him, demanding he never say that again. Jonouchi and Honda then admitted that through Yugi, they have come to like themselves. Anzu asked them to hold out their hands as she drew a smiley face on them. If they wound up taking separate paths in life, she told them to remember the symbol and they would remember being friends.

After the challenge started, block fell from the ceiling, while the gang climbed them in order to escape through a hole in the wall, high off the ground. Anzu made use of her dancing skills to read the rhythm the blocks are falling and help the others avoid them. However Honda got his coat, stuck under a block, while the others made their escape.

Upset over what happened to Honda, Yugi admits to Jonouchi and Anzu that he believes there is another Yugi living inside him. He had held this information back before, in fear that they won't want to be friends with him, knowing this. The group proceed to the third stage, where they knowingly see Yugi change to Dark Yugi for the first time, as he prepares to face Mokuba in another game of Capsule Monster Chess.

Dark Yugi defeats Mokuba and saves him from the artificial Penalty Game. He proceeds to defeat Kaiba in a game of Duel Monsters in the final stage. As a penalty, he dispels Kaiba's evil half. After the final stage, Yugi is reunited with Honda, who is saved by Mokuba. From that day on, Yugi remembered all the battles he and Dark Yugi had fought.

Anzu gives Yugi a love compatibility tester, Lovely Two, which initially gets no response when he tries his with Anzu's. At school Tsuruoka catches Yugi, Jonouchi and Honda playing "test score bingo". After ridiculing their test scores, he confiscates the Lovely Two, prompting Dark Yugi's arrival. Yugi, Jonouchi and Honda end up in a game, where they must find the Lovely Two or face suspension (expulsion in the English version). Anzu becomes bashful, knowing she's speaking to the other Yugi, and gives him her Lovely Two. After trying the love compatibility test, as Dark Yugi the Lovely Twos start to beep, revealing its location.

Yugi takes up a game called Monster Fighter, which proves to be a big hit, with Yugi asked numerous times at school if his family's store has any in stock. Among Yugi's opponents is Koji "the Spider" Nagumo, who cheats by punching Yugi and steals his Monster Fighter. Yugi borrows Jonouchi's Monster Fight and changes to Dark Yugi, who uses it to defeat Koji in a Shadow Game of Monster Fighter.

Over the summer vacation, Anzu asks Yugi out to Domino Park. Yugi ends up chasing a kid, who sprays him with a water pistol. Seeing him act immaturely, Anzu unsuccessfully trys to fake that she's in danger to make the other Yugi appear. After a bomb scare, Yugi is forced to stay back to find Anzu, who's gotten on the ferris wheel. Upon learning the bombs are planted on the ferris wheel, Yugi switches to Dark Yugi, who engages in a game of clock solitare set by the bomber in order to save Anzu. After stopping the bomber, Anzu attempts to continue the date with Dark Yugi.

The evidence existing becomes drastically clearer and clearer that Yugi and Dark Yugi are different souls. In the most prominent of these, Yugi is challenged to a Shadow Game by a boy named Imori using Chinese Dragon Cards that were sealed. Yugi loses and, as the rules say it must, his soul is sucked into the soul-eating jar. However he seizes the puzzle just in time and Dark Yugi challenges him to a re-match, defeating Imori and setting the captured Yugi's soul free while at the same time imprisoning Imori's. Now it is made clear that Dark Yugi and Yugi just live in the same body.

Yugi makes friends with a new student, Ryo Bakura. Bakura tells Yugi and his friends how he plays Monster World. He advises against them playing it with him, as people he's faced in the past ended up in comas. After Bakura misses a day of school, Yugi, Jonouchi, Anzu and Honda visit his apartment. Bakura tries warning them to leave, but his alter ego Dark Bakura possess him and invites them in. Dark Bakura suggests they play Monster World. Yugi and his friends fill out data for their characters and Bakura creates minature versions of them.

As they play the game, Bakura seals the souls of Yugi's friends into the miniatures. Yugi demands that Bakura seal his soul into a figurine as well. In his thoughts he states that even if he can't roll the dice, 'the other me' can. Dark Yugi then meets Yugi for the first time. At this point both characters have changed dramatically from the beginning of the manga - Yugi is more confident and daring, while Dark Yugi's treatment of his foes is softer and his attitude is no longer so arrogant. This is shown in their designs: Yugi's face has matured and sharpened, and he no longer looks awkward when putting on a brave face; Dark Yugi's has softened, his glare is more of weariness than of pride and his eyes are less wild. After this story, both Yugis have a more comfortable relationship with each other and their friends.

Pegasus sends Yugi a video inviting him to participate in his Duelist Kingdom tournament. Pegasus appears on the video and invites Yugi to duel him on the spot. Initially astonished at how he can face a pre recording, Yugi complies. Seeing the nature of the Duel, to be that of a Shadow Game, Dark Yugi takes control.[37] Pegasus later imposes a time limit, which becomes responsible for Yugi's defeat. As a penalty for Yugi's defeat, Pegasus traps Sugoroku's soul in the video tape.[38]

Yugi inserts the tape into a camcorder, so he can watch his grandfather on its screen, to easily communicate with him wherever he goes.

Having recently attained the ability to tell what his other self is feeling, Yugi divulges that Dark Yugi feels bad for losing to Pegasus to his friends at school. They fill Bakura in on what happened to Sugoroku and consider Yugi entering the tournament to return him to normal.

Yugi arrives home, finding the invitation to and instructions for Duelist Kingdom attached to the door. Jonouchi, Anzu, Honda and Bakura catch up with him, revealing Jonouchi also received a tape in the mail. Since he doesn't have an 8 mm VCR of his own, he asks if they can watch it on Yugi's. The tape shows Jonouchi's sister Shizuka telling Jonouchi her inevitable blindness is approaching. Jonouchi tells them about being unable to afford the expensive surgery and mopes about being unable to help her. Yugi then changes to Dark Yugi and reminds Jonouchi of the prize money for the Duelist Kingdom and hands him one of his 2 Star Chips, granting Jonouchi entry to the tournament.

Yugi and Jonouchi spend the next week training for the tournament. Among this time, Yugi gives Jonouchi the card "Time Wizard".

Along with Anzu, Bakura and Honda they arrive at Domino Pier and board the ship to the tournament. Here they meet Insector Haga, Dinosaur Ryuzaki and Mai Kujaku. Yugi spends some time conversing with Haga, who leaks word of newrules being in place. Haga requests to see the "Exodia" cards Yugi used to defeat Kaiba, only to throw them overboard. Jonouchi dives into the water but is only able to recover 2 of the cards. Yugi changes to Dark Yugi, who vows to take out Haga first in the tournament.

After the tournament starts, Yugi and his companions head to the forest, having seen Haga go that way. No sooner than than when they come face to face, Haga challenges Yugi to a Duel, knowing his monsters will benefit from the Field Power Bonus. Dark Yugi accepts and is led to a Battle Box, where he wagers his 1 Star Chip and his life for Haga's 2 Star Chips. Yugi emerges victorious, eliminating Haga from the tournament.

Yugi spends much of his time as Dark Yugi, including watching Jonouchi face Mai,[44] winning his next 2 Star Chips from Ryota Kajiki and facing a Star Chips thief, who turns out to be Mokuba Kaiba, on the run from Pegasus. Mokuba tries to swipe Yugi's Star Chips, but is discouraged by Dark Yugi. Saruwatari refuses to let Mokuba hand the Star Chips back to Yugi, but arranges an opponent for Yugi to face, the Ventriloquist of the Dead for Mokuba's freedom. Yugi's opponent uses Seto Kaiba's Deck, but as Dark Yugi defeats him, Kaiba wakes from his coma and Yugi ups his Star Chip count to 6. However Saruwatari has already disappeared with Mokuba.

Seeing as Jonouchi is disallowed from receiving help from Yugi in his Duel with Ryuzaki, Dark Yugi returns control to Yugi.

That night, Mai proposes a ceasfire, as she shares her food with Yugi and his friends. After the meal, Yugi speaks with his grandfather on the camcorder, briefing him in on his progress in the tournament.[49]

After Jonouchi, Honda and Bakura falls asleep, Mai arranges for Yugi and Anzu to meet up, telling Yugi that Anzu wanted to speak with him. Anzu starts to talk about old times, but Yugi believes she wants to speak with his other self and offers to change. Anzu refuses as she tries to convince herself that both Yugi's are the same person.

The date is interrupted by the sound of Mai scream. Yugi and Anzu find out she has been beaten by the Player Killer of Darkness, who has taken all eight of her Star Chips. The Player Killer then challenges Yugi to a Duel.[49] Yugi changes to Dark Yugi and defeats him winning back Mai's Star Chips. He offers them to Mai, who reluctantly takes them back, saying she owes him one.

Later, Kaiba enters the island, and after Yugi returns his Deck to him, Jonouchi challenged Kaiba for Death-T, while Yugi tried to persuade him not to. While Yugi thought that Kaiba has redeemed himself, he was proven wrong when Kaiba brutally defeated Jonouchi and insulted him, to which made Yugi desperately question Kaiba did he not learn anything from the defeat. This only angered Kaiba, who angrily rejected any potential thought of allying together, and snapped that Yugi's friendship disgusts him, causing Yugi to slump down feeling both horrified and depressed; while Anzu claims that it was pointless, Yugi claimed (albeit in a saddened state) that he refused to give up on pursuing a friendship with Kaiba.

The next day, Mai has left by the time the rest of the group wake up, but left a note to Yugi saying she owes him 8 Star Chips, along with her tent and enough food for Yugi and his friends.

After Jonouchi gets lost from the rest of the group, Dark Yugi takes control and senses him inside the underground. The group enter the cave and find Jonouchi as he defeats "Ghost" Kotsuzuka. However, before the group can leave, Bandit Keith has his gang trap them inside the underground by rolling a boulder in front of the entrance.

Using the light, Mai left them and Bakura's Millennium Ring which is pointing in the direction of Pegasus's castle, where the Millennium Eye is, they navigate to the Labyrinth. As Dark Yugi, Yugi teams-up with Jonouchi to defeat the Meikyû Brothers in a Tag Labyrinth Duel in order to escape to the surface and raise both their Star Chip counts to 10.

The group find themselves outside the castle after making their way out of the underground. At the entrance to the castle, Yugi is confronted by Kaiba, who challenges him to a Duel with 5 Star Chips on the line. Yugi's friends try to advise him against accepting, as he already has enough Star Chips, but he switches to Dark Yugi and accepts. As Yugi is about to win, Kaiba brings out his ultimate weapon: he steps back to the edge of the castle, threatening to jump to his death if Yugi wins the duel with his next attack. Although Dark Yugi tries to attack, Yugi takes over and calls it off, breaking down in tears at the prospect of nearly killing the person who he stubbornly deems as his renewed friend. Kaiba wins on the next turn, taking 5 of Yugi's Star Chips.

With this defeat, Yugi begins to fear his dark side and resents Kaiba for choosing death over the friendship and forgiveness Yugi offered for the last six months. Being unable to enter the finals with only 5 Star Chips, Jonouchi offers Yugi 5 of his, but Yugi won't have it. Mai then arrives on the scene. She manages to encourage Yugi to take her extra Star Chips, to repay her debt.

After entering the castle, they spot Bandit Keith, who points out that Kaiba and Pegasus are about to start dueling.[54] Despite how Kaiba won the duel against him, Yugi still cheers for Kaiba, who loses and his soul sealed in a "Soul Prison" card.[55]

As Dark Yugi, he gives Jonouchi his "The Honor of the King's Right Hand", so that Jonouchi may participate in the finals. Over dinner he promises Honda to try save Mokuba and gets paired up with Mai for the semi-finals.[56]

During the night, Yugi hears noises coming from Jonouchi's room. He goes in the check it out and finds Keith. Keith tries to quiet Yugi by punching him, but Jonouchi wakes-up and holds Keith back. Keith leaves without them knowing that he took the "The Honor of the King's Right Hand" card. While Anzu tends to Yugi's wounds, he tells her how feels he embarrassed, having to always be helped; such as by her Jonouchi and the other Yugi, but plans to be stronger someday.[57]

Yugi faces Mai in the first Duel of the finals. Dark Yugi puts little effort into the Duel, as he worries about facing Pegasus. This results in a number of poor plays, but after encouraging words from Mai, he returns to the top of his game and defeats her.

Yugi cheers for Jonouchi in his Duel with Keith. After Jonouchi's win, Crocketts prepares to have Yugi duel Jonouchi, but Pegasus insists there is no need. Yugi immediately advances to facing Pegasus.

After a intense duel which Pegasus later changes to a Shadow Game and results in the original Yugi losing consciousness due to the overwhelming power of the Shadows, both he and Dark Yugi emerge victorious, defeating Pegasus and thus winning the Duelist Kingdom tournament.

As per the agreement, Pegasus releases the souls of Yugi's grandfather, Sugoroku and also those of the Kaiba brothers. Upon being released from their prisons, the souls instantly return to their physical bodies.

Pegasus then goes on to tell Yugi and his friends his life story. He met his girlfriend Cyndia at one of his father's social events and the two became lovers with both vowing that they would spend the rest of their lives together.

Unfortunately, just after Pegasus turned seventeen, Cyndia fell ill and died with her death hitting Pegasus hard.

Pegasus eventually ended up in Egypt and after a series of events, he took the test of Millennium Eye as given to him by Shadi. But in order for the test to work, Pegasus lost his left eye and then saw his beloved Cyndia emerging from a light to greet him although the reunion was only for a moment.

As a result, Pegasus became the new bearer of the Millennium Eye although Yugi was left disgusted and horrified at what lengths he had gone through in order to have the Eye accept him.

Eventually, Kaiba and Mokuba are reunited, sharing an emotional reunion while Yugi gives the prize money to Jonouchi which will pay for his sister's eye surgery.

Meanwhile, in the castle, Dark Bakura emerges and takes the Millennium Eye for himself, killing Pegasus as a result. He then leaves a fake Eye on the table and walks off, saying "Two down, five to go" before laughing manically.

The chapter ends with Yugi and the group being given a ride back to Domino City by Kaiba who's none too happy with what he's doing. As they fly over the ocean, they can see Mai begging them to take her with them while Yugi bids a silent farewell to Duelist Kingdom. Jonouchi agrees, throwing a rope-ladder which Mai grabs onto although he nearly falls out of the chopper but luckily Honda saves him.

Mr. Clown framed Yugi for stealing merchandise from his shop. After taking him away for the alleged crime, Clown stole the Millennium Puzzle and locked Yugi in a secret game room, where he faced Ryuji in a game of Dungeon Dice Monsters for the ownership of the Puzzle.

As Yugi gets the upperhand on Ryuji, Clown entered the room and shattered the Puzzle. Yugi manages to defeat Ryugi with Dark Bakura's help and Ryugi admits that he cannot hate Yugi.

Clown pretended to apologize as he put the Puzzle's chain back on Yugi's neck. However he tightened the chain and dragged Yugi into another room, locking the door and pinning down the a piece of the Puzzle by its chain. He faces Yugi in the same Shadow Game he played against Sugoroku Mutou, intending to solve the Puzzle and curse Yugi, repeating what had happened to Ryugi himself. However Ryugi accidentally sets the room on fire.

Jonouchi arrives to save Yugi, but Yugi refused to leave without finishing the Puzzle. After he finished the Puzzle, Jonouchi managed to remove the pin and help him escape.

Yugi takes a backseat to the Battle City Tournament as his other half, Dark Yugi begins competing in the tournament in hopes of reclaiming the memories of his past life. Yugi occasionally appears, offering guidance or just as someone for Dark Yugi to talk. However, when Jonouchi falls victim to Marik's brainwashing, Yugi takes over for the rest of the duel, even going to far as to remove the Millennium Puzzle to stop his other self from taking over. The duel eventually ends with Yugi sacrificing himself to save Jonouchi although Yugi is saved by Jonouchi's efforts with Seto Kaiba playing a part in Jonouchi's survival. As such, everyone returns to normal although Marik still remains undetected in Anzu's consciousness.

Soon, Dark Marik emerges, leaving nothing but a string of comatose victims in his wake, Mai and Jonouchi among them.

Yugi makes an appearance in the final battle between Dark Yugi and Dark Marik where both the original selves are sacrifices for the final duel, the example being that every time, one of their alter egos loses some Life Points, the original self's body begins to disappear to the shadows. The original Marik is unconscious but feels nothing while Yugi, still very much awake experiences pain at having his body consumed by the darkness.

Dark Yugi soon manages to turn the tables and defeat Dark Marik. In an unexpected turn of events, Marik and Dark Marik swap sides with the original Marik returning to his normal body while Dark Marik becomes the sacrifice. Marik stops fighting by placing his hand over his Duel Disk and as such, Dark Marik disappears, having been dispelled for good.

As a result, Yugi is returned to normal and Dark Yugi wins the Battle City Tournament, gaining the three Egyptain God Cards as well as an insight into his past when he exmaines the tattoos on Marik's back which eventually leads the group back to the stone tablet at the Domino City Museum.

We then flash over to Domino High School where we see Yugi Mutou, Katsuya Jonouchi, Anzu Mazaki, and Hiroto Honda about to leave. All of a sudden, the hacker's head, and later the rest of him, starts coming out of a desk causing Jonouchi to freak out. He announces his name as Yako Tenma and that he is with Industrial Illusions (I2) and later states that he would like to challenge the current champion, Yugi, on the roof top. Yugi accepts and everybody rushes up.

Yako says that it is time to Duel but Yugi states that Yako is not really there causing Jonouchi to freak out even more. Yako congratulates Yugi for realizing this and tells everybody that this is not his actual body but a projection created by Kaiba's solid vision system. He then forces the beginning of the Duel, stating that as the Duel King, Yugi cannot maintain his title without accepting challenges. He adds that the card he holds won't let Yugi off easily either, claiming it to be invincible. Jonouchi is about to run over towards Yako, but Yugi, switching with Dark Yugi (manga), stops him, and accepts the challenge again. Meanwhile, in Yako's machine, he thinks that, while Yugi may not know it, he will experience divine punishment - at the hands of a God card stronger than Yugi's.

Skipping ahead, both players control three monsters, Yugi controls his "Magnet Warriors", while Yako has three unnamed monsters. Yugi tells Yako to watch as he Tributes his three monsters to Summon "Slifer the Sky Dragon", and uses it to destroy one of Yako's monsters. Though Yugi's friends cheer ecstatically, Yako is unconcerned, reviving his destroyed monster with "Silent Doom" and Tributing his three monsters to summon "The Wicked Avatar," which appears as a black orb before transforming into a black colored version of "Slifer".

Yugi Mutou and Yako Tenma's Duel continues on. After Yako summons "The Wicked Avatar", and it transforms into "Slifer," Yugi uses his own god's effect, "Slifer the Sky Dragon", to lower its attack. But Yako explains that it has no effect because the "Avatar" is on a higher scale than "Slifer". Yako then goes into talking about a rank among the Gods. He says that it's like a pyramid with "Ra" on top, and "Slifer" and Obelisk at the base. He then declares that his Avatar is the same "rank" as Yugi's Ra.

Yako begins saying that he is the one who created "The Wicked Avatar" on behalf of Maximillion Pegasus who initially designed it but was very hesitant to actually create it himself. We are then taken to a flashback of Pegasus having tea with Yako a day before the Duelist Kingdom Tournament was scheduled to begin. It then flashes immediately to the Duel table where Yugi dueled Pegasus for the title of King of Games and his grandfather's soul, with a Duel Monsters card featuring Pegasus's lover, Cyndia, splattered in blood. After Yako sees this, he demands Croquet to tell him who killed Pegasus, who in turn replies that it was Yugi.

We then see Anzu Mazaki disappearing into thin air. In order for Yako's plan to work, he captured Anzu and was using the KaibaCorp solid vision system so that nobody would notice her absence. He says to Yugi, Katsuya Jonouchi, and Hiroto Honda that if they ever want to see her again, they will have to infiltrate the KaibaCorp main headquarters and duel all of Yako's duelists in the tower. After this, the real Yako tells his staff to proceed to phase three of his plan.

Jonouchi, Honda, and Dark Yugi are then seen at the base of the KaibaCorp building, ready to save Anzu.

After Dueling Yako Tenma on the rooftop, Yugi Mutou, Katsuya Jonouchi, and Hiroto Honda all rush to KaibaCorp headquarters to duel their way to their friend Anzu Mazaki. However, upon arrival to KaibaCorp, Yugi and his friends are confronted by Deschutes Lew the first card professor. He gives Yugi Anzu's soul, contained in a Soul Prison card. Deschutes welcomes them to KaibaCorp and starts explaining that there are thirteen total Card Professors scattered throughout the block areas of the tower. He then challenges Yugi to a Duel with the ante being Anzu's soul card for the key card to get into the building.

Yugi starts off with a Set card and Queen's Knight. Deschutes simply Sets two cards and summons Gear Golem the Moving Fortress in Defense Position. On his next turn, Yugi gathers his three Knights, and Jonouchi and Honda remark that Yugi can summon his God cards soon, though Deschutes is unconcerned, believing that he has control over the whole duel.

He brings out Castle Gate, and uses it's effect to attack Yugi directly. Refusing to let his monsters be used against him, Yugi brings out Dark Magician, but Deschutes takes control of it. Yugi simply returns control of his Magician back to him with Owner's Seal, and wipes out Deschutes' life points.

After Deschutes loses the Duel, there is a scene of Yugi and the "Black Magician" standing back-to-back.

Outside the building, Dark Yugi scans the key card, and the door opens. He remembers Deschutes admitting that Yugi beat him and that the rumors are true - Yugi's one tough Duelist. Yugi just thinks that he got the key card. Deschutes explains that the building is divided into ten security blocks, each one needing a key card to access it. Dark Yugi comments that Deschutes is a real weirdo, asking if he's allowed to give him this info. Deschutes replies that he is, and salutes Yugi, admitting that he respects him, though it isn't much, and won't help him demolish all the card professors in his way. He reminds them that there's twelve more, wishing them the best of luck before leaving. Jonouchi scoffs, commenting "as if he really means it."

As Dark Yugi, Jonouchi, and Honda walk into the building, the door closes behind them. Honda remarks that there will be another Card Professor on this floor, and Jonouchi tells him to bring it on; he and Yugi will take care of them. Honda angrily asks Jonouchi if that's all he thinks of, pointing out that they're there to save Anzu. Jonouchi points out that he knows, but they've got to Duel to get there. As the boys start grappling with each other, fog begins to waft around the floor, and a voice welcomes them to her Duel field. A woman in black clothing steps forwards, introducing herslef as Tilla Mook, their second opponent. A graveyard appears, and Jonouchi wonders if they're outside, but Honda points out that it's just Solid Vision. Tilla explains that she wanted to make the field appropriate for her master, who sleeps in her Deck, and she claims that the master of this yard will destroy Yugi. Dark Yugi smiles, telling her that if she likes this barren field so much, he'll make it her master's graveyard for him. Tilla isn't impresed, and holds up her ante - the key card to the next block, while Yugi's will be Anzu's card, the proof of her victory over him, and allowig her to get a cash reward. Jonouchi is shocked that there's a cash reward for Yugi, and Tilla explains that Yugi is worth $100,000, which, as Honda explains while Jonouchi tries to count it on his fingers, is 12 million yen. Jonouchi is shocked, and asks how much he's worth. Tilla disdainfully tells him he's worth ten bucks, and tells him to get out of the way. Dark Yugi and Honda sweatdrop, as Honda tells Jonouchi that that's only 1,200 yen. Jonouchi thinks that he hates Yako. Tilla asks Yugi if they shall begin, and they start their Duel.

Tilla begins, drawing a card, Setting a card, and Summoning "Blood Sucker," before ending her turn. Dark Yugi draws, wondering if Tilla is waiting for him to attack, and Summons "Beta The Magnet Warrior", deciding to attack. "Beta" attacks and destroys "Blood Sucker", and Tilla calmly closes her eyes as her Life Points decrease to 3600. She comments that her face-down card doesn't intimidate Yugi, and activates it, using the effect of "Blood Curse" to Summon "Vampire Lady" from her Deck. Dark Yugi wonders if she's going to Summon a more powerful monster next turn, and Sets two cards to end his turn. He points out that she said this barren yard was for her master, and suggests that she call her master from her Deck. Tilla smiles; if Yugi insists. She draws, and warns him that the reason she calls the card her master is because he takes over the field until the battle ends, for he is a resurrected immortal. Tilla Tributes "Vampire Lady" to Summon "Vampire's Curse", and attacks, destroying "Beta" with Razor Nail Blade, reducing Dark Yugi's Life Points to 3700. He asks if that's Tilla's master, and she comfirms it, claiming that he won't go back to sleep until he beats Yugi, as he's immortal.

Dark Yugi responds that they'll see about that, activating "Soul Rope", Special Summoning the Level 4 "Gamma The Magnet Warrior" from his Deck (unseen is the cost of 1000 Life Points that he pays.) He declares his turn, drawing, and then Summoning "Gazelle the King of Mythical Beasts," then activating a Spell Card from his hand: "Union Attack", which combines their attack points, though Tilla won't take damage from the attack. The two monsters destroy "Vampire's Curse", and Jonouchi cheers that Yugi did it. Honda adds that it was a piece of cake. Tilla reveals that now he resurrects, and "Vampire's Curse" emerges from her Graveyard, sinking its teeth into her neck and sucking her blood, as Dark Yugi, Honda and Jonouchi observe in shock. Tilla states that this is immortality; he sucks her blood, and returns even stronger. "Vampire's Curse" gains 500 ATK, rising to 2500, and Tilla loses the cost of 1000 Life Points, bringingher down to 2600. Jonouchi realizes that no matter how many times he's beaten, he'll come back, and Honda admits that that's the creepiest thing he's ever seen. Tilla begins her turn, drawing her card, and declaring that they're in the Battle Phase now, ordering Yugi's monsters on their knees. They obey, much to his shock; as Tilla activates "Evil Eye of Coercion", allowing her to attack directly. "Vampire's Curse" attacks directly, reducing Dark Yugi to 200 Life Points. Tilla laughs, remarking that Yugi survived, and Jonouchi observes that this isn't good. Tilla tells Yugi that no matter what he Summons, "Vampire's Curse" will finish him off the next turn.

Dark Yugi draws, telling her not to be so sure. He Tributes "Gazelle" and "Gamma" to Summon "Buster Blader", but Tilla just laughs, pointing out that even if it destroys "Vampire's Curse", her master will just resurrect and get stronger - doesn't he get it? Dark Yugi replies that he does, and activates his Set card. "Vampire's Curse" is forced to his knees, much to Tilla's horror, and Dark Yugi explains that he's used "Bounce" to transfer the effect of "Evil Eye of Coercion" to his side of the field. Tilla has completely lost the plot as she sees "Buster Blader" standing above her, and the Warrior attacks, reducing her Life Points to zero. Dark Yugi tells her that no her master kneels to them - she loses.

As Dark Yugi and Honda look at the key card, Jonouchi asks a reluctant Tilla Mook if she could lend him her Duel Disk. Having coaxed the Disk from her, he asks who's next. Honda again points out that they have to reach Yako and save Anzu - they aren't just here to win Duels. Jonouchi points out that he knows that; which is why they have to keep winning, for Anzu. He angrily accuses Honda of thinking that he'll lose, much to Honda's embarrassment. Dark Yugi reassures Honda that Jonouchi won at Battle City. He reassures them that whatever they're up against, they can win. He thinks that they've always gotten through thanks to their friendship, remembering the smiley face that they drew on the hands of the four of them, and sees Anzu's hand disappear. He tells them that they'll get back the missing piece.

Entering another room, Jonouchi spots a "Booby Trap" card on the ground, running over to pick it up. Suddenly, the floor opens up under him, and Honda calls him an idiot as he dives after him. He tells Yugi to go on ahead, and that they'll join him later. He tells Yugi not to let them beat him, and gives him the thumbs up as he vanishes through the gap in the floor as it closes. As Dark Yugi yells after him, a man in military fatigues approaches him.

Below the ground, Honda gets up, rubbing his back. He asks Jonouchi if he's all right, and sees Jonouchi looking at a short Card professor who introduces himself as Klamath Osler. Klamath admits that he didn't expect anyone to come tumbling down there. Honda observes that this must be this block's Card Professor, and Jonouchi agrees as he places his deck in Tilla's Duel Disk. Klamath comments that a couple of losers walked right into the trap, and Jonouchi angrily asks who the shrimp is calling losers (earning a look from Honda). Klamath muses that when he'd drwan the bottom, he'd thought he was out of the game, remarking that he's still lucky. Jonouchi asks him what he's mumbling about, pointing out that they have no choice but to beat him to go up, and tells him to get it on. Honda cheers him on, and the Duel starts.

Klamath draws, and claims he's drawn a good one, calling himself lucky. He Summons "Antlion" but the monster doesn't appear. Jonouchi wonders if his Duel Disk is broken. Klamath laughs, claiming that nothing is wrong with his Disk, telling Jonouchi to come on. Jonouchi draws, Setting a card and Summoning "Gearfried the Iron Knight", then attacking. "Gearfried" charges forwards, and then disappears into a pit of sand, from which "Antlion" emerges, biting the Warrior in two and reducing Jonouchi to 3600 Life Points. "Antlion" only had 1500 ATK, but its effect lowers the ATK of attacking monsters by 500. Honda asks Jonouchi if he's all right. Klamath draws, equipping "Antlion" with "Laser Cannon" and boosting it to 2200 ATK. Then he Summons "Worm Drake", attacking directly with both monsters. Jonouchi's down to 200 Life Points already.

Honda is shocked, asking Jonouchi what he's doing, but Jonouchi just tells him to shut up. Klamath laughs, asking Joey what he's doing with a useless face-down card. Jonouchi thinks that he'd played it as a bluff, but it didn't work. Klamath grins, commenting that lucks is on his side; maybe he could beat Yugi Mutou. Joey tells him to dream on as he draws, but he's worried until he sees his draw. He Sets another card and Summons "Rocket Warrior" in Defense Position, ending his turn. Drawing, Klamath states that Jonouchi put up a good fight, but his defense monster is nothing before "Antlion". He plays "Double Evolution", to double the increase granted by "Laser Cannon" and increase "Antlion" to 2900 ATK. He attacks, but he's fallen into Jonouchi's trap, "Magical Arm Shield", which changes the attack target to "Worm Drake", reducing Klamath to 2500 Life Points. Klamath protests that that's not fair. Jonouchi points out that Klamath is the one claiming that luck is on his side. He states that he's also feeling lucky. Klamath scoffs, pointing out that Jonouchi is down to 200 Life Points, but Jonouchi comments that they'll see which one of them is the lucky one.

He plays "Roulette Spider", which blinds "Antlion and spins it around. Klamath has no idea what's happening, and Jonouchi explains that they'll see where the arrow stops. He tells Klamath to stop it, and Klamath thinks that this must his desperation card, but the probability of the arrow stopping at him is only 33%, nothing to worry about if he's lucky. Sure enough, the arrow is pointing at Jonouchi, much to his horror. Klamath cheers that today is his lucky day, but Jonouchi grins - not quite. He reveals his Set "Probability Change", respinning "Roulette Spider", but eliminating the last result, leaving Klamath with a 50% chance of being hit. Klamath yells for it to stop, thinking that he's lucky, and it does - at him. "Antlion" blasts him and reduces his Life Points to zero, and Jonouchi cheers that today's his lucky day after all. Honda remarks that Jonouchi is more of a gambler than a Duelist.

The man in milatary garb walks towards Dark Yugi, musing that his friends are always watching over him when he fights. The Card Professors don't understand it, but he hears that Yugi is a lot tougher with his friends around. He comments that they need to exclude such uncertain factors, and Dark Yugi realizes that the bobboy trap was the man's doing, and the man introduces himself as Kirk Dixon, saluting. He comments that Yugi's friends were easy prey; they walked right into the first trap. They would have found a lot more had they made it further, too. Dark Yugi doesn't respond, so Kirk comments that he must be in a hurry, so they should get this underway, and Duel. He grins nastily, asking if Yugi can't fight without his little friends. Still kneeling on the floor, Dark Yugi asks where Jonouchi and Honda are. Kirk admimts that with all the security traps in the building, he isn't sure which leads where - he could ask the owner. Though if Yugi were to ask Kirk, he's sure they would up right where they belong, like the garbage room. Dark Yugi loses his temper, refusing to let Kirk continue to insult his friends. He'll pay with his defeat.

The Duel begins, and Kirk thinks to himself that they'll see if Yugi can keep up with his "warrior deck". Yugi starts, drawing, and then Setting two cards, and Summoning "Alpha The Magnet Warrior" in Defense Position, ending his turn. He tells Kirk that now it's his turn - bring it on. Kirk snorts, thinking that Yugi should laugh while he can. He plays his own face-down card, and Summons "Machina Soldier", then activates "Ties of the Brethren" from his hand, allowing him to pay 1000 Life Points to Special Summon "Machina Sniper" and "Machina Defender" from his Deck. Dark Yugi is shocked to see Kirk Summon three monsters in a single turn, but Kirk ends his turn there, as none of his monsters can bring down "Alpha". Dark Yugi draw, thinking that the two Special Summoned monsters can neither attack, or be Tributed, and he wonders what Kirk is doing. He decides that he'll figure it out, Setting another card, and then Tributing "Alpha" to Summon "Dark Magician Girl". She attacks "Machina Defender" with her "Black Burning" attack, and Kirk comments that that's more like it. He activates his Set "Intruder Alarm - Yellow Alert", allowing him to Special Summon his 2700 ATK "Caterpillar Tank" from his hand and redirect the attack to it. Commenting that he hates to see a lovely magician perish so quickly, he has "Caterpillar Tank" counterattack with "Buster Cannon". Dark Yugi saves his "Magician" with "Spellbinding Circle", preventing the counterattack, and reducing the "Tank's" ATK by 700. Kirk admits that at the end of the Battle Phase, "Caterpillar Tank" returns to his hand.

He begins his next turn, claiming that this is the ultimate formation of his armed division. He Summons "Commander Covington", which will keep the "Machina" on his field together. "Covington" raises his hand, and the parts of the three "Machina" combine into a massive four-armed, four legged "Machina", "Machina Force". The ATK and DEF of "Machina Force" are equal to the total of its combined parts - 4600 and 4100 respectively. Paying 1000 Life Points to attack, Kirk does so, and "Machina Force" attacks with "Machine Knuckle", but the attack stops before it can connect. Dark Yugi has activated a face-down card, "Spellbinding Illusion", which negates "Covington's" ability, and reduces its ATK by 500, as well as preventing "Machina Force" from remaining fused. Then, on Dark Yugi's turn, he activates "Diffusion Wave-Motion", paying 1000 Life Points himself to have his "Dark Magician Girl" attack all of Kirk's monsters. Kirk is horrified that his army will be destroyed in a single attack, and "Dark Magician Girl" attacks with "Super Magic Wave Bullets" and destroys all of Kirk's monsters, reducing his Life Points to zero.

Shellshocked, Kirk drops his cards, as well as the key card, and as Dark Yugi tells him that he's won, Kirk looks at his hands, stating that it can't be; he lost. Before he can make any further comments, he stands on another booby trap that tosses him into a trash can. Dark Yugi remarks that Kirk fell into his own trap, and picks up the key card. The Millennium Puzzle glows, and Yugi points out that they're fine. They don't know where they are now, but they do know where they're headed. He reminds Dark Yugi of when he said that they would keep winning no matter what. Dark Yugi agrees, walking over to the key card and picking it up. He thinks that Yako should just wait.

Meanwhile, as Jonouchi and Honda climb a flight of stairs, Kirk falls out of the trash chute into a dumpster, much to their surprise. In the next block, Yugi is confronted by Maico Kato, the next card professor.

Seeing Yako Tenma sitting on the floor above, Dark Yugi thinks that Tenma is no hologram this time as he can sense his duelist's aura. As he runs off to confront Yako, Maico Kato thinks to herself that Yugi had best be prepared, as they call Tenma the "Perfect Duelist."

Yugi reaches Yako's floor, yelling his name. He asks why Yako is here, this isn't the top of the building. Yako agrees - they're only halfway up. He remarks that he's been watching Yugi, and comments that he was brilliant - there are only seven card professors left. Yugi thinks in satisfaction that Jonouchi is also winning his way up the building.

Yako states that when they duelled on the Domino High rooftop, The Wicked Avatar was still new, and his deck and strategies were unprepared, so he wanted another go. He picks up a deck, calling it perfect, and asks if Yugi would like to duel it. He reassures Yugi that the duel will have no effect on his progress up the building, and tells him that he will let him see Anzu if he wins, but if Yako wins, he wants Yugi's Egyptian God Cards. Yugi agrees, and Yako asks Mr. Crocketts to take them to the duelling stage.

Crocketts takes them to a theater, and the two face off on the stage, Yugi shedding his jacket for the duel. They begin, with Yugi starting off with a set card and "Queen's Knight". Yako wonders if Yugi's trying to summon a God card already. He comments that the summoning speed of the Poker Knight's is a thing of the past. He summons "Summoner Monk" in Defense Position, and reveals its effect - he can Special Summon a Level 4 monster from his Deck each turn, though it cannot declare an attack on the turn it is summoned. The Monk chants, and Yako summons "Seraphim Saber" from his Deck in Attack Position. Setting a card, he ends his turn.

Yugi thinks that if Summoner Monk stays on the field for too long, Yako will have the sacrifices he needs to summon a God card easily. Placing another card facedown, he Normal Summons "Beta The Magnet Warrior" and attacks "Summoner Monnk," but the attack instead hits Yako, decreasing his life points to 2300. Yako reveals that he activated "Shadow Shield" to make the attack into a direct attack. Yugi is shocked that Yako is sacrificing his own life points to protect "Summoner Monk."

Yako Summons two more Seraphim in his next turn, "Blaster" and "Gardna". Their effects all increase their attack and defense points, and Yako orders them to attack. Yugi saves "Beta" with "Spellbinding Circle", but "Queen's Knight" is destroyed. Yako is quite surprised that Yugi let "Queen's Knight" be destroyed as opposed to "Beta," and asks if he's made a mistake. Yugi agrees that God cards are powerful, but states that they have their disadvantages. He plays the Trap Card, "Soul Rope" and uses it to Summon "Alpha The Magnet Warrior" from his deck by paying 1000 life points. Yugi then Normal Summons "Gamma The Magnet Warrior", and combines the three "Magnet Warriors" together into "Valkyrion the Magna Warrior" using it to attack and destroy "Summoner Monk." Even so, Yako thinks that it's too late for Yugi to destroy the Monk, as he already has everything he needs to Summon a "Wicked God". Yugi thinks so as well, and sets "Lightning Blade", thinking that while he doesn't know what "The Wicked Avatar" is capable of, even if it is as powerful as Obelisk, he can increase Valkyrion's ATK to 4300 with "Lightning Blade."

Yako draws, and then whispers his own name, asking himself to stop. He then asks Yugi if he can feel the ultimate fear, and Yugi realizes that Yako has drawn a Wicked God card. Tributing his three "Seraphim," Yako summons "The Wicked Dreadroot" in Attack Position with 4000 ATK. It attacks and destroys "Valkyrion" effortlessly, as Yugi thinks to himself in horror at the sight of a second Wicked God.

In the hallways of the Kaiba Corporation Building, Jonouchi and Honda hear a noise that they think is one of Yugi's God cards. Honda is shocked that Yugi's opponent is of the strength that would force Yugi to Summon one of the God cards, and they decide to hurry up and get up there. Jonouchi thinks that Yugi had better win this one.

Yako Tenma, wearing his normal attire, laughs as he stands in front of Anzu's body, trapped in his machine and glowing with light. He comments on the energy, stating that the Project has just advanced to the next stage. He tells the "Evil God" to come forth and unleash its full power.

In the theatre, "The Wicked Dreadroot" emerges from a blaze of power behind Yako. Dark Yugi is horrified to see that there is another Evil God besides "The Wicked Avatar"; "The Wicked Dreadroot." Yako, who had had his hand clasped over his heart when the monster was Summoned, orders it to destroy him. "Dreadroot" attacks with "Fear's Knockdown", launching a punch, and Yugi activates his Set card, "Lightning Blade", which increases the ATK of "Valkyrion the Magna Warrior" by 800. But despite the attack point boost, "Dreadroot" destroys "Valkyrion" with a single blow, much to Yugi's horror. Yako thinks that "The Wicked Dreadroot" is the root of all terror, explaining that "The Wicked Dreadroot" spreads an aura of fear wherever it goes, halving the ATK and DEF of all monsters except Evil Gods. "Lightning Blade" had only boosted "Valkyrion" to 2550 ATK, leaving Yugi with 1550 Life Points. Yako Sets a card, and ends his turn, telling Yugi to fall on his knees before the terror of the Evil God.

Yugi thinks to himself "what a monster", before correcting himself that it's a God, and an Evil God at that. It has 4000 ATK, and no matter what he Summons, the ATK and DEF of the monster will be cut in half. Thinking that he can't defeat it with the three cards in his hand, he draws, beginning his turn. Yako chuckles, asking Yugi if he really thinks that he can defeat a God of evil. He comments that Yugi had better Summon a monster for defense at least, or he'll win on the next turn. Yugi thinks that all he can do now is pin his hopes on this card, and activates it - "Card of Sanctity." They both draw cards until they are holding six, and Yugi looks at his new hand, thinking that he can do this. He Sets two cards, and then sends a card from his hand to the Graveyard to Special Summon "The Tricky" in Defense Position. Yako laughs, commenting that "The Tricky" may be a Level 5 monster, but with its DEF cut down to 600, it'll barely last the round. Yugi can struggle all he wants, it's useless, as there is no card in existence that's a match for his God.

Chuckling, Yugi muses that he wonders - there's one type of card that the "Dreadroot's" pwoer doesn't affect, and maybe one of those cards might be able to take Yako down. Yako is startled, realizing that Yugi has figured it out, and then realizes in shock what the card Yugi sent to the Graveyard to Summon "The Tricky" is. Yugi tells Yako that he's coming, and activates "Monster Reborn". He revives "The Sun Dragon Ra" and the golden dragon appears behind him. Yugi tells Yako that this is the most powerful of the Egyptian God cards - the Winged Dragon of Ra!

And then "Ra" begins to vanish, shredding in wisps of smoke, much to Yugi's shock and horror. He calls Yako scum, as Yako reveals that he had activated "The Selection", which allowed him to negate the Summon of "Ra" because he already controlled a God himself. He points out that Yugi is right, the only type of card that is not affected by "Dreadroot" is a God card. Once it is Summoned, it is truly a God, with absolute control over the world, but before it is Summoned, it's only a card. As long as he doesn't let Yugi Summon one, he doesn't have a chance of fighting his Evil God. He bursts into insane laughter, and Yugi realizes that Yako really is a good Duelist. At the sideline, Croquet claps his hands, thinking that this is perfect. Yugi may have conquered Duelist Kingdom and Battle City, and is truly an elite Duelist, but of all the Duelists raised by Pegasus, Master Tenma was the only one he called "perfect". He thinks that the outcome of the Duel is clear.

Yako begins his turn, drawing his card and thanking Yugi for allowing him t reinforce his hand back there - as a result, this card found its way to him. He plays the Spell Card, "Divine Evolution", which allows his Evil God to become even stronger. "Dreadroot" changes form, gaining a snake trunk instead of its legs, the skull around its face becoming elongated, and its fingers, neck and bone spurs all lengthening as its ATK and DEF increase by 1000 points, to 5000 each. Yako admits that in general, Spell cards will only last one turn on Gods, but "Divine Evolution" is an exception, and no card can stop it. Yugi realizes that the card was designed just for God cards, and wonders if there's a chance he could lose. Yako thinks that that's right: faced with an Evil God, Yugi's body will freeze with terror, and there isn't a glimmer of hope. He Sets a card, and then attacks "The Tricky" with "Dreadroot." But the attack doesn't connect - "The Tricky" has disappeared. Yako comments that Yugi is a very poor loser; here he is, kindly trying to release him from the terror of the Evil God by defeating him, what other way is there? Yugi reveals his Set card was "Soul Barter", allowing him to switch "The Tricky" with the "Queen's Knight" in his Graveyard. Yako realizes that by switching monsters, he escaped the Jashin's attack, but it will only delay his defeat by one turn. Dark Yugi tells Yako that he's not going to fall on his knees before the Evil God; he has to beat him and save Anzu.

He refueses to lose. He begins his turn and draws, then Sets another card face down and Summons "King's Knight", then uses its effect, as the "Queen" and "King" are both on the field to Summon "Jack's Knight." Yako asks if Yugi's planning to Summon a God card again, pointing out that it will only work if all three monsters last through to the next turn. Yako thinks that even if he does, he can reactivate "The Selection" with "Trap of Darkness" and destroy the Summoned God once again. Yugi chuckles - he guesses that Gods must be a pretty big deal. He plays "Polymerization", fusing his three Poker Knights into "Arcana Knight Joker." As the monster appears, Dark Yugi thinks that his fighting spirit will overcome fear.

Dark Yugi tells the Poker Knights to join together, and tells his new monster to come forth. "He who holds the imperial title, the ultimate fusion warrior, "Arcana Knight Joker". Tenma can't believe that Yugi has fused his three monsters into one without the cost of a sacrifice, thinking that he's face-to-face with the Wicked God, and still has the will to fight. He acknowledges it as impressive, but points out that "The Wicked Dreadroot" has 5000 ATK, and his fear power will cut "Knight Joker's" ATK in half. His Life Points stand at 2300, while Yugi's are at 1550, and "Arcana Knight Joker" falss from 3800 to 1900 ATK. Tenma claims that Yugi will never defeat him with a puny swordsman like that. Dark Yugi admits that that's true, and a Fusion monster can't attack on the turn it is Summoned, so he'll end his turn.

Tenma laughs, observing that Yugi's given up on Summoning his own God, and now he's relying on a Fusion monster. He asks if this is the best he can do, now that his God won't help him. Dark Yugi replies that he suspects that Tenma will do anything to prevent him from Summoning a God. He asks if his Egyptian God cards frighten Tenma that much, telling Tenma that he's the one who's afraid. Tenma is quiet for a moment, but tells Yugi he can say what he likes; he's about to feel the terror of the Gods. He asks Yugi if he's ready, and tells him to shudder before his Wicked God. He orders "Dreadroot" to attack "Knight Joker" with Fear's Knockdown, and "Dreadroot" lunges, throwing a massive punch. Dark Yugi plays his Set card, "Spellbinding Illusion", causing the Wicked God's ATK to fall by 500, to 4500, and negating its fear power. "Arcana Knight Joker's" attack points are restored to 3800, but Tenma's unfazed, pointing out that it's a nice try, but the trap won't stop the God's attack, and he yells at "Knight Joker" to die as "Dreadroot's" fist crashes into "Knight Joker", who blocks the blow with his sword and bladed shield. Tenma is shocked, and Dark Yugi claims "Arcana Knight Joker" to be the embodiement of his fighting spirit, and states that Tenma can't defeat them with the power of terror. He activates his Set card, "Weapon Regeneration", allowing him to reuse an Equip Spell Card from his Graveyard, and he chooses "Lightning Blade". "Joker Knight's" ATK increases by 800, to 4600, and Dark Yugi declares "slash through the terror" with "Lightning Thunder Blade". "Joker Knight" drags his blade across "Dreadroot", leaving a massive scar on it before it shatters. Tenma appears to emerge from his body, thinking that he doesn't believe it - to think a non-God could defeat a "Wicked God". No matter though; he's already achived his objective. His image fades away, as he thinks "see you later, big brother."

Tenma's body falls to his knees, and Dark Yugi begins his next turn, attacking directly with "Knight Joker". Croquet orders Yugi to stop, and Dark Yugi asks him what's the meaning of this. Croquet rushes up to Tenma, and shakes his shoulders. He tells Yugi that Tenma is no longer in any condition to fight, and tells Yugi that they victory is his. Suddenly, Yako Tenma's voice sounds out, and he appears on a videoscreen, congratulating Yugi, and admitting that he should have known that Yugi would defeat "The Wicked Dreadroot." Dark Yugi asks if he's speaking to a recording, but Yako tells him that it's live - he's been on the top floor of the building the entire time, though the person who Yugi has defeated is also him. Dark Yugi asks him what he means, and Yako explains that he hacked Tenma's body, took over and controlled him. Tenma is his twin brother, Gekko Tenma. Dark Yugi is floored by the fact that Yako has a twin. Gekko destroys his "Wicked Dreadroot" card, and Yako chuckles, seeing that he's broken free of his curse. Croquet helps Gekko stand up, and Gekko groans, muttering Yako's name. Yako thanks him, commenting that he's managed to advance the R.A. Project another phase. Gekko begs Yako to stop, but Yako ignores him, telling Yugi that he'll let him see the results of what happened. He shows Yugi Anzu's body, and Dark Yugi is horrified to see that Anzu's eyes are blank. Yako caresses her head, telling Yugi that this is the former Anzu Mazaki; thanks to the energy emitted by "The Wicked Dreadroot", her body and soul have been seperated. Just as he thought, the "Wicked God" released its full power in the heat of battle, and he used that power. Dark Yugi furiously tells Yako to keep his hands off Anzu, and begs her to answer him. Yako points out that its no use. She's already a soulless soul, a living mass of meat, a vessel for the next soul. Dark Yugi is horrified, and Yako explains that her soul floats free from her body, which has become a vessel to receive his soul - the soul of Maximillion J. Pegasus. His right eye bulges as he explains that the purpose of the "R"ebirth of "A"vatar Project is to summon Pegasus to him once again. In a few hours, he will begin the procedure to transfer Pegasus's soul into a new body. He wonders if Yugi can stop him, and cuts the feed with a laugh.

Gekko tells Yugi that Pegasus sold his soul to see his beloved Miss Cyndia one more time, and Yako is the same way; he'd do anything to see Master Pegasus again. He wants to see him too. Dark Yugi grabs Gekko's coat lapels, and Gekko states that he doesn't want it so badly that he'd sacrifice someone for it. He tried everything that he could think of to dissuade Yako from this folly, but he's overflowing with power from the Wicked Gods. He used that power to supress Gekko's consciousness and control his body. Dark Yugi lets Gekko go, and Gekko explains that their Duel was all part of Yako's plan. He needed to Summon "Dreadroot" to produce enough mystic energy to seperate Anzu's soul from her body. He states that he shouldn't have Summoned "The Wicked Dreadroot" and he asks Yugi to forgive him. Then he reminds Yugi that he said he'd let Yugi see Anzu if he won, and explains that her spirit is trapped in the Duel Ring Server. If he puts her card in his Duel Disk, he'll see.

Holding up Anzu's Soul Prison card, he puts the card in his Duel Disk. Anzu appears in front of him as a hologram, gasping in surprise, and sees Yugi. They call out each other's names, and she dives forwards, her image passing right through him. She looks saddened, but turns around and thanks Dark Yugi for coming to save her. Gekko explains that she was likely watching everything through the Duel Disk, and Dark Yugi desperately vows to save her. Anzu calms him down, asking why he's all freaked out. She points out that he's a man, isn't he? She tells him to keep it together, patting his shoulder, but her hand passes through him once again. She yanks her hand back, remarking sadly that they're so close, but they can't touch. It feels lonely.

Meanwhile, Kaiba's fighter plane has entered Japanese airspace, as stated by Mokuba. Kaiba chuckles, declaring full speed to Domino City.

Yugi and Gekko are met by Bandit Keith, who introduces them to the next card professor, Ted Banias. Gekko Duels him to give Yugi some rest.

Yugi and Anzu are shocked, while Bandit Keith just smirks. Banias snickers, calling it unbelievable. Gekko drew new cards so many times, and still got no monsters. Either he's got terrible luck, or his deck balance is awful. He adds that Gekko's side of the field is deserted, and if he can't summon a monster by the next turn, his powered-up "Assault Lion" will attack, and it'll be game over. Bandit Keith interrupts, calling Gekko's hand trouble a joke. He gets what Gekko's planning; he has to have and excuse for Yugi when he loses. If Gekko loses on purpose, Yugi would get kicked out of the building, and the R.A Project would suceed. He calls Gekko a "great brother."

Worried, Anzu whispers Yugi's name, but he merely replies that he thinks that Gekko and Yako are a little like him and "the other him." "The other him" has always been with him, while Gekko's other self has been warped by the Wicked Gods. Gekko's fighting this battle to get back a part of himself, and that's why he can't lose. Banias snorts, suggesting that they say that's true. How's Gekko supposed to fight like this? He's got no monsters in his hand, nor a guard monster on his field, and on Banias's next turn, his "Assault Lion" will rip his Life Points to pieces. He asks if Gekko wants to surrender and get it over with. Gekko agrees; he'll get it over with. Banias begins to laugh, but Gekko cuts him off - that's because Banias is about to lose.

Gekko activates "Armament Reincarnation," allowing him to summon all the Equip Cards in his Graveyard as monsters, each with 500 ATK and DEF, plus the bonuses applied to them if they were monsters equipped with their own Spell card forms. Five figures of white flame appear in front of Gekko. Banias protests that Gekko didn't use all those Equip cards and must have miscounted, but Keith knows what's happened - Gekko's been using his "Graceful Charity" to put his Equip cards into his Graveyard. He thinks that this is bad. Banias tells Gekko that all his monsters are just small fry, and they can't take down his "Assault Lion." Then he realizes that Gekko must be planning to use them as a defense to survive another turn. But it won't work: Banias's face-down card is "Stop Defense." If he puts even one of the monsters into Attack Position, Gekko's dead, and it's all over on the next turn.

Gekko warns Banias that there is no "next turn." He told him - the Duel ends now. He asks Banias to let him show him his face-down card, and Keith realizes what the card is as Gekko activates "Power Connection." All of his monsters will gain 500 ATK for each other monster of the same type, 2000 points each. Both "Spirit Slayer" and "Neon Laser Blaster" rise to 3000 ATK, while all the others rise to 2500. Banias screams in horror as "Spirit Slayer" attacks "Assault Lion," using its effect to lower "Assault Lion's" ATK by 500, to 2600, allowing "Spirit Slayer" to destroy it and reduce Bainas to 3600 Life Points. He stutters that this is the strategy of a "Perfect Duelist" as the rest of Gekko's monsters wipe out his remaining Life Points. Gekko tells Banias that he loses. Yugi and Anzu rush over to him, and Yugi congratulates Gekko. Gekko thanks Yugi for believing in him until the end. He couldn't have fought if Yugi hadn't. Yugi suggests that they fight together from now on, and Gekko agrees, smiling.

Still down on his knees, Banias mutters that Gekko wiped the floor with him. Keith suddenly kicks him under the chin, furiously asking what kind of Duelist he is. Banias crashes through a glass wall, and Keith yells that Banias was supposed to thrash Gekko, asking him how he could lose that match. He yells that this is why Banias owes him so much money, and Banias calls himself a Card Professor. He picks Banias up by his collar, telling him that his debt just doubled. Banias, however, has passed out. Keith looks sideways at Yugi and Gekko before dropping Banias. Yugi tells him to give them the key card so that they can get to the next block, or is he going to fight them next? Bandit Keith tells them to hold their horses - he doesn't have a key card. Yugi and Gekko blanch, but Keith explains that he doesn't need one. He'll take them right to Yako Tenma.

Meanwhile, Jonouchi and Honda scale another flight of stairs, running into a girl in a schoolgirl outfit buying a drink from a vending machine. Jonouchi yells that he finally found her, asking if she's the Card Professor for the block. The girl swallows nervously, and Honda notes that she seems kinda shy, as Jonouchi readies his Duel Disk. The girl turns and flees, much to their shock. Jonouchi wonders what she's doing, and Honda rushes after the girl, telling "Katsuya" (he normally calls him by his last name, Jonouchi) to go after her. The panicked girl reaches an elevator, but the button doesn't work, and Jonouchi and Honda catch up with her. Honda asks her why she's running, and the girl admits that she doesn't know. She apologizes, explaining that she's a little scared of Duelists. Jonouchi asks if she's really the Duelist that is in charge of this block.

The girl admits that she is. She told everyone in the Guild that she wasn't good enough, but they said that she had to, so here she is. Honda and Jonouchi note that she doesn't have any fighting spirit, even as the girl states that since she's here she'll do her best. Honda speaks up, asking because he thinks she looks like she'll say yes, will she just give them the key card? The girl admits that she doesn't know why they're here, but she refuses. She made a promise. Jonouchi figures that she doesn't look so tough, so he can hurry up and beat her.

The girl smiles, and Jonouchi gets flustered. He then states that they'll do this proper, introducing himself as Katsuya Jonouchi. The girl introduces herself as Reiko Kitamori, and bows politely, asking him to go easy on her. Jonouchi tells himself to stay focused, and the Duel begins.

Depre Scott and Richie Merced confront Yugi and Gekko. Dark Yugi entrusts the Duel to Yugi and he and Depre begin.

Depre's strategy using "Cosmic Space" is put into action, and monsters can only survive with Life Star Counters. Dark Yugi believes Yugi's trapped "Toy Magician" to be the key to victory. Depre's strategy with Life Star Counters is thrown when Yugi rescues his trapped "Toy Magician". Using a combination of Spell Cards, Depre is defeated.

As Yako shows his "The Wicked Avatar" card to Kaiba, Gekko and Yugi approach Depre Scott as "Cosmic Space" disappears. Kaiba repeats "your 'God?'". He angrily asks if Yako expects him to believe that. There are only three God cards, "Slifer," "Obelisk," and "Ra," and Yugi has them all. There had only been three Gods drawn on the ancient Egyptian stele that Pegasus used as the theme for his God cards. There can't be any other God cards, Kaiba says. Yako replies that the Wicked Gods are real. Holding up "Avatar" he explains that they are cards that Pegasus disavowed, Gods which were never meant to exist. Kaiba is surprised, and Yako further explains that Pegasus created the Egyptian God cards, but they surpassed even his expectations, so powerful that they seemed to be truly possessed by the Gods. For that reason, it is said that Pegasus agonized over them, and even tried to destroy them by his own hand. Kaiba snorts, calling Pegasus a coward. Yako admits that in the end, Pegasus loved his creations too much to destroy them, and instead sealed them away in Egypt, where Duel Monsters originated. Though he believes Kaiba knows more than he of what came after.

But it isn't the end of the story; Pegasus created something for use in the event that the God cards went on a rampage. He designned other Gods - Yako's Gods - in order to keep the original three Gods in check. As he explains this, both "Avatar" and "The Wicked Dreadroot" are shown behind him, along with a third, serpentine creature lined with spikes. Kaiba is shocked that the Wicked Gods were designed to keep the God ards in check, and asks if Yako's telling him that they're just as strong as the original three God cards. Yako states that he is. He softly comments that if only Pegasus hadn't stopped at the design stage, if only he had released them... He'll never understand why he didn't. Kaiba knows - the power was great enough to frighten even Pegasus. Yako then claims that he knows why he left them unreleased, he left them for him. Yako carried out Pegasus's will, and poured it into the Wicked God cards. He raises "Avatar" again, declaring that this is the God that will pass judgement on Yugi Muto. But Kaiba just laughs, commenting that the cards aren't so bad, but they won't be enough for him to take down Yugi Muto. Even Yako's brother Gekko is a better Duelist than Yako. His right eye bulging, Yako declares that he surpassed Gekko the moment he got the cards. He will be Yugi, even if no-one else can, he will. Now that he has the Gods, why not test Yako? Kaiba agrees - he'll take Yako down and then tame his God with his own hands. Yako asks them where they shall Duel, and Kaiba turns, telling Yako to follow him. They'll go to the Apex Arena.

Down in the lower levels of the building, a frustrated Depre clenches his fists as tears run down his face. As Yugi states that that's the match and he walks forward with Gekko, Depre screams that he can't lose to him. Master Pegasus is all they have. If it weren't for Yugi, Master Pegasus would never have left them. As Richie Merced helps Depre to his feet, Depre sobs that he just wanted to see the Master just once more. Richie asks if he can get some helo here, and two Industrial Illusions suits rush over. Richie talls them to take care of Depre, and the suits carry the defeated card professor away. Richie admits that's the first time he's seen Yugi Duel, and the rumors don't lie. To think that he beat Depre... Yugi states that he can't lose, not until they save Anzu. Richie remarks that that's how Depre thought too. To him; no, to all of the kids Pegasus raised, he was something like the sun. Without him, they can't survive. All Depre wanted was to see Pegasus again. Yugi guesses he'll be fighting Richie next, but Richie admits that he would do that if he was fighting for Depre, but he isn't. Depre was a fellow card professor, but he won't put his neck on the line to avenge Depre, it's not his style. Card professors only meet up when they're fighting, they win or lose, and that's it. This stuff happens.

But it's Gekko that Richie wants to fight. He's a traitor - betraying everyone raised by Pegasus. Gekko seems surprised, but tells Yugi that he'll handle this. He states that he knows how he feels about Pegasus, but they can't drag others into this. Not Yugi, Miss Mazaki, or the KaibaCorporation. This is something that they should have dealt with themselves, but Yako had to involve innocents. Richie asks what do they care who they use or whose stuff they take. They live for Master Pegasus, and outsiders don't matter. Gekko yells that Pegasus would never allow that sort of thing, and Richie states that they'll ask him when they see him. If he doesn't like it, he can try and stop him. Raising his black Duel Disk, he tells Gekko to come on and Duel. Gekko waits for a while, but Richie is set on fighting, so he begins the Duel.

Gekko starts, drawing, then Setting two cards and Summoning "Learning Elf" in Defense Position, ending his turn. Richie asks if he calls that a monster, and draws, Setting two cards of his own, and Summoning "Twin Gunfighter." He orders his monster to kil the Elf, and "Twin Gunfighter" attacks with Double Fire. Gekko reveals a Set card, "Shield Reflector" and one of the bullets bounces off the shield, reflected back at Richie. Richie laughs, commenting "right back at you!" and activates his Set "Mirage" The bullet passes through a mirage of Richie, and Richie comments that nothing they can do will target him. He grins, asking Gekko what the matter is.

He got by without a scratch, but it looks like Gekko took a bad hit there. A smoking hole fades from Gekko's chest, as Richie explains that one of "Twin Gunfighter's" pistols is always aimed at his chest,nd Gekko's Life Points are reduced to 2400 (the effect of "Twin Gunfighter" is explained on the card to inflict damage equal to its ATK). Yugi thinks that this could get hairy. Richie remarks that Gekko used to be good. There was a time where Pegasus called him the "Perfect Duelist" and where Richie couldn't beat him no matter how hard he tried.

But he left Master Pegasus and fought countless Duelists as a card professor. He climbed all the way to the top spot in the card professor's Guild, he fought hard, and eanred this black Duel Disk. He raises the Duel Disk, explaining that the Disk is only used by the number one card professor. Gekko may have been perfect once, but that's ancient history. He'll prove it to Gekko, and after that, he'll be the one that Master Pegasus calls the "Perfect Duelist". Gekko just sadly says Richie's name.

Richie reiterates that only the highest ranked Card Professor gets to use a black Duel Disk. He calls black the sum of all colours, and like a black belt in karate, the Duel Disk is proof that he's mastered all the training a Duelist can have. Gekko and Yugi just stare ack at him, and Richie declares that the Duel Disk's black gleam will blot out their white, shining hope of victory. Gekko simply murmur's Richie's name.

The score stands with Gekko on 2400 Life Points, and Richie still on his full 4000. Yugi thinks that Gekko is fighting to rescue Anzu, to stop this insane plan of summoning Pegasus, and most of all, to get his old brother back. He thinks that Gekko has to win this as Gekko declares his turn. Drawing his card, he Sets a card face-down, and then tells Richie to prepare to face "Wonderbeat Elf," explaining that it can deliver an extra attack for each other "Elf" present. Yugi thinks that this is good - Gekko has "Learning Elf" on his field, so "Wonderbeat Elf" can take down "Twin Gunfighter" with its first attack, and make a direct attack on Richie with the second. Gekko orders his Elf to attack, and Richie activates a Trap Card, "Theft Whip," allowing him to gain control of Gekko's Equip Card, taking "Shield Reflector" from "Learning Elf," and then equipping it to "Twin Gunfighter." The shields effect means that "Twin Gunfighter" will only have half the damage applied to it, while the other half is directed at Gekko. "Twin Gunifghter survives, will Gekko takes half of "Wonderbeat Elf's" ATK as damage, 850, reducing him to 1550 Life Points. And, as Richie points out, "Wonderbeat Elf's" special ability will force it to attack again, and Gekko is reduced to 700 Life Points. Yugi is horrified - "Wonderbeat Elf's" special power backfired.

Chuckling, Richie comments that it looks like the gap is getting wider. From what he's seeing, Gekko's Deck is made up of Effect Monsters with lower ATK, but powerful abilities. Richie's Deck is built along the same lines, but only a few turns in, and look at the gap in their Life Points. He wonders if his draw was lucky, or there's a difference in skill here. Gekko admits that Richie may be right about that. After they lost Master Pegasus, he stepped in to rebuild Industrial Illusions in his place, while Richie became a Card Professor and devoted himself to fighting in order to defeat Yugi. Richie asks if Gekko's losing because he didn't have time to practice, and comments that it sounds like somebody's making excuses. Gekko asks Richie, doesn't he see? His growth is a direct result of losing Master Pegasus. Richie is shocked, and Gekko continues, explaining that Pegasus raised them, but now they've learned to stand on their own twoo feet. And now Richie wants to bring him back at the cost of someone else's life? So they can depend on him for everything the way they did before. Richie yells at him to shut his mouth, asking if Gekko is telling him it's good that Pegasus died. Gekko states that of course not, he's only saying they can't stay Pegasus's children for ever. Richie screams that he's wrong. A world without Master Pegasus isn't worth living in. They lost someone important to them, and they're taking him back. That's all there is to it. Gekko angrily says Richie's name, and Richie states that Gekko has changed. He's not like the rest of them. And if that's the case, he has to defeat him.

He draws, beginning his turn, and Summons "Pierce Musketeer," telling Gekko to take this. Both of his monsters attack, and Yugi yells his name. Gekko counters with his Trap, "Holy Sacrifice," using "Learning Elf" to absorb all the damage and destroying it. Richie calls Gekko a wise guy, as Gekko draws a card with "Learning Elf's" effect. Relieved Yugi observes that Gekko managed to get through the turn without taking any damage. Richie Sets a card face-down, and ends his turn. Gekko begins his turn, and activates "Owner's Seal," returning control of "Shield Reflector" to him. Richie realizes that he won't be able to inflict any damage with the Shield up, and then Gekko tells Richie that they had no relatives. Their lord, Master Pegasus, was their only family. They both know how much it hurts to lose someone that special. They mustn't let it happen to anyone. else. Declaring that this is it, he activates a face-down card, "Sacrifice of Grave Goods," which allows him to count a Tributed monster's Equip Card as an additional sacrifice. He Tributes both "Wonderbeat Elf" and the equipped "Shield Reflector" as two Tributes, and Richie lookson in shock as Gekko Summons "Angel O7," a Level 7 monster. Richie notes on horror that "Angel O7's" effect will neutralize the effects of his own monsters. Gekko orders "Angel O7" to attack with Angel Beam Buster, destroying "Twin Gunfighter" and reducing Richie to 3100 Life Points, as Richie angrily reflects that the effect of "Mirage" doesn't prevent Battle Damage from when monsters battle. Yugi thinks that Gekko's making a comeback as Gekko Sets a card to end his turn. He tells Richie it's his move.

A frustrated Richie draws, thinking that "Angel O7" is the worst kind of enemy he could face due to his Deck being, as he'd said, mainly being made up of Effect Monsters. Setting a card, he also Summons "Grenadier" in Defense Position, switches "Pierce Musketeer" to Defense Position, and ends his turn, causing the effect of "Mirage" to expire. Gekko draws, Summoning "Boomerang Elf" and ordering his monsters to attack. Richie's monsters are destroyed, and Yugi thinks that while Gekko didn't inflict any damage, he wiped out all of Gekko's monsters and he has the upper hand. Gekko tells Richie that it's his turn. But Richie states that on this turn, he won't do a thing, and ends his turn without making a move. Yugi is shocked, but Gekko tells him it's over. Declaring his turn, he attacks, thinking that Richie will let them pass. Richie smirks, activating both his Set card, and blotting out the area with a blaze of light. A horrified Gekko can only gasp, asking Richie how he... Gekko's Life Points have been reduced to zero, much to Yugi's horror.

Jonouchi and Honda each land a punch as the elevator doors open, knocking out one of the guards. As the guards body crashes to the ground, Saruwatari recognizes his old enemies, and Jonouchi cracks his knuckles, asking if they're going to get in his way too. As he knocks down one man and kicks Saruwatari in the chin, Honda asks Mokuba which they they go. Mokuba, still holding his hacking device, directs them, and Honda yells at Jonouchi to stop beating up dudes - the exit's this way. Jonouchi is a little annoyed they didn't tell him earlier, and flees with the guards on his tail, forcing him to turn and kick them to the ground. Saruwatari yells that they can't let them reach the Duel Ring Server, and orders his men after them. Jonouchi muses that he's been Dueling for so long that it's been a while since he's been in an actual fight, though he thinks that Yugi is winning his way up by Dueling, isn't he?

Unfortunately, his thoughts couldn't be further from the truth, as Yugi looks in horror at Gekko, who sinks to his knees, having lost the duel to Richie. Richie chuckles, and tells Gekko that he wins. Gritting his teeth, Gekko looks up at Richie, who explains that he was in too much of a hurry to win, which was why he lost.

The scene flashes back to where it left off at the end of the previous chapter before the flash of light. Gekkos had attacked with his "Boomerang Elf" and "Angel O7," thinking that Richie would let them pass. Richie activated a Trap Card, "Dazzling Radiance," the Trap that caused the glare of light from the previous chapter, which Richie explains will dazzle Gekko's monsters and cause them to attack one another, with "Boomerang Elf" ending up on Richie's field, though the excess damage will still go to Gekko. Yugi is horrified, but Gekko activated his own Trap, "Amulet of Affection" to reduce the damage to zero. However, instead of hitting "Boomerang Elf," "Angel O7's" "Angel Beam Buster" hits Richie, reducing his Life Points to 600. Gekko is shocked that Richie ended up getting hit, and Richie explains that he activated "Grazing Bullet," causing the attack of the monster standing in front of each player to attack that player. Then "Boomerang Elf's" boomerang hits Gekko, reducing his Life Points to zero.

Yugi walks up to Gekko in shock and tries to console him, and Richie comments that Gekko wasn't Dueling the way he normally was, otherwise he'd have countered the move. The reason he didn't was because, unlike the other orphans, Gekko still has his brother. Gekko is shocked, and Richie explains that his desire to save Yako made him act without thinking. Yugi refuses to believe it, asking if Gekko lost because he cared about his only brother? How is that different from Richie, who is fighting for Pegasus? Richie explains that he fights for Pegasus, but not to protect him like Gekko was for Yako. When he was a kid, his world was dirt and trash, and he crawled in the slime like he wasn't even alive. The one who taught him to live - as a Duelist - was Pegasus (a flashback shows a younger Richie being given his deck by Pegasus). He declares that Pegasus gave him his life, so he's fighting to give him back his. This was a Duel of wills.

He turns to leave, declaring that he's not some spoiled kid who's scared of losing. Yugi yells at him to wait, and Richie turns, asking if Yugi remembers his promise. He agreed to have Gekko fight for him, and he lost. This is as far as he goes. Yugi freezes up, and Gekko begins to cry, tears hitting the floor. Yugi cries for Richie to wait, but Richie leaves, closing the door behind him. Gekko screams in frustration, burying his hands in his hair, and apologizes. It's all his fault. He's so sorry. Yugi looks at him in horror and runs to the door, begging someone to open the door. They have to get to Yako. IF they don't, he won't be able to save Anzu... He screams "Nooooo!!!" as tears form in his eyes.

Richie walks down the hallway, and an Industrial Illusions suit congratulates him. Richie simply replies "Yeah..." before asking what the situation is like. The suit states that, according to Yako, the final Phase of the Project is about to begin. Richie is surprised, but the suit admits that there's a slight problem. Mokuba Kaiba and the Duelist Jonouchi have teamed up, and appear to be heading to the Duel Ring Server.

Richie is furious that they can't stop them, and decides to deal with it himself, asking where they are. Up on a walkway, Bandit Keith overhears them, and he grins, before leaping off the balcony two floors up with a Duel Disk on his arm. Richie appears to notice him, but Keith punches him across the face and sends him flying, telling him to take that. The suit yells his master's name as Richie is thrown across the ground.

Bandit Keith thanks him for the favour, claiming that it's payback for before, before breaking out on coarse laughter. Richie, being tended to by the suit angrily calls Bandit Keith a lousy old man. He just had to do it, didn't he? He lashes out with a kick from the floor, but Keith dodges with ease, and Richie angrily yells that Keith is nothing more than a guinea pig for Pegasus's summoning. Does he want to go back to being a corpse? Swearing, Keith asks who cares about their experiments. The reason he's alive right now, is so that he can get revenge on the people who made a fool out of him, and now that one of them is out of the picture, he's got one target left - Jonouchi. No way is he giving him to Richie. He grins, admitting that he just got back to this world, and isn't used to all the new game rules yet. This time, Richie's his guinea pig. As Richie gets up, pushing the suit away, Bandit Keith tells Richie Merced to prepare to Duel.

Mokuba holds the door to the Duel Ring Server open for Jonouchi and Honda. Three Industrial Illusions suits are in close pursuit, ordering them to stop. Mokuba hits the door lock just in time, closing it and causing the three suits to crash into it. Wiping his chin, Jonouchi comments that they finally made it. Isono turns and sees them, and is gratified to see Mokuba, who greets them. Jonouchi looks up at the Duel Ring Server for the first time and shivers. He wonders if it's just him, or is it freezing in here. His and Honda's breath fog up as Honda admits that now that he mentions it... Mokuba, however, is perplexed by amount of heat in the room being given off by the Duel Ring Server, and the cooling system can't keep up. Any more of this and it'll overheat. One of the KaibaCorp employees explains that the Industrial Illusions people input data for some new cards, and it's been using all its processing power to perform strange calculations ever since. Mokuba angrily slams his hand on a console, angrily asking what those jerks are doing with their Duel Ring Server. That's not all, the employee adds. Since Master Seto went up to Duel at the Apex Arena, it's gotten even worse. Mokuba is surprised that his brother is Dueling, and realizes that he must be Dueling with Tenma. Jonouchi overhears them, and Mokuba immediately sets up a video link with the arena. On the screen they see a black monster and asks what it is, before Mokuba cries "big brother!"

"The Wicked Avatar's" massive fist slams into Kaiba, knocking him backwards. Kaiba screams in horror as his Life Points are reduced to zero, and manages to keep his footing. Yako smiles in satisfaction, as Kaiba asks himself if he just lost to a weak Duelist like Tenma. He looks up at "The Wicked Avatar" and "The Wicked Dreadroot," asking himself if he was defeated by that Wicked God with its insane power. Gritting his teeth, he wonders if this means that this worthless upstart will win his Corporation and use it for his own purposes. Looking at his shadow, he tells himself that he built this building to challenge Yugi to their fated Duel, remembering Yugi telling him that it was destiny that they fight, he'd been waiting for their Duel for 3000 years. He also thinks that he built the building as the first foundation to fulfill his and Mokuba's dream of building amusement parks worldwide for people to enjoy. All those hopes are being swallowed by the Wicked Gods. A black "Blue-Eyes White Dragon" emerges from his shadow and roars at Kaiba, and he screams in terror.

As Kaiba holds his hand over his left eye, Yako walks over to him, telling him that since Yugi Mutou was unable to reach him, he's glad that he got to Duel him. In all the Duels that took place in the building, and especially in their Duel which became more than a battle of Gods, in all of them shone the souls of Master Pegasus's cards. As "The Wicked Avatar" hovers over him, now back in its dark sun form, he states that now, the final battle of the Wicked Gods comes to a close. The light of all these cards will become Master Pegasus's avatar and restore him to life. He tells the living corpse, the guinea pig of their experiment to Summon the final Wicked God, and offer its energy to Master Pegasus's avatar!

Richie Merced can only gasp in horror, with "Twin Gunfighter" and two Set cards out as a blaze of dark power glares out from behind Bandit Keith. He has a Wicked God? asks Richie. The Wicked God, a sickly looking serpentine draconian beast blasted out a stream of power from a massive beak atop its demonic second face, shredding "Twin Gunfighter" as Keith tells Richie to behold "The Wicked Eraser!" He comments that he hates to break it to Richie, but he's the number one Card Professor.

A massive explosion sounds at the top of the building, and Yako laughs, asking Kaiba if he's watching. Can he feel it, the beautiful burning of his soul. Looking up at him, still on his knees, Kaiba grits his teeth. Right eye bulging, Yako declares that right here, right now, he summons thee. Rebirth of Avatar! Lightning surrounds "The Wicked Avatar" as Willa Mette watches from below, observing that the Duel's over, but the "Avatar's" still there. He wonders if Rebirth of Avatar has started, while down below, power flows into the helmet connected to Anzu.

In the Duel Ring Server control room, Mokuba slams his fists onto a console, frustrated at his brother's loss. He observes that the Duel Ring Server is howling, Yako must have started something. Jonouchi angrily asks, what about Yugi, where is he? Did he actually lose? He begs Mokuba to find Yugi, and Mokuba nods. Still where he was before, Yugi has failed to open another door, when he hears Anzu's voice. He quickly puts her card onto his Duel Disk and she appears in the air. Yugi asks Anzu what is wrong, and she replies that she's scared, something is rushing into her. She begins to fade, asking Yugi if she's going to disappear, and they reach out for one another as she fades fully. Yugi screams her name with tears in her eyes. Jonouchi's voice sounds out from the videoscreen at the wall, and Yugi answers. Tearing up, he tries to tell Jonouchi about Anzu, but Jonouchi tells him that this is no time for crying. Yako's started his Project, and he beat Kaiba too, so things aren't looking so good. Yugi is shocked that even Kaiba was beaten. One of the employees states that they've nearly recovered full control of the skyscraper, but the Duel Ring Server won't accept Master Mokuba's control codes. Mokuba mutters that he'll get Yako for this. One of the employees tells Mokuba that all the data in the Duel Ring Server is being downloaded to one place. Mokuba asks where, but then he finds it - Anzu Mazaki, who is on the floor above them. Jonouchi contacts Yugi to tell him that he's found Anzu, telling Yugi to leave her to them. He should just hurry and get up to the roof where Yako is. He opens the way for Yugi, and tells him there isn't a moment to waste - get up there and kick Yako's ass!

Wiping his tears away, Yugi agrees, and turns to Gekko, who still kneels defeated on the walkway, telling him to come on. Gekko replies that he's already lost, and mustn't go any further. Yugi tells Gekko not to say that, he's got a path right in front of him, and if he doesn't keep going, he can't save Yako. He tells him to think back to when he decided to fight with Yugi, and Gekko does so. Yugi tells him that if he still feels the way he did then, come with him. Gritting his teeth, Gekko rises, and admits that Yugi is right. He wasn't fighting Yako to determine which was the stronger, but to free him from the curse of the Wicked Gods. The two smile at each other, and then run through the door, yelling "let's go!"

As Yugi and Gekko race down a corridor, a man leaning against a way is shocked that they made it up to this floor, calling them losers. He hadn't heard anything about losers getting a second chance, but they're here, and he can't just ignore them. Gekko grits his teeth, realizing that the man is a Card Professor, and Yugi rushes forwards as the Millennium Puzzle glows. Dark Yugi orders the Card Professor out of the way. Whether or not they Duel is not shown (though it is later implied that they did) as Dark Yugi finishes the Card Professor off with a single blast from "Slifer the Sky Dragon, and thinks that they're coming.

At the Apex Arena, as the stream of lightning passes through "The Wicked Avatar" through the floor, Yako declares that the resurrection has begun, laughing. Kaiba is still on his knees, and Willa Mette can only watch in shock as the power stream is shown to pass into Anzu. Yako asks Kaiba if he sees, if he hears. Each card contains a piece of its creator's soul, and now those pieces are shimmering with the power of the Duels. Right now, the Duel Ring Server is distilling that power, and pouring it into Anzu Mazaki. Right now, that soul is in chaos, but when it enters a human body, it will regain consciousness and come to life. He holds up a card bearing the image of Pegasus, explaining that it will be the trigger to bring Master Pegasus back to life. Telling Kaiba to behold the culmination of the R.A. Project, he raises the card, declaring that he Summons Master Pegasus, and placing the card into his Duel Disk, where it flares with electricity.

"The Wicked Avatar" sends out a wave of power, and Willa wonders what's going on as "Avatar" begins to swirl, and Yako, his right eye completely white, gasps happily as black smoke begins to fork out from "Avatar," forming the body of Pegasus. But with only part of his head to form, "The Wicked Avatar" suddenly begins to vanish. Willa observes that it's like Pegasus is frozen in the middle of summoning. Yako cries his Master's name, but then he hears Kaiba say something. Frantically, Yako grabs Kaiba by the coat lapels, screaming that Kaiba said something; Yako heard him. What did he say? Then he hears Mokuba's voice from Kaiba's lapel radio, explaining that they stopped the Duel Ring Server. Laughing weakly, Kaiba states that while Yako created that weird program, he was able to put an end to it. Yako is horrified, and he protests that once it was activated, no-one should have been able to stop it from the outside. Kaiba explains; he doesn't know who, but someone is still fighting in the building, so he was able to send a program stop order into the Duel Ring Server, piggybacking it on the monster data from the Duel, which also seems to have affected Yako's precious Wicked God cards as well. Yako screams "You filthy...!" as he shoves Kaiba off the Apex Arena. Willa yells at him to look out, and successfully catches Kaiba's falling body. Yako turns back to Pegasus in horror, and begs him to open his eyes and look at him. But the damage is done, and the image of Pegasus bursts and fades. Yako can only scream in horror. Willa observes that both Pegasus and "The Wicked Avatar" disappeared, so the R.A. Project must be a failure. Yako sinks to his knees, his jacket falling open, but then he remembers that Kaiba had said there was still someone Dueling in the building, and then he smiles in relief as thunder rumbles in the night sky.

In the ventilation ducts, Jonouchi yells in pain after Honda accidentally kicks him in the face. Honda apologizes, and Jonouchi mutters that it's too tight in there. Honda reminds him that it was this or nothing, as there were Industrial Illusions goons waiting right outside that room. If they're going up to where Anzu is, the ventilation ducts are the only way. Jonouchi reluctantly agrees, but claims that he's a little claustrophobic, and that he hates the dark. Honda's response is another accidential kick in the face, much to Jonouchi's fury. Then suddenly, he hears voices coming from a side duct, and sees Dark Yugi standing with Gekko, who are looking in shock at someone. Seeing Gekko, he kicks out the duct hatch and leaps down to the ground, landing in a crouch, much to the surprise of Gekko and Yugi. Charging, Jonouchi tells Yugi to step aside. Yugi tries to tell him to wait, and Gekko seems surprised, before realizing what's happening as Jonouchi punches him across the face, knocking him across the floor and into the wall. Jonouchi tells Tenma to get on his feet; he's got plenty more where that came from. Before he can hit him again, Dark Yugi grabs his arm, telling him to stop. Jonouchi tells Yugi not to stop him, but Dark Yugi replies that that isn't him. Jonouchi is confused, it's obviously Tenma. But Yugi is on his knees, asking Gekko if he's okay. As Jonouchi regards the situation in confusion, Dark Yugi explains that this is Yako Tenma's twin brother, Gekko Tenma. They fought their way up together. Jonouchi is shocked that Yako had a twin, and sheepishly apologizes for decking Gekko. Gekko replies that he deserves to be hit, but Jonouchi is still apologetic as Honda leaps down from the ducts. He sees who Dark Yugi and Gekko were looking at, and mutters that this is getting really weird.

The person the two had been looking at, Bandit Keith, laughs, commenting that he finally came out of hiding. Jonouchi, meanwhile, is being filled in by Gekko on the situation, learning that Yako changed after getting the Wicked Gods, while Honda tries to fill Jonouchi in on the situation. Gekko explains that he thought, if they could take the Wicked Gods away from him, he might go back to normal, Jonouchi finishes (Honda still attempts to warn Jonouchi). Keith laughs, sticking out his tongue, commenting that he hasn't felt this good since he first woke up. Jonouchi's go the gist of things, and tells Yugi and Gekko to go and get Yako (even as they attempt to warn him about Keith), while Honda asks him what's wrong.

Jonouchi tells him to get his butt in gear and go save Anzu. He tells them to move it, and Keith is furious that Jonouchi is ignoring him, bellowing at Jonouchi to turn and face him, or he'll put a bullet between his eyes. Everyone except Jonouchi flinches and turns towards Keith, and Jonouchi remarks that the bit players just won't shut up today. He then comments, speak of the devil, if it isn't Keith, the guy who used to be the all-American champion - back in the Stone Age. Keith warns Jonouchi that he came back to this world to destroy him. Jonouchi gets serious, telling Yugi to let him take care of this, while he hurries up and goes. He tells him not to worry about Jonouchi, he'll go help save Anzu in just a bit. He points out that he already beat Keith once, he knows exactly how this is going to go. Dark Yugi smiles, telling Jonouchi to beat him, but warning him not to get careless. Jonouchi tells him, he bets, and Dark Yugi turns and runs, with Gekko starting after him. Bandit Keith admits that he never thought it'd feel so good to see the man he hates most in all the world.

Yugi reaches the top of KaibaCorp, ready to begin the final confrontation with Yako. Yugi Summons "Arcana Knight Joker", but Yako's Deck now contains all three "Wicked Gods". He begins with the Summoning of "The Wicked Eraser". Yugi is faced with the "The Wicked Eraser". Yako Tributes it to clear the field and the brings out "The Wicked Avatar".

Dark Yugi is forced to stall using "Swords of Revealing Light". "Obelisk the Tormentor" faces the "The Wicked Avatar". Yugi plays "Divine Evolution", evolving "Obelisk" into a greater form. The Wicked Gods are defeated, and with them, their influence over Yako. Yako and Yugi agree to complete the Duel for fun. With both Duelists pushed to their limits after a long and harrowing Duel, Yugi is set to finish his battle with Yako. Summoning one monster after another, Yugi is put into a tight spot. He wins the duel againstYako,and reunites with Anzu. Everything goes back to normal,and Kaiba owns KaibaCorp again.

After finishing school for the day, the group head to the Museum and Dark Yugi holds the God Cards up to the Tablet. The blinding white light which emerges separates the two Yugis with Dark Yugi returning to Ancient Egypt while the normal Yugi remains behind in modern times, resulting in two physical bodies being created.

It's soon revealed that the Ancient Egypt is actually a RPG game world that Dark Bakura and his host, Ryo Bakura both created. Dark Yugi and Bakura are actually playing the game while Yugi, Anzu, Jonouchi and Honda are lying unconscious in various tombs.

In the game world, Yugi, Anzu, Jonouchi and Honda, having been teleported into the Ancient Egypt timeline thanks to Bobasa soon arrive at the Pharaoh's Tomb to look for Dark Yugi's true name but find Dark Bakura there, blocking their way.

As such, Yugi and Dark Bakura engage in a duel where the loser is banished to the shadows forever. Yugi surprises everyone by demonstrating how far he has come by cancelling out Dark Bakura's first two plans which if they had succeeded would have almost certainly killed Yugi.

Unfortunately, things are grim when Dark Bakura deploys a strategy which will destroy Yugi's deck. However, just when it looks bleak, Yugi produces "Gandora the Dragon of Destruction" and wins the duel, resulting in Dark Bakura being banished.

However, in the world, the real Dark Bakura launches an attack that triggers an earthquake and destroys the tomb as well as any hope of finding the Pharaoh's true name.

But it's soon revealed that the group managed to get out of the tomb and armed with their own Duel Disks,reunite with Dark Yugi who's left weakened after countless attacks from Zorc. They launch their own cards with Yugi choosing the Dark Magician to go up against Zorc but the dark God overpowers them. Just as Zorc prepares to attack, Hasan emerges, deflecting the blow, only to reveal that it's actually Shadi, a revelation that leaves the group stunned. As Shadi's body fades away, it becomes clear that one more strike from Zorc will mean that the long-waging fight will go in Zorc's favor and result in Yugi and the group dying.

Upon seeing the cartouche she gave him at the beginning of the "Memory World" manga, Anzu orders the group to think of what the hieroglyphs of and after a long struggle, Dark Yugi watches as his name is carved onto the cartouche and reveals that his name is Atem.

With their help, Dark Yugi manages to discover his true name: Atem and upon summoning the three Egyptian God Cards, Osiris the God of Heavens/Slifer the Sky Dragon, Ra, God of the Sun\The Sun Dragon Ra and Obelisk the Tormentor, Obelisk the God of the Earth, manages to fuse the three Gods together to create Horakhty, the ultimate god and creator of light who destroys Zorc in a single shot, a move that leaves everyone stunned.

Horakhty tells Atem that Yugi and his friends were the key to finally unlocking his long-forgotten name. However, while Yugi, Anzu, Jonouchi and Honda get to safety, Atem stays on, vowing to see the world through to its future. He eventually confronts Priest Seto who has fallen under the influence of his estranged father, Akhenaden, the High Priest of Darkness who committed suicide so that he could gain access to Seto's mind in hopes of fulfilling his wish on the Millennium Eye which was to make his son King.

A duel is called and Atem despite having nearly run of his Ka- the ability to summon monsters decides to fight, bringing the Dark Magician to his side while Akhenaden/Seto chooses the Blue-Eyes White Dragon.

However, as the Dark Magician attempts to destroy the stone slab of the Blue Eyes, Atem finds that Akhenaden/Seto's Blue Eyes has succeeded in destroying the Dark Magician's slab first which causes the Dark Magician to disappear. Akhenaden, using the Millennium Rod attempts to get the Blue Eyes to kill Atem who's been left vulnerable but Kisara, the human girl whose body possessed the Blue Dragon's spirit emerges at the last second, telling Seto he must not let himself be captured by the shadows. The Blue Eyes disappears, re-emerging into Seto's mind where it frees Seto by destroying Akhenaden who whispers, "Seto.." before disappearing forever.

Among the wreckage, Seto returns to his normal body and attempts to challenge Atem to a fair duel for the title of King but Atem who has no memories after this point given that in the first place, he originally sacrificed himself to kill Zorc begins disappearing. Before he vanishes, Atem gives Seto the Millennium Puzzle and expresses his hope that Seto will make the land great again and restore peace to the shattered country and after that, eventually disappears too.

Seto is left holding both the Millennium Rod and Puzzle, whispering "Pharaoh" as the Blue Eyes stands over him, guarding him.

In the modern world, Yugi, Jonouchi, Anzu and Honda who have been freed from the tombs are watching the game as well as the real Bakura who is unconscious. Atem then returns to Yugi's body where the others including Yugi greet him, relieved that he's back. They check on Bakura, only to find that it's the original good Bakura and after examining him, realize that he's out cold.

As Atem goes to grab the Millennium Puzzle, Yugi remarks that it's almost time to which Atem agrees.

A month later, Yugi, Anzu, Jonouchi, Honda, Bakura and Sugoroku along with Ryuji Otogi have descended on Egypt. While everyone gets into the holiday spirit, Yugi remarks on how he'll call Atem "the other me" up until the moment Atem leaves.

At Cairo International airport, the gang are trying to figure out how to get to the Valley of the Kings. Everyone's in good spirits except for Honda who has somehow managed to get the runs from drinking the water. The group get a surprise when Marik Ishtar and Rishid arrive and there's an emotional reunion involved as the group hadn't seen the two since Battle City.

With a raging sandstorm preventing them from getting to the Valley of the Kings, Marik's sister, Ishizu has arrived, having gotten a ship for them. While on board, Yugi soon figures out that in order for Atem to return, someone has to challenge the Pharaoh to a duel and win which leaves Jonouchi, Otogi and Anzu stunned and as the chosen one who rebuilt the Millennium Puzzle, Yugi realizes it falls into his hands to defeat Atem.

The next morning after Yugi and Atem have spent the reminder of the night assembling and designing their new respective decks for the upcoming duel, the ship arrives at the Valley of the Kings where everyone welcomes Atem home.

In the tomb where the duel will take place, Atem places the seven Millennium Items in the slab and as a result, both he and Yugi finally and permanently become two separate individuals in two different bodies. Once they've both split from one another, the two get ready for what will be the most difficult duel of their entire lives: their duel against each other.

Duelist Kingdom arc
Yugi defeated Joey in Duel Monsters at school and decided to invite Joey, Téa and Tristan to see his Grandpa's rare card, the "Blue-Eyes White Dragon", after school. Seto Kaiba, who overheard, kidnapping Grandpa and forced him into a Duel for his "Blue-Eyes", as he refused to trade or sell it. Yugi and his friends caught up after Solomon had already been defeated, and witnessed Kaiba tear-up the "Blue-Eyes White Dragon" in front of them. Outraged, Yugi challenged Kaiba to a Duel, and Solomon gave Yugi his Deck. Yugi dueled Kaiba as Yami Yugi and discovered Kaiba had the other three "Blue-Eyes White Dragons" in his Deck but defeated him using "Exodia the Forbidden One", taking Kaiba's title as the Duel Monsters World Champion.

Since Joey had been having trouble with winning in Duel Monsters, Yugi asked his grandfather to help train Joey. Maximillion Pegasus heard of Yugi's victory over Kaiba and sent him a videotape inviting him to participate in his Duelist Kingdom tournament. Pegasus appeared on the TV and dueled Yugi on the spot, while freezing everyone else in the room. Pegasus placed a time limit on the Duel and won because time ran out seconds before Yugi could claim victory. As a penalty for Yugi's defeat Pegasus stole Grandpa's soul.

Yugi entered the tournament in order to rescue Grandpa. At the pier, before boarding the ship to the tournament, he gave Joey one of his two Star Chips, allowing Joey to participate and help him.

On the ship, Yugi met Weevil Underwood, who acted friendly towards him and told Yugi that he knew of secret new rules to be introduced in the tournament. Shortly after Weevil left, Yugi gave Joey the "Time Wizard" card, telling him how it can be helpful in a tight spot. Yugi met Weevil again later and showed him his "Exodia" cards, which Weevil tossed overboard, to hinder Yugi's Deck. Joey jumped into the water to recover them, but after getting two of them was hit by the current and Yugi dove in to save him. Both of them were then rescued by the stowaways; Téa and Tristan, who threw them a rope ladder.

Once the tournament started, Yugi tracked down Weevil to get revenge, but Weevil fled, leading him into a forest. Yugi suspected this was to do with the new rules Weevil mentioned. Weevil led them to a meadow, where he accepted Yugi's challenge, as his monsters got Field Power Bonuses there. Yugi switched to Yami Yugi, who bet both his Deck and Star Chip, earning him Weevil's two Star Chips after he won.

Yugi cheered for Joey in his Duel against Mai. As Yami Yugi, he offered Joey abstract clues to help him win. Joey defeated Mai using the "Time Wizard" card, Yugi gave him.

While searching for food, Yugi and his friends, found fish Mako Tsunami had prepared. Unbeknownst to them, Mako had set it as bait to lure opponents, to where his monsters greatly benefit from the field. Mako then appeared, angered over them stealing his food. After Yugi introduced himself, Mako was happy to meet the duelists, who defeated Kaiba and shared the food with them. Yugi got up to leave, but Mako stopped him by throwing a harpoon in front of him and demanded a Duel. Yugi switched to Yami and defeated Mako, winning two more Star Chips.

Yugi and his friends saw a contestant, being forced to leave the island as he was out of Star Chips. The boy claimed they had been stolen, along with his Deck. He described the thief and where he met him. Yugi promised to get his Star Chips back, before the boat left the island. Back at the scene of the crime, they met the thief, who was Mokuba Kaiba with his face disguised. He dueled Yugi with five Star Chips on the line and Yami Yugi soon realized that he was Mokuba. Mokuba explained how Yugi humiliated his brother, causing him to leave, giving Pegasus an opportunity to take over KaibaCorp. Mokuba sought revenge on Yugi for this. Unable to win the Duel, he made a grab for Yugi's Star Chips, but Yami discouraged Mokuba and promised to help him and Seto.

The group made their way back to the bay, but the boat had already left. Mokuba showed Kemo that Yugi won back the Star Chips, but Kemo slapped them into the water, including some of Yugi's. Kemo grabbed Mokuba to take him back to Pegasus, but Yugi challenged Kemo to a Duel for Mokuba's freedom. Since Kemo wasn't a duelist, he told Yugi to come back in an hour (4 hours in the English version) and he'll have an opponent arranged for him.

Yugi returned to the spot and faced Ghost Kaiba, who pretended to be the actual Seto Kaiba and used his Deck. With the help of the real Kaiba, who weakened Ghost Kaiba's "Blue-Eyes White Dragons", via a virus, Yami Yugi won. Yugi retrieved Kaiba's Deck, but Kemo had already disappeared with Mokuba.

Yugi was not allowed to help Joey in his Duel with Rex Raptor. As the Duel started Yugi went to find Tristan, who left in a huff with Joey for accepting those conditions. Tristan reminded Yugi that he should still be at the Duel to offer Joey his friendship, so the two of them returned to watch.

That night, Mai shared her food with Yugi and his friends, although she promised that they would be enemies again tomorrow.

Ryo Bakura appeared at their campsite, shortly after Mai left for a walk. While the group talked about cards they own, that they an identify with, Yugi encouraged Téa to pick one for herself. Yugi picked the "Dark Magician" as his. After everyone had exchanged, which cards they recognize with, Bakura suggested that they play a friendly Duel, where Yugi includes the cards Joey, Tristan and Téa choose; "Flame Swordsman", "Cyber Commander" and "Magician of Faith" in his Deck and he can show them how his card, "Change of Heart" works. Bakura changed to Yami Bakura, who trapped the group's souls in the cards they selected. He proceeded to take Yugi's Millennium Puzzle, but Yami Yugi emerged. Yami faced Yami Bakura, in a Shadow Game, to return his friends, but staking his Millennium Puzzle.

Yugi's friends appeared in place of the monsters they selected as Yami Yugi Summoned them. When the "Dark Magician", Yugi was Summoned, the two Yugis met. In the Japanese version, Yugi was aware of Yami's existence and the two of them agreed now is not the time to keep secrets. In the English version, Yugi was unaware of Yami's existence until that time, though he said he often heard a powerful voice coming from the Millenium Puzzle when he dueled. Yugi told his friends of Yami's existence, that he is the spirit of the Millennium Puzzle and apologized for not telling them before. In the English version, Yugi admitted to having felt Yami's presence while he dueled and felt they could trust him. Yami managed to win the Duel, with the help of Ryo betraying Yami Bakura, returning everyone to normal, although Téa, Tristan and Joey believed the Duel to have been a dream. Yugi didn't take time to explain as they heard Mai scream at that point.

The group found the Eliminator, PaniK, who had just beaten Mai and taken all eight of her Star Chips. Yugi accused PaniK of being a coward and dueled him as Yami Yugi, winning back Mai's Star Chips. He offered them to Mai, who reluctantly took them back, remarking that she owed him one.

Later that night Kaiba arrived on the island and Yugi returned his Deck.

The next day, Mai left a letter explaining she had left and owes Yugi for winning back her Star Chips. Joey later got separated from his friends, who searched a cave after finding his wallet outside. After running from many traps, they found Joey in a Duel with Bonz. Joey won, but Bandit Keith's gang trapped Yugi and his friends in the cave, by sealing the entrance with a boulder.

Using Bakura's Millennium Ring as a guide, the friends found the Paradox Brothers guarding an exit. Yugi and Joey faced them in a Tag Duel to gain passage. After winning Yugi and Joey, each had enough Star Chips to enter the finals and Yami Yugi passed the brothers riddle test in order to exit.

At the stairs to Pegasus' castle, Téa pondered on Yugi's differing personalities and wondered if there could be two Yugis. Yugi admitted to feeling as though there is someone else living inside him, but hoped he wasn't going crazy.

At the top of the stairs, Kaiba blocked the way and talked Yugi into a Duel. Yami took control and faced Kaiba, using his Duel Disk technology. As Yami was about to win, Kaiba stood up on the edge of the castle, such that the shockwaves from Yugi's attack may cause him to fall to his death. (In the English version, Yugi spoke to Yami, telling him not to do it.) Yami contemplated, but in the end decided to attack. Téa ran to Yugi insisting that this isn't like him and calls for the ordinary Yugi to come out. Yugi took control in time to cancel the move. He fell to his knees, shocked by what he'd almost done. Kaiba took his turn and won the Duel, claiming five of Yugi's Star Chips.

Now fully aware of the other Yugi's existence, Yugi admitted it to his friends, telling them that he is doubt to the Duel, but Téa protested arguing that Yugi saved him and Kaiba is the real loser. After Kaiba left, Yugi continued to mope. Joey offered Yugi to take his Star Chips, so he may enter the finals, but Yugi ignored him. Frustrated Joey grabbed Yugi by the shirt, asking him if he cares about his Grandfather.

Mai appeared and was briefed in on what just happened. She offered Yugi her excessive Star Chips, as per her promise from earlier, but Yugi didn't even acknowledge Mai's appearance. Annoyed Mai told him to grow up and hang on to the Star Chips. She accused him of being afraid to Duel again and challenged him. Téa instead accepted the Duel, to win back Yugi's Star Chips.

Yugi began to slowly snap out of his depression as he watched Téa duel. After Mai surrendered, Yugi approached her about the face-down card she didn't use. Mai denied that she lost for him. (In the English version, she said that some cards just aren't worth playing.)

Inside the castle, the group were invited to watch Pegasus duel Kaiba. Seeing as Kaiba was dueling to save Mokuba, Yugi opted support to Kaiba. Kaiba was trapped in Pegasus' "Soul Prison" card, after his defeat. Yugi then shouted down to Pegasus' asking who he is to mess with people and their families like this.

The finalists along with Téa, Tristan and Bakura were treated to a meal that evening, where the finalists got paired-up. After the meal, Yugi gave Joey his "The Glory of the King's Hand", as it is mandatory for each finalist to possess either it or "The Glory of the King's Opposite Hand".

That night, Yugi was woken by his grandfather's voice, calling him. He followed it and found a "Soul Prison" card, with his grandfather's soul inside. Solomon warned him about Pegasus and is accompanied by the cards containing Seto and Mokuba Kaiba's souls. Yugi woke up afterwards, wondering if it was a dream.

Yugi faced Mai in the first Duel of the finals. Yami Yugi gives little effort to the Duel, as he worried about facing Pegasus. (In the English version, Yugi refused to let Yami duel, fearing how he may harm their opponent.) This resulted in Yugi playing poorly. Encouraging words from Mai returned the Yugis to the top of their game and allowed them to turn the Duel around and emerge with a win. Yugi cheered for Joey in his Duel against Bandit Keith.

Yugi faced Joey in the final round. Joey used all he learned from Yugi, but was still defeated by Yami Yugi. Afterwards Joey offered to give "The Glory of the King's Hand" back to Yugi, so he may claim the prize money. However Yugi declined, as he had entered to tournament with the intent of saving his grandfather and now the Kaiba brothers. The money was not important to him, but Joey needed it for his sister's eye operation.

Yugi advanced to duel Pegasus. At the start of the Duel, Yugi requested that the Kaiba brothers' souls be released as well as his grandfather's, if he wins. Pegasus accepted but indicated that he plans on taking Yugi's soul if he wins. Pegasus used his Millennium Eye to read Yami Yugi's mind during the Duel, but Yugi had an idea about countering Pegasus's powers by the risky strategy of having him and Yami switch minds each time they played a face-down card, thus preventing Pegasus from reading their strategy while running the risk that one of them would attempt something that would hinder the other's plans.

After the Yugis destroyed Pegasus' "Toon World" card, Pegasus transported them all into the Shadow Realm. In the Shadow Realm, Yugi lost his life energy while doing the mind shuffle strategy, lacking the spiritual strength to play on that level, and Pegasus continued successfully reading Yami's mind until Joey, Téa, and Tristan blocked his Millenium Eye. Yami defeats Pegasus, returning them both back from the Shadow Realm.

Pegasus disappeared after his Duel with Yugi. Determined to ensure the captive souls are returned, Yugi and his friends searched for Pegasus. They found a number of Pegasus' men carrying him away after he was assaulted by Yami Bakura. Croquet explained that he was attacked. (In the English version, he said that Pegasus had fallen ill.) Yugi and company headed to Pegasus' tower, where they found a diary entry addressed to new King of Duelists who defeats him, explaining why he created Duel Monsters. Yugi then spotted the three "Soul Prison" cards, which are now blank, meaning the souls are no longer imprisoned.

As he left the tower, Yugi bumped into Shadi, who used his Millennium Key to enter Yugi's mind. To Shadi's surprise he found two soul rooms; one for Yugi and one for Yami. Shadi wound up in a Shadow Game with Yami, but was rescued by Yugi. Yugi informed Shadi that he doesn't believe his other self intends to harm him and asked Yami to release Shadi from the game.

A door opened, leading them to a room lined with stone tablets of Duel Monsters. Yugi learned from Shadi that millennia ago, Egyptian kings played Shadow Games with real monsters and magic. After the games became a war that threatened to destroy the world, one brave pharaoh sealed the magic away. The duo were confronted by the Dark Magician. Shadi prepared to counter by Summoning the Blue-Eyes White Dragon. However Yugi insisted that the Dark Magician would never harm him and asked the magician to let them past. To Shadi's astonishment the magician complied. Seeing Yugi's control over the Dark Magician, Shadi believed he may be the chosen one.

Shadi returned himself and Yugi to outside Yugi's soul. Before disappearing, he told Yugi his name and claimed to have not told it to anyone before.

After the group found Mokuba was back to normal, Croquet handed Yugi the other prizes on behalf of Pegasus, who had been taken to hospital. Yugi received the card "The Ties of Friendship", was crowned the King of Games and also received the 3 million dollar check, which he gave to Joey for Serenity's eye operation.

Kaiba thanked Yugi for saving Mokuba and insisted that they have a fair Duel someday to determine who is the better duelist. Yami Yugi congratulated Yugi on saving everyone. (In the English version, Yugi pointed out that he doesn't even know Yami's name. Yami replied that he has been called many things such as Pharaoh, Yu-Gi-Oh and Yami. Yugi refered to him as Yami and said he is glad to call him his friend, while Yami was proud to be one.)

Yugi and his friends got a lift back to Domino City from Kaiba.

As Yugi brought his grandfather home from the hospital, the group was confronted by Rebecca Hawkins. She accused Solomon of stealing her grandfather's "Blue-Eyes White Dragon" and challenged him to a Duel. At Kaiba Land, Yugi faced Rebecca in the Duel, as his grandfather was unfit to play. The Duel turned out to be an exact repeat of the Duel their grandfathers played a long ago over a drink of water. Like how Solomon surrendered back then as Arthur needed the water more, Yugi surrendered to teach Rebecca about the Heart of the Cards. Just then, Arthur arrived, showed that Yugi could have won, and explained why he surrendered. After Rebecca apologized, Yugi gave her the card, "The Ties of Friendship".

Legendary Heroes arc
Mokuba arrived at Kame Game and informed Yugi and his friends that Kaiba's mind had been trapped in the Virtual World by The Big Five, while testing out a virtual reality machine that he created. Upon agreeing to help, Yugi, Joey, Téa, Tristan and Mokuba snuck into Kaiba's laboratory at the Adventure Game. Yugi, Joey and Mokuba got into pods to transport their minds to the virtual world, while Téa and Tristan kept guard.

Yugi, Joey and Mokuba appeared in a graveyard, where they were confronted by "Armored Zombie", "Clown Zombie" and "Dragon Zombie". They Summoned monsters to battle them, but the zombies kept reviving stronger than before. However Joey continued to attack them, until Yugi reminded him of his Duel with Bonz. So Joey played "Shield & Sword", dropping their DEF to 0 and Yugi finished off the zombies with "Dark Magician". Upon beating the zombies, they were each given a card displaying how much currency they have.

The trio spotted the fairy Iru, who guided them to a town. Here they heard that a prisoner, who may be Kaiba, had been taken to the Cave of Death. They were unable to travel there due to the sandstorm and a townsman informed them that they would need a "Niwatori" in order to cross that desert. Upon searching the town, they found a battle competition with "Niwatori" as a prize.

Yugi and Mokuba watched Joey Duel Madam Butterfly in the Coliseum. Once Joey found out that Madam Butterfly was Mai Valentine, Yugi and Mokuba ran over to them and explained what happened to Kaiba. Offering to help, Mai got her "Harpie Lady" to snatch the "Niwatori" card from the Coliseum owner and the four of them ran for the desert. At the edge of the desert, Mai played the "Niwatori" card, producing four large birds for them to ride on.

Once they crossed the desert, they reached the template at the Cave of Death. Inside they found themselves in a maze and were chased by "Labyrinth Tank". Yugi used "Magical Hats" to hide them and transport them to another part of the maze, where they met Iru and Edina. Iru guided the group to the exit, but it was guarded by "Gate Guardian". Yugi and Joey together Summoned "Black Skull Dragon" and equipped it with "Dragon Nails", making it strong enough to defeat "Gate Guardian". Outside the maze, a rescue party arrived and took Yugi and his friends to the palace as a reward for saving Edina.

At the palace Yugi and his friends learned that Edina was the queen of the land. (In the English version, she was a princess.) Edina informed them of a ritual where they must offer sacrifices to the Mythic Dragon. They learn that Edina is to be this kingdom's sacrifice and Kaiba is to be another kingdom's. Edina tells them of a legendary flying machine which can access the castle where Kaiba is and how she believed that Yugi and his friends are prophesized heroes who will destroy the Mythic Dragon. Yugi, Joey, Mai and Mokuba agreed to help and were given hero costumes to wear.[40]

On one of the battlements, they were attacked by monsters who were after the sacrifice. Yugi, Joey and Mai unsuccessfully tried fighting them off. However Mokuba, who had previously swapped clothes with Edina, was kidnapped instead. While trying to find a way to save Mokuba, Yugi noticed a recent storm had revealed the outlines of the flying machine on the floor below them. Yugi asked Edina how long ago the legend involving the flying machine took place. With the unlikelihood of the machine still working and not enough time to dig it up, Yugi hinted to Joey that they needed to restore it to the condition it was 1000 years ago, prompting Joey to use "Time Wizard" to take the machine back 1000 years.

Yugi, Joey and Mai flew the airship up to the castle. On the way they were attacked by monsters, which they countered by Summoning their own monsters. Yugi was attacked while his "Dark Magician" was too far away to save him. However Iru, blocked the attack, sacrificing itself. Yugi then played "Swords of Revealing Light" to block attacks. Angry over Iru's death, Yugi switched to Yami Yugi, who led the group to the castle.

As Yami, he managed to regroup with the Kaiba brothers and defeat The Big Five's "Mythic Dragon" in the final stage by Summoning "Dragon Master Knight". Shortly after Edina thanked them and revived Mai, Joey, Mokuba and Iru, the group returned to the real world.

Dungeon Dice Monsters arc
Grandpa feared for his business, the Kame Game, when the new game store, the Black Clown opened in Domino City. He ordered Yugi to stay away from the new shop. However Yugi and Téa passed it on the way to school later. Yugi received a flyer for a new game Dungeon Dice Monsters, but Téa dragged him away after he blushed at the lady handing out the flyer.

At school, they met the new student, Duke Devlin, the owner of the Black Clown. Joey was jealous of Duke's popularity and challenged him to a game of Duel Monsters. Yugi objected to the condition that Joey and Duke both use Decks from packs they open on the spot. Joey lost the televised Duel and in keeping his end of the bargain had to do whatever Duke said. Yugi became disgusted after Duke forced Joey to wear a dog suit and behave like a dog, so he switched to Yami who challenged Duke to a Duel. Duke accepted if they play Dungeon Dice Monsters instead of Duel Monsters and should Yugi lose he must relinquish his title of "King of Games" and give-up playing Duel Monsters.

Unfamiliar with the rules, Yami got off to a rough start. His chances did not improve as Duke revealed that he designed Dungeon Dice Monsters with Pegasus' aid. Duke blamed Yugi for Pegasus' disappearance after Duelist Kingdom.[43] Yami used his innate gaming skills to turn the tables on Duke. Yami succeeded in calling "Dark Magician", which Pegasus had added to the game, and used it to defeat Duke.

After the game, Duke, Yugi and Yugi's friends went to Duke's office. Duke lamented that his dream has been crushed as nobody would want to play Dungeon Dice Monsters now. However Yugi assured him that it was a great game and his friends agreed. Duke apologized for how he had treated them and they agreed to be friends.

Battle City arc
Yugi replaced the brown rope around the Millennium Puzzle with a chain, which Yami Yugi complimented and offered him advice on impressing Téa, who was waiting for him. Embarrassed, Yugi asks what he was talking about. As Yugi left the room, his mother asked who he was talking to. Yugi replied that it was nobody and dashed off, telling Yami to stop picking on him, as he offered to help make Téa like him. (The Yugis talking about Téa and the scene with Yugi's mother were removed from the English version.) Yugi met up with Téa and left for school with her. (In the English version, they were going to a soccer game) Yugi told her about the Yami Yugi; that he lives in the Millennium Puzzle, is worried about his destiny and has no memory of his past.

On the way to school, Yugi bumped into Bandit Keith, who was possessed by Marik Ishtar and disguised as a fortune-teller. Falling for the disguise, Yugi reluctantly let him hold the Millennium Puzzle in order to read his future. Keith knocked over the table at Yugi and Téa and ran off with the Puzzle. Yugi and Téa split-up to find him. In his search, Yugi followed a series of arrows, although he knew it was a trap, he felt that he had no other choice. Yugi caught-up with Keith, who had the Puzzle bolted to a wall. According to ancient rules, Marik had to win the Puzzle in a Duel, so he challenged Yugi to a Duel through Keith. Yugi was unable to switch to Yami during the Duel and quickly realized that Bandit Keith was his opponent after seeing he used a Machine Deck.

Yami Bakura sensed an evil presence and pinpointed it to the Duel. Seeing Keith controlled, Yami Bakura used the Millennium Ring to break Marik's control. Keith struggled to resist being repossessed, but Marik took control long enough to have Keith smash the Puzzle. Bakura swung down from a rope, knocking Keith unconscious. Bakura then collected a piece of the Puzzle and sealed a fragment of his soul inside it, before returning it to Yugi. Keith regained consciousness and continued to struggle with Marik's mind control, setting fire to the warehouse in his confusion. Unable to remove the piece of the Puzzle connected to the wall, Yugi stayed in the burning building to reassemble it. After inserting the last piece he collapsed and goes unconscious from the heat, but was rescued by Tristan and Joey and was taken to the hospital.

Worrying about how the Puzzle almost got stolen, Yugi took time to talk with Yami and discovered that Yami has no idea of who he once was, as he has lost all his memories. The duo suspected that their new enemy is in possession of a Millennium Item.

To try and help Yami regain his memories, Yugi asked Téa to spend time with Yami. He asked Téa out, but switched to Yami just before the date. Not expecting this Yami started shouting into the Puzzle at Yugi, until he was noticed by Téa. On the date, Yami and Téa learned from Ishizu Ishtar that Yami was once an Egyptian pharaoh and that Yugi had to enter the upcoming Battle City tournament to stop their new enemy.

While talking with Téa, about Duel Monsters at school, Téa asked which card best suited Yugi, assuming he would pick "Dark Magician". However Yugi explained that while "Dark Magician" is powerful, "Maha Vailo" better suits him, as it's not the strongest card, but it had hidden power. He would have liked to have picked "Dark Magician", but thought it's better suited to the other Yugi.

The day before the tournament, Yugi and Joey picked-up their Duel Disks in order to compete[51] and the next morning Yugi finished reconstructing his Deck for the tournament.

Yugi spotted Joey trying to get a rematch with the Rare Hunter, Seeker, who had won his "Red-Eyes Black Dragon". Yugi noticed his robes were the same as the ones Bandit Keith wore, while he was possessed. Seeker refused to face Joey again, but challenges Yugi to a Duel. Yugi accepts and switched to Yami[52], who won and took back Joey's "Red-Eyes Black Dragon". Marik then used Seeker as his puppet to communicate with Yugi. He introduced himself, told Yugi how he's after the power of the pharaoh and warned him that there are more deadly Rare Hunters. Yugi offered Joey back the "Red-Eyes", but Joey refused, saying he will wait until he's a true duelist before earning it back.

Yugi was lured into a tent by a harlequin and confronted by the Rare Hunter, Arkana. As Yami Yugi, he faced Arkana in a Duel, where the loser's feet got cut off by a buzzsaw. (In the English version, they got sent to the Shadow Realm by using energy disks.) Yami won the Duel, but Yugi then took over and saved Arkana from the buzzsaw (energy disk in the English version).

At the canal side, while Yugi spoke with Yami about recent happenings they were confronted by another Rare Hunter, Strings. Strings was under Marik's complete control and dueled Yami Yugi using the Egyptian God Card, "Slifer the Sky Dragon".[56] Yami won the Duel, earning "Slifer the Sky Dragon" through the Ante rule. Kaiba, who had appeared during the Duel challenged Yugi to a Duel on the spot, but Marik warned Yugi that he was going to take control of Joey. Yugi declined Kaiba's challenge as he had to find and save his friend.

As Yami Yugi searched the city for his friends, with Kaiba's help, they defeated the Rare Hunters Umbra and Lumis twice, gaining enough Locator Cards to qualify for the finals and also located Joey at Domino Pier.

At the Pier, Yugi was forced to duel Joey, who was possessed by Marik. Each player had their ankles chained to an anchor, which would drag them underwater to drown after the timer reaches 0. The only way for either player to save themself was to defeat their opponent, which would open a box, giving them a key. Yami made the first few of Yugi's moves, but Yugi insisted that he should fight this battle himself. Through talking to Joey and using "Red-Eyes Black Dragon" to remind him of his promise to become a true duelist and even giving him the Millennium Puzzle, Yugi managed to get Joey's subconsciousness to ignore Marik's commands.

Yugi managed to fully snap Joey out of Marik's control shortly before forcing himself to lose. With Joey back to normal, Yugi told Marik that he was the true loser of this Duel. Yugi let his Life Points fall to 0 and collapsed, releasing Joey's key. However Joey managed to force the Duel into a Draw, releasing Yugi's key too. Using the chain, Joey swung to Yugi's side of the field and grabbed his key, before the anchor dragged them both down. He unlocked Yugi, who floated to the surface and was brought ashore by Tristan. Serenity dove in with the other key to save Joey. Joey later apologized and returned the Millennium Puzzle. Yugi thanked Yami for trusting in him and Yami said that Yugi has taught him the strength behind kindness and that one day Yugi will surpass him in every way. Afterwards Mai gave Yugi and his friends a lift to the finals.

Yugi, Joey, Mai, Téa, Tristan, Duke and Serenity arrived at the KaibaCorp Stadium for the finals. Yugi was suspicious of the finalist Marik, who is under the guise "Namu", and Ryo Bakura, who should be in the hospital. Téa cleared any suspicion of Namu, by informing Yugi of how he saved her, Joey and Bakura earlier. Shortly after Odion Ishtar, pretending to be Marik arrived, everyone boarded the blimp, where the finals took place.

As Yugi prepared for the finals in his room, he added "Slifer the Sky Dragon" to his Deck, thinking he was going to need it to face Marik. He also suspected Bakura had come into contact with the Millennium Ring again.

Yami Yugi faced Bakura in the first of the quarter-finals on the Stratos Dueling Arena. Yugi's suspicions were confirmed as they faced Yami Bakura. When Bakura was one turn away from winning with "Destiny Board", the two Yugis agreed that they had to use "Slifer the Sky Dragon" to defeat him. Yami Yugi Summoned "Slifer", but Marik switched control of Bakura's body from Yami Bakura to Ryo, who was too weak to withstand the attack. However Yami Bakura disagreed with Marik's plan and took control of Ryo's body. He invited Yugi to attack him, refusing to let his host die. Yugi won the Duel, knocking Bakura unconscious and in leaving him need of medical attention.

During the intermission before the next Duel, Yugi unsuccessfully tried to get Kaiba to make an emergency stop to take Bakura to a doctor. Yugi went back to his room and began examining his Deck. He was interrupted by Shadi, who told him how the Egyptian God Cards were created and why he must stop Marik from getting his hands on them.

Joey defeated Odion, who was still pretending to be Marik and exposed him as a fake. Subsequently Namu was exposed as the real Marik and Yami Marik took control of his body. Marik confronted Yugi, saying the battle for the Pharaoh's power had just begun.

After losing to Kaiba, Ishizu Ishtar told Yugi of the Ishtar family's history and gave him the Millennium Necklace, as he was going to need all seven Millennium Items to recover the Pharaoh's memories. That night Yugi was woken by Téa, who reported Bakura has gone missing. They discovered he was dueling with Marik and saw him lose shortly after they arrived.

Vitural World arc
The Battle City blimp got sucked into a mechanical fortress in the sea, by Noah Kaiba. Yugi, Joey, Tristan, Téa, Serenity, Duke, Kaiba and Mokuba exited the blimp, where they were greeted by a projection of the Big Five, who explained that they got trapped in the Virtual World, after they failed to trap Kaiba there, during the Legendary Heroes game. For that they hate Yugi and his friends for helping Kaiba. Having Kaiba as a common enemy, Noah uploaded their minds into his computer system. Using an altered form of Duel Monsters, they planned to face the gang in order to claim possession of their bodies, so that they may exist in the real world.

The group were then transported to a virtual jungle, where they are given a demonstration of the Deck Master rules. The Big Five then separated the gang, by making holes appear under them.

Yugi was transported to a pond, where he was faced by Gansley, who had taken the form of "Deepsea Warrior". Before dueling Gansley, Yugi changed to Yami Yugi, who Gansley identified as "Type-B".[71] During the Duel, Yugi noticed that their Deck Master, Kuriboh was trying to tell them something. As Yami was about to lose, Yugi took over and used Kuriboh's Deck Master effect to save them. Shortly afterwards, Yugi collapsed so Yami took back control and won the Duel.

The Yugis entered a hallway afterwards. Although they were aware there were traps behind some doors, Yugi ran through one, after hearing Téa scream, but was thrown back by an attack. Yami drew the Level Star of the door to Yugi's attention, so Yugi Summoned a monster of a higher Level, "Winged Dragon, Guardian of the Fortress" and has it launch an attack into the doorway. They entered the doorway and wound up repeating the same process[73] Realizing it was because they keep choosing the Level 1 door, they started attacking different Levels. The final door had the 2000 ATK, Level 4 monster, "Flash Assailant", backed up with a series of face-down Magic or Trap Cards. Yugi used "Heavy Storm" to clear the face-downs and "4-Starred Ladybug of Doom's" effect to destroy "Flash Assailant".

Yugi arrived at the scene of Téa's Duel, but was held back by a wall of ice. "Dark Magician" was taken from his Deck and Summoned to Téa's field, after she played "Sage's Stone". Attacking with both "Dark Magician" and "Dark Magician Girl", Téa defeated Crump, causing the ice around her to disappear. Yugi rushed to her aid and gave her his coat. Together they walked though the ice region and entered a door, taking them to a courtroom, where Joey was dueling Johnson.

Yugi correctly suspected that Johnson had rigged the outcome of Joey's luck based cards. Although Noah attempted to disqualify Johnson, Joey insisted that they continue with the game unrigged. After Joey won, he, Yugi and Téa exited though another door.

The trio found their way to Duke, Serenity and Tristan's Duel against Nezbitt. After the Duel, the gang tried to find Tristan, before the Big Five took his body. They briefly met up with Kaiba and Mokuba, but were attacked by Nezbitt in possession of Tristan's body. The real Tristan in the body of a robot monkey helped them fight the imposter. However Nezbitt kidnapped Mokuba and Kaiba took off after him, leaving the others think about what to do with the monkey, not knowing it was Tristan.

The group took a pick-up truck to go after Kaiba. On the way, they found out the monkey was Tristan after he accidentally flipped a switch, allowing him to speak normally. After watching Kaiba duel Leichter, Yugi and Téa went with Kaiba to help him find Mokuba. The others tried to follow, but the tunnel disappeared, before they could enter.

Inside the tunnel Yugi and Téa got separated from Kaiba, and found themselves in a simulation of Kaiba's mansion back when Seto Kaiba got adopted. Yugi found a picture of Kaiba's father, Gozaburo, with Noah, shortly before meeting up with Kaiba again. Noah then showed the three of them a projection of the past, where Gozaburo showed Noah a picture of Seto, who Noah had to be able to compete with in order to run KaibaCorp.

Noah transported Yugi, Téa and Kaiba back to their friends, where they were confronted by the Big Five, now all sharing possession of Tristan's body. Yugi and Joey teamed-up to duel them in order to win back Tristan's body.[80] Although Yugi and Joey won, the Big Five attempted to steal their bodies, but Noah took them away, along with Tristan's body, before they could.

Since Noah designed the robot monkey, Yugi and his friends searched it for clues. Yugi pushed a red button, which transported them to a virtual Kaiba Land. From there the gang took a handcar through a subway and wound up on the scene of Noah and Seto Kaiba's Duel.

Noah won and turned Seto and Mokuba to stone. This caused Yugi to get mad and change to Yami, who accused Noah of foul play, as he had used Mokuba as a shield to help him win. As Yami, Yugi combined his Deck with Seto's and continued the Duel. Noah gradually turned Yugi's friends to stone as Yami dueled, until none of them were left. Yugi then offered Yami support and took him to his soul room. Inside he brought Yami to a room containing his recent memories, where everyone, who had been turned to stone offered their support. Back in virtual reality, Yami imagined Yugi's friends giving him the cards drawn by "Card of Sanctity". With them, Yami Summoned Kaiba's three "Blue-Eyes White Dragons" to win the Duel against Noah.

After the Duel, Noah attempted to steal Yugi's body and escape to the real world, but the power of the Millennium Puzzle forced him back. After Noah found out that Gozaburo had been using him, he tried to help everyone escape the virtual world and took them to a virtual Domino City. The group got separated and met-up again, minus the Kaibas. Having realized Noah double crossed them, Yugi started to blame himself for trusting Noah.

Gozaburo had monsters attack Yugi and his friends as they looked for a way out, but Yugi and Joey fought them off by Summoning monsters from their Decks. Noah, having stolen Mokuba's body and escaped to the real world, organized a missile attack to destroy the fortress, including the servers for the virtual world. After having a change of heart, he contacted the group and explained that they must get out out quickly before the virtual world is destroyed.

Noah told them to go the arcade. Yugi, Duke and Joey fought off more of Gozaburo's monsters, while Téa, Serenity and Tristan went there. When Yugi, Duke and Joey got to the arcade, Noah asked Yugi to go and get Seto before returning himself.

Yugi complied and went to the KaibaCorp building, catching Seto shortly after he beat Gozaburo in a Duel. Gozaburo took the form of a monster and chased the two. Noah instructed them to jump off the building. With no other option they complied and awoke in the real world, before hitting the ground.

Yugi, Kaiba and Mokuba ran to escape the fortress before the missile strike and were helped onto the moving blimp by Joey and Tristan, shortly before the fortress got destroyed.

Battle City Finals arc
The KaibaCorp blimp took the finalists to the Duel Tower for the Battle City finals. Yugi switched to Yami Yugi for the Battle Royal to determine match-ups, and wound up with Kaiba as his opponent.

Yugi tried to stop Joey from dueling Marik. However Yami reminded him that Joey accepted the Duel knowing it would be a Shadow Game and nobody can stop such a game. (In the English version, Yugi worried for Joey and wondered if there was something they could do to help. However Yami assured Yugi that this was Joey's fight and he can win with their support.) After Joey lost, Yugi screamed that it's a lie. (In the English version, he said that he won't lose Joey to the Shadow Realm.) Later at Joey's bedside, he begged for him not to die. (In the English version, he blamed himself, saying that he should have dueled Marik instead.)

Out in the hallway, Yugi cried more and considered stopping dueling, but Yami convinced him that they must not give-up and let Marik win. Yami got the idea to use the Millennium Necklace to see what happens. He and Yugi then used it to look into the future, where they saw Yami and Joey preparing to Duel.

Yugi dueled Kaiba in the second semi-final as Yami Yugi. They managed to defeat Kaiba and afterwards found out Joey was okay to Yugi's delight. Yugi and Yami gained Kaiba's "Obelisk the Tormentor" card through the ante rule.

Yugi and Yami watched Joey duel Kaiba in a third place play-off. They both agreed that Joey was a great duelist and would have defeated Marik, had their Duel not been turned into a Shadow Game. The two them noticed the Millennium Puzzle acting strange and saw Téa's reflection in it. They left the Duel to find Téa, who was possessed by the original Marik to confront Yami Marik. At the top of the Duel Tower, they found Téa, Marik and Ishizu. Ishizu explained that Téa would be fine and that Marik's good side still lives on within Téa's mind.

Before facing Marik, Kaiba gave Yugi the card, "Fiend's Sanctuary", which Kaiba intended to use against Marik himself. Yami Marik and Yami Yugi's final Duel was a Shadow Game, where the regular Yugi and Marik were drawn from their bodies and floated next to them in spirit form. Yugi and Marik were bound by their wrists and ankles in darkness and parts of their bodies disappeared as their "Yami" selves lost Life Points. (In the English version, they were disappearing into the Shadow Realm.) If Yami Yugi lost, Yugi would vanish, and Yami would cease to exist.

Yugi encouraged Yami throughout the Duel. He even urged Yami to pay Life Points to keep "Fiend's Sanctuary" active, knowing it would make part of his body disappear. Yugi insisted that they must find a way to win without causing the good Marik to disappear. However, the good Marik possessed Téa and told Yugi not to hesitate, he's prepared to die. He no longer blamed the Yugis for his father's death. (In the English version, Marik said not to worry about protecting him, he wants to defeat his dark side at all costs.)

Yugi was certain that Yami Marik was going to fuse with "The Winged Dragon of Ra" a second time in the Duel and reminded Yami Yugi that if he does that again, he will become a monster and have the weakness of a Monster Card. With that in mind, Yami Yugi managed to use "Ragnarok", which would destroy "Ra". As Yugi wondered if this would cause the good Marik to disappear, Odion appeared. Since Odion had been keeping Yami Marik away, his return allowed the regular Marik to regain some control of his body and urged Yami to attack. The Yugis continued to use the effect of "Ragnarok", which destroyed Ra and caused Marik and Yami Marik to switch places. With only 1 Life Point left, only Yami Marik's eye remained. Marik then surrendered causing Yami Marik to disappear and Yugi to win the Duel.

As the host, Kaiba congratulated Yugi for winning. (In the English version, he added that Yugi only won because Marik surrendered.) Marik informed Yugi that with his dark side gone, the souls of Mai and Bakura should be released and gave him "The Winged Dragon of Ra" due to the ante rule. Marik then showed Yugi the hieroglyphics carved on his back, explaining that the secret of the Pharaoh's power is written there, and whoever holds the three Egyptian God Cards can unlock that secret. With his mission complete, Marik handed the Millennium Rod and Ring to Yugi.

Kaiba announced that he was going to blow-up the Duel Tower and gave everyone an hour to evacuate. Yugi and his friends returned to the Battle Ship and found that Mai and Bakura were okay, but there was no sign of the Kaiba brothers on the blimp. With the Battle Ship damaged from escaping Noah's fortress and no one able to find the Kaibas, everyone else boarded the KaibaCorp helicopter. As they left, they saw Kaiba and Mokuba had escaped in their Blue-Eyes White Dragon jet.

Back in Domino City, Yugi and his friends said goodbye to the Ishtar family, Duke and Mai. Afterwards, back in Kame Game, Yugi and Yami Yugi assembled a Deck and included the "Red-Eyes Black Dragon" Joey gave them. At sunrise, the Yugis met Joey at the plaza for a final Duel to conclude their Battle City adventure.

Waking the Dragons arc
Between classes, Yami took control of Yugi's body and skipped out of school to go to the museum, with Egyptian God Cards to uncover his memories. Yugi asked why they were going alone. Yami replied that it would be too depressing to say goodbye and just wants Yugi to see him off. (In the English version, there was no mention of why they were going alone. Instead Yami said that he felt the Egyptain God Cards pulling him to the museum.) However, Téa, Joey and Tristan caught up with him outside the museum and reminded him that they are a team. Inside Yami held the Egyptian God cards up to the tablet, but something held him back. The group heard a scream and dashed outside, finding a large number of living Duel Monsters in the city.

Suspecting the Duel Monsters appearing was caused by Kaiba's holographic technology, they went to KaibaCorp, but were unable to get past a crowd of reporters.

Later at the Kame Game, as Yugi and his friends watched Kaiba on TV explaining that he wasn't responsible, there was a break-in and the Egyptian God cards were stolen by motorcyclists from Doma. They quickly rushed outside and saw the Gods appear in the city. Yugi wondered who could have Summoned them as only someone with a connection to the Millennium Items can Summon the Egyptian Gods. The thieves then appeared before them, demanding that Yugi follow them if he wants to get the God cards back. Yugi changed to Yami and wound up dueling one of them, Gurimo. Gurimo used the soul stealing card "The Seal of Orichalcos" and was even able to Summon "Obelisk the Tormentor" through its power.

Yugi still managed to defeat Gurimo, causing his soul to be sealed in the card. Afterwards Yugi took his necklace containing a fragment of the Orichalcos stone. As a reward for his victory, Rafael released the souls of Rex and Weevil, which Gurimo had previously captured using "The Seal of Orichalcos".

On the street, Yugi, Téa, Joey and Tristan found Rex and Weevil and discussed the bikers, who had stolen their souls and Yugi's God cards. Rex and Weevil pretended to agree to help them, but secretly planned on getting the God cards for themselves.

After leaving Rex and Weevil, Yugi and his friends met Rebecca Hawkins, who claimed that Yugi is now her boyfriend and took them to the museum to see her grandfather Arthur.[102] From researching the origins of Duel Monsters, Arthur confirmed that Yugi was indeed sharing a bond with an Ancient Egyptian pharaoh and informed them that pharaoh saved the world when Ancient Egyptian sorcerers harnessed real monsters' powers by sealing them in tablets, like Duel Monsters.

He also showed them photos from what he believed was Atlantis, showing carvings of Duel Monsters, proving that the origins of Duel Monsters dates back further than 3000 (5000 in the English version) years in Egypt to at least 10000 years ago in Atlantis. Arthur told them that he believes there is a parallel dimension where Duel Monsters are real. Since the pharaoh saved the world the last time people conjured these monsters, Arthur believes Yugi is to save the world this time, since the pharaoh has been reborn in him. Not certain what to do next, Yugi gave Arthur the stone he had taken from Gurimo for him to test. Outside the museum, to Yugi's embarrassment, Rebecca gave him a kiss before leaving. Shortly before leaving himself, Yugi thought that he heard someone calling for help, but couldn't see them anywhere.

As Yugi went to sleep that night, he heard the voice calling for help again. The Millennium Puzzle activated and the two Yugis were sent to the chamber inside the Millennium Puzzle. They heard the voice calling for help again and searched to see if they could find who it was. They eventually found Kuriboh, who led them to a room they'd never been to before. They heard the voice again and followed it, causing them to be transported through a vortex to the Duel Monsters Spirit World.

Yugi and Yami found themselves hovering above a castle. They flew down into it and met Dark Magician Girl, who told them that both worlds were in danger. She explained that the two worlds rely on each other for survival, but now a gateway has been opened between the two worlds and the great beast, who feeds on the life force of humans and spirits will consume them all. Yugi and Yami agreed to help them, so Dark Magician Girl took them to three dragons trapped in crystal. According to legend, three warriors should be able to free them. Believing Yugi to be one of the warriors, she instructed the Yugis to remove a sword from one of the dragons. Yugi and Yami pulled the sword out, freeing the dragon, Timaeus.

Yugi woke-up in his bed shortly afterwards. He saw a strange light phenomenon trapping monsters outside. He ran to the plaza to see what it was and met his friends there. The monsters were absorbed into a crystal, which shattered, revealing an eye, which shot a twister at Yugi. However Yugi's Duel Disk began to glow as the card, "The Eye of Timaeus" appeared in it. Using it, Yugi Summoned Timaues to attack and destroy the eye. The Dark Magician Girl then appeared next to Yugi and informed him that the battle is just beginning.

While showing his friends the card, Yugi received a package from Industrial Illusions, containing a videotape and the card, "Illusion's Key". He was initially reluctant to watch the video, remembering the last one Pegasus sent him. After deducing Pegasus can't seal souls, since he no longer has the Millennium Eye, Yugi and his friends watched the tape. Pegasus offered some explanation for the recent events, but since it was too risky to leave the information on tape, he asked Yugi to meet him in person and arranged a jet for Yugi and his friends to come to California and bring the "Illusion's Key" with them.

The group took the plane to San Francisco, where a limousine was provided to take them to the Industrial Illusions headquarters. Inside the limousine, Yugi noticed "The Eye of Timaeus" lighting up as Kaiba freed Critias elsewhere. However the limousine took the group to a desert and the driver abandoned them at a gas station.[106] At the station, they were approached by another motorcyclist gang looking for trouble, but Mai Valentine appeared on a motorbike and fought off the bikers, causing a fire. Tristan drove Yugi, Joey and Téa in the limousine away from the station before the gasoline pump caused an explosion. Mai also escaped on her motorbike and drove away. The limousine broke down, while still in the desert, leaving Yugi and his friends stranded. Using Téa's femininity while the boys hid, they were able to hitch a ride from a truck driver to Industrial Illusions.

When the group finally at the Industrial Illusions headquarters, they were locked in by Mai, who revealed that she was with Doma and had captured Pegasus' soul in a "The Seal of Orichalcos" card, before challenging Joey to a Duel.[107] During the Duel, Yugi's "The Eye of Timaeus" card once again lit-up as Joey was sent to the Spirit World to free Hermos.[108] Fearing Mai would lose, Valon broke-up the Duel and the members of Doma fled.

Yugi and his friends were then joined by Duke, Rex, Weevil and Kaiba. Using the card "Illusion's Key", Yugi was able to open a secret room, where they encountered a holographic recording of Pegasus. Pegasus told them about Doma's involvement in historical events and told Yugi where to find an exclusive card, he would need later. They found the card, "Legend of Heart", albeit blank at the time, within the room. Although, Kaiba decided not to stick with Yugi and his friends, they correctly guessed that he had the other Legendary Dragon, "The Fang of Critias".

Duke gave the gang a lift to Arthur Hawkins' house to look for clues on what to do next. By the time they got there, Arthur had been kidnapped and the house was blown-up. Rebecca flung herself around Yugi and explained what happened. The group went into Arthur's mobile home and discussed what happened. Rebecca returned the Orichalcos stone, Yugi had lent to Arthur. While the others prepared something to eat, Yugi and Rebecca stepped outside to talk. Rebecca showed Yugi a card and note from Rafael she found after the explosion. Rafael's note told Yugi to come alone to Death Valley. (In the English version, it told Yugi to go there if he wanted to see Arthur again.) Later that night, Yugi borrowed Rebecca's horse, Copernicus, to go there.

Yugi dueled Rafael as Yami Yugi at Death Valley, but still accompanied Yami in spirit form. Yugi was relieved when Rafael said that he had no intention of playing "The Seal of Orichalcos" in this Duel.[111] However Rafael used "Exchange" to give the card to Yugi later on. Yugi urged Yami not to use that card, no matter what happens and Yami agreed. However, they reached a point, where Yami felt he was going to lose, unless he played the Seal. Despite Yugi's objections, Yami played it and Yugi's spirit form left him alone.

Yugi was unable to contact Yami for the rest of the Duel, as he was trapped behind a seal. He unsuccessfully tried pleading with him to not sacrifice his monsters, including "Dark Magician Girl", who they made a promise with. Yami went on to lose the Duel and was about to lose his soul to "The Seal of Orichalcos". Using the power of the Millennium Puzzle, Yugi broke the seal that was holding him back and appeared next to Yami again. Since "The Seal of Orichalcos" only takes one soul, Yugi pushed Yami aside and let the seal take him instead.

Yami traveled to the Stone Wilderness, where spirits are roam, in the hopes of contacting Yugi. He managed to find Yugi and apologized for what happened. Without Yugi, Yami said the darkness inside him is starting to grow. He was afraid that Rafael might be right that he is evil and feared getting his memories (This maybe false because, he was manipulated easily by Rafael's words to be a lie from Dartz only to get his soul or being influenced by the Orichalcos itself). Yugi reminded Yami that he has been locked away. Yami tried apologizing again, but Yugi said that he didn't want his pity. Yugi asked if Yami only came here to demoralize himself. (In The English version, he said if Yami truly is evil, there's only one thing to do.) A Duel Disk appeared on Yugi's arm and he challenged Yami to a Duel. Yugi knew that he would have to duel Yami sooner or later and if Yami's heart has become dark or engulfed in the darkest abyss, Yami shall lose. (In the English version, Yugi said that Yami doesn't deserve to be a part of this world and must pay for what he has done.) Yami reluctantly accepted the Duel.

Both Yugi's drew the same cards in the same order, so Yugi used "Sangan" to shuffle his Deck and "Card Destruction" to reset their hands. Yami stated that the Duel was meaningless. However Yugi explained that Yami's weakness is the darkness in his heart, he is arrogant and warped by his sense of pride. With only one value, it's impossible for Yami to see other people's pain. (This explanation is removed from the English version.) Since he was a mirror reflecting Yami's dark side, Yugi had "The Seal of Orichalcos" in his Deck.

Yugi used it and proceeded to use the same strategy Yami used against Rafael, sacrificing his monsters to win. Yami realized that this is what he looked like in the Duel against Rafael warped by his own psychological disruption and descends into his own darkest abyss. He refused to lose, as it would prevent him from saving Yugi and two worlds will eventually be destroyed. But, Yugi only see Yami who never cared about anyone's suffering because his pride got in the way and proceeds with monster sacrifice. He managed to counter Yugi's strategy with Divine Wind and win. Yugi was pleased that Yami won and said that in defeating him, Yami defeated the darkness in his heart and Orichalcos influence that corrupted him. Before disappearing again, he urged Yami not to give up and said that he will always be with him.

When Kaiba and Yami were dueling Dartz, the leader of Doma, Dartz Summoned four "Mirror Knight Tokens". When Kaiba tried destroying them, he instead caused their helmets to break revealing that they had taken the form of people whose souls had been lost to "The Seal of Orichalcos", including Yugi, Joey, Mai and Pegasus. Dartz claimed that destroying the Tokens would result in destroying their souls.[115] The "Mirror Knight" Yugi tried to resist when Dartz made him attack Yami. Yami refused to attack any of the Tokens as it would risk killing his friends. Kaiba was convinced nothing would happen if the Tokens were destroyed and attacked the Joey one, but the Yugi one used his effect to block the attack at the cost of his shield. Yami was given another opportunity to destroy the Tokens. He was reluctant, but Yugi insisted that Yami attack and not worry about him, as he has a more important mission to focus on. (In the English version, Yugi said that he would be fine.) However, Yami still refused to attack.[116] After playing "Orichalcos Tritos", the "Mirror Knights" were unable to defy Dartz and he had Yugi attack Yami. Eventually Kaiba got the opportunity to destroy the Tokens. Yami tried to stop him, but Yugi insisted that he would be fine and Kaiba continued.

Yugi's was soul was trapped in a bubble being sucked into The Great Leviathan. The souls of people, who were recently taken by "The Seal of Orichalcos" floated in bubbles near him.[118] After Yami defeated Dartz, the Legendary Dragons now in their Legendary Knight forms, released the souls of the chosen duelists; Yugi, Kaiba and Joey. Yami informed Yugi that the knights had freed him and Dartz had disappeared into a vortex after the Duel.

Roland alerted Yugi, Kaiba and their friends about Atlantis rising from the sea. Yugi, Kaiba and Joey opted to travel through the vortex Dartz used, suspecting it would take them to Atlantis to face him. Téa objected as they could be walking straight into Dartz's trap, Yugi convinced her that they must go to save the other lost souls. Inside the temple where the Duel took place, the Millennium Puzzle started to glow and led Yugi to the location of the Egyptian God cards. However they were powerless as Dartz had already sucked their energy into the leviathan. Yugi caught up with Joey and Kaiba and returned their Legendary Dragon cards before the three stepped into the vortex. The trio emerged on Atlantis and Yugi switched to Yami. They found that Dartz had left his body and combined with The Great Leviathan, to compensate for not getting the souls of the chosen duelists.

As Yami, he, Kaiba, Joey and an army of Duel Monster Spirits battled the leviathan. However the leviathan's tendrils pulled the three chosen duelists inside it. Yugi appeared next to Yami and suggested that they might be able to fight back by calling to the other people trapped inside. Taking Yugi's advice, Yami called on everyone else to focus on the light in their hearts and pass that strength onto him. Using it he Summoned the Egyptian Gods and freed the chosen duelists from the leviathan. Thinking the Gods might need his help, Yami returned control of Yugi's body to Yugi and flew up to the Gods in spirit form. Yugi cheered for Yami as he watched him and the Gods battle and defeat the Leviathan.

Yami returned to Yugi back on Atlantis just as it started to sink. As Yugi was about to leave through the vortex after Joey and Kaiba, Yami called him back and the duo were confronted by Dartz and The Great Leviathan in a smaller form. After Timaeus failed to destroy the leviathan, Yami advised Yugi to run, but Yugi refused to leave and helped Yami argue against Dartz's ideology. The Leviathan turned into a black whirlwind and surrounded Yami.[120] Yugi tried to help Yami, but Yami insisted it was his fight and he must prove the darkness in his heart is gone. Focusing on that the leviathan disappeared.

Yugi and Yami saw that Dartz's evil side was now gone as was accompanied by Ironheart, Chris and Skye. Ironheart and Chris thanked the Yugis and told them to return through the portal where a new future was waiting for them.

Yugi washed-up on a shoreline afterwards, where they were greeted by Dark Magician Girl and the Legendary Knights, who thanked them for their help. Yugi's friends, who had escaped Dartz's temple in Kaiba's helicopter, flew down to greet him, relieved that he had survived.

Capsule Monsters arc
Yugi Muto (romanized as Yugi Mutou in the English-language manga) wakes up after having a strange recurring nightmares about the Pharaoh being captured by an evil monster with glowing red eyes and telling him that why he is having these dreams will become clear when he "plays the game". This time, the Millennium Puzzle starts glowing in response to the dream, bewildering Yugi even further.

Before leaving for school that day, Yugi noticed that his grandfather, Solomon Muto (Sugoroku Mutou in the Japanese versions and English-language manga), had not returned from his "secret expedition" (Yugi was told at the last minute) as his flight was due last night. Yugi is worried about the fact that Solomon is missing.

Meanwhile, there is a new game on the block; the Capsule Monsters board game is the new fad in the Duel Monsters craze, and Yugi has already taken the opportunity to learn the rules of the game. When Joey breaks the news about the trip, Yugi and his friends could not contain their excitement. Yugi, Tristan Taylor (Hiroto Honda), and Téa Gardner (Anzu Mazaki) agree to take Joey's other three tickets.

Just when the private plane for the trip approached its final destination, the engines cut out and the aircraft crash lands in a mysterious forest. After Yugi and his friends evacuate the aircraft, they find a man who says his name is Dr. Alex Brisbane.

When Yugi lets slip to Brisbane that he is Solomon Muto's (Sugoroku Mutou) grandson, Brisbane tells him that he's a colleague of Grandpa, and on their latest expedition together he disappeared. Now Yugi knows just where Grandpa had gone, but the Pharaoh still suspects something. They just happen to win a trip; their plane just happens to crash; and they just happen to meet the man who was the last person to see Grandpa. It all seems a little bit coincidental. Brisbane shows Yugi and the gang where he last saw Solomon. Yugi and his friends are surprised when they discover that Brisbane last saw Solomon in a pyramid.

Brisbane explains that he believes it to be the legendary pyramid of Alexander the Great, and that it's supposed to contain some sort of ancient game. They check it out, narrowly avoiding a number of dangerous traps, and come across a room that, as Tristan put it, is the size of Cleveland. The floor looks like a giant map of different land types, which looks incredibly familiar to Yugi. Joey decides to check it out but, to everyone's surprise, disappears into thin air the second he steps on the map. Coming to the conclusion that Solomon must have gone to the same place as Joey, the rest of the gang decide to follow, leaving a bewildered Brisbane behind.

They find themselves in a forest, with Joey nowhere to be seen. Yugi notices a lot of egg-shaped rocks around, but before they can investigate, some giant cockroaches (Gokibore, a monster from the Volume 6 expansion set) and a giant praying mantis (Kamakiriman, from Volume 3) ambush them. The escapes of Yugi, Tristan, and Téa causes them to have to split up.

Yugi is cornered by the mantis, so the Pharaoh takes over to protect him. He accidentally touches one of the strange egg-shaped rocks whilst jumping, which somehow causes Celtic Guardian to appear. Celtic Guardian attacks the mantis, destroying it.

Meanwhile, Tristan and Téa escape the cockroaches by ducking into a cave. They find themselves on a beach, accompanied by two monsters: Thunder Kid and Happy Lover.

At the same time, Joey is up high on a mountain, looking over onto the forest that the gang are in, hearing Yugi's shouting. Suddenly, a giant bird (LOB-039 Kurama) comes up behind him and grabs him by the shoulders, flying away with Joey in his claws.

Back in the forest, Celtic Guardian disappears in a beam of light, transforming into a small capsule. Now, Yugi knows where he'd seen this before. Somehow they have entered a real life version of Capsule Monsters. However, he is soon again attacked by a monster, this time it's a Trent. Pharaoh realizes the strange device on their wrists are for launching the capsules that house their monsters in order to summon them. Calling upon Celtic Guardian, the Pharaoh attacks the tree, but it gets the upper hand and injures Celtic Guardian. The Pharaoh feels Celtic Guardian's pain and realizes that the Capsule Monster world is a deadly Shadow Game. To make matters worse, the Trent turns surrounding trees into copies of it to assist its attack. However, the Pharaoh releases a new capsule monster to assist them, the fire-attribute Hinotama Soul. It easily burns the Trents to ash. The Pharaoh switches with Yugi, and Yugi runs off to find his friends.

Elsewhere, Joey has been dropped by the Kurama into a nest of its young. Joey repeatedly jumps off cliffs housing Kurama nests to escape until he lands on a branch and accidentally releases Baby Dragon from another rock. Joey boards Baby Dragon and flees the mountains. However, a flock of Kurama chase after them. Realizing there are too many to take on head first, Joey decides to trick them into getting stuck in a small opening in a canyon.

On the beach, Tristan figures out that Happy Lover and Thunder Kid are monsters they accidentally released from the egg-shaped rocks back in the forest when they ran from the giant roaches. Suddenly a giant sea monster called Root Water emerges from the ocean. Happy Lover and Thunder Kid stand before it to keep Tristan and Téa safe.

Elsewhere, Joey has taken refuge behind a waterfall and checks his guide book, still believing himself to be in India. Joey then notices a treasure chest behind him and Baby Dragon and opens it. However, instead of treasure a scroll wraps around him, and Baby Dragon burns it off him (with Joey having to put out the fire on him in the waterfall). The ashes of the scroll turn into a map, and Joey wonders if it's a treasure map.

Back on the beach, Tristan is having Thunder Kid attack Root Water with limited success as Thunder Kid is taking a pounding from the giant monster. (They too realize they feel the pain inflicted on their monsters.) Téa remembers Yugi's advice on how to play the board game version of Capsule Monsters and has Happy Lover heal Thunder Kid with its Heart Beam. Tristan then decides to blind-side Root Water with a sneak attack and Thunder Kid is successful in frying the fish. However, instead of vanishing, Root Water's charred body shatters and the beast evolves into High Tide Gyojin. It then creates a typhoon, sucking up Téa and Tristan along with their monsters. However, Solomon arrives and uses his Summoned Skull to blast High Tide Gyojin apart, saving Téa and Tristan.

Having seen Summoned Skull's "Lightning Strike" attack, Yugi heads to the beach to find Téa and Tristan unconscious with their monsters. However, his mind is put to ease when Solomon walks up to him and tells him that they're resting after the ordeal they went through. Yugi happily clings onto his grandpa and cries in joy of seeing him again.

Later, Yugi and the others make camp and begin to wonder where Joey is in the Capsule Monsters world. At the same time, Joey has gotten hungry and follows the smell of the campfire to his friends (after nearly fallen to his death before Baby Dragon managed to catch him). The Pharaoh switches with Yugi and explains that their dilemma of being in this world won't be an easy problem to solve. However, Téa points out that the flowers around them have gotten closer since they set up camp. Solomon tosses a stick from the fire into the flowers to reveal that they are actually a pack of Flower Wolf. Everyone but Solomon (whose Summoned Skull is too high level to be used frequently) releases their Capsule Monsters to fend off the pack. However, the Pharaoh knows they don't stand a chance and has Thunder Kid blind the wolves temporarily by reflecting its lightning off Celtic Guardian's sword.

The next day, Tristan and Joey do an annoying "victory dance" while the Pharaoh and Yugi wonder about the safety of their friends. Joey and Tristan then collapse and beg for food. Tristan then remembers about snacks he packed for the trip, but then remembers everyone (except Solomon) left their packs back at the campsite. After Solomon tries to encourage them to go a few days without food, they take off to find some, but run into tree branches. Tea reveals Solomon had a bag of food and taunts them as she eats a chip. Solomon tells them all they had to do was ask nicely. While Joey and Tristan complain, Yugi notices that the mountains are moving and runs to the edge of the forest to see they're on an Island Turtle. Joey and Tristan try to be tough until Yugi tells them it won't attack them unless they keep it up. Joey and Tristan apologize but immediately do another victory dance. Téa complains about the lack of female friends she has, while the Turtle roars in annoyance to Joey and Tristan's song. It dives, forcing everyone to "abandon ship!"

They then reach a temple in the middle of the lake and enter to have the doors shut behind them. Joey notices a "giant tea pot" in the middle of the room and (having switched with Yugi) the Pharaoh tells him it is not a tea pot. La Jinn the Mystical Genie of the Lamp emerges from the lamp. The Pharaoh summons Celtic Guardian and begins fighting the genie. Suddenly, the doors swing back open and a flood of water rushes in. It then freezes, trapping Téa and Solomon in ice. The perpetrator behind this is Neo Aqua Madoor, "Jack Frost's evil cousin". Tristan and Joey summon their monsters to help out the Pharaoh despite his constant protests, telling them to not interfere out of concern for their safety. Joey then tells him that they don't want to see him get hurt either as the Pharaoh realizes they can use the two enemies' attacks against each other. After faking head on attacks, Celtic Guardian and the others' capsule monsters back off as Neo Aqua Madoor and La Jinn the Mystical Genie of the Lamp's attacks collide into each other and destroys them.

Téa and Solomon are released form the ice, and a tablet with Egyptian writing on it appears. Solomon translate it: " Before the shadows blanket the land, Go to the fortress of fear. Locate the place where the spirit sleeps, And the pathway you seek will appear." Joey takes out his map from earlier and realizes that it shows the exact space they're on right now and that the fortress is on the same square, but VERY far away. Everyone resolves to go there, hoping the pathway it mentioned means the way home. Tristan finds a secret passage under the main floor (as they did not want to take chances with swimming across) and they quickly run through it.

Coming out above ground, they find themselves in an ancient graveyard that is soon flocked with Wood Remains and The Wandering Doomed. Yugi, Tea and Joey each release a new monster; Kuriboh, Dark Witch and the Flame Swordsman respectively. With their new monsters the Zombies are easily defeated.

Racing to the top of the hill the fortress lays upon, Tristan jinxes their good luck as four walls rise up from the ground and surround the fortress with statues of the Aqua Spirit, Spirit of Flames, The Rock Spirit and Garuda the Wind Spirit at each corner. Joey unsuccessfully tries to fly over as he is repelled by a force field. Yugi figures out that if four people mimic the stances of the four statues, the door will open. They do so, forcing Yugi to enter the fortress himself. Yugi falls into a pit, but is saved from a rough landing by the Pharaoh taking his place. The walls of the room they are trapped in begin to close in on them while outside, Joey breaks his pose and the statues come to life and begin attacking everyone. The Pharaoh finds a new capsule and releases the monster, which carries him up in a beam of light. Coming to his senses, the Pharaoh sees his new monster is Dark Magician and that his friends are in trouble. Using Dark Magician's "Magical Crossroads" the statues are destroyed at the cost of Solomon's Summoned Skull being taken down by the Rock Spirit.

Inside the fortress, Yugi opens the coffin located in the fortress (the place where the spirit sleeps) just as the sun sets and everyone else comes in. The coffin turns into a doorway and a piece of golden armor hovers above it. Another riddle appears as the armor dons itself on Yugi. Solomon says it says five trials await them to test the strength of Yugi's heart. Despite some discussion about not going through with the trials, everyone decides to go along with it in hopes of it leading them home again.

They arrive in a desert and find a village, where they are given a pendant and the instructions for the first trial; "Silence the whisper that rides the desert wind". While Solomon stays a safe distance form everyone else, they call forth their monsters and destroy a Medusa Worm, which they initially believed to be the enemy. However, it turns out to be one of many Medusa Worms under the voice's control. Everyone, but the Pharaoh is spat on by a worm and are turning to stone. Dark Magician takes the Pharaoh above the storm and the voice sent to confuse them to show him a tornado causing it. The Pharaoh calls Dark Magician back to his capsule and proceeds on foot to reach the voice. However, he isn't strong enough to reach the tornado. He then sees a man wearing a cape and mask, telling him to merge with the Dark Magician to gain the strength needed to pass the trial. Doing so, the Pharaoh becomes the Dark Warrior and flies into the tornado to find the voice is Mystical Sand. Silencing her, the Pharaoh clears the trial and reverses the Medusa Worms' petrification on his friends. The armor takes a toll on the Pharaoh as he is not used to it yet. Yugi takes his place to relieve some of the pain and tells of the man he saw explaining how to use the armor. One of the five shapes on the pendant lights up to signify the victory over this trial, and a doorway comes out of the sand.

Entering it, everyone finds themselves on a floating island above the clouds. Yugi collapses from the strain of the Duel Armor and is taken to a cave to rest. Another message arrives, and Solomon reveals that next is "The Trial of Light and Shadow". They are tasked with breaking an unbreakable stone in the "valley of light" as it appears only once a day. Deciding to take care of the trial in Yugi's place, Tristan, Joey, and Solomon head for the nearest valley as it becomes noon and the stone is revealed. However a Prisman appears and begins to attack them. Tristan takes advantage of its short temper and uses it to blast the stone apart.

In the meantime, Yugi has recovered, and Téa shows the Pharaoh the trial's instructions. Noticing they only know half of the trial, the Pharaoh realizes that by exposing the parchment to darkness, the second half is revealed. He realizes they are now in danger and takes off with Téa to find them.

Elsewhere, everyone has picked up a large piece of the stone and smash Prisman to pieces. However, a Skull Guardian appears as a sign of the second phase of the trial beginning. Joey hoped he was there to congratulate them, but it began attacking instead. The Pharaoh once again merges with Dark Magician to become the Dark Warrior and easily defeats the monster. However, he spares it as a glow where the stone was appears. The Pharaoh then explains that the second part of the trial was to not only defeat the Skull Guardian, but to show mercy. This rewards them with the means to leave the island. At the same time the masked man from before appears to all of them and congratulates the Pharaoh on completed Level 2 of the trials. The Pharaoh wonders what will happen if he completes the trials, and the stranger explains that he will receive the power to rule the world as he will have proven himself a true king. However, even though the Pharaoh might not want it, there are others seeking it, and it must be claimed before someone evil does. Also, if they fail, they will be trapped here until the next challenger arrives.

Using the wings found in the trial's reward chest, everyone flies off into another glowing doorway.

Back outside the game, Dr. Brisbane is laughing evilly that soon the power to rule the world will belong to him.

In the game, everyone has reached a volcanic area, where they must remove the Blade of Chaos before it's too late. Tristan gains a new monster, Thunder Dragon. Joey ends up separated from them, but returns, fused with Red-Eyes B. Dragon and full of evil. As Joey fights the Pharaoh in Dark Warrior mode, Joey begins to wonder why he is attacking his friend and realizes this happens because of his fusing with Red Eyes. Breaking free of the evil controlling him, Joey separates form Red Eyes, sees the Blade of Chaos is stuck in its thigh. Removing it, Joey clears the third trial and claims Red Eyes as his monster. Everyone leaves through another glowing doorway.

They then end up in a jungle (where they learn that despite its apparent endless scenery, it is only as big as the game board itself). Their next test is to find a golden apple that "gives you a raise" and offer it up. Tristan finds a giant melon and draws a picture of himself on it. The fruit then falls down a hole, and everyone follows it to find themselves in a chamber with three long pedestals with an apple each on them. Tristan then notices his melon in the corner, which turns out to actually be a Petit Moth. Everyone attempts to leave, but are then caught in a labyrinth. Joey eats some of the fruit he took from the forest and instantly becomes a genius. Right as he is about to figure out how to get out of the labyrinth, a Battle Ox chases him away from his equations. At the same time, Téa gets a Seiyaryu after defeating a Jirai Gumo. Hopelessly lost in the meantime, Tristan releases a Shovel Crusher and it careens around the labyrinth like a lunatic, collecting his allies and depositing them back at the apple room. However, there is a slight difference. An apple is missing and a Cocoon of Evolution is where Petit Moth was. It hatches into Great Moth and Yugi becomes the Dark Warrior to fight it. However, a Dark Magic Attack simply further evolves it into Perfectly Ultimate Great Moth. The Pharaoh then realizes that he must eat one of the apples to evolve Dark Magician in order to stand a chance against the moth. Doing so evolves his magician into Magician of Black Chaos and earns them victory. He then takes the remaining apple to an altar, which opens a doorway.

They then find themselves back at the camp where they were attacked by the Flower Wolves. The masked man appears and properly introduces himself as Alexander the Great. He then goes on to explain he once possessed the Millennium Ring, which he considered his lucky charm as it helped him conquer most of the world. However, prolonged possession of it caused a split personality to emerge (due to Zorc being sealed in the ring) and most of his retainers lost faith in him. He was then put to a test to see if he was still worthy to wear the ring by Shadi and was the first to participate in the Yu-Gi-Oh! Capsule Monsters Collectible Figure Game. However, though he was victorious in the trials, the door leading to the great power to rule the world did not open. This enraged his darker half into attacking his four vassals. It was then the pyramid punished him by splitting his soul in two. His darker half was sealed into the pyramid and he was sent to the game to act as a guide for future adventures. Alexander then gifts the monster-less Solomon with a new monster and tells him he will need it for the fifth trial.

They head to a village, where Alexander explains that the fifth trial involves destroying five different elemental dragons known as the Fiendish Five that terrorize the village. They find a girl about to sacrifice herself to give their dragon god the strength to keep the five away. However, they intervene and promise to slay the dragons. Solomon, using his new Curse of Dragon against Aqua Dragon, the Pharaoh faces Tyrant Dragon, Téa versus Serpent Night Dragon, Tristan battles Luster Dragon #2 and Joey fights Meteor Dragon. However, despite the aid of Yugi's new Black Luster Soldier, everyone fails to defeat the dragons and are forced to return to the village. The Pharaoh then learns of a sword that can slay the five only if a large power descends upon the village. Tricking the five into coming towards the village, the Pharaoh frees the sword and slays them. However, the defeated dragons transform into the Five-Headed Dragon. The girl from earlier prays for her god's help and her tears free the Blue Eyes White Dragon from its picture, and it fuses with the Pharaoh and slays the Fiendish Five once and for all.

With the trials now completed, everyone is about to be sent home, and Alexander is given permission to use Solomon's body as a means of taking himself out of the game.

They arrive outside to find Dr. Brisbane acting normal and concerned for their safety. He then wonders if they found anything interesting in the game, and Solomon presents the trial pendant, now fully lit. Right as the evil side of Alexander tries to grab the pendant, the good side jumps into Dr. Brisbane and seemingly subdues his evil side. However, it's a trick as the evil side was stronger and fused together with his weaker good half. Evil Alexander takes the pendant and runs up to the doors and successfully opens them after waiting for thousands of years. Everyone chases him into the room and they find themselves in an alternate dimension.

Shadi appears and wonders who should receive the power promised to the victor of his challenge. Though the Pharaoh protests that Evil Alexander cheated, Shadi points out that Alexander has a fair claim to the power as he tried himself and won thousands of years ago. To end the stalemate, Shadi announces one final Capsule Monsters battle. Evil Alexander summons the souls of his vassals to assist him and Good Alexander's Duel Armor. Evil Alexander fuses with Reshef the Dark Being and sacrifices his retainers' monsters to summon his Seven-Armed Fiend, the apparition from Yugi's dreams. Everyone but Yugi's monsters are destroyed except for their dragons and Seven-Armed Fiend is destroyed. However, Evil Alexander decides to use the remaining monsters he used for his sacrifice to power Reshef and use his pawns' pain connection to them as a shield. However, the Pharaoh, disgusted with Evil Alexander for how he treats his loyal subjects, fuses with his friends' dragons to form the Armor of Unity and destroys Reshef. The evil side of Alexander is purged and the good Alexander tells the Pharaoh that his reign over Egypt is what inspired him to be pharaoh himself. Alexander then passes on with his vassals. Shadi wishes to gift the Pharaoh with the power promised, but he instantly turns it down. Shadi then muses to him that the one who can rule the world need not possess the power. The pyramid then begins to collapse, and everyone manages to escape safely.

They return to their pilots to discover the rescue plane has come. They talk the pilots into taking Solomon and Dr. Brisbane back to Domino City with them.

Grand Championship arc
Yugi, Kaiba, and all of Yugi's friends prepared for Kaiba's ultimate tournament, the KC-1 Grand Prix Championship. The winner of the tournament would face Yugi Muto in an attempt to claim his title as the world Duel Monsters champion.

On the opening day, while Yugi and his friends are watching a Duel between Rick and a CPU opponent, a hacker traps all the duelists and spectators inside the makeshift electronic stadium. The CPU opponent level has been altered to its highest of difficulty, and the only way for everyone to escape is to defeat the CPU in a Duel. Rick had mostly Dragon-Type Normal Monsters and almost no Magic or Trap Cards in his Deck. Yugi transforms into Yami and takes over, using "Heart of the Underdog"—a card Yugi had given Rick—and combined it with the effects of "Spirit Ryu" to win and free everyone.

Yugi didn't duel much in this season. He cheered for Joey and Rebecca throughout the tournament. He dueled and defeated Vivian Wong, in order for her to cure Solomon Muto's back.

Yami faced Leon von Schroeder, who assumed the alias Leon Wilson, in the finals. Leon acted differently during the Title Bout and Yugi discovered that Leon only wanted to duel and defeat him to earn the respect of his family that Zigfried couldn't earn in his youth. Leon played an illegal card, "Golden Castle of Stromberg", that forced Yugi to discard half the cards in his Deck with every passing turn that Leon took and also infected a virus into the KaibaCorp computer system. Yami figures out a weakness in the card; He couldn't discard half the Cards in his Deck, having only 1 card left. He was able to destroy it and nullify the virus. With "Golden Castle of Stromberg" defeated, Yugi continued the Duel and played several Magic and Trap Cards before striking the final blow using "Dark Magician", "Necromancy", and "Diffusion Wave-Motion" to win. He is then announced as the winner of the tournament.

Dawn of The Duel arc
Before heading to Egypt to finally unlock the pharaoh's memories, Yugi wanted to learn as much as he could. He asked his Grandpa to tell him about his adventure where he recovered the Millennium Puzzle from the Tomb of the Nameless Pharaoh. He was sad to hear that Grandpa didn't know the way back to the tomb, but Grandpa advised him to stay away from there. Obsessed with the Egyptian God cards, Grandpa pleaded with Yugi to leave them with him rather than return them. Yugi reminded him how the pharaoh was going to need them and Grandpa apologized. Before saying goodnight, Grandpa said that his own adventure was over and assured Yugi that he is the only one with the power to help the pharaoh recover everything he has lost. Holding the legacy of the pharaoh is no small task, he said and advised Yugi to take every challenge like he faces a game.

As Yugi slept, he dreamed he was talking with Yami, reflecting on how meeting each other had changed their lives.

Yugi was woken-up as he heard Rex and Weevil breaking in to steal the Egyptian God cards. They took a bag, not knowing it also contained the Millennium Items, and Yugi ran after them. By the time Yugi caught up, they had been knocked unconscious by Yami Bakura who had taken back the Millennium Ring. [122] Bakura returned the Items and God cards to Yugi, but insisted on keeping the Ring for himself. He tried to assure Yugi that they had the same goal; to bring the seven Millennium Items to the Millennium Stone. Taking control of Yugi's body, Yami ordered Bakura to stop poisoning Yugi's mind. Before parting Bakura said that in order to solve the riddle of the pharaoh's memory they will play the ultimate Shadow Game.

At the airport as Yugi prepared to board his flight, he unexpectedly met Joey, Téa and Tristan. He told them that they didn't have to come, but they insisted that they wouldn't miss this for the world.

At the airport in Egypt, Yugi and is friends were greeted by Ishizu, Marik and Odion Ishtar, who brought them to an underground cavern in the desert, where the stone tablets from the museum had been relocated. As Yami held the Egyptian God cards up to the tablet, his spirit was sucked out of Yugi's body and into the Memory World. The portion of Yami Bakura's soul that had secretly been sealed in the Millennium Puzzle was also sucked into the Memory World, taking the rest of Yami Bakura's spirit from Ryo Bakura with it. Yugi reported that Yami was no longer present in his heart or the Puzzle.

Shadi appeared and confirmed that the pharaoh had left Yugi. He informed them that the pharaoh has gone to a world of his memories, which was created 3000 years ago from the Pharaoh's experiences. Fearing Yami is in the same danger that sealed him in the Millennium Puzzle the first time around, Yugi, Joey, Téa and Tristan pleaded with Shadi to let them go to the Memory World to help Yami. Shadi explained that they must go through a doorway in the Millennium Puzzle to get there.[124] Again Yugi insisted on going alone, but his friends wouldn't have it. Using the Millennium Key, Shadi brought the four them inside the Puzzle, where they began searching the labyrinth for the right door.

Yugi and company searched the inside of the Puzzle for a long time, but no no avail. Behind one of the doors they found Yami Bakura who turned into a monster and attacked them. After escaped Shadi informed them that that was the pharaoh's enemy in his true form. Sine the maze reflected the pharaoh's heart, Yugi eventually started to feel it tremble as Yami was in danger. (In the English version, the temperature changed as the pharaoh's emotions changed.) Yugi realized that rather than calling for the pharaoh, they needed to wait for the pharaoh to call to them, so he got everyone to sit together and concentrate. This caused to labyrinth to open a door to the Memory World.

Yugi, Joey, Téa and Tristan entered the Ancient Egyptian Memory World, where Yugi no longer had the Millennium Puzzle. Despite looking out of place, no one took any notice of them. They quickly learned that other people could not see them and trying to touch solid matter, resulted in them phasing through it. Unbeknownst to them, they had entered an RPG played by Yami Bakura and Yami Yugi, where they acted as non-playable characters.

The group found Bobasa, who like them could't be seen by most other people, but unlike them was able to touch objects. Chasing Bobasa led them to find Priest Seto saving Kisara. Recognizing him as the guy who looked like Kaiba from the tablet, they knew he worked for the pharaoh and followed him to the palace. Unlike other objects, they found that they couldn't phase through the palace gates. Bobasa reappeared and offered to help them.

The five of them fell asleep outside the palace until the gates finally opened as the pharaoh chased Thief Bakura on horseback, accompanied by the monster Ka Diabound and Slifer the Sky Dragon respectively. Yugi, Joey, Téa and Tristan ran after them and finally caught up with the pharaoh after he fell off his horse following Slifer's defeat. They were happy to find that the pharaoh could see them, as he asked Yugi in surprise if it was really him. By taking the pharaoh's hand, Yugi was able to give him some of his strength, enabling him to summon The Winged Dragon of Ra to battle Bakura's Diabound.

Ra initially defeated Diabound, but Yami Bakura, playing the RPG, used one of his Hourglass Tokens to turn back time to a few minutes previous.[128] This time following Slifer's defeat, Diabound's attack smashed the ground below the pharaoh, causing him to fall into a chasm before Yugi and his friends could get to him. Yugi's friends briefly encountered Thief Bakura before being called by Bobasa to hide. Téa worried that the pharaoh may have lost his soul, since he just lost a Shadow Game, but Yugi reminded everyone that the world is built on the pharaoh's memories and since it still existed, he had to be okay.

The next day, Yugi, Joey, Téa, Tristan and Bobasa searched for the pharaoh along the River Nile. There they found Mana, who was able to see them and mistook Yugi for the pharaoh. When they started talking about looking for the pharaoh after Bobasa had found his cape, Mana realized that Yugi isn't the pharaoh. She quickly learned that they were his friends and joined their search party. The group were about to be attacked by Thief Bakura's men, shortly afterwards but Mana used her magic to raise the river and sweep the attackers away. As they continued their search Mana explained how only half her spells work, but Yugi told her how she resembled the card "Dark Magician Girl" and that if she kept practicing he's sure Mana could become as strong as the "Dark Magician Girl". Eventually the party found the pharaoh on the beach.

Yugi and his friends learned that Thief Bakura had taken the Millennium Puzzle from the pharaoh and was after the other Items too. The pharaoh told them that had only regained a fragment of his childhood memory and no one would tell him his real name. The pharaoh eventually left on horseback with Mana and asked that Yugi and the others return to their world and not get involved.

Tristan, who had secretly been possessed by Yami Bakura suggested that the pharaoh deliberately made himself lose his memory in order to forget information only he knew that someone would need to bring back the evil that he had locked away. Yugi and the others agreed that this must be his name, which had been erased from history. Yugi figured the pharaoh must have used it as a password to lock Zorc Necrophades away. Since the pharaoh was going to relive his battle with this creature, Yugi realized that without knowing his name, the pharaoh will lose this time. Determined to find out the pharaoh's name before the battle, they decided to go to the palace to see if there was some record of it.

This time at the palace, thinking to himself, Yugi asked the pharaoh to let them in it, and found he could pass through the palace gates. Inside the courtyard, he suggested that they split up to search and meet back in an hour. As they searched, Yami Bakura used another Hourglass Token to temporarily freeze time.

The five of them met-up again, finding Bobasa had eaten all the food in a storage room. Despite this, he was still hungry and couln't move without eating again. Tristan, who was still possessed argued that Bobasa was no help and they should leave him. However Yugi pointed out that he had helped them find the pharaoh. The others agreed and helped Bobasa find something to eat. After finding some grapes they pulled him outside and let him eat them. The grapes finally filled Bobasa, who said this allowed him to grant their wish. His body inflated, allowing him to float in midair. He invited them to get on his back, so he could take them to see the pharaoh's name. He flew them to the pharaoh's tomb at the Valley of the Kings.

The inside of the tomb was filled with traps. Remembering Grandpa's story about his visit to the tomb, Yugi knew traps operated and was able to guide his friends safely through. They reached the room where Grandpa found the Millennium Puzzle, but were unable to find any clues there, so they began searching for another room.

Joey accidentally leaned on a hidden switch, unlocking a passageway.[135] Possessed, Tristan ran ahead of everyone else, but found the room was empty. To everyone's surprise, Tristan read the hieroglyphics on the floor claiming they said that whoever solved the Millennium Puzzle must return the wish that they were granted in order to pass. Yugi claimed that what he wished for could never be returned, but after some coaxing admitted that he wished for friends. Téa and Tristan were touched, having never heard this before. Tristan pushed Yugi onto one eye pattern on the floor and pushed Joey and Téa onto another, where he joined them. The floor apart from the two eyes and a connecting beam gave away, leaving the two eyes balancing on a stone needle below the middle of the beam. (In the English version a pit of shadows is added below the platform. In the Japanese, it's just a long fall.) The beam turned, positioning Yugi's eye at a door to another room. Yugi was reluctant to go through as it would have meant losing his friends. After calling Yugi weak, Tristan leaped from the platform to the doorway, causing the platform to go off balance. Joey and Téa jumped off the platform and grabbed onto the ledge. Yugi ran after them and jumped catching onto Joey. The three of them climbed up and entered the room.

Inside the room, they found the name written on a wall. Unable to read it, they just memorized the hieroglyphics. As they looked around for Tristan, they spotted and exit and followed it.

Yugi, Joey and Téa were taken to a chamber with two sides connected by a bridge. Standing at the other side was Tristan who revealed he was possessed by Yami Bakura and took on his appearance. At the same time, the room shook as Zorc was about to be resurrected elsewhere. Yami Bakura laughed that they weren't going to leave with the pharaoh's name, then formed a Duel Disk on his arm and challenged Yugi to a Duel.

Bakura explained that their Decks will be created from images of their mind and the order of the cards won't be revealed until they draw. Duel Disks and Decks then appeared on their arms. Bakura told Yugi that this would be a Shadow Game, so losing would mean losing his soul. (In the English version, Bakura instead said that it had been a while since they dueled, but this time Yugi doesn't have Yami Yugi to bail him out.) As they dueled, Yugi realized that the Deck created from images of his mind was much different than his real Deck.[137]

Yugi intended to level up "Silent Swordsman LV0" under the protection of "Marshmallon" and "Marshmallon Glasses". However Bakura forced "Marshmallon" into Attack Mode, leaving Yugi the burden of defending it too. Whenever Bakura took the upperhand, he would often taunt Yugi about not being able to win without Yami Yugi.

Bakura used "Cursed Twin Dolls" to remove his own Graveyard, filling his field with ghosts and "Counterbalance" to cause players to send cards from their Deck to the Graveyard equal to the number of cards on the field including the ghosts each turn. Since Bakura no longer had a Graveyard he was unaffected. Yugi used "Aria from Beyond" to use "Spirit Sword of Sealing" to temporarily remove "Silent Swordsman" from the game. Bakura's strategy left Yugi with one card in his Deck, "Gandora the Dragon of Destruction", which he drew and Summoned.[139] Using its effect, "Gandora" destroyed and removed from play all other monsters on the field and then destroyed itself. This deactivated the effect of "Spirit Sword of Sealing" and returned "Silent Swordsman". Yugi used "Silent Swordsman", with 4500 ATK to attack and defeat Bakura.

Bakura said that he couldn't believe he lost to a "container". Before relinquishing control of Tristan's body, he laughed that Zorc had still been freed and they couldn't win if the pharaoh dies. After explaining to Tristan what just happened, the chamber started to collapse. The quartet exited through a tunnel leading them to the side of a cliff.

After sliding down the cliff, Yugi and his friends were attacked by hooded riders. Like how Yugi and Yami Bakura were able to form Duel Disks, Yugi realized that if concentrated hard enough, their thoughts could become real. With no time to fight the riders, they imagined that they could fly and took off to find the pharaoh.

As Zorc was about to throw a fireball at the pharaoh, Yugi and his friends arrived. Zorc instead threw the fireball at them, saying that they should have stayed in their own world. The group dodged the attack, but saw some of Bakura's soldiers approaching. Preparing to fight, Yugi conjured a Duel Disk and the Deck that he and Atem built. He Summoned the "Dark Magician", who the pharaoh now recognized as Mahad. Joey, Téa, Tristan and Mana, who was at the palace, Summoned more monsters to battle the soldiers.

With the Monster Spirits battling Zorc and the soldiers, Yugi and his friends gathered around the pharaoh. They told him that they had seen his name and remember what it looked like, but were unable to read it. However after seeing the pharaoh's cartouche, Anzu suggested that they concentrate on making the hieroglyphics appear on it. They all held their hands over the cartouche and tried this. Zorc tried to stop them by throwing another fireball in their direction, but Seto Kaiba appeared and used "Ring of Defense" to block the attack. Zorc launched another attack destroying the ring. Yugi and company managed to survive with the name engraved on the cartouche. The pharaoh declared that his name was Atem. Knowing this he was able to revive the Egyptian Gods and combine them into The Creator God of Light, Horakhty, who attacked and destroyed Zorc.[141]

Yugi and Atem both found it weird having different names at first, having shared an identity since Yugi solved the Puzzle. Yugi said he felt a bit lonely, but it was okay. Even if their names are different, he said that they will still be a team. After saying goodbye to Priest Seto, Atem reached the end of his memories he could no longer exist in the Memory World, so he joined Yugi, Joey, Téa, Tristan and Kaiba to leave through an opening in the sky.

Ceremonial Battle arc
Yugi and the others awoke in the cavern they had entered the world of the pharaoh's memories from. Yugi found that Atem still residing in his body and received the Millennium Eye from Kaiba, who said he'd be needing it. Before they can question Kaiba on how he got it, they were interrupted by the appearance of Ryo Bakura, who was no longer possessed by Yami Bakura. As they left the Yugis took the Millennium Ring from Bakura and found the Millennium Scales and Key, left behind by Shadi.

The Ishtars began to guide Yugi and his friends to the Shrine of the Millennium Stone; The pharaoh's final resting place. They went on to a boat, where Yugi met up with Duke, Grandpa and Mokuba. On the boat, Marik told Yugi that Atem would have to lose in a Ceremonial Battle in order to move on. Joey and Kaiba both offered to Duel Atem, but Yugi declined their offers in favor of dueling Atem himself. He believed that this was something both he and Atem needed. Angrily, Kaiba showed Yugi a briefcase of cards and said that if he's dueling he might as well use a real Deck, but Yugi declined again, wanting to use his and Atem's cards.

The night before they arrived at the shrine, Yugi worked on his Deck. Téa came into Yugi's room and admitted that she didn't want Atem to go and asked how Atem felt about it. However Atem had been hiding within his soul room to give Yugi privacy while he made his Deck. As he constructed the Deck, Yugi reflected on how solving the Millennium Puzzle changed his life. Once he finished, he gave Atem privacy to construct his Deck.

The next day, everyone arrived at the shrine. This was the best time for the Duel as Zorc had just been defeated, Ishizu assured them and said the pharaoh will stuck in this time if they don't take this chance. Yugi placed the Millennium Items in the Millennium Stone. This caused the Eye of Wdjat to scan him for the pharaoh's soul and split them into two bodies. Yugi and Atem walked to opposite sides of the cavern and prepared to Duel.

Atem choose not to hold back and quickly Summoned the three Egyptian Gods. Using "Valkyrion the Magna Warrior" in combination with "Magnet Force" and predicting Atem's moves, Yugi was able to redirect the blasts from "Slifer the Sky Dragon" back at the Gods, lowering their ATK and eventually destroying them.[144][145] Yugi and Atem continued to battle using cards that both of them had used before together.[145] When Atem Summoned "Dark Magician" and "Dark Magician Girl", Yugi fought them using cards like he used against Yami Bakura and played "Gold Sarcophagus", predicting Atem would use "Monster Reborn". Once the magicians were defeated, Atem attempted to revive "Slifer the Sky Dragon" using "Monster Reborn", but Yugi revealed that he had selected that card with "Gold Sarcophagus" and negated its effect. Yugi reluctantly attacked Atem directly with "Silent Magician", winning the Duel.

With the Duel over Yugi wept. He called himself weak and said that he had always followed Atem, wanting to be as strong as him. However Atem said that Yugi has the strength of tenderness, which Yugi has also taught him. Yugi called Atem "the other me", but Atem said that he is no longer another Yugi and Yugi Muto is now himself and nobody else. (In the English version, as Yugi wept, he said that he had been so focused on the Duel, he forgot what winning meant. However Atem said that Yugi has opened the door for him, so he can finally be at rest where he belongs and that they have fulfilled their destiny. Yugi said that he was going to miss Atem, but Atem said that they will never be truly apart as the gift of kindness Yugi has given him and the kindness he has given Yugi will bind them forever.)

The Eye of Wdjat then began to glow and upon hearing Atem say his name, opened the door to the spirit world. Yugi and his friends tried to convince Atem to stay. After Joey convinced Téa that the pharaoh had to go, Yugi said that he will never forget Atem. (In the English version, Yugi said that it's like they always say "It's your move!".) Once the doorway shut, the chamber began to shake. Yugi and the others all ran outside, while the shrine collapsed, burying the Millennium Items with it.

Yugi, Joey, Téa, Tristan flew back to Japan afterwards and Yugi received a hug from Rebecca at the airport. Later when he met up with his friends again, he thought that this isn't the tale of the pharaoh; Everyone has their own story and although one has just ended, his own is just beginning.

Yu-Gi-OH! GX (Anime)
Jaden Yuki bumps into him on the way to the Duel Academy sign ups. Yugi gives Jaden the card "Winged Kuriboh". In the Japanese version he says the card is lucky. In the English version, he says that he feels the card belongs with Jaden. Yugi's Deck goes on display at Duel Academy. Later on, it is stolen by Dimitri, who Duels Jaden with it. During the Duel, Dimitri began to mimic Yugi and a shaded figure of Yugi appeared behind him. Afterwards the Deck is returned.

In his Duel with Gravekeeper's Chief, Jaden mentioned that Yugi had won many Shadow Duels.[150] While Lyman Banner was giving a history lesson, he mentions Yugi and Kaiba as the best Duelists of their generation and shows drawings of them to the class. One of the girls in the class says that they are one of the best looking, and another girl calls them dream boats.[151] During Jaden's Duel with the Dark Magician Girl, Bastion Misawa and Zane Truesdale state that Yugi's the only Duelist that possesses the "Dark Magician Girl" card, making them confused about who Jaden's Dueling against.

When Jaden visits the Kame Game shop during the school trip, Solomon Muto states Yugi went on another journey and he does not know when he will come back. While Jaden is Dueling T-Bone, Jaden gives T-Bone some words of wisdom, which Solomon Muto believes to be exactly what Yugi would have said.

While Bob Banter is caught spying on Alexis Rhodes, he distracts Jaden, Syrus and Hassleberry, by saying "Hey look! It's Yugi", so he make his escape. When Jaden's Duels Frantz, who stole a copy of "The Winged Dragon of Ra", Pegasus compares Jaden to Yugi.

During one of Aster Phoenix's flashbacks, Pegasus mentions Yugi being "Number 1" in his top five Duelists, with Kaiba as number 2, Joey as number 3, Aster as number 4, and Jesse Anderson as number 5.

During Jaden's last year, the person who had gained the most graduation points at the exam would get a copy of Yugi's Deck, excluding the God Cards. Chazz Princeton, Alexis Rhodes and Syrus Truesdale qualified, but turned down the prize in favor of their own decks. During the graduation party, Jaden is led by Winged Kuriboh to the room containing Yugi's Deck. Yugi appears and sends Jaden back in time to Duel his younger self. In this time Yugi seems to be taller and more muscular.

Yugi won Battle City V2 at some point and had a dream where Kuriboh told him he would meet someone and have to Duel him. Shortly after this, Yugi bumped into Jaden Yuki, who had been sent back in time by Yugi's future self. Jaden showed Yugi a "Winged Kuriboh" card, which he said Yugi had given to him and it helped him come here. Yugi saw that Jaden's "Winged Kuriboh" looked like his own "Kuriboh", but had no knowledge of ever meeting Jaden or giving him a card. He told Jaden about his dream and asked if Jaden was there to Duel him.

The two proceeded to Domino City Plaza, where they saw that time had frozen and nobody else was around and began to Duel. Yugi was impressed by Jaden's "Elemental Hero" cards.[159] After Jaden got the upper hand, Yugi switched to Yami Yugi, who Summoned "Slifer the Sky Dragon", stating that the only worthy opponent for Jaden is a god. Jaden then remembered the important thing that he had lost - how to have fun in a Duel regardless of its importance. No outcome to the Duel is shown and Jaden returned to his own time.

Yu-Gi-Oh! Pyramid of Light
''The events of Battle City have just concluded, and Yugi now owns all three Egyptian God Cards. Seto Kaiba longs to finally defeat him, and he has a plan. He suspects that since Maximillion Pegasus created the Egyptian God Cards, he would have also created a way to beat them, just in case.

Yugi, Joey, Téa, and Tristan at school. They were just leaving when the noticed a big crowd of people. When they went to see what it was all about and it turned out to be a group of people wanting to duel Yugi. Joey tells Téa to get Yugi out of there, they run out of the crowd and notice people are everywhere looking for Yugi. Téa noticed the museum and they go in there. She tells Yugi that no one would look there for them.

Yugi Muto and Tea Gardner, seeking refuge from a mob of duelists wanting to face Yugi for the Egyptian Gods, stumble into Domino Museum, where they discover a new attraction on display called the Pyramid of Light, which looks a little like the Millennium Puzzle. Yugi's grandpa, Solomon Muto (who also happens to be visiting the museum), reads an inscription on the side of a sarcophagus (The eye that sees what's yet to come, its vision shall be fulfilled, unless blinded by events predetermined, thus light & shadows both be killed), triggering a strange vision in Yugi's mind concerning his Millennium Puzzle, the Pyramid of Light, Anubis, and Kaiba.

After he wakes up, he finds the pyramid stolen, the sarcophagus now empty, and Mokuba standing outside. Mokuba says that Kaiba wants Yugi to bring his duel disk to the KaibaCorp Duel Dome immediately.

Yugi does so, transforming into Yami Yugi on the way, and finds Kaiba ready to duel. Seto asks Mokuba to seal all the exits, forcing Yugi to duel him, but not before Joey Wheeler and Tristan Taylor find their way in to watch.

The duel goes on for what seems like an eternity, and Yugi is starting to suspect that there are dark forces at work - especially when Kaiba activates a Trap Card called the "Pyramid of Light", which not only bears a striking resemblance to its namesake in the museum, but also prevents Yugi from using any of the Egyptian Gods! Before long, Kaiba has his "Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon" on the field, but to Yugi's surprise, he sacrifices it to summon a monster known as the "Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon", which is even stronger!

The Pyramid of Light also pulls the souls of Yugi, Joey, and Tristan into Yugi's Millenium Puzzle, where they are chased by a group of mummies controlled by an unknown force...

Kaiba could win the duel there and then, but he wants to humiliate Yugi by wiping him out with his own Egyptian Gods! His "Pyramid of Light" removed the gods from play, and he wants to play "Return from the Different Dimension" to get them under his control. Of course, to do that, he needs to destroy his Pyramid of Light first, otherwise it would just destroy the gods again! Kaiba commands his "Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon" to use its "Shining Nova" effect, which allows it to sacrifice itself to destroy anything on the field - and he aims it at the Pyramid of Light. Suddenly, a ghostly voice calls out, "This I cannot allow!", and the Pyramid stays exactly where it is. Then, a man rises up from behind Kaiba, throws him aside, and takes over the duel himself.

It's Anubis, the Egyptian Lord of the Dead, whom the Pharaoh destroyed 5000 years ago. But now he's back with the Pyramid of Light around his neck and two of his most powerful monsters - "Andro Sphinx" and "Spinx Teleia! On top of this, Téa, Joey, Tristan and Yugi are all trapped inside the Millennium Puzzle, leaving the Pharaoh to duel all alone. Putting all his faith into the cards, Yugi draws the "Double Spell" card, which allows him to discard his other spell card to activate "Monster Reborn" from Seto's Graveyard. He uses it to revive "Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon", who then destroys the "Pyramid of Light" (after it was weakened by Yugi from inside the Millennium Puzzle), along with "Andro Sphinx" and "Sphinx Teleia". But Anubis's not done yet. With the Pyramid gone, he summons his last trick up his sleeve - "Theinen the Great Sphinx"! Yugi, however, activates "Reverse of Reverse" to activate Kaiba's "Return from the Different Dimension". The God Monsters return, destroy the Great Sphinx and Anubis is seemingly defeated. But a giant jackal - the ancient Egyptian representation of Anubis, the Lord of the Dead - rises from the remains of the Pyramid!

Kaiba and Yugi join forces, putting all their strength into the "Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon" card, and using Shining Nova to destroy Anubis once and for all. On top of it all, Pegasus, who had earlier arrived via helicopter to help them, gets them out of the explosion in time. After this, Yugi thanks kaiba for all he's help. But brushes the thanks a side,and departs promising to defeat Yugi. Mokuba then leaves as well asking his brother to slow down. Yugi thanks his friends for helping him,and lastly talks to Yami Yugi.

Yu-Gi-OH! 3D Bonds Beyond Time
Yusei Fudo had a nightmare about the Zero Reverse incident that his father created. With Yusei upset, Jack Atlas and Crow Hogan decided to have a Turbo Duel to cheer Yusei up. After driving down the highway, Paradox, who traveled back in Yusei's time, challenges Yusei to a Turbo Duel. After a few turns, Yusei tunes "Junk Synchron" with "Junk Warrior" and Synchro Summons "Stardust Dragon", but Paradox reveals a blank card and launches a beam at "Stardust Dragon", absorbing it and creating a blackened corrupt card of it into the blank card. Yusei confronts Paradox, who shows him the corrupt card, before vanishing through time again. Yusei, Jack and Crow halt their Duel Runners and look in bewilderment at the original "Stardust Dragon" card, whose illustration has just been blanked.

Yusei, Jack and Crow then started questioning about Paradox's identity at their garage, when Akiza Izinski, Leo and Luna arrived and showed the archives they found about the past. They found an old article about "Maximillion Pegasus" and "Yugi Muto", with Yusei recognizing Yugi as a legendary duelist. They also discovered a record of "Stardust Dragon" assaulting various duelists in Europe. Knowing that "Stardust Dragon" could not have existed in that era, Yusei zooms in on the article's picture to discover Paradox standing in the background of the dragons. Outside, New Domino City begins to crumble and collapse. Witnessing the destruction, Jack Atlas realized that "Stardust Dragon's" existence in the past is now changing the future, which is their era.

With the support of the other Signers, their marks begin to glow as the complete Crimson Dragon appears on Yusei's back followed by Yusei's Duel Runner glowing as well. Yusei feels himself being called by the Crimson Dragon and beckons Yusei to board his runner. With its help, a time slip is opened and Yusei begins his chase after Paradox.

In Venice, Paradox finds Jaden Yuki, who still has the powers of Yubel and The Supreme King. Paradox attacks him with "Cyber End Dragon" and "Rainbow Dragon". Jaden manages to resist by Summoning "Elemental HERO Neos" to protect him. In response, Paradox Summons "Stardust Dragon", a monster from the future, and proceeds to overwhelm Jaden (This scene is how the movie opens before changing to Yusei's nightmare of Zero Reverse). Stardust Dragon's first attack almost destroys Neos and sends the two skidding backwards into a wall.

As Paradox commands Stardust Dragon to attack Jaden again, Yusei appears with the Crimson Dragon, who takes the blows for Jaden. Paradox disappears once again.

Soon, Yusei and Jaden began to chat on a roof. Seeing Yusei's Duel Runner, Jaden gets excited seeing such a technology, asking Yusei if that was the Duel Disk of the future. He then explained that he came here because he heard that there were cards missing from duelists. Yusei explains to Jaden that Paradox is trying to change the past and that his target was Maximillion Pegasus. Jaden then used his laptop to find out an article about the event that Paradox performed that would create a major historical event. (In the English version, Jaden did not believe Yusei, which is why he opened his laptop and discovered that truth.) Jaden then checks his card, as his "Elemental HERO Neos" card turns into a blank card. As the country began to collapse, Yusei tells Jaden that they must hurry to save the world.

Yusei and Jaden then ride Yusei's Duel Runner, with the Crimson Dragon taking both of them even further back in time.

Meanwhile, in Yugi's timeline, sometime after Battle City but before the Waking the Dragons arc, Maximillion Pegasus is currently holding a tournament. The Sakiyomi Jan Bang! made a cameo as the MC of the event. Yugi and his grandfather, Solomon Muto, noticed "Stardust Dragon", "Cyber End Dragon" and "Rainbow Dragon" in the sky. Paradox then attacks the crowd with "Cyber End Dragon" and "Stardust Dragon", killing almost everyone, including Pegasus and Yugi's grandfather.

Amongst the ruins, Yugi is the only survivor against Paradox's attack. He stands up and searches for other survivors. He finds a bandanna belonging to his grandfather and cries over his death. He then sees Paradox laughing on top of a building, happy that he finally completed his mission. At that moment a crack in the space appears and the Crimson Dragon suddenly "swallows" Yugi. Then, Yugi is thrown back in time at the same place half an hour earlier. Yusei and Jaden find Yugi and explain to him what they know about Paradox to him. Yugi agrees to fight with them against Paradox to free the trapped monsters and save the world.

At the event, Jaden Summons Yubel and starts to scare the audience, so they would flee. By doing so, Yugi hopes the future is safe as Jaden regains his "Elemental HERO Neos" card. However, Paradox arrives regardless to the shock of the heroes. After Paradox took his mask off and introduced himself, Yugi asks Paradox what kind of person he is. Paradox replies that he is from a future which was destroyed by Duel Monsters. He intends to destroy the game of Duel Monsters to prevent that future from happening. Yusei tries to tell Paradox that by changing time and trying to destroy Duel Monsters, he will also erase people from the timeline as well, to which Paradox replies that it is what he is looking forward to the most. Yusei, Yugi and Jaden challenge Paradox to a 3 on 1 Duel, with a time limit of 20 minutes, before Pegasus arrives at the event and the other dimensions crumble to pieces. Jaden's eves change color as Yubel appears behind him and Yusei's Mark of the Dragon glows as the Crimson Dragon roars behind him as the two Duel Kings say their catchphrases and then Yami says to Yugi that the Duel against Paradox would be the toughest and Yugi responds by saying that they should rise to the challenge. Yugi transforms into Yami and says his catchphrase as Paradox accepts this challenge and the Duel begins.

Paradox's Duel Runner transforms into a flying type and he floats up high and the Duel begins.

Paradox declares the first move. He activates "Malefic World" that lets him put a random "Malefic" monster from his Deck to his hand instead of drawing a card during his Draw Phase. The field begins transforming into a purple atmosphere full of stars. Then, he sends "Cyber End Dragon" from his Extra Deck to the Graveyard to Special Summon "Malefic Cyber End Dragon" from his hand. He sets a card to end his turn (because in a 3-on-1 Duel, you cannot attack on the first turn). By this time, Yugi, Jaden and Yusei come to the realization why Paradox has been stealing monsters: He's using them to Summon the "Malefic" monsters, as Yugi understands that by destroying a monster's good version, Paradox can Summon their dark version.

Yusei tells everybody that despite them never fighting together before, they must work together to defeat Paradox, as Yugi & Jaden agree. Yugi then asks Yusei to take the first turn for his team.

Yusei activates "Reincarnation of Hope", which sends "Sonic Chick" and "Quillbolt Hedgehog" from his hand to the Graveyard; but on their team's second Standby Phase, they are allowed to add a monster from their Deck to their hand. Yusei then Summons "Junk Synchron" and due to its effect, he also Summons "Sonic Chick" back on his field. He then activates the effect of "Quillbolt Hedgehog" to Summon it back to his field. He then uses the 3 monsters to Synchro Summon "Junk Gardna" in Defense Position. Yugi becomes surprised by the concept of Synchro Summoning, as Jaden is just as confused by Yusei's Synchro card, but praises Yusei's play and shows his interest in the future cards. Yusei Sets 2 cards to end his turn.

Paradox adds "Malefic Rainbow Dragon" to his hand due to the effect of "Malefic World". He then sends "Rainbow Dragon" from his Deck to the Graveyard to Special Summon "Malefic Rainbow Dragon" from his hand. Jaden then becomes angry since Paradox is using Jesse's card. Paradox attacks "Junk Gardna" with "Malefic Rainbow Dragon", but Yusei activates the effect of "Junk Gardna" that switches "Malefic Rainbow Dragon" to Defense Position, thus stopping the attack. Paradox then attacks "Junk Gardna" with "Malefic Cyber End Dragon", this time destroying it and inflicting Piercing Damage to Yusei's Life Points. Yusei felt the real damage that Paradox did to him, but not before activating "Junk Gardna's" 2nd ability, which switches Paradox's other monster in Defense mode and "Miracle's Wake", reviving his "Junk Gardna". Yusei apologizes for losing some Life Points, but Yami and Jaden insisted that Yusei did a good job, stopping the assault of both monsters. Paradox then Sets a card and ends his turn.

As Jaden's turn begins (his theme song plays in the Japanese version), he asks Yusei if he may borrow "Junk Gardna". Yusei agrees, as Jaden activates "Polymerization", fusing his "Elemental HERO Neos" with Yusei's "Junk Gardna" to Fusion Summon "Elemental HERO Neos Knight". The ATK of "Elemental HERO Neos Knight" increases by half the ATK of "Junk Gardna", making it 3200. Because of the other effect of "Elemental HERO Neos Knight", it can attack twice during the same Battle Phase. Thus, Jaden attacks Paradox's "Malefic Rainbow Dragon" and "Malefic Cyber End Dragon" with "Elemental HERO Neos Knight". Paradox activates "Malefic Tune", allowing him to draw 2 cards. Jaden Sets four cards to end his turn.

Paradox adds "Malefic Stardust Dragon" to his hand due to the effect of "Malefic World". He then sends "Stardust Dragon" from his Extra Deck to the Graveyard to Summon "Malefic Stardust Dragon". Yusei then became shocked to see that his ace monster became corrupted and in the English dub he yells at Paradox, calling him a snake and is horrified at what has been done to his card. Paradox then Normal Summons "Malefic Parallel Gear" and tunes it with "Malefic Stardust Dragon" to Synchro Summon "Malefic Paradox Dragon". Yusei is stunned by this, to which Paradox says that he is not the only one who could Synchro Summon. He activates its effect, Special Summoning "Stardust Dragon" and decreasing the ATK of Jaden's "Elemental Hero Neos Knight" by 2500. Paradox attacks "Elemental HERO Neos Knight" with "Malefic Paradox Dragon", but Jaden activates "Hero Barrier", negating the attack. Yugi and Yusei praise Jaden for that move, but Paradox activates "Malefic Claw Stream", destroying "Elemental HERO Neos Knight", but Jaden activates "Elemental Mirage", resurrecting "Elemental HERO Neos Knight" with its original ATK (2500). He explains to Yugi and Yusei that he did this to ensure that there was at least a monster on the field by Yugi's turn. Because of the effect of "Malefic Paradox Dragon", the ATK of "Elemental HERO Neos Knight" is reduced to 0. Paradox Sets 2 cards to end his turn.

As Yugi's turn began (his theme song plays in the Japanese version), he adds "Dark Magician" to his hand due to Yusei's "Reincarnation of Hope". Paradox knew that he would try to go for the "Dark Magician". Yugi activates "Ancient Rules", which allows him to Special Summon it. The Dark Magician, however, is still affected by the effect of Malefic Paradox Dragon, reducing its ATK to zero. Jaden gets excited seeing Yugi's ace card, while Yusei remembers based on the archives, the Dark Magician is Yugi's ace monster. At this point, Yusei asks Yami to destroy Stardust Dragon, since Malefic Paradox Dragon's effect will prevent them from launching an attack. Yugi then activates "Bond Between Teacher and Student", which Summons "Dark Magician Girl" to his field. Yami then activates "Magic Gate of Miracles", which lets him take control of one of Paradox's monsters and which Paradox assumes it is his "Malefic Paradox Dragon". In response, Paradox chains "Malefic Force", which protects his "Malefic Paradox Dragon" from Yami's card effects. Yami then smiles claiming his true target is "Stardust Dragon". Now Yusei gets his "Stardust Dragon" back on his field. Jaden then praises Yami for this, noting that Yami never wanted Malefic Paradox Dragon in the first place. By doing so, Malefic Paradox Dragon's effect is negated, thus returning the Dark Magician & Elemental Hero Neos Knight's ATK to their original amount. Yami then activates "Dark Magic Twin Burst", combining his two monsters' ATK together, raising the ATK of "Dark Magician" to 4500. He attacks and destroys "Malefic Paradox Dragon", resulting in Paradox losing 500 Life Points. Paradox then grins, claiming that these desperate moves change nothing. Yugi disagrees, mentioning to Paradox that he had two monsters and now he has none. Paradox mentioned that they only created the path for the Summoning of a powerful monster and activates "Malefic Paradigm Shift", which Summons "Malefic Truth Dragon" to his field when his "Malefic Paradox Dragon" is destroyed. This costs Paradox half of his Life Points to activate (Paradox: 1750 Life Points). Paradox then fuses with his new monster and everyone is amazed to see such a gigantic monster. Yugi then Sets 2 cards face down and ends his turn.

By now, time has run out as Pegasus is about to arrive, but cannot land his helicopter due to Malefic World still being in play. Back in New Domino City, everybody is watching their dimension collapse but Jack knows that Yusei still has a chance.

Paradox then starts his turn. He plays "Malefic Selector" to remove "Malefic Parallel Gear" and "Malefic Cyber End Dragon" from play to add "Malefic Blue-Eyes White Dragon" and "Malefic Red-Eyes Black Dragon" to his hand. Paradox then sends both "Blue-Eyes White Dragon" and "Red-Eyes Black Dragon" from his Deck to the Graveyard to Summon "Malefic Blue-Eyes White Dragon" and "Malefic Red-Eyes Black Dragon".

Yugi is shocked that the "Red Eyes Black Dragon" & "Blue Eyes White Dragon" have become Malefic monsters as well. Paradox then attacks "Dark Magician Girl" with "Malefic Red-Eyes Black Dragon". At that point, he also mentions Malefic Truth Dragon's ability: If a Malefic monster destroys one monster, the other monsters are destroyed also. Jaden then activates Yugi's "De-Fusion", sending Elemental HERO Neos Knight back to the Extra Deck and Summoning his "Elemental HERO Neos" and Yusei's "Junk Gardna". Yusei then uses the effect of "Junk Gardna" to switch "Malefic Red-Eyes Black Dragon" to Defense Position, thus canceling its attack. Yugi praises both Jaden and Yusei for this impressive display of teamwork but then Paradox then attacks "Dark Magician" with "Blue Eyes White Dragon" and destroys it, costing Yugi, Yusei and Jaden 500 Life Points. He then activates the effect of "Malefic Truth Dragon" which would destroy all of Yami, Jaden and Yusei's monsters, but Yusei activates the effect of "Stardust Dragon" to negate the destruction effect of "Malefic Truth Dragon" and destroy it. However, Paradox activates the effect of "Malefic Truth Dragon" which removes from play his "Malefic Rainbow Dragon" and negates the effect of "Stardust Dragon". He then attacks "Elemental HERO Neos" with "Malefic Truth Dragon" and thus activating its effect again, destroying "Dark Magician Girl" and "Junk Gardna". Also, for every monster destroyed, Malefic Truth Dragon inflicts 800 damage. Yami, Jaden and Yusei's Life Points are all reduced to 500 as all 3 of them are pushed back by the explosion. Paradox then activates "Malefic Divide", Special Summoning "Malefic Stardust Dragon" from the Graveyard. He then orders it to unleash its fury so that Duel Monsters will perish forever. Yusei falls to his knees, saying that everything is lost and the future is doomed. Jaden tells Yusei not to surrender reminding him that they have a "secret weapon" on their side. Yugi also tells Yusei that other than Paradox, they believe in Duel Monsters. To show him what he means, Jaden activates "The Flute of Summoning Kuriboh". The effect of "Flute of Summoning Kuriboh" allows Yami to add "Kuriboh" to his hand. Yami then discards "Kuriboh" to reduce the Battle Damage to 0. Paradox ends his turn, but not before "Malefic Stardust Dragon" gets destroyed by the effect of "Malefic Divide" and the original "Stardust Dragon" gets Summoned back to Yusei's field due to its ability. Yami then tells Yusei that no matter which era he is in, his friends will always be supporting him.

Yusei gets up, as Yami & Jaden tell Yusei to end the Duel, as they promise to aid. Yusei activates "Stardust Mirage", Special Summoning all monsters that Paradox destroyed during this turn. This brings back "Dark Magician Girl", "Dark Magician", "Elemental HERO Neos" and "Junk Gardna". Paradox is shocked, as all the monsters previously destroyed in his turn are Special Summoned back to their field. Yusei then draws a card to start his turn, as Jaden then activates "Neos Spiral Force", doubling the ATK of "Stardust Dragon" to 5000. Yami then activates "Dark Spiral Force". This then doubled Stardust Dragon's attack again to 10000. Yusei attacks "Malefic Truth Dragon" with "Stardust Dragon" and the combined efforts of "Dark Magician" and "Elemental HERO Neos", winning the Duel and restoring peace. Paradox is destroyed by the attack and is never to be seen again. Pegasus is finally able to land and arrive at the event.

After the Duel, Yusei thanks Jaden and Yami and hopes to meet them again, as Yami looks down from the rooftop towards the event where Pegasus is among the crowd. Yami gives a friendship speech and Yusei and Jaden return to their respective timelines. Back at New Domino City, everybody comes running to Yusei as Yusei himself looks at the sky and hopes to protect his future so that one day, he can meet Jaden and Yugi/Yami again. In the English version, he also says that the true magic of Duel Monsters isn't in the cards, it's the bonds we forge because of it.

Tea Gardner
Tea has been Yugi's friend since childhood. Téa is in love with Yugi, but no one knows if she loves Yugi more than his other half. The fact that Yugi and Yami Yugi are two separate beings causes her confusion as to who she really loves. Though it seems her deepest feelings reside toward the original Yugi, as it is shown in many episodes when Rebecca Hawkins hugs Yugi, Téa appears upset, though this is before she accepts that Yugi and Yami are separate people. She has also shown jealousy towards Mai Valentine for her initially flirtatious attitude towards Yugi during her first appearance at Duelist Kingdom, as well as Vivian Wong.

Yami Yugi
After putting the Millennium Puzzle together, a "walk-in" spirit entered his mind and bonded with him. Yugi was initially unaware of Yami Yugi's existence and control of Yugi's body would involuntarily shift when Yugi or his friends are wronged. After finding out about the spirit, he was afraid of him, but eventually grew to accept this revelation as well as Yami himself. The two develop a bond similar to that of brothers or a father and son, and Yugi begins to grow, becoming stronger as he remains in Yami's shadow. After winning the Ceremonial Battle, Yugi was upset to see him go, claiming that he was weak and wasn't ready. Yami, proud of him, tells him otherwise, and as he steps through the door to the afterlife, Yugi gives him a thumbs up, now ready to go on his own.

Joey Wheeler
''Joey initially bullied Yugi along with Tristan, but after he saw how Yugi stood up to Ushio, he became a close friend to him. When he was possessed by Marik, Yugi took Yami's place to get his friend back to his senses. After Joey's first Duel with Marik, Yugi couldn't believe he was dead (sent to the Shadow Realm in the English version), and was in grief. Joey, likewise, was upset when Yugi's soul was taken by the "Seal of Orichalcos". Joey is fiercely loyal to Yugi and is often quick to give his support to him. During the Ceremonial Battle he was the first to declare his support for Yugi over Yami.

Tristan Taylor
Tristan initially bullied Yugi along with Joey, but after he saw how Yugi stood up to Ushio, he became a friend to him. While his friendship with Tristan is not as strong as Joey or Yami Yugi, Tristan is still a good friend of Yugi who just like Joey looks out for Yugi and the gang. Tristan has on occasion lent his cards to Yugi to help in a duel such as Cyber Commander in his first Duel with Yami Bakura. When Tristan was possessed by Bakura, he almost killed Tea, Joey, and Yugi (sent to the Shadow Realm in the English version). But when he meet up with them again the others were hostile towards him but Yugi knew Tristan better than to attack the three. ''

Mokuba Kaiba
''Mokuba has a good friendship relationship with Yugi. At first Mokuba wanted to get revenage on Yugi for defeating his older brother in a duel. But then Yami Yugi try to explain to him what happen after the duel between them. But Mokuba won't listen,and told Yugi that Pegasus was trying to took over KaibaCorp. Yami Yugi told Mokuba that after the duel with Kaiba, he wiped out the evil in Seto. Now Seto trying to start over to redeem himself. But Yami Yugi fial to notice that Mokuba left the dueling post that he was in. Mokuba instead grab Yugi's star chips,and started to run off. Yami Yugi told Mokuba to stop,and that what he is doing is wrong. Yami Yugi told Mokuba that they can help him rescue Seto,and defeat Pegasus toghter. Mokuba then asks Yami Yugi what can he do,and Yami Yugi tells him that he can start by trusting in him. He then tells him that he has to return the star chips to the kid that he stole them from,and agree. But they were to late to reach the boat,and Mokuba beg Kemo to bring the boat back so he can return the star chips to it's owner. ''

''But Kemo slaped out of Mokuba's hand,and into the water. Kemo then grabed Mokuba. Yami Yugi then yells at Kemo to release Mokuba. But Kemo says that in order for Mokuba to be free, is to have a duel. Yami Yugi agrees to duel,but finds out that he is dueling the mimic of doom who looks like Kaiba. After he defeats the mimic of Doom,with Kaiba's help. Kemo takes Mokuba,and locks him in a deep dark dungeon.''

''When Yugi saw Kaiba about to duel Pegasus. Pegasus then brought out Mokuba's soul les body.which shocked everyone and Yugi. Yugi now knows that Mokuba is in the same situation as his grandfather. After Kaiba lost the duel to Pegasus,which would have free Mokuba. Yugi was so angry that Kaiba was trying to save someone that he truely cared about. Yugi turn into Yami Yugi, and yells that he will see Pegasus at the finals.''

''Yugi the vows to rescue Mokuba,his grandfather,and Seto. Before he duel Pegasus,Yugi asksed if he wins the duel. That Pegasus will free Mokuba,Seto and his grandfather's souls as promise. Pegasus then read Yugi's mind,and found out the promise between Yugi and Mokuba. ''

''After Yami Yugi defeated Pegasus in the shadow round duel. Yugi realizes that Pegasus went to his bedroom to free the souls of Mokuba,Seto and Solomon Muto as promise. Yugi the watch Mokuba happily reunited with Seto,and as a reward for saving Mokuba from Pegasus. Kaiba gives Yugi and his friends a ride back home in his helicopter. ''

''Mokuba then repaided Yugi with a dueling area in Kaibaland,so he can duel Rebecca. When Seto was trap in his vitural game,by the Big Five. Mokuba then went to ask Yugi and his friends for help. Yugi agree to help Mokuba in the vitural world game with Joey, to save Kaiba. After everyone saves Kaiba,and wins the game. Everyone returns to the real world. Mokuba then tells Kemo that Seto is looking for him. After Kemo leaves,Mokuba thanks Yugi for rescueing his brother again.''

''During the Battle City Touranment, Mokuba sess Yami Yugi in person while trying not to throw the Espa Roba brothers out the touranment for cheating. Mokuba then helps Tea and Solomon successfully find Yugi after his duel with Arkana. Mokuba then witnesses Yami Yugi's duel with Slifter the sky dragon. After the Duel,he gives Slifter to Yami Yugi. Mokuba even trys to call off the Duel between Joey and Yugi. He saw that if either  of them lost the duel,one of them would get hurt. Mokuba even knows that if Joey,or Yugi drowned in the ocaen. Then Tea would get hurt as well. This shows that Mokuba cares about Yugi's well being.''

''During the battle city finals, after seeing Seto lose to Yami Yugi. Mokuba believes that what Yami Yugi and Joey say about his older brother is true. Mokuba begs Seto to stop trying to destroy the past,and instead try to help Yugi defeat Marik. After the Battle City tornament is over,Mokuba tells Yugi that he is going to help build Kaiba Land in america. ''

''Mokuba then sees Yugi the Doma Saga,and is shock that Yugi's soul got capture by Dartz. But Mokuba was confuse, and thought that Yami Yugi was the real Yugi. Mokuba then support Yami Yugi and Seto in their duel against Dartz. Mokuba was angry that Seto lose,but was knock unconsicious by Dartz. Mokuba did not see the rest of Yami Yugi's duel with Dartz. When Yami Yugi defeated Dartz,and the three legendary duelist's souls were return to their rightful body. Mokuba woke up,and was happy to see Seto and Yugi alive. Mokuba then try to go help Yami Yugi,Joey and Seto fight the great Leviathen. But Tea told him to stay with her,so he can be save from harm. After the Great Leviathen is gone for good,Mokuba reunites with Yugi on the beach.''

''During the Grand Championships Saga,Mokuba gave Yugi,Joey and Rebecca their invites to the touranment. Mokuba then helps out at the touranment to see who the stange hacker was. Mokuba also witnesses Yugi becoming Champion of the Touranment.''

''Mokuba then sees Yugi battle Yami Yugi in the ceremonial Battle. He also witness Yugi being the true King of Games,along with Yami Yugi. Mokuba,Seto,Yugi,and the rest of the gang flew back to Domino City after the Ceremonail battle ended.''

Seto Kaiba
After Seto Kaiba lost to Yugi in their first duel he becomes determined to defeat Yugi and becomes his rival. Their differing personalities often causes them to come into conflict with each other such as their initial meeting with Kaiba's belief in cards being meant for power over Yugi/Yami's belief that cards have a heart. Despite their differences Yugi bears no animosity towards Kaiba, which cannot be said the same for the other way as Kaiba held a grudge against Yugi for quite some time (which is even more so in the manga). He even cheered Kaiba on when the latter played a match against Pegasus even though Kaiba had taken Yugi's star chips by threatening to jump off the edge of the castle unless Yugi stopped an attack that would have won him the duel, something that made Yugi suffer a loss in confidence due to nearly killing Kaiba and that Kaiba truly loathed Yugi.

When Kaiba ultimately lost to Pegasus he had his soul taken away. Yugi became outraged at Pegasus for playing games with their lives. He and Yami made it their mission to free Kaiba along with Mokuba Kaiba and Yugi's grandfather. Kaiba helped Yugi find his friends when they were abducted by Marik. Usually circumstances force Kaiba to work with or aid Yugi such as common foes like Marik and his Rare Hunters, the Big Five, or Dartz. Yugi respects Kaiba as a duelist, a sentiment that Kaiba seems to share. When Kaiba discovers that Yugi and Yami Yugi are two different people he focuses his rivalry on the latter for past defeats. However, he still respects Yugi as a duelist in his own right. This is shown at the start of the Ceremonial Battle when Kaiba described the duel (to himself) as the ultimate duel for the title of Duel King, acknowledging Yugi as Yami's equal. When Yugi defeats all three God cards Kaiba openly states he believes Yugi can win. Yugi considers Kaiba to be a friend. Before they traveled to Egypt Yugi and Yami reflect on their journey until that point, Yugi muses on all the friends he made because of Yami and Kaiba appears along with his other friends.

Rebecca Hawkins
''Initially, Rebecca was hostile to both Yugi and his grandfather, accusing them of stealing her grandfather's "Blue-Eyes White Dragon", but this conflict is resolved very quickly. However, during her second appearance in the Waking the Dragons arc, Rebecca announces that she is in college and has taken Yugi as her boyfriend. Since then, Rebecca continues to express her romantic affection for Yugi, getting angry at Yami Yugi after his loss to Rafael. The two even share a bit of a moment at Rebecca's destroyed house. She also gets mad at Vivian when she tries to flirt with Yugi, and taunts her after beating her in a Duel. Then, during her Duel with Leon von Schroeder, she gets depressed when Yugi gets distracted by having to find his grandfather, who goes missing, and hugged him pretty much whenever she saw him. ''

Knownable Relatives

 * Mrs. Muto (Mother)
 * Solomon Muto (Grandfather)
 * Tea Gardner (Childhood Best Friend/love interest)
 * Joey Wheeler (Best Friend)
 * Mokuba Kaiba (Suggorate Little Brother)
 * Seto Kaiba (Arch Rival)
 * Yami Yugi (Suggorate Father/Closet Friend and Past Incarnation)
 * Henry Tudor (Future Incarnation)
 * Yusei Fudo (Partnal-Counterpart)
 * Uzumaki Naruto (True Counterpart)

Trivia

 * Yugi along with Yami Yugi, Ryo Bakura, Yami Bakura, Mokuba Kaiba, Seto Kaiba and Gozaburo Kiaba. Are the only Yu-Gi-Oh! characters who's names remain the same in the Japanese version and English version.

Voice Actresses & Actors

 * Japanese : Shunsuke Kazama
 * Japanese voice actress : Megumi Ogata (Season 0/Yu-Gi-Oh! The Movie)
 * English : Dan Green