The group rushes toward the front door of the castle, ready to finally complete their mission. Kemo sees them coming, but is not ready to believe that Yugi, Joey and Mai each won ten star chips.

"There's no way you all could've won ten star chips each. And as for the rest of you, this is a place for the dueling elite, not for a club gathering!" Kemo says sternly.

"Oh, yeah?" Rainbow asks. "I'd say these speak for us." Rainbow then holds up her invite, surprising Kemo that she actually had an invitation from Maximillian Pegasus himself. The others hold up their invites, shocking Kemo even further.

"And with these star chips of ours, I guess that means will fit right in." Mai says, causing Kemo to be in stunned silence.

"If this place has housekeeping, make sure to tell them I like my pillows extra soft." Joey says to some chuckles from Rainbow. Once the group puts in their star chips, the door opens.

"At last! We're finally entering the castle!" Yugi says with a smile.

"Oh, and while you're at it, could you please allow these folks to be brought in?" Twilight asks, pointing to Tristan, Tea and Bakura.

"Why should I listen to you? Who do you think you are?" Kemo asks, annoyed.

"Perhaps reading this should clear things up." Twilight answers as she hands her invite to Kemo. Kemo reads it over, and is in shock when he discovers that Twilight is of royal blood.

"Oh, uh.." Kemo stutters. "Please forgive me, your highness. You and your friends are welcome here." Soon, everyone enters and the door closes.

"What did he mean by 'your highness', Twilight?" Bakura asks.

"I'm a descendant of royalty." Twilight simply answers. None of the others, save for Twilight's friends, can believe it.

"We can talk about this later, because right now, there's no time to waste." Yugi says, determined. Everyone soon follows him, as they know that he knows that the sooner they find Pegasus, the sooner they can find Yugi's grandpa. They soon reach a balcony on another floor of the castle and end up finding Bandit Keith, and Joey starts swinging in anger about the time he and his former cronies trapped them in that cave.

"Can't this little grudge of yours wait?" Keith asks. "After all, the real action is about to begin."

"What real action?" Applejack asks. Everyone looks down and sees Kaiba standing on a bridge.

"It's the world champion going up against Pegasus." Keith answers. "I was hoping to get the first duel against Pegasus myself, but I guess they're gonna save the biggest match for last."

"Hold on, Kaiba and Pegasus are going to duel each other?" Twilight asks.

"That is correct, your highness." Croquette says as he approaches from behind. "Welcome, finalists and distinguished guests. I'm Croquette, chief tournament liaison. Congratulations to our four finalists for making it this far. Pegasus is quite taken with all of your dueling talents. In fact, he's so impressed, he wanted to reward you with some entertainment. A special exhibition match. I think you all will be quite in awe of what you're about to see. This match should give you an idea of what's in store for the four finalists."

"So basically, it's meant to show us what to expect and intimidate us?" Mai asks.

"Why would Pegasus want to intimidate you four?" Croquette asks.

"Well, at least it'll show the finalists what they'll be in for." Twilight answers.

"Indeed, your highness. Enjoy the match." Croquette says as he departs. Down on the bridge, Kaiba prepares himself for the battle ahead. Right then and there, the door opens on the opposite side of the bridge and Pegasus and two guards walk through.

"I did your task, Pegasus, so where's my brother?" Kaiba asks.

"No 'hello'? And here I thought we were friends, Kaiba boy." Pegasus answers. "Don't tell me that my kidnapping your brother and taking over company has put a rift between us as businessmen. It was nothing personal. Besides, it's not like I hurt your kid brother, he's perfectly safe. In fact, you can have him back if you like. Just beat me in a duel like we agreed and I'll hand him over. I mean, one little victory shouldn't be too much of a problem for the Duel Monsters world champ." However, Yugi knows Pegasus' Millennium Eye could make it a big problem for Kaiba.

"Honestly, this is one time me and Joey are both hoping that Kaiba doesn't get beaten." Rainbow says.

"You're right." Joey concurs. "I mean, he may have put us through a lot, but I can't help but hope he gets his kid brother back safe."

"And honestly, anyone who stands up to Pegasus is okay in my book." Spike adds. Everyone agrees.

"Come now, Kaiba, it's so gosh to keep us in suspense." Pegasus says, looking up to the group. "Especially with an audience waiting in the wings." Kaiba looks up and is in surprise that Yugi is there.

"Hey there, Kaiba." Yugi says.

"Yugi! How could you be in here after I defeated you?" Kaiba says in wonder. "I should've know you'd find a way." Pegasus, on the other hand, knew that he would, as he passed all the previous tests Pegasus threw at him.

"I hope you're ready, Kaiba. I've been looking forward to this for quite some time." Pegasus says at last.

"Good." Kaiba responds as he opens his briefcase and tosses Pegasus a Duel Disc. "Then you'll have no problem dueling with this."

"You want to duel me with your latest invention?" Pegasus asks. "But I don't even know how this device even works. Do I spin it like a top? Or roll it like a ball?"

"Cut the theatrics!" Kaiba snaps.

"Well, Kaiba means business." Pegasus says. "Okay, then. How about we settle this like businessmen would? I'll agree to use your system if you agree to a request that I have."

"What?" Kaiba asks, semi-annoyed.

"Nothing that will change the game, of course." Pegasus answers. "I just want someone to operate your little device for me."

"I smell a rat." Keith says aloud, knowing that what happened to him all those years ago may end up happening to Kaiba.

"I assure you, I'll still make all the strategic decisions." Pegasus says further. "The gameplay won't change at all."

"So why the request?" Kaiba asks. "Why not fight your own battle for once in your life?" But Pegasus knows all to well that breaking a man's spirit is another way to beat them if you're facing against them.

"Show Kaiba the lad who will play as my pawn and he'll understand my request." Pegasus says as he claps his hands. And right on cue, Kaiba's soulless brother appears, to the surprise of the group watching in the balcony.

"Mokuba! It's me, Seto!" Kaiba says to his brother, but Mokuba doesn't respond.

"Something's not right." Yugi points out immediately.

"Yugi's right. It's like he's been hypnotized." Spike concurs. But only Twilight knew what really happened.

"I apologize if he doesn't seem quite like himself, but I happen to find that the captive I keep are far easier to manage after I've made an extraction of sorts." Pegasus says as Mokuba approaches.

"You monster!" Kaiba shouts.

"Now, now, Kaiba boy. Petty insults aren't the way to get your brother's soul back." Pegasus calmly responds as he shows Mokuba's soul card, shocking nearly everyone in the room and confirming what Twilight figured when Mokuba first entered the room.

"What's Pegasus talking about?" Mai asks.

"He did to Mokuba what he did to Yugi's grandpa." Twilight explains.

"I told you your little brother was perfectly safe, and he is." Pegasus says. "But how long he remains that way is up to you. Beat me in a duel, and I'll release him as promised. But fail, and not only will his soul remain in bondage, but yours will join it."

"Beat you? I'll crush you!" Kaiba retorts. But what Pegasus said about Kaiba's soul joining Mokuba's lingers in Yugi's and Twilight's minds. This harkens back to Yugi's duel with Kaiba, when Kaiba was standing on the edge of the roof, willing to let Yugi send him plummeting to the rocks below if he attacked the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon.

"So it's settled. We'll use your new invention, but your brother will operate it for me." Pegasus says as his guards give Mokuba the duel disc.

"Wait! Pegasus!" Kaiba suddenly says.

"What's the matter, Kaiba boy? This was your idea." Pegasus responds. "Using your own system is sure to give you quite the advantage. What's the problem?" Kaiba knows he can't duel his own brother even if his soul is somewhere else.

"He's been through enough already." Kaiba says at last. "Ok, then, Pegasus. You win. We won't use the Duel Disc System."

"But that's his edge." Rainbow says. "If he doesn't duel with the Duel Disc, he may end up being at Pegasus' mercy."

"We'll duel on your terms. Just keep my little brother out of this." Kaiba continues.

"So rather than duel your empty shell with the device he's invented, he'll give me homefield advantage. Fine with me." Pegasus says to Mokuba's soulless body. "Take him away." One of Pegasus' guards comes and leads Mokuba away.

"You creep." Kaiba says as Mokuba is taken out of the room.

"Watch yourself, Kaiba. You're in my world now." Pegasus retorts as he snaps his fingers, signaling the bridge to part, surprising the audience.

"This guy's got an automated bridge?" Spike asks in surprise. But they all get a bigger surprise.

"Forget the bridge! A whole darn arena's coming down from the ceiling!" Applejack points out as she looks up.

"This should be good." Mai says, knowing that she and the other finalists and the rest of the group will get a look into Pegasus' dueling strategy in this match. "The two biggest legends in Duel Monsters going at it? This is what the term 'dream match' is all about." Soon, the bridge and the arena are connected, the players prep their decks, the holographic projectors are activated, and the life points counters are set to 2000.

"Ready, Kaiba?" Pegasus asks. "Your brother's fate hangs in the balance."

"Kaiba! You said you fight with fire and passion nowadays, so use that as your drive to beat Pegasus!" Twilight calls.

"Twilight's right! Tap into the Heart of the Cards when you need it most!" Yugi concurs.

"Keep out of this, you two! I'm fighting this duel my way." Kaiba retorts.

"Just watch out for that Millennium Eye of his! It might put him at an advantage!" Applejack says.

"Even though you took half of my stars in our duel, Kaiba, I know what it's like to duel for someone you care about." Yugi adds. "And I couldn't live with myself if I held back on anything that could help you get your brother back!"

"Yugi, you're a good duelist, but I don't need help." Kaiba says. "It's my battle to fight now, and I will win."

"Poor fool." Pegasus says to himself. "He needs all the help that he can get."

"We've known each other for a long time, and now we'll see if the master is the Duel Monsters creator or the champion!" Kaiba says with heart and determination. "You have nowhere left to hide, Pegasus!" And so, with a confident 'Time to Duel' from both players, the game is on.

"Look at you--the first move and, already, you're nervous." Pegasus says as he preps his first card. "Here. Defense mode. Feel better? Oh, and I'll play this card, too, but I think I'll keep it facedown, for now. Just to keep you guessing." Kaiba doubts Pegasus' words, knowing he must already have a scheme in mind.

"It's my turn now." Kaiba says as he draws. In his hand, he holds Ryu-Kishin Powered, Saggi the Dark Clown, the Crush Card trap card, Rude Kaiser, and a Blue-Eyes White Dragon. But Kaiba knows he can't risk his dragon until he gets a better idea as to what Pegasus has in mind. Therefore, he decides to attack with something else. "I'll lay a card facedown, too. And, also, I play Rude Kaiser in attack mode." Soon, Rude Kaiser appears. "Go, Rude Kaiser! Attack Pegasus' defense card with Forearm Slash!" In no time, Pegasus' defense monster, Toon Alligator, is slashed in half. Pinkie saw the whole thing, and remembers her pet alligator back home, Gummy. "I'd expect more from you, Pegasus."

"I had no idea that you had such powerful cards at your disposal, Kaiba." Pegasus says. "I don't think I have a beast in my entire deck that could compare with that creature." Pegasus draws, and his mood changes. "Hold on. I may have spoken too soon." Pegasus then plays the card he drew. "Yes, here's the perfect card. Parrot Dragon. Attack! Bombarding Beak" Fluttershy is surprised when she sees the Parrot Dragon in person as it appears, as she never thought such a creature was conceivable. The monster divebombs toward Rude Kaiser, but Kaiba springs his traps.

"Not so fast. I placed a card facedown, too, remember?" Kaiba says right quick. "And I'm activating its magic right now." Kaiba then reveals his facedown. "The Mesmeric Control card entrances your monster, and reduces its attack power by 800 points." Right on cue, the Parrot Dragon's attack power drops to 1200. "Rude Kaiser, Forearm Slash! Carve up that bird!" In moments, the Parrot Dragon is carved like a Thanksgiving turkey, bringing Pegasus' life points to 1400. However, Kaiba notices that something's wrong. And so do the others.

"Pegasus may be the creator of the game, and he talks the talk, but when it comes to actually dueling, he plays like a kid in a grown man's body." Rainbow says.

"It's almost like he's toying with him." Mai adds.

"Wait! Didn't he pull this act with you, Yugi?" Joey asks Yugi, realizing that this is similar to when Yugi first dueled Pegasus in the Shadow Realm, as he described to them.

"This is just like when I dueled him, he must not take even the world champion seriously." Yugi says. "I just hope Kaiba catches on before it's too late." Kaiba also knows something's off, as he thinks Pegasus doesn't even seem to be trying, as evidenced by him taking out two of his monsters without even a fight. Like he knew exactly what he was going to do and when and how he was going to attack.

"My turn, Pegasus." Kaiba says as he draws. Kaiba knows he drew another good card, but knows Pegasus might be able to counter his card if he plays it, so he decides to play something he knows he won't be able to defend against, his Blue-Eyes, but before he can play it...

"Stop right there!" Pegasus suddenly says, stopping Kaiba in his tracks. "I'd like to play a little guessing game with that card you're about to throw out on the field."

"A game? But we're in the middle of a duel." Kaiba says in disbelief.

"I know, but my trap card says I can." Pegasus responds.

"What trap?" Kaiba asks.

"This one, here, Kaiba." Pegasus answers as he reveals his trap. "It's called Prophecy, and it gives me the chance to guess whether the card you're about to play has an attack power higher or lower than 2000. And if I manage to guess correctly, Kaiba boy, than the card in question becomes mine."

"What? It can't be!" Kaiba says in disbelief.

"And I think I'll prophesize that is indeed over 2000." Pegasus continues. Kaiba can't believe that he was spot on about his monster's attack power. "But I think I see more of the card in question coming to me. Eyes of blue and scales of white. Yes, of course! I see the Blue-Eyes White Dragon!" No one, save for Yugi and Twilight, could believe how accurate Pegasus was on his guess.

"Judging from the look on your face, my guess was right, right?" Pegasus asks.

"Enough! Here! Take it!" Kaiba says in anger as he transfers the card from his half of the arena to Pegasus' half.

"Now the most valuable card in your deck is mine." Pegasus says. Kaiba is still shaken by Pegasus' accurate guess. "Now I have two things you care about, Kaiba. Your dragon and your brother. Let's see what else I can take. After your turn, of course."

"Without my Blue-Eyes White Dragon, I have no choice but to switch my monster to defense mode." Kaiba says as he does so.

"Goody. Now it's my turn again." Pegasus says as he draws. He then notices the anxious expression on Kaiba's face, and decides to look into the matter using his Millennium Eye. He looks at the cards in his hand through his mind, and notices both the Crush Card Virus and Saggi the Dark Clown. Pegasus quickly realizes that Kaiba is trying to contaminate his deck with a combination move. "I'll lay one card facedown on the field, and set one monster in defense mode." Pegasus says at last. "And I'm afraid that's the best move I could come up with."

"My turn!" Kaiba says, knowing that it could be his chance to end the duel in one move, but is unaware that Pegasus is already waiting for him to try his Crush Card combination. Everyone in the balcony then realizes what Kaiba has in mind, as he pulled the move on Yugi during his duel with Kaiba, but Yugi and Twilight know that with his Millennium Eye, Pegasus already knows what's coming.

"Since you just played your Crush Card, I think now would be an opportune time to play this." Pegasus says, and when he reveals his card, Kaiba is in total shock. "Negative Energy! It double's your clown's attack points, and since the Crush Card can only be hosted by monsters with less than a thousand points, my magic card makes Saggi the Dark Clown too strong for the job. So sorry." Right on cue, Saggi's attack points double to 1200. Kaiba realizes that he played right into Pegasus' hands again. "What's wrong, Kaiba? You look so sad. Keep your chin up. I'm certain is was just a lucky move on my part." But Rainbow and Rarity don't buy it. "But you know what they say, Kaiba, it's better to be lucky than good." Pegasus then reveals his facedown monster. "Talking about luck, meet my Dark Rabbit. And thanks to the Negative Energy spell, he's twice as strong." Right on cue, Dark Rabbit appears and his attack points increase to 2200. "But I'm sure he's no match for your stalwart clown." In seconds, Dark Rabbit pummels Saggi, lowering Kaiba's life points to 1000. Everyone in the audience is surprised.

"And I always thought that a rabbit punch was a wimpy move." Joey says.

"I've never seen Kaiba so shaken before." Tea points out.

"We have, when he first dueled Yugi and lost." Fluttershy responds.

"This is bad. The duel just started and Kaiba already lost half of his life points!" Yugi says in worry. Pegasus knows that Kaiba is realizing how feeble his skills are against an opponents like him, thus making Kaiba looks like a novice. But he knows he only just begun to make use of his Millennium Eye.

Author's Note

Another case of anime card effect interference. In the card game, the Mesmeric Control card prevents your opponent from changing the battle positions of monsters, except with a card effect.