While Yugi doesn't have enough power yet to destroy Joey's Black Skull Dragon, he buys himself time with Magical Hats and Spellbinding Circle to weaken it. In a dub-only monologue, Pegasus reminiscences about how life isn't fair and only the strong survive—and he intends to win.
Using a spell to further strengthen his Dark Magician, Yugi is able to destroy Black Skull Dragon—but falls into a trap when Joey tricks him into thinking he set the Time Wizard and Baby Dragon. Once Dark Magician's trapped, Joey does use the combo, aging Baby Dragon into Thousand Dragon and turning the Dark Magician into an old man. However, this actually turned him into the Dark Sage, whose knowledge of magic makes him even stronger than the Thousand Dragon. Yugi wins the duel, tears in his eyes, but never once forgot his friendship with Joey.
Now, the only challenge left is Yugi's duel with Pegasus himself.
This episode contains examples of:
-
Alternate Character Interpretation: Joey's loss because Time Wizard powers up Dark Magician sheds a dark light on Yugi giving him the card in the first place - after all, if they ever actually had to duel, Yugi had a perfect counter ready to go. - Hoist by His Own Petard: A good description of the reason Joey loses the duel, as his attempt to use the Time Wizard to enhance his current monster's power unwittingly ended up giving the Dark Magician a power boost as well.
- I Know You Know I Know: Joey knows Yugi's tactics, and he knows Yugi knows his tactics, and he knows that Yugi knows he knows Yugi's tactics, and he very nearly confuses himself before just deciding to attack anyway.Joey: (thinking) But if he knows that I know that he knows that I know...oh, forget it, I'm just gonna attack.
- Life Isn't Fair: When Joey misses Dark Magician a second time, Pegasus has a dub-only monologue about how life isn't fair.
- Manly Tears: Yugi sheds a few before playing the card that defeats Joey.
- Wham Shot: Yami Yugi activating Makiu the Magical Mist to stop Thousand Dragon's Noxious Nostril Gust and revealing Time Wizard's magic made Dark Magician stronger not weaker and turned the Dark Magician into the Dark Sage!
