This story was done in collaboration between me and Jriddle41 (Sodormatchmaker on DeviantART), and we both own the OCs that are used in the story. Credit to author AaronCottrell97 for a few ideas and character suggestions (especially the duel layout for the story). Everything else belongs to their respective owners:
Thomas and Friends (c) Hit Entertainment and Mattel
The Railway Series (c) Rev Wilbert Awdry
Yu-Gi-Oh! (c) Konami
WARNING: This story is rated T for fantasy violence and minor depictions of blood.
Genre(s): Game, Adventure, Fantasy, Comedy, Drama
PROLOGUE
Opening up inside a pyramid over a course of 5~6 years ago...
"Is this is the place?" asked a familiar voice (male).
"This way, John." advised another familiar voice (male).
Two young men, along with some additional helpers, were making their way along the pyramid's corridors. They were showed to be younger versions of Discord J. Crawford, the creator of Duel Monsters, and Sailor John, Discord's former friend who became a greedy pirate who attempted to ruin Discord while gaining access to the technology of Boxford Corp to try and solve the mysteries of the Duel Monsters carvings in the pyramids of Egypt.
"So, these are the ruins?" whispered Young Sailor John, looking around the place.
Before Young Discord could answer his friend...
"Sirs!" called one of the men assigned to go with Discord and Sailor John. "We've found a tunnel leading down into the deeper caverns!"
"Shall we investigate it?" asked another man.
Young Discord and Young Sailor John looked to each other.
"What do you say, John?" The former asked.
The latter smirked confidently. "My thirst for adventure can never be quenched! Let's go and locate what you wish to find."
(elsewhere...)
After what seemed like forever going through various chambers and avoiding deadly traps, Young Discord, Young Sailor John, and their team found what they were looking for in the heart of the pyramid...
"Blistering barnacles..." whispered Young Sailor John.
There were carvings everywhere. Containing monsters and humans of a sort. While Young Discord merely snapped some pictures for references, Young Sailor John was admiring them.
"How did this all get here? Where did these creatures even come from?" he asked himself. "I have to know how."
"Beware." spoke a new voice. "If you try to seek out the possible answers, you will lose yourself."
The two young men turned around and there, staring at them with a stern look was Shadi.
"Shadi!" Young Discord exclaimed. "P-Please forgive me for this! But we-"
"You are free to take as many pictures of the carvings as you wish to." The man simply stated, not losing his stern look. "But I advise against discovering the secrets of these carvings."
"B-But, why?!" demanded Young Sailor John.
"Doing so may result in a terrifying disaster that could put millions of lives in danger." explained Shadi.
Despite the warning, Young Sailor John couldn't stop thinking about it.
(9 Years Earlier...)
Even earlier than those times, however, an event was just about to happen... A newly-wedded couple on the Island of Sodor within the United Kingdom were about to have a baby...
(elsewhere...)
Inside her hospital room shortly after giving birth, a younger looking Mrs. Billinton was resting in the bed and being greeted by her husband when the nurse arrived in the room carrying a baby boy.
"Mr. and Mrs. Billinton... It's a boy." she smiled. "Congratulations to you both."
The baby boy was given to the happy new parents.
"Isn't he so adorable?" asked Mrs. Billinton, holding onto her new baby and looking at him. "Hello, sweetie..."
"He sure is." agreed Mr. Billinton. "What do you think we should name him?"
Mrs. Billinton noticed a book on the nightstand from the Railway Series entitled "Thomas the Tank Engine".
"How about we name him after the character in this book?" she suggested. "A book written by the late Wilbert Awdry?"
Mr. Billinton smiled. "Yes... And his middle name can be after the town we're living in - Brighton!"
The parents, agreeing to the name, looked down at the baby boy.
"Thomas 'Brighton' Billinton-" whispered Mrs. Billinton to her baby. "-welcome to the family."
Little baby Thomas cooed as he waved his arms happily. Mrs. Billintion, getting out of bed, handed her husband the child and walked over to a nearby window to look at the night sky.
"What are you thinking of, dear?" asked Mr. Billinton.
"Just noticing how beautiful the nightime can be from time-to-time." sighed Mrs. Billinton.
The sky was clear of any clouds, thus allowing the moon and the stars to be properly seen. To the Billintons' surprise, a ray of light began to shine through the window upon their baby.
"Huh?" blinked Mr. Billinton.
"What could this be?" came from Mrs. Billinton.
A nurse suddenly walked into the room. "Maybe heaven is smiling down on your son." she suggested. "If that's true, then maybe he's destined for greatness in the future."
"T-The future, you say?" blinked Mr. Billinton.
The nurse smiled and nodded, making the two parents smile at their newborn son some more. Unknown to them, Baby Thomas would be destined for future greatness as he grew up...
(new scene...)
One such moment, when Duel Monsters became a big hit across the world and got released on the Island of Sodor...
"It's your turn, Billinton!" A young man named Spencer called out, rudely interrupting a moment between a 15-year old Thomas and his friends. "Quit stalling and make a move. Or have you given up hope of defeating me and plan to surrender?"
"I haven't given up hope, Spencer..." said Thomas, turning to face the silver-haired boy. "You may have a deck full of power cards and a rich family, but I have something that you don't have; true friends. They believe in me, and I believe in the Heart of the Cards!"
With that, he fiercely drew his card, slashing a colorful waye in the process (or rather, the famous Destiny Draw). The blue-haired boy smiled as he looked at what he had just drawn.
"I fuse 'Dark Magician' with the 'Buster Blader' in my hand!" declared Thomas. A hologram of 'Buster Blader', a swordsman dressed in full dark purple with a huge Sword appeared besides 'Dark Magician' (a purple-haired human male wearing purple robes while wielding a scepter) before the two were fused together. "Now, behold the 'Ultimate Dragon Sayer' - 'Dark Paladin'!"
Appearing before them was what appeared to be the 'Dark Magician', but with a light bluish skin. His robes had also changed to a darkish green with yellow trims. And his staff now looked like it had a blade on top of it (Level: 8/ATK: 2900/DEF: 2400). Before long, 'Dark Paladin' started charging his scepter with great power.
"NO WAY!" screamed Spencer, taking a step back in terror at his impending loss. "I-I'm about to lose? Y-YOU'RE SAYING YOU PERFORMED A MIRACLE?!"
"I guess you can say that." confirmed Thomas, before giving the final command. "'Dark Paladin'... Super Magical Shadowless Slash!"
'Dark Paladin' obeyed and slammed his scepter onto the ground, causing a shockwave of magical energy to fire forth to Spencer's side of the field. The three 'Blue-Eyes White Dragons' gave a roar before the shockwaves cut into their white scales and they shattered into dust, while the 'Maiden with Eyes of Blue' just gave a shriek before being shattered into pieces. Spencer, on the other hand, could only watch and scream in horror as the last of his life points finally reached zero (LP: 0).
(new scene...)
Another time...
"But what's the point of this?" A pirate captain named Sailor John demanded. "My 'Five-Headed Dragon' is still stronger than either monster!"
"That maybe so." Thomas agreed. "However, there's a legend I think you might want to hear right now."
"What legend?!"
"The legend of a powerful warrior who could tame even the mightiest dragon." Thomas began explaining. "But his powers were so great, that he even feared himself. And so, he abandoned his dragon to become a lone fighter for justice. But with my final card, the two will finally come together again!" He held up his next card. "I'll first activate 'Double Spell'! By sending one Spell Card from my hand to the Graveyard, I can activate one Spell Card from your graveyard as if it were my own!"
Sailor John was stunned. "No... You're going for the 'Polymerization' I have in the Graveyard!"
He was right... On cue, the 'Polymerization' Spell Card materialized on Thomas's side of the field (as per the effect of the 'Double Spell' Spell Card).
"And now, the time has finally come..." With that said, Thomas gave the command. "'Black Luster Soldier', fuse with 'Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon'!"
The Fusion Sequence began between the two powerful monsters. Thomas watched with a smile on his face, while Sailor John watched in shocked anger. The fusion ended, and there stood 'Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon' with 'Black Luster Soldier' standing atop the middle head (Level: 12/ATK: 5000/DEF: 5000).
"Behold the legendary 'Dragon Master Knight'!" announced Thomas. "Sailor John, this is a message from Spencer Gresley; YOU LOSE!" Thomas declared dramatically. "Now 'Dragon Master Knight'...!"
Suddenly, a spirit of Spencer appeared next to the blue-haired boy (left).
"Attack the 'Five-Headed Dragon'..."
Finally, a spirit of a 15-year old girl named Emily appeared on Thomas's right.
"...and put an end to the duel!"
"DRAGON SABER BLAST!" cried all three main protagonists.
'Dragon Master Knight' obeyed, first charging and firing a Neutron Blast attack with the 'Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon' before 'Black Luster Soldier' threw in a Chaos Blade attack from his sword. The 'Five-Headed Dragon' tried to counter with a breath blast of its own, but it wasn't good enough. The mighty 'Five-Headed Dragon's' attack was pushed back and the monster itself had finally been destroyed.
"The 'Five-Headed Dragon' has been brought down!" announced Thomas..
Sailor John watched in horror as his beast finally fell and what was left of his life points were depleted.
"N-No..." he thought to himself (LP: 0). "This can't be possible!"
(new scene...)
Next up...
"'Card of Sanctity'!" announced Thomas. "Its effect allows both players to draw from their respective decks until they hold six cards in their hands!"
Six orbs of light rained down from the sky until they entered the blue-haired boy's deck.
"This can't be!" Spencer mumbled in horror. "In this hopeless situation, he was able to draw the one card needed to turn things around!"
Thomas drew his six cards, and Spencer drew two cards.
"And now, 'Slifer's' attack goes BACK to 6000 points!" Thomas pointed out, holding his new hand out.. "Meaning 'Obelisk' is about to be counterattacked and defeated!"
'Slifer the Sky Dragon' grew stronger and stronger until it hit the cap (ATK: 0 - 6000), and then began charging up its signature attack in response as 'Obelisk the Tormentor' got closer and closer to try and strike. However...
"I activate a Trap Card!" shouted Spencer, poking a button on his Duel Disk. "'Life Shaver'!"
The silver-haired boy's final set flipped face-up and revealed itself.
"I knew he'd use it eventually!" thought Thomas, now looking worried.
"It has been set for two of my turns! Now, you're forced to discard two cards from your newly drawn hand!"
The blue-haired boy complied, sending two of his new cards to the Graveyard. 'Slifer the Sky Dragon's' attack then dropped by 2000 points (ATK: 6000 - 4000). Before long, both monsters destroyed each other.
(new scene...)
Inside a dark realm...
"Now, there is nothing left for you to even do to stop my great beast!" announced Dark Marik, who was merged with 'The Winged Dragon of Ra'. "Thanks to 'Surprise Attack from Beyond', this is the final battle phase of your life, Thomas Billinton!"
Thomas scowled in frustration. Meanwhile, 'Obelisk the Tormentor's' Attack Power went back down to its original amount and its color went back to just blue (ATK: ∞ - 4000).
"Looks like Billinton missed his chance." thought Spencer grimly.
Everyone else in the audience else just couldn't believe it. Was Thomas actually about to lose to Dark Marik?
"Is this really the end?" asked Zack.
"It sure looks like it." said Michael gloomily.
"Oh, the indignity!" groaned Gordon.
On the platform...
"'The Winged Dragon of Ra', destroy 'Obelisk' and everyone else atop this tower..." commanded Dark Marik. "GOD BLAZE CANNON!"
'The Winged Dragon of Ra' finally went and fired an extremely powerful blast of fire towards 'Obelisk the Tormentor'. Dark Marik's vein-exposed face contained wicked glee at his impending victory.
"I win!"
"Are you sure about that?" Thomas suddenly asked, now smirking.
"What?!" Dark Marik gasped, losing his own smirk.
"Facedown card, open!" The blue-haired boy announced, holding his hand out as his third set card flipped face-up and revealed itself to be... "'Magical Dimension'!"
Unlike the other 'Magical Dimension' Spell card, this one had a much different artwork and likely a different effect.
"Unlike the previous 'Magical Dimension' card I've used in a number of duels before this match, this version works a bit differently."
Below the platform, much of the spectators were confused on the effect of this new version of the 'Magical Dimension' Quick-Play Spell card Thomas used once before.
"Why's he using a different one?" Percy questioned. "The other one was just fine."
"Let's see what Thomas-boy has planned." suggested Discord. "I think this card might be just the ticket in helping him turn the duel around..."
On the duel platform, Thomas began to explain his new card's effect...
"First, just like the original copy, this powerful Spell card requires a spellcaster-type monster to be on my side of the field! That means my 'Dark Magician Girl'!"
'Dark Magician Girl' winked and posed for battle.
"Second, I must now make a double sacrifice of monsters." Thomas added, holding up two fingers. "Those tributes will be done by both 'Gazelle' and...'Obelisk'!"
"What?!" cried Dark Marik in surprise. "You would sacrifice an 'Egyptian God'?"
"Yes! And by doing so, I can evade your attack and end the battle phase!"
'Gazelle the King of Mythical Beasts' and 'Obelisk the Tormentor' (more slowly) both were absorbed into magical tornados, causing the Blaze Cannon attack to miss its mark once the two monsters were gone from the field.
"This is known as...Sacrifice Escape!" explained Thomas.
Despite being initially surprised at the play, Dark Marik started laughing like a madman afterwards.
"Well now, I guess you wish to die more quickly than I thought." he commented teasingly. "Without 'Obelisk the Tormentor', you have no chance of beating me!"
"'Obelisk' has served me well-" said Thomas, closing his eyes briefly before opening them while filled with burning determination. "-but now I must call upon my final hope."
"And what hope do you have left? You've escaped my attack, yes... But you still have nothing left to stop Ra from killing you and Emily on my NEXT turn!"
"That's where you're wrong!" snapped Thomas. "I have the support of my friends! Both human and the monster cards inside my deck! And together, we will take both you and your 'Egyptian God' monster down, Marik!"
Just then, rising from the ground was a familiar golden, spellcaster-shaped casket, but this one had no chains and was colored and designed a bit differently than the original version of the card...
"'Magical Dimension' has another effect." The blue-haired boy continued, readying one of the final two cards from his hand. "Once your battle phase has been negated, I'm allowed to Special Summon from my hand one Spellcaster-Type monster in attack position!"
"What?!" cried Dark Marik in surprise.
The casket started to open itself up. It was shining white light on the inside.
"Show yourself... 'DARK MAGICIAN'!" announced Thomas, thrusting his right hand forth dramatically.
From there, the shining white light faded away, along with the casket. Once the light was gone, standing where the casket originally stood was the blue-haired boy's ace monster in all his glory (Level: 7/ATK: 2500/DEF: 2100).
(new scene...)
In a world inhabited by both humans and Duel Monsters spirits, Thomas was facing off against an evil version of himself named Diablon. The setting? An old castle ruled by a royal family long, long ago.
"I activate 'Hour of Judgement'!" announced Thomas, slotting a card into his Duel Disk.
The mentioned Spell Card materialized face-up on the field. All of a sudden, thunder and lightning began to strike from the sky.
"W-What the hell?!" cried Diablon. "'Hour of Judgement'?"
"This is the final battle of 'Beast' vs. 'God'!" boomed Thomas. "First, thanks to my card's effect, every Spell and Trap Card on the field besides 'Hour of Judgement' is destroyed."
The face-up 'Fallen Paradise' Field Spell Card shattered into shards of glass as the scenery changed back to normal. 'Twin Bow Centaur' (both monster and Spell Card) also was destroyed.
"What?!"
"The next effect activates; since you and I control the same number of Level 10 monsters-" Thomas went on. "-all of our monsters' Attack Points becomes equal to the Attack Points of the strongest monster on the field."
Diablon knew the strongest one was... "The strongest monster would be 'The Winged Dragon of Ra'..."
Indeed... 'Uria, Lord of Searing Flames' (ATK: 4000 - 5000), 'Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder' (ATK: 4000 - 5000), 'Raviel, Lord of Phantasms' (ATK: 4000 - 5000), 'Obelisk the Tormentor' (ATK: 4000 - 5000), and 'Slifer the Sky Dragon' (ATK: 2000 - 5000) all made their attack points rise to that of 'The Winged Dragon of Ra's' current attack points (ATK: 5000).
"This doesn't make sense!" objected Diablon. "If any of us even declares an attack, then the monsters would simply destroy each other!"
"Exactly my point!" interrupted Thomas. "As I've said before; this is the final battle of 'Beast' vs. 'God'! Finally, 'Hour of Judgement's' next effect now activates..."
The three 'Egyptian Gods' each gave a massive roar as they prepared for combat.
"All of our monsters are forced to do battle this turn; and Card Effects of any kind cannot be activated until the end of the Battle Phase!"
Diablon gasped. "B-Battle!?"
Due to the effect of Hour of Judgement, Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder found itself being forced into attack mode. From there, all three Sacred Beasts were ready for the epic battle with their Egyptian God counterparts...
"If you wanna die fighting-" hissed Diablon, entering the battle phase forcefully. "-then so be it!"
Thomas went first. "'Slifer the Sky Dragon', attack!"
"'Uria, Lord of Searing Flames', fight back!" Diablon commanded back.
"THUNDER FORCE!" / "HYPER BLAZE!"
The two monsters fired massive blasts at each other. They were both evenly matched, but the combined attack eventually got bigger and bigger until it overwhelmed both monsters and destroyed them in a massive explosion.
"'Obelisk the Tormentor', battle the enemy!" boomed Thomas.
"'Raviel, Lord of Phantasms', take the 'Egyptian God' down!" thundered Diablon.
"FIST OF FATE!" / "CELESTIAL RAVAGING FIST!"
'Obelisk the Tormentor' punched through the side of 'Raviel, Lord of Phantasms's' face. 'Raviel, Lord of Phantasms' then, with 'Obelisk the Tormentor's' fist still embedded in the side of its face, used its left fist to strike back at point-blank range. 'Obelisk the Tormentor' then uppercutted 'Raviel, Lord of Phantasms' so hard that it not only punched through 'Raviel, Lord of Phantasms's' jaw, it punched through its own arm that was still in 'Raviel, Lord of Phantasms's' face and broke that arm off without feeling any kind of pain. Not to be outdone, however, 'Raviel, Lord of Phantasms' launched one final Celestial Ravaging Fist attack and punched a bloody hole through 'Obelisk the Tormentor's' chest. Finally, both monsters began leaking beams of light and dark from their respective bodies before exploding massively like both 'Slifer the Sky Dragon' and 'Uria, Lord of Searing Flames' before them.
"'The Winged Dragon of Ra', envelope the opposition with all of your power!" ordered Thomas.
"'Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder', do not allow yourself to lose the fight!" commanded Diablon.
"GOD BLAZE CANNON!" / "LOST THUNDER!"
'The Winged Dragon of Ra' and 'Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder' both fired off their respective blasts at each other.
"Now, 'Ra'!" pushed Thomas. "Become the 'Egyptian God Phoenix'!"
'The Winged Dragon of Ra' obeyed, covering its body with some of its flames until it evolved into its devastating Phoenix mode.
"W-What?!" gasped Diablon. "But you cannot activate-!"
"I'm not using the effect." interrupted Thomas. "I'm having 'Ra' become 'Egyptian God Phoenix' in an attempt to overpower your 'Sacred Beast'."
"Even then, they're still at the same Attack Points!"
'Egyptian God Phoenix' gave a mighty screech and dive-bombed towards 'Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder'. The firebird soon struck the Sacred Beast and set the whole duel field ablaze.
(new scene...)
After his battle against Diablon, however, Thomas had unfortunately fallen into a depressed state and lost his passion for playing Duel Monsters, as well as his love of having fun. His friends and loved ones were worried that he would be mentally broken forever. At least, this state remained until one fated duel during a tournament in America... During the match, Matt finally opened his eyes fiercely. The powerful and determined look in those eyes seemed to startle Thomas a fair bit.
"This...is a different look for you." The blue-haired boy commented wearily.
"Thomas... the time has finally come!" began Matt, speaking to his opponent. "The time has finally come for me to show you, and everyone else here in the stadium, the true power of my Deck... And this is perhaps the best way to demonstrate it... CLEAR MIND!"
With that last bit being said (or screamed), Matt pointed upwards to the sky, unleashing a powerful blast of wind in the process. The force of the blast of wind was so strong that Thomas had to brace himself to prevent himself from being thrown back.
"I'm Tuning my Level 8 Synchro Monster, 'Stardust Dragon', with the Level 2 Tuner Synchro Monster, 'Formula Synchron'!"
Almost everyone in the audience reacted with shock towards that announcement.
"Tuning 'Stardust Dragon', by using 'Formula Synchron'?!" exclaimed one teenage boy.
"What could Matt possible make by using 'Formula Synchron' as Tuner material?!" A teenage girl added.
"Could the move even be legal?" asked Noor Jehan, who was also in the audience alongside her husband (Rajiv).
Back in the duel field... With the command given, a large green cyclone of energy began to envelope around Matt's side of the field. 'Formula Synchron' turned itself into two balls of light and was absorbed into the tornado as the symbols 8 plus 2 equals 10 were shown.
"What is the monster Matt's about to bring out?" Thomas asked himself, looking up at the green cyclone of energy. "Even then, will I even be able to stop it?"
"Behold, Thomas Billinton!" called Matt, becoming overwhelmed by fire of some sort. "Behold the next evolution of the Synchro Summon technique!"
Thomas could only cry out in complete shock as he took a step back out of reflex, watching as his opponent began to speak a new Summon Chant while 'Stardust Dragon' roared and got itself completely surrounded by the green energy.
"Clustering crystal dreams, open the door to a new evolution! Become the path its light shines upon!"
Before long, Matt, as the flames around him grew bigger and thicker than ever, opened his eyes fiercely and gave quite possible the strongest, most hot-blooded scream everyone in the stadium could ever hear...
"ACCEL SYNCHRO!" The dirty blonde-haired boy echoed, raising his right hand out at the end of the scream.
Very quickly, a new card materialized out of thin-air and in-between Matt's fingers (it was the exact same one from the 'World of Speed'). From there, the cyclone of green energy began to grow more and more intense as a new, holy-like roar could be heard from within.
"What was that?!" demanded Emily, having heard the roar. "Where's the new monster?!"
The dark green-haired girl's answer was to come... Within seconds, the cyclone of green energy exploded as a brand new monster began to take form and rise from the stadium.
"Be born - 'SHOOTING STAR DRAGON'!" boomed Matt.
Finally... emerging from the green energy and stadium was what appeared to be a bigger, much more evolved form of 'Stardust Dragon'. The new, majestic-looking dragon soared through the sky, doing magnificent aerial dynamics before bursting through the clouds above the whole city of Atlanta with another holy-like roar. Before long, 'Shooting Star Dragon' finally touched down in the middle of the stadium until it was behind Matt. The whole audience (minus Discord, Michael, James R., Carlie, and Zack) all around the stands of the stadium gazed in wonder and amazement at such a monster. Thomas was especially awestruck by the magnificent-looking creature.
"A-Awesome..." The blue-haired boy whispered. "This dragon... I can feel the great power emanating from it."
"Unfortunately for you, you're stuck in an unwinnable situation." Matt went on, pointing forth using his left hand (which had the Duel Disk equipped). "If you try anything to protect yourself or defeat my monsters, I'll use the following effect of 'Shooting Star Dragon's'..."
He then started to go over what 'Shooting Star Dragon's' effects were like...
-"Once per turn; you can excavate the top five cards of your Deck, shuffle them back in, also this card's maximum number of attacks per Battle Phase this turn equals the number of Tuner monsters excavated."
-"Once per turn, during either player's turn, when a card or effect is activated that would destroy a card(s) on the field: You can negate the effect, and if you do, destroy it."
-"Once per turn, when an opponent's monster declares an attack: You can target the attacking monster; Banish this card, and if you do, negate that attack. During the next End Phase: Special Summon this card removed by this effect."
'Shooting Star Dragon' gave a roar of agreement. Matt then turned his focus to 'Waltz Token'.
"With 'Waltz Token'..." explained Matt. "If you try to even attack it, any Battle Damage involving it will be reduced to zero and the monster who destroyed the Token will have its Attack Power reduced by the 'Waltz Token's' own Attack Power."
'Waltz Token' (as 'Shooting Star Dragon') also roared in response.
"So, no matter what move you try to plan, I will always have a way to counter it. My combo is nearly unbreakable!"
Over in the audience, much of the spectators were all looking quite worried... The American Duel Monsters champion seemed to be too much for Thomas Billinton to handle. If Emily Stirling couldn't even defeat the likes of Matt Fudo, then what hope did Thomas have against him? Over with Percy and the likes, they had grown very distressed with their friend being seemingly locked in an unwinnable situation...
"Does this mean Thomas...is about to lose?" Percy asked with dismay.
"It would seem so." said Mavis quietly.
"Matt is simply too powerful a duelist." came from Edward. "Regardless of what Thomas has tried throughout, Matt was always one step ahead of him."
"Oh, the indignity..." groaned Gordon.
After what seemed like forever, Thomas began laughing. And it was genuine, sincere laughter. Nobody could believe what they were hearing. Matt also couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"Why are you laughing, Thomas?" he asked. "You're locked into a position where you'll lose on my next turn."
Finally, Thomas stopped laughing and smiled. "I'm laughing because it was the only thing I 'can' do in my situation."
When Matt said nothing back, the blue-haired boy, continuing to smile, went on with his speech...
"Matt Fudo... you really are an amazingly strong duelist, and are one of the most challenging opponents I've ever had to face... You're a True Duelist." From there, Thomas clenched a fist. "But no matter how much you push me into an inescapable corner, no matter how certain my defeat seems to be, I will come out on top and win the duel." The next thing he said seemed to shock everyone to the core... "Besides, I'm having far too much fun to even think about losing this duel."
Cue a big, collective gasp! Did everyone in the audience hear that correctly? Matt was also very happy to hear that Thomas was finally having fun while playing Duel Monsters once again.
"You've no idea how glad I am to hear that, Thomas." The dirty blonde-haired boy said, clenching a fist. "THAT'S is the Thomas Billinton everyone has come to know and love." He then had a big challenge for his opponent... "And if you think you can break my combo, then show me your true power, right now!"
"I'll definitely do it!" insisted Thomas eagerly. "Somehow, someway, I'll break it and win!"
And so came the big play...
"I'm Tuning my Level 7 Normal Monster, 'Dark Magician', with the Level 1 Tuner Monster, 'Tuning Magician'!" The blue-haired boy announced unexpectedly.
"WHAT?!" screamed Matt.
'Tuning Magician' struck her tuning fork before turning herself into a Synchro Ring. The whole audience was beyond aghast when they heard that Thomas was performing a Synchro Summon. From there, as the symbols 7 plus 1 equals 8 were shown, 'Dark Magician' leaped into the Synchro Ring as Thomas performed a Summon Chant...
"Hero's blade that sets forth unyielding light! Now, awaken with a flash!" The blue-haired boy spoke. From there, it was his turn to scream in a powerful, hot-blooded tone. "SYNCHRO SUMMON!"
Raising his hand into the air, a new card materialized out of thin-air and in-between Thomas's fingers (it was the exact same Monster Card he had been given in that earlier vision). From there, the light began to fade away and reveal a whole new monster.
"Appear, Level 8... Magical Swordsman of Awakening - 'Enlightenment Paladin'!"
Appearing onto the field, in a burst of light, was the same robed swordsman Thomas had seen in his vision. Brandishing his swords, the new monster gave a battle cry and posed for battle (Level: 8/ATK: 2500/DEF: 2000). The whole audience was amazed, and this included Matt.
"'Enlightenment Paladin'..." The dirty blonde-haired boy murmured.
(new scene...)
And finally, a final duel...
"Do you know what your biggest flaw is?" asked Discord.
Thomas said nothing.
"It's your pride." Discord pointed out. "You take things in life far too seriously for your own good."
Thomas frowned. "My pride..."
"If you're not careful-" The jolly man went on, drawing a card "-it could lead you to your downfall."
Then, to everyone else's surprise, an Overlay Network began to form on Thomas's side of the field.
"With some help from Ashima..." said Thomas. "I overlay the Level 7 'Dark Magician' and 'Magician of Dark Illusion'! With these two Spellcaster monsters, I build the Overlay Network!"
The two Spellcaster-Type monsters turned into purple auras and flew into the network.
"This is unexpected..." whispered Discord.
In the audience...
"Thomas is attempting an Xyz Summon!" cried Stanley.
"Amazing!" came from Henry.
"But Thomas has no Xyz-related Monster Cards in his Extra Deck!" protested James.
"He didn't have any Synchro Monsters before 'Enlightenment Paladin' came to him." Percy pointed out.
"Even then-" Emily spoke up. "-what could Thomas possible make using his two Level 7 Spellcaster monsters?"
Back in the duel field, the Xyz Summon sequence commenced as Thomas began a Summon Chant for it...
"Sage who bears the honor of the Magician Family, let loose your power and let it shine in the darkness!"
The sequence then grew more and more intense as Discord watched with complete shock.
"Is Thomas-boy-" he thought to himself "-performing another miracle?"
Over with the main owners of Boxford Corp...
"Billinton... Your knowledge of the game has allowed you to perform such a move." Spencer thought to himself, looking neutrel on the play. "Go on... Finish your task!"
Back in the duel field, the Summon Chant continued...
"The powers of the 'Dark Magician' and his shadow will flow through this new form and it's potential will unfold before the world!" From there, Thomas raised his right hand into the air. "XYZ SUMMON!"
A new card materialized onto a Monster Field slot on the blue-haired boy's Duel Disk. In addition, the Xyz Summon sequence had started to die down...
"Show yourself - Rank 7 - 'EBON HIGH MAGICIAN'!"
Appearing onto the field slowly was the very same Spellcaster-Type monster from the card in Thomas's vision. It was a human male that wielded a scepter and wore clothing like 'Dark Magician', but, again, the outfit was colored much differently.
"'E-E-Ebon High...Magician'?" stuttered Discord, looking frightened.
The audience watched in amazement at what Thomas had done just now.
"Watch and listen well, Discord J. Crawford." boomed Thomas. "With what I have done just now, I have officially mastered all of the Summon Sequences you have created for the game thus far! Fusion... Ritual... Synchro... And last, but not least, Xyz!"
'Ebon High Magician' finished lowering himself onto the field (Rank: 7/ATK: 2300/DEF: 2800). The audience burst into loud cheers for the blue-haired boy's magnificent play. They were especially overjoyed that he had mastered all of the major Summon Techniques created up until now. Before long, the final attack was unleashed...
"Are you prepared, Discord J. Crawford?" boomed Thomas, entering the Battle Phase. "'Dark Magician', direct attack!"
'Dark Magician' raised his scepter and charged a blast of black magic.
"DARK MAGIC ATTACK!"
With a battle cry, the blast was fired and struck Discord head on.
"This duel is all done!" declared Thomas (LP: 200). "I win!"
"Oh...NNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOO!" Discord clutched the sides of his head as he screamed in defeat (LP: 0).
The entire audience remained in a hushed silence as the holograms faded away and Discord collapsed to his knees and allowed his remaining Deck contents to spill out of his Duel Disk.
"I... I've lost?" The creator of Duel Monsters spluttered. "The creator of the game has been...defeated? I... I cannot believe it..."
Thomas watched with a look of triumph. Finally, after what seemed like forever, Discord looked up and smiled cheerfully like he wasn't upset over losing.
"Well done, Thomas-boy, you have officially beaten the creator of Duel Monsters in a duel - namely me! You must be feeling very honored. right now."
With that said, whole stadium erupted into thunderous applause for the victorious blue-haired boy. He had actually defeated the creator of Duel Monsters in a duel and won the title of 'King of Games'!
(new scene...)
No matter what life threw at him, the teenage Thomas Billinton would always find a way to pull through and keep his friends and loved ones safe. Descendant of an Egyptian Pharaoh, and present day reincarnation of a fallen warrior from the Duel Monsters spirit world, he was a very special child hand picked by destiny to defend the world from danger, including the Shadow Games that Pharaoh Atem had locked away thousands of years ago.
(new scene...)
Inside a ruined stadium of some sort, the voice of Thomas Billinton could be heard speaking to someone...
"You wanted a rematch, Spencer Gresley, you've got one!"
"And this time, things are going to end differently, you pompous star-biller" came the voice of Spencer Gresley.
In the middle of a field, Thomas Billinton and Spencer Gresley were both glaring at each other. Yes, it would seem the two rivals were locked in another rematch...
-Thomas (LP: 2200) commanded 'Obelisk the Tormentor' (Level: 10/ATK: 4000/DEF: 4000), 'Slifer the Sky Dragon' (Level: 10/ATK: 3000/DEF: 3000), 'The Winged Dragon of Ra' (Level: 10/ATK: 3000/DEF: 3000), and a set card.
-Spencer (LP: 1300) commanded one 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon' (Level: 8/ATK: 3000/DEF: 2500) and a set card.
"It's my turn!" Spencer announced, drawing a card. "Draw!"
Turn ?: Spencer Gresley (LP: 2100)
Deck: 24
Current Hand (4): "Blue-Eyes White Dragon", "Megamorph", "Blue-Eyes White Dragon", and "Polymerization"
Staring at his drawn card for a few seconds, Spencer then looked up and glared at Thomas and his three monsters.
"Mark my words, Thomas Billinton." he declared. There HAS to be a way to defeat your 'Egyptian God' Cards, and I won't rest or stop until I've found the answer and won!"
On cue, the 'Polymerization' Spell Card materialized face-up in the middle of the sky.
"Behold a power coming from 3000 years ago! I fuse my three 'Blue-Eyes White Dragons' into my ultimate servant!"
Two more 'Blue-Eyes White Dragons' appeared on the field, just before flying up into the sky with the lone 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon' already present on the field. From there, the Fusion Summon sequence commenced.
"Appear - 'Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon'!" commanded Spencer.
Within seconds, the three-headed 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon' appeared on the field with a booming roar (Level: 12/ATK: 4500/DEF: 3800).
"It was a waste of your time, Spencer!" Thomas pointed out. "Whenever you Summon a new monster, 'Slifer the Sky Dragon' will immediately attack and weaken it!"
'Slifer the Sky Dragon' charged a small blast from its second mouth...
"SUMMON THUNDER BULLET!"
The blast was fired towards 'Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon', striking and weakening the mighty dragon considerably (ATK: 4500 - 2500).
"Heh! No matter..." smirked Spencer, readying his next card. "I still have a way to make my dragon stronger."
Thomas raised an eyebrow. "You do?"
"Yes! And I'll show it to you - in form of 'Megamorph'!"
The mentioned Equip Spell Card flipped face-up and revealed itself. Before long, 'Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon' grew bigger and bigger.
"Because my Life Points are lower than yours, Megamorph doubles my 'Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon's' original Attack Points." explained Spencer.
'Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon' roared as its lost strength was regained (ATK: 2500 - 5000). From there, Spencer leaped high into the air and landed on the head of 'Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon'.
"With 5000 Attack Points, my monster can crush any of your three 'Gods'!" The silver-haired boy bragged.
"Are you sure about that?" Thomas suddenly smirked.
"What?!"
On cue, the blue-haired boy's facedown card flipped up and revealed itself to be...
"Trap Card - 'Dust Tornado', activate!" announced Thomas. "Using it, I will destroy 'Megamorph'!"
A cyclone filled with feathers blew across the field towards the face-up 'Megamorph' Spell Card. As soon as the cyclone faded away, the Equip Spell Card was gone.
"No!" cried Spencer, who then cast a heated glance at his opponent. "I...end my turn!"
'Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon' lost its power boost, but also regained the power it had lost from 'Slifer the Sky Dragon' (ATK: 5000 - 4500).
"It's my turn!" announced Thomas, drawing a card. "Draw!"
Turn ?: Thomas Billinton (LP: 2200)
Deck: 22
Current Hand (1): ?
"Activate Trap Card!" declared Spencer, just as his facedown card flipped up and revealed itself. "Return Armory(!)! This allows me to re-activate one Equip Spell Card in my Graveyard." He smirked grandly. "And I choose to re-activate 'Megamorph' once more!"
With the 'Megamorph' Spell Card back face-up on the field, 'Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon's' Attack Power rose once again, this time even more powerful than ever before (ATK: 4500 - 9000).
"Now my 'Blue-Eyes' has more power than any other monster on the field!"
"Spencer, even the power of 'Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon' pales in comparison to the 'Egyptian Gods'!" insisted Thomas. "There's more to power than just Attack Points."
"What's that supposed to mean?" demanded Spencer.
"It's something you should have learned by now." Thomas pointed out. "My 'Egyptian Gods' possess powers far beyond mere monsters. By sacrificing two monsters, for example, I can bestow upon the third infinity strength!" He then gave the command. "'Obelisk', I give you the powers of 'Slifer' and 'Ra'! Absorb their strength and activate your ultimate effect!"
Before long, 'Obelisk the Tormentor' took hold of both 'Slifer the Sky Dragon' and 'The Winged Dragon of Ra', absorbing their strength and destroying them. However, by doing so, 'Obelisk the Tormentor's' body turned purple as its gained unlimited strength.
"SOUL ENERGY MAX!"
With the offerings been made, 'Obelisk the Tormentor' was now the strongest monster on the field as its Attack Power climbed to unmatched levels (ATK: 4000 - ∞). From there, Thomas jumped high into the sky and landed on the head of 'Obelisk the Tormentor'.
"This can't be happening!" exclaimed Spencer, realizing that he had lost again—but stubbornly refused to admit it. "I refuse to be defeated by your 'Gods' again!" He gave the command to his monster. "SUPER NEUTRON BLAST!"
'Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon' obeyed and unleashed its signature attack towards the stronger 'Obelisk the Tormentor'.
'"Obelisk the Tormentor'-" commanded Thomas. "-show him what true power is all about!"
'Obelisk the Tormentor' obeyed, charging his fists with energy.
"Attack with Fist of Fury!"
With the attack all charged, 'Obelisk the Tormentor' struck back with a powerful punch. The attack punched through the Neutron Blast like it was nothing.
"No!" winced Spencer.
The attack finally struck 'Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon', causing it to cry out in agony as it shattered into shards of glass.
"'Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon' has been defeated!" announced Thomas.
"My... my dragon!" cried Spencer (LP: 0). "I... I can't be..."
With his 'Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon' gone, the silver-haired boy began to fall towards the ground below, screaming in dread.
END OF PROLOGUE