This story was done in collaboration between me and Jriddle41 (Sodormatchmaker on DeviantART) and we 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
NOTE: This scene takes place after Battle City finishes, but definitely before the start of Season 3.
WARNING: This deleted scene is rated T just to be on the safe side.
Title: Luckiness is Divine
One Sunday morning, days after Battle City had come to an end, Thomas was fast asleep in bed as his alarm clock was going off—though he was mostly ignoring it. The noise, however, was loud enough to bring someone to his room.
(elsewhere…)
Outside Thomas's room, Mrs. Billinton walked up to the door and knocked on it gently.
"Thomas, your alarm clock is going off!" she called out, "Are you planning on getting up anytime soon?"
(elsewhere…)
Back in his room, Thomas, overhearing his Mother's voice, stirred and opened his eyes before sitting up and rubbing them.
"Sorry, Mom," apologized Thomas, "I'm up now, so I'll turn it off."
"It's been going off for the last two hours!" The voice of Mrs. Billinton responded back, "Weren't you supposed to be up at 7:30?"
"Huh?"
Thomas looked at his clock while reaching to turn the alarm off, and got a nasty surprise when he saw what time it was…
"9-9-9:30?! I overslept!" wailed Thomas, now fully awake, "D-Darn it, I was supposed to meet up with Emily at the park an hour ago!"
The blue-haired boy was in such a rush and panic that as he was scrambling to get out of bed, his feet got tangled in the blanket and he flailed about in midair before falling onto the floor with a loud *CRASH!*.
"Ouch…" groaned Thomas, picking himself back up, "Well, that hurt…"
(outside…)
Eventually, Thomas was properly dressed, ate a quick breakfast, left his house, and was now on his way to the park.
"I just hope Emily's still there…" he panted, closing the front door.
(elsewhere…)
Thankfully, Emily was still at Knapford Park, waiting for Thomas to show up. At long last, she overheard a familiar voice (male) calling out to her…
"Emily!" The voice of Thomas echoed.
Curiously, Emily turned and saw Thomas emerge from atop a nearby hill. Thomas, meanwhile, was relieved to see his friend was still waiting. However, I'm sorry to say that he wasn't watching where he was going and tripped over a root sticking out of the ground near the edge of the hill.
"WHOOOA!" screamed Thomas, falling over and rolling all the way down the steep hill like a wheel, "Not agaaaain!"
"Oh!" cried Emily, getting out of the way as Thomas rolled swiftly past her.
*SMASH!*
Before long, Thomas crashed into a large tree. Seconds later, Thomas collapsed onto his back with his eyes looking like swirls.
"Thomas, are you okay?!" gasped Emily, running over and helping Thomas sit up.
"No," groaned Thomas, rubbing the top of his head, "So far I've had rotten luck. First I overslept through my alarm clock, then I tripped on my bedsheets when I tried getting up, and I almost missed meeting up with you. And now, I end up crashing into this tree. It's as if a cosmic force is conspiring to make my life miserable for some reason."
"Now, now, that's not true," comforted Emily, "You're just having a bad day. It happens to everybody. There's no cosmic forces working against you."
"Somehow, I doubt that."
"Well, maybe some ice cream will help make you and your day a little better?" The dark green-haired girl offered kindly, "It's on me."
"You know, ice cream does sound like a good treat idea during these kinds of days," admitted Thomas, managing to smile a bit.
"That's the spirit!" Emily smiled back, "Now, come along."
With that, the two friends set out to get some ice cream from the nearby ice cream cart.
"Good morning, you two," The cart owner greeted, "What will it be today?"
"Chocolate, please," replied Emily.
"Have any butterscotch?" asked Thomas.
"As always," The cart owner answered, before serving Emily her ice cream, "Here you go, young lady."
"Thank you," said Emily, taking her ice cream.
Seconds later, the cart owner served Thomas his butterscotch ice cream.
"Thanks," The blue-haired boy praised, taking his ice cream.
"You two enjoy now," The cart owner advised, after Emily paid him for both treats, "Have a good day."
With that said, Thomas and Emily both walked away, enjoying their ice cream.
"Man, this really hits the spot," commented Thomas, licking at his ice cream, "You were right, Emily, I feel better already."
"I'm glad," smiled Emily.
Unfortunately, Thomas was heading for more trouble; a banana peel was lying on the ground and in the path he was walking in. Thomas was enjoying his ice cream while talking to Emily so much that he wasn't paying any attention to what was in-front of him.
*SLIIIIP!*
Thomas slipped on the banana peel and fell face first, but not before accidentally hurling his ice cream into the air. From there, it landed directly…on Emily's head, ruining her shiny dark green, almost emerald, hair.
"AUGH!" yelled Emily, as bits of ice cream dripped down her onto her shirt.
"Oh, Emily, I'm so sorry!" wailed Thomas, before becoming discouraged again, "Why do these things keep happening?!"
Thankfully, aside from a little mess, Emily wasn't hurt. And thankfully, they were near the restrooms so she could clean herself off.
"O-Oh, it's okay, Thomas," reassured Emily, "I'm not mad at you. Besides, we're near a rest room, so I can go and clean myself up."
"I can't take it anymore!" whined Thomas, "No matter what I do, something bad happens! It's a sign, Emily. I'm jinxed! Something will 'always' plot against me to make me miserable! I'll never be happy again! I'm going home before things get even 'worse'!"
Before anything more could be said…
"I hear you are jinxed…" A woman's voice echoed.
Turning around, Thomas and Emily both noticed a woman wearing fortune-telling clothing walking up to them.
"W-Who are you?" asked Emily nervously.
"Just a wandering fortune-teller," The woman responded, "I am Madam Divina, and I cannot help but find your blue-haired friend looking a little down."
"You bet I'm down," pouted Thomas, "I'm having a horrible day, and I likely ruined Emily's day now."
"He's been having some bad luck," explained Emily, "And now, he's convinced that some cosmic forces are intentionally making his life miserable."
"Well they 'are'!" protested Thomas, "How else can you justify all that's been happening today? All I want to do now is go home, lock myself in my room, and never enjoy my life again," He then began turning to leave, "If fate wants me to be unhappy, then so be it!"
Just then, Madam Divina took hold of Thomas's shoulder, stopping him from leaving. It would seem she had a 'different' idea in mind…
"Perhaps you would change your mind if we had a duel instead?" The woman offered.
"A duel?" quizzed Thomas.
"I know you're Thomas Billinton, the recent winner of the Battle City tournament," said Madam Divina knowingly, "I was hoping to meet and face you in battle. In fact, I predicted I would meet you today, and it looks like my prediction was right."
"You actually predicted meeting up with us today?" pondered Emily.
"Many of my predictions are never wrong," replied Madam Divina, before looking back at Thomas, "Now, Thomas, are you interested in dueling with me?"
"Will my luck improve if I go through with it?" thought Thomas, before speaking aloud, "I…guess there's no harm in one quick duel. Sure, I'll duel you, Madam Divina!"
"Very good," Madam Divina said with approval, activating her Duel Disk, "In fact, let me make things interesting for our match. As we duel, I will conduct your fortune."
"Huh?" blinked Thomas.
"Conduct Thomas's fortune?" added Emily.
That earned the two teenagers a nod from Madam Divina, who then pulled out a coin from her pocket.
"So," she offered, "shall we determine who goes first with a coin toss?"
"A coin toss?" repeated Thomas, as he took his place on the field.
"Heads is a dragon, and Tails is a devil," explained Madam Divina, showing both sides of the coin, "If you choose correctly, I'll allow you to go first."
With that said, she flipped the coin as both Thomas and Emily watched. The coin then landed on the back of Madam Divina's left hand.
"Now, which it is?" asked Madam Divina, as she covered the top of her left hand.
"Uh… um…" stammered Thomas, wondering what coin side was on the fortune-teller's hand, "I've got it! It's the Dragon!"
"Too bad," Madam Divina denied, holding the coin up, "It's the Devil. I'm afraid since you guessed wrong, based on a misinformed foresight, it means I get to go first."
"I-I just guessed wrong on a 50/50!" argued Thomas, "Anybody can guess wrong on a coin toss!"
"Perhaps," acknowledged Madam Divina, "However, the unlucky day you're having still might have something to do with your choice."
Without saying anything back, Thomas activated his own Duel Disk.
"DUEL!" Thomas and Madam Divina announced at once (LP: 4000) x2.
Emily watched the duel carefully, wondering if Madam Divina's words about Thomas's unlucky day had anything to do with him guessing wrong on a simple coin toss.
Turn One: Madam Divina (LP: 4000)
Deck: 35
Current Hand (5): "Prediction Princess Crystaldine", "Fake Form", "Prediction Princess Coinorma", "Soul Reversal", "Prediction Princess Petalelf"
"And now, I get to go first!" declared Madam Divina, taking a card from her hand and placing it onto her Duel Disk face-down (sideways), "I Set a monster in face-down Defense Position!"
A face-down card materialized itself sideways on the field.
"And I'll end my turn there."
"What?" gasped Thomas, "That's all you'll do?"
"When this card is revealed," said Madam Divina confidently, "your fate and mine will be made clear."
Thomas shook his head, "No, seriously," he said sternly, "What is this 'fate' stuff you keep going on about?"
"Eventually, you will understand," insisted Madam Divina, "Now it's your turn, but you can't see what lies ahead."
"Normally when a monster is set face-down, it's because it has a flip effect," thought Thomas, "But, then again, it might 'not' have a flip effect. She could be luring me into a trap of sorts."
"Before you draw a card," interrupted Madam Divina, "I can tell that something's troubling you, am I right?"
"Huh?" froze Thomas.
"In the coin toss, you chose the Dragon," Madam Divina went on, "That symbolizes your desire to use power to break out of your current predicament. Right now, you're at a standstill, unable to see where you can move forward."
Thomas said nothing in response. Over with Emily, she was thinking about what Madam Divina was talking about.
"Does she mean that Thomas is trying to break his bad luck through force?" Emily asked herself mentally.
Back in the duel field…
"My bad luck is making me want to try getting over it by any means," thought Thomas, before drawing a card, "It's my turn! Draw!"
Turn Two: Thomas Billinton (LP: 4000)
Deck: 54
Current Hand (6): "Gaia the Fierce Knight", "Black Luster Soldier", "Curse of Dragon", "Valkyrion the Magna Warrior", "Berserker Soul", and "Dark Magician"
His drawn card was the 'Dark Magician' Monster Card.
"Alright, I've drawn 'Dark Magician'!" continued Thomas mentally, before looking at the rest of his hand and cringing, "But all I have is a hand full of Level 5 or higher monsters, and a Spell Card I cannot even use at this time… I can't do anything with a hand like this!"
"Well?" offered Madam Divina.
At long last, Thomas sighed in disappointment.
"I end my turn…" he muttered emotionlessly.
Madam Divina smiled, "I knew it."
"What's going on?" thought Emily, "Does Thomas not have a single card that he can use? If not, then I've never seen any duelist with such a terrible opening hand before."
Back on the field, Thomas looked frustrated, while Madam Divina remained calm and reassured.
"It's my turn!" The fortune-teller announced, drawing a card, "Draw!"
Turn Three: Madam Divina (LP: 4000)
Deck: 34
Current Hand (5): "Prediction Princess Crystaldine", "Fake Form", "Soul Reversal", "Prediction Princess Petalelf", and "Black Cat-astrophe"
Adding the drawn card into her hand, Madam Divina then braced two fingers onto her face-down Monster Card and flipped it face-up into Attack Position.
"I Flip Summon the previously Set monster!" exclaimed Madam Divina, "Appear, 'Prediction Princess Coinorma'!"
Appearing onto the field was a small, red-headed female rolling on a giant coin (Level: 3/ATK: 800/DEF: 1400).
"It 'is' a Flip monster!" realized Thomas.
"Yes, and this is where my monster's effect activates!" confirmed Madam Divina, taking a card from her Deck, "FLIP: I can Special Summon 1 Level 3 or higher Flip monster from my hand or Deck in face-down Defense Position, also I cannot activate monster effects for the rest of this turn, except 'Prediction Princess' monsters'."
Thomas watched as another face-down card appeared on the field (sideways), and he knew instantly that it was another Flip monster.
"Great, I can already smell trouble," Thomas told himself.
"Unfortunately, since you control no monsters, you are wide open for an attack," reminded Madam Divina, entering the Battle Phase, "'Prediction Princess Coinorma', attack Thomas directly!"
'Prediction Princess Coinorma' obeyed, rolling her giant coin towards Thomas, hitting him head on and rolling him over (LP: 4000 → 3200).
"And there's far more to come," said Madam Divina, taking another card from her hand, "Next, I'll offer 'Prediction Princess Coinorma' as a Tribute…"
From there, 'Prediction Princess Coinorma' vanished in blue streaks as another sideways face-down card appeared on the field.
"…and Tribute Summon a Set monster," From there, as Madam Divina continued speaking, a face-down card (Spell/Trap) materialized on the field behind one of the Set Monster Cards, "Finally, I'll Set one card and end my turn. As you can seem, Thomas, these Set cards represent your unknown future."
"Right…" grumbled Thomas, "I mean, it's not like my bad luck is going to get worse or anything," He drew a card, "It's my turn!"
Turn Four: Thomas Billinton (LP: 3200)
Deck: 53
Current Hand (7): "Gaia the Fierce Knight", "Black Luster Soldier", "Curse of Dragon", "Valkyrion the Magna Warrior", "Berserker Soul", "Dark Magician", and "Gazelle the King of Mythical Beasts"
His drawn card was, to his relief, the 'Gazelle the King of Mythical Beasts' Monster Card.
"I've drawn something!" rejoiced Thomas, before placing his drawn card ('Gazelle the King of Mythical Beasts') onto a Monster Field Zone on his Duel Disk, "I Summon 'Gazelle the King of Mythical Beasts' in Attack Position!"
Appearing onto the field was the mighty beast himself (Level: 4/ATK: 1500/DEF: 1200).
"Both of Madam Divina's monsters are in Defense Position," thought Thomas, "However, one of them is one she Tribute Summoned, meaning it has a higher Level and thus a greater threat. Because of that, it likely has a high DEF, meaning my attack would backfire and damage me if I attack it."
"Tsk tsk tsk… I wouldn't do that if I were you," teased Madam Divina, getting an idea on what her opponent was thinking at the moment, "When unlucky ones like yourself attempt to do something, it never ends well."
"Mind your own business!" snapped Thomas, getting fed up, "BATTLE! 'Gazelle', attack one of the Set monsters!"
'Gazelle the King of Mythical Beasts' obeyed, lunging towards one of the Set monsters.
"I did warn you," sighed Madam Divina, before snapping her fingers. This caused her face-down card (Spell/Trap) to flip face-up and reveal itself, "I activate a Trap, 'Black Cat-astrophe'!"
On cue, thirteen black cats started materializing from the face-up Trap Card and onto the field, and they simply glared at Thomas.
"Ouch… Thomas got glared at by black cats, that's bad luck!" flinched Emily, "And since there are thirteen of them, that's even worse!"
Back on the field, 'Gazelle the King of Mythical Beasts' was still lunging for one of the face-down monsters, but suddenly cried out like a cat and fell down, which cancelled out its attack.
"The effect of 'Black Cat-astrophe'," began Madam Divina, "If I control 2 or more face-down Defense Position monsters: I must end my opponent's Battle Phase."
"No way…" stuttered Thomas. From there, he somehow tripped over something that wasn't even there, "I tripped over nothing…!"
"See?" chastised Madam Divina, "I told you that it would never end well."
"Hey, all I did was fall over!" argued Thomas.
"But you had all of those black cats staring at you," Madam Divina pointed out, "You must truly be unlucky."
Thomas scowled, "I…" he said reluctantly, "I end my turn here."
"Hmm… To think you'd ignore my advice and do something so meaningless…" mused Madam Divina, "Now I 'know' something's wrong."
"What are you talking about?" demanded Thomas.
Madam Divina ignored the question and drew a card.
Turn Five: Madam Divina (LP: 4000)
Deck: 32
Current Hand (4): "Fake Form", "Soul Reversal", "Prediction Princess Petalelf", and "Tour of Doom"
She drew a Trap Card called 'Tour of Doom'.
"I Flip Summon the monster on the left!" announced Madam Divina, "Appear, 'Prediction Princess Arrowsylph'!"
Appearing onto the field was a green, mermaid-like fairy (Level: 4/ATK: 1000/DEF: 1400).
"Since I Flip Summoned this monster, her effect will activate now," warned Madam Divina, taking a card ('Prediction Ritual') from her Deck and added it into her hand, "FLIP: I can add 1 Ritual Spell from my Deck or GY to my hand."
"Your other monster… It must have a Flip effect as well!" accused Thomas.
"Correct you are," confirmed Madam Divina, as her remaining Set Monster Card flipped up and revealed itself, "Arise, 'Prediction Princess Crystaldine'!"
Appearing onto the field was a female fortune-teller that seemed to be of the water element (Level: 5/ATK: 1400/DEF: 2200).
"'Prediction Princess Crystaldine's' Flip effect!" As Madam Divina spoke, another card ('Prediction Princess Tarotrei') ejected from her Deck, "FLIP: I can add 1 Ritual Monster from my Deck or GY to my hand."
"Oh no!" Emily was telling herself, "Using those two Flip effects, a Ritual Summon is all but guaranteed to be coming."
Back on the field, the crystal ball in 'Prediction Princess Crystaldine's' hands started glowing.
"Now, I'm going to let my 'Crystaldine' predict your fortune," requested Madam Divina.
Thomas said nothing and just watched on. The crystal ball soon showed an image of Thomas.
"I see it…" whispered Madam Divina, as dark smoke gathered around the image of Thomas, "Dark clouds of an enormous power are enveloping you…" She then held one of her cards ('Prediction Ritual'), "From my hand, I'll activate the Ritual Spell 'Prediction Ritual'! This card is used to Ritual Summon 'Prediction Princess Tarotrei'. I must also Tribute monsters from my hand or field whose total Levels equal 9 or more."
The mentioned Spell Card materialized face-up on the field, causing nine large crystals to fire from the card and into the sky before landing in the center of the dueling field in a circle.
"Now, I'll offer my Level 4 'Prediction Princess Arrowsylph' and my Level 5 'Prediction Princess Crystaldine' as a Tribute!" continued Madam Divina, "This will let me Ritual Summon a powerful Level 9 monster!"
The nine crystals were lit on fire before erupting into a flame pillar, which extended all the way into the sky as a Summon Chant began…
"Priestess of ancient times who foresees everything! With the ancient description, now, be revived!" chanted Madam Divina, "Ritual Summon! Level 9! 'Prediction Princess Tarotrei'!"
Appearing onto the field was a giant woman dressed as a fortune teller with many tarot cards circling around her in the pattern of the infinity symbol (Level: 9/ATK: 2700/DEF: 1200).
"BATTLE!" declared Madam Divina, entering the Battle Phase, "'Prediction Princess Tarotrei', destroy 'Gazelle the King of Mythical Beasts'!"
'Prediction Princess Tarotrei' obeyed, firing a blast of green energy at 'Gazelle the King of Mythical Beasts', vaporizing the beast in seconds. Thomas recoiled as he sustained major damage (LP: 3200 → 2000).
"Although my Battle Phase is over, my turn's not done," informed Madam Divina, placing a card face-down onto her Duel Disk (sideways), "I Set another monster."
Another sideways face-down card appeared onto the field next to 'Prediction Princess Tarotrei'. From there, Madam Divina held out another card, "Spell Card, 'Soul Reversal'! I must return 1 Flip monster from my GY to the top of my Deck," A card ejected from her GY ('Prediction Princess Coinorma'), which she took hold of and held out for a moment before placing it at the top of her Deck, "I'll take my 'Prediction Princess Coinorma' from my GY and place it on top of my Deck."
Thomas then watched as two more face-down cards materialized on the field behind 'Prediction Princess Tarotrei'.
"And finally, I'll Set two cards face-down and end my turn," finished Madam Divina.
"Madam Divina has a powerful Ritual Monster out along with two face-down cards, and another face-down monster," murmured Emily, "It's already been 5 turns and Thomas hasn't pulled out a lucky move yet. It would seem that his luck is also affecting his dueling skills."
Back in the duel field…
"Damn…" thought Thomas, "I'm bricked, I lost my only Level 4 monster, and I lost half of my LP… I need a good draw, right now!" With that thought on hand, he drew a card, "It's my turn!"
Turn Six: Thomas Billinton (LP: 2000)
Deck: 53
Current Hand (7): "Gaia the Fierce Knight", "Black Luster Soldier", "Curse of Dragon", "Valkyrion the Magna Warrior", "Berserker Soul", "Dark Magician", and "Pot of Greed"
His drawn card was the 'Pot of Greed' Spell Card.
"Maybe this can help me."
"Stop for a moment," advised Madam Divina, causing Thomas to stop and look on in surprise, "I activate a Continuous Trap, 'Tour of Doom'!"
One of the Set cards (Spell/Trap) flipped face-up and revealed itself.
"During my opponent's Standby Phase, I must toss a coin," explained Madam Divina, holding up her coin, "There are two outcomes depending on if I get heads or tails."
From there, she tossed the coin into the air. When it landed on the palm, she looked down and smiled at the results.
"Well?" dreaded Thomas.
"The result…is heads," answered Madam Divina, "This means you cannot perform a Normal or Flip Summon for the rest of this turn."
Thomas cursed, knowing that if he got any Level 4 monsters from his draws, they would be pointless. Nevertheless, he decided to chance it.
"I activate 'Pot of Greed'!" declared Thomas, holding his drawn card out before sending it to the GY. He then drew two more cards, "I must draw 2 cards."
Hoping either of them could be what he needed to change his luck around, Thomas cast a glance at his two drawn cards. To his surprise and relief, both cards were 'Polymerization (Spell Card) and 'Black Luster Ritual' (Spell Card).
"Yes!" rejoiced Thomas, "Just what I needed!" He then addressed his opponent, "Listen to me, Madam Divina, I don't care about fortunes, and I certainly won't let them mislead me."
"Huh?" peeped Madam Divina.
Upon overhearing those words, Emily grew hopeful.
"This is where my counterattack starts!" began Thomas, before holding out one of the cards ('Polymerization'), "I activate the Spell Card 'Polymerization'! Using it, I'll fuse the 'Gaia The Fierce Knight' and 'Curse of Dragon' from my hand! I may not be able to Normal Summon or Set this turn, but I can still Special Summon from the Extra Deck!"
From there, the two monsters, a knight riding his purple steed, and a yellow dragon, briefly appeared before entering the Fusion Vortex.
"I Fusion Summon 'Gaia the Dragon Champion' in Attack Position!"
When the Fusion Summon sequence ended, appearing in the sky was 'Gaia The Fierce Knight' now riding 'Curse of Dragon' instead of his horse (Level: 7/ATK: 2600/DEF: 2100).
"There's more!" continued Thomas, holding out another card ('Black Luster Ritual'), "I activate the Ritual Spell 'Black Luster Ritual'!"
On cue, the 'Black Luster Ritual' Spell card materialized face-up on the field before creating a doorway of some sort.
"This card is used to Ritual Summon 'Black Luster Soldier'," explained Thomas, taking a card ('Valkyrion the Magna Warrior') from his hand and discarding it, "I must also Tribute monsters from my hand or field whose total Levels equal 8 or more! Using my Level 8 'Valkyrion the Magna Warrior', I will Ritual Summon the Level 8 'Black Luster Soldier'!"
On cue, 'Valkyrion the Magna Warrior'' materialized onto the field before turning into energy and being absorbed into the doorway as Thomas began a Summon Chant…
"One soul shall merge with light! The other soul shall merge with the darkness! Between light and darkness, the gate to chaos is opened!" chanted Thomas, just as the door began to open as a figure of energy came out, "Ritual Summon! The legendary 'Black Luster Soldier' arrives!"
Appearing out of the doorway was the mighty 'Black Luster Soldier' decked out in his dark blue and gold armor (Level: 8/ATK: 3000/DEF: 2500).
"Amazing!" breathed Emily, "Thomas was able to Fusion Summon and Ritual Summon one after the other. This could be the break he needs at a time like this!"
Unfortunately…
"It's bad luck," interrupted Madam Divina.
"Huh?" Emily reeled back.
"What now?" groaned Thomas.
"As of now, I will read your future using your card arrangement," requested Madam Divina.
"My…card arrangements?" Thomas repeated, looking at the two Monster Cards on his Duel Disk.
Madam Divina nodded, "Yes," she confirmed, before pointing at 'Gaia the Dragon Champion', "Let's start with your 'Gaia the Dragon Champion'; he was originally two seperate monsters. The knight on his horse symbolizes your pride and vanity, and the dragon symbolizes that you're in a very precarious situation. The knight and the dragon together as one symbolize the process of you traversing the deep and dark inner labyrinth of your subconscious and engaging with your inner shadow."
Thomas froze with shock while wondering what this all even meant, but he couldn't speak up about it.
"Furthermore," While talking on, Madam Divina moved her index finger towards 'Black Luster Soldier', "there's 'Black Luster Soldier'. He symbolizes the balance of light and dark, but there seems to be an imbalance within you, Thomas," Finally, she pointed at Thomas, "In other words, your future will be a huge failure, and your future will become wrapped in darkness."
Thomas still couldn't say anything, and it was the same for Emily. She wanted to tell her friend not to believe in those fortunes, but knew that all of them have been correct thus far.
"I really… I really don't know what to tell Thomas," thought Emily, before images of when Thomas comforted her after he really scared her with his anger towards Dark Marik, "Back on the blimp, I sensed something strange within him. Maybe, just maybe…"
"No!" cut in Thomas strongly, causing Emily to look up. He was currently addressing Madam Divina and her fortunes, "Even if you say that future will happen, I'll change it with my own hands!" The blue-haired boy entered the Battle Phase, "'Black Luster Soldier' will attack 'Prediction Princess Tarotrei'! CHAOS BLADE!"
'Black Luster Soldier' obeyed, jumping high into the sky and slashing his mighty blade towards 'Prediction Princess Tarotrei'.
"Unfortunately, your attack will not touch my monster," sighed Madam Divina, "The monster effect of 'Prediction Princess Tarotrei' activates! Once per turn, during my opponent's turn: I can change all face-down Defense Position monsters I control to Attack Position (Quick Effect)!" She then announced the effect name, "FULL REBIRTH!"
"You're gonna Flip Summon your Set monster," acknowledged Thomas, getting a bad feeling.
"Once again, you are correct," confirmed Madam Divina, pointing to her face-down, sideways Monster Card, "Arise, 'Prediction Princess Petalelf'!"
Appearing onto the field out of the flipped up card was a purple-skinned female monster wearing an outfit resembling that of a flower (Level: 3/ATK: 800/DEF :700).
"The Flip effect of 'Prediction Princess Petalelf' activates!" declared Madam Divina, "FLIP: I can change all face-up Attack Position monsters my opponent controls to face-up Defense Position. Monsters changed to Defense Position by this effect cannot change their battle positions," She then gave the command to her ace monster, "FULL REVERSE!"
From there, 'Prediction Princess Petalelf' formed a cyclone of flower petals, striking 'Black Luster Soldier', stopping his attack, and forcing both him and 'Gaia the Dragon Champion' to kneel in a defensive stance respectively (DEF: 2500)(DEF: 2100).
"No!" cried Thomas.
"And now, 'Prediction Princess Tarotrei' will read your future!" continued Madam Divina, "Do it, 'Tarotrei'!"
'Prediction Princess Tarotrei', with her eyes glowing red, obeyed, raising her hands into the air and making a card materialize above 'em. Thomas and Emily both watched as the card, with purple fog forming around it, turned over and revealed artwork of a tower of sorts.
"A tower?" pondered Emily.
"The tarot card, 'Tarotrei', has shown as 'The Tower' right-side up," explained Madam Divina, before closing her eyes, "The meaning this card holds is collapsing, falling, and disaster."
A vision then ensued.
VISION
In this vision, Thomas was shown standing atop a tower when suddenly, a bolt of lightning struck the middle of the tower, destroying and causing the tower to collapse. Thomas screamed as he fell into the darkness below.
END VISION
The vision ended, with Madam Divina opening her eyes with a serious expression on her face.
"You must give up," she went on, "If you continue with what you're doing, your life will be at serious risk in the near future."
Thomas and Emily both gasped in shock. At last, Thomas broke free of the silence…
"Do you honestly expect me to believe any of what you're trying to tell me?!" The blue-haired boy demanded angrily, "It's gotta be a load of nonsense, it's gotta be!"
Unfortunately, that's not what Emily was thinking about at the moment; she was more worried about Madam Divina's divinations and the fact both of Thomas's monsters were in Defense Position and unable to return to Attack Position.
"You still wish to continue?" frowned Madam Divina, before pointing to one of her remaining Set card, "Then you can observe as I activate a Trap Card, 'Fake Form'!"
The face-down card flipped up and revealed itself.
"When the battle position of a monster(s) is changed by a card effect: I must inflict 400 damage to my opponent for each of those monsters."
Thomas glowed in a red aura and cried out as he took damage (LP: 2000 → 1200).
"Cheap shot," grunted Thomas, regaining his dueling stance.
"Earlier, you insisted that fate was deliberately plotting to make you miserable," Madam Divina pointed out, "And yet now, you refuse to believe my prediction that you are in danger of great failure in the future if you continue to keep fighting on your road to becoming a Duel Monsters champion. Can you not realize the hypocrisy?"
"I refuse to believe that foretold about my future being one of destruction, failure and tragedy," thought Thomas, before speaking aloud, "I end my turn!"
"You still refuse to stop?" said Madam Divina sternly, before drawing a card, "It's my turn!"
Turn Seven: Madam Divina (LP: 4000)
Deck: 30
Current Hand (1): "Prediction Princess Coinorma"
Adding the drawn card into her hand, another card ('Prediction Ritual') ejected from her GY before fading away into oblivion.
"And as of now, I'll activate the remaining effect of 'Prediction Ritual'!" As Madam Divina spoke, she took another card ('Prediction Princess Astromorrigan') from her GY and added it into her hand, "During my Main Phase, except the turn this card was sent to the GY: I can banish this card from my GY; I must add 1 'Prediction Princess' monster from my Deck to my hand. Furthermore, I'll also activate the other effect of my 'Prediction Princess Tarotrei'! Once per turn: I can change all Flip monsters I control to face-down Defense Position."
"Madam Divina's going to Set 'Prediction Princess Petalelf'," Emily told herself mentally, "This will allow her to use her effect again should Thomas try attacking."
'Prediction Princess Tarotrei' raised her hands into the air.
"FULL SLEEP!" ordered Madam Divina.
Harmonic waves were released from the female monster, striking 'Prediction Princess Petalelf' and causing her to return to being a face-down card (sideways).
"I was right!" realized Emily, before looking at Thomas's field, "The DEF of Thomas's monsters are below 2700… Any one of them could be destroyed by 'Tarotrei'."
Back on the field, another face-down card (sideways) materialized on the field.
"I Set another monster," announced Madam Divina.
Knowing that his monsters were vulnerable and he had no Spell Cards or Trap Cards to use to try and protect them, Thomas closed his eyes and waited for an attack to come. However…
"With that, I'll end my turn there," finished Madam Divina.
That surprised both Thomas and Emily.
"Why didn't you attack any of my monsters?" demanded Thomas, slightly puzzled that he had been spared this turn.
"During the turn I use her effect, 'Prediction Princess Tarotrei' cannot attack," explained Madam Divina, "Besides, I have no reason to attack, since your fate has already been decided."
Thomas growled, "My future hasn't been set in stone yet!" he retorted, drawing a card, "It's my turn!"
Turn Eight: Thomas Billinton (LP: 1200)
Deck: 50
Current Hand (3): "Berserker Soul", "Dark Magician", and "Magician Navigation"
His drawn card was the 'Magician Navigation' Trap Card.
"Once more, the effect of 'Tour of Doom' activates!" reminded Madam Divina, taking out her coin, "I will flip a coin, and I must call heads or tails."
She flipped the coin, as Thomas and Emily both watched anxiously for whatever the results could be. The coin landed on Madam Divina's hand, showing to be…
"Heads," she announced, "Once again, you are unable to Normal or Flip Summon a monster until the End Phase. And thanks to the effect of 'Petalelf's' effect, you can't change your monsters' positions at all!"
Thomas didn't seem too bothered by this. Right now, his focus was on the card he had just drawn.
"This could help give me the comeback I need…" Thomas thought hopefully.
Alas…
"Once again, I'll activate the second effect of 'Prediction Princess Tarotrei'!" interrupted Madam Divina, "Once per turn, during my opponent's turn: I can change all face-down Defense Position monsters I control to Attack Position (Quick Effect)," She gave the command, "FULL REBIRTH!"
From there, 'Prediction Princess Petalelf' reappeared on the field (Level: 3/ATK: 800/DEF: 700), and she was joined by a monster known as 'Prediction Princess Astromorrigan' (Level: 3/ATK: 1300/DEF: 0).
"I Flip Summon 'Prediction Princess Petalelf again, and 'Prediction Princess Astromorrigan'!" Madam Divina went on, "For my former monster, the Flip effect won't work since your monsters are already in Defense Position. Instead, I'll activate the latter monster's Flip effect! FLIP: During the End Phase of this turn, I must destroy as many Defense Position monsters my opponent controls as possible, and if I do, inflict 500 damage to my opponent for each monster destroyed."
"What?!" Thomas cringed in response.
"The destruction of both 'Gaia' and 'Black Luster Soldier' will not only leave him with only 200 LP, it will also leave him virtually defenseless!" added Emily, "That's why she didn't attack during the previous turn; it was in order to allow her to deal more damage with an effect."
"My victory was decided the moment I Set my first card on the field," proclaimed Madam Divina.
"Th-There's no way…" stammered Thomas, trying to protest the truth of that statement.
"No, there is," continued Madam Divina, before pointing at her opponent, "Do not avert your eyes and look at the truth in-front of you. The fate of destruction that awaits you!"
Thomas then remembered all of the predictions made by Madam Divina during the duel, about his bad luck and destruction.
"You can still escape your fate," insisted Madam Divina, "All you need to do is surrender."
"Fate… destruction…" murmured Thomas.
He was thinking back to not only the bad day he was enduring, but 'every' bad incident he and his friends became involved with since they started playing Duel Monsters. Was Madam Divina right? Was Thomas 'really' destined for failure and tragedy? Rather than think about it any further, he looked at his drawn card one more time before slotting it into a Spell/Trap slot on his Duel Disk.
"I Set one card face-down and end my turn," concluded Thomas, just as a face-down card materialized on the field.
"As of now, the Flip effect of 'Astromorrigan' activates!" declared Madam Divina, "All of your monsters that are in Defense Position will be destroyed, and you'll take 500 damage per monster!"
'Prediction Princess Astromorrigan' raised her sword, and, with a mighty slash, struck down both 'Gaia the Dragon Champion' and 'Black Luster Soldier'. 'Prediction Princess Astromorrigan' then let loose a blast of sparkles at Thomas, who winced as he glowed red and took damage (LP: 1200 → 200).
"Now do you see?" pressed Madam Divina, "I'm saying this out of concern for you. If you continue to deny your tragic fate, the more painful it will be for you once it finally comes. You might do something that cannot be undone!"
Thomas remained on the silent front.
"It doesn't matter what I say, does it?" sighed Madam Divina, before drawing a card, "It's my turn!"
Turn Nine: Madam Divina (LP: 4000)
Deck: 29
Current Hand (1): "Reverse Reuse"
"Once again, I'll activate the effect of 'Prediction Princess Tarotrei'! All Flip monsters on my field are placed in face-down Defense Position! FULL SLEEP!"
'Prediction Princess Tarotrei' raised her hands into the air, causing more harmonic waves to be released from the female monster, striking both 'Prediction Princess Petalelf' and 'Prediction Princess Astromorrigan' and causing them to return to being face-down cards (sideways). Thomas had a feeling on why Madam Divina did that…
"My face-down card is 'Magician Navigation'," he thought to himself, "Using it, if Madam Divina were to attack me directly, I can activate this card and Special Summon 'Dark Magician' from my hand, and 'Dark Magician Girl' from my Deck, both in Defense Position. While neither monster would be a match for 'Prediction Princess Tarotrei', my LP would be spared from being depleted. Instead, she's relying on her "Petalelf" and "Astromorrigan" combo to end the duel. This means I now can't use my Trap Card and Summon any monsters lest they get destroyed by the combo and end up damaging me fatally."
Just then…
"Didn't I tell you to stop struggling?" cut in Madam Divina, causing Thomas to look up, "My ultimate combo has been set, and there isn't anything you can do to stop it."
"There's still one more hope for me, but I need to draw the final card that will finish my game winning combo before it can be stopped," Thomas continued telling himself mentally, "Otherwise…"
"Thomas!" called Emily, getting the blue-haired boy's attention, "I know you can win this and change your future; I believe in you!"
Thomas listened to the encouragement before closing his eyes and smiling.
"You're right," he acknowledged, before opening his eyes with fierce determination in them, "I 'can' change the future!"
"Absurd!" objected Madam Divina, "You will still fight on?! Even though you are guaranteed to suffer in the future?!"
"The future's not set in stone," reminded Thomas, "It's what we make of it! You say my future will be of destruction, failure, and tragedy? Right now, I'm prepared to change all of that!"
Madam Divina scowled, "In that case…" While speaking, she slotted her drawn card into her Duel Disk, "…I Set one card and end my turn!"
A face-down card materialized on the field.
"Yes," nodded Thomas, preparing to draw his card, "I'm betting everything on this final draw!"
With that said, he finally drew a card with a Destiny Draw.
"DRAAAW!"
Turn Ten: Thomas Billinton (LP: 200)
Deck: 49
Current Hand (3): "Berserker Soul", "Dark Magician", and "Dark Burning Magic"
Seeing as it was Thomas's Standby Phase, Madam Divina flipped her coin again. Once again, it landed on the back of her hand as…
"Heads!" exclaimed Madam Divina, "Once again, you can't Normal Summon or Set monsters this turn," She then pointed to her Set card, "Next, I'll activate my face-down card!"
The face-down card flipped up and revealed itself to be…
"Behold my Trap, 'Reverse Reuse'! I must target up to 2 Flip monsters in my GY; I must Special Summon them to my opponent's field, in face-up or face-down Defense Position."
"You're giving Thomas two of your own monsters?" pondered Emily.
"I am," confirmed Madam Divina, "You will receive both 'Prediction Princess Arrowsylph' and 'Prediction Princess Crystaldine', and they will be put in face-down Defense Position!"
From there, two Set cards materialized on Thomas's side of the field (sideways).
"Finally, I'll activate the second effect of 'Prediction Princess Tarotrei' once more! FULL REBIRTH!"
Both of Madam Divina's Set Monster Cards went to being 'Prediction Princess Petalelf' (Level: 3/ATK: 800/DEF: 700) and 'Prediction Princess Astromorrigan' (Level: 3/ATK: 1300/DEF: 0).
"I'm sure you remember the Flip effect of 'Prediction Princess Astromorrigan', yes?" continued Madam Divina, "At the end of this turn, I can destroy as many Defense Position monsters you control and inflict 500 damage per monster."
"What makes you believe you'll get the chance to make that move again?" asked Thomas ominously, making Madam Divina freeze, "I'm gonna end the duel…this turn!"
Madam Divina gasped slightly at this declaration.
"Face-down card, open!" declared Thomas, just as his face-down card flipped face-up and revealed itself, "I activate a Trap, 'Magician Navigation'!"
"'Magician Navigation'?!" recoiled Madam Divina.
"That's right," confirmed Thomas, "I must Special Summon 1 'Dark Magician' from my hand, then Special Summon 1 Level 7 or lower DARK Spellcaster monster from my Deck," He then took and held a card ('Dark Magician') up, "Appear now, my ultimate servant! 'Dark Magician'!"
Appearing onto the field was the purple-haired spellcaster (Level: 7/ATK: 2500/DEF: 2100).
"That's not all!" Thomas went on, holding up another card ('Dark Magician Girl') he took from his Deck, "I'll also Special Summon 'Dark Magician Girl' from my Deck!"
Appearing onto the field was the beautiful female Spellcaster (Level: 6/ATK: 2000/DEF: 1700). Both of Thomas's ace monsters were standing side-by-side, ready to end the duel at any time.
"Your monster cannot defeat my 'Prediction Princess Tarotrei'!" reminded Madam Divina, "As soon as your turn is over, you will lose! My prediction for victory will come true!"
Thomas smiled, "I wonder about that."
"Huh?!" flinched Madam Divina.
"From my hand, I'll activate a Quick-Play Spell…" As Thomas spoke, he slotted his final card into a Spell/Trap slot on his Duel Disk. On cue, the 'Dark Burning Magic' Spell Card materialized face-up on the field behind both 'Dark Magician' and 'Dark Magician Girl', "…'Dark Burning Magic'!"
"What?!" cried Madam Divina.
"'Dark Burning Magic'!" began Thomas, "If I control monsters whose original names are 'Dark Magician' and 'Dark Magician Girl': I must destroy all cards my opponent controls."
Madam Divina was stunned, "My first tarot card," she thought to herself, thinking back to the start of her day, "The Magician and its up-right meaning springs to mind thanks to Thomas's magicians; a card that symbolizes that you have all the skills and abilities you need to be successful. The universe is aligning to bring positive changes your way. By using your intellect, concentration and willpower to make things happen, you have the power to manifest the outcome you want."
"Here we go, Madam Divina!" shouted Thomas, before issuing the final command, "Go forth, my magicians! End this duel!"
'Dark Magician' and 'Dark Magician Girl' crossed their respective weapons ('Dark Magician': scepter, 'Dark Magician Girl': wand) and began charging up for one final attack.
"Dark…" began 'Dark Magician'.
"…Burning…" put in 'Dark Magician Girl'.
And the finisher…
"…MAGIC!" 'Dark Magician' and 'Dark Magician Girl' both yelled out at the same time.
From there, the charged up blast fired towards Madam Divina's side of the field, causing all three of her monsters to vaporize in an explosion, while Madam Divina herself was struck by the shockwaves of her monsters' destruction and sent flying across the field until she hit the ground and laid still.
"S-So… he's managed to escape from defeat and open up the previously closed path to his future," The fortune-teller said to only herself, though she was smiling as her LP instantly dropped to 0 (LP: 4000 → 0).
DUEL RESULTS: Thomas Billinton wins!
With the duel over, the holograms faded away while Thomas kept on smiling; he finally beat back his bad luck.
"I did it!" cheered Thomas triumphantly, "I think my bad luck is finally gone!"
"I knew you would succeed!" praised Emily, walking over, "How do you feel now? Still thinking you should stay in bed?"
"No way," denied Thomas, feeling so much better, "Hiding from my problems would probably make them worse. The only sensible thing to do is face them head on and see what happens."
Madam Divina, meanwhile, got up off the ground and dust herself off.
"I don't know how you did it, but you were able to change your fate," she admitted, "That was a wonderful duel, Thomas."
"Much obliged," nodded Thomas.
"You seem to have quite the special talent," Madam Divina added, "Even when bad things are guaranteed to happen to you, you have the potential to make something 'good' come out of them in the end."
"You could say that," winked Emily, before turning to leave, "Well, it was nice meeting you, Madam Divina."
"The duel was a big eye-opener for me," agreed Thomas.
"I hope you two enjoy the rest of your day," advised Madam Divina, before smiling teasingly at Emily, "Oh, and young lady?"
"Yes?" quizzed Emily.
"You might want to get yourself cleaned up, you're starting to attract bugs and birds with all that sticky ice cream in your hair."
Remembering this, the dark green-haired girl raced towards the nearby restroom to clean herself. Thomas, meanwhile, decided to wait by the nearby park benches to look over his Deck. Once she was alone, Madam Divina started to walk away. While walking, she pulled out a crystal ball from her cloak.
"A boy who can change his predetermined future," mused Madam Divina, "I wonder what else fate has in store for that boy…?"
The crystal ball lit up, but soon enveloped in a purple glow, causing Madam Divina to gasp with horror before the object in her hands cracked apart. The shocking future for Thomas caused Madam Divina to turn and look towards Thomas at the nearby bench and uttered a few simple, yet foreboding, words…
"I only hope that despite this future, something good 'will' turn out for him…"
End Scene
Well, well, a deleted scene has been posted right on my Birthday… Happy Birthday to me.