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 at the end of Season 3 but before the start of Season 4, with Emily and her parents having temporarily moved in with the Billinton family for the rest of the summer
WARNING: This deleted scene is rated T.
Title: The Route Less Dueled Upon
In the Duel Monsters spirit world, Thomas had been found by Nathaniel and was in the middle of a duel with him. Currently, he wasn't doing so well against the Guardian from The Sanctuary in the Sky… 'Dark Magician Girl the Dragon Knight' had been sealed inside solid crystal, compliments of a Trap Card called 'Crystal Seal'.
"It looks like I was wrong about you," The black-haired young man continued, "The legendary duelist himself cannot even match wits with someone like me. Ha, how pathetic!" He then smiled darkly, "We both know who's going to be the winner next turn, so why bother continuing?"
"WE'RE NOT DONE YET!" screamed Thomas, drawing a card.
As it was the Standby Phase…
"Because six monsters are in your GY," Nathaniel pointed out, "600 points of damage is dealt to you thanks to 'Purity of the' Cemetery's lingering effect!"
Grimacing, Thomas was dealt even more damage (LP: 1200 → 600).
"If this carries on," warned Nathaniel, "you will be defeated," He shook his head scornfully, "You were never able to show me the so-called 'light' in your heart."
Thomas could feel his anger growing worse by the second, as he also started to become blind to his better judgement.
"Will I….be defeated here?" Thomas asked himself, "Am I…going to fall against this guy?"
The blue-haired boy looked up at his trapped 'Dark Magician Girl'. She looked so helpless and scared inside the crystal, and this burned Thomas's blood something fierce.
"I swear I'll find a way to free you…" Thomas said quietly, "But I won't do it with 'The Field of Dark Graves'!" He then added his newly drawn card into his hand and slotted a card into his Duel Disk (mainly the Field Spell Zone), "There is no way in hell I will be defeated in a place like this… I Set a card face-down!"
A face-down card materialized on the field.
"Then, I'll activate the Spell Card 'Card of Sanctity'!" continued Thomas, finally holding his drawn card out, "Each player draws until they have 6 cards in their hand!"
He drew a new hand, which contained 'Hand Control', 'Dark Magician', 'Sangan', 'Black Luster Ritual', 'Black Magic Ritual', and 'Catapult Turtle'.
"It's pointless to resist, Thomas," remarked Nathaniel, drawing five cards.
Thomas's anger was reaching its limit, but then gripped his chest as he felt pain and darkness coming from it. Looking back at his hand, the blue-haired boy had nothing else that could help him out.
"I've drawn 'Catapult Turtle'," Thomas thought to himself, "But even with this card, I… I…" He started reaching for the Field Spell Zone as though he were going to activate what he Set in there while talking out loud, "I'm out of options. This is the only card that can help free 'Dark Magician Girl'. But, I just… No… No, I won't use it!" At last, he retracted his right hand and looked back up to Nathaniel, "I think I've finally discovered your true intentions, Nathaniel."
"Hmm?" Nathaniel raised an eyebrow.
"You're not fighting AGAINST the Court of Darkness," Thomas accused, "You're fighting FOR them! That's why you've done nothing but antagonize me and slander my ancestor's name throughout this whole duel! You're been deliberately making me angry because you want to make my darkness stronger so that Diablon will take full control over me! You're trying to aid in his revival to destroy the world! You're not a True Duelist or a Guardian. You're a fool and traitor to your kind!"
Nathaniel scowled at this accusation.
"And me activating 'The Field of Dark Graves' was part of your plan to make me embrace the darkness," continued Thomas, "Well, I won't give you the pleasure! If I can't find any other way to free my 'Dark Magician Girl', then I would rather surrender the duel peacefully."
Although she couldn't move, 'Dark Magician Girl' was pleased that Thomas was resisting the darkness of the wicked card.
"Let this be a warning to anyone who serves the Court of Darkness," declared Thomas, just as he began to bring his palm to his deck (intending to surrender the duel), "I will never embrace the darkness! Not now, not ever!"
"Oh yes, you will!" snarled a voice in Thomas's head (male).
Suddenly, the blue-haired boy's hand froze just inches before he could touch his deck.
"What's going on?" asked Thomas, becoming shocked, "M-My hand…"
"If you won't use that card to win the duel for us," The voice (male) continued, "then I will do it myself!"
Thomas clutched his hand to his face, "N-No… I c-can't…!" he objected, "It's…not…r-r-right!"
"Oh really? Then search your deepest thoughts, and locate the darkest and most desirable things you want out of 'em!"
And searching, Thomas did... Those dark and desirable thoughts were as followed:
-Win the duel
-Free 'Dark Magician Girl' from 'Crystal Seal'
-Find and rescue Emily
"Dark Magician Girl… Emily…" The blue-haired boy winced hard, trying to resist.
"In order to defeat evil, one must become evil," The voice (male) pointed out, "In a world with the law of the jungle at work, one must rule with power if they wish to accomplish their goals. In simpler language, if you want to win and gain your most desirable wantings, you must allow me to come out."
"I… I…" mumbled Thomas, as his eyes soon became dull and empty.
Even the trapped 'Dark Magician Girl' became worried for her master/friend. Suddenly, once the thoughts and desires he wanted had become too much for him to try and handle, Thomas screamed in pain as a dark aura took over his body, shrouding him from sight.
"Huh?" Nathaniel looked up in shock.
Thomas (possessed) had finally readied his card (which he took from the Spell/Trap slot). It was an all-too familiar one, too…
"From my hand, I'll activate this card…" Thomas (possessed) announced at once, "…'The Field of Dark Graves'!"
Nathaniel only looked on silently and grimly. Thomas (possessed) soon slotted the card inside the Field Spell Zone on his Duel Disk, causing it to start sparking.
"It is…" The possessed blue-haired boy mumbled, which was also all he could say.
Suddenly, the dark aura around him thickened and became much more powerful than ever before, causing him to scream in intense agony while emulating a massive shadow over the whole field. Nathaniel had been shielding himself and looking away from the powerful burst of dark energy. Soon, he recovered and looked on ahead to whoever was standing in the nearby purple smoke. As the smoke began to fade, standing there was what looked almost like Thomas, but with grey skin, black hair, red eyes, ripped pants, no shirt, and a respective scar on the side of his face and across his chest. It was 'him'! It was the 'Evil One'! It was…Diablon. The 'new' Thomas said nothing, but there was a grim look of anger on his face. Soon, however, that anger evaporated, and he began to slowly laugh at his long awaited return.
"I have been waiting many, many years for my eventual return to life… But now, thanks to this boy's inner darkness and anger, I've finally become strong enough to claim full control over his body!" proclaimed Diablon, who then gave the nearby Nathaniel an evil-looking eye, "And I have you, Guardian Nathaniel, to thank for setting me free, again. I think I shall reward you for this little service… The reward for allowing me to break free at long last…is death!"
Nathaniel raised his head slightly to gaze at the demon grimly, but didn't say anything in response. Deep down, however, he regretted provoking Thomas throughout, and now the black-haired young man found himself facing off against the most dangerous creature known in the whole Duel Monsters spirit world. Regardless, it had to be done.
"But your eternal reward will come soon enough," continued Diablon, just before motioning his right hand towards the trapped 'Dark Magician Girl the Dragon Knight', "With 'The Field of Dark Graves' now in play, all of my available monsters will receive a power boost of 500 ATK, and you know what that means!"
'Dark Magician Girl the Dragon Knight's' ATK were increased to a higher level (ATK: 2600 → 3100).
"With the ATK of Dark Magician Girl the Dragon Knight changed, the Trap Card, 'Crystal Seal', is destroyed, and my monster becomes free once more!"
Yup, 'Dark Magician Girl the Dragon Knight' was able to break free of the crystal-like prison, destroying the face-up 'Crystal Seal' Trap Card. However, just as quickly, the huge 'Timaeus'-like dragon gave a loud roar before fading away, thus forcing 'Dark Magician Girl' to lower back onto the ground before going from her medieval armor back to her normal Spellcaster outfit.
"W-What?!" cried a shocked Diablon, "What's happened to my monster?!"
"Apparently, you were so busy boasting about your long awaited return to this world, that you've forgotten one very important detail about 'The Field of Dark Graves'," Nathaniel chuckled darkly, "'Any Fusion Monsters you have on your field when this card is activated are destroyed, and any of the materials that were used to Fusion Summon it are Special Summoned to your field'," The black-haired young man pointed forth to his opponent, "And because you've removed 'Seiyaryu' to first Summon your 'Dark Magician Girl the Dragon Knight', it isn't brought back to the field like 'Dark Magician Girl' was," He then let out a scornful laugh, "No longer will I have to deal with your biggest threat, Diablon!"
That was something Diablon didn't take very well, as the darkness around him began to thicken and grow even stronger in response to his already peaked anger.
"Damn you… damn you…!" Diablon growled repeatedly to himself, clenching his fist in fury before letting out a final anger-filled curse of… "DAMN YOU!"
And then, with a cry of sheer rage, the dark aura began creating a silhouette of the 'Evil One' above his own body. From there, the nightmare commenced…
"It doesn't matter anymore! I didn't even need that pathetic monster any longer! As of now, I can control up to ten monsters, treat them all as if they were dark monsters, and even give them increased ATK!" ranted Diablon, knowing that he had a far better idea on how to brutally defeat his opponent, "Even if you did trick me into playing that card, I'll continue to use this power to fight on and deliver to you…your eternal reward!"
And so began Diablon's counter play… First, he took and held up a Spell Card he had drawn from his 'Card of Sanctity' Spell Card.
"From my hand, I'll activate 'Hand Control'!" announced Diablon.
"'Hand Control' is a Spell Card that allows one to declare the name of a card in the opponent's hand," mused Nathaniel, who knew exactly what the card did, "And if I have the card in question, it can then be forcefully activated."
The black-haired young man's hand currently contained the following drawn cards; 'Wicked-Breaking Flamberge - Baou' (Spell Card), 'Kishido Spirit' (Spell Card), 'Aid to the Doomed' (Spell Card), 'Rod of the Mind's Eye' (Spell Card), 'Necromancy' (Spell Card), and 'Monster Rebirth' (Spell Card). There was one card that Diablon knew was there, however, which was thanks to an earlier play done by Nathaniel using the 'Exchange' Spell Card (where Thomas and Nathaniel both traded the remains of their hands to the other).
"I know you're after the 'Necromancy' card I currently hold in my hand," Nathaniel acknowledged, just as the 'Necromancy' Spell Card flipped face-up and revealed itself, "So, I'll spare you the trouble of guessing and play it, now… Use it well, Diablon!"
The face-up 'Necromancy' Spell Card started glowing, much to the dark amusement of Diablon.
"As I'm sure you know," The 'Evil One' said, chuckling slightly, "You must target up to 4 random monsters from your opponent's GY: You must Special Summon them in face-up Defense Position on your opponent's field. However, I already know what they're going to be," While speaking, his GY started glowing before ejecting four cards one-by-one, "Come forth, 'Kuribablyon', 'Big Shield Gardna', 'Gazelle the King of Mythical Beasts', and 'Berfomet'!"
First appearing on the field 'Gazelle the King of Mythical Beasts', followed by 'Berfomet', then 'Big Shield Gardna', and finally came 'Kuribabylon'. Unfortunately, Diablon wasn't even close to being finished yet…
"And now for the card that will seal your fate!" he declared, taking one card from his hand, "I offer my useless 'Big Shield Gardna' as a Tribute!"
Big Shield Gardna, with a surprised look on his face (over being called useless), disappeared in a streak of blue, and appearing in his place on the field was a large turtle with a catapult mounted on its back (Level: 5/ATK: 1000/DEF: 2000).
"The monster I've Tribute Summoned is called 'Catapult Turtle'," explained Diablon, "I can Tribute 1 monster; I must inflict damage to my opponent equal to half the Tributed monster's ATK on the field," He then clenched his right hand into a fist and he allowed his darkness to spread across the field, "This is all thanks to the power of 'The Field of Dark Graves'! Now, my army of monsters! Allow the darkness to consume your hearts, minds, and souls alike, so that we may win against whoever tries to challenge us!"
'Gazelle the King of Mythical Beasts' (ATK: 1500 → 2000), 'Berfomet' (ATK: 1400 → 1900), and 'Catapult Turtle' (ATK: 1000 → 1500) each barely resisted the darkness as their eyes began glowing red and angry looks crossed onto their faces. 'Kuribabylon's' eyes also began glowing red, but instead its fur changed color and its face became demonic-like (ATK: 0 → 500). The only one who was trying to resist was 'Dark Magician Girl', who was gripping onto the sides of her head. Ultimately, she was unable to prevent it, and cried out in pain before an evil, crazed smile appeared on her face, her eyes turned red, and their ATK increased even further (ATK: 2000 → 2500).
"Impossible!" cried Nathaniel, "Just earlier, you were at a disadvantage! Now…"
"Now is when I win!" cut in Diablon, "Although my army is completely worthless to fight against your monsters, I'll do this instead… 'Gazelle', I will offer you as a Tribute for the effect of 'Catapult Turtle'!"
'Gazelle the King of Mythical Beasts' obeyed, jumping onto 'Catapult Turtle's' back to be launched.
"FIRE!" yelled Diablon.
'Gazelle the King of Mythical Beasts' turned into a ball of energy and was fired towards Nathanael, causing him to yell out (LP: 3000 → 2000).
"Next, 'Berfomet' will be Tributed!" Diablon went on, "Go, now!"
'Beformet' obeyed, meeting the same fate as its comrade, and was fired towards Nathaniel, throwing him back further (LP: 2000 → 1050).
"I still have one more monster capable of being offered as a Tribute," reminded Diablon, before finally adding, "I will now offer the equally useless 'Dark Magician Girl' to finish you off!"
Hearing this made 'Dark Magician Girl' very upset. Despite being possessed by the darkness of the 'The Field of Dark Graves' Spell Card, even she still had some signs of herself. She was hoping that the Thomas deep within could somehow break free and stop this madness before it was too late to turn back. Alas…
"Go on!" demanded Diablon, not giving a rat's behind on what his monster was feeling, right now.
With anguished tears in her eyes, 'Dark Magician Girl' was forced to obey the command; leaping up, she landed on the back of 'Catapult Turtle' and readied herself for the attack.
"And now…" grinned Diablon wickedly, before pointing forth, "Eat this, Guardian Nathaniel!"
From there, 'Dark Magician Girl' was fired off 'Catapult Turtle', striking Nathaniel head on. The black-haired young man screamed as he was sent flying through the woods, smashing into trees until he crashed into a large slab of rock.
END NIGHTMARE
And Thomas shot up screaming in terror. Looking around his surroundings, he eventually calmed down, catching his breath.
"It was only a nightmare…" he realized.
"Thomas?" Emily echoed, who was show sleeping in the bed with her new boyfriend, "Tommy, are you okay?"
"I… I just had a nightmare about my first duel with Nathaniel," panted Thomas, before beginning to shake with grief, "In it was one of the worst things I've ever done…"
"I know," interrupted Emily, sitting up while looking pretty sad herself, "I was forced to watch that duel against my will by Airknight Parshath."
All of a sudden, just as soon as that name was mentioned, the Deck sitting on the nearby nightstand was glowing all golden yellow, which Thomas and Emily both took notice of. Soon, a beam shot out of the Deck and materialized into the Duel Spirit Airknight Parshath.
"You're-!" realized Thomas.
"Parshath…" added Emily.
Airknight Parshath nodded calmly, but then noticed Thomas shaking and looking away.
"Thomas?" pondered Airknight Parshath.
"Thomas, he's one of my Duel Spirits now," reminded Emily, "Is anything the matter?"
"Listen, Emily, I know he's on our side now, but…" acknowledged Thomas, still having bad memories of when he encountered the former Court of Darkness member, "But… He… He…"
A flashback ensued.
FLASHBACK
Flashback Thomas coldly watched Flashback Gladiator Beast Spartacus die and fade away into a pool of light. Just then, the blue-haired boy heard the sound of clapping from nearby.
"Well done! Very good!" came a voice (male).
"Who's there?" demanded Flashback Thomas, feeling slightly startled before looking around.
"Just look over here."
Flashback Thomas looked over to the source of the voice. It was a crystal ball with an image of Flashback Airknight Parshath clapping sarcastically and coldly.
"You!" stammered Flashback Thomas, running over, "You're-!"
"Airknight Parshath of the Court of Darkness," confirmed the Duel Monster, as he stopped clapping and gave a polite bow, "At your service."
"You're among the monsters who took Emily away from me!" snarled Flashback Thomas, "Give her back, right now!"
"But why should I do that?" dismissed Flashback Airknight Parshath, "She currently isn't even with us."
Flashback Thomas gasped," What?" he recoiled, "She isn't?"
"I'm afraid not. At one point, she escaped our castle while rejecting our hospitality," admitted Flashback Airknight Parshath, "But don't you worry, we WILL find her for you…" He then said this last part darkly, "...so that she could pay for leaving our fold."
Flashback Thomas glared hatefully at the image of Flashback Airknight Parshath. He could feel his anger boiling to an unbearable height.
"You leave her alone," growled Flashback Thomas bitterly, "I swear… if you do anything to try and hurt her, I will track you down and eliminate you like I've done with every other pawn you've sent after me!"
Flashback Airknight Parshath started to laugh slowly, but still loud enough for Thomas to hear.
"So, you do love her?" The Court of Darkness member teased in a highly ruthless/uncaring tone, "Then we will make absolute sure that Professor Melvin tortures her well enough for her to possibly...what's the word? Reproduce? Nah, that can't be it…"
Flashback Thomas immediately knew what Flashback Airknight Parshath was saying about how Professor Melvin was gonna torture Flashback Emily when she was brought back to the Castle of Dark Illusions if she were to be recaptured by him (Flashback Airknight Parshath). He (Professor Melvin) was gonna rape and forcefully impregnate her. This REALLY got Flashback Thomas angry as his inner darkness flared up intensely (even moreso than usual, I'm afraid).
"YOU KEEP YOUR FILTHY HANDS OFF OF HER!" roared Flashback Thomas, just as his eyes turned red once more.
Flashback Airknight Parshath only started laughing louder and harder. Flashback Thomas only got more and more uncontrolled and enraged from hearing the taunting laughter.
"SHUT UP! SHUT UP! SHUT UP!" The blue-haired boy screamed.
With that said, he began to pound on the crystal ball with his bare hands. Unfortunately, Flashback Airknight Parshath still continued to laugh at Flashback Thomas.
"I will hunt her down…" The Court of Darkness member taunted, "I will recapture her… I will make her embrace her darkness…"
Flashback Thomas pounded the crystal ball harder and harder, even beginning to punch it, as he continued to scream in rage.
"And when that is done," Flashback Airknight Parshath continued further, "you will then embrace your own darkness as well. You cannot resist it, Thomas Billinton. It is your destiny!"
With one final, primal roar of intense fury, Flashback Thomas punched the crystal ball hard enough for it to shatter into countless pieces of glass, finally ending that message.
END OF FLASHBACK
The flashback ended.
"Thomas, I am so sorry," apologized Airknight Parshath, becoming ashamed with how he provoked his former enemy back when he was a member of the Court of Darkness, "I never should have said those things…"
"Only now I realize that you only made all that up to provoke me into giving into the darkness," replied Thomas, "And the fact that soon after that encounter, I had a fallout with my friends when they weren't in favor of rescuing Emily, which really didn't help matters much. And it led to my duel with Nathaniel, which…" He pointed shamefully at his scars, "…gave me these scars and nearly led to my death. But… it also led me to also discovering and becoming Diablon, Anakin's form of pure darkness."
"I know it will take time for you to trust me after all that I've done," Airknight Parshath acknowledged, before fading away to return to Emily's Deck, "In which I will give you all the time needed."
Once they were alone, Thomas and Emily both began discussing the situation during Thomas's first duel with Nathaniel.
"Thomas, was there another way you could have won without activating 'The Field of Dark Graves'?" asked Emily.
"I honestly don't know, Emily," replied Thomas, "All I wanted was to surrender without giving into the temptation of using that card."
"Why don't we brainstorm on what you could have done instead?" Emily suggested, "Namely after Setting it and using 'Card of Sanctity' to draw six cards."
Thomas nodded, and a potential 'What If?' flashback ensued.
FLASHBACK
In the Duel Monsters spirit world, Flashback Thomas had been found by Flashback Nathaniel and was in the middle of a duel with him. Currently, he wasn't doing so well against the Guardian from The Sanctuary in the Sky… 'Dark Magician Girl the Dragon Knight' had been sealed inside solid crystal, compliments of a Trap Card called 'Crystal Seal'.
"It looks like I was wrong about you," The black-haired young man continued, "The legendary duelist himself cannot even match wits with someone like me. Ha, how pathetic!" He then smiled darkly, "We both know who's going to be the winner next turn, so why bother continuing?"
"WE'RE NOT DONE YET!" screamed Flashback Thomas, drawing a card.
As it was the Standby Phase…
"Because six monsters are in your GY," Nathaniel pointed out, "600 points of damage is dealt to you thanks to 'Purity of the' Cemetery's lingering effect!"
Grimacing, Flashback Thomas was dealt even more damage (LP: 1200 → 600).
"If this carries on," warned Flashback Nathaniel, "you will be defeated," He shook his head scornfully, "You were never able to show me the so-called 'light' in your heart."
Flashback Thomas could feel his anger growing worse by the second, as he also started to become blind to his better judgement.
"Will I….be defeated here?" Flashback Thomas asked himself, "Am I…going to fall against this guy?"
The blue-haired boy looked up at his trapped 'Dark Magician Girl'. She looked so helpless and scared inside the crystal, and this burned Flashback Thomas's blood something fierce.
"I swear I'll find a way to free you…" Thomas said quietly, "But I won't do it with 'The Field of Dark Graves'!" He then added his newly drawn card into his hand and slotted a card into his Duel Disk (mainly the Field Spell Zone), "There is no way in hell I will be defeated in a place like this… I Set a card face-down!"
A face-down card materialized on the field.
"Then, I'll activate the Spell Card 'Card of Sanctity'!" continued Flashback Thomas, finally holding his drawn card out, "Each player draws until they have 6 cards in their hand!"
He drew a new hand, which contained 'Hand Control', 'Dark Magician', 'Sangan', 'Black Luster Ritual', 'Black Magic Ritual', and 'Catapult Turtle'.
"It's pointless to resist, Thomas," remarked Flashback Nathaniel, drawing five cards.
Rather than give up, Flashback Thomas took a card from his new hand and held it out to show the opponent.
"From my hand, I'll activate 'Hand Control'!" announced Flashback Thomas.
"'Hand Control' is a Spell Card that allows one to declare the name of a card in the opponent's hand," mused Flashback Nathaniel, who knew exactly what the card did, "And if I have the card in question, it can then be forcefully activated."
The black-haired young man's hand currently contained the following drawn cards; 'Wicked-Breaking Flamberge - Baou' (Spell Card), 'Kishido Spirit' (Spell Card), 'Aid to the Doomed' (Spell Card), 'Rod of the Mind's Eye' (Spell Card), 'Necromancy' (Spell Card), and 'Monster Rebirth' (Spell Card). There was one card that Flashback Thomas knew was there, however, which was thanks to an earlier play done by Nathaniel using the 'Exchange' Spell Card (where Flashback Thomas and Flashback Nathaniel both traded the remains of their hands to the other).
"I know you're after the 'Necromancy' card I currently hold in my hand," Flashback Nathaniel acknowledged, just as the 'Necromancy' Spell Card flipped face-up and revealed itself, "So, I'll spare you the trouble of guessing and play it, now… Use it well, Thomas!"
The face-up 'Necromancy' Spell Card started glowing.
"The effect of 'Necromancy'! You must target 4 random monsters from your opponent's GY: You must Special Summon them in face-up Defense Position on your opponent's field," explained Flashback Thomas, "However, I already know what they're going to be," While speaking, his GY started glowing before ejecting four cards one-by-one, "Come forth, 'Kuribablyon', 'Big Shield Gardna', 'Gazelle the King of Mythical Beasts', and 'Berfomet'!"
First appearing on the field 'Gazelle the King of Mythical Beasts', followed by 'Berfomet', then 'Big Shield Gardna', and finally came 'Kuribabylon'.
"Are you trying to build up your defenses?" asked Flashback Nathaniel.
Flashback Thomas ignored that, "Then, I'll Tribute my 'Big Shield Gardna'," he went on, removing the card from the Monster Field slot on his Duel Disk, and replacing it with another card ('Catapult Turtle'), "I Tribute Summon 'Catapult Turtle'!"
Big Shield Gardna disappeared in a streak of blue, and appearing in his place on the field was a large turtle with a catapult mounted on its back (Level: 5/ATK: 1000/DEF: 2000).
"I can Tribute 1 monster; I must inflict damage to my opponent equal to half the Tributed monster's ATK on the field," explained Flashback Thomas, "I'll tell you again, Nathaniel; I won't play 'The Field of Dark Graves'!" He gave the command, "I'm sorry, my monsters, but this is something I have to do! I offer 'Gazelle' as a Tribute for the effect of 'Catapult Turtle'!"
'Gazelle the King of Mythical Beasts' obeyed, jumping onto 'Catapult Turtle's' platform, and was fired towards Flashback Nathaniel. The black-haired young man was hit, but didn't flinch from the blow (LP: 3000 → 2250).
"It's not going to work!" he pointed out, "Even with 'Catapult Turtle', your monsters don't have enough ATK to deplete my LP!"
"Now, I'll offer 'Berfomet'!" continued Flashback Thomas, still ignoring his opponent.
'Beformet' was loaded onto 'Catapult Turtle's' platform and fired at Flashback Nathaniel, striking him again and reducing his LP some more (LP: 2250 → 1550).
"Are you even listening to me!?" yelled Flashback Nathaniel angrily, "You're wasting your time!"
Flashback Thomas fell to a knee, huffing and puffing. With 'Dark Magician Girl the Dragon Knight' still sealed and 'Kuribabylon' having no ATK since it wasn't Summoned through the 'Kuriboh Brothers', all he had left to Tribute was 'Catapult Turtle' itself.
"I offer my own 'Catapult Turtle'!" declared Flashback Thomas.
'Catapult Turtle' self-destructed, hitting Flashback Nathaniel with another blast and reducing his LP for one last time (LP: 1550 → 1050). All that was left on the field was 'Kuribabylon', and because it was Special Summon not by the effect of his five 'Kuribohs', its ATK was at 0.
"With no other move to make… I end my turn," sighed Flashback Thomas.
"You ignorant fool…" growled Flashback Nathaniel, "Did you really think sacrificing your monsters in such a fashion would give you an advantage? Did you not realize that your move was a waste of time?"
Flashback Thomas said nothing in response; he merely stood back up and bowed his head, as though he was accepting his loss. Gritting his teeth, Flashback Nathaniel drew two cards and began his own turn.
"Fine, I'll give you back your monster…" uttered Flashback Nathaniel, before entering the Battle Phase, "'Guardian Kay'est', attack 'Kuribabylon'! SURGING SCREAM!"
'Guardian Kay'est' obeyed, firing a bubble of concealed water at 'Kuribabylon', destroying it.
"As I've destroyed a monster Special Summoned by 'Necromancy', its second effect activates!" recalled Flashback Nathaniel, "Each time a monster(s) Special Summoned by this effect is destroyed: all face-up monsters my opponent controls lose 600 ATK. The only other monster you have is 'Dark Magician Girl the Dragon Knight', so her ATK will change, and 'Crystal Seal' will be destroyed!"
With her power weakened, 'Dark Magician Girl the Dragon Knight' was freed from her 'Crystal Seal' (ATK: 2600 → 2000). In addition, the face-up 'Crystal Seal' shattered into shards of glass.
"I end my turn here!" finished Flashback Nathaniel, "Before you draw your card and lose by the effect of 'Purity of the Cemetery', I want you to listen to me well…"
Flashback Thomas said nothing, allowing Flashback Nathaniel to continue speaking…
"You were never able to prove to me that you have light in your heart!" The black-haired young man accused, "Rather than surrender the duel with honor, you chose to go the reckless route and get rid of your other monsters out of a refusal to accept defeat. You've sacrificed them all for nothing!" He narrowed his eyes coldly, "Tell me, was it worth it? Was sending all of your precious monsters to their deaths like that really worth it?"
"No…" mumbled Flashback Thomas, while shutting his eyes tightly.
The flashback ended.
END FLASHBACK
The flashback ended, with both teenagers coming to a haunting conclusion about the duel.
"In the end, no matter what you could try…" began Emily.
"…I would still have lost the duel if I did not activate 'The Field of Dark Graves'," finished Thomas, clenching his right hand into a fist while staring long and hard at it, "Had I not activated 'The Field of Dark Graves' and used 'Catapult Turtle' to deal as much damage as I could in a last ditch effort to go down fighting, I would've just meaninglessly sent my own monsters to their deaths when there was nothing that could prevent me from losing, which would have proved that Nathaniel right when he said that I don't care about my monsters."
"Tommy…" mused Emily, "I wish I could help you feel calm and safe…" Suddenly, she had an idea, "Wait…"
A flashback ensued.
FLASHBACK
It was many years ago after their feelings were fully realized… One night in their bed chambers, Flashback Anakin was tuckered out from the lovemaking he and Flashback Anastasia had done. He started to rearrange himself onto the other end of the bed, but Flashback Anastasia instead forced him to sleep on top of her, with his head resting on one of her bare breasts as though it were a pillow.
"Does this help, Ani?" soothed Flashback Anastasia, "Does it help take away the pain?"
Yes, indeed, it seemed to help Flashback Anakin feel more at ease, since the sound of Flashback Anastasia's heartbeat and the softness of her body nearly always helped him calm down, relax, and feel safe. Sometimes, Flashback Anastasia would also let her lover rest on her breast as a pillow when or if he was having trouble sleeping for a variety of different reasons.
"Yes," mumbled Flashback Anakin sleepily, moving his right hand and grabbing onto Flashback Anastasia's other breast like it was a pillow, "I feel better…"
Flashback Anastasia simply moaned softly in enjoyment as she fell asleep.
END FLASHBACK
The flashback ended, and Thomas had laid back down to go to sleep. Before he could fall asleep…
"Tommy?" whispered Emily, looking over.
"Hm?" grunted Thomas, before he felt Emily's right hand slip under his head, "Emily? What's-?"
To his initial surprise, the dark green-haired girl silently, and gently, moved his head off the pillow and instead had it pressed against her clothed chest.
"Just relax," uttered Emily, peacefully closing her eyes, "Just try to fall asleep, Tommy."
Quickly, Thomas realized that Emily was trying to emulate what both Anakin and Anastasia used to do. The steady, comforting sound of Emily's heartbeat, combined with the softness of her breast helped Thomas relax a little bit and made him feel very comfortable, and even Emily found it comfortable as well as she gently ran her fingers through Thomas's hair before he finally fell asleep, while she herself, smiling warmly, followed suit.
"One day, Thomas, you'll be back to your old self," The voice of Emily echoed, "I'll definitely be there to help you all the way."
End Scene