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.
CHAPTER 1
Gone Fishing
"The system!" An engineer cried out, as a large console started sparking and smoking. "It shorted out!"
As it turned out, the whole 'duel' was really a simulation of one. Several Boxford Corp engineers were performing tests to see what strategies could defeat the three 'Egyptian God' Monsters. Judging from the overload in the system, they weren't succeeding in that department.
"We are so sorry, Mr. Gresley!" One technician apologized. "I was absolutely sure we had it worked out this time."
Spencer Gresley, who had been watching everything, merely grunted in disapproval.
"If you would just give us one more chance sir-" Another technician begged, but was interrupted by his boss.
"Why should I do that?" growled Spencer impatiently. "This is the third simulation you've tested this month, and, like the last few tests, it was a complete bust."
"Please, sir!" A second engineer objected. "We're this close to postulating a winning strategy!"
"Well, if I were you-" retorted Spencer. "-I'd start postulating myself a new job. You've had more than enough time to come up with a way to defeat Thomas Billinton. But, as usual, if I want it done right, I'll have to do it myself. Now, get out of my sight!"
The engineers, looking dismayed, obeyed the command. The only one to stay behind was Skiff, the Boxford family's youngest child (who was also adopted).
"Big Brother..." The young boy murmured. "...are you sure that was such a good idea?"
"I gave them several chances to help me come up with a potential solution-" said Spencer crossly. "-yet they kept letting me down." He closed his eyes. "I have to figure out the secret to defeating Billinton and his three 'Gods'. Only then will I be able to surpass my own abilities once more."
"Surpass your own abilities? But aren't you-?"
Before Skiff could say anything more, Spencer had already left the room. Now walking down a hallway, Spencer looked out the window of the tall building at the big city down below.
"As of now, I don't hold a candle to the growing power of Billinton's Deck." The silver-haired boy thought to himself. "There must be a card that can fill in this gap in our powers."
(elsewhere...)
On one big TV inside the boardroom, someone in Knapford City was giving Thomas Billinton an interview (thanks to his recent win of 'The Great International Duel Cup' and becoming 'King of Games').
"Today on Sodor News, I'm here with the newest 'King of Games', Thomas Billinton!" announced the female reporter. "Now, Thomas, you've been playing Duel Monsters for almost a year now. What are your thoughts on winning the tournaments of San Francisco, Battle City, and most recently 'The Great International Duel Cup'?"
"Well to be honest-" said Thomas. "-there were times I'd actually started to question if I could make it. Before 'The Great International Duel Cup', I'd been in a bit of a depression, losing my love for the game. I'd even started to turn my back on my own friends. But the tournament helped me to get my passion for dueling, and my sense of who I was as a person back."
"I see." nodded the reporter. "Out of all, who do you owe for getting you this far in your dueling career?"
"My friends. Both the real people, and even Monster Cards in my Deck." Thomas then chuckled sheepishly. "I bet that last part sounds silly to you."
"Oh no, not at all! In fact, why don't you tell me and everyone watching the interview why you consider the cards your friends."
Thomas nodded before explaining his reasons.
"When duelists build their Decks-" The blue-haired boy began. "-they choose out of a variety of favorite cards they feel a strong connection with. But sometimes, there are cases where the cards choose which duelist they will work with. The two are connected, and the duelist can tap into the cards' true hidden powers, each being bound by the heart of the cards. And in this example, I didn't choose this Deck. The Deck chose me. Each card in my Deck is dearly treasured to me. To me, they're more than friends. They're like a second family. And, if I may be frank, I wouldn't trade them for anything in the world."
Cue an "Aww" from the audience...
"Well, that was a very touching speech." smiled the reporter. "Are there any other people out there you have to thank? Like say, any of your dueling rivals?"
"Yes, indeed." nodded Thomas. "First, the people I'd like to thank were some of my closest human friends... Percy Avonside, James Hughes, Edward Stewart, Henry Stanier, Gordon Gresley, Toby Holden, my biggest rival Spencer Gresley, and the love of my life, Emily Stirling."
The people watching the interview were revealed to be both Mr. and Mrs. Gresley (Boxford).
"It must be nice for Thomas to do interviews like those, would you agree, dear?" asked Mr. Gresley (Boxford) to his wife.
Mrs. Gresley (Boxford) nodded. "He's such a nice lad." she agreed, before growing concerned. "Still, I..."
"What's the matter, dear?"
"I'm a little worried about Spencer." explained Mrs. Gresley (Boxford). "He's been working so hard lately, especially after the recent tournament had finished up."
"I think I've noticed that as well." agreed Mr. Gresley (Boxford). "For the last couple of weeks, he's been having duel simulation runs on how to defeat Thomas's 'God' Cards. I do hope he doesn't end up going overboard and repeating his mistakes from Battle City."
As the two Co-Vice Presidents of Boxford Corp spoke on, the interview on TV continued to run.
(elsewhere...)
That night in the mansion of Discord J. Crawford, the creator of Duel Monsters, all as very, very quiet in the hallways... Maybe, too quiet...
(elsewhere...)
Inside Discord's bedroom, all was just as quiet. Discord laid in his bed fast asleep, sleeping peacefully you may say. Of course, that didn't mean an intruder wouldn't appear or nothing... Before long, a shadowed image appeared on the balcony outside of Discord's room.
"This is the place..." The image seemed to say.
Opening the balcony door gently, the spirit slowly began to make its way through Discord's room until it reached a cupboard. Opening it just as quietly, the spirit looked around until it saw a briefcase. Discord, meanwhile, was so asleep that he never heard anything.
DREAM SEQUENCE
Discord, dressed in his usual suit, was looking around the sands of an Egyptian desert at nightime.
"This is...Egypt!" The jolly man gasped. "But, why am I here?"
He then looked up at the sky and noticed that he was not alone. Floating above the creator of Duel Monsters were the three 'Egyptian Gods' themselves.
"The 'God' Cards?"
Just then, particles of magic started rising from the sands up towards the three 'Egyptian Gods'. Before long, 'Obelisk the Tormentor', 'Slifer the Sky Dragon', and 'The Winged Dragon of Ra' each started roaring from an unknown force beginning to overwhelm them. Discord, staring at the glowing light in shock, said nothing as, before long, the three 'Gods' got sealed inside a forming blue pyramid of some sort.
"W-What?!" gasped Discord.
To finish it off, on front of the pyramid was what looked like the Millennium Eye symbol, but colored red...
END DREAM SEQUENCE
All of a sudden, Discord's closed eyes shot open as he sat up while breathing hard from his nightmare. Bringing his hands to his face, the creator of Duel Monsters then noticed that he was drenched in a cold sweat.
"That... that dream again..." Discord breathed slowly. "It would seem Carlie was right... I should take her advice and lay off the wine before bed." He got out of the bed and walked outside onto the balcony to look up at the beautiful night sky. "But why have I been having such a nightmare for almost two weeks straight? Could it be...some sort of warning or something?"
All around the area, it seemed to be peaceful. Even then, there was still something off about everything or something.
"I may have lost my Millennium Eye, but even I can still sense that something disastrous might be about to unfold soon enough..." The jolly man went on. "I just wish I knew what it was..."
Indeed so, Discord... Indeed so...
(elsewhere...)
Inside his room somewhere in Boxford Corp's Atlanta Mansion, Spencer was sound asleep in bed when he started wincing over something.
DREAM SEQUENCE
Spencer found himself in the same desert Discord was when he had that nightmare.
"Am I in Egypt?" The silver-haired boy looked around for anyone who might be around. "Hello?! Is anyone else here? HELLO?!"
"Spencer..." echoed a new voice (male), who then started speaking Ancient Egyptian.
"Who's there?"
The only answer came in the voice speaking Ancient Egyptian. Even then, that didn't stop Spencer from looking up and seeing a card (only the back end, and not the front).
"A card?" he wondered. "What kind is it?"
"Take it..." echoed the voice (male), speaking English once more. "Seek out the card..."
"The card?" quizzed Spencer. "What is it?"
Before an answer could come...
"No, Spencer!" echoed the voice of Maiden with Eyes of Blue. Before long, the human female monster spirit suddenly rose from the sands and into the sky. "Don't do it! You mustn't!"
"Maiden with Eyes of Blue?" blinked Spencer. "What's going on?"
Before long, the unknown voice (male) started speaking Ancient Egyptian once more. More particles of light began to rise from the sands and into the sky.
"Huh? What?!" gasped Spencer.
From there, the particles surrounded Maiden with Eyes of Blue, causing her to cry out in agony as a familiar blue pyramid soon surrounded and trapped her. Before Spencer could call out for his Duel Spirit, he suddenly felt hypnotized by the unknown voice speaking in Ancient Egyptian. Without uttering another word, Spencer took and looked at the card that had shrunk and floated down to where he was standing.
"Yes..." Spencer whispered, almost like he's in a trance. "I must get this card..."
END DREAM SEQUENCE
Spencer's eyes snapped open, and he sat up. Unlike how Discord woke up from his nightmare, Spencer wasn't in a cold sweat.
"Yes..." The silver-haired boy whispered to himself. "I must get a card to beat the three Divine-Beasts of Egypt..."
(elsewhere...)
Later the next morning at Boxford Corp...
"This is Flight One!" echoed a female voice over. "Initiating Duel Dome Launch conversion... Over!"
"Roger, Dome Command." came Skiff's voice. "Prepare all stations for immediate dragon flight... Over!"
(elsewhere...)
Inside the launchpad, several mechanics were being modified. What was the reason, you ask? Oh, the Blue-Eyes Jet about to take off. Inside the control tower, Skiff and three bridge staff were busy typing and setting the area for a jet launch. Meanwhile, the Blue-Eyes Jet was rising from a large elevator-like platform, and Spencer was inside the jet putting on his helmet while looking at the systems.
"Everything is checked out." he thought to himself. "My trip to San Francisco won't take very long."
Soon, the Blue-Eyes Jet rose from the ground, just as it was turned to face the airpad leading outside. Before activating the main thruster, Skiff sent one last transmission to his Big Brother...
"Spencer, I sure hope you know what you're doing."
"Believe me, Skiff, I know what must be done." reassured Spencer. "Discord has a card that can defeat the 'Egyptian Gods', and I must get my hands on it." From there, he activated the main thruster. "Activating main thrusters... Launching, now!"
With that said, the Blue-Eyes Jet took off into the sky, beginning Spencer's trip to San Francisco in California.
(elsewhere...)
In Knapford City, all was peaceful... Well, sort of... Thomas Billinton found himself being challenged to a duel by someone by the name Porter, and they were going to duel in the middle of Brendam Harbor.
"Being famous never was going to be easy..." he thought to himself, making it sound like this was the latest duel since coming back home to the Island of Sodor. The blue-haired boy then readied himself (LP: 4000). "I'm ready for you, Porter!"
Porter Baldwin was an 18-year old boy with viridian-colored hair, and he was ready to try and defeat the new 'King of Games' and earn the title from him.
"May the best duelist win, and that will be me." declared Porter (LP: 4000). "Be prepared to lose your newly obtained title!"
And so, the duel commenced...
"The first turn is mine!" declared Thomas, drawing a card. "Draw!"
Turn One: Thomas Billinton (LP: 4000)
Deck: 34
Current Hand (6): "Dark Magician", "Thousand Knives", "Magician of Dark Illusion", "Damage Reactor", "Magician Navigation", and "Marshmallon"
The blue-haired boy's hand contained 'Dark Magician', 'Thousand Knives', 'Magician of Dark Illusion', 'Damage Reactor', 'Magician Navigation', and the drawn 'Marshmallon'. All in all, it was a decent start.
"I set this monster facedown in defense mode!" Thomas announced, placing a card, facedown, on a Monster Field slot on his Duel Disk. He then slotted one more card into a Spell/Trap slot on his Duel Disk. "Finally, I'll set one more card facedown."
Two facedown cards materialized (one of them was sideways).
"My turn is over!"
"Then it's my turn, now!" acknowledged Porter, drawing a card. "Here goes!"
Turn Two: Porter Baldwin (LP: 4000)
Deck: 34
Current Hand (6): "Citadel Whale", "Deep Sea Diva", "Torrential Reborn", "Surface", "A Legendary Ocean", and "The Legendary Fisherman II"
Grinning, Porter added his drawn card to his hand and took out another to play, holding it out.
"Come out - 'Deep Sea Diva'!"
Appearing on the field was a blue and pink mermaid (Level: 2/ATK: 200/DEF: 400).
"As my monster was Normal Summoned-" Porter went on, pointing to his new monster. "-I am able to Special Summon a Level 3 or lower Sea-Serpent from my Deck." While speaking, a Monster Card called 'Lost Blue Breaker' materialized face-up on the field. "I choose to Special Summon 'Lost Blue Breaker' in attack mode!"
'Deep Sea Diva' sang a small musical note as it formed a whirlwind of bubbles.
"Appear - 'Lost Blue Breaker'!"
Appearing out from the bubbles was a large, two-headed, blue fish (Level: 3/ATK: 1400/DEF: 0).
"Now comes my favorite bit." smirked Porter.
Thomas blinked. "Favorite bit?"
"Yes, that's right..." confirmed Porter. "As there is another face-up Fish, Sea Serpent, or Aqua-Type monster on the field, I can activate the effect of 'Lost Blue Breaker', tributing it to target one Spell/Trap Card on the field and destroy it."
'Lost Blue Breaker' readied to sacrifice itself.
"Give yourself up and destroy Thomas's set card!" Porter commanded his monster.
'Lost Blue Breaker' dove towards Thomas's side of the field and gobbled up his facedown card before shattering into shards of glass. Still not being done, Porter took and held out another card to play.
"Behold 'Surface'!" The viridian-haired boy announced. "I can target one Level 3 or lower Fish, Sea Serpent, or Aqua-Type monster in the Graveyard and Special Summon it in onto the field in defense mode. Reappear - 'Lost Blue Breaker'!"
The two-headed fish creature reappeared in a defensive stance.
"Get ready, Duel King, for a new monster!" Porter went on, just as both of both monsters faded away in streaks of blue. "I make a double offering of monsters - 'Deep Sea Diva' and 'Lost Blue Breaker'!"
"What?!" gasped Thomas. "A double offering? But you've already Normal Summoned this turn."
"Don't be so hasty." teased Porter. "This is a legal move." He took and held out a card. "I'll show you the power of this monster!"
On cue, a Monster Card called 'Citadel Whale' materialized face-up on the field.
"Appear - 'Citadel Whale'!"
Appearing to the field was what looked like a retrained version of Salty's 'Fortress Whale' (Level: 7/ATK: 2350/DEF: 2150).
"A retrained version of 'Fortress Whale'..." whispered Thomas, looking up at the huge whale.
"When it's Special Summoned-" explained Porter, adding a card from his Deck to his hand. "-I add 'Sea Stealth Attack' from my Deck to my hand." He then slotted the card into his Duel Disk. "From there, I must set it on the field, facedown."
A facedown card materialized.
"And now, I'll attack! Taking your set monster will be a piece of fish cake!"
'Citadel Whale' aimed its cannons and fired at Thomas's facedown monster.
"Are you quite sure?" Thomas suddenly smirked. "I flip my set monster!"
The facedown monster was revealed to be...
"No, not 'Marshmallon'!" complained Porter.
"That's too bad." teased Thomas. "'Marshmallon can't be destroyed by battle. Not only that, it also inflicts 1000 points of damage to your Life Points when it gets flipped face-up. Battle or no."
Porter scowled (LP: 3000). "I end my turn!"
"My turn!" exclaimed Thomas, drawing a card. "Draw!"
Turn Three: Thomas Billinton (LP: 4000)
Deck: 33
Current Hand (5): "Dark Magician", "Thousand Knives", "Magician of Dark Illusion", "Damage Reactor", and "Pot of Greed"
His drawn card was the 'Pot of Greed' Spell Card. Unfortunately, before anything more could be done...
"Continuous Trap Card, open!" announced Porter, as his set card flipped face-up and revealed itself. "'Sea Stealth Attack'! This lets me activate 'Umi' from my hand or from the Graveyard!" He took and held out a card. "Behold 'A Legendary Ocean'!"
The scenery began to change from Brendam Harbor into that of an underwater city.
"This isn't 'Umi'!" accused Thomas.
"Unfortunately for you, 'A Legendary Ocean' is treated as 'Umi' while face-up on the field. Finally, it boosts the Attack and Defense Points of all WATER Attribute monsters on the field by 200, while reducing the Level Stars of such monsters on the field or in our hands by one."
'Citadel Whale' got stronger (Level: 7 - 6/ATK: 2350 - 2550/DEF: 2150 - 2350). Thomas, now able to move again, held out his drawn card.
"I activate 'Pot of Greed' to draw two cards." he said, drawing two more cards from his deck. The blue-haired boy then took and held out another card. "I activate another Spell Card - 'Ancient Rules'!"
On cue, the 'Dark Magician' Monster Card materialized face-up on the field.
"With this, I can Special Summon one Level 5 or higher Normal Monster from my hand without a tribute. And so, I will call upon 'Dark Magician'!"
Within seconds, the purple-haired, male Spellcaster appeared on the field with a loud cry (Level: 7/ATK: 2500/DEF: 2100).
"'Dark Magician', eh?" mused Porter. "I was hoping to face one of those 'Gods' you command."
"The 'Gods' will not be needed." Thomas pointed out, taking and holding out another card. "'Thousand Knives'! Your monster will be destroyed here and now!"
Several knives appeared above 'Dark Magician' before being fired at 'Citadel Whale'. But before the knives could strike and wipe 'Citadel Whale' down, the weapons just...fizzled out before touching the big whale.
"What?! 'Thousand Knives' didn't destroy 'Citadel Whale'?!"
"That's because of 'Citadel Whale's' effect." Porter pointed out. "As the opponent activated a a card or effect that targets 1 WATER monster I control (along with no other cards), I negate the activation of 'Thousand Knives' and destroy it."
Thomas scowled. "And I'm not done! I play the effect of 'Magician Navigation' in the Graveyard!"
The mentioned Trap Card briefly appeared face-up on the field.
"By banishing it from the Graveyard while controlling 'Dark Magician', I negate the effects of one Spell/Trap on your side of the field until the End Phase!"
The face-up 'A Legendary Ocean' glitched out, and that meant 'Citadel Whale' had been weakened (Level: 6 - 7/ATK: 2550 - 2350/DEF: 2350 - 2150). From there, the attack commenced...
"DARK MAGIC ATTACK!" commanded Thomas.
'Dark Magician' obeyed, charging and firing a blast of black magic from his scepter at 'Citedal Whale'.
"Not this time!" declared Porter. "'Sea Stealth Attack' gains two effects thanks to a 'Umi' card being in play!"
"Two effects?" blinked Thomas.
"The second one will activate! Since a WATER Attribute monster whose original Level was 5 or higher is battling an opponent's monster, that monster is destroyed at the start of the Damage Step!"
To Thomas's shock, 'Dark Magician' shattered into shards of glass. Not only that, but the attack had also been cancelled out before it actually hit 'Citadel Whale', meaning it was still standing.
"I sustain no Battle Damage." grinned Porter.
"I set two cards facedown." sighed Thomas, slotting two cards into his Duel Disk. On cue, two facedown cards materialized behind 'Marshmallon'. "I end my turn!"
"With that comes the end of 'Magician Navigation'." reminded Porter. "'A Legendary Ocean' now has its effect back." He then drew a card. "My turn, draw!"
Turn Four: Porter Baldwin (LP: 3000)
Deck: 31
Current Hand (3): "Torrential Reborn", "The Legendary Fisherman II", and "Rage of Kairyu-Shin"
His drawn card was a Spell Card called 'Rage of Kairyu-Shin'. Porter instead added the card to his hand and readied another.
"With 'A Legendary Ocean' back in play, all WATER Attribute monsters have their Level Stars reduced by one." He turned his card over. "Behold 'The Legendary Fisherman II'!"
Appearing to the field was what looked like 'The Legendary Fisherman', but he rode on a much more powerful-looking shark.
"As my monster is a WATER Attribute creature-" Porter explained. "-he receives 200 Attack and Defense Points!"
'The Legendary Fisherman II' grew stronger (ATK: 2200 - 2400/DEF: 1800 - 2000).
"2400 Attack Points..." winced Thomas.
"Get ready!" declared Porter, entering the Battle Phase. "Take down, 'Marshmallon'!"
'The Legendary Fisherman' II obeyed, firing his spear.
"But 'Marshmallon' can't be destroyed in battle!" objected Thomas.
"Remember 'Sea Stealth Attack'?" Porter pointed out.
Thomas cringed. "Y-Yes..."
'Marshmallon' was impaled by the spear, shattering in shards of glass.
"This leaves you wide open for a direct attack!" declared Porter.
Or not...
"Trap Card, open!" announced Thomas, as his first facedown card flipped up and revealed itself to be... "'Soul Rope'!"
The blue-haired boy's Life Points took a hit (LP: 3000). Even then, it would be worth it.
"By spending 1000 Life Points when my monster is destroyed, I can Special Summon one Level 4 or lower monster from my Deck." A card slipped out of Thomas's Deck. "Appear - 'Big Shield Gardna'!"
Appearing on the field was the warrior wielding a huge shield (Level: 4/ATK: 100/DEF: 2600).
"Can't attack now..." groaned Porter.
"That's not all." continued Thomas, placing another card onto a Monster Field slot on his Duel Disk. "As I've played a Spell or Trap Card during your turn, I Special Summon 'Magician of Dark Illusion' from my hand in defense mode!"
Appearing to the field was the all-too familiar shadowy version of 'Dark Magician' (Level: 7/ATK: 2100/DEF: 2500).
"While on the field, 'Magician of Dark Illusion' is treated as 'Dark Magician'."
Porter nodded. "So be it." He readied another card. "I play a Quick-Play Spell Card - 'Rage of Kairyu-Shin'!"
"Oh no!" cried Thomas. He knew what it did.
"Since 'Umi' is on the field-" explained Porter. "-I can destroy as many monsters on your field as the number of WATER monsters on mine!"
Yup, just as Thomas feared. From there, a huge tidal wave rose from the ocean and swallowed both 'Magician of Dark Illusion' and 'Big Shield Gardna' whole. Not only that, but their Monster Card zones had now been flooded.
"The flooded zones prevents you from using them until the end of your next turn."
'Citadel Whale' looked down at its prey.
"Direct attack, now!" commanded Porter.
'Citadel Whale' obeyed, firing from its cannons at Thomas. The blue-haired boy did not know what hit him (LP: 450)...
"Am I about to win?" blinked Porter. He realized that he did. "I might actually win the duel!" The viridian-haired boy slotted the last card from his hand into his Duel Disk. "I set my last card and end my turn."
A facedown card materialized on the field. Thomas, meanwhile, regained his posture. This duel was not over yet, and he knew it.
"It's my turn!" The blue-haired boy declared, drawing a card. "Draw!"
Porter frowned; Thomas never gives up. No matter, the viridian-haired boy would soon be victorious in this duel.
Turn Five: Thomas Billinton (LP: 450)
Deck: 30
Current Hand (1): "Card of Sanctity"
On cue, the 'Card of Sanctity' Spell Card flipped face-up and revealed itself.
"I activate the Spell 'Card of Sanctity'!" said Thomas, drawing six cards. "Now both of us may draw until we have six cards in our respective hands."
Porter drew six cards in response. With their hands refreshed, the duel was about even again. Thomas saw that his hand contained 'Dark Magical Circle', 'Monster Reborn', 'Magic Cylinder', 'Xyz Reborn', 'Dark Burning Attack', and 'Magic Formula'. With a plan in mind, Thomas took and held another card out.
"I play a Spell Card - 'Dark Magical Circle'!" he announced, picking up the top three cards of his Deck. "This allows me to look at the top three cards of my Deck and add 'Dark Magician' or a Spell/Trap Card that lists 'Dark Magician' in its text, among them, to my hand."
Looking at the three cards, Thomas returned two of the cards to the top of his Deck whilst adding 'Bond Between Teacher and Student' to his hand. Not even close to being done yet, Thomas took and slotted another card into a Spell/Trap slot on his Duel Disk.
"'Monster Reborn'!" The blue-haired boy announced. "Return to me - 'Magician of Dark Illusion'!"
Within seconds, 'Magician of Dark Illusions' returned. Just then, the face-up 'Dark Magical Circle' Spell Card activated.
"The next effect of 'Dark Magical Circle' now activates!" declared Thomas. "Because I've Summon a 'Dark Magician', I can Banish a card you control! ...such as 'Sea Stealth Attack'!"
A circle of black magic appeared beneath the face-up 'Seal Stealth Attack' Trap Card, causing it to vanish into light.
"With your card gone, "Dark Magician Girl' will now join the battle!" continued Thomas, taking and holding out another card. "I activate 'Bond Between Teacher and Student' to Special Summon 'Dark Magician Girl' from my Deck in defense mode!"
On cue, the female Spellcaster appeared on the field in a burst of light (Level: 6/ATK: 2000/DEF: 1700). Just then...
"What's going on with 'Magician of Dark Illusions'?" questioned Porter.
"His next Monster Effect, that's what." answered Thomas. "If I activate a Spell or Trap card on my turn, I can Special Summon one Spellcaster-Type monster from my graveyard. So welcome back, 'Dark Magician'!"
On cue, 'Dark Magician' reappeared on the field. From there, the 'Dark Burning Attack' Spell Card materialized face-up on the field.
"And since 'Dark Magician Girl' is on the field-" Thomas went on. "-I can activate this Spell Card - 'Dark Burning Attack'! All of your monsters are wiped out!"
Raising her wand up, 'Dark Magician Girl' charged a blast before lowering and firing. Very quickly, both of Porter's monsters were destroyed.
"With no more monsters to protect you, 'Dark Magician' will be able to attack directly!"
Porter, however, had other plans.
"Facedown card, open!" declared Porter, as his facedown card flipped up and revealed itself to be... "I activate a Trap - 'Torrential Reborn'!"
On cue, 'Citadel Whale' and 'The Legendary Fisherman II' both returned to the field.
"What?" blinked Thomas.
"'Torrential Reborn' activates when a WATER Attribute monster I control is destroyed by a Card Effect." Porter pointed out. "With that done, I bring all destroyed monsters back onto the field, before inflicting 500 points of damage to you for each monster Special Summoned this way."
"Each monster?!"
Porter nodded. "Yup. Although it won't matter, seeing as you have 450 Life Points left."
A huge tidal wave loomed over Thomas. It looked as if the Duel King was about to become washed up, and his title of 'King of Games' would be lost just like that.
"This finishes it!" declared Porter. "I'm the winner of the match!"
Thomas, however, smirked. "It's not over."
"Huh?"
"Facedown card, open!" announced Thomas, just as his last facedown card flipped up and revealed itself. "'Damage Reactor'!"
"What?!" gasped Porter, seeing his opponent not taking the damage as expected. "You're not losing Life Points?"
"'Damage Reactor' reduces the damage to 0." explained Thomas. "Not only that, it also raises 'Magician of Dark Illusion's' Attack Power by 800 points."
'Magician of Dark Illusion' grew stronger (ATK: 2100 - 2900). Porter, not being done just yet, took another card from his Deck and slotted it into his Duel Disk (by the effect of 'Citadel Whale').
"Lets see you get yourself out of this." he said. "With 'Citadel Whale' Special Summoned, I can set another copy of 'Sea Stealth Attack' from my Deck."
"Good luck getting a chance to use it." Thomas pointed out, just as the 'Magic Formula' Spell Card materialized face-up on the field. "I equip 'Dark Magician' with 'Magic Formula'!"
With a cry, 'Dark Magician' grew even stronger (ATK: 2500 - 3000).
"Battle!"
'Dark Magician', knowing that the Battle Phase has commenced, leaped into the sky and readied his scepter.
"Destroy 'Citadel Whale' with Dark Magic Attack!" commanded Thomas.
'Dark Magician' obeyed, striking the giant whale with a blast of black magic, causing a massive explosion that clouded Porter's side of the field.
"'Citadel Whale' has met its end!" declared Thomas. "And now, 'The Legendary Fisherman II' will meet its own demise!"
Porter was worried (LP: 2550).
"'Magician of Dark Illusion', it's your turn to attack!"
'Magician of Dark Illusion' obeyed, raising his scepter and unleashing a blast of black magic. 'The Legendary Fisherman II' was hit and destroyed by the attack.
"Nuts." grunted Porter (LP: 2050). "Well, it's not over yet."
"I know." acknowledged Thomas. "When 'The Legendary Fisherman II' is destroyed, you can add one WATER Attribute with a Level of 7 from your Deck to your hand."
A card slid out from Porter's Deck, and he added it to his hand. Thomas, knowing that 'Dark Magician Girl' could not attack due to being in defense mode, had one last thing to do...
"I use 'Dark Magician' and 'Magician of Dark Illusion' to build the Overlay Network!"
The two Spellcaster-Type monsters turned into purple light and flew into the Overlay Network. In addition, a Summon Chant was heard being spoken by the blue-haired boy.
"Sage who bears the honor of the Magician Family, let loose your power and let it shine in the darkness! 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... Master of all Magicians - 'EBON HIGH MAGICIAN'!"
Appearing on the field from the Xyz Summon sequence was the newest member of the 'Magician' archtype (Rank: 7/ATK: 2300/DEF: 2800).
"'Ebon High Magician'..." whispered Porter. "One of Thomas's newest of monsters..."
"And an Xyz Monster, too." Thomas pointed out, just before slotting a card into his Duel Disk. "I set one card and end my turn."
A facedown card materialized on the field behind 'Ebon High Magician'.
"This was all the time I needed." declared Porter, drawing a card. "Time to show off one of my newest cards!"
Turn Six: Porter Baldwin (LP: 2050)
Deck: 22
Current Hand (8): ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, "The Legendary Fisherman III", and ?
"Facedown card, open - 'Sea Stealth Attack'!"
The viridian-haired boy's facedown card flipped up and revealed itself.
"Here we go again." Thomas thought to himself, watching as the 'Monster Reborn' Spell Card materialized face-up on the field. "'Monster Reborn'?!"
"Yup." confirmed Porter. "Return from the depths of the ocean - 'The Legendary Fisherman II'!"
On command, 'The Legendary Fisherman II' emerged from the depts of the 'A Legendary Ocean' Field Spell Card.
"But he won't be out for long." said Porter, readying a new card. "Time for my secret weapon to show itself."
"What?!" cried Thomas, watching as the ocean swallowed 'The Legendary Fisherman II'. "What's going on?"
Porter chuckled. "'A Legendary Ocean' lowers the Levels of all WATER Attribute monsters on the field and in our hands by 1. Thanks to it, I offer 'The Legendary Fisherman II' as a tribute for a Special Summon."
The ocean grew fiercer.
"Come forth... The greatest fisherman of all time - 'The Legendary Fisherman III'!"
A whirlpool formed before another fisherman emerged from it. This one, unlike the others, carried a harpoon gun.
"'The Legendary Fisherman III'?" mumbled Thomas.
"Yes, 'The Legendary Fisherman III'." confirmed Porter. "And, seeing as its a WATER Attribute monster, 'A Legendary Ocean' will buff it up."
The new monster soared out from the waters (Level: 7 - 6/ATK: 2500 - 2700/DEF: 2000 - 2200).
"But that's not the worst bit."
"It's not?" asked Thomas, worried.
"I have much worse in store for you." Porter went on. "I activate my monster's Special Ability! All monsters you control, at the cost of me not being able to attack with 'The Legendary Fisherman III' this turn, are banished!"
"B-Banished?!" stuttered Thomas.
'The Legendary Fisherman III' threw two harpoons at once, striking both 'Dark Magician Girl' and 'Ebon High Magician' and removing them from the field. But Porter still wasn't finished with using his monster...
"And by returning those banished monsters to your Graveyard-" he went on "-if you were to take effect damage, then all of that damage would be doubled!"
Before long, both of the removed monsters were in Thomas's Graveyard once more, but that was what he was counting on...
"I activate a Trap!" The blue-haired boy announced, just as his remaining facedown card flipped up and revealed itself. "'Xyz Reborn'! Reappear on the field in defense mode - 'Ebon High Magician'!"
'Ebon High Magician' quickly returned to the field.
"How?!" gasped Porter.
"Thanks to 'Xyz Reborn', I was able to revive 'Ebon High Magician' and grant it one Overlay Unit." grinned Thomas.
However, it still was not over yet...
"I activate the first effect of 'Stealth Sea Attack'!" declared Porter. "This lets me Banish one WATER Attribute monster I control until the End Phase, and for the rest of this turn, face-up Spells and/or Trap Cards I control cannot be destroyed by your own card effects, even if 'Sea Stealth Attack' leaves the field."
'Legendary Fisherman III' was swallowed by the sea. Still not done, Porter took and held another card out.
"Now I activate 'Fish Spawn'!" he announced. "This lets me Special Summon two 'Fish Spawn Tokens' onto my field!"
Two fish appeared on Porter's side of the field.
"'Spawn Fish Tokens'?" blinked Thomas. "What're you going to do with them? They're too weak to attack."
"Don't be sure." retorted Porter. "I'm going to offer them as a tribute."
The two Token Monsters vanished in blue streaks.
"Arise from the grave - 'Citadel Whale'!"
"What?!" gasped Thomas.
Another whirlpool formed, causing 'Citadel Whale' to return to the field.
"So, 'Citadel Whale' can be Special Summoned from the hand and Graveyard?!"
"Now right you are." taunted Porter, before holding another card out. "And this will end things for you!"
Thomas gasped. "No! That's 'Attribute Bomb'!"
"That's right." confirmed Porter. "And since you've heard of the card, I presume you know how it works.
The viridian-haired boy took the silence as a yes.
"I'll take that as a yes, but I'll explain, anyway... When activated, it's equipped to 'Citadel Whale' and I have to declare an Attribute for the effect. And the attribute I choose is...Dark!"
'Citadel Whale' roared as it dove into the ocean.
"Now when 'Citadel Whale' battles a monster of the declared Attribute, you, Thomas, will take 1000 points of damage." continued Porter. "And thanks to my fisherman's ability, that damage will be doubled! Even if my attack fails to destroy your monster, it will still finish you off!"
'Citadel Whale' soon emerged from the water and into the sky. From there, it aimed its turrets at 'Ebon High Magician'.
"ATTACK!"
The giant whale obeyed, firing its blasts.
"I win!" declared Porter.
"Are you sure about that?" Thomas suddenly asked.
"Huh?"
"It's time!" announced Thomas. "I remove the Overlay Unit from 'Ebon High Magician' to activate its Monster Effect!"
An Overlay Unit flew into 'Ebon High Magician's' staff. Porter, seeing what was happening, knew that he was in big trouble.
"Now I can right away activate a Quick-Play Spell Card or Trap Card directly from my hand." explained Thomas, taking and holding out another card. "And I choose this one... 'Magic Cylinder'!"
Porter gulped. "Oh, fish sticks..."
Two large cylinders appeared behind 'Ebon High Magician', and one of them absorbed the attack from 'Citadel Whale'.
"'Magic Cylinder' negates your attack-" explained Thomas. "-and then inflicts damage equal to your monster's Attack Power!"
'Citadel Whale's' attack then shot out from the other cylinder, striking and finishing Porter off (LP: 0).
DUEL RESULTS: Thomas Billinton wins!
With the duel finally over, the ocean-like background faded away back into Brendam Harbor.
"Aww, nuts!" grumbled Porter, disappointed he was beaten. "I could swear I was going to win!"
The hologram of 'Ebon High Magician' faded away, and Thomas smiled with approval.
"Don't feel bad." he said to the unhappy Porter. "Just be proud that you dueled as best as you could."
Porter sighed. "I guess you're right." He then looked up at his victorious opponent. "You didn't use the 'Gods' in this duel... Why's that?"
"I had decided that I would only use them in cases of dire emergencies." explained Thomas. "I don't want to use their power and risk their getting anybody hurt."
"Dire emergencies..." whispered Porter. He then remembered something... "Didn't you use one of them against James, though?"
Thomas was quiet when that was said.
"That duel with him wasn't a dire emergency, was it?"
Thomas shook his head. "No. The reason for that was because, something in my heart was telling me to do it. It was one of the first steps to my recovery."
"Oh." said Porter. Finally, after what seemed like forever, he smiled. "In that case, I understand your reasons." He then wrapped his arm around the blue-haired boy's shoulder. "If I can give you some advice, you're likely gonna be swamped by people wanting to duel you and your 'Egyptian Gods'. I would try staying out of sight from the other duelists on the Island of Sodor for the time being until school starts again."
"I'll try to do that." nodded Thomas. "Too bad that will be easier said than done, thought." He then added as a small joke... "I might need to buy a disguise or something."
With that said, both teenagers laughed and left the harbor.
END OF CHAPTER 1