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: Again, this story is rated T for fantasy violence and minor depictions of blood.
Chapter 16
The Deadly Legend
Opening up in the Museum's lobby...
"DUEL!" Emily and Bear both announce at once (LP: 4000) x2.
That's right; a duel between Emily and Bear was about to ensue. This should be a wonderful battle, wouldn't you agree?
"The first turn will go to me!" declare Emily, drawing a card. "Draw!"
Turn One: Emily Stirling (LP: 4000)
Deck: 54
Current Hand (6): ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, and "Kuribon"
Looking at her drawn card and hand, a small smile soon appeared on the dark green-haired girl's face.
"You're smiling?" quizzed Bear.
"Because-" said Emily confidently. "-I've already drawn the cards I need to defeat you."
Bear was quite puzzled at Emily's response. Had she really drawn the cards needed for a One Turn Kill? Finally, Emily resumed her turn...
"Behold the instrument of your doom!" she went on, placing the card onto a Monster Field slot on her Duel Disk. "I Summon 'Kuribon' in attack mode!"
The female 'Kuriboh' monster appeared on the field (Level: 1/ATK: 300/DEF: 200).
"Wait, 'Kuribon'?" blinked Bear. "You're saying that monster will be the end of me?"
Emily ignored the comment. "Finally, I'll set one card facedown and end my turn."
A facedown card materialized on the field behind 'Kuribon'.
"'Kuribon'..." whispered Gina, before looking to Thomas. "Does Emily have-a any form of-a strategy formed?"
Thomas said nothing in response. Back in the duel field, Bear was more puzzled than ever before by his opponent's rather simple play.
"How does she expect to defeat me with that monster?" Bear asked himself, just before drawing a card. "Draw!"
Turn Two: Bear Peacock (LP: 4000)
Deck: 34
Current Hand (6): ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, and "Gilford the Legend"
"Your turn was rather simple, Emily. Are you certain you'll beat me that easily?"
Emily remained silent, while Bear saw that his drawn card was a Monster Card called 'Gilford the Legend'.
"Nice!" The blonde-haired boy thought to himself, before looking up and speaking aloud... "For my first card, I'll activate 'Graceful Charity'!"
The mentioned Spell Card flipped face-up and revealed itself, causing the ceiling to rain gentle raindrops down upon Bear's Duel Disk.
"This lets me draw three cards and discard two cards from my hand." explained Bear, drawing three cards. He then sent two cards from his hand ('Lightning Blade' and 'Fusion Sword Murasame Blade') to the Graveyard. "These two cards aren't needed."
From there, a Monster Card called 'Warrior Lady of the Wasteland' materialized face-up on the field.
"From there, I'll Summon 'Warrior Lady of the Wasteland' in attack mode!"
Appearing onto the field was a female warrior with a worn out tarp for a cape (Level: 4/ATK: 1100/DEF: 1200).
"'Warrior Lady of the Wasteland'?" blinked Emily.
"It gets better." continued Bear, just as a Spell Card called 'Great Sword' flipped face-up and revealed itself. "I equip my monster with 'Great Sword'! This will increase my Warrior-Type monster's Attack Power by 300 points!"
A large blade appeared in 'Warrior Lady of the Wasteland's' hands, causing her power to grow (ATK: 1100 - 1400).
"That isn't what you're aiming for, isn't it?" frowned Emily, who knew of the 'Great Sword' Spell Card.
"Correct... 'Great Sword' has another effect." acknowledged Bear. "Now the equipped monster can be treated as a double tribute if it's sacrificed for the Tribute Summon of another Warrior-Type monster." He held one of his last cards out. "Behold 'Double Summon'! I'm able to make a second Normal Summon this turn!"
'Warrior Lady of the Wasteland' faded away in a blue streak, and that meant a tribute summon was on the way!
"Descend - 'Gilford the Legend'!"
Appearing on the field was a monster resembling the physical body of 'Gilford the Lightning', but wore different clothing and armor in addition to wielding a different weapon (Level: 8/ATK: 2600/DEF: 2000).
"Mama Mia! 'Gilford the Legend'?!" Gina recoiled. "That-a monster gains-a power from-a Equip Spells in the-a player's Graveyard!"
Bear smirked as his Graveyard shined all white. "Right are you! Appear - 'Fusion Sword Murasame Blade', 'Lightning Blade', and 'Great Sword'!"
The three mentioned Spell Cards materialized face-up on the blonde-haired boy's side of the field. With the three Spells Cards activated, 'Gilford the Legend's' blade began to morph while adding the appearances of each blade to it.
"Together, my monster gains 1900 Attack Points! More than enough to defeat 'Kuribon' AND deplete your Life Points!"
With a cry, 'Gilford the Legend' got supercharged with power as its Attack Points climbed to really high levels (ATK: 2600 - 4500).
"BATTLE!" announced Bear, entering the Battle Phase. "'Gilford the Legend', attack 'Kuribon'... ULTIMATE CRUSH SWORD!"
'Gilford the Legend' obeyed, raising his blade and charging towards the little female 'Kuriboh'. Unfortunately, this was what Emily had been waiting for...
"You've fallen into my trap!" The dark green-haired girl exclaimed, just as her facedown card flipped up and revealed itself. "I activate a Continuous Trap - 'Bad Reaction to Simochi'! Whenever you would gain Life Points due to a card effect, that increase will be changed to Effect Damage!"
"Too bad you won't get a chance to use it!" objected Bear. "I'm about to win!"
"Wrong!"
The blonde-haired boy recoiled. "Wait, I'm wrong?" he quizzed. "How can you be sure of that?"
"By declaring an attack, I'll activate 'Kuribon's' Monster Effect!" declared Emily. "All Battle Damage is reduced to zero!"
Just then, 'Kuribon' turned into a ball of light, soared over to the dark green-haired girl, and became a card once more.
"Not only that, she also returns to my hand, and, get this, you gain Life Points based on the attacking monster's Attack Power." Emily's smile grew bolder. "But there's a problem here... Care to guess what it is?"
Bear realized just what it was. "Your Trap Card!"
The face-up 'Bad Reaction to Simochi' Trap Card started to activate.
"'Bad Reaction to Simochi' changes all Life Point increasing effects into Effect Damage!" Emily pointed out. "You've basically defeated yourself!"
The face-up Trap Card fired a reaction-like blast at Bear, striking and wiping him out in one go (LP: 0).
DUEL RESULTS: Emily Stirling wins!
As the holograms faded away, Emily folded her arms and smiled with triumph.
"Not too shabby, wouldn't you say?" she teased.
"Indeed." agreed Bear. "That was a rather impressive move. You've basically made me defeat myself." He then looked towards Thomas. "As a result of my defeat, I'll leave your friend alone."
"That's a relief..." sighed Thomas, glad he didn't have to duel.
Bear then looked at his watch. "Uh-oh! I have to get home! I'll see you guys at school after the weekend finishes!"
With that said, Bear took off, leaving Gina, Thomas, and Emily each behind.
"Well, that was-a interesting." commented Gina. She then started to leave. "I am-a off to find-a Axel. He must be-a pooped from-a holding that crowd-a back."
"Alright... Thanks for the help earlier, Gina." smiled Thomas. "We'll see you later."
With that said, the brown-haired Italian girl left the museum, leaving Thomas and Emily to both do some exploring around the place.
"How about we check out the Egyptian Exhibit?" suggested Emily.
"Good idea." agreed Thomas.
(elsewhere...)
While walking towards the Egyptian Exhibit, the couple found a poster along the wall that showed various images of the recent items added (including a certain item that Mr. Billinton showed his family in the newspaper).
"The Pyramid of Light." murmured Thomas.
Yup, the poster even had a picture of that crystal-like Millennium Puzzle.
"You know, that thing looks like a dead-ringer for the Millennium Puzzle." commented Emily. "It's a crystal, though... Sure looks pretty."
Thomas nodded, before he and his 'Supreme Queen' finally walked into the Egyptian Exhibit. There, they found, inside a display case, an anubis-shaped coffin. Inside the coffin was...a mummy. The sight seemed to disturb Emily a fair bit.
"This is the corpse of Anubis-" said Thomas, reading the plaque. "-the Egyptian Lord of the Dead."
"Ugh!" groaned Emily, disgusted with the sight of the dead body. "If we stay any longer, I'm gonna blow chunks!"
"You know, that Crystal Pyramid's exhibit is on the other side. Maybe you'll feel much better if we go th-"
Before he knew it, the dark green-haired girl was pushing Thomas to another section, away from the mummy. Unbeknownst to the two teenagers, however, an unseen force was watching them...
(elsewhere...)
Once they were away from the mummy, Emily had calmed down. Just then, Thomas noticed another familiar face looking at more of the exhibit.
"Look! It's Sir Robert Norramby." The blue-haired boy gasped. "The Earl of Sodor."
"And Millie's Uncle!" added Emily.
Sir Robert overheard the pair of voices and looked over, seeing Thomas and Emily both approaching.
"I guess great minds think alike." he smiled. "Nice to see you both."
"You came to see the Egyptian Exhibit, too?" asked Thomas.
Sir Robert nodded. "I have. Now, why not take a good look here..."
Thomas and Emily both approached, seeing a Crystal Pyramid-like object inside a display case.
"Is this...?" began Thomas.
"...the Pyramid of Light." Emily finished. "In the crystal flesh..."
"Indeed, it is." said Sir Robert. "As you both probably know by now, the original seven Millennium Items were crafted 3000 years ago by Aknadin, Pharaoh Aknamkanon's brother; the Millenium Eye, the Millennium Ring, the Millennium Rod, the Millennium Necklace, the Millennium Key, the Millennium Scale, and the Millennium Puzzle which you wear to this day, Thomas. However, another item, the Pyramid of Light, was crafted in secret by a sorcerer named Anubis to be a replica of the Millennium Puzzle."
"You mean to say that it's the same as the Millennium Puzzle, but only upside down?" asked Emily curiously.
"That's not entirely what I mean. If you look at the Ancient Egyptian lettering, the hieroglyphs, you'll see that it's correct. It's a legendary treasure said to exist long ago - yet never discovered."
"What's the deal?" quizzed Thomas. "Could it be connected to my Millennium Puzzle?"
"In a way, yes." answered Sir Robert. "It symbolizes the King of Light. In other words, it exists in direct opposition to your Millennium Puzzle." He then looked back at the display case. "There was something written on the lid of the sarcophagus across from here."
"You mean we have to go back to the mummy?" shuddered Emily in disgust.
(elsewhere...)
Sadly, the three had to go back...
"Oh, I think I'm gonna be sick..." Emily groaned dreadfully. "It's just as creepy as we left it."
"So, what's the writing here?" Thomas asked Sir Robert.
Sir Robert took a look. "Hmm... 'When the King of Light and the King of Darkness fight, the King of Destruction will then be reborn', or some meaning along those lines are written there."
Thomas and Emily were both puzzled. What could this all mean?
"This Hieratic Text is almost like a tome of prophecy." continued Sir Robert.
"It doesn't sound like too good a prophecy to me." said Thomas thoughtfully.
Just then, as a shadowed figure approached Thomas from behind, the mummy's eyes started shining all red as everything faded to white...
"Whoooooaaaaaa!" cried Thomas, just as a vision started to play.
VISION
Thomas found himself in a vast space as, to his surprise, giant versions of the Millennium Puzzle and the Pyramid of Light loomed overhead. Before Thomas could say anything, another vision was shown to him.
"Huh?"
"When both Light and Dark intersect-" A new voice (male) echoed. "-the King of Light will destroy the 'Sacred Beasts of Darkness' and lay waste to the King of Darkness!"
Thomas now found himself in a duel against Spencer, both in the space-like scenario. Suddenly, Thomas yelled in pain as he dropped to the ground. Spencer smirked at his apparent victory, until a giant hand grabbed hold of his head. The hand belonged to a large figure with a doglike head, and the Pyramid of Light around its neck.
"When enough light is fulfilled-" The figure bellowed in a deep, menacing voice. "-the King of Destruction will be reborn!"
END VISION
The vision came to an eerie end, as the sound of an alarm echoed throughout. A mummy-like figure was stealing the Pyramid of Light from the display case. Before long, Emily's voice echoed...
"Tommy! Tommy! Wake up!" The dark green-haired girl pleaded.
Thomas slowly opened his eyes to see Emily looking over him in a worried way.
"Emily... Did you have the same vision, too?" The blue-haired boy asked groggily.
"What vision?" questioned Emily, sounding confused. "The whole place filled with white light and blinded us. Not only that, something was stolen!"
Thomas looked up and saw some museum guards looking about the scene of the crime.
"The sarcophagus is empty... The mummy's body is gone!" cried a guard.
"And that's not all." put in another guard. "The thief nabbed that pyramid thing, too!"
Sir Robert's eyes soon opened. "Oh..." he groaned, sitting up. "My head..."
"Emily-" said Thomas, looking to Emily. "-you stay here with the Earl and keep him safe. Something tells me Spencer might be in trouble."
With that said, the blue-haired boy turned and started to leave the museum.
"Thomas, wait!" called Emily, but her boyfriend was soon long gone. With nothing else to do, she turned to the injured Sir Robert. "Sir, are you okay?"
"What happened?" sighed Sir Robert, before noticing the damage to the exhibit. "W-What's this?"
"The mummy and the Pyramid of Light both disappeared." answered Emily. "Where? I haven't a single clue."
Sir Robert frowned. "Don't tell me the ancient mummy has resurrected... However, the sarcophagus's prophecy did tell the resurrection of the King of Destruction..." He then saw that Thomas was gone. "Huh? Where's Thomas?"
"He went off to find Spencer Gresley." explained Emily.
"So he did... Hmm, could Thomas have had the same vision that I did? Something could already be on the move..." mumbled Sir Robert. He then turned to Emily. "Go after him."
"Huh? Why?"
"He may need some help." Sir Robert insisted, sounding serious. "Believe me when I say that."
Emily remained speechless for a few seconds before a determined look appeared on her face.
"Right." she agreed, turning and running after Thomas.
(elsewhere...)
Outside the museum, Thomas was running down the street when a limo pulled up beside him.
"Thomas!" came Skiff, rolling the window down. "Spencer wants to meet with you at the new Boxford Corp Duel Dome, and he wants you to bring the 'God' Cards."
"Skiff?" blinked Thomas. "What's going on?"
"I wish I knew." sighed Skiff. "Every since the latest tournament ended, my Big Brother's been acting strange."
Thomas mused on it. "Strange, how?"
"It's almost as if he's been possessed by something dark...and evil." The young boy went on. "What I'm saying, is that Spencer started acting like he had been acting during the Battle City Finals again..."
As Thomas listened on, Emily walked up and joined in.
"I thought that he'd learned his lesson about repeating mistakes." Skiff went on. "Unfortunately, I was wrong... Mom and Dad both aren't happy about it, either."
Thomas and Emily both looked to each other and nodded. Although Thomas wasn't happy that Emily had disobeyed him about staying behind with Sir Robert, he, in a way, felt glad for the company.
(elsewhere...)
In another part of the city, Edward, James, Percy, Axel, and Gina were all walking down the street.
"Man, I sure hope Thomas is safe." wished James. "Of course, we did take care of that crowd."
"We sure did." agreed Percy. "I do feel a bit down that Jinty and Pug both were part of it."
"Duelists are duelists." Axel reminded. "Sometimes they'll do anything to face a famous person."
"Let's forget about dueling for the rest of the day." suggested Edward. "Why don't we go and grab some dinner at Burger World?"
James grinned. "You must've heard my stomach grumbling, 'cause it likes the idea."
"Should we invite Thomas and Emily with?" asked Axel. "They could do with a relaxing meal."
"Nah, let them have their alone time." dismissed James. "They probably need it."
Gina smirked seductively. "Ehi, Axel." she began, briefly slipping into Italian. "Maybe you and-a I should have some-a alone time?"
Before anything else could be said...
"Hey, what's a limo doing outside Thomas's home?" wondered Percy.
The five teenagers looked over and saw that a limo was indeed outside of the Billinton House.
"Isn't that a Boxford Corp limo?" asked Edward.
"It is!" realized James. "Where's Thomas going?"
The quintet all ran up to the limo to try and get some answers, but were too late as it started driving away.
"Where do you think the limo's going?" asked Percy.
"I think it's heading for Boxford Corp." answered James. He then took his cellphone out, dialed a number, and then spoke to whoever he was calling. "Yo! Taxi!"
(elsewhere...)
As the limo drove down the highway, Thomas and Emily were both thinking about what Skiff told them about Spencer. Needless to say, they were quiet all the way to the new Boxford Corp Dome.
(elsewhere...)
The limo soon arrived at its destination. Getting out, Thomas, Emily, and Skiff were met by both Mr. and Mrs. Gresley (Boxford).
"Spencer's waiting for you inside the dome, Thomas." said Mr. Gresley (Boxford).
"Please, you must try and help him." pleaded Mrs. Gresley (Boxford).
"We can't make promises on that." replied Thomas seriously. "But we'll certainly try our best."
(elsewhere...)
With that being said, Thomas, Emily, Skiff, and both adults entered the building. While the later three stayed behind, the former two entered one of the elevators. Inside, Thomas and Emily were both initially silent before Thomas broke the silence by taking out of the card holder on his belt his Deck. Drawing the top three cards, Thomas revealed them to be the 'Obelisk the Tormentor', 'Slifer the Sky Dragon', and 'The Winged Dragon of Ra' Monster Cards (or 'Egyptian God' Cards).
"These are what Spencer wants." Thomas murmured.
"Didn't you vow to never use those cards outside extremely serious duels after you beat James in 'The Great International Duel Cup'?" questioned Emily.
"I did." The blue-haired boy acknowledged, looking at his three cards. "Unfortunately, I'll 'have' to use them... After all, Skiff and his parents say that something's seriously wrong with Spencer."
"But what about that prophecy? If things turn out like it says, you'll lose and Spencer will win... As a result, Spencer would be in grave danger, too."
"If there are dark forces at work, then I would want to quit the duel and escape." Thomas pointed out. "However, I highly doubt Spencer would listen to reason if he's in such a state of desperation."
"Once that duel starts, we won't know what will happen." argued Emily.
Thomas closed his eyes. "There's only one option... I have to fight, and win! I'll do anything to try and change that prophecy's prediction."
"I hope you know what you're doing..." A worried Emily thought to herself.
Here, here, Emily...
(elsewhere...)
Back at the entrance to Boxford Corp Dome, Percy, James, Edward, Axel, and Gina all ran into the building in a hurry.
(elsewhere...)
Inside the main lobby...
"This is certainly a new place." commented James. "I could've sworn Thomas was on his way to Boxford Land."
"If you're looking for Thomas and Emily, then you're a little late." echoed the voice of Skiff.
Gina and Axel both looked to nearby, watching as Skiff and his parents each walking up.
"Skiff!" gasped Gina. "And the-a Duke and-a Duchess!"
"What's going on?" questioned Edward. "Why bring Thomas and Emily both here?"
"Spencer wants to duel Thomas and take back his title." explained Mr. Gresley (Boxford).
"And Emily came with because she claims that Thomas needed her help." added Mrs. Gresley (Boxford).
"Of course... a duel..." grumbled James. "It's always a duel Spencer wants..."
"There's more to it than that." Skiff pointed out. "My Big Brother hasn't been acting like himself lately."
"How do you mean?" asked Axel.
The young boy turned to Percy, James, and Edward. "Well, do you guys remember how he was acting during the Battle City Finals?"
"How could we forget?" replied Edward. "Do you think he's gone back to that act again?"
"That's what we think..." confirmed Skiff.
Nobody else said a word about the situation. At this point, the situation with Spencer was only going to get worse - especially if the prophecy at the museum (which Thomas and Emily both know about) is right.
(elsewhere...)
Inside the dome's stadium, the lights were coming on as Spencer slowly walked towards the center of the area. Along the way, the lights started releasing beams causing holograms of different Duel Monsters to briefly appear around the silver-haired boy. Eventually, something ahead caught his eye - Thomas had finally arrived.
"So, you've arrived." Spencer thought to himself.
A flashback ensued.
FLASHBACK
Inside a testing room, Flashback Spencer had finished building another new Deck but added the newly obtained cards for a final testing. When ready, he placed the Deck onto the nearby device and watched as a simulation of the impending duel commenced.
"My final test..." Flashback Spencer thought to himself. "Will it work, this time?"
The simulation flashed on the screen. In time, it ended with Flashback Spencer's Deck coming out victorious. Satisfied with the results, Flashback Spencer laughed in triumph.
END FLASHBACK
The flashback came to an end as Spencer smirked darkly. On the upper level, James, Percy, Edward, Axel, and Gina all arrived to watch the upcoming match.
"There they are!" exclaimed Edward.
"Thomas, Emily!" Percy called out.
In another part of the area, Skiff rode an elevator into the control booth hovering above the stadium. There, the young boy activated the controls. The stadium screen, meanwhile, activated as Spencer and Thomas began their chat.
"So good of you to come, Billinton!" began Spencer. "I'm so honored you're finally here... I'll also take it you have the 'God' Cardfs in your Deck; otherwise, this duel isn't gonna be any fun, at all! No matter what, I'm going to take your title as 'King of Games' for my very own!"
"Wait!" interrupted Thomas. "Dark forces are at work on this upcoming duel... Despite that, you're still committed to dueling?"
Spencer scoffed. "More of your Occult tales?"
"It's not an Occult tale!" argued Emily. "Thomas and I know something's seriously wrong here!"
"Enough is enough!" shouted Spencer, with a wave of his right arm. "Billinton, I wanted you to bring the 'God' Cards for our duel! I only want to prove that I've outdone you with the 'Egyptian Gods' in your possession." He then looked towards the ceiling. "Skiff, seal all exits!"
Back in the control booth, Skiff felt worried on his adopted brother losing his mind yet again.
"Very well," he sighed reluctantly, pressing a button.
Before everyone in the stadium knew what was happening, the whole place was put on lockdown.
"H-Hey! What the heck?!" cried James.
"What's Spencer doing?!" demanded Percy in shock.
"Has he completely gone insane?!" put in Axel.
Back in the field below...
"You can't run away even if you wanted to, Billinton!" taunted Spencer.
Thomas frowned. "So, Spencer isn't aware of anything after all..." he thought to himself. "But even so, we might be able to nab the true identity of the evil during the match..." Finally, the blue-haired boy spoke aloud... "I'll take you on then!"
"Most intelligent thing you've said all day." teased Spencer, activating his Duel Disk. "Even if you have the power of the 'Egyptian Gods' in your Deck, and the power of the 'Supreme King' at your disposal, I'll still win!"
"If you say so." retorted Thomas. "May the best duelist win."
Spencer took his Deck out of his pocket. "I intend to... We will both insert our shuffled Decks into the Duel Disk's card holder."
Thomas activated his own Duel Disk in response. As both he and Spencer inserted their respective shuffled Decks into the device. As a result, both Life Point counters rose to 4000 a piece (LP: 4000) x2. On the upper level...
"For crying out loud, that Spencer bastard sure is persistent." complained James.
"What could he be cooking up?" put in Percy.
Edward, Gina, and Axel each remained silent on the matter. Inside the control booth, Skiff was observing everything from the computers inside the area.
"Big Brother said he got a card that can defeat the 'Gods'." The young boy thought to himself. "He's sure to win this time, but I honestly hope he loses."
Back in the duel field below...
"It's been the same outcome with my duels with you for more times than I can count." Spencer was saying. "But this will be the end." He pointed at his opponent while continuing to speak with nothing but contempt and malice in his tone. "Because when everything is said and done, you'll be completely drained and never be able to handle a card again!"
The silver-haired boy then laughed wickedly, bringing a bad chill to Thomas. Could Spencer's mind really have snapped? Did he really fall back into his old habits despite having found a new path after Battle City? That, I'm afraid, will be a mystery that'll need solving...
END OF CHAPTER 16