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 18
The Kings of Light and Darkness, Part 2
The Shining Dragon
Opening within the blue pyramid, the duel wasn't going so smoothly for poor Thomas...
"That 'Virus' Deck Spencer put together is remarkable." Thomas thought to himself, looking at his opponent's field. "I... I have to find a way to counter it, soon!"
Turn Nine: Spencer Gresley (LP: 2300)
Deck: 23
Current Hand (3): "Blue-Eyes White Dragon", "Polymerization", and "Blue-Eyes White Dragon"
CARD OF DEMISE: 4 Standby Phases Left
Spencer, meanwhile, saw that his drawn card was the third 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon' Monster Card.
"You're all here, my dragons..." he thought to himself, just before speaking aloud... "Prepare yourself, Billinton!"
On cue, the 'Polymerization' Spell Card flipped face-up and revealed itself, just before two more 'Blue-Eyes White Dragons' appeared on the field to join alongside the one already present.
"I activate the Spell Card 'Polymerization', and I'll use it to fuse all three 'Blue-Eyes White Dragons' together to Fusion Summon the dreaded... the strongest... the magnificent - 'Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon'!"
The three monsters fused together in what could possibly be Thomas's worst nightmare... In an instant, the mentioned three-headed dragon appeared on the field (Level: 12/ATK: 4500/DEF: 3800).
"The strongest monster in Spencer's whole Deck..." Thomas thought to himself. "A dragon with an Attack Power greater than even the 'Gods'..."
'Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon' leered at the weak 'Magician's Valkyria', ready to attack on command.
"Here goes! 'Ultimate Dragon', attack!" shouted Spencer, entering the Battle Phase. "NEUTRON BLAST!"
'Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon' obeyed, firing blasts from its three heads which combined into a much larger blast. 'Magician's Valkyria' bravely attempted to hold the blast back with her scepter, but instead gave a scream as the weapon broke, and she got vaporized by the superior attack. Thomas screamed in pain as more of his life-force energy drained away and Life Points dropped (LP: 1500).
"I'm... I'm sure of it, now..." Thomas weakly mumbled. "Whenever my Life Points drop, my life-force energy is depleted... This is a Shadow Game, controlled by forces of darkness..."
At the End Phase...
"As it's the end of my turn-" said Spencer, just as the spirit of 'Des Feral Imp' briefly appeared on the field before fading into oblivion. "-I'll remove 'Des Feral Imp' from my Graveyard so my 'Virus' Trap Card can remain on the field."
Outside the blue pyramid...
"Thomas's life-force energy is being depleted as he loses Life Points." said Sir Robert. "That has to be the case!"
Edward gasped. "If what you say is true, then it has to be a Shadow Game! If it continues any longer, both Thomas and Spencer could..."
The intelligent, blue-haired boy said no more so as not to upset Spencer's parents along with Skiff.
(elsewhere...)
Inside the Millennium Puzzle, Percy, James, Gina, and Axel were all cornered by the approaching mummies.
"Well, it looks like this is the end of us!" wailed James. "Goodbye, Percy!"
Percy burst into tears. "Oh, James!"
The two teenage boys started hugging each other and crying at their impending doom. Before anything else could potentially happen, a shadowed person leaped from the top of a ledge.
"Huh?" blinked Axel.
As soon as the person landed, he/she was unshadowed and revealed to be...
"Emily?!" gasped Gina.
Glaring at the mummies was Emily alright, but she was currently awakened as Anastasia (decked out in her battle outfit, that is). Without uttering a word of any kind, Emily summoned a rapier-like sword in her left hand and attacked the mummies, beating and tearing them apart with great ease. Once enough of the mummies were re-killed (or for the lack of another word), the remaining ones turned heel and ran away.
"Emily, you saved us!" praised Percy.
"Just what-a were those-a mummies doing in-a here?" pondered Gina.
Before Emily, after making her rapier-like weapon disappear, could answer, something caught her eye as she turned around. Up on the ceiling was the same eye found on the blue pyramid; it was showing a number of moments of the duel occurring seconds ago.
"Thomas is out there!" realized James.
"The duel between Thomas and Spencer's still happening." explained Emily, speaking with Anastasia's voice and accent. "Unfortunately, something's terribly wrong with Thomas."
Axel looked off the ledge and cried out when he saw something that surprised him.
"Hey!" he yelled. "L-Look down there!"
The group looked down and saw what looked like larger versions of the Millennium Puzzle and the Pyramid of Light. Several pieces of the Millenium Puzzle seemed to be broken off.
"Both the right-side-up and the upside-down pyramids collided." exclaimed Percy.
"When Spencer used that 'Pyramid of Light' card..." began Axel.
"...we all got sucked into that red eye and ended up here." finished James.
"Some-a shining walls popped-a up and-a surrounded the-a duel field." put in Gina. "And-a something similar to-a that red eye was on-a it."
"This is the work of Anubis, the Egyptian Lord of the Dead." said Emily.
"Huh? Anubis?" quizzed James. "Backup a minute... Could you tell us who the heck that is?"
"An ancient sorcerer who saw mankind as nothing more than a waste of life." explained Emily. "When the seven Millennium Items were made, he crafted the Pyramid of Light in secret so that he could use its power to destroy all mortal humans. Eventually, he was defeated by Atem, who would then go on to become Pharaoh."
"How do you-a know all of-a this?" wondered Gina. "This is-a big league-a stuff."
James then made a random guess. "I'm taking it that when you're using your powers, you suddenly gain some knowledge on certain stuff or something?"
"You could say that." Emily shrugged, deciding to go with that. "Not only that... At the museum, Thomas told me he saw a vision, but I never saw it. When I unlocked my power before trying to find you guys, I suddenly had the same vision Thomas claimed he saw... He was dueling Spencer in front of the mummy at the museum. Spencer was winning, but someone grabbed him."
A flashback ensued.
FLASHBACK
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.
END FLASHBACK
The flashback came to an end.
"There was also a prophecy..." continued Emily. "It was...'When enough light is fulfilled, the King of Destruction will be revived'."
"Enough light fulfilled?" blinked James.
"That reminds me-" Percy spoke up. "-there was a brilliant light earlier."
"The duel's become a Shadow Game, which was also part of the prophecy." Emily went on.
"What do you-a mean?" asked Gina.
"At this rate-" finished Emily seriously. "-Thomas's life is in grave danger, and we might not be able to get out of here."
"WHAT?!" Axel, Gina, Percy, and James all exclaimed in shock and dismay.
The red eye then showed moments of 'Magician's Valkyria' getting attacked and destroyed by 'Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon', and Thomas losing more life-force energy.
"What is the light?" wondered Percy.
"You must mean life-force energy." corrected Axel, noticing the stream of life-force leaving Thomas's body after he took damage.
(elsewhere...)
Inside the room Gina and Axel both visited earlier, the lead mummy inside one of the coffins was absorbed the life-force energy that was depleted from Thomas. Around the mummy's neck was the Pyramid of Light. As more life-force energy was transferred to the mummy, its body slowly bulged.
(elsewhere...)
Emily closed her eyes, trying to figure something out. Axel and Gina both looked to the dark green-haired young woman, but before they could say anything...
"I know where we have to go!" Emily finally said aloud, opening her eyes. "There's an altar room filled with coffins and mummies."
"That's the room we've been to before!" realized Axel, looking at Gina for a moment before back at Emily. "But, those mummies are..."
"We have no choice." insisted Emily. "Unless we do something, Thomas could lose his life, and we'll be trapped in this place for all eternity."
With that said, the group of teenagers (young woman in the case of Emily/Anastasia) turned and started to make their way to the chamber where Gina and Axel both discovered the sarcophagus with the mummy army and Pyramid of Light.
(elsewhere...)
Inside the blue pyramid, Thomas's body was smoking from the damage he sustained from 'Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon's' attack.
"Spencer must be losing life-force energy as his Life Points decrease." Thomas thought to himself. He then spoke aloud... "You have to be feeling the pain that I'm feeling, right now! That's because this duel's become a deadly Shadow Game!"
"Shadow Game?" grunted Spencer, frowning again.
"It started the moment you played that Trap Card!" argued Thomas. "The field's been wrapped in an evil power... That thing's an evil card! You HAVE to listen to me, Spencer... Please!"
"Can your Shadow Game crap, Billinton!" snapped Spencer. "I won't stand by and let you spout off some Occult folktale in a time like this... Just continue the duel!"
Thomas was dismayed. "Not a single cloud of doubt on his face..." he was telling himself, mentally. "Has he really not noticed any of the dark forces? The one who used Spencer to set up this duel has to be around here somewhere..."
A flashback ensued.
FLASHBACK
Several clips from earlier (the sarcophagus, the destruction of the 'Egyptian Gods', etc.) were shown as a voice was heard...
"When both Light and Dark intersect, the King of Light will destroy the Sacred Beasts of Darkness and lay waste to the King of Darkness."
(new scene...)
The Millennium Puzzle and the Pyramid of Light were both about to collide...
"When enough light is fulfilled, the King of Destruction will be reborn." The unknown voice (male) narrated.
END FLASHBACK
The flashback came to an end.
"The owner of that voice..." Thomas thought to himself. "Who does it belong to?"
"It's your turn, now!" demanded Spencer, fed up with the stalling by his opponent. "No matter how hard you struggle, you're finished on my next turn!"
"I have only less than ten cards left." continued Thomas, mentally, looking towards his Deck, which was VERY short on cards. "If I don't do something about that 'Virus' Combo, I'll lose the duel. Suppose I do get around that combo, I'd still have to deal with 'Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon' somehow."
"In despair, are we?" taunted Spencer, folding his arms smugly. "Normally, you could surrender, but I won't let you here! All I wish for is a perfect victory, and nothing else. Once your turn is over, I can take mine and defeat you once and for all... One attack by 'Blue-Eyes Ultimate' will end your dueling career, here and now!"
Thomas clenched his fist. "Spencer Gresley, once again, your ridiculously over-inflated ego blinds you to the truth!" The blue-haired boy ranted out of frustrated anger. "Instead of learning from your mistakes, you've chosen to repeat them!" He then prepared to draw a card from his Deck. "I am 'far' from beaten!"
Thomas finally drew a card in the form of a Destiny Draw.
"DRAAAAW!"
Turn Ten: Thomas Billinton (LP: 1500)
Deck: 8
Current Hand (1): "Sorcerer of Dark Magic"
After taking a couple of seconds to look at his drawn card, Thomas smiled before pointing to one of his set cards.
"Facedown card, open - 'Monster Reborn', activate!" he announced.
The mentioned Spell Card flipped face-up and revealed itself. Spencer raised an eyebrow, but didn't look concerned.
"I'll use this to Special Summon 'Dark Magician Girl' from my Graveyard!" announced Thomas. "Arise - 'Dark Magician Girl'!"
Appearing onto the field was the beautiful female Spellcaster-Type monster, and she was feeling very glad to have been rescued from the Graveyard (Level: 6/ATK: 2000/DEF: 1700).
"And now, I'll activate my other facedown card!" continued Thomas, just as his remaining facedown card flipped up and revealed itself to be... "'Sage's Stone'! If I control a face-up 'Dark Magician Girl', I can Special Summon one 'Dark Magician' from my hand or Deck!" He held another card out (which had come from his Deck). "Come forth - 'Dark Magician'!"
Much to 'Dark Magician Girl's' happiness, her purple-haired teacher appeared on the field (Level: 7/ATK: 2500/DEF: 2100). Upon motioning his arm out, "Dark Magician' caused a blast of wind to be sent out. Both 'Dark Magician' and 'Dark Magician Girl' then squared off against both 'Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon' and 'Peten the Dark Clown'.
"Big deal." dismissed Spencer. "Unless you're holding something like 'Dark Burning Magic' or 'Dark Burning Attack' in your hand, both your 'Magicians' can't do a thing to my 'Ultimate Dragon'."
"Maybe not-" said Thomas with a grin. "-but they happen to know someone who CAN."
"Huh?!"
"I offer both my magicians as a tribute!" The blue-haired boy declared, just as 'Dark Magician' and 'Dark Magician Girl' both turned magical tornadoes. "With at least two Level 6 Spellcaster-Type monsters offered, I'll Special Summon, from my hand, their most powerful ally of them all - 'Sorcerer of Dark Magic'!"
Appearing onto the field, as lightning struck around him, was a dull blonde-haired, human male Spellcaster-Type monster wearing a black outfit similar to that of 'Dark Magician's' plus a cape (Level: 9/ATK: 3200/DEF: 2800). The new monster gazed hard at the opposition with determination to avenge his defeated allies.
"And with my monster's rise to power, comes your 'Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon's' fall from grace." Thomas went on, before explaining his new monster's effect... "Why, you ask? Because when this monster battles an opponent's monster, that monster loses 500 Attack Points for each Spellcaster-Type monster in my Graveyard that was sent there from the field!" As he spoke on, the spirits of 'Dark Magician', 'Dark Magician Girl', and 'Magician's Valkyria' each appeared behind him. "And, right now, there have been three such Spellcaster monsters laid down to rest. And so, your precious 'Ultimate Dragon's' Attack Power decreases by 1500 points."
"What?!" Spencer recoiled, with his teeth clenched from shock.
The images of 'Dark Magician', 'Dark Magician Girl', and 'Magician's Valkyria' then pointed their weapons, causing them to fire a blast of magic at 'Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon'. The dragon, as it got hit, gave a roar of pain as it lost a great deal of strength (ATK: 4500 - 3000).
"Are you saying that my 'Ultimate Dragon' and your 'Sorcerer of Dark Magic' have had their power levels swapped?!" cried Spencer.
At last, the Battle Phase came...
"Here we go, Spencer!" shouted Thomas, just before giving the command... "CELESTIAL BLACK BURNING!"
'Sorcerer of Dark Magic' obeyed, firing a powerful blast of magic from his scepter that struck and shattered 'Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon'. Spencer watched helpless as shards of glass from the destruction of his favorite monster soared past him, but then grimaced in pain as he sustained Life Point damage and lost life-force energy in the process (LP: 2100).
"I end my turn." finished Thomas.
"It's my turn..." whispered Spencer, weakly drawing a card due to him being in slight pain. "Draw..."
Turn Eleven: Spencer Gresley (LP: 2100)
Deck: 22
Current Hand (1): "Monster Reborn"
CARD OF DEMISE: 3 Standby Phases Left
After seeing his drawn card...
"Damn you, Billinton... But the moment you attack 'Peten the Dark Clown', 'Grand Genocide Virus' will finish off your Deck." Spencer then spoke aloud. "I pass this turn... And I'll remove 'Familiar Knight' from the game to keep my Continuous Trap on the field!"
Thomas drew without a word...yet.
Turn Twelve: Thomas Billinton (LP: 1500)
Deck: 6
Current Hand (1): ?
From there...
"I prepare to move and attack 'Peten the Dark Clown'!" Thomas suddenly declared. "This will reduce your monster's Defense Power to zero!"
Spencer cringed in response. "He's attacking 'Peten'?!" he thought to himself, surprised. "Ridiculous... Isn't he afraid of my 'Virus' Card?"
'Sorcerer of Dark Magic' (ATK: 3200) and 'Peten the Dark Clown' (DEF: 1200 - 0) both locked gazes with one another.
"Let's go!" commanded Thomas, speaking to 'Sorceror of Dark Magic'. "CELESTIAL BLACK BURNING!"
'Sorcerer of Dark Magic' obeyed, firing a blast at 'Peten the Dark Clown', causing him to scream as he got destroyed in an instant.
"You may have destroyed my clown-" declared Spencer. "-but you seemed to have forgotten all about my 'Grand Genocide Virus'! And at a time you couldn't afford to..."
Several tentacles surged from the face-up 'Grand Genocide Virus' Trap Card towards a seemingly defenseless Thomas.
"You've disappointed me, not twice, but three times! Now your misplay is going to be your undoing, as 'Grand Genocide Virus' is going to wipe your whole Deck out!"
Suddenly, 'Sorcerer of Dark Magic' intervened and twirled his staff, causing a ring of fiery magic to destroy the tentacles, and, soon enough, the face-up 'Grand Genocide Virus' Trap Card.
"What?!" gasped Spencer.
"Sorry, Spencer-" Thomas grinned, wagging the index finger of his right hand. "-but my 'Sorcerer of Dark Magic' is a master-level priest with mystic powers unlike anything you have ever seen. His effect lets me negate the activation of any Trap Cards or their effect(s), like 'Grand Genocide Virus', and destroy them." 'Sorcerer of Dark Magic' soon eased up. "My Deck is safe and sound."
"But you're Life Points aren't any safer!" argued Spencer, drawing a card. "My turn, draw!"
Turn Thirteen: Spencer Gresley (LP: 2100)
Deck: 21
Current Hand (2): "Monster Reborn" and "Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon"
CARD OF DEMISE: 2 Standby Phases Left
Once he laid eyes on the card he had just drawn, a wicked smile came to Spencer's face as be began to slowly laugh, but another voice (male) could be heard laughing over the silver-haired boy. Thomas raised an eyebrow, but remained on the silent front. Soon enough, Spencer made a move...
"I activate 'Monster Reborn', from my hand, to Special Summon 'Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon' from my Graveyard!" he announced, just as the mentioned Spell Card materialized face-up on the field. "Be reborn - 'Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon'!"
In a burst of light, 'Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon' returned to the field.
"It won't work." Thomas pointed out. "If you attack 'Sorcerer of Dark Magic', your monster will get weakened enough to be defeated again."
"Not this time." denied Spencer. "Because, I'm now going to sacrifice my reborn 'Ultimate Dragon' to Special Summon a new monster!"
"You what?!" gasped Thomas. In his thoughts... "Spencer has something even stronger than 'Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon'? Is it even possible?"
"That's right... You see I have an even more powerful monster in my hands, compliments of Discord J. Crawford!" As Spencer spoke, 'Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon's' whole body started cracking like an egg about to hatch. "My shining dragon, decimator of all, which can only be summoned through my ultimate monster!"
In an instant, 'Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon' shattered, causing a blinding light to fill the whole field/pyramid.
"Appear before me - 'BLUE-EYES SHINING DRAGON'!"
As the light dimmed, there standing on the field before Thomas and his field all was a new, modernized version of 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon'. Its head was sharp and angular, and glowing designs define the edges of its wings, the segments of its armored body, and decorate its head; the new dragon let out a roar like no other (Level: 10/ATK: 3000/DEF: 2500). Outside the pyramid...
"What is that?!" gasped Sir Robert.
"Could it be? A card not even I've seen before?" wondered Edward.
"Could it also be the card Spencer obtained from Discord?" added Mrs. Gresley (Boxford).
Back inside the pyramid, Spencer let loose another evil laugh.
"This is 'Blue-Eyes's' final evolutionary form!" he declared.
"Final evolutionary form, you say?" asked Thomas, before shaking his head. "Unfortunately for you and your monster, 'Sorcerer of Dark Magic' has the greater amount of Attack Power!"
"As you can see, 'Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon' gains 300 Attack Points for every Dragon-Type monster in my Graveyard!" Spencer pointed out, just as images of three 'Blue-Eyes White Dragons', 'Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon', and 'Rare Metal Dragon' were all briefly shown. "There are five Dragon-Type monsters in the Graveyard, so that's 1500 extra Attack Points in total!"
'Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon' grew even stronger (ATK: 3000 - 4500).
"But, if you attack 'Sorcerer of Dark Magic'-" reminded Thomas. "-his effect will simply reduce your monster's Attack Power by 1500 points!"
Images of 'Dark Magician', 'Dark Magician Girl', and 'Magician's Valkyria' each appeared before 'Sorcerer of Dark Magic' and charged their weapons.
"I don't think so!" interrupted Spencer. "Go! SHINING FLARE!"
'Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon' unleashed a breath attack in retaliation. To Thomas's shock, the spirits of 'Dark Magician', 'Dark Magician Girl', and 'Magician's Valkyria' each got hit, recoiled, and faded away. Not only that, 'Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon's' Attack Power remained unfazed (ATK: 4500).
"What?! What's happened to my monster's effect?!" demanded the shocked Thomas.
"The player is allowed to choose whether to be effected by Monster Effects, Spells, and Traps." explained Spencer, much to his opponent's dismay. "Do you see? 'Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon' symbolizes my strength! All those who stand in my way will be destroyed!" Finally, the Battle Phase came... "Take this! SHINING BURST!"
'Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon' took to the skies and fired another powerful blast of bluish energy. 'Sorcerer of Dark Magic' tried his hardest to withstand the attack, but was destroyed in a matter of seconds.
"AAAAAUUUUUGGGGGHHHHH!" Thomas screamed in agonizing pain.
"Take this... TAKE THIS!" howled Spencer, laughing wickedly.
To make things even worse, Thomas's Life Points dropped to dangerously low levels (LP: 200). When the smoke cleared, Thomas was motionless on his feet as more and more of his life-force energy drained away.
"I..." Thomas tried to say, but only cough up blood as a result. "E-mi..."
Finally, he collapsed facedown onto the ground.
(elsewhere...)
The light coming from within the Boxford Corp Dome grew stronger and stronger.
(elsewhere...)
Inside the duel arena, the viewers were in shock.
"Thomas!" called Edward.
"Don't give in!" put in Sir Robert.
The blue pyramid, however, was glowing more blue and powerful as the clouds in the sky grew dark and thunder/lightning started striking. Not only that, the ceiling of the building was also being to cave in even more, while the control booth finally broke apart and started to fall. The pieces of the booth fell onto the blue pyramid. Even worse? The ground also started to break apart.
"We have to get out of here!" cried Edward.
"Then grab on!" called a familiar voice (male).
A rope ladder suddenly dropped, and it was coming from...a helicopter. Standing by the opened hatch, was Discord J. Crawford!
"Discord?" gasped Mr. and Mrs. Boxford (Gresley) both in surprise.
"Hurry!" called out Carlie, who then showed herself (along with James R.).
"We have to get you guys out of here!" added James R..
The group down below was surprised, but their surprise quickly wore off as the ground continued to collapse. And so, everyone climbed the ladder. Soon enough, everyone was safely aboard.
(inside...)
Within the helicopter...
"Discord, what are you and the others doing here?" questioned Skiff curiously. "Not that I'm not grateful for the rescue or anything, but you did show up so suddenly."
"We have to stop this duel immediately." said Matt, who entered the scene (along with Michael).
"Spencer-boy carried off two cards in our Ante Rule duel." explained Discord. "However, the only card I created was 'Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon'."
"The other is an evil card created by forces of darkness, so it's not one of our Dad's cards." added Michael. "The 'Pyramid of Light' card Spencer took was created by an evil lord who wants to destroy all life on planet Earth."
There was silence from the people who were rescued.
"We did some research." Michael shrugged.
"This Pyramid of Light is the embodiment of the very nightmare I've had." frowned Discord. "I didn't even drink any wine before bed."
"So, it was just as I thought..." whispered Sir Robert, looking out the helicopter door.
"How are we supposed to stop them?" asked Edward. "Our voices won't even reach the inside of the pyramid."
The helicopter flew above the pyramid's red eye. Edward gazed long and hard at the eye, but soon saw something within it much to his shock...
"Is that...?!"
(elsewhere...)
Back inside the Millennium Puzzle, Emily (still in the form of Anastasia) was leading Percy, James, Axel, and Gina to the altar chamber, but she soon collapsed to her knees as if she was in pain or something.
"Emily!" cried Gina, who was the first to notice.
"What's wrong?!" put in James.
"I...can feel Thomas growing weaker..." Emily, wrapping her arms around herself, shivered weakly. "It's almost as if he's dying."
Suddenly, the group looked above and saw a stream if life-force energy going somewhere.
"I have an idea! Maybe if we follow that-" Percy suggested. "-it will lead us to Anubis."
Emily slowly returned to her feet, while Gina tried to help her friend stand again.
"Are you-a going to be-a okay, Emily?" The brown-haired Italian girl asked with concern.
"We must press on." panted Emily. "With his Life Points running dangerously low, Thomas needs us more than ever before!"
Pressing on and following the stream of energy, the group soon arrived back at the room where Gina and Axel first found the mummies. The coffins were mostly empty, but the main sarcophagus at the top of the steps was absorbing the life-force energy. Actually, scratch that. The Pyramid of Light inside the coffin was absorbing the energy for the mummy also inside.
"Now by engulfing the King of Light-" The unknown voice (male) echoed. "-the King of Destruction shall be reborn! And then, I shall send that detestable Pharaoh's descendant to his grave!"
"That light from before was being sucked into the pyramid on the altar." realized Emily. "That thing sucks the life out of people."
"It's the source of the dark forces here?" asked Axel.
James cracked his knuckles. "In that case, all we have to do is bust that thing up!"
"Foolish mortals!" The unknown voice (male) bellowed. "There is nothing you can do to stop my rebirth. I have infiltrated the realm of the Pharaoh of Darkness."
On cue, more and more mummies started emerging from the doorways near the altar, along with the unopened coffins. Soon, the group got surrounded.
"S-Scratch that." gulped James. "There are mummies everywhere..."
"May all five of you become sacrifices to this dark ritual as well..." taunted the unknown voice (male).
"The voice from before..." whispered Emily.
The unknown voice (male) chuckled. "The moment both Light and Dark collide, light grows full..." While speaking on, various images of monsters battling humanity were shown before the eyes of the group down below. "And then, by engulfing the King of Light, the King of Destruction shall be reborn! You must perish, Pharaoh of Darkness!"
The group was speechless by what they were seeing (and hearing).
"The King of Destruction shall descend forth with the ultimate light... and shall fill this world with the light of destruction!"
"Not if we have anything to say about it!" declared Axel.
"Yeah!" agreed Percy. "We'll make sure that Thomas doesn't lose!"
"This duel is a ritual between the Kings of Light and Dark to resurrect the King of Destruction..." The unknown voice (male) pointed out. "The King of Destruction shall eliminate the dark, eliminate all impure, and eliminate all filth!" He then spoke directly to Emily... "'Supreme Queen', you stand but mere presence of the light. You and the Pharaoh of Darkness shall be consigned to oblivion!"
"That will never happen!" refused Emily, taking a step forth. "Light cannot exist without darkness! Without chaos, there would be no order!"
"Emily, what are you doing?" demanded James, unsure of what Emily was planning to do.
"I'll handle the Pyramid of Light." The dark green-haired young woman offered. "You guys get out of here while you still can."
A quick flashback ensued...
FLASHBACK
The four teenagers (Percy, James, Axel, and Gina) and young adult (Emily/Anastasia) were all looking up at a red-looking eye. It was showing clips of the duel going on outside the Millennium Puzzle.
END FLASHBACK
The flashback came to an end.
"I'm sure that red eye is connected to the outside world." Emily went on. "I think you can get out of here through there."
"Emily, that's crazy!" objected Axel.
"Just go, you guys!"
"Forget-a it; there is-a no way we are-a leaving you." argued Gina. "we are-a friends!"
"As the 'Supreme Queen', I vow to use my power to destroy the evil in this land!" Emily pointed out, reminding her friends of her title. "I will not allow my friends to get hurt because of me!"
(elsewhere...)
The red eye finished showing the clips, and Edward's eyes went empty and dull as he stood up.
"Edward, what're you doing?!" demanded Michael. "Sit back down!"
Alas, Edward ignored the order... It looked like he was preparing to jump out of the helicopter to the glowing red eye below.
"Edward..." whispered Discord.
Before long, the eye started sucking up whatever was gazing at it. Edward started to fall, but was grabbed by Sir Robert and James R. just in the nick of time. This, however, did not save Edward's soul from being separated from the body.
"Hold on, guys!" The spirit of Edward called out. "Help is on the way!"
Before long, he entered the red eye. Back aboard the helicopter, Edward's body was laid onto the floor.
"What do you think happened?" asked Carlie.
"Must be the work of that pyramid." figured James R..
(elsewhere...)
Inside a dimension, Edward was grimacing as he struggled to make his way to where his friends were. Finally, he let out a determined cry of power.
(elsewhere...)
Inside the blue pyramid...
"Thomas, Spencer, you both must stop dueling! This is a Shadow Game!" The voice of Edward echoed.
"Edward?" whispered Spencer, seeing the light in the sky.
Thomas, meanwhile, slowly regained consciousness. "Edward...?"
(elsewhere...)
Inside the Millennium Puzzle's hidden altar chamber, the group was looking up at the ceiling, where Edward currently was.
"Edward!" called James.
"Nice of you to be here!" added Axel.
"Did you really think I was going to stand around and do nothing while my friends were put in danger?" asked Edward, obviously knowing the answer.
"No way!" smiled Percy. "We're all friends here! Nothing will change that!"
"Somebody messes with one of us, then that guy has to mess with all of us!" put in James.
(elsewhere...)
Back within the blue pyramid...
"This 'Pyramid of Light' card wasn't created by Discord!" The voice of Edward continued speaking. "Someone used Spencer to set this Shadow Game up!"
Thomas weakly looked up, but Spencer simply scowled in response.
(elsewhere...)
Back inside the Millennium Puzzle's hidden altar chamber...
"We have to hurry." Edward was saying. "We have to stop the duel before it's too late."
Suddenly, the intelligent, blue-haired boy felt himself get zapped and pulled away as the unknown voice (male) chuckled darkly at the scene.
"The ritual between Light and Dark can no longer be stopped." The voice (male) taunted. "The Pyramid of Light cannot be destroyed until it fills this world with light!"
With a cry of pain, Edward soon became solid... causing him to slowly fall towards the pool of mummies below.
"EDWARD!" Percy and the likes called out in shock.
Just as it seemed hopeless for Edward, he, while slowly lowering to the ground, kicked swiftly, knocking two mummies away! Nearby with Emily, Percy, James, Gina, and Axel...
"'I' could do that if I wanted to." muttered James, looking somewhat impressed.
But more mummies surrounded Edward, who started panicking immediately from terror.
"Help!" wailed Edward. "I can't fight these guys - somebody help me, please!"
James sweatdropped. "And we're wondering why he got an D in Physical Education..."
"Well, what are we standing around here for?!" questioned Percy. "Let's take these mummies!"
Before long, James, Percy, Gina, Axel, and Emily all charged into battle. Percy quickly tackled a mummy away from Edward, while Axel grabbed one by the arm and slammed it onto the ground. James, meanwhile, slammed his foot into a mummy's stomach and grossly impaled it.
"Gross..." The red-haired boy groaned. He then freaked out when another mummy grappled him from behind. "G-Get off of me!"
Emily, still empowered with Anastasia's power, happened to be the most ruthless in the fight—she was taking down and tearing the mummies apart like they were nothing compared to her. Gina, meanwhile, was trying to actually avoid using violence—well, at least until...
"Huh?" The brown-haired Italian girl peeped, feeling something slimy on the seat of her jeans. She looked to her right, and saw something that really made her gasp in shock and turn red in the face. "Wha-?!"
One of the mummy had gone and...grabbed at her clothed butt. Gina was both freaked out (mummies are scary, after all) and disgusted (she absolutely despised being sexually harassed) by the action from a member of the undead army; it was to the point she got boiling mad over it (rightfully so, mind you)...
"MALEDETTO PERVERTITO!" Gina shrieked in Italian, before going absolutely postal on the mummy.
The mummy in-question was soon a gross-looking mess on the floor. Axel, who was fighting another mummy, took the time to see his lovely Italian girlfriend tear the mummy apart with her bare hands, but he immediately went back to fighting when two more mummies came at him.
"These guys just keep coming!" The purple-haired Belgian boy complained.
Gina soon teamed up with Emily in battling the mummies, with both girls showing some serious 'Girl Power'. Finally, after what seemed like minutes of fighting the undead, the group got themselves surrounded by the mummies.
"Damn!" groaned James. "There's too many!"
"Ha ha ha ha ha! My servants, make their graves in a world of darkness!" The unknown voice (male) commanded with a booming laugh.
"No doubt about it..." said Emily, looking up at the altar. "We have to deal with the pyramid on the altar!"
Like that was gonna be easy with mummies preventing you from approaching.
(elsewhere...)
Back in the pyramid, Thomas was still trying to get back to his feet.
"I end my turn." finished Spencer. "Don't look forward to a next turn. You'll lose by being unable to battle. If you don't continue to duel, that is."
Thomas slowly found the strength to get back to his feet.
"This is a Shadow Game!" echoed Edward's voice within Thomas's head. "Shadow Game... Shadow Game..."
A vision ensured...
VISION
Inside the altar chamber, Percy, James, Axel, Gina, and Emily were all battling mummies, despite being greatly outnumbered by them.
"Everyone... I understand..." Thomas narrated. "Everyone's lending me their strength..."
END VISION
The vision ended.
"I won't lose... For my friends' sake, I will fight on..." The blue-haired boy thought to himself. He then spoke aloud... "Spencer, you heard what Edward said, yes?!"
Spencer scoffed. "Get on with the duel, Billinton!" he demanded. "I don't intend on dealing with your tales on Shadow Games and whatnot!"
"I have no choice..." Thomas sighed in defeat, drawing a card. "Draw!"
Turn Fourteen: Thomas Billinton (LP: 200)
Deck: 5
Current Hand (2): ? and "Big Shield Gardna"
On cue, the 'Big Shield Gardna' Monster Card materialized on the field (sideways).
"I Summon 'Big Shield Gardna' in defense mode!"
Appearing on the field was the warrior with the large shield (Level: 4/ATK: 100/DEF: 2600).
"I end my turn." finished Thomas.
"No matter what card it is, it's helpless before my 'Shining Dragon'." taunted Spencer, who then drew a card. "My turn, draw!"
Turn Fifteen: Spencer Gresley (LP: 2100)
Deck: 20
Current Hand (1): "Return from the Different Dimension"
CARD OF DEMISE: 1 Standby Phases Left
Spencer's smile grew wider and eviler when he saw his drawn 'Return from the Different Dimension' Trap Card.
"It's finally here... With this card, I'll be able to surmount the 'God' Cards and stand atop the apex of Duel Monsters!" The silver-haired boy thought to himself. From there, he slotted the card into his Duel Disk, causing a facedown card to materialize on the field. "I set one card... Now, my duel is complete! This will be my perfect victory, and your perfect defeat..."
Thomas scowled in response, while Spencer entered the Battle Phase...
"Here I come! 'Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon', get rid of that eyesore of a monster!"
(elsewhere...)
With the helicopter, the aerial vehicle soared over the ruined dome. It was then, Mr. Gresley (Boxford) spotted something down below in the rafters...
"I see the bodies of Percy, James, Gina, and Axel down there!" he announced.
"Get us down there." Matt, who also spotted the bodies, said to the pilot.
"Yes, sir." obeyed the pilot.
The helicopter started to land.
(elsewhere...)
Back inside the pyramid, 'Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon' started to attack the enemy monster.
"SHINING BURST!" screamed Spencer.
'Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon' obeyed, firing another blast that vaporized 'Big Shield Gardna' on contact despite his best efforts to withstand it. Thomas braced himself, while Spencer smiled with satisfaction.
"You're safe for now... But tell me, how long do you intend to keep running away with defensive monsters?" The silver-haired boy asked mockingly. "Your resistance is futile!"
Thomas smirked in response. "It's not futile..." he retorted. "Even if I'm down to one card in my whole Deck, I'll always find a way to even the odds."
"A pathetic sight..." hissed Spencer crossly. "Such a pathetic sight! I've never been so embarrassed with myself in my life!" He pointed at his opponent with malice. "To think I recognized the likes of you as a rival! It makes my blood boil with rage! I end my turn..."
"It's my turn!" declared Thomas, drawing a card. "Draw!"
Turn Sixteen: Thomas Billinton (LP: 200)
Deck: 4
Current Hand (2): ? and "Pot of Greed"
On cue, the 'Pot of Greed' Spell Card flipped face-up and revealed itself.
"I activate 'Pot of Greed'! Using it, I can draw two more cards." continued Thomas, adding two cards to his hand. "And I'll use both of them immediately!"
On cue, the monster known as 'Watapon' appeared on the field (Level: 1/ATK: 200/DEF: 300).
"First, I'll Special Summon 'Watapon' in defense mode! This monster can be Special Summoned if I add it to my hand by the power outside of a Normal Draw." As Thomas spoke on, the 'Obnoxious Celtic Guardian' Monster Card materialized face-up on the field (sideways). "From there, I'll Normal Summon 'Obnoxious Celtic Guardian' in defense mode!"
The elf swordsman appeared on the field in a defensive stance (Level: 4/ATK: 1400/DEF: 1200).
"I end my turn." finished Thomas.
"So, let me see if I've got this right..." retorted Spencer, not looking impressed at all. "You're playing a cream puff, and an elf? Well then, it's your funeral!"
With that said, he drew a card and took his turn.
Turn Seventeen: Spencer Gresley (LP: 2100)
Deck: 19
Current Hand (1): "Spear Dragon"
CARD OF DEMISE: Now
His drawn card was the 'Spear Dragon' Monster Card.
"It's been five Standby Phases since I've activated 'Card of Demise'." continued Spencer, sending his hand to the Graveyard. "Now, I must discard my newly drawn 'Spear Dragon' to the Graveyard. But that's a good thing, but 'Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon' gains 300 more Attack Points due to a Dragon-Type monster being in the Graveyard."
'Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon' grew stronger (ATK: 4500 - 4800).
"This will be your last turn, Billinton!" The silver-haired boy ranted, just as a new voice (male) unknowingly joined in. "All I want to hear from you is your anguished cry of defeat."
"Spencer, please listen to me!" begged Thomas, wanting to get through to his rival.
Spencer, unhappy over being interrupted again, growled. "What is it, now?"
"I'm begging you to put an end to this madness!" Thomas tried to argue. "You have to before it's too late!"
"Again, with this Shadow Game bullcrap..." sighed Spencer. "I'm not in the mood for it, Billinton!"
Back outside of the pyramid, the remaining group began setting the bodies of the unconscious teenagers against the wall.
"People are getting hurt." continued Thomas. "Lives are in danger, and this 'Pyramid of Light' you've created is the source of it all! There's a dark power in our midst, and you can't deny it! With every Life Point lost, we both become weaker until we die. I just know you can feel it, because I also know you're being used... We have to stop this duel, before it's too late to turn back!"
Spencer recoiled, before looking up at the railing, where Skiff, along with their parents, stood.
"Please, stop this, Big Brother!" begged Skiff.
"We know you're better than this!" put in Mrs. Gresley (Boxford).
"Give up the duel for your family!" finished Mr. Gresley (Boxford).
"You have to understand, Spencer..." insisted Thomas. "Please, do this for your friends and loved ones..."
Silence... Inside Spencer's head...
"Spencer Gresley..." echoed the unknown voice (male). "Thou art befit to be the King of Light... Send the Pharaoh of Darkness to his doom... Do so, and thou shall be able to put everything into thuy possession."
"We had a bit of an interruption, Billinton." Spencer declared, snapping out of 'his' thoughts. "But with that over, let's continue with the duel."
"Even a duelist of your skills can't fight off the forces of darkness?" demanded Thomas. "Have you been put in those forces' clutches?" When his opponent said nothing in response, the blue-haired boy tried one last idea... "Alright, Spencer, if you're going to kill me to satisfy your vengeance and desire to become 'King of Games', let me ask you something... What would 'she' think of you if she were here watching, right now?"
Spencer blinked at what was just said. "'She'?" he quizzed, easing up. "Just who are you referring to?"
"You know exactly whom I'm referring to." said Thomas seriously. "I'm referring to Maiden with Eyes of Blue, one of your two Duel Spirits! If she were here, would she approve of what you're doing?!"
"Maiden...with Eyes of...Blue..." whispered Spencer, feeling like somebody belted him in the stomach.
"Yes, Maiden with Eyes of Blue!"
The silver-haired boy became quiet for a moment, thinking about his Duel Spirit... Would she really be proud of what he was doing? Chances are, she would not be happy at all. As a matter of fact, Spencer hasn't seen Maiden with Eyes of Blue since the end of 'The Great International Duel Cup'...
"Spencer..." Thomas gently called out. "You know that deep down, this is wrong. Please, just give up the duel and save us both... Do it for your Mother, Father, and younger brother—and do it for Maiden with Eyes of Blue..."
Within Spencer's head, there were a lot of thoughts going through his mind... Currently, Spencer was lost in thought; should he quit the duel and such, or should he continue it and claim the title of 'King of Games'...by killing Thomas? Maiden with Eyes of Blue would never forgive him for doing that.
"I... I can't..." Spencer mumbled weakly, finally realizing what he was about to do.
The unknown voice (male) spoke up. "What are you doing?!" he demanded. "Attack! You can win the duel with 'Shining Dragon'!"
"No!" Spencer mentally argued. "Winning this way is wrong! I want to win my own way - with Billinton's 'Egyptian God' Monsters!"
"If you defeat the King of Darkness now, you'll be forever famous in this modern world!" The unknown voice (male) insisted. "Your name will go down in history for generations!"
"I don't care!" Spencer mentally hissed. "I'd rather be remembered as a second rate duelist than to be remembered as a murderer! With my strategy, I'll win without any blood on my hands."
"Spencer... Spencer... Help me, please..." The voice of Maiden with Eyes of Blue echoed.
Spencer became surprised. "Maiden with Eyes of Blue..." he whispered once more. "It's..."
"Don't listen to that voice, she's held your true power back!" The unknown voice (male) interrupted. "Attack and defeat the Pharaoh of Darkness, now! Do so, and thy desires shall all come true..."
"No... I..."
"Now! Defeat the Pharaoh of Darkness, and become the King of Light!" commanded the unknown voice (male). "All you must do is say to yourself that you will become King!"
"Shut up!" demanded Spencer, mentally. "I won't murder someone just to become famous! I respect Billinton as my rival, and as a friend..."
Thomas became worried for his opponent; it would seem Spencer was now in a similar situation he (Thomas) was in during their duel in San Francisco.
"Spencer..." murmured Thomas, growing worried. "Don't do something you'll forever regret..."
At long last, Spencer shook his head and made a decision...
"Billinton, I'm ending this lousy duel...in the only way possible..." The silver-haired boy began, before announcing his next action... "I activate 'Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon's' final ability! The attack - Shining Nova!"
The dragon took to the skies and roared as it began to glow with an extreme amount of power.
"By sacrificing itself-" explained Spencer. "-my dragon can destroy any one card on the field at my choosing." He pointed towards the face-up 'Pyramid of Light' Trap Card. "I choose to destroy...'Pyramid of Light'!"
"What?!" gasped Thomas in surprise. "You're destroying 'Pyramid of Light'?!"
Spencer ignored the comment. "'Pyramid of Light' is a dark card from the dark forces? I'm being used by the dark forces? This isn't what I wanted to do... I want to win with the strategy I've planned at the start... In that case, I'll destroy this unsighted trap with my own hands!" He finally spoke aloud... "I won't let some dark force manipulate me into doing what it wants... I'll win with my own power! I'll destroy this Trap Card for Skiff... my Father... my Mother... and for Maiden with Eyes of Blue!" At last, the silver-haired boy finally gave the command... "'Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon', offer your life and destroy 'Pyramid of Light'... SHINING NOVA!"
'Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon' obeyed, creating a powerful burst as it roared one last time and exploded. Thomas and his monsters had to brace themselves so as not to be blown away. Would this successfully destroy the 'Pyramid of Light' Trap Card and save everybody? Stay tuned for the answer!
To Be Continued!
End of Chapter 18