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. 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: These stories are rated either T (13-plus) or M for moments of violence, bloody moments, frightening moments, and some suggestive themes. Viewer discretion may be (or strongly is) advised.
Title: Enter the Shadows, Part 3
Opening up on the blimp, the duel between Thomas and Montague raged on, and the latter was holding his drawn card up, but no one but him knew what it was.
"I don't like the looks of this," muttered James R. nervously.
"I bet he's bluffing," scoffed Michael.
"It's no bluff," said Matt seriously, "I can tell."
Back on the platform…
"Too bad for you, Thomas! I praise you for pushing me this far into a corner… but your defiance will now come to an end!" boasted Montague.
Thomas scowled.
"Prepare yourself," threatened Montague, before placing his drawn card ('Jowgen the Spiritualist') onto a Monster Zone on his Duel Disk, "I Summon 'Jowgen the Spiritualist'!"
The 'Jowgen the Spiritualist' Monster Card materialized face-up on the field, and appearing on the was a male Spellcaster monster wearing white and purple robes appeared (Level: 3/ATK: 200/DEF: 1300).
"That's the monster you claim will turn things around?" Thomas blinked, looking and sounding a fair bit confused, "But he only has 200 ATK!"
Below the platform…
"'Jowgen'? He doesn't look all that special," observed James.
"Phew! That's a relief," sighed Henry, "It means Thomas has nothing to worry about."
"Wrong," came from Edward, bringing the eyes of Henry and James over, "He has plenty to worry about."
"What do you mean?" asked Mavis, looking at her intelligent friend.
"'Jowgen' may have a low ATK, but his special ability is what Montague is relying on," said Edward seriously.
On the platform, Thomas overheard the conversation between Edward and everyone else.
"I'm afraid your friend is right!" The voice of Montague called out, getting Thomas's attention. He then took a card from his hand, "I activate 'Jowgen's' special effect!" He sent the card ('The Earl of Demise') to the GY, "I can discard 1 random card from my hand to the GY; I must destroy all Special Summoned monsters on the field!"
Below the platform…
"That means-!" realized Percy.
"Because he Special Summoned it with 'Monster Reborn', 'Dark Necrofear' will be destroyed!" acknowledged Lady, "But if Montague destroys 'Dark Necrofear', 'Dark Sanctuary' will…!"
On the platform…
"It's time! Because you used 'Monster Reborn' to revive her, it means I can destroy 'Dark Necrofear'!" laughed Montague, "Now go, Jowgen!" As he gave the command to attack, 'Jowgen the Spiritualist' twirled his staff about, "Destroy 'Dark Necrofear'!"
'Jowgen the Spiritualist' obeyed, raised his staff up, and fired off magical energy, destroying 'Dark Necrofear' on contact.
"'Dark Necrofear' has returned to Montague's GY!" fretted Thomas.
"That can't be good…" gulped Gordon.
On cue, as 'Dark Necrofear' lowered into the cemetery with her puppet, the power of the 'Dark Sanctuary' Spell Card (darkness and creepy eyes) all reappeared and surrounded the field and blimp. Montague was having a laugh riot over his advantage returning in force.
"Now that 'Dark Necrofear' is once again buried on my side, the effect of the Field Spell, 'Dark Sanctuary', will return!" rejoiced Montague, "So I can now play up to ten Spell and Trap Cards again!"
Below the platform…
"Oh God, this weird field has come back!" complained Mavis.
"Mavis, this isn't the time to be scared," scolded Lady, "Thomas is going to lose next turn!"
"Thomas…" worried Liz.
"Tommy…" came from Emily.
"Hey, don't worry, you two!" cut in Percy, trying to remain strong, "One turn is plenty of time for Thomas to turn things around," He (Percy) kept his gaze on Thomas, "He's done it plenty of times before!"
Back on the platform, Thomas grimaced in worry.
"And to keep my ultimate card out," continued Montague, "I'll Tribute 'Jowgen the Spiritualist'!" 'Jowgen the Spiritualist' vanished in a blue streak, "And now, you also know what will happen."
The ghost spirit reappeared, much to everyone's discomfort.
"Ugh… Not that freaky ghost again," groaned James.
The ghost circled around Thomas's three female monsters, deciding on who to possess this time.
"Thomas, you can't break my combo," reminded Montague, as he looked up at the Ouija board belonging to his 'Destiny Board' Trap Card, "At the end of your turn, the remaining letter, 'L' will be brought out, completing the word 'Final' and rewarding me with victory," He then held up one more card, "But I know you will try to stop me with an attack, so I'll Set one card face-down."
He placed the card onto an empty Monster Zone on his Duel Disk, causing the Set card to materialize on the field near his feet.
"I end my turn," concluded Montague, and then smiled sadistically, "Hey, I'll even tell you what my card is… It's another copy of 'Dark Spirit of the Silent'!"
"'Another' 'Dark Spirit of the Silent'?!" Thomas gasped.
"Correct," confirmed Montague, "No matter which monster you choose, the possessed monster will be forced to attack me," He grinned wickedly at his unavoidable victory, "But you're welcome to try!"
Thomas growled, knowing the terrible situation he was in. This was his very last turn. Montague could see the look on his opponent's face and cackled madly.
"Do you understand now, Thomas?" he hollered wickedly, "No matter what you do, you have no chance of defeating me. I've boxed you in! My victory is all but guaranteed!"
Below the platform, Liz looked over to her little brother.
"Are you really sure that Thomas is going to win this turn, Percy?" The blonde-haired young woman asked with concern.
"Of course, I'm sure!" reaffirmed Percy, "There's nothing that can break Thomas's dueling spirit. He'll pull through like he always does," He spoke aloud to his best friend, "Come on, Thomas! You can't let a little something like this get you!"
"You can do it!" added Lady, "By winning, we'll be a step closer to fighting each other in the finals!"
"We're all with you!" Emily threw in.
On the platform, Thomas was thinking about the situation. Despite his friends' encouragement, he didn't seem to think he could win.
"With 'Dark Sanctuary' back," Thomas thought to himself, "one of my monsters will be possessed. And thanks to 'The Dark Door', only one can attack a turn. But even if I attack with a monster that's not possessed, Montague's Trap Card will make the monster that IS possessed attack instead, and then I'll end up losing the duel. And if I do pass the turn, then Montague can complete 'Destiny Board' and declare an automatic win," He then looked at his hand, which contained 'Card Destruction', 'Berfomet', and 'De-Fusion', "And, right now, nothing in my hand can help me. But there's one card in my Deck that can help make the impossible possible… Even if I'm lucky enough to draw it though, it may be too dangerous to play. Then again, what choice do I have?"
Montague cackled again, "You have no chance at winning!" he mocked in delight, "Your friends can cheer and cheer until they're blue in the face, but it 'still' won't help you!"
"Tch!" uttered Thomas, before looking at his Deck one more time, "The card I need, 'God', is in my Deck," He started envisioning several of the remaining cards in his Deck, their backs facing him, spinning about until one particular card began glowing in a golden light—the one card he needed to turn the tables on this duel. He began reaching for his Deck when suddenly, his arm froze just as his fingertips were in reach. It would seem another thought was coming to him. And it was 'not' a good one. "But…what if it all goes wrong?"
A vision ensued.
VISION
As Vision Thomas drew the card he needed, he held it high as a huge bolt of lightning struck the field.
"Let's say I do succeed in drawing and Summoning 'Slifer the Sky Dragon'," narrated Thomas, as the full body of 'Slifer the Sky Dragon' materialized from the lightning, "What if it goes out of control? What if it decides that helping us save the world is beneath it, and decides to do away with the humans who tried to restrain it? And what if I can't stop it?"
Suddenly, without any warning, 'Slifer the Sky Dragon', having deemed Vision Thomas unworthy to control it, became enraged and began firing many powerful Summon Thunder Bullets from its second mouth randomly across the blimp despite Vision Thomas's desperate cries for it to stop.
"Everyone on board could be seriously hurt," continued Thomas, "Or worse…"
END VISION
The vision ended, and Thomas remained unsure. His hand was frozen in its place, just barely within reach of his Deck. It was almost like during his first duel against Spencer, only 'this' time, it was his genuine fear of failing everyone that was holding him back, rather than fear of losing. But there was something 'else' that seemed to be on his mind, too.
"And the monsters I have out right now are my friends…" Thomas was saying, mentally, looking at 'Dark Magician Girl', 'Queen's Knight', and 'Magician's Valkyria' one-by-one, "Getting rid of them just to win in a desperate situation like this would make me seem selfish and cruel—especially towards poor 'Dark Magician Girl'."
Thomas remembered during his (Thomas) duel with Strings, 'Slifer the Sky Dragon' managed to terrify 'Dark Magician Girl' with its devastating power before destroying her with Thunder Force. The last thing Thomas wanted was to make her re-live that fear by using her to Tribute Summon the very creature that terrified her so badly in the first place. Not knowing what to do, he closed his eyes as he tried to work up the courage to draw a card.
(elsewhere…)
Suddenly, in the darkness of his mind, Thomas felt something warm and soft on his hand. He opened his eyes and saw that the spirits of his three monsters had either floated ('Dark Magician Girl' and 'Magician's Valkyria') or walked ('Queen's Knight') over and placed their own hands over his while giving a kind, reassuring smile—especially since 'Magician's Valkyria' rarely smiled.
"Huh? What are you all-?" stammered Thomas.
"We understand the terrible situation you're in, Thomas," said Queen's Knight, speaking in a British accent, "But we do not mind what you have to do. Besides, deep down, we know that this is something you absolutely must do."
"If we are to be offered in order to stop Montague, then so be it," added Magician's Valkyria, "We will not consider you selfish nor cruel for doing so."
"Besides," Dark Magician Girl spoke up, winking, "know that we'll always be there with you no matter what," She then became uncomfortable, "Although…"
"I know," The voice of Thomas interrupted, causing Dark Magician Girl to stop talking. He smiled gently, "When Marik used 'Slifer' to attack you after our initial attempt to win failed, you were scared and helpless against it."
"I'm still rather uneasy about that dragon-like 'God'," admitted Dark Magician Girl, before brushing it off, "However… I'm willing to put my fears to the side in order to keep our friends and the innocent people of this world safe," As she finished speaking, Thomas listened while looking a little stunned, "If 'I' can face my fears… then so can 'you'."
Hearing that made Thomas nodded while closing his eyes and feeling a little better.
(elsewhere…)
Back in the real world…
"Thank you," said Thomas softly, and then opened his eyes fiercely whilst speaking aloud to Montague, "Prepare to face a force like none you've ever faced before!"
Montague merely grunted a response.
"Come on, Heart of the Cards!" thought Thomas.
Finally, he drew his card, slashing a colorful wave from his Deck in the process (Destiny Draw).
Turn Sixteen: Thomas Billinton (LP: 750)
Deck: 47
Current Hand (4): "Card Destruction", "Berfomet", "De-Fusion", and "Slifer the Sky Dragon"
Without looking at the card, the look in Thomas's eyes intensified. Suddenly, thunderbolts started thundering down around the duel platform, making Montague cry out in surprise. Below the platform, the audience was just as surprised to say the least.
"Sure is weird weather we're having," commented James, although he truly had no idea.
Back on the platform, Thomas held up his drawn card.
"I Tribute 'Dark Magician Girl', 'Queen's Knight', and 'Magician's Valkyria'!" shouted Thomas, as his three monsters were each absorbed into the card, "With these three monsters, I Tribute Summon!" He then placed his drawn card onto his Duel Disk. This caused a familiar Monster Card ('Slifer the Sky Dragon') that he won halfway through the early stages of the tournament to materialize face-up on the field in-front of him, "Descend, 'Slifer the Sky Dragon'!"
Even more thunderbolts danced along the platform before a powerful beam of light shot from the card itself into the sky and shattered the field that was the 'Dark Sanctuary' Spell Card, forming the upper-body and wings of a gigantic, serpent-like Dragon monster. It was so big that it went and wrapped part of its lower, coiled body around the blimp. Finally, the face and head and the monster were formed. It was 'Slifer the Sky Dragon' all right, but now it was successfully fighting on Thomas's behalf—having decided that the boy was truly a worthy user. The 'Egyptian God' monster let out a massive roar into the face of a terrified Montague.
"'S-Slifer', is it?! It can't be!" panicked Montague, "'Destiny Board' is going to be completed this turn, but Thomas turns it all around by Summoning a 'God'?!"
The crowd members themselves were gawking at the sight of the new monster.
"What… what is that thing?" James asked in shock.
"It's… it's…" Mavis tried to say in fright.
"The hugest Duel Monster I've ever seen!" cried Percy.
"That's 'Slifer the Sky Dragon', Thomas's 'God' Card!" realized Matt.
The only one who was not surprised was Spencer himself, who only put a smirk of satisfaction onto his face from seeing "Slifer the Sky Dragon' with his own eyes.
"About time Billinton used that thing," Spencer thought to himself, "But before this tournament is done, 'Slifer' will be serving me instead."
(elsewhere…)
Inside the tenth finalist's room, she took notice of a part of 'Slifer the Sky Dragon's' body coiled outside from a nearby window.
"The Pharaoh has successfully Summoned and tamed 'Slifer'," The tenth duelist said to herself, "At the end of Battle City… the one who gathers the three 'God' Cards… will earn the title of Pharaoh!"
The tenth finalist began to have a vision.
VISION
There stood Thomas as Pharaoh Atem.
"Soon, the Pharaoh's destiny will unfold before him," narrated the tenth duelist, "And all will be made right."
END VISION
The vision came to an end, and the tenth duelist closed her eyes again.
(elsewhere…)
Back atop the blimp…
"I see now," Thomas thought to himself, figuring out the truth about the 'Egyptian God' monsters, "The only reason Marik was able to control 'Slifer' with no problems was because he was using his Millenium Rod to act as a leash to keep it at bay. Anyone who tried to wield a 'God' without such an item would likely be struck down without mercy," He (Thomas) saw images of Spencer Summoning 'Obelisk the Tormentor' without fail during the tag team duel against Lumis and Umbra, "And yet, despite the fact that Spencer and I have no Millennium Items, we appear to be able to control 'Obelisk' and 'Slifer' without any problems. Because the blood of our ancestors runs through our veins. Our respective ancient families… That is where the 'Gods' true loyalty lies…"
Thomas looked back up at the mighty dragon-like God of Osiris, who merely looked at its master, and gave a slight nod in respect. This signified that 'Slifer the Sky Dragon' indeed trusted Thomas, and deemed him worthy of using its powers in the name of justice. Thomas nodded back before turning his focus towards his opponent.
"Prepare yourself, Montague!" warned Thomas, as 'Slifer the Sky Dragon' roared in agreement, "Here we come!"
(elsewhere…)
In the darkness of his mind, Montague continued to have a look of pure horror at the Summon of the new monster when he was paid a visit by his partner-in-crime.
"You're finished, you know that?" Marik stated bluntly, "Because Thomas Summoned 'Slifer', he's completely turned the duel around."
"Buzz off!" snapped Montague, trying to deny his situation, "I can take on this beast."
Marik frowned, "You know nothing of its ability."
"Like I care!" Montague scoffed, continuing to clutch onto straws out of stubborn denial, "The ghost of 'Dark Sanctuary' will just go and possess the monster. When it attacks, Thomas will lose the rest of his LP!"
"No! Don't do it!" warned Marik, shocked and angry.
(elsewhere…)
Outside in the real world, it was too late… The ghost approached 'Slifer the Sky Dragon' and tried to possess it, but a simple Summon Thunder Bullet counterattack from the 'Egyptian God' monster destroyed the ghost.
"My spirit!" cried Montague.
"Your cowardly ghost tactic is useless to the might of an 'Egyptian God'," criticized Thomas.
Montague cursed quietly before the image of Marik spoke to him once more.
"Do you see, now?" The Rare Hunter leader asked firmly, "No mere ghost can possess an 'Egyptian God' monster like 'Slifer'. Now, take a look at the cards in Billinton's hand."
Montague did so, seeing Thomas currently had three cards present.
"'Slifer's' eleventh effect," The voice of Marik explained, "This card's original ATK/DEF become the number of cards in your hand x 1000. Thomas has three cards, so 'God' has 3000 ATK."
'Slifer the Sky Dragon' merely growled (Level: 10/ATK: 3000/DEF: 3000).
"And you currently don't have enough LP to survive a direct attack…nor is your face-down card of any help to you," Marik pointed out.
"He's right," thought Montague, as Marik left him (Montague) alone, "I also have no other cards in my hand, and no monster on my field…" He spoke aloud, feeling absolutely defeated, "I… I am finished."
Below the platform…
"You got this, Thomas!" cheered James, before doing the Bicep-Polishing Gesture, "Take down that Montague guy and return Duck to his normal self!"
Over with Marik…
"Is that so?" The Rare Hunter leader remarked, mentally.
Back on the platform…
"The duel is over, Montague!" said Thomas fiercely, "Slifer, attack my opponent…" He held his right hand out, "…directly with…"
"I would call off your attack, if I were you," called out a calm, collected voice (male).
Thomas stopped announcing his intention of attacking at the last second. On cue, Odion, armed with the Millennium Rod, walked into the area. Because no one had actually seen him until his arrival earlier on before take off, everyone else truly thought he was Marik.
"He's-!" realized Thomas.
On the platform, even Montague was surprised by this—well, at least until the image of Marik spoke up to him.
"Are you surprised?" grinned Marik, with a sly smirk on his face, "Well, just in case something happened, I've prepared a backup plan for emergencies like this."
Back below the platform…
"What's that jerk doing up here?" fumed James.
"He's the one who did this to Duck!" accused Percy.
"Interrupting other people's duels…!" raged Skiff, "There's no way I'll forgive you!"
"Marik!" thought Spencer.
"You!" growled Thomas.
Once Odion got close enough to the platform, he started to speak directly to Thomas.
"Your friend Duck is under the power of my Millennium Rod," began Odion
"What?! What do you mean?" demanded Thomas, "Duck's already being controlled by his dark personality!"
"Correct," agreed Odion, "However, that boy is being controlled by two people. I'll show you proof…" He held up the fake Millennium Rod, "I'll release his real personality at this very moment."
(elsewhere…)
In the darkness of Montague's mind…
"What are you thinking, bastard?" hissed Montague.
"If you plan to beat Thomas, you'd better do as I say and let me release Duck," requested Marik.
"What'd you say?"
"Hurry it up!" The Rare Hunter leader demanded, "Don't you want to win?"
Montague scowled, and allowed for Marik to do it.
(elsewhere…)
Back in the real world, Marik, in secret, then held his Millennium Rod (behind his back so no one can see it) up and it glowed. Suddenly, Montague's face softened and he fell to his knees in great pain.
"Augh! Wh-Where am I?" asked Duck in pain, "Why does my arm hurt so much?"
"Duck!" cried Thomas.
"DUCK!" The rest of the audience called out.
"W-What's happened?" Duck weakly went on, looking at the bloodied bandages on his upper left arm, "Why do I feel so w-weak…?"
Thomas looked on in horror for a few seconds… just before gazing down at Odion hatefully.
"Do you understand, now?" said Odion coldly, "As you can see, that boy is badly wounded… Thomas, it's true an attack from 'God' will grant your victory, but the damage from the shock could very well take the boy's life."
"Marik, you bastard!" snarled Thomas.
"Do you still wish to attack?" Odion pressed, still as calm and eerie, "If you stop your attack, you can save your friend. However…"
Percy had pretty much lost it here and now with the villain.
"That's it!" roared Percy in rage, trying to rush forth and start a fight, "I don't care what happens to me, but no one hurts my friend and gets away with it!"
Gordon and Henry both grabbed the younger green-haired boy and stopped him from trying to start something.
"Careful, Percy!" warned Gordon, "Don't do anything stupid!"
Back on the platform…
"H-Help me, Thomas…" whimpered Duck, sounding and looking very confused and frightened.
Thomas started to run over… However, Roland stepped in and stopped him (Thomas) from trying to approach.
"Stop!" snapped Roland.
"But I have to help my friend!" objected Thomas.
"If you go over to the opponent before the duel is done, you'll be disqualified," Roland reprimanded harshly, as Thomas bitterly listened, "Those are the rules!"
Below the platform…
"That is so unfair!" whined Percy, "Duck needs help and you want Thomas to risk killing him?"
"We won't let Thomas be branded as a murderer!" Emily added fiercely.
"No matter what, rules are rules," insisted Roland, sounding quite uncaring, "The duel WILL go on!"
"Grr… Call the duel off, Spencer!" demanded Gordon, "Duck could be killed if Thomas attacks with 'Slifer'!"
Nearby, a cold-looking Spencer kept his arms folded and didn't say a word, much to Skiff, Mr. and Mrs. Gresley's (Boxford) surprise and discomfort.
"Spencer!" shouted Thomas, while Spencer still kept silent, "SPENCER!"
Below the platform, Marik was very amused by the scene playing out.
"Thomas, if you hesitate to attack on this last turn," thought Marik, "all the letters of 'Destiny Board' will be gathered on your End Phase, and you'll lose!"
On the platform, Roland finally lost patience with Thomas's hesitation.
"You have one minute to make a move, Mr. Billinton," he informed, "If you do not do anything within that time limit, you'll automatically forfeit the duel."
Thomas looked completely unsure on what to do. If he didn't attack, then he would forfeit the duel… If he did go ahead with the attack, then he (Thomas) could possibly kill the badly hurt Duck, and Thomas would never forgive himself for it.
"What's wrong? Why are you hesitating?" called Spencer, "Finish him, Billinton!"
"Thomas Billinton, if you do not attack the player, you automatically forfeit the duel!" threatened Roland, "You have twenty seconds to make a move!"
"Hey, dude!" yelled James, climbing up to the platform, "Stop this already or Duck's gonna die! This ain't a joke, you know!"
"Calm yourself!" responded Roland, "Otherwise I'll disqualify you!"
"What?! Disqualify me?!" raged James, going red in the face with anger, "Well, fine! If you're gonna do it, let's see you do it! Then, afterwards, I'm gonna…"
"James!" Gordon and Henry both argued, grabbing onto their friend and pulling him back down, "James!"
*CRASH!*
"Now continue the duel!" called Roland.
"Do it, Billinton!" ordered Spencer.
Meanwhile, as Duck laid on the ground, hurt badly, images of Montague and Marik loomed over him.
"So I see, Marik…" admired Montague, "You've tied Thomas's hands."
"As per our agreement," commented Marik.
"I'm impressed, Marik…" Montague said darkly, looking at poor Duck, "Your dirty tricks surpass even my Occult Deck."
Marik grinned to himself; he was so excited to see Thomas lose that he made a big mistake on his part.
"Billinton wouldn't dare harm his friend," snickered Marik, "Once he surrenders, he will be ours to kill!"
However…
"What did you say?" frowned Montague, "What are you talking about?"
"Once this turn is up, Thomas will die by our hands," answered Marik.
"But I told you Billinton must be kept alive! I need him!" objected Montague.
"Who cares about that?!" snapped Marik, talking a little too much, "I was going to backstab you when I got 'Slifer the Sky Dragon' back, anyway."
Oh boy, was Montague ever furious at this betrayal.
"You filthy, lying, DOUBLE-CROSSER!" Montague shouted in fury, before becoming a bit worried, "Besides, my host won't last for much longer if this duel carries on!"
"So long as I get my revenge on the descendant of the Pharaoh, I care not for what happens to him," Marik retorted.
"I still need him!" argued Montague, "If Duck dies, then I'll never be able to leave this damned time period!" He smiled evilly, "Well, let me tell you that even I have ways I like to win and ways I hate to win!"
Suddenly, Duck groaned as his Millennium Ring glowed and Montague took control again.
"I'm baaaack!" The spirit of the Millennium Ring exclaimed grandly.
The crowd gasped at the sight.
"Duck's back on his feet!" cried Emily.
"That's not Duck," Edward pointed out.
"Go ahead and attack me, Billinton!" offered Montague sinisterly.
Marik had a furious look of his own on his face, knowing that he had to abandon the plan and come up with another one.
"What is he doing?!" Marik thought to himself, while looking nearby to Odion to mentally give the young Egyptian man an order, "Odion, get out now before anyone suspects something!"
Odion sensed his master's wishes and obeyed the mental command. Back on the platform…
"What trick is this?" demanded Thomas.
"No trick!" Montague answered, "I realized that I still need my host unharmed, so I took back control. I admit my defeat by your hands! Now I'm ordering you to attack me, now!"
"Very well!" accepted Thomas, ready to end the duel on his terms, "'Slifer', attack Montague directly!" As he announced the attack name, 'Slifer the Sky Dragon' opened its main mouth to charge an attack, "Super Electrical Conduction Wave - Thunder Force!"
'Slifer the Sky Dragon' obeyed and fired off its attack. Montague merely smiled savagely at the sight.
"Well done, Thomas," muttered Montague quietly, thinking of his defeat as a minor setback, "You've won the duel!" He then got hit by Thunder Force's full impact as an explosion ensued, "I swear to bury you in eternal darkness someday! I'LL BE THE ONE TO GAIN THE POWER OF DARKNESS IN THE END!"
Even as the attack hurt a ton, Montague did not scream in pain or anything—but rather laughed evilly. When the attack finally faded, Montague (or rather Duck) had fallen unconscious on the ground (LP: 1200 → 0).
DUEL RESULTS: Thomas Billinton wins!
"And the winner of the match is Thomas Billinton!" announced Roland, "He passes the first round!"
"Enough already!" groaned James, "Just lower the Duel Ring already!"
The holograms faded as the dueling platform was lowered to the ground level.
"Duck!" called Thomas, running over.
"DUCK!" yelled Molly, as Percy, James, and Toby got onto the platform.
Everyone, except Spencer, Skiff, and their parents, soon gathered around the unconscious Duck Collet.
"Is he hurt?" pondered Liz, with worry in her voice.
Duck's eyes would not open. Ryan knelt down and checked for a pulse, and, thankfully, there was one.
"He has a pulse…" The purple-haired young man said calmly, "He should be okay, but we'd better bring him to his room to rest up."
James and Toby nodded, while Gordon picked up and carried Duck on his back as they left the arena for Duck's room, leaving Thomas behind to do some thinking.
"Montague took over to save Duck from being hurt or worse," thought Thomas, "This Montague character… Just who or what is he really?"
"Thomas Billinton," The voice of Roland called out, snapping Thomas out of his (Thomas) thoughts. He then made a quick reminder to the victorious duelist, "As the winner of the duel, you're entitled to take the rarest card from the loser."
"Duck's got bigger problems to worry about than some rare card," said Thomas sternly. He then glared bitterly at Spencer, "My friend could have died because you did nothing."
Thomas then raced off after his friends, leaving Spencer and his family alone atop the blimp.
"Spencer, w-was that the right thing to do?" Skiff wondered.
"Skiff's right," said Mrs. Gresley (Boxford), "You just stood there like you were willing to risk that poor boy getting hurt or worse."
"I did what I had to do," Spencer replied gruffly, turning and walking back below deck.
"Why?" Mr. Gresley (Boxford) asked, "Why did he look like he did not care what happened to poor Duck?"
"I really don't know," answered Mrs. Gresley (Boxford) with concern in her voice.
(elsewhere…)
Inside Duck's room, he was asleep in his bed with everyone gathered around.
"Poor Duck," whimpered Carlie.
"I hope he'll be alright," added Mavis.
Percy was shaking in anger, "It's all because of that Marik!" he seethed in hatred, "This was all his doing!"
"I outta knock his block off," promised James, "Him and Spencer, because that rich jerk didn't even try calling the match off, either!"
"Do it later," Discord said firmly, "Right now, we should go see Spencer-boy's parents about landing the blimp at a hospital."
"Good idea," agreed James R..
"Hey, Thomas, you should rest up, too," Gordon suggested wisely, "That duel must've taken a lot out of you."
"The spirit of the Millennium Ring," muttered Thomas, "He saved Duck."
"What?" blinked Zack, "What do you mean?"
"The spirit of the Millennium Ring must have overpowered Marik's power and taken back control to save Duck from certain death!" Thomas yelled out.
"But why would he do that?" quizzed Molly.
"Perhaps that's the duty of spirits that are said to dwell within the Millennium Items," said Thomas thoughtfully, "To protect their hosts from harm because if they die, what does that mean for the spirit?"
"Does that mean the spirit residing in Duck is good?" pondered Emily, remembering the insane laughter from Montague, "Because he seemed to have a real mean and dark streak within him."
"Who knows? This was our first time meeting him," shrugged Percy.
As everyone else chattered, Mavis noticed something odd about Duck and eventually let out a loud yell to get everyone's attention.
"It's gone!" The voice of Mavis blurted, as Matt, Molly, and Michael looked over, "It's really gone!"
"What's gone?" asked Toby, walking over.
"Duck's Millennium Ring," answered Mavis, "It's not around his neck."
Looking over, the group saw that it was true… for Duck's Millennium Ring was no longer around his neck.
"What do you think happened to it?" mused James thoughtfully.
"Maybe it was blasted to kingdom come by 'Slifer the Sky Dragon's' attack?" figured Henry.
"Somehow, I doubt it," mused Discord.
"If I can make a suggestion, we should probably look for it," offered Emily, "Who knows what it'll do if it falls into the wrong hands?"
"Good idea," Lady agreed.
Everyone else gave a nod and began to leave the room…except for Mavis, which Toby noticed.
"Aren't you coming, Mavis?" The brown-haired boy pressed.
"I'll stay here and look after Duck," declined Mavis, "That is, if it's cool with you."
"It is," Toby smiled. He and Mavis shared a quick kiss before leaving the room, "We'll be back soon enough."
With that said, the Sudrians and their new friends set out to find Spencer again, leaving Mavis with Duck. Suddenly, with a yellowish glow, her eyes became dull and emotionless, meaning that Marik was taking over Mavis's mind once more. She reached under her shirt and pulled out the Millennium Ring—revealing that she was now wearing it.
"This is not the end… Far from it," Mavis (possessed) whispered.
Suddenly, Marik's evil laughter filled the whole entire room. This…could be bad in the near future for Mavis and/or for her friends.
And Thomas's duel with Montague has finally ended. Quite the dramatic ending, wouldn't you agree? Anyway, the next duel to get overhauled and polished up will come later in November.