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 (currently) for moments of violence, bloody moments, frightening moments, and some suggestive themes. Viewer discretion may be (or strongly is) advised.
Title: Strength of Darkness, Part 3
Opening up on top of the Duel Tower, still surrounded by fog from the Shadow Realm, Dark Marik continued to laugh menacingly at his trapped opponent—who controlled a new monster called 'Lava Golem'.
"Go ahead and laugh!" growled Percy, "Just you wait until I draw my card…!"
"Then go!" dared Dark Marik, "See if you can withstand the heat before your brain melts into mush!"
"Damn it!" cursed Percy, as he got ready to draw a card, "It's my turn!"
Below the platform…
"Hey, Edward…" said Mavis, looking in Edward's direction, "If Percy's monster has 3000 ATK, then a direct attack would win him the duel, right?"
"It is possible," nodded Edward, looking serious, "Marik has no other monsters on his side of the field. However, that's likely his plan. Once Percy declares an attack, he'll just activate his Set card—which is likely a Trap Card as he openly stated."
Back atop the platform, Percy was gazing at the face-down card Dark Marik had on his (Dark Marik) field.
"I gotta do something about Marik's face-down card before I attack," thought Percy, "If I draw 'Giant Trunade' right now, I can just send the set card right back to his hand," He drew a card, "Draw!"
Turn Fourteen: Percy Avonside (LP: 2900)
Deck: 48
Current Hand (2): "Graceful Dice" and "Gamble"
Unfortunately, it wasn't his 'Giant Trunade' Spell Card, but rather a Trap Card called 'Gamble'—which was not going to be helpful since a random card would be sent to his GY after every Battle Phase he attempted.
"I have no other monsters in my hand," thought Percy in dismay, "And 'Gamble' was not what I was hoping for."
"Is something wrong?" taunted Dark Marik, "Perhaps you didn't draw what you needed to save yourself? Well, that is really too bad for you."
Percy scowled, but said nothing aloud. He remained in his thoughts…
"What should I do…?" Percy asked himself, mentally, before he looked towards the face-down card again, "The problem I face is that face-down card of Marik's. If it's a Trap, then it could be a one turn usage one," His (Percy) eyes then focused on Dark Marik, "Meaning even if it stopped my attack, it would be put into the GY once it is used up. But…"
A flashback began.
FLASHBACK
Flashback Dark Marik had just Special Summoned 'Lava Golem' onto Flashback Percy's field.
"Provided, of course, that the player can handle this golem's red-hot body melting around him every turn, as a result of 'Lava Golem's' monster effect!" continued Dark Marik, "Once per turn, during your Standby Phase: Take 1000 damage! I guess you could say this monster is quite a handful!"
END FLASHBACK
The flashback ended.
"1000 LP? Give me a break. That would be too much for me to handle," thought Percy, "If I sit here and do nothing, my LP will continue to drop until they hit 0. So I'll step into your little Trap, Marik!" He narrowed his eyes at his opponent, "Hey, Marik!"
"Hmm?" asked Dark Marik.
"I'll attack you with your own monster, just like you want me to!" accepted Percy.
"Really?" shrugged Dark Marik, doing it with sadistic amusement, "I thought you'd be too scared of my facedown card to even try and attack me!"
"Oh yeah?!" threatened Percy, clenching a fist.
"But you do have a very good hunch," continued Dark Marik, and then decided to confess something, "Yes! Just as you figured, this set Trap Card is not continuous. It will disappear from the field on my next turn."
Below the platform…
"He's insane!" protested Michael, "What the hell is Marik thinking by straight up telling Percy what his face-down card is?!"
"I don't know," replied Henry.
"He must be making fun of him," fumed James.
Nearby, Mr. and Mrs. Gresley (Boxford) both watched Percy and hoped that he wouldn't fall for Dark Marik's goading.
"Percy, dear…" thought Mrs. Gresley (Boxford).
"Marik's just trying to provoke you into attacking," thought Mr. Gresley (Boxford).
"If you try to provoke the ordinary duelist into attacking, you may not like what he does," thought Spencer, "Even Boxford Corporation's computers can't predict his moves."
Back on the platform…
"Here I come!" declared Percy.
"Since you don't know what 'Lava Golem's' attack is, I'll tell you what it is," said Dark Marik, "It's called 'Golem Volcano'. Let me hear you say it nice and loudly, Percy!"
"Tch! It's my monster, so I'll name its attack," thought Percy bitterly, just before speaking aloud, "Lava Golem, attack!" And he then came up with the attack name, "Avonside Fire!"
Everyone that wasn't Spencer, Skiff, or their parents down off the platform gave quite possibly the funniest freaked out expressions known to mankind upon hearing that (Discord's look was the most priceless)—even the normally serious members like Matt Fudo and Michael Atlas had hilarious-looking expressions on their faces.
"Avonside Fire?!" gawked Emily.
"What the heck?" put in Mavis.
"Who'd ever name their attack that?!" came from James.
"Oh, the indignity!" groaned Gordon.
Back on the platform, 'Lava Golem' proceeded to fire off a blast of fire towards Dark Marik, who just folded his arms and cackled in response.
"Just like that… I activate a Trap!" muttered Dark Marik. He motioned his arm out and made his facedown card flip up and reveal itself, "'Relieve Monster'!"
"'Relieve Monster'?" fretted Percy.
"When an opponent's monster declares an attack: I must…" explained Dark Marik, "…target 1 monster I control; I must return that target to the hand, then Special Summon 1 Level 4 monster from my hand."
Below the platform…
"But Marik has no monsters on the field!" protested Gordon, "Meaning 'Relieve Monster' shouldn't have activated."
"That's not true," cut in Thomas, "He has 'Plasma Eel' attached to 'Panther Warrior'."
Emily gasped, realizing it was true. Back on the platform, 'Panther Warrior' still had the mechanical worm monster attached to it! That meant it could be targeted to return to the owner's hand.
"I return 'Plasma Eel' to my hand!" The voice of Dark Marik announced.
'Plasma Eel' wasted no time in disappearing, making 'Panther Warrior' feel much better without being pinched on the head and zapped.
"And now, I'll re-Summon 'Plasma Eel' in Defense Position!" Dark Marik went on, as he placed his card ('Plasma Eel') onto a Monster Zone (sideways) on his Duel Disk.
'Plasma Eel' reappeared on the field in a defensive position (Level: 4/ATK: 500/DEF: 1200), just as the Lava Golem's fireball attack approached and hit the weaker monster—but the attack didn't destroy it. Dark Marik began to laugh in triumph.
"'Plasma Eel's' first effect! It cannot be destroyed by battle," boomed Dark Marik, "So your attack was a wasted attempt!"
"No way…!" groaned Percy.
"And now… The Song of Hell that 'Helpoemer' sings will take another random card from your hand!" reminded Dark Marik.
The ghostly hand reached up from the GY and took Percy's 'Gamble' Trap Card with it.
"My turn is over!" Percy grunted in frustration.
"And now… you'll take 1000 damage," Dark Marik eagerly pointed towards his opponent, "'Lava Golem's' red-hot body will begin to melt onto you."
'Lava Golem' put one of its giant hands onto Percy's cage as lava began to ooze down.
"Hey, is it getting hotter here, or is it just me?" blinked Percy naively, sweating from the growing heat. Just then, he could see the lava coming down, "Lava?! AAAUUUGGGHHH!"
Dark Marik laughed wickedly as 'Lava Golem' completely covered the cage.
"My brother!" screamed Liz.
"Get him down from there!" called Mrs. Gresley (Boxford).
The lava soon died down, but Percy was shown to be alive—minus 1000 LP as per 'Lava Golem's' effect (LP: 2900 → 1900).
"How unsightly…" Dark Marik flinched teasingly.
(elsewhere…)
Inside Ishizu's room aboard the blimp, the young Egyptian woman was still looking out the window at the shadow fog covered Duel Tower.
"Marik…" The voice of Ishizu was saying quietly, while she herself was looking solemn, "The Shadow Games your dark half creates are becoming more and more ruthless by the moment. Will that evil side's hunger for darkness and destruction ever be consumed? Or will it be endless until the whole world perishes?"
At that point, we don't know, I'm afraid.
(elsewhere…)
Back inside the Shadow Realm, it was Dark Marik's turn…
"It's my turn!" proclaimed Dark Marik, drawing a card, "Draw!"
Turn Fifteen: Dark Marik (LP: 1900)
Deck: 42
Current Hand (3): "Nightmare Mirror", "The Winged Dragon of Ra", and "Machine Duplication"
It was a Spell Card called 'Machine Duplication'.
"'Machine Duplication'…" thought Dark Marik with an evil smile on his face, "With this, I can completely paralyze my opponent in place!" From there, he (Dark Marik) addressed the caged Percy, "I activate the Continuous Spell, 'Machine Duplication'!"
"'Machine Duplication'?" repeated Percy, having never heard of the card, "What does that card do?"
"I must target 1 Machine monster I control with 500 or less ATK; I must Special Summon up to 2 monsters from my Deck with the same name as that face-up monster," explained Dark Marik.
"What?!" gasped Percy
"Heh heh heh…" chuckled Marik, "As you can see, I have two more copies of 'Plasma Eel' hidden within my Deck," He then held out his hand, "Come forth, two 'Plasma Eels'!"
With that said, two more Plasma Eels appeared on the field to join forces with the first copy.
"It can't be! Now there are three 'Plasma Eels'?!" gasped Percy.
Two of the three 'Plasma Eels' prepared to attack on command.
"Using their respective second effect," said Dark Marik, "they will attach themselves to your monsters!"
The first 'Plasma Eel' wrapped itself around 'Rocket Warrior' and began to electrocute him. The second 'Plasma Eel', meanwhile, latched itself onto 'Lava Golem' and started electrocuting it, too. Unfortunately, due to the nature of the Shadow Game, the wires coming from the monsters to Percy's chest also snapped, zapping him—more so than usual, I'm afraid—and resulting in him letting loose a loud, long bloodcurdling scream. Below the platform…
"PERCY!" screamed Liz, nearly bursting into tears.
"NO!" Ryan and Thomas cried out.
Back on the platform, Dark Marik laughed insanely from watching Percy scream in pain from the torture of the two 'Plasma Eels'.
"That's the sound I love most!" remarked Dark Marik excitedly, "Let me hear more… more…! MORE!"
At last, the zapping stopped and Percy was gasping for air as he collapsed onto his hands and knees.
"I wonder how many more turns you can keep this up, Percy?" Dark Marik asked sadistically, "Perhaps you'd be better off surrendering to me, now?"
He resumed cackling like a deranged psychopath—which he was, of course.
"You damn, lousy nutjob-!" swore Percy in hatred, managing to slowly get back up, "It'll take more than that to…keep me down!"
"So, you still want to go at it, eh?" sighed Dark Marik emotionlessly, just before smiling and slotting a card into his Duel Disk, "That's actually perfectly fine," A face-down card materialized on the field, "I Set one card face-down and end my turn."
Below the platform, much of the gang was becoming more and more worried for Percy's safety…
"This is awful!" worried Carlie.
"Yeah," agreed Ben, "If Percy can't think of a way out of this situation soon, he could-!"
Over with Spencer, he closed his eyes with disappointment.
"As I had expected…" thought Spencer unhappily, "There was no reason to call upon 'The Winged Dragon of Ra' against that deadbeat."
"Isn't there anything Percy can do about Marik's strategy, little Thomas?" pressed Gordon anxiously.
"Percy only has one card left in his hand," thought Thomas, looking dead serious, "Regardless, there has to be a way to turn things around with it," He narrowed his eyes, "Don't give up! Believe in your hand to the very end!"
Back atop the platform, Percy began to think about his 'little' predicament.
"Marik's 'Plasma Eel' can't be destroyed in battle," thought Percy, "And those other two 'Plasma Eels' will keep weakening my monsters, causing me great pain in the process, and I can't even Tribute the equipped monsters. Not only that, but during each of my End Phases, 'Lava Golem' takes away 1000 LP. How am I supposed to get around that?" From there, he looked at his hand, "'Graceful Dice' is the last card in my hand, but it's currently of no help to me."
Percy then cast a quick glance over to his best friend below the platform…To his surprise, he (Percy) saw that Thomas was giving his (Thomas) best friend a reassuring smile, causing him (Percy) to smile right back.
"But I did promise to face Thomas in the final fight—as well as save Lady's life from this nutcase's Penalty Game," thought Percy, remembering two promises he made, "I swear that nothing's gonna stop me from doing so."
"Well?" The voice of Dark Marik interrupted, while he (Dark Marik) looked eager to see Percy surrender, "Are you gonna take your turn? Or are you gonna surrender like a wimp?"
Narrowing his eyes, Percy looked back over towards Dark Marik with a look of determination on his (Percy) face.
"It's not over yet, Marik!" refused Percy, as he started to draw a card, "I'll find a way to take down your strategy! So long as I have cards to draw, I'll find something to help me!" He then spoke aloud, "It's my turn! Draw!" With that said, he took a look at the drawn card, his eyes widened with surprise at what it was, "H-Hey! This is…!"
A flashback began.
FLASHBACK
It was another day at Sodor High School (way before the Battle City tournament), and Percy was with his friends in the cafeteria at their usual table.
"Hey, Percy," Flashback Thomas said to his best friend, "Did you show the others the new card you got in that Duelist Pack from the San Francisco tournament?"
"Not yet," denied Flashback Percy, as he dug into his pocket and took out a Duel Monsters card, "Here it is."
"Hey, gimme that!" laughed Flashback James, taking the card from Flashback Percy and looking at it, "Whoa! 'Gilford the Lightning'?"
"That's a very powerful monster you got there, Percy," said Flashback Edward, looking over Flashback James's shoulder, "And if you use it correctly, you can potentially clean the opponent's field of monsters instantly."
"How?" blinked Flashback Percy.
Focus went on the new 'Gilford the Lightning' Monster Card in-between Flashback James's fingers.
"Don't worry, you'll know when the time comes," The voice of Flashback Edward assured.
END FLASHBACK
The flashback ended… revealing that Percy did indeed draw a Monster Card called 'Gilford the Lightning', a Level 8 Warrior monster with 2800 ATK and 1400 DEF.
"'Gilford the Lightning'…" thought Percy, "I never thought I'd actually draw you at a time like this… But you're a Level 8 monster, meaning I would have to Tribute two monsters in order to Summon you," He eyed the three monsters ('Rocket Warrior', 'Lava Golem', and 'Panther Warrior') "And those 'Plasma Eels' currently have two of my monsters tied up, meaning I can't use them for a Tribute Summon. Only 'Panther Warrior' can be Tributed…" Suddenly, he realized something about the 'Graceful Dice' Spell Card still in his hand and looked at it plus the drawn card, "Hold on a sec… 'Graceful Dice' targets only the monsters that have 500 ATK or less no matter who owns the monsters, and 'Machine Duplication' can only stay if… Yes! There IS a way to break through that strategy of Marik's!" With a plan on hand, Percy finally spoke aloud to his opponent, "Hey, Marik! Get ready to say goodbye to your 'Machine Duplication' card!"
"What do you mean by that?" frowned Dark Marik, looking puzzled, "You have no way to get rid of it!"
Turn Sixteen: Percy Avonside (LP: 1900)
Deck: 47
Current Hand (2): "Graceful Dice" and "Gilford the Lightning"
On cue, the 'Graceful Dice' Spell Card materialized face-up on the field.
"I activate the Quick-Play Spell, 'Graceful Dice'!" The voice of Percy began, "I must target 1 face-up monster with 500 ATK or less, then roll a six-sided die. I must multiply the ATK by the number rolled," He (Percy) then grinned confidently at Dark Marik, "And if I remember correctly about 'Machine Duplication', it only stays if the Machine monsters Summoned by it have 500 ATK or less. What that means is if their ATK were to go above 500, it would be destroyed along with the monsters Summoned by it!"
Dark Marik looked slightly worried at the plan that Percy had thought of… Meanwhile, below the platform…
"That just might work!" gasped Thomas in realization.
"But will it?" asked Molly.
"We're about to find out now," assumed James.
"Come on, Percy…" Ryan muttered under his breath.
Back on the platform, a little man holding a large blue dice appeared from the face-up 'Graceful Dice' Spell Card.
"Basically, anything higher than one will do, but I'm hoping for a REALLY high number," thought Percy, before finally speaking aloud and giving the command, "Go, Dice Roll!"
The little man threw the dice into the air. Eventually it hit the ground and rolled around and around until it stopped at…
"It's a six!" announced Percy, smirking once more, "That multiplies your 'Plasma Eel's' ATK by that number, going from 500 to 3000!"
Dark Marik watched as 'Plasma Eel's' ATK went way up (ATK: 500 → 3000).
"If the targeted monster's ATK goes above 500, destroy this card and the Special Summoned monsters!" recalled Percy, as the face-up 'Machine Duplication' Spell Card instantly shattered into pieces of glass, while the other two 'Plasma Eels' faded away from both of Percy's remaining monsters, "That means your two weaker 'Plasma Eels' are gone!"
"Dammit! My 'Plasma Eels'!" Dark Marik exclaimed in shock.
Below the duel platform…
"Excellent play, Percy!" called Thomas positively.
"But now he has one super powerful one to deal with," protested Molly.
Back atop the duel platform…
"Okay, Marik! With three Tributes on my field, you should get ready to face a force like no other!" declared Percy, readying his final card ('Gilford the Lightning'), "Here I go! I Tribute my three monsters—'Lava Golem', 'Rocket Warrior', and 'Panther Warrior'!"
Upon placing his card onto his Duel Disk, 'Lava Golem', 'Panther Warrior', and 'Rocket Warrior' each turned into small orbs of light. Thomas and Spencer both smiled with approval over the bright light, while Dark Marik merely scowled… Finally, the colorful orbs went into the sky.
"I Summon 'Gilford the Lightning'!" The voice of Percy cried out, as the end of the above scene played out.
Lightning bolts started raining down from the sky, narrowly missing Thomas and the others below of the platform. The bolts of lightning also barely missed Skiff and his parents, too. A human male wearing orange clothing and silver armor was shown shadowed in the dark as lightning struck around him. Dark Marik watched in shock as two bolts of lightning struck past him and the wind picked up and moved his cape about. The Warrior monster also had a sword sheathed on his back. Finally, the shadows faded away from the monster and revealed him fully, just before he screamed a loud bellow of a battle cry as more and more lightning struck around the platform.
"'G-Gilford the Lightning'…?" stammered Dark Marik, in a rare moment of nervousness.
"This is it, Marik," said Percy in triumph, "This monster is gonna put an end to your miserable little life! I hope you're ready for that honor!"
(elsewhere…)
Back inside Ishizu's room aboard the blimp, she was looking out the window at the top of the tower when she saw lightning striking around.
"What is that?" thought Ishizu.
(elsewhere…)
Back in the Shadow Realm, Percy had officially turned the tide of the duel once again by Summoning 'Gilford the Lightning'.
"How's that?" beamed Percy, "This monster is the true ace of my whole Deck! He's the legendary warrior who controls the storms! Your 'Plasma Eel' is about to bite the dust, here and now!"
Below the platform…
"Amazing!" Henry breathed.
"I've never seen anything like it," admired Skiff.
"I'll admit it was a good move from an ordinary duelist like him," smirked Spencer.
On the platform, Dark Marik recovered from his initial worry and began to laugh.
"I kinda missed the joke, chuckles!" snapped Percy.
"A fool to no end. Your new monster might be powerful, indeed," acknowledged Dark Marik, "However, it's no match for my 'Plasma Eel', which you made stronger with 'Graceful Dice'. What's more, it can't be destroyed by battle due to its first effect!" He gave another loud laugh, "Your plan has failed! The so-called 'legendary warrior' will die in vain!"
That's right, 'Plasma Eel' was now the stronger foe (Level: 4/ATK: 3000/DEF: 1200), while 'Gilford the Lightning' was the weaker opponent (Level: 8/ATK: 2800/DEF: 1400). However, Percy wasn't done.
"Wrong again, Marik-chan!" retorted Percy, wanting to laugh back at Dark Marik's naivety, "Did you really think I was dumb enough to give you the advantage like that?"
"Yes!" Dark Marik replied bluntly.
Below the platform…
"Percy's right," spoke up Thomas, "When 'Gilford the Lightning' is Summoned by Tributing three monsters instead of the usual two… his effect automatically activates," He smiled more proudly, "Go and show him, Percy!"
"I sure will!" thought Percy, before giving the command, "I activate 'Gilford the Lightning's' special ability!"
'Gilford the Lightning' drew his sword out, raised it up to the air, and charged it with the power of thunder.
"Lightning Thunder!" The voice of Percy commanded.
Lightning struck the lone 'Plasma Eel', causing it to explode from destruction.
"My last line of defense!" cried Dark Marik, "But how? 'Plasma Eel' couldn't be destroyed by battle!"
"You really need to learn about how certain cards work. It wasn't a battle that won out," The voice of Percy taunted, getting Dark Marik's full attention as he (Percy) was shown waving his right hand, "It was an effect that destroyed your monster."
"What do you mean?!" yelled Dark Marik
"In addition to being Summoned with two Tributes, 'Gilford' can be Summoned by Tributing three monsters," said Percy, as focus went towards the 'Gilford the Lightning' Monster Card on the Duel Disk, "This will activate his effect! If Summoned this way: I must destroy all monsters my opponent controls!"
Dark Marik cursed loudly in anger, while Percy was feeling more and more confident than ever.
"With your field now completely empty, I can finish you off, right here, right now!" assured Percy, entering the Battle Phase, while 'Gilford the Lightning' stood ready to attack on command, "'Gilford the Lightning', attack Marik directly and end this duel!"
Still armed with his sword, 'Gilford the Lightning' was more than happy to obey, charging his weapon with lightning, and thrusting forwards.
"If Percy's attack gets through, he'll win!" cheered Liz, "Go, my Little Brother!"
"Lightning Crush Sword!" The voice of Percy declared, as 'Gilford the Lightning' roared and jumped into the sky in preparation to attack Dark Marik. He looked certain of obtaining victory, "You lose, Marik!"
"You really think so, eh?" taunted Dark Marik, "You've forgotten one little detail—my face-down card… Now, behold!" The face-down card flipped face-up and revealed itself, "Trap Card, 'Nightmare Mirror'!"
A large mirror appeared in front of him, as Percy eased up and gasped.
"If an opponent's monster declares an attack: I must target the attacking monster; I must negate the attack, and if I do, inflict 1000 damage to my opponent, and if I do that, discard 1 card," explained Dark Marik, as focus went towards Percy, "Now, look into the mirror, why don't you?"
Percy did so… and was shocked to find a reflection of himself there.
"Is that…m-me?" peeped Percy.
"It is," confirmed Dark Marik, "I'll admit that you deserve a hand for lasting this long against me… But playtime has long since passed! Your monster will now strike the mirror…and you!"
'Gilford the Lightning' thrust the sword into the mirror, causing Percy to cry out in surprise, just before the mirror glass shattered and the entire mirror itself faded away. The sword was about a few inches from hitting Dark Marik's face—and he started to laugh maniacally over it.
"I was so close…" thought Percy, grimacing a bit (LP: 1900 → 900).
"Now you're down to just 900 LP," The evil man joked, "Best to not let another damaging Spell or Trap be used by me, eh?"
"Right," replied Percy sarcastically, "Don't forget that your Trap Card has a cost of its own!"
"Indeed," agreed Dark Marik, "I have to discard a card from my hand," He took the last card ('The Winged Dragon of Ra') from his hand, looked at it, and finally discarded it, "And because you've done your Battle Phase, 'Helpoemer' will send a random card from your hand to the GY! Oh, but wait!" He snickered madly, "You no longer have any cards in your hand, meaning you discard nothing! I guess it can't be helped!"
Below the platform, Thomas was rather confused to hear Dark Marik say something like that.
"The way Marik is acting… he must be planning something on his turn," thought Thomas.
"Is he going to play it?" thought Spencer hopefully.
Back atop the platform…
"My turn is over!" announced Percy bitterly, before going into his thoughts, "He's wide open for an attack… Marik has no cards in his hand, no monsters on his field, and no more Set cards. If I can survive his coming turn, I've got him!"
"It's my turn!" said Dark Marik, drawing a card.
Turn Seventeen: Dark Marik (LP: 1900)
Deck: 41
Current Hand (1): "Monster Reborn"
Upon seeing his drawn card, the veins on Dark Marik bulged, and he began to cackle in wicked delight.
"What's so funny? Just make your move, you jerk!" insulted Percy.
Dark Marik frowned, "I'll admit I've underestimated you quite a bit. I never thought I'd have to use 'The Winged Dragon of Ra' against the likes of you."
"The 'Winged Dragon of Ra'?!" repeated Percy.
Below the platform, Dark Marik's statement got the attention of everyone in the area.
"He must have found another way to Summon it!" thought Thomas, "But 'The Winged Dragon of Ra's' ATK is determined from the combined total of ATK from the monsters that were Tributed. But is there such a way to Summon 'Ra' and grant it ATK or something?"
"Big Brother, is there such a way for Marik to Summon 'Ra'?" asked Skiff.
Spencer didn't say anything out loud, but his thoughts did the explaining for him.
"Yes…" thought Spencer, "He'll do it with the use of 'Monster Reborn'. If Marik drew it, as his laughter might have hinted at, he'll use it immediately. Once he does, I'll be able to learn ALL of 'Ra's' powers and figure a plan out on how to beat it."
A flashback began.
FLASHBACK
Scenes where Spencer deciphered the text on the 'The Winged Dragon of Ra' Monster Card were shown. First was the initial ability:
"According to the Hieratic Text that I've deciphered on the 'Egyptian God' Card… 'Ra' shall take power from three sacrifices…" narrated Spencer, "However, even if the sacrifices are to the 'God's' liking, it will only answer to the one who recites the one chant to call upon it."
(new scene…)
Next was the 'One Turn Kill' ability:
"'Ra' shall come forth from earth… He who chants the third litany may keep 1 LP and transfer the remainder unto 'Ra's' ATK for one turn. Those who face it shall be incinerated by flames in an instant and be burned to a crisp."
END FLASHBACK
The flashback ended.
"When the means of resurrection are granted to it, 'Ra' shall come forth from the earth and those who face the God in war shall be incinerated in flames. In an instant, 'Ra' shall become a phoenix, and the enemies of 'Ra' shall return to the earth," thought Spencer.
Back atop the platform, Dark Marik took and slotted the last card from his hand into his Duel Disk.
"I activate a Spell Card!" began Dark Marik, as the 'Monster Reborn' Spell Card materialized face-up on the field, "'Monster Reborn'!" The wind started to pick up, "Behold the power of 'God'!" The mentioned Spell Card soon disappeared as fire soon engulfed it. That signaled it was time, "Resurrect, 'The Winged Dragon of Ra'!"
The blaze of fire soon slowly died down and revealed the body of 'The Winged Dragon of Ra' as it roared at the opposition (Level: 10/ATK: 0/DEF: 0). Dark Marik let out an extremely psychotic laugh as soon as his monster finished appearing from the flames, while Percy only watched on in shock—even as the wind died down. Below the platform, there was a mixture of responses to the appearance of an 'Egyptian God' monster.
"Finally, you're here, 'God'!" thought Spencer, watching on in excitement.
"Why would Marik use 'Monster Reborn' to Summon 'Ra' from the GY?" Thomas asked aloud.
"No clue," shrugged Matt, "Because it was Special Summoned that way, it has no ATK or DEF to speak of."
"Not to mention it was summoned with a Spell Card," added Michael, "Once Marik's turn is over, 'Ra' will immediately return to the GY."
Back on the duel platform, 'The Winged Dragon of Ra' growled a little bit while Dark Marik let off another evil laugh.
"I know what you're thinking—but 'Ra' has the power of Instant Attack!" reminded Dark Marik.
"Instant Attack?" Percy blinked.
"That's right!" confirmed Dark Marik, "(Quick Effect): This turn, this card can immediately attack all monsters my opponent controls once each, then, if my opponent controls no monsters, this card can attack directly, ignoring any cards, effects, or conditions that would prevent this card from attacking," He crossed his arms together, "But now you are going to be burnt alive by the most powerful 'God' Card of them all! Now watch, as I activate 'Ra's' third ability!"
'The Winged Dragon of Ra' started breathing fire…all around its whole body. Dark Marik was also heard and shown chanting something in an Ancient Egyptian language.
"What's he doing now?" Percy questioned, not losing his look of shock.
"'Ra's' covering itself in flames!" Thomas answered, "Or, rather, transforming."
"Its final ability," muttered Spencer, "It's activating!"
Once the flames stopped being breathed, 'The Winged Dragon of Ra' was now completely on fire…
"Meet 'The Winged Dragon of Ra's' final form—it has risen from the ashes as an immortal phoenix!" announced Dark Marik, "'Egyptian God Phoenix'!"
"'Egyptian God Phoenix'!?" gasped Percy, "It looks completely different than the one you've used to beat Lady!"
"I never thought I would have to actually show you, nor anyone else, the true form, power, and nature of 'Ra'… You can be proud of that, Percy!" praised Dark Marik.
Below the platform…
"It looks so beautiful…" whispered Mrs. Gresley (Boxford).
"…yet very dangerous," finished Mr. Gresley (Boxford).
"I finally get to see 'Ra's' final power!" gloated Spencer.
Back on the platform…
"This is the end!" promised Dark Marik, "You will die this turn!"
He then began to laugh maniacally once more, while 'Egyptian God Phoenix' gave a loud screech in response. Below the platform, Emily was terrified of seeing this new form of 'The Winged Dragon of Ra', and thus stood closer to Thomas (because she felt safer being with him), who instinctively wrapped both arms around Emily's waist, holding her close to comfort her (which she wholeheartedly welcomed), while thinking over the situation.
"When 'Ra' is Special Summoned with 'Monster Reborn', it should have 0 ATK and DEF," Thomas thought to himself, "But Marik has declared that he will defeat Percy on this very turn. Does this mean 'Ra' possesses an even more terrifying hidden power?"
"Thomas! Spencer!" The voice of Dark Marik called out.
That got the attention of Thomas and Spencer respectively, while, back on the platform, Dark Marik was speaking to one or both of his next victims.
"It's thanks to Percy here that you both will get to see a 'Sneak Preview' of 'The Winged Dragon of Ra's' final power!" proclaimed Dark Marik, not losing his maniacal smirk, "This terrifying power will kill off the boy right here, with the same fate waiting for either of you in the finals!" His smile then grew more and more savage, "Why not send him off with a big round of applause? But make it loud enough for this pitiful duelist to hear when he arrives in Hell!"
"Hey you!" snarled Percy, "What makes you think you'll win? 'Ra' has no ATK, and is facing 'Gilford the Lightning', who has an ATK of 2800! If you think your monster can beat mine, then show me!"
"Hm hm hm hm hm…" chuckled Dark Marik, "Just keep quiet and wait for death…" As he (Dark Marik) bragged on, Percy listened on, "After you witness 'Ra's' third ability in action, you will wander Hell with the one girl I sent there!"
Percy gasped, "Special effect?"
"Now listen up… (Quick Effect): I can pay 1000 LP, then target 1 monster my opponent controls; I must destroy it, ignoring any effects that prevent it from being destroyed!" explained Dark Marik, paying up his LP (LP: 1900 → 900), "That means, even with 0 ATK, 'Ra' can easily destroy your 'Gilford the Lightning'!"
"Can he really destroy 'Gilford' that easily?" thought Percy. He then remembered something and spoke aloud, "I don't believe you, Marik. Besides, even if you do defeat 'Gilford the Lightning' with 'Egyptian God Phoenix', I won't lose any LP due to the attack really being an effect! Meaning unless 'God's' effect also deals damage, you won't beat me this turn."
"Already you forget? Do you remember our Shadow Game?" recalled Dark Marik deviously, as Percy looked and saw a red wire move from his (Percy) chest towards 'Gilford the Lightning', "The players will feel the exact same pain their monsters feel!"
Below the platform…
"If Marik orders 'Ra' to attack…!" freaked out Liz, paralyzed with terror.
"…then Percy could die!" added Ryan, equally frightened.
Back on the platform…
"'Ra's' judgment will burn both your mind and body into ash!" smirked Dark Marik, as Percy narrowed his (Percy) eyes defiantly, "You may have LP left over, but all that awaits you now is defeat and death!" He raised his right hand into the sky, "Watch! The phoenix soars, inviting you into the darkness! 'Egyptian God Phoenix'!" His eyes bulged madly, while, below the platform and in a frozen still, everyone watched in anticipation for his monster to begin attacking 'Gilford the Lightning', "Get ready to lose it all! For the phoenix rises tonight!"
(elsewhere…)
Back inside Ishizu's room, she was still looking after Odion when she felt a shiver go down her spine—as though she sensed 'The Winged Dragon of Ra' was back again, but now in its most powerful form. Ishizu grew worried, knowing whoever faced the 'God' in that form would likely never survive an attack.
(elsewhere…)
Back on the platform in the Shadow Realm, 'Gilford the Lightning' and 'Egyptian God Phoenix' (an alternate form of 'The Winged Dragon of Ra') faced off against each other.
"Go forth, 'Egyptian God Phoenix'! Destroy 'Gilford the Lightning' and kill Percy Avonside!" commanded Dark Marik with wicked glee.
'Egyptian God Phoenix' obeyed, dive-bombing towards both Percy and his monster with a great screech. Percy could only watch in horror at his impending fate. He had already used 'Gilford the Lightning's' effect and had no other cards on the field.
"This can't be possible!" thought Percy, as the attack got closer and closer to hitting, "If I lose now, then I'll never see Lady… Thomas… my sister…EVER AGAIN!"
Finally, the firebird struck both 'Gilford the Lightning' and Percy, setting them ablaze.
(elsewhere…)
There was an earthquake that rocked the whole area around the Duel Tower—or, rather, rocked the whole entire island.
(elsewhere…)
Inside the Shadow Realm, 'Gilford the Lightning' roared in agony from the flames consuming his body, but was nothing compared to the pain Percy felt… He was screaming like he never screamed before, as he practically felt the rage of the 'Egyptian God' monster burn his skin. Below the platform…
"Percy!" wailed Thomas.
On the platform, Dark Marik was laughing insanely and sadistically from witnessing his opponent's pain and suffering—all while Percy continued to scream from the agonizing pain he was feeling from the dancing flames of rage from 'Egyptian God Phoenix'.
"Burn… burn until the last of your soul is gone!" cackled Dark Marik, madly and excitedly, "Now give me more…! More…! MORE SCREAMS!"
The evil man resumed his insidious laughter. Below the platform…
"Percy, no!" cried Emily.
"This isn't good…! If the pain continues at this rate, Percy's mind will…" thought Thomas.
Meanwhile, the flames around the stage grew more fierce as Percy's screams got even worse.
"That does it!" announced Mr. Gresley (Boxford), taking off his jacket, "I'm going to get him out of there!"
"Stay back!" ordered Dark Marik, holding his Millennium Rod out in a highly threatening gesture, "Come any closer, and you'll join Percy and Polly Stone in the world in darkness!"
"I don't care! It's better than sitting back while others suffer!"
With that said, Mr. Gresley (Boxford) began to run towards and climb up to Percy's side of the platform—and, as expected, Dark Marik's Millennium Rod began glowing and instantly fired off a blast. Mr. Gresley (Boxford) was hit by the blast and, with a pained yell, flew off the platform and landed near both Discord and Ryan.
"Oh no! Jim!" panicked Mrs. Gresley (Boxford), worried for her husband's safety.
"How awful…" whispered Carlie in fright.
"Dammit…!" cursed Michael.
"Man, this is crazy!" exclaimed James R., "What he's doing now… Marik really is an irredeemable monster!"
Back on the platform, Percy and 'Gilford the Lightning' both continued to scream in agonizing pain from the flames of the third 'Egyptian God' monster. At this point, even Skiff was just about ready to pull the plug on the duel.
"Spencer, Marik has gone too far this time!" The young boy protested, clearly scared, "This duel must end now—before Percy really does die!"
"So that's 'Ra's' third ability…" thought Spencer, not willing to stop the duel, "I've finally seen it with my own eyes. Not bad for an amateur, Percy…"
Finally, after what seemed like forever, 'Gilford the Lightning' shattered into pieces of glass. With the red wire snapping from his chest, Percy gave one final gasp of pain before the flames of 'Egyptian God Phoenix' slowly began to fade away.
"Let's see what's left of your little friend, shall we?" taunted Dark Marik, "That's enough, 'Ra'! Return to the GY at once."
'Egyptian God Phoenix' let loose a screech and began to disappear behind its master.
"Well… I can see the remains of Percy's soul rising to heaven within the smoke," whispered Dark Marik snidely.
When the flames and smoke both died down, as well as everything becoming dead silent, Percy was shown to be…barely standing.
"What?!" gasped Dark Marik, "You're-!"
Percy's body was scorched and smoking from the flames and dancing fury of 'Egyptian God Phoenix'… However, he was still standing and alive regardless. Everyone below the platform was shocked to see their friend still standing.
"Percy!" exclaimed James.
"It can't be-!" came from Thomas.
Back on the platform, Percy remained motionless, but his eyes soon regained vision.
"I-Impossible!" screamed Dark Marik in sheer shock, focused entirely on Percy, "You're still alive?!"
Percy said nothing back and gazed weakly at his opponent—which evolved into a vision.
VISION
Percy was still atop the Duel Tower, but was gazing…at Thomas?
"Thomas…?" asked Percy in surprise, "Thomas, is that you?"
Thomas smiled and slotted his already shuffled Deck into the Duel Disk.
"You've done it, Percy," praised Thomas happily, "You've defeated evil Marik and saved not only Lady's life, but the entire world."
Percy blinked motionlessly, "I…did?"
"Yes," confirmed Thomas, "After 'Ra' was sent back to the GY by its own ability, you drew 'Gearfried the Iron Knight' and attacked Marik directly with it."
"I…remember…" mumbled Percy, "I remember being struck by that phoenix…and surviving the fiery flames of it. Thanks to 'Ra' being affected by 'Monster Reborn' for just one turn…it vanished."
"Yes! And because you've won against Marik, and I defeated Spencer," reminded Thomas, "we're about to have our promised duel IN the Battle City Finals!"
The dullness in Percy's eyes was replaced with great happiness.
"You're right!" acknowledged Percy, "It's time for our promised duel!"
Thomas immediately tossed his coat off and wore it like a cape, while Percy readied his own Duel Disk.
"May the best duelist win," Thomas and Percy declared at the same time.
END VISION
The vision ended, and Percy still remained motionless. Dark Marik, meanwhile, for the first time in his whole life showed complete fear of anyone he faced—no matter what he (Dark Marik) did to hurt the opponent, Percy just wouldn't die.
"If he succeeds in attacking my LP, I'll lose the duel and my 'Egyptian God' Card!" hissed Dark Marik through gritted teeth, horrorstruck.
"You…lose…" Percy mumbled weakly.
Finally, at his End Phase, 'Egyptian God Phoenix' faded away back into Dark Marik's GY, leaving him completely defenseless with no backup plan; he (Dark Marik) had spent the entire duel not playing or taking Percy seriously at all, and now he (Dark Marik) literally couldn't do anything to stop his entire grand plan from going up in flames before he could even complete it, or even save his own life from an attack—and it was entirely his own fault.
"This can't be happening to me!" ranted Dark Marik, "H-How is it even possible?! Is Percy's will greater than even the power of 'The Winged Dragon of Ra'?! But that's absurd! No one can withstand the power of 'God' itself!"
Below the platform…
"You've won, Percy!" cheered Gordon.
"All he needs to do is draw a monster strong enough to deal the final blow, and the duel, no, nightmare, will finally end!" said Emily happily.
"Yay, Percy!" whooped Molly.
"This is awesome!" came from Skiff.
Spencer was stunned, "But how did he-?" he stammered, not believing that Percy managed to survive 'Egyptian God Phoenix's' attack, "Did he…defeat 'God'?"
"Hurry, Percy!" called Thomas, "Draw your card and end this duel!"
Back on the duel platform…
"It's…my turn," The voice of Percy uttered tiredly, drawing a card slowly, "D-Draw…"
Turn Eighteen: Percy Avonside (LP: 900)
Deck: 46
Current Hand (1): "Gearfried the Iron Knight"
Weakly, the green-haired boy saw it was his 'Gearfried the Iron Knight' Monster Card. That monster was more than powerful enough to finish Dark Marik off.
"'Gearfried'…" thought Percy.
He started to place it onto a Monster Zone on his Duel Disk. Below the platform, everyone watched silently and anxiously about what was about to happen.
"What card did he draw?" asked Henry.
On the platform, the Duel Disk lit up, and the 'Gearfried the Iron Knight' Monster Card materialized face-up on the field—just before the iron knight-like monster appeared from it and onto the field (Level: 4/ATK: 1800/DEF: 1600).
"N-NO!" Dark Marik shrieked in absolute terror, knowing that this was the end of him, "I can't lose! NOT TO YOU!"
"'Gearfried'…" began Percy weakly, yet was smiling.
Suddenly, before he could finish his sentence, Percy Avonside began to fall onto the ground as everyone below the platform went from overjoyed to filled with sorrow.
"M-my…brother…" Liz whimpered, as her eyes were welling with tears.
It was too late. Percy had finally collapsed onto the platform as 'Gearfried the Iron Knight' shattered apart.
"PERCY!" Thomas and the likes screamed out.
"NOOOOOO!" Skiff, Mr. Gresley (Boxford), and Mrs. Gresley (Boxford) added in.
Back on the platform, Dark Marik scowled as he (Dark Marik) watched Percy land on the platform, face-down.
"Defiant to the end, I see," grumbled Dark Marik, while the Shadow Realm fog finally started to fade away.
There was a long silence before Roland checked his watch.
"We will now enter a time count!" announced Roland.
"Wait!" called Skiff, climbing onto the platform.
He (Skiff) managed to get onto the dueling platform and race towards Percy.
"Percy, Percy!" Skiff exclaimed, "Are you okay?!" He checked for a pulse before backing away and giving a gasp of horror, "Guys! I… I can't feel a pulse… He's not breathing!"
Below the platform, Thomas, Matt, Emily, Liz, Ryan, Carlie, and Ben all gasped in complete shock.
"N-No…pulse…?" Liz spluttered.
"Percy…!" came from Carlie, who's voice began to break.
I'm sorry to say, that was all Roland needed to hear…
"Percy Avonside is unable to continue the match!" proclaimed Roland, sounding very uncaring about the fact that a duelist had just collapsed, or possibly died, "Therefore, Marik Ishtar wins the duel by default!"
DUEL RESULTS: Dark Marik wins by default!
"Percy!" cried Thomas in despair, being the first to approach the duel platform.
All of Percy's friends and loved ones immediately climbed onto the platform to reach their fallen friend.
"Percy!" Toby and Edward both began..
"My Little Brother!" sobbed Liz.
Mrs. Gresley (Boxford) helped her husband back up, who wasn't hurt by Dark Marik's attack, but was left a little winded.
"Jim, we need the doctors up here, now!" requested Mrs. Gresley (Boxford).
"I'm…on it," Mr Gresley (Boxford) weakly obeyed, heading for the phones.
The platform then started to lower back down as Dark Marik fell to his knees weakly and in exhaustion, having been physically drained from the Shadow Game.
"How could I be falling behind to a peon like you…!" coughed Dark Marik weakly, just before briefly gagging into his hands for a few seconds and breathing extra hard from great exhaustion and lost strength. He then smiled big upon recovering, "But he's finally dead…!"
Watching Percy lie on the ground and his friends gathering around him, Spencer remained in his thoughts over the end of the duel…
"Percy nearly won against 'Ra'," Spencer thought to himself, "That was something I had never expected to ever see."
Back over with the gang…
"Percy, Percy!" wailed Molly repeatedly.
"Please wake up…!" begged Ryan.
An upset James soon grabbed Percy by his shirt collar and pulled him over.
"Percy, wake up, right now!" demanded James, with his voice starting to break, "This isn't funny, man!" When Percy didn't wake up, he (James) lost all emotional control and raised his right fist back, "WAKE UP!"
Fortunately, Gordon managed to grab hold of the fist before it was too late.
"James, cool it!" yelled Gordon. When James immediately broke down sobbing, he (Gordon) then looked back over to Skiff urgently, "Where are those doctors?!"
"My Dad says they're on their way!" Skiff answered, looking just as despaired.
Nearby with everyone else, the rest of the gang didn't look any better whatsoever with what happened to Percy Avonside.
"Percy…" wept Molly, "Why did it have to be…"
"This isn't fair!" Mavis also cried.
"Easy, Mavis…" soothed Toby, hugging his girlfriend while crying also.
Carlie was also crying her eyes out from what happened to one of her friends (Percy) and her brother was trying to comfort her… Liz, however, was taking it so much worse, and had to actually be physically restrained by both Michael and Matt so that she could be taken away to be comforted by her husband back aboard the blimp. Thomas, meanwhile, approached Percy very slowly, fell to his (Thomas) hands and knees, and burst into tears, too.
"It's a lie…" whispered Thomas, just before letting out a scream, "IT'S A LIE!"
Spencer watched the heartbreaking scene of several of Percy's friends and loved ones crying with his arms folded, and finally decided to say something he (Spencer) would never admit out loud.
"Percy, the way you died fighting 'Ra'…" thought Spencer, "As of now, you've officially earned my respect as a duelist."
It was then the crying Thomas heard the one voice that made his blood absolutely boil. He (Thomas) turned around…and saw that Dark Marik was actually laughing at what he (Dark Marik) had done just now.
"Another soul has been sacrificed to the darkness, vanishing from existence," taunted Dark Marik, sweeping his cape about with a swing of the right arm. There was not one ounce of regret on his face for his actions, "One less friend for you means one step closer to your impending death!"
Turning around while shaking violently with great anger and with a forming dark aura all-around him, Thomas pretty much lost it right there and then… Screaming in nothing but rage and grief, Thomas went and slugged Dark Marik in the stomach, all while everyone else watched in stunned silence—except for Spencer.
"Thomas!" panicked Emily tearfully, running over to her friend and grabbing his arm to try and calm him down, having felt the exact same presence within Thomas that she had the night before—and just like last night, she felt that same unusual, all consuming sensation within herself demanding that she quell his overwhelming rage at all cost, "Please calm down!"
Pushed back from the punch, and already badly weakened from his duel, Dark Marik fell to one knee while clutching his stomach in pain—yet, he (Dark Marik) still had the strength to look back up at Thomas, noticing what almost seemed like just the faintest hint of a red glow in his (Thomas) eyes. The sighed caused him to smile evilly and gloat some more.
"Oh dear, ha ha, did I just touch a nerve?" teased Dark Marik, slowly managing to stand back up, "Well, when we eventually duel… you will be losing so much more than your best friend."
"SHUT UP!" screamed Thomas, causing Emily to pull him into a very tight embrace to try calming him down even more, "PERCY ISN'T DEAD!"
Dark Marik's response was a cruel chuckle, believing that Percy truly was dead—or would be in a matter of minutes.
"It doesn't matter to me… for he will be soon enough," retorted Dark Marik. He then started to walk towards the tower's exit, "I'll see you later, Thomas, when we duel and I finally manage to kill you. Look forward to it!"
It was then Spencer spoke up, causing Dark Marik to halt in place.
"Don't get your hopes up, Marik," warned Spencer, "Because it won't be Billinton you'll be dueling—it will be me."
"And what makes you think you'll even stand a chance against me, Spencer?" asked Dark Marik, frowning at being interrupted.
"Because thanks to your duel with Percy, you've revealed too much information about your 'Egyptian God' monster," said Spencer smugly, as Dark Marik listened, "I've seen 'Ra's' third ability, and now I know how to attack it," To prove his point, held up a card, though not showing what it actually was, "And with this one card, I'll be able to defeat both you and your 'God' monster."
Dark Marik was intrigued, but merely gave a small evil smirk in response.
"I'd like to see you try," dared Dark Marik, "For now, I'll wish you the best of luck! Because you'll need it."
With that being said, Dark Marik walked away laughing like a madman… From there, countless doctors came rushing into the arena to tend to Percy.
"Thank goodness you're here," praised Discord, "Bring him to the medical room aboard the blimp at once!"
Percy was immediately carried out on a stretcher, with the rest of the gang following from behind begging the doctors to save their badly injured friend. Only Thomas, Emily, Spencer, Skiff, and the two co-presidents of Boxford Corp stayed behind.
"The next duel of the semi-finals will be Thomas Billinton against Spencer Gresley," declared Roland, "The duel will commence in one hour's time!"
Hearing those words brought a smile onto Spencer's face as he faced the crestfallen Thomas.
"I guess we'll see who deserves the honor of stopping Marik's madness once and for all," commented Spencer, as Thomas and Emily listened to him, "But in all seriousness, I've been waiting for this very moment ever since you handed me my first defeat."
"Tommy…" whispered Emily, still holding Thomas closely against her to help him calm down from his terrifying display of rage and sorrow—which seemed to be working as she felt the strange, dark aura around him disappearing, "Thomas, please say something."
"Overcome your friend's death… and return to this duel arena!" ordered Spencer.
"First I must make sure Percy is okay," replied Thomas coldly, "Once that's done… I'll deal with you, Spencer."
Thomas shrugged Emily off of him and raced after his friends and the doctors. Emily stayed behind for a moment and started following from behind.
"And I'll be waiting for you until then!" Spencer thought to himself, "So that I can finally take you down."
(elsewhere…)
Inside the medical room aboard the blimp, the coma-induced Percy Avonside was lying in bed and hooked up to several medical machines while doctors ran tests on him. The rest of the group, joined by Ishizu, watched on.
"How…is he?" asked Ryan as slowly as possible.
"He has signs of life, but we can't be too sure at this point," A doctor was saying, "I don't even know what's causing the condition."
"Dammit, you've gotta know something!" exclaimed James, clearly not satisfied with the answer he was given.
"Take it easy, James," scolded Edward, before looking to the doctors and speaking to them more politely, "Is Percy dead—or is he unconscious?"
"He's still breathing at the moment," answered a second doctor, "But his condition is still very dangerous."
"Very dangerous?!" gasped Mavis, feeling like she was just about to burst into tears again, "You mean Percy's going to…die?"
"NO!" freaked out Liz, collapsing near her Little Brother's bed and sobbing her heart out some more, "PERCY! Percy…!"
"Easy, Ms. Elizabeth…" said Ishizu calmly, placing both hands around Liz's shoulders.
"Doctor, you HAVE to know something about what's gonna happen to Percy!" pressed James angrily.
"I'm sorry," The lead doctor said apologetically, "We're doing the best we can, but our equipment isn't suitable for something like this. All we can do now is hope for a miracle, and pray that your friend manages to wake up."
That didn't sit too well for James, who only collapsed on his hands and knees and screamed in a frustrated rage. Ishizu watched with a sad look in her eyes, knowing that no doctor could help Percy.
"The power of darkness is what is causing his death…" thought Ishizu, "Modern medicine can't do anything for him… The only hope we have…is that this boy has the willpower necessary to pull through this."
Just then, Skiff arrived in the medical room…
"Skiff!" Discord exclaimed in relief, "What did Spencer-boy say? Are we leaving immediately?"
Unfortunately, Skiff had some bad news—news he knew that the group was not going to like.
"We're…not going anywhere," confessed Skiff.
"SAY WHAT?!" Zack, James R., and Matt exclaimed at once.
"Damn you! Why the hell not?!" Michael demanded, sounding truly furious.
"Can't he see Percy's condition?" asked Carlie, speaking in an upset tone, "Why in the world won't he let us get him proper help?"
"Because he wants this tournament to continue until the very end," sighed Skiff, "Mom, Dad, and myself tried to talk him out of continuing the Battle City Finals… but my brother wouldn't even hear of it."
"Why that son-of-a-!" Gordon snarled, "Spencer still only cares about winning and becoming Duel King?! Who gives a damn about these duels when someone's life is on the line!?" He began to leave the room in anger, "I'll teach him-!"
Suddenly, Skiff held his hand up, stopping Gordon in his tracks in order to prevent a potentially violent encounter from ensuing.
"We'll contact a Boxford Corp helicopter to pick up Lady, Duck, and Percy," The younger boy stated, sounding very honest, "From there, the helicopter will get them to a proper hospital back on the Island of Sodor. I promise you guys that they will be okay."
"Really?" asked Mavis hopefully.
"Really."
"Okay, thank you, Skiff," said Ryan quietly.
"Just don't tell my brother, please!" begged Skiff, "He won't be too happy if you tell him."
As Skiff left the room, Gordon decided to go with him to the main cockpit and help out with radioing for help.
"Gordon, wait!" called Henry.
Too late, Gordon was gone. Meanwhile, Thomas stood by Percy's bedside with tears in his eyes—all his anger burnt out. After the duel with Dark Marik, his best friend was near death, or possibly even dead… While the rest of the group was in despair over it, both Liz and Thomas were taking it the hardest… Speaking of the former, Liz was also by the bed still crying her eyes out while clutching onto her beloved Little Brother's left hand.
"First Lady, then Duck, and now Percy…" sobbed Thomas, "How many more lives does Marik have to keep taking until he is satisfied?" He shut his eyes and let loose tears, "I… I…"
Ishizu continued to try and comfort Liz, but also had a look of concern when she saw Thomas begin to exit from the room.
(outside…)
Exiting the room and walking (or stumbling) slowly into the hallway, Thomas looked at, and took off, his Duel Disk in solemn depression.
"I can't fight anymore…" he vowed, "I'm finished with this game…"
Suddenly, Dark Magician and Dark Magician Girl both emerged from the Millennium Puzzle. As expected, they were looking highly worried for their master's well-being right now—Dark Magician Girl more so.
"Prince…" whispered Dark Magician Girl, but quietly enough so Thomas couldn't hear.
"I promised Percy that I would duel with him after he became a True Duelist," thought Thomas, as more tears fell, "I should have carried out that promise for Battle City. But looking for answers to what I saw in the museum, the 'Egyptian God' Cards, stopping the Rare Hunters… defeating Marik's dark half… None of that even compares to the solemn promise to a best friend. Did… did I sacrifice Percy for all of that?"
A flashback began.
FLASHBACK
Flashback Percy was speaking to Flashback Thomas, Flashback Emily, and Flashback Edward in the middle of Knapford square.
"I want to become a True Duelist like you, Thomas," admitted Flashback Percy, "In Battle City, I must show you—when I win in this tournament, when I become a True Duelist, please accept a proper duel with me."
"I'll take good care of your 'Red-Eyes' for the time being," smiled Flashback Thomas.
Flashback Percy smiled back as he (Flashback Percy) and Flashback Thomas shook hands, sealing the deal.
"You are the best friend I could ever ask for," praised Flashback Thomas.
"Likewise," agreed Flashback Percy.
END FLASHBACK
The flashback ended, but Dark Magician and Dark Magician Girl both remained silent.
"DID I?!" shouted Thomas, with his voice breaking some more.
Still, the two Duel Monsters spirits remained silent before vanishing. The look of sadness on Thomas's face was quickly replaced with great rage (from earlier) right around here.
"Now there's only one thing left to keep me going, and that is my hatred for Marik," thought Thomas, as an image of Dark Marik briefly appeared beside him. He suddenly turned around and punched the wall in front of him out of both anger and sadness, "But after that, what do I have left? Please don't die, Percy… I'll never…"
"Hey, Thomas…" A familiar voice (male) echoed.
Thomas, hearing the voice, stood up looking around for the source.
"Who's out there?!" called Thomas.
But there was nothing there—or was someone there? It was then he (Thomas) was seeing…a transparent image of his best friend, and he (Percy) was smiling like nothing was wrong.
"Who says that it has to be the end?" commented Percy, "Just check your pockets—the answer is in there."
"My pockets?" repeated Thomas.
Suddenly, Thomas noticed a glow coming from his coat pocket. He dug inside until he pulled out the Millennium Necklace, glowing.
"The Millennium Necklace…" whispered Thomas. He then gasped when he was shown a vision of the future, "W-Wha-?!"
A vision began.
VISION
A white background…which came with voices.
"Let's duel!" The voices of Thomas and Percy exclaimed at the same time.
The light dimmed and revealed what it was. In this future, Thomas and Percy were in the middle of the harbor, and were about to have their promised duel. Watching from the sidelines were their friends.
END VISION
The vision ended.
"This… this is…" realized Thomas..
But Thomas wasn't sure of what to think. The last time Ishizu used the Millennium Necklace to see the future, her prediction turned out to be very wrong. But…what if this time it was correct?
"I just don't know what to believe…" sighed Thomas, placing the Millennium Necklace back in his pocket.
Just then…
"Thomas, are you okay?" The voice of Emily called out gently.
Thomas snapped out of his daze, and that was when he noticed a very worried-looking Emily walking up to him.
"Oh… Hey, Emily," greeted Thomas unhappily.
"I said are you okay?" Emily repeated once more, "You were in a lot of pain a while ago—over what happened to Percy."
"No, I'm not," answered Thomas solemnly, "We're losing more of our friends to Marik's dark half, Spencer refuses to cancel the tournament to get proper help for those who had fallen," Focus went towards the Duel Disk in his left hand, "and soon I have to face him in a rematch…with more on the line than ever before."
"Thomas…" whispered Emily.
Thomas then turned and showed Emily the Millennium Necklace he was holding in his right hand.
"And I had a vision just now," revealed Thomas
"A vision?" pondered Emily, blinking a few times, "Of what kind?"
"It was Percy and I dueling and keeping our Battle City promise," explained Thomas, suddenly looking very down, "But…I honestly don't know what to make of it," He remembered the duel between Spencer and Ishizu, ending with 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon' winning the former the duel, "Ishizu's prediction that Spencer would lose to her ended up being wrong, and even she admitted that."
"Yeah…" acknowledged Emily.
"Is this vision I had true or not?" continued Thomas, "I need an answer-!"
Before he could continue speaking, an announcement was heard.
"Attention! The second battle of the Battle City semi-finals is about to begin!" The voice of Roland announced, "Will both required duelists come to the top of the Duel Tower, please?"
"I guess it's time," sighed Emily, before facing Thomas, "Thomas, what will you do?"
"If that vision is true," Thomas thought to himself, equipping the Duel Disk again, "then I have to keep fighting as a True Duelist. Otherwise, it will never happen."
"Are you really going to face Spencer?" pressed Emily in surprise.
Thomas didn't say a word. Instead he turned and walked back towards the medical room where Percy was.
(inside…)
Inside, everyone was still grieving for their fallen friend.
"Poor Percy," sobbed Mavis.
"This is all Spencer's fault," grumbled James.
"AND Marik's!" added Ryan, very angry.
"I'll never forgive him for this!" added Liz heatedly, with her eyes were all red from crying.
It was then everyone else in the room saw Thomas and Emily.
"Where were you two?" asked Zack.
"You okay?" added Ben.
Thomas didn't say a word. He walked past Molly, Mavis, Toby, and Zack and approached the bed his best friend was lying in.
"What are you…?" started Carlie.
"Shh…" hushed Emily, knowing exactly what Thomas was about to do.
Thomas could see that Percy's Duel Disk had come off his (Percy) arm and carefully put it back on his (Thomas) friend's arm. This was while Liz watched curiously.
"Thomas?" peeped Liz.
"Keep fighting, Percy," urged Thomas quietly, "Hang on like a True Duelist," He then turned around to leave. "I have a duel to take part in. I want all of you to stay here and look after Percy, Lady, and Duck."
"We will," obeyed Molly.
Thomas exited the room and walked down the hallway. Back inside the medical room, everyone was silent.
"You think Thomas can win against Spencer?" asked Carlie.
"I hope so," pleaded Mavis.
"No sweat!" reassured James confidently, "Thomas will wipe the floor with that rich jerk!"
"Spencer-boy has gotten even better than last time," Discord reminded, "Thomas-boy will be in for the duel of his life—especially in his current state of mind."
That proved to be the last straw for Emily, and she started to leave the room. Molly was about to stop Emily, but was too late
"Was it something I said?" blinked Discord.
(elsewhere…)
Inside the Duel Tower, Thomas was making his way towards the elevator so that he could go to the duel arena.
"This is it…" Thomas sighed to himself.
Before he pressed the button and entered the elevator, a voice was heard.
"Thomas, wait!" The voice of Emily yelled out.
Thomas turned and saw Emily running up to him.
"Emily?" quizzed Thomas, as Emily bent over out of breath, "I thought I told you to stay behind?"
"I'm going with you," refused Emily firmly, "You need as much support as you can get," Thomas was silent…and this allowed her to continue speaking, " "Have you forgotten how many people have gotten hurt in this tournament so far? Percy, Lady, Duck…even Odion. I can't stand the thought of losing you, too!"
"I have to fight in order to keep my promise to Percy," protested Thomas, as a still of himself and Percy about to duel was superimposed over him, "The Millennium Necklace showed me a vision of the future, and if I stop fighting now, I'll never see that future."
"Thomas…" fretted Emily.
"Besides, do you remember the field trip to the museum?" recalled Thomas.
A flashback began.
FLASHBACK
It was before the Battle City tournament started. Flashback Thomas and his classmates were at the museum. Thomas and a few of his friends were in the Ancient Egyptian exhibit.
"Hey guys!" called Flashback Percy, "Come and see this!"
Flashback Thomas, Flashback Emily, and Flashback Edward walked over to what Flashback Percy, Flashback Toby, and Flashback Mavis were standing.
"What's up?" wondered Flashback Thomas.
"You might want to see this," offered Flashback Toby, pointing at the stone carving that showed the Pharaoh's duel with the Priest.
"Goodness gracious!" cried Flashback Emily, as soon as she saw the look of the Pharaoh, "That looks like Thomas!"
"That's not all," frowned Flashback Mavis, pointing to the other side of the carving, "See the guy the Pharaoh is dueling?"
"That's Spencer!" realized Flashback Thomas.
END FLASHBACK
The flashback ended.
"I do," confirmed Emily, "We found out your ancestor was a Pharaoh in Ancient Egypt, and now you're supposed to save the world from evil, just as he did 3000 years ago."
"I will find those answers," said Thomas, "And this tournament will see to it."
"I know…" whispered Emily, struggling to find the right set of words to say next, "But what if you-?"
"What if I 'what'?"
"What if you die?" The dark green-haired girl whimpered, with tears in her eyes.
"I understand how you feel…" sighed Thomas, hating to see Emily like this, "However, I can't run away now. I must show Spencer that I am a True Duelist…and fight for my best friend, Percy."
Emily blinked through her tears, and that was when Thomas turned around fully and gave his friend and crush a reassuring smile.
"Nothing will happen to me," promised Thomas in a positive tone, pulling Emily into a warm hug, "I promise you that."
Emily felt slightly better as she went and dried her eyes before smiling right back. Thomas nodded back… before narrowing his eyes and gazing upward.
"Now, come on," Thomas growled, looking up at the elevator level while knowing it was time to face Spencer, "We have a certain someone to meet with."
"Right," agreed Emily.
With that, the doors opened and allowed the two teenagers inside the elevator.
(elsewhere…)
Atop the Duel Tower, Spencer was waiting patiently for Thomas to arrive.
"The time has finally come…" thought Spencer, "Once I defeat Billinton here, I'll have access to two 'Egyptian God' Cards along with my secret weapon," He looked at his Duel Disk—particularly his Deck, then back up with anticipation, "And once I beat Marik and get 'The Winged Dragon of Ra' from him, I'll finally become the Duel King once more!"
Yes, folks, this match was gonna be big indeed.
Both "Strength of Darkness, Part 3" and the next chapter "Percy Falls…" have been merged together into one chapter. We'll be doing the same for the Thomas VS. Spencer rematch, which is five chapters long in the original version.