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: Spencer VS The Future, Part 1
Inside Lady's room fifteen minutes after Dark Marik won the duel, the poor coma-induced girl was put into bed to rest (she was currently wearing only her skirt and a sports bra) while everyone else gathered around to watch over her solemnly.
"Lady…" whispered Mavis.
"I can't believe this had to happen to her," added Molly, looking like she was about to cry.
Liz felt worse, "This…is all my fault," she sobbed, breaking down, "Completely my fault."
"Liz?" asked Ryan, looking at his wife, "Why would you believe that?"
"If I hadn't yelled at Lady," said Liz, blinking through her tears, "she would still be with us."
Poor Liz fell to her knees at the foot of the bed and cried out of remorse, Thomas had a sad look of his own before looking over to her.
"No, Ms. Liz," Thomas spoke up softly, "You're not to blame for this… it was all Marik's doing."
"Marik," Matt growled, clenching his fist.
"If you ask me, Spencer is just as guilty," added Gordon, "He chose to stand there while Lady was in danger."
"Why is he behaving like this?" Emily questioned in an upset tone.
"That should be obvious," corrected Henry.
"The 'God' Cards, winning the tournament, defeating Thomas-boy…" figured Discord.
"So, where are Percy and James?" Toby suddenly asked.
"They're likely outside on the duel arena chewing Spencer out for not stopping the duel," replied Ben, "Not that I blame them or anything."
"Especially Percy," agreed Carlie.
The gang began to leave, but Liz didn't follow behind.
"Dear?" Ryan questioned, as Liz stayed near the foot of Lady's bed, "You're not coming with us?"
"I… I'm staying to look after Lady," she said, shaking her head, "I feel that I deserve some of the blame for what happened."
Everyone was silent… but then Ryan smiled and walked over.
"Then I'll stay, too. Is that okay with you?" offered Ryan.
Liz smiled for the first time in a while and accepted the offer.
(elsewhere…)
Outside on the duel stage, James and Percy were both indeed chewing Spencer out for what happened to Lady.
"I can't believe you didn't do anything to stop Marik from hurting Lady!" shouted Percy in anger.
"There was no reason to stop it," dismissed Spencer, "I had to see 'The Winged Dragon of Ra' with my own eyes!"
"Ya moron! Seeing a monster even if it meant letting an innocent girl burn to death?!" snapped James.
Upon hearing James's voice, Spencer immediately looked over with a glare—with Roland also walking over.
"As for you, James Hughes," said Roland firmly, "for punching me out and trying to interrupt the duel. You are out of the finals for misconduct."
"You know what? I don't care about this crappy tournament anymore!" growled James, getting straight into Roland's face, "You got what you deserved for just standing there while Lady was about to be killed by Marik and 'Ra'!" Surprisingly, the suit couldn't help but sweat nervously from being told off, "Percy and I were at least willing to risk our lives to try and save her!" He clenched his right hand into a fist and swung it around, "Now she's in a coma, and it's your damn fault for not attempting to stop it from happening!"
Standing nearby, Dark Marik, with his arms holded and leaning against the doorway, was listening in on the argument and chuckled darkly.
"Good friends! They worked together, and, now, it's finger pointing and name-calling," The evil man said to himself in sick amusement, "I just love stuff like that!"
Spencer, meanwhile, was about to talk back to James when a familiar voice spoke up.
"Hello, Spencer Gresley," said a calm, collected female voice, "We meet again."
Spencer turned around to the owner of the voice, looking disinterested since it would be an opponent he would crush without effort.
"And who might you be?" he asked rudely.
A young woman (the tenth finalist) wearing a white priestess dress that showed off her generous cleavage was seen walking past Dark Marik. A piece of clothing was covering much of her face to conceal her identity.
"You should know me," The young woman pointed out wisely, stepping onto the platform to face Spencer, "I vowed that we would meet again."
With that being said, she removed the clothing from her face and revealed herself to be…
"Y-You're…Ishizu!" Spencer exclaimed with bloodshot eyes.
Yes, the tenth finalist was none other than Ishizu Ishtar. At the sight of his older sister.
"Big Sister!" The voice of Light Marik cried out, as an image of himself appeared while trying to break free, "Help me!"
Dark Marik grimaced in pain as he held onto his head.
"Stay away!" shouted Dark Marik mentally, "I'm in control, now!"
The image of Light Marik faded away as Dark Marik scowled with annoyance over the interference, but was glad to still be in control of the body. Around this time, Thomas and the others arrived outside.
"Spencer, we need to-" began Thomas sternly.
"Hello, Thomas," The voice of Ishizu greeted, cutting Thomas's sentence off before he could finish.
Sliding to a halt, Thomas was very surprised to see the familiar young Egyptian woman from the museum.
"Ishizu?" blinked Thomas.
"Yes," confirmed Ishizu, nodding, "We meet again…as I foreshadowed."
The rest of the group stopped behind Thomas, also surprised to see that it's Ishizu.
"Didn't we meet her before?" recalled Percy.
"Yeah, at the museum," answered Henry.
"So she's the tenth finalist?" wondered Mavis.
On top of the platform…
"Why are you here, and why didn't you join the crowds for the last four duels?" demanded Spencer.
"My destiny led me here," replied Ishizu.
"Explain yourself more clearly."
Below the platform…
"I didn't expect you to show up," thought Dark Marik, somewhat pleased.
Back on the platform…
"Down there is my younger brother," continued Ishizu, "Actually, he's a vessel of sadness overtaken by his other personality. I will win this duel and save him."
"Oh?" frowned Spencer.
"The time wasn't right to show myself to all of you," Ishizu went on, with the calm, stoic look on her face remaining unmoving, "But, right now, we have to face each other in battle—and you will lose to me."
"Me, lose to a scrub like you? Ridiculous!" scoffed Spencer, "I doubt I'll ever lose to someone like you."
Below the platform…
"Hey, doesn't Marik have the same last name as Ishizu?" asked James.
"He does, and it means they're siblings," agreed Carlie.
On the platform, Ishizu didn't say anything back, and instead cast a glance towards Dark Marik.
"Marik, my Little Brother, I will save you from yourself," she thought to herself, "I swear on my life to bring you back to the light!"
Over to Dark Marik, the image of Light Marik once again tried to break free from his dark persona.
"Help me!" begged Marik weakly, "Big Sister!"
Sadly, Light Marik quickly faded away as Dark Marik growled in anger at his 'weaker self' interfering again. From there, he (Dark Marik) decided to do something about 'him' (Light Marik).
(elsewhere…)
Light Marik, now trapped inside an hourglass within the Shadow Realm, let out a scream as he was sealed in the darkness.
(elsewhere…)
Back on the duel platform, Ishizu finished looking at Dark Marik and cast a glance back over to Spencer.
"Prepare yourself, Spencer," declared Ishizu, "I will personally defeat you and save my Little Brother from his dark side," As she made her declaration, Spencer listened in boredom, "This is a fate you cannot stop."
"Hmph! Is that all?" replied Spencer, "I grow tired of your occult crap!" An unfazed Ishizu simply listened to him very briefly, "You gave me 'Obelisk' at the museum and asked me to defeat the Rare Hunters. That's why I started this tournament, yet I find you participating, too?"
Below the platform…
"Wait, does that mean those two are in cahoots?" gawked James.
On the platform…
"You're going to defeat me?" repeated Spencer, before smiling with malice, "How shrewd. I kind of liked you better at the museum rather than here."
"The Rare Hunters attack duelists and manipulate the world, and my brother is their leader," explained Ishizu, before eyeing Dark Marik below the platform, "However, that man is 'not' Marik."
The rest of the group listened carefully, but Dark Marik folded his arms and brushed it all off.
"Honorable Big Sister, are you revealing all our secrets?" thought Dark Marik.
"As the leader of the Rare Hunters, it's natural to not forgive him for the crime of stealing rare cards," continued Ishizu, "But compared with this, there's a more terrifying threat in Marik, now."
"I see. That's why you spoke to me and asked me to hold this tournament as bait for the Rare Hunters," realized Spencer.
"I must win the duel so that I can be one step closer to destroying the evil personality in Marik's heart," insisted Ishizu.
"Now I know what drives your resolve, but something still bothers me," frowned Spencer, before pointing at his opponent, "You use me for your goals and then claim you're going to beat me!" He (Spencer) cast a quick glance at Dark Marik below the platform, then back at Ishizu, "I don't know what his relationship with you is like, but I will crush you for sure! You're saying you can see the future… I'm sorry, Ishizu… but your superstitious Occult paraphernalia won't work on me! I'll use my cards to decide my future! I'll also use the one card you gave me… 'Obelisk'!"
"But what if that very same 'Obelisk' instead leads you to a path of destruction…?" pressed Ishizu.
Spencer was tired of the chit chat and wanted the duel to start, so he (Spencer) turned to face Roland and issued an order.
"Start the duel, Roland!" barked Spencer.
"Y-Yes, sir!" obeyed Roland, before raising right hand up, "Let the duel begin!"
The platform rose to the top. While that was going on, Spencer cast another glance towards Dark Marik. The evil man looked rather interested in seeing such a duel between his 'older sister' and the CEO of Boxford Corp.
"Let me see the skills of a prodigy," Dark Marik thought to himself.
Finally, the two duelists activated their Duel Disks.
"The final duel of the first half of the Battle City Finals will now begin!" announced Roland, as Spencer and Ishizu drew their opening hands, "Spencer Gresley vs. Ishizu Ishtar! You both may begin when ready!"
"Time to duel!" The two duelists said at the same time (LP: 4000) x2.
Below the platform with the group of friends…
"I wonder what Ishizu's playing style is like?" pondered James, interested.
"We'll soon see," mused Edward.
Back on the platform…
"If you don't mind," said Spencer, "I'll go first," He drew a card, "Draw!"
"By all means," nodded Ishizu, just before entering her thoughts and remembering what her Millennium Necklace predicted, "First you'll Summon 'Vorse Raider' in Attack Position."
Turn One: Spencer Gresley (LP: 4000)
Deck: 54
Current Hand (6): "Kaiser Glider", "Vorse Raider", "Crush Card Virus", "Silent Doom", "Des Feral Imp", and "Polymerization"
On cue, Spencer took a card from his hand…
"I Summon 'Vorse Raider' in Attack Position!" announced Spencer, placing a card onto his Duel Disk.
Appearing on the field was a vicious-looking Beast-Warrior monster wielding a bladed weapon (Level: 4/ATK: 1900/DEF: 1200). Ishizu couldn't help but smirk a little bit at what was 'supposedly' coming next…
"Now, you'll Set one card face-down," she thought to herself.
A face-down card materialized on the field behind 'Vorse Raider' near his right.
"Finally, I'll Set one card face-down," The voice of Spencer finished, before he entered his End Phase, "I end my turn!"
Ishizu opened her eyes, knowing that Spencer's turn played out exactly as she thought it would.
"Everything is the same as my vision," thought Ishizu, before talking aloud, "It's my turn, yes?"
Spencer nodded, and Ishizu drew a card. Below the platform…
"If she really has the power to see into the future, does that mean Spencer can't win?" wondered Ben.
"Well, I wanna see him get his butt kicked," gloated Percy, but then faltered, "But then my plan to wipe the floor with Spencer myself would be ruined… Man, I don't know what to pick… This is tough…"
"Don't worry," smiled Gordon, "Spencer won't lose so easily."
"You think so?" quizzed Percy.
"Against you, that is," Gordon teased in response.
Percy collapsed, anime-style, causing Carlie and Ben both to giggle. Thomas, however, was far more serious about the whole thing.
"Spencer, the power of the Millennium Necklace…" Thomas thought to himself, "The power of the Millennium Items aren't a joke. You need to be careful."
Turn Two: Ishizu Ishtar (LP: 4000)
Deck: 54
Current Hand (6): "Agido", "Spell Reproduction", "Monster Reborn", "Swords of Revealing Light", "Keldo", and "Dragged Down into the Grave"
Back on the platform, Ishizu, without even looking at her drawn card, added it into her hand and immediately took a new card from it before placing the card (sideways) onto her Duel Disk.
"I Summon 'Keldo' in Defense Position!" said Ishizu.
A fairy-like creature with shields on its hands appeared kneeling in a defensive stance (Level: 4/ATK: 1200/DEF: 1600). Below the platform…
"Isn't that a Fairy monster?" Emily blinked, very curious.
"It is, but is of the EARTH Attribute and also looks Egyptian-like," added Edward.
"So weird," quipped Mavis.
"That's not weird," cut in Toby, "Ishizu closed her eyes, took, and played the card from her hand without even looking."
"Has Ishizu really seen everything that will happen in this match?" pondered Thomas.
"So you mean that she already knows what card she will draw?" accused Percy, "That sounds like the trick Samson tried in our duel."
"It's not the same as that trick Samson was using," corrected Thomas, "At this altitude, it'd be impossible for such a tactic to be used."
"This woman's abilities are far from a trick," thought Dark Marik snidely, "You will find out soon enough."
Back on the platform, Ishizu had one more card to play before her turn was over.
"I activate the Spell Card, 'Dragged Down into the Grave'!" announced Ishizu calmly, taking the card and slotting it into a Spell & Trap Zone on her Duel Disk, "This is a very special card that affects both players," The mentioned Spell Card materialized face-up on the field. As she explained how it worked, an enlarged image of her 'Dragged Down into the Grave' Spell Card loomed in the background behind her, "Both players reveal their hands, each chooses 2 cards from their opponent's hand, then we discard the chosen cards from both players' hands, then both players draw 2 cards."
"Fine," dismissed Spencer, despite feeling somewhat worried, "I don't know why you activated it this soon, but I'll make you regret it."
Ishizu nodded, and immediately spoke of the cards she wanted Spencer to discard.
"Discard 'Kaiser Glider' and 'Polymerization'," requested Ishizu simply.
Spencer was shocked; he didn't even show Ishizu his hand, and yet she guessed the cards correctly without even looking.
"But, how did she-?" thought Spencer, looking at his hand—which contained 'Kaiser Glider', 'Silent Doom', 'Des Feral Imp', and 'Polymerization', "That woman knew the cards in my hand without seeing them," He looked up with annoyance, "Can it be some kind of trick that lets her see my hand?"
"Well?" asked Ishizu, acting like it was a lucky guess on her part, "Are you going to discard them?"
"Grr… I suppose that was a smart guess," Spencer grunted, sending the two cards to the GY. He then pointed forth, "Now, show me your hand!"
"Yes, now you may do the same with me," accepted Ishizu, holding up her current hand, which contained 'Agido', 'Spell Reproduction', 'Monster Reborn', and 'Swords of Revealing Light', "Go ahead, choose any two cards you want me to get rid of."
Looking carefully, Spencer had a good idea on what cards for Ishizu to discard.
"Discard 'Spell Reproduction' and 'Monster Reborn'," Spencer barked out.
Ishizu discarded both of those Spell Cards without a care in the world. Below the platform, Dark Marik chuckled in amusement.
"Ishizu's dueling skills haven't changed one bit," thought Dark Marik.
A flashback ensued.
FLASHBACK
A year before Flashback Marik betrayed his family and formed the Rare Hunters group, Duel Monsters had taken off all across various parts of the world, and Flashback Ishizu and Young Marik were both playing a quick round while Flashback Odion watched them.
"My Honorable Big Sister once played a game with my weaker self, easily winning with a special strategy," Dark Marik narrated, as his younger, Light self sighed over losing again, "Sometimes in just three turns."
END FLASHBACK
The flashback ended.
"Too bad normal Marik is gone forever," Dark Marik went on, mentally, "There's only me, the one, 'true' Marik, now!"
On the platform, Ishizu cast a quick glance down at the evil man that was once her brother. It was very obvious she was using her Millennium Necklace to listen in on Dark Marik's thoughts.
"I will win this duel and save my brother from you, demon," Ishizu thought to herself, "I know that his good heart is still in there waiting to overcome you!"
"Your precious Little Brother has been sealed deep within my heart," retorted Dark Marik aloud.
Ishizu narrowed her eyes upon hearing that statement. Dark Marik, with a swing of his right arm, then made an image of the trapped Light Marik appear in a way that only Ishizu could see.
"BIG SISTER!" screamed Light Marik in fright.
Suddenly snapping out of her little trance, Ishizu then looked back to Spencer before taking her hand and adding it back to her Deck.
"Now we are to draw two cards," reminded Ishizu.
"Whatever," grunted Spencer.
Both duelists drew two cards, looked at them, and placed them in their respective hands.
"I end my turn," concluded Ishizu.
"Not much of a surprise to me," snorted Spencer. He then drew his card, "It's my turn! Draw!"
Turn Three: Spencer Gresley (LP: 4000)
Deck: 52
Current Hand (5): "Silent Doom", "Des Feral Imp", "Shrink", "Blue-Eyes White Dragon", and "Soul Exchange"
The Battle Phase began.
"'Vorse Raider', destroy Ishizu's 'Keldo', now!" commanded Spencer.
'Vorse Raider' obeyed, slashing at 'Keldo' with his weapon and destroying it, with shards of the destroyed monster flying past Ishizu.
"Did you see that in your vision?" taunted Spencer. When Ishizu said nothing, he went on, "Before you look into the future, you should look at the enemy right in front of you, Ishizu."
"I've seen everything concerning this battle. What cards you will play…" said Ishizu, looking like she wasn't concerned about losing her only monster—before smiling a little bit. "And how you will lose. I know it all."
"It's you who doesn't understand," countered Spencer, "Did you think using a faint would work with me?"
"Then let me show you this! The monster effect of 'Keldo' activates," retorted Ishizu, "If this card is destroyed by battle and sent to the GY: I must target 2 cards in my opponent's GY; I must shuffle them into the Deck."
Spencer grunted and took his 'Polymerization' Spell Card and 'Kaiser Glider' Effect Monster Card both back from his GY and shuffled them into his Deck.
"Then, if I may be so frank, you wasted a perfectly good Spell Card," criticized Spencer, before slotting one more card into his Duel Disk, "I Set one more card face-down and end my turn," A face-down card materialized on the field behind 'Vorse Raider', as he retreated into his thoughts as separate images of the 'Shrink' Spell Card and the 'Crush Card Virus' Trap Card loomed in the dark background behind him, "During my next turn, I will use this Spell Card, 'Shrink', and lower the ATK of 'Vorse Raider' by half as an offering. Then I'll invoke my face-down card, 'Crush Card Virus', which will destroy your Deck."
Below the platform…
"Ishizu's power is certainly eerie," shivered Percy, "But Spencer has 'Obelisk'. Can she beat him?"
"But if Ms. Ishizu's power is the real deal, it doesn't matter how good Spencer's Deck is," thought Emily, "We will see the answer soon."
Back on the platform…
"It's my turn," Ishizu calmly announced, drawing a card.
Turn Four: Ishizu Ishtar (LP: 4000)
Deck: 53
Current Hand (5): "Agido", "Swords of Revealing Light", "Mudora", "Cestus of Dagla", and "Exchange of the Spirit"
Her drawn card was a Trap Card called 'Exchange of the Spirit'.
"Come and attack me," thought Spencer.
"I know you want me to attack, so I will humor you," deadpanned Ishizu, adding her card into her hand, took another, and placed it onto her Duel Disk, "I Summon 'Mudora'!" The mentioned Monster Card materialized face-up on the field, "Attack Position!"
Appearing onto the field was a muscular fairy-like creature (Level: 4/ATK: 1500/DEF: 1800).
"'Mudora's' special ability," Ishizu added, as a card ('Keldo') briefly ejected from her GY, "It gains 200 ATK for each Fairy monster in my GY."
Mudora grew stronger (ATK: 1500 → 1700). Ishizu then cast a glance at another card in her hand. Unfortunately, Spencer was losing his remaining patience since he wanted to crush Ishizu in record time.
"Would you hurry it up?!" snapped Spencer, "I have a duel to win!"
"Patience, Spencer," rebutted Ishizu calmly.
"My patience has already worn out with you and your damn family!" The voice of Spencer spat rather hatefully, unaware he was pushing Ishizu's berserk button, "The sooner I eliminate you from my tournament, the sooner I can go and defeat your insane brother and become the very best once more!"
While she patiently put up with any and all of the insults by Spencer towards herself, that last statement about her own family had infuriated Ishizu greatly, to the point she actually lost her calm and stoic posture… If there was one thing she would never, ever tolerate was when someone insulted her brother and/or family!
"How dare you insult my family! You will regret saying those words to me!" The young Egyptian woman snarled, almost immediately grabbing a card ('Cestus of Dagla') from her hand and holding it out, "I activate the Equip Spell, 'Cestus of Dagla'!"
The mentioned Spell Card materialized face-up on the field.
"I must equip only to a Fairy monster. It gains 500 ATK," explained Ishizu, "And it has a second effect!" As she revealed that effect, 'Mudora', gaining new weapons, grew stronger (ATK: 1700 → 2200). "If it inflicts battle damage to my opponent: I must gain LP equal to the damage inflicted!" Narrowing her eyes once more out of anger over Spencer's remark about Marik and her family, she entered the Battle Phase while motioning her right hand forth, "My 'Mudora' will attack your 'Vorse Raider'!"
Below the platform, the rest of the group was surprised by Ishizu looking and sounding angry in her declaration to attack.
"Is it just me… or does Ishizu sound upset?" blinked James.
"Wouldn't you be if someone like Spencer insulted your loved ones?" Edward pointed out.
"Damn good point."
Meanwhile, on the platform, 'Mudora' obeyed and charged towards 'Vorse Raider'. Spencer smirked, because that was what he had been waiting for.
"Why, thank you. You've activated both of my face-down cards," The silver-haired boy said smugly, pressing two buttons on his Duel Disk, "Fall into the trap of Hell!" Both face-down cards flipped up and revealed themselves, "First to be resolved is the Quick-Play Spell, 'Shrink'! I must target 1 face-up monster on the field; its original ATK becomes halved until the end of this turn!"
Below the platform…
"'Shrink' lowers the ATK of any…oh no!" realized Edward.
"I read your mind, buddy," agreed Zack, "Spencer is pretty much going to halve the ATK of his own monster."
Back on the platform…
"First, 'Shrink' cuts my own 'Vorse Raider's' ATK in half," exclaimed Spencer.
'Vorse Raider' grew weaker (ATK: 1900 → 950). Below the platform…
"Guys, you remember this strategy, don't you?" dreaded James.
"The same one he tried on Sailor John," remembered Henry, "Back then, it failed!"
Back on the duel platform…
"Time for my second face-down card!" announced Spencer, pointing to his face-up 'Crush Card Virus' Trap Card, "The Trap Card, 'Crush Card Virus'!"
'Mudora' destroyed 'Vorse Raider' in an instant with its weapons. Spencer took a LP hit… but it didn't matter to him at the moment (LP: 4000 → 2750).
"When a DARK monster with 1000 or less ATK I control is destroyed by battle: I must destroy all monsters with 1500 or more ATK from among my opponent's field, hand, and Deck," cackled Spencer, as dark spores rained upon Ishizu's whole field, hand, and Deck, which created purple smoke while she looked only mildly surprised, "Those monsters cannot be Special Summoned from the GY! That means you're not able to use them any longer!"
'Mudora' melted away from the dark spores due to having 1500 ATK or higher. Below the platform…
"There it is! Spencer's Deck Destruction combo!" panicked Percy, "He just killed every powerful monster in Ishizu's Deck with that attack!"
"Guys, if Ishizu's Millennium Necklace can tell the future, why didn't she foreshadow this?" asked Molly.
"Is it too late to trade that thing in for a crystal ball?" joked Toby.
"Did she actually plan on letting that happening?" Thomas thought to himself, growing suspicious.
Back on the platform, Spencer laughed in his opponent's face.
"Now send every monster you have that has 1500 ATK or greater to the GY!" ordered Spencer.
"Understood," obeyed Ishizu calmly.
She took all the powerful Monster Cards out of her hand and Deck and sent them to the GY.
"Now all you have is a Deck full of pathetic weaklings," boasted Spencer, "Weaklings that I can crush oh so easily!"
"According to my Millennium Necklace I don't need a powerful monster to defeat you," retorted Ishizu, slotting a card into her Duel Disk, "I activate 'Swords of Revealing Light'!"
A barrage of bright swords appeared on Spencer's field.
"You're just trying to avoid me for three turns," smirked Spencer.
"I don't need to avoid you, 'Swords of Revealing Light' is the countdown to your defeat," responded Ishizu, "As soon as you draw a certain card, your loss will be guaranteed."
"Is that so?" dismissed Spencer.
"Yes," confirmed Ishizu, "And don't forget the second effect of my Equip Spell, 'Cestus of Dagla', will now increase my own LP by the damage you took from my attack," She glowed white briefly as her LP increased by the amount of damage she dealt Spencer not long ago (LP: 4000 → 5250). The young Egyptian woman then slotted one more card into her Duel Disk, "I Set one card face-down and end my turn."
A face-down card materialized on the field near her feet. Below the platform…
"Ishizu now has way more LP than Spencer does," noted Thomas, "Can she maintain them? I don't really know; Spencer currently holds the upper hand."
Back on the platform, Spencer was not at all worried about being behind on LP and being sealed by 'Swords of Revealing Light'.
"More LP won't protect you from my onslaught!" Spencer proclaimed with pride, "And besides, you say my defeat will be ensured in three turns?" He gestured the thumb of his right hand at himself, and eventually pointed at his opponent, "That's nonsense, because I just got rid of your best cards, meaning 'you' are close to defeat!" Despite listening to his ranting, Ishizu didn't seem very bothered by it, "You want to fight back? You'd better hope you draw something between now and then."
"If you don't believe me, then go ahead and take your turn," offered Ishizu.
Spencer kept grinning and looked down at his hand.
Turn Five: Spencer Gresley (LP: 2750)
Deck: 52
Current Hand (5): "Silent Doom", "Des Feral Imp", "Blue-Eyes White Dragon", "Soul Exchange", and "Virus Cannon"
Swords of Revealing Light: 3 Turns
His drawn card was a Spell Card called 'Virus Cannon', and the rest of his hand contained 'Silent Doom', 'Des Feral Imp', 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon', and 'Soul Exchange'.
"'Virus Cannon'… This is what I need to complete my Virus Combo," thought Spencer, "I'll wipe out every Spell Card in your Deck soon enough!" He looked in Ishizu's direction, "Ishizu, I will pluck every feather from your wings, and bring you back to the ground!"
Below the platform, Dark Marik knew Spencer was underestimating Ishizu, and was enjoying the sight.
"Spencer Gresley, you've played right into my Honorable Big Sister's hands," thought Dark Marik, before smiling with anticipation, "Now it's simply a question of when she will play that card…"
Back on the platform, Spencer placed a card ('Des Feral Imp') onto a Monster Zone on his Duel Disk, causing the device to light up.
"I Summon 'Des Feral Imp' in Attack Position!" Spencer announced, before slotting one more card into a Spell & Trap Zone on his Duel Disk, "In addition, I'll Set one card face-down!"
Appearing onto the field was a tough-looking green gremlin (Level: 4/ATK: 1600/DEF: 1800), and was immediately followed by a face-down card appearing on the field behind it.
"I will crush Ishizu one way or another," thought Spencer, eyeing his field before eyeing Ishizu's field, "Even if she has more LP than me, I will win."
"It's my turn, yes?" said Ishizu, drawing a card, "Draw."
Turn Six: Ishizu Ishtar (LP: 5250)
Deck: 27
Current Hand (1): "Muko"
Her End Phase came immediately.
"I end my turn," finished Ishizu.
"No action?" huffed Spencer, "What's wrong? Didn't you draw a monster? Don't you see the future of my failure?"
"It seems very different," countered Ishizu, "You'll draw the card which guides you to destruction in just two turns."
"Ha ha ha ha ha! I'm not the one who's putting on a show here!" Spencer denied haughtily, laughing loudly, "Listen up! The card I'll draw next… And every card I'll draw after that… Are nothing short of the road you're walking on that will lead to your loss!"
Below the platform…
"There he goes again… Showing off that confidence and crap," grumbled James.
"Well, if someone told you they could see your future, how could you not get frustrated?" Percy pointed out.
Back on the platform…
"It's my turn!" declared Spencer, drawing a card, "Draw!"
Turn Seven: Spencer Gresley (LP: 2750)
Deck: 51
Current Hand (4): "Silent Doom", "Blue-Eyes White Dragon", "Soul Exchange", and "The Flute of Summoning Dragon"
Swords of Revealing Light: 2 Turns
His drawn card was 'The Flute of Summoning Dragon' Spell Card. That wasn't what Spencer was hoping to draw, right now.
"I'll pass my turn," stated Spencer.
Below the platform, Dark Marik was still watching the duel and looked fairly amused.
"How enjoyable," The evil man thought to himself, "Ishizu must be having a great time toying with that fool Spencer."
With the rest of the group…
"It would seem she doesn't have much to work with now, does she?" asked Matt.
"Doesn't look like it," agreed Zack, "That 'Crush Card Virus' depleted much of her Deck."
"I wouldn't count Ishizu out just yet," assured Discord.
Back on the platform…
"It's my turn," uttered Ishizu, drawing a card.
Turn Eight: Ishizu Ishtar (LP: 5250)
Deck: 26
Current Hand (2): "Muko" and "Muko"
After seeing her card…
"I'll now pass this turn," accepted Ishizu, "The card I drew is of no use to me at this time."
"So, Ishizu, this is the supposed 'countdown to my loss'?" mocked Spencer, "It's hard to believe that you played 'Swords of Revealing Light', yet couldn't manage to get a single card out on the field. How about struggling a bit more for me? But no matter what you draw, all that awaits you is a pit of despair!"
"I'm waiting until you draw that one card," dismissed Ishizu, "And when you use it, you will be defeated."
(inside…)
Inside the computer lab, Skiff, joined by both Mr. and Mrs. Gresley (Boxford), was hard at work getting the 'The Winged Dragon of Ra' Effect Monster Card translated.
"We're just about ready to translate the card," Skiff reported.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Gresley (Boxford) were looking rather distracted by something.
"Something the matter?" asked Skiff.
That snapped the two adults out of their little trance.
"Huh? What?" stammered Mr. Gresley (Boxford).
"You both seemed to be distracted by something," remarked Skiff.
"Oh no, we're fine, Skiff, dear," Mrs. Gresley (Boxford) lied.
Skiff didn't look so sure… but nodded a little bit.
(outside…)
Back atop the duel area, Spencer had drawn his card and begun his turn.
Turn Nine: Spencer Gresley (LP: 2750)
Deck: 50
Current Hand (5): "Silent Doom", "Blue-Eyes White Dragon", "Soul Exchange", "The Flute of Summoning Dragon", and "Ring of Defense"
Swords of Revealing Light: 1 Turn
"I believe you'll pass this turn?" The voice of Ishizu called out.
Spencer looked at his card briefly and gave a nod, signaling he was going to pass the turn.
"Yes," answered Spencer, "You're right."
"I draw," added Ishizu, drawing a card.
Below the platform…
"What do you think Spencer's planning to do?" asked Toby.
"Probably sic his 'Egyptian God' monster on her," answered Edward.
"With no monsters to protect her," said Molly, "Ishizu won't stand a chance."
Thomas, however, didn't look so sure.
"I don't know…" The blue-haired boy commented in his thoughts.
Turn Ten: Ishizu Ishtar (LP: 5250)
Deck: 25
Current Hand (3): "Muko", "Muko", and "Sacrifice's Blast"(!)
Back on the platform, Ishizu saw her drawn card was a Trap Card called 'Sacrifice's Blast'.
"'Sacrifice's Blast'," thought Ishizu, "This is one of the cards that will defeat you, Spencer," She spoke aloud, "I shall now pass again. The countdown has ended, and you will draw the one card that will lead to your defeat!"
"For three whole turns, you've failed to Summon a single monster," scolded Spencer, who was almost angry over the lack of action, "At this point, I'm not concerned with losing due to you not having very much left in your deck… So, do me a favor and spare me any of your potential threats."
Ishizu didn't say anything in response and only watched as the magical swords of 'Swords of Revealing Light' started to fade away from Spencer's field.
"Three turns have gone by," she announced, "You are free to attack me."
The remaining swords of light finally vanished from around Spencer's side of the field.
"That's good…" Spencer smirked a bit wickedly, "Now, prepare yourself, Ishizu!" He placed both fingers on top of his Deck while entering his thoughts, "I can feel it… 'God's' pulse being emitted from my Deck!"
A flashback began.
FLASHBACK
A white glow enveloped the three humans and returned them to the present. Flashback Spencer was looking very quiet.
"I…" he muttered, "…believe you, now."
"Thank you," said Flashback Ishizu, "Now take a look at the carvings at the top of the stone."
The two boys (Flashback Spencer and Flashback Skiff) obeyed and did so, as the young Egyptian woman continued to explain.
"According to legends," she began, "there were three spirits that protected the people of Egypt. They are known as the 'Egyptian Gods'."
One carving showed a huge, muscular creature. The second showed a large serpent-like dragon with two mouths. The third was a dragon too, but it looked like it had a more birdlike face.
"'Obelisk the Tormentor', 'Slifer the Sky Dragon', and 'The Winged Dragon of Ra'," The voice of Flashback Ishizu revealed.
"Wow…" gasped Flashback Skiff.
"And now, I have something to give you," Flashback Ishizu continued, holding up a card, "One that I think you might like."
Flashback Spencer nodded and took the card. Once he saw what it was, he was shocked once again.
"This is Obelisk the Tormentor!" cried Flashback Spencer, "How did this become a card?"
"Discord created the game Duel Monsters," replied Ishizu, "While doing so, he also made the 'Egyptian Gods' into cards."
"But why didn't he ever use them?" asked Flashback Spencer.
"Discord feared their power and worried he wouldn't be able to control them," explained Flashback Ishizu, "Whoever holds these cards can become the ultimate duelist."
"I've heard of them," Flashback Skiff spoke up, "Whoever wields all three can use their power for either good or evil. Any mishap could lead to someone's death."
"Discord gave the 'Egyptian God' Cards to me," stated Flashback Ishizu, "I had them hidden away, but two were stolen by the Rare Hunters."
"Who are the Rare Hunters?" frowned Flashback Spencer.
"A group of elite duelists lead by a ruthless young man," replied Flashback Ishizu, although her eyes could tell she was lying on the 'young man' bit, "They steal cards and sell them on the black market, making millions in the process. However, they also keep the best ones for themselves, allowing them to build unbeatable Decks," Flashback Skiff and Flashback Spencer listened to her explanation, "They are also known for being very cruel in their thievery, for they could also possibly kill people if they wanted."
"They sound like the pirates lead by Sailor John," commented Flashback Skiff.
"We must get the 'Egyptian Gods' back from them before they come for 'Obelisk' as well," requested Flashback Ishizu firmly
"How do you suggest we do so?" pressed Flashback Spencer.
"The Rare Hunters seek the rarest cards around," reminded Flashback Ishizu, "Perhaps if you were to host a big Duel Monsters tournament…"
"I see," nodded Flashback Spencer, "The Rare Hunters would accept the bait, bringing the other two 'God' Cards with them."
"You may borrow 'Obelisk' for the tournament," offered Flashback Ishizu, "But I will expect it back."
"How do you know I'll return a powerful card like this?" Flashback Spencer joked smugly.
"Because I have complete trust in you."
END FLASHBACK
The flashback ended.
"Looks like handing 'Obelisk' to me was a huge miscalculated miss on your part," thought Spencer, "Now, I'll show you what happens when someone makes that one mistake!" He then drew a card while slashing a colorful wave in the process (Destiny Draw), "'God' is now in my hands!"
Turn Eleven: Spencer Gresley (LP: 2750)
Deck: 49
Current Hand (6): "Silent Doom", "Blue-Eyes White Dragon", "Soul Exchange", "The Flute of Summoning Dragon", "Ring of Defense", and "Obelisk the Tormentor"
And, as predicted, the silver-haired boy had successfully drawn 'Obelisk the Tormentor'.
"The end has come!" Spencer announced viciously, entering the Battle Phase, "'Des Feral Imp', attack Ishizu directly!"
'Des Feral Imp' attacked Ishizu by slashing her with its claws. The young Egyptian woman grimaced a bit while being pushed back, but managed to keep her balance (LP: 5250 → 3650).
"The future is infinite!" gloated Spencer, "The past is merely a string of footsteps! The stuff that happened long before my time in the past has nothing to do with me! And that includes you giving me the 'God' Card!"
"But 'God's' hand will not bring you a path of victory…" thought Ishizu, looking calm and stoic, "Instead, it will bring about your own defeat."
"'Listen carefully, Ishizu! I won't be controlled by the future!" ranted Spencer, "The road I walk myself… That is what determines my own future!"
With that said, Spencer started to laugh menacingly as an image of 'Obelisk the Tormentor' appeared behind him. Can Ishizu defeat him? Or is Spencer proven correct, and that Ishizu can't win? We'll just have to wait and see, won't we?
It's now Spencer VS Ishizu, and, currently, Ishizu is letting Spencer win in the duel.