//------------------------------// // Turn 29. Fading Shadows // Story: Yugioh EQG: Shadow Gates // by Banshee531 //------------------------------// The audience of Freeze Stadium were silent as they looked upon Shadow's hand. After Shadow had stopped a hard light hologram from cutting him in two with his bear hand, he'd revealed that said hand wasn't human. Shadow's hand was robotic, previously hidden beneath a suit of skin which had been grinded away by the hologram. "Are you guys seeing this?" Rainbow asked her friends in total shock as they stared at him. "A'h see it," Applejack replied not looking away, "but a'h don't believe it." Up in the main box, Cold and the others were also shocked. "Sunset," Cold said, "scan him." The red and yellow haired girl didn't reply, instead simply pulling her Duel Disk out of her jacket and began typing away. "Cold," she said once it was done, "you need to see this." Cold took the device and looked it over. It was an X-ray of Shadow, which showed he didn't just have a robot arm. His whole body was mechanical. "He's a robot," Cold said. "What are you?" Flash asked as he stared at his copy. Shadow just smirked as he continued to stare at his hand. "Hyper Advanced Duel Bot Prototype," he said simply, "designation, Shadow." "You're a robot?" Flash asked. "I was created years ago," Shadow explained, "by my father. Sombra." "How old are you?" Flash asked. "Older then you," he said as he stepped around the wall with Flash moving in the opposite direction, "I was the product of a Freeze Industries secret project, to develop a Duel Bot that could Duel like a human. I was programmed to not only follow the commands of my CPU, but to act on instinct when needed to adapt to the unexpected. It worked better then they could have expected," he said with a smile, "one day, as if in the blink of an eye, I gained sentience." "You're alive?" Flash wondered. "Exactly," Shadow replied, "but I knew I couldn't tell anybody. I feared what kind of tests they'd run on me if they knew, but I couldn't just keep it a secret. Eventually I told only one person, who I trusted beyond anyone else, my father." "Sombra," Flash said. Shadow just nodded at this. "He was shocked at first, thought I was just some glitch in the program, but eventually he realised I truly was alive. He to feared what would happen if others knew of my sentience, so he scraped the project and hid my programming in the deepest server of the Freeze Industries computers. And there I slept, waiting for the day I could see the world once again." The two had completed a full circle of the stadium wall, stopping where they'd originally began. Everyone was speechless at this revelation. "I dreamed you know," Shadow said, "for all those years I slept I dreamed. Do you want to know what I dreamed about?" "What?" Flash asked with a raised eyebrow. "I dreamed that one day, I'd not only have a body but I'd become something more then a hunk of wires and metal. That I'd be able to really touch, to be able to breath the air around me. Eat real food and not just recharge my body when needed. I dreamed to one day become...human." Flash couldn't believe what he was here. To think he would want something like that. "I thought it would just be that," Shadow said, "a dream. But not to long ago, my father returned to me. He told me he had a mission and needed my help, in return for helping him achieve this he said he would grant me any wish. I told him my wish and he promised me I could have it. All I have to do is obtain Ener-D, to help him summon the cards needed. Soon my dream will be fulfilled." "And the reason you made your body to look like me?" Flash asked. "My father said I would be everything you should have been," Shadow replied, "the perfect version of you." "What's that suppose to mean?" Flash asked in confusion. "I never ask anything further," Shadow said, "I trust my father and that's that." "This explains why he didn't give off any Ener-D," Cold said, "only living creatures can generate it." "It's more then that," Sunset said as she continued to scan Shadow, "he's not giving it off, but he is absorbing it. This is where all the Ener-D has gone. Shadow wasn't carrying a transmitter." "He is the transmitter," Cold said. "Wait," Grand said, "that means he must have a signal that the Ener-D is being sent to. If we can find it." "We can find Sombra," Sunset finished before beginning her work." Luna: So what's it say in the rule book about Dueling an android? Celestia: I doubt it says anything. Can you really say you expected to see it." "Soon my fathers ambitions will come to pass," Shadow said, "once I beat you." "Well that ain't happening," Flash said, "it's still my turn and I'm using Magna Fox's ability." The multi tailed fox's nine tails of shined, before the light shot off and spun around to create a circle which Flash Heart leapt through. (A3300/D2000/L7/P4) The Pendulum Monster's jets ignited once again, causing it to go flying towards Star Shuttle and punching it in the chest, destroying it. Flash: 2100 Shadow: 2400 "I end my turn," Flash said. "Then I'll go," Shadow said as he drew his card and smiled. "It's time." Flash grew concerned, knowing what was coming next. "I activate the Spell card, Shadow-Mech Total Annihilation Ritual!" The ground beneath them began to shake, before the floor of the colosseum cracked open and from out of them came the broken and scrap like remains of Fusion, Synchro and Xyz Bot. They glowed, before flying into the sky and colliding into radiant burst of light. "By banishing these three monsters from my graveyard, I can summon my ultimate monster!" The light shot out of the Action Field and into the sky, as dark clouds began to form and hide the light. Flash's heart was racing at this, as the clouds began to fade and reveal Shadow's monster. The planet shaped monster floated down from the heavens, before transforming into its colossal robot form. "Shadow-Mech Annihilator!" (A5000/D5000/L12/P0) Celestia: There it is, Shadow's ultimate monster. Luna: How will Flash Sentry stop it? Can Flash Sentry stop it? "I attack Magna Fox with Annihilater!" Shadow called out as his monster used it massive finger, intending to point Flash's monster to death. Flash rushed along the wall and grabbed an Action Card off it and looking it over, before nodding and turning back to the field. "I activate my Trap card," Flash called out as his face down flipped up, "Interception! Now my stronger monster can intercept the attack and take the hit." Flash Heart's thrusters burst into life, propelling it forward so it could punch the finger. "So what?" Shadow said, "my monsters twice as strong as yours and with your life points as they are, you're still going down." "Not once I activate this Action Spell," Flash said as he did so, "Miracle! Not only does this save my monster, but it cuts the damage I take in half." The two monsters met, creating a shock wave that was felt all over the arena as the two were pushed back. Flash: 850 Shadow: 2400 Shadow frowned at this, "I end my turn." Flash's friends all sighed in relief. "Flash managed to save his skin," Rainbow said, "but how's he suppose to beat something so powerful?" "A'm not sure he can," Applejack said with a frown. "Hey!" They all looked around at Scootaloo. "We can't give up yet," Scootaloo said, "if we don't think he can do it then what will he think? We've gotta show him we believe in him." "But against something so powerful, what hope does he have?" Spike asked. "He's faced tough opponents before," Scootaloo said, "and he's always pushed through. We just need to believe in him." The others all glanced at each other, before they all nodded and turned back to her. "You're right Scoot," Rainbow said, "we can't give up on him. He can do it." The others all nodded. Twilight watched the match on TV, and wished she could be their for Flash. In that moment she made her decision and pulled the covers off her. "What are you doing?" Rarity said worriedly. "You need your rest," Fluttershy said as she tried to stop her. "No," Twilight replied, "I need to be there for him." "It's my turn," Flash said, "I draw." He looked at his cards but nothing he had could help right now. "I'm switching my monsters to defence mode and ending my turn." "Running scared are we?" Shadow said as he drew his card. "Annihilater," he said, "attack!" The giant robot once again unleashed its finger and used it to crush Flash Heart, destroying him. The force knocked Flash off the wall. Celestia: Good thing Flash switched his monsters to DEF mode. Luna: But he can't win while playing defence. "I end my turn," Shadow said, As Flash pulled himself back up onto the wall, he smirked at Shadow. "Big mistake," he said, "I draw." He took his cards then looked up at his Pendulum. "I PENDULUM SUMMON!" The portal opened up and Flash Heart flew out of it in DEF mode. "Shine your light of victory, Flash Heart Dragon!" (A2500/D2000/L7/P4) "Flash Heart's skill," Flash said, "say goodbye to Annihilater, because its got a one way ticket to the bottom of the deck." "Not so fast," Shadow said, "did you forget Annihilater's ability?" His Extra Deck opened and from it he pulled out Star Shuttle. "By sending a Pendulum Monster to the graveyard, I can negate your Pendulum Monster's effect." "Maybe," Flash said, "but you've just used your last Pendulum Monster, meaning next time Flash Heart's skill won't be negated." Shadow just smiled. "I just won't destroy it then. You can't use its effect if you can't special summon it." Flash knew that and knew he still had a chance. If he could draw a high level monster, he could sacrifice Flash Heart to summon it. Then he could Pendulum Summon it back and use its effect. He just had to hold out long enough. "I end my turn." "Then I'll go," Shadow said, "I draw. "he saw the card he'd drawn and smiled. "I activate the Continuous Spell card, Pendulum Reload. Now, instead of drawing during my draw phase, I can add a Pendulum Monster from my graveyard to my Extra Deck." Flash's eyes went wide at this. That meant he could keep sending a Pendulum Monster back to his Extra Deck to use to negate Flash Heart's skill. "Now I'll destroy Magna Fox," Shadow said as his monster crushed Flash fox. "I end my turn." Flash looked down at his deck and grew nervous. "My only chance. If I don't draw a monster I can tribute summon, my plan won't work again." He drew his card and his face fell, seeing what he'd drawn. "Alchemy Dracokid," he said, "this won't help me. I end my turn." "Oh, so sad," Shadow said, "it's my turn and instead of drawing, I'll place Star Shuttle into my Extra Deck." He did so, meaning Flash's hope to use his plan was now gone. "I think I'll let you stew a little longer, turn end." "it's my turn," Flash said, "I draw." This time he'd drawn Pendulum Shift, which also couldn't help him. "I end my turn." "Then I'll go," Shadow said, "I draw." When he saw what he'd drawn his grin grew tenfold. "I play the Spell card, Annihilation Cannon! With Annihilater on my field, I can now destroy ever card on yours." Flash's eyes went wide hearing this, before looking up to see Annihilater's chest open up to reveal a hole in it. That hole began to hum as it glowed and seconds later, it unleashed a powerful beam of light which struck every card on Flash's field. Flash felt himself be sent flying backwards, as the force of the blast caused everyone else to duck and cover. Finally after several blinding seconds, the light began to fade and Flash was able to pick himself up and look around. Flash Heart and his Magna Casters were gone, turned to dust by the attack and leaving Flash alone of him field. "I can't attack after using that Spell card," Shadow said, "but next turn I should be able to finish you off. If you can even stand up long enough to have your turn." Flash tried to get up, but his body gave out and he fell in the dirt. "Look at you," Shadow said, "to think my father actually viewed you as a threat. Nothing you do will stop me. You're nothing. I told you before that I'm everything you should have been, your better. How do you expect to defeat the superior version of yourself." Those words washed over Flash, making him wonder if he was right. Was Shadow Flash's better? Was it impossible to defeat him? "Don't listen to him!" Flash's eyes shot open and he looked over at the stands. Twilight, with the help of Fluttershy and Rarity, was standing there looking down at him. "He's not your better," she called out, "he's nothing but a fake. You are the superior version of you. Everything you've been through, everything you've done has made you that. Don't let this poser get to you. Don't forget, you're not alone. Your friends are all here beside you." Those words washed over him, making him feel a new sense of hope in his heart. "She's right." He looked over at his sister, who was calling out to him. "Don't give up," she said, "we're here with you." Flash smiled at this. "You've got this Flash," Spike called out. "Take that metal freak down," Rainbow said. "Don't ya'h dare give up yet," Applejack said. "YEAH!" Pinkie, Sweetie and Applebloom said. "Go Flash," Rarity said. "We believe in you," Fluttershy said. One by one the audience called out to him, offering there support to him. Hearing this made all the pain he felt before, somehow vanish as he picked himself up. "Their right," Flash said, "I can do this." "Please," Shadow said, "there's nothing you can do." "Maybe not on my own," Flash said as he opened his eyes to reveal they were glowing, "but I'm not on my own. MY FRIENDS ARE WITH ME!" Suddenly a bright light appeared. It was coming from everyone in the stadium, who were all enveloped in an aura of light. "What is this?" Rainbow asked as she looked down at herself. "A'h don't know," Applejack said. "Ener-D," Cold said as he looked at the glow surrounding everybody, "but how." "Flash must be tapping into a new ability," Grand said. "It's my turn," Flash called out as he placed his hand on his deck, "I...DRAW!" He looked at the card and smiled as a plan formed. "I'm resetting the Pendulum Scale, with scale three Alchemy Dracokid and scale eight Magna Caster Estella." The two monster's tablets glowed, before flying out and into the columns of light which appeared on either side of Flash's field. "Next I'll activate Pendulum Shift," Flash called out, "which lets me change Dracokid's scale to one." The Pendulum Scale changed, meaning everything was in place. "Cut through space time and carve to arc of victory," Flash chanted as the portal formed above his head. "I PENDULUM SUMMON!" The portal opened and two beams of light shot out, before striking the ground and taking shape. "Cast your solar spell, Magna Caster Solaris." (A1200/D600/L3/P8) "Shine your light of victory one last time, Flash Heart Dragon." (A2500/D2000/L7/P4) "I activate Flash Heart's skill," Flash said, "to send your Annihilater to the bottom of the deck." "And I'll use Annihilater's skill," Shadow said, "to send Star Shuttle from my Extra Deck to grave to negate your effect." Flash frowned at this, but wouldn't be deterred. "I already told you," Shadow said, "you cannot defeat me, especially with those monsters. They can't harm my ultimate beast." "Maybe not on their own," Flash said, "but let's see what happens when I fuse them together!" Alchemy Dracokid uncorked its beaker, realising the smoke from within it. The smoke absorbed to two monsters, causing them to be sucked inside the beaker. "My friends," Flash called out before holding out his right arm into the sky, "lend my your strength!" The audience all nodded before the light flew off their bodies and converged in Flash hand. The light merged together into a familiar shape, as a card slowly formed in Flash's hand. "Now watch as I fuse the unequalled might of a dragon," Flash said, "with the shining light of the Pendulum!" Dracokid uncorked the beaker, freeing the smoke which shot out and began to take shape. "I FUSION SUMMON!" The smoke cleared, revealing Flash's new monster. It was a fifteen meter high robotic dragon with bronze armour. On its back was a bronze ring which was connected to a quartet of robotic wings, which each had five glowing tube like instruments on them. Its head was humanoid, with a mask covering its face and two pairs of glowing eyes. In its right clawed hand it carried a long bazooka like weapon, which was almost as long as the monster was tall. "SPIRAL VECTOR DRAGON!" (A3500/D1500/L8/P7) Everyone looked at Flash's new monster in amazement. "Did we do that?" Scootaloo asked. "I think we did," Rainbow said, "somehow Flash used our energy to create a new monster." "And it's awesome," Spike said, "go get'em Flash." "Take him out this turn," Applejack said. "DO IT!" Pinkie screamed. Flash took a deep breath, before yelling out at the top of his lungs. "HERE I GO!" Shadow went into a defensive stance, looking over the new monster. "You trying to bluff me?" He asked, "sure your monster is powerful, but it doesn't stand a chance against Annihilater." "We'll see about that," Flash said, "time to end this." Celestia: Will Flash Sentry's new monster allow him to claim victory? We'll know soon enough. Luna: The question is, what powers is it hiding? "I attack with Spiral Vector Dragon!" Flash called out as his monster flew up into the air, high above Annihilater's head and aiming its giant bazooka at the robot. "Now for Spiral Vector's special ability," Flash said, "I can reveal a number of cards off the top of my deck, equal to the Pendulum Scale of the monster I used to Fusion Summon him." Shadow frowned at this. What good would that do? "Plus for every Pendulum Monster I reveal," Flash continued, "your monster loses five hundred ATK points." Shadow's eyes grew wide, realising what that meant. "Annihilater is fifteen hundred points stronger then Spiral Vector Dragon," Rainbow said, "he'd need to draw three Pendulum Monsters just to even their points out." "And four to beat it," Applejack said. "Magna Caster Solaris had a Pendulum Scale of eight," Twilight said as she, Fluttershy and Rarity sat down next to them, "so Flash will get to draw eight cards." "Wait," Spike said, "what if all he draws in Pendulum monsters?" Everyone did the math in their heads, with the two monster's ATK points and Shadow's remaining life points. Drawing eight Pendulum Monsters would mean. "He'd win!" Rarity said. "Yeah," Rainbow said, "but what are the chance of him drawing eight Pendulum Monsters back to back." "I don't like his chances," Fluttershy said. "He can do it," Twilight said, "I believe in him." "That's not happening," Shadow said. "I activate Annihilater's ability, to discard a Fusion monster from my Extra Deck to negate your Fusion Monster's ability." "Afraid not," Flash said with a smirk, "sorry but if you want to negate my monsters ability, your gonna need to remove a Fusion and Pendulum monster." Shadow's eyes went wide as he looked up. Flash was right, Spiral Vector Dragon was a Pendulum Fusion, so Annihilater's ability wouldn't work unless he used both those cards. "I don't have another Pendulum Monster." "Then my monster ability isn't getting negated," Flash said. Spiral Vector Dragon shot a red beam from the bazooka's sight, hitting Annihilater as Flash went to his deck. "This is it," he said, "my one chance to win." He took a deep breath and drew the first card, which he saw and smiled. "The first card is Lumino Jaw Dragon, a Pendulum!" Shadow grew nervous at this, looking up to see his monster weaken. (A4500/D5000/L12/P0) "Now for the next card," Flash said as he drew and revealed his card. "It's Magna Mechanic Kuda!" (A4000/D5000/L12/P0) "The third," Flash drew again. "Magna Fighter Lucidum!" (A3500/D5000/L12/P0) "Here's card number four," Flash said as he drew. "Magna Fighter Gladio!" (A3000/D5000/L12/P0) Celestia: That's enough to defeat Annihilater! Luna: But what about the other four? "Let's find out," Flash said as he drew. "Magna Caster Exitium!" (A2500/D5000/L12/P0) "And card number six," Flash said, "is Flash Knight!" (A2000/D5000/L12/P0) "Next," Flash drew again. "it's Magna Fighter Light Boarder!" (A1500/D5000/L12/P0) "This can't be happening," Shadow said, "no!" "This is it," Flash said as he placed his hand on his deck, "one more Pendulum Monster and I win." He closed his eyes and took one large breath, before opening them and yelling. "I DRAW!" He did so and seeing what it was made his heart almost give out. "Volt Edge Dragon!" Shadow eyes almost popped out of the socket, which they could probably do, as he watched his ultimate monster be depowered once again. (A1000/D5000/L12/P0) "This can't be happening, my wish." "You don't deserve that wish," Flash said as his monster's weapon began to charge up, "not after all the pain you've caused to achieve it. This ends now," he looked up at his dragon. "Spiral Vector Dragon, ATTACK!" The dragon's weapon glowed as the charge continued to build, while it aimed directly at Annihilater's head. "Vortex Pulsar BLAST!" The dragon fired, unleashing a powerful beam of white light which flew towards Annihilater. The blast struck the robot and cut through its head like a hot knife through butter, before blasting out the other said and flying directly at Shadow. "No," Shadow whispered as the beam flew towards him, completely frozen, and then struck him. "NOOOO!" Flash: 850 (Winner) Shadow: 0 BOOM! Everyone ducked for cover as the light and force of the attack swept over the field, lasting several satisfying seconds. Finally the light faded and everyone looked down at the field. As the monsters both faded from existence, Flash stepped over to where Shadow had fallen. The robotic duplicate was a wreck with his clothes ripped and the right half his face skin gone, revealing the metallic skull beneath it. Shadow looked up at Flash and tried to reach out to grab him, but was unable to. "How?" Flash crouched down and looked him in the eye. "I didn't defeat you alone," Flash said, "my friends helped me." "You may have beaten me," Shadow said, "but my father will not be stopped. You think you've won. This is barely the beginning." With that Shadow's red eyes slowly died as his hand fell to the ground. Shadow, was dead. Celestia: HE DID IT! Flash Sentry is victorious. He's the new Celestic Cup CHAMPION! Flash stood back up and looked out at the audience, who were all cheering loudly. "FLASH, FLASH, FLASH, FLASH!" Flash smiled happily at this. He couldn't believe he'd done it. He'd first entered the tournament to get some answers and now, he stood as its champion. "NO!" Sombra yelled as the signal on Shadow was terminated. "My king," Chrysalis said, "we must evacuate. They no doubt ran a trace on Shadow's transmission signal. They'll be coming for us." "Let them come," Sombra said, "with Shadow's failure there is only one way we can put our plan back on schedule." "My king?" "Tell the others to prepare," Sombra said, "we'll be having company." Chrysalis looked nervous, but nodded. "Yes my king." With that she turned and rushed out the room. Sombra meanwhile changed the screen to show the image of Flash, waving to the audience. "They think you'll be the one to stop me, but now you'll be what gives me everything I need." In that moment he spun his chair around, to reveal himself to the light. His body was weak, his skin wrinkled and his face scared. He wore a dark red cloak over silver, armour looking, clothing. His eyes were red, but unlike how they used to be the white had been transformed into a dark green. "Soon the Shadow Gate will open," he said as a dark smile appeared on his face, "and the darkness with rise." Flash reentered the stadium and was heading through the corridor, when he saw his friends standing at the end of it. They were all smiling at him as he drew near and Twilight, her injuries having somehow healed thanks to the Ener-D, rushed over to him and threw her arms around him. "YOU DID IT!" She screamed. "I couldn't have done it without you," Flash said as he hugged her back, before turning to the rest of them. "All of you. This victory belongs to all of us." "Maybe," Applejack said, "but ya'r the one who pulled it off in the end." "Great work out there," Spike said. "You did awesome," Rainbow said. "We're so proud of you," Rarity said. "Yay," Fluttershy said. "Victory party!" Pinkie said. "Maybe later." Everyone turned to see Sunset walking up to them. "I've been sent to bring you all with me," she said, "we've found Sombra's location." Everyone's eyes went wide at this and all looked at each other. Sunset brought them to a secret back entrance of the stadium, where Cold, Grand and Shining were waiting. Several all terrain transport trucks along with almost fifty swat dressed guards were with them. There more people were also there, who they didn't expect to see. "Tidal," Flash said. "Hola mi amigo," Tidal said. "Maud," Pinkie called out seeing her sister. "Mac," Applejack and Applebloom said. "What are you doing here?" Twilight asked. "Mr Steel asked for our help," Maud said, "he explained what's going on and we agreed." "Eyup," Mac said. Cold turned to Flash, before a smile appeared on his face. "You did well," Flash nodded. "It's finally time to take Sombra down," he said as he looked out at the group. "You've all proven your loyalty and I trust you all want to help." Everyone nodded. After everything they'd been through, they weren't being left out of the end of this. "Then we'd better get going," Cold said. "I'm coming to," Spike spoke out, "and before you say I can't I'm just as skilled as any of you. I wanna help." "Spike," Twilight said. "If Spike's going," Scootaloo said, "then I'm going to." "Us to," Applebloom and Sweetie said. The group all looked at each other, before smiling and nodding. "Okay," Flash said, "but don't wander off and do anything we tell you." The four nodded and with nothing else to say, everyone but Sunset climbed into the trucks. "Sunset and Cadance will be running the shop from home base," Cold explained, "they will map out the fastest route to Sombra's location and deal with any traffic that might slow us down." Everyone nodded at this, happy with the plan. "Our goal will be to infiltrate Sombra's hideout and capture the monsters that have been summoned. Then, take Sombra and anyone else who's at that location into custody." The trucks started and they began to move out. "This is it," Twilight said, "the final battle." "We'll end this," Rainbow said, "count on it." "Sombra's caused a lot of pain. We can't let him get away with this," Flash said, "no matter what we have to stop him." The others all nodded as the trucks pulled out of the stadium and off to where Sombra's Lab was located. The Celestic Cup was over and now, the true battle would begin. The battle to determine who would stand to carve the future.