The first Duel of the Celestic Cup Finals was in full swing. Flash Sentry was facing off against Shining Spoon, who had just summoned his ace monster Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon. With it he'd overpowered Flash's monsters and taken the lead, using its special ability of Treason Discharge.
Flash: 2400
Spoon: 2900
Celestia: Flash Sentry finds himself in a precarious situation.
Luna: Can he find a way around Spoon's powerful Xyz monster?
Flash looked up at Spoon, who was standing on his dragon's back with Archfiend Soldier by his side. If he couldn't find a way to defeat this monster, he'd be knocked out of the tournament before he'd even got started.
"This is gonna be tricky," Twilight said from the stands.
"That thing's tough for sure," Rarity said in agreement.
"Luckily for our amigo, it's out of Overlay Units to use."
They all looked up and smiled seeing their friend, Tidal Wave, standing over them.
"Tidal," Twilight smiled, "your back."
"Si," he said as he sat down.
"We heard you were competing in a small tournament on the other side of the country," Rainbow said.
"I was," Tidal said, "I won and came to see the finals. Didn't want to miss my amigo's big moment."
"Well hopefully you didn't come all this way to see Flash lose," Spike said.
"Flash isn't out yet," Scootaloo told him, "just watch."
"I set one card face down and end my turn," Spoon said as he did so.
"Then it's my turn," Flash said as he went to his deck, "I draw!" He looked down at the two cards in his hand and smiled, before looking up at his opponent. "With my Pendulum Scale, I can cut through space time and carve the arc of victory once again." Estella and Alchemy Dracokid used their power to create the portal above his head. "I PENDULUM SUMMON!"
The portal opened and a single light shot out, slamming into the ground.
"Shine your light of victory once again, Flash Heart Dragon!" (A2500/D2000/L7/P4)
"Darn," Spoon said, "I hoped I'd beaten that thing."
"Dream on," Flash said, "now my dragon's ability will activate and send Archfiend Soldier to the bottom of your deck."
A wormhole opened up bellow the demon, causing it to fall through.
"Now I can summon this," Flash said as he threw the card he'd just drawn on the Duel Disk, "Vail Pixie!" In a flash of light, the little fairy appeared next to Flash Heart. (A100/D100/L1)
Cold smiled seeing the small fairy, glad that Sentry had added it to his deck.
"And now I'll tune my level one Vail Pixie with level seven Flash Heart Dragon!" Vail Pixie glowed before transforming into a ball of light, which flew high up into the sky before carving a single ring that Flash Heart flew into. "Awaken the power sleeping within us all and allow your light to shine brighter then ever." Flash Heart was consumed by an explosion of light. "I SYNCHRO SUMMON!"
The light faded, revealing the evolved version of Flash's ace. "Flash Dragon Accel!" (A3000/D2500/L8)
"Oh boy," Spoon said as he looked up at the evolved Flash Heart.
Flash leaped onto his dragon's back, before turning to Spoon. "Now I'll attack your Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon!" The dragon flew high and released its four cannons, which began to charge up. "Supreme Energy Blast!" They fired and shot four combined energy blast.
Spoon leaped off his dragon's back, onto one of the castle towers which he slid down and grabbed an Action Card while doing so. He came to a stop near the edge, before placing the card in his Duel Disk. "Go, Energy Guard! With this I can reduce my dragon's ATK power by five hundred, but I can also negate one attack this round."
Rebellion Dragon glowed, the light transforming into a barrier which the attack bounced off of. (A2000/D2000/R4)
"Smart move," Shining said, "he knew what was coming so he saved his monster."
"Saved it from what?" Chrysalis asked him.
"Accel's ability," Thorax said, getting their attention.
"Now I'm activating Accel's ability," Flash said as his he leaped into the air while his monster was consumed by light. "Now I can tribute him to summon Flash Heart from my Extra Deck." The light faded and Flash Heart floated there, allowing Flash to land on his back. "And now I'll attack!" The dragons boosters kicked into action, sending it flying towards the dragon which it sucker punched in the chest
The dragon cried out in pain, before it was destroyed.
Flash: 2400
Spoon: 2400
Celestia: He did it! He managed to destroy Spoon's ace and even the score.
Luna: How will Spoon reply to this.
"GO FLASH!" His friends all cheered.
"Way to go!" Spike said.
"That was just what he needed ta turn this match around," Applejack said.
"YAY!" Pinkie screamed.
"He's really got the momentum going now," Rainbow said.
"I kinda feel sorry for Spoon," Sweetie said, "without Dark Rebellion he might not stand much of a chance."
"Don't count him out yet," Twilight said, "we don't know the full capabilities of his deck."
"She's right," Tidal said, "our amigo can't get over confident."
"I place one card face down and end my turn," Flash said.
Spoon saw a rope hanging near him and grabbed it, before using it to swing down and land on a more level rooftop. "It's my turn, I draw!" He looked at the card he'd drawn and smiled, before looking down at his face down. "I activate my face down, Xyz Reborn." The face down flipped up and shined. "Now I can revive an Xyz Monster from my graveyard and attach his card to it as an Overlay Unit," he explained.
In a flash of dark light, Rebellion Dragon was revived with a single light floating around it.
"Awe man," Spike said, "Flash just got rid of that thing."
"Maybe," Twilight said, "but it's not all bad. With only one Overlay Unit, it can't use its special ability."
"She's right," Rainbow said, "Flash just needs to hold out long enough to use another Synchro or Fusion Summon to beat it."
"Here's hopin," Applejack said.
Spoon smiled as he looked up at his dragon, before turning to Flash.
"I know what your thinking," he said with a smile, "that even though my dragon's back on the field it's no match for you in its current state."
Flash said nothing, but Spoon knew he was agreeing.
"Well your right," he said, "he's not. But he will be once I unleash his full power."
"What are you saying?" Flash asked.
"I activate the Spell card," he placed the card he'd drawn into his Duel Disk, "Rank-Up-Magic Requiem Purge!"
Everyone gasped hearing this. A Rank-Up card, that could only mean one thing.
"Using this card and Rebellion Dragon as a material," Spoon explained, "I can Xyz Summon a monster that's one Rank higher then him." Rebellion Dragon was consumed by a dark light, as its body began to shift a mutate. "From the depths of purgatory, sing the song of rebellion dedicated to the restless souls. Let it echo for all of eternity and appear." Once he'd finished chanting, the dark light around Spoon's dragon exploded. "CHAOS XYZ EVOLUTION!"
The light faded revealing Spoon's new monster. It looked like Rebellion Dragon, only now it was evolved. It had large bone like instruments covering its body, with a rib cage like armouring around its midsection. Its wings were larger, with purple orbs here and there and a pair of smaller wings coming out of its arms. And Its tail, now had a large twin bladed fang shaped weapon on its tip. "DARK REQUIEM XYZ DRAGON!" (A3000/D2500/R5)
Everyone looked up at the new monster as it soared through the sky.
"WOW!" Scootaloo, Sweetie and Applebloom said in unison.
"That could be a problem," Rainbow said.
"Ya'h think?" Applejack said plainly.
"Relax," Spike said, "Flash's got this." He turned to his sister, "right?"
Twilight wasn't sure how to answer that. She'd never seen this monster before, so she had no clue what type of abilities it could have. All she could do was watch and pray Flash had what it took to beat it. "Stay strong."
Spoon leaped of the roof and onto his dragon's back, before turning to Flash. "I activate Requiem Dragon's ability," he said, "by removing one Overlay Unit, I can then reduce your monster's ATK power to zero while increasing my dragon's ATK by the same amount."
"WHAT!" Flash yelled.
"Requiem Salvation!" Spoon yelled as his dragon crushed one of the Overlay Units in its claws, before the orbs on its wings began to glow. A second later a series of shadowy ropes shot out the orbs, before wrapping around Flash Heart. Flash was forced to leap of his monster onto a nearby rooftop, as he looked back and saw his monster be drained of power. (A0/D2000/L7/P4) Meanwhile Requiem Dragon's power rose up. (A5500/D2500/R5)
"Now attack!" Spoon yelled, as his dragon flew up. Once high enough it spread its wings, which then began to glow as light filled the gaps and its under jaw glowed. "Requiescent Disaster Disobey!" The dragon swooped down and charged at Flash Heart
"Oh no," Twilight said, "if that attack hits Flash's be done for."
"There has to be a way to save him," Fluttershy said, shaking in fear as she watched.
"Come on Flash," Scootaloo said, "do something."
Celestia: This looks like the end.
Luna: Unless Flash can find a way to save himself.
Flash knew he could, but he needed an...Action Card!
Flash leaped of the roof, grabbing a nearby piece of rope as he fell. Once he'd reached the ground, he reached out with his empty hand as the rope fully stretched out before recoiling and pulling Flash back up and then into the air. In his hand was an Action Card, which he placed in his Duel Disk. "I activate the Action Spell, Evasion!"
Flash Heart managed to ignite his thrusters, propelling him upwards just enough to dodge the dragon's devastating attack and allowing Flash to land on his back.
Everyone sighed in relief, thinking that would have been the end of the match.
Celestia: Close one.
Luna: I'll say. Good thing he got that Action Card in time.
"I end my turn," Spoon said, "Requiem Dragon's ATK points return to normal along with yours. (A3000/D2500/R5)
"It's my turn," Flash said as he went to his deck, "I draw." He looked at the card in his hand and sighed, since it wouldn't help him beat Requiem Dragon. "I summon Magna Fighter Light Boarder in DEF mode," he said as a girl in steampunk appeared. She was riding a surf board like object with gears, while carrying a pair pistols in her hands. (A1300/D1100/L3/P3) "I switch Flash Heart to DEF and end my turn."
"Flash is in trouble," Fluttershy said, "he's being forced to play defensively."
"Against the power of that dragon," Twilight said, "what choice does he have?"
"It's no wonder Shining Spoon made it to the finals," Cadance said, "I doubt we'd be fairing any better against him."
"This is the power of the first Xyz Monster," Cold said, "Flash will need to dig deep to find the strength to beat it."
"Hopefully he can find it," Sunset said.
"My turn, draw!" Spoon looked at the card and nodded. "I summon Mad Archfiend in ATK mode," a demon with crazy hair and a skull in its stomach appeared. (A1800/D0/L4) "Attack!" The demon charged and slashed at Light Boarder, destroying her.
Flash: 1700
Spoon: 2400
Flash groaned at this. "Piecing Damage," he realised before pressing something on his Duel Disk, "I activate Stardust Draw. Now I can draw three cards since my monster was destroyed," he explained while drawing.
Spoon just nodded. "Now Requiem Dragon, destroy Flash Heart." His Xyz monster flew up and once again unfurled its wings, which filled with light as it flew down and struck Flash's ace destroying it.
"It's my turn," Flash said, "I draw." He looked down at the cards and nodded. "First I'm activating Pendulum Shift, which lets me change the Pendulum Scale of a monster in my Pendulum Zone. I'm making Dracokid's Scale 1," like he said the number under the small dragon changed to the number, "so now I can PENDULUM SUMMON!"
The portal formed and then opened, as three lights shot out.
"Surfs up, Magna Fighter Light Boarder." (A1300/D1100/L3/P3)
"Flare up, Blazing Light Dragon." A quadrupedal navy blue dragon appeared, with a large metal wings that hand glowing orbs running along the edges. (A2600/D1900/L7)
"Shine your light of victory, Flash Heart Dragon." (A2500/D2000/L7/P4)
"Flash Heart's skill. Mad Archfiend to the bottom of the deck," he said as the wormhole opened.
"I don't think so," Spoon said, "because I'm activating Requiem Dragon's second ability." His dragon crushed its last Overlay Unit in its claws. "Now I can negate your monsters ability, while also summoning an Xyz Monster from my graveyard."
The worm hole closed, while a flash of light occurred. Once it died down, Flash saw Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon standing next to its evolved form. (A2500/D2000/R4)
Flash growled, before ending his turn.
"My turn," Spoon said, "I draw. Now I attack with Mad Archfiend." Once again the demon charged forward and slashed at Magna Fighter Light Boarder, destroying her and dealing Piecing Damage to Flash.
Flash: 1000
Spoon: 2400
"Next I'll attack Blazing Light Dragon with Rebellion Dragon," he said as his Xyz Monster flew at Flash's new dragon before striking it with an electrical attack that destroyed it.
"And finally, Requiem Dragon destroy Flash Heart Dragon." The evolved Xyz Monster flew up and once again unleashed its attack, destroying Flash's ace once again.
"And finally," Spoon said, "I'll end my turn by playing this." He placed a card in his Duel Disk, as a powerful gust blew across the rooftop. "Mystical Space Typhoon, which I'll use to destroy your Alchemy Dracokid!"
The little dragon found herself being pulled into the tornado, before being blown out the top and exploding.
"He's broken Flash's Pendulum Scale," Sweetie said in concern.
"This is bad," Rainbow said.
"Don't give up amigo," Tidal said.
"Flash," Twilight whispered in worry.
"It seems Mr Sentry finds himself cornered," Chrysalis said, "I doubt there's any way back with the tremendous lead that Spoon now has over him."
"Don't count Flash out yet your Majesty," Sunset said.
"She's right," Shining said, "as long as he's got cards to play, Flash can still turn this around."
"Well I don't see how," Chrysalis said, "his Pendulum Scale is broken, he's facing three powerful monster and he doesn't have any cards in his hand."
"He'll do it," Thorax said, "I don't know how, but he will."
Everyone else just nodded at this.
Flash was panting heavily as he looked over his situation. He had one turn left in which to turn this around, but if he couldn't he was pretty much done.
"It's my turn," he said as he placed his hand on the deck, "I draw." He looked at the card and smiled. "I play Pot of Greed, which'll let me draw two cards."
Celestia: It all comes down to this folks. Unless Flash draws a game changer, he'll be out of the tournament."
Flash placed his hand on the deck and shut his eyes, before taking a deep breath. "I...DRAW!" bringing the cards up to his eye line, Flash opened them before they went wide seeing what he'd got. "It's go time."
Spoon frowned hearing this. What was he planning?
"I'm placing Volt Edge Dragon into the Pendulum Zone," Flash said as he slapped one of the cards on the empty zone. The pillars of light appeared, as Estella and the dragon flew up before opening the portal above Flash. "Now I can summon any monsters Levelled six and seven, I PENDULUM SUMMON!"
The portal opened as a beam of light shot out and struck the ground.
"Shine your light of Victory one last time, FLASH HEART DRAGON!" (A2500/D2000/L7/P4)
Spoon frowned seeing this.
"With Flash Heart's skill," Flash said, "Mad Archfiend is sent to the bottom of the deck."
Once again the wormhole opened below the demon, sucking it in.
"And now I'll summon Magna Scholar Ingenium." A man in steampunk robes appeared, wearing glasses and carrying a thick leather book in his hands. (A1000/D1000/L3)
"What's he suppose to do?" Spoon asked having never seen Flash use this monster before.
"I'll let his special ability answer that," Flash said. "You see when he's on the field, I can perform a Fusion Summon without the use of Polymerisation."
"Wait what?" Spoon asked.
Flash just smiled and watched as Ingenium's hands glowed and caused the book he carried to float, before it opened and he began chanting. Suddenly the words on the pages began to glow, before flying off the page and up into the sky where they became a circle. That circle suddenly transformed into a vortex, which pulled Flash Heart and Ingenium inside.
"Now watch," Flash said, "as I combined the unequalled might of a Dragon, with the mystic proprieties of a Spellcaster." In that moment the vortex exploded in light. "I FUSION SUMMON!"
The light faded, revealing Flash's monster. "Spectral Nova Dragon!" (A3000//D2000/L8)
Everyone smiled.
"This is just what Flash needed," Twilight cheered.
"Go Flash," Scootaloo said.
"Win this," Spike said.
"Excelente!" Tidal said.
"So I'm guessing this is what you meant when you said he could pull it back?" Chrysalis asked.
"Exactly," Sunset said.
"If that card's ability works out," Shining said, "he'll be able to win."
"How does it work?" Thorax asked.
"When it attacks Flash draws a card from his deck," Cadance explained, "the effect depends on the card he draws."
"If its a Spell," Sunset continued, "he'll get to destroy a card in Spoon's Spell and Trap card zone. But if its a Trap his Battle Phase ends."
"But if he draws a Monster," Cold said, "Requiem Dragon's ATK and DEF will lower by the amount to the drawn card's."
"So if Mr Sentry can draw a monster with enough ATK points," Chrysalis said, "he might be able to lower his monsters attack enough to win."
"Exactly," Cold said, "it's up to fate."
"Come on Flash," Thorax said quietly.
"Let's do this," Flash said as he jumped onto his monster's back as it aimed its weapons at Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon.
"I don't think so," Spoon said as his dragon flew down to a nearby rooftop, where he leaped off and onto the top and managed to snag an Action Card before leaping back onto his dragon. "I activate Blackout, which means I can pick the target of your attack. I pick Dark Requiem Xyz Dragon as the target of your attack."
"So unless Flash gets a monster," Rarity said, "they'll both be destroyed."
"And Spoon will be able to attack him directly," Twilight said.
"Come on Flash," Scootaloo said.
"So it all comes down to one card," Spoon said.
Flash nodded and ordered his monster, "attack with Mystery Flare Cannon." The two laser cannons it held powered up, and from them shot a thin laser at Requiem Dragon to target it. "Now activating Spectral Nova Dragon's ability" Flash placed his hand on his deck, he closed his eyes as he let what was about to happen run through his mind. "I...DRAW" he drew his card and held it up for all to see.
Everyone looked up at the screen as the camera zoomed in on the card, and Luna announced.
Luna: Magna Caster Lunara. That's twenty four hundred ATK points Requiem Dragon will be losing."
Spoon's eyes went wide as he looked down at his dragon and saw it cry out as its power lowered. (A600//D1300/R5)
"FIRE!" Flash screamed as the Fusion Monster fired its cannons at the Xyz Monster.
Before Spoon could react the attack struck his monster, causing it to be destroyed and him sent flying towards the ground.
Flash: 1000 (Winner)
Spoon: 0
Celestia: We have a winner!
Luna: Flash Sentry will be moving onto the next round.
As the field dissolved around them, Flash moved over to where Spoon had landed.
The thirteen year old pushed himself up into a sitting position, before noticing Flash hold out a hand to help him up. Taking it he felt himself be pulled up.
"Thanks for a great Duel," Flash said.
"Same," Spoon said, "I'm glad I got to face you."
"Same here," Flash said.
The two shook hands, before they both turned and returned to their waiting area.
"That was a close one," Cadance said as she sat back in her chair.
"Sure was," Shining said, "but he did it."
"So I'm guessing you're hoping he wins the whole tournament?" Chrysalis asked.
"If my sister wasn't competing then yes," Shining replied, "but I am hoping he'll make it far."
"Maybe Block Champion," Cadance said, "but then Twilight's totally taking him down."
"I look forward to seeing her Duel," Chrysalis said.
Sunset nodded before looking around for Cold, only to find he wasn't there.
As Flash walked through the corridor, he suddenly saw Cold Steel leaning against the wall.
"What are you doing here?" Flash said nonchalantly as he walked by with his hands in his pockets, "shouldn't you be waiting for the next match?"
"I came to tell you that you'll need to up your game if you want to make it passed the next round," he told him.
"I won didn't I?" Flash asked.
"Barely," he replied. He opened his eyes and looked over at him. "The Xyz cards?"
Flash sighed, before going into his Extra Deck and pulling out the cards. "I've been trying, but no matter what I do they won't seem to awaken."
"I see," Cold said as he watched him return the cards, before turning and walking away.
"Hey!" Flash called out, making him stop. "That Duellist Shadow, there's something different about him. Happen to know anything about that?"
Cold remained stern. "He appeared in the Celestic Cup competitor system on the last week of the first round, but managed to win his way to having the most points almost overnight."
"And nothing about him personally?" Flash asked.
"No," he said, "it's like he never even existed before now."
Flash frowned at this. How could someone not have any information about them.
"Hopefully we can find something more about him when we see him Duel," Cold said.
"Yeah," Flash said, "hopefully."
"Until then," Cold said, "you need to improve your skills. Don't disappoint." With that he walked off, leaving Flash to think about what they'd just talked about.
Back in the audience Twilight and the others felt exhausted after watching that last Duel.
"I'm glad I'm Duelling tomorrow," Rainbow said, "I'd keel over if I had to do it today."
"Wimp," Applejack said, "I'm still fresh as a daisy."
Rainbow glared at her.
"Yeah Rainbow," Pinkie said, "if you're tired from just watching a Duel, you won't last a minute when it's your turn."
"Yeah you're right," Rainbow said, "I'm not tired. I could Duel for a week."
"Yeah you could," Scootaloo said, "you'll win this thing no doubt."
"And don't you forget it squirt," Rainbow said as she ruffled the girl's hair.
"I won't," Scootaloo said, "because you're the best."
"Oh I'm hurt."
They all looked around and saw Flash smiling down at them as he sat down.
"Great work out there amigo," Tidal told him, "you beat him the same way you beat me."
"Thanks Tidal," Flash said before realising, "wait when did you get here?"
"Just before your Duel," he said.
"That was a great win by the way Flash," Twilight said.
"Thanks," he said, "it was close. Shining Spoon's a great Duellist."
"You won by the skin of your teeth," Spike said, getting a node in return.
Suddenly Celestia and Luna stepped out onto the stage.
Celestia: Hope your not to exhausted from that last Duel, because we've got another one coming up.
Luna: Indeed sister. It's time to decide who'll be Duelling next.
She pressed a button and the megascreen came on, before showing images of the remaining fourteen A Block Duellists. The images once again spun around hiding the images, that were then randomly spun around.
Everyone watched with baited breath as they watched for the next contestants, wondering who it would be and who they would be facing.