Rainbow Dash was running, faster then she'd ever run before. Around her there was nothing but darkness, with more darkness up ahead of her. She was scared.
As Rainbow continued to run, she glanced back at what was chasing her.
Shadow-Mech Xyz Bot, zooming up from behind her, looking like it wanted to destroy her.
"Get away!" She yelled as she continued to run.
Rainbow was running so fast she didn't notice whatever it was she tripped over, causing her to fall face first into the shadowy ground. Sitting up, Rainbow looked around and saw Xyz Bot hovering over her before it transformed into its robot form.
Rainbow shook as she looked up at the robot, but as she tried to shuffle backwards she felt her back hit something. Looking around her fear all but vanished, as she saw Rainbow Assault Wing Platinum standing above her.
Her Xyz monster looked down at her and smiled, before spreading his wings and shooting towards the other Xyz monster. "Go get them!" Rainbow cheered.
The bird man flew straight at Xyz Bot, but as he drew closer he was suddenly caught in the robots large hands.
"NO!" Rainbow yelled seeing her monster in peril.
Platinum struggled against the monsters grasp, but nothing he did would cause it to release him.
In that moment the robot's chest opened and out folded its laser cannon, which began charging before it fired a bolt of black energy. As the bolt grew closer, Xyz Bot released Platinum and moved its arms out of harms way. Seconds later the blast struck Platinum, who was completely engulfed by the black energy.
Seconds passed before the blast dissipated, but when it did there was no sign of Rainbow Assault Wing Platinum.
"No," Rainbow whispered in horror, before the fear she'd once felt returned when Xyz Bot turned it sights on her. As Rainbow tried to once again run, the robot leaned down and scooped her up. "No!" She said struggling as she looked at the monster, whose cannon was once again charging. In that moment she felt the robot's grip release, causing to to fall as the cannon fired and the black energy blast shot straight at her. "NO!" She screamed as the energy engulfed her.
"NO!" Rainbow screamed as she shot up awake.
"You're awake," Fluttershy's voice caught her attention. Looking around she found she was in the same hospital room that Rarity was in, she being in the bed next to her, laying in a bed with bandages all over her body.
"What happened?" Rainbow asked.
"You were having a nightmare," Twilight told her as she and the others gathered around her bed.
"Oh," Rainbow said before realising, "wait! What about the tournament?"
"Over," Twilight replied, "you've been unconscious for a while. The last match took place once you were brought here."
"That's right," Rainbow said as she finally remember what had happened, "I lost." She sat back in her bed and frowned.
"Hey," Scootaloo said as she stepped up to the bed, "you might have lost, but you were still awesome. You had that guy on the ropes more then once."
"She's right," Applejack said, "ya'h should be proud."
"Plus thanks to you," Twilight said, "we know what kind of deck Shadow uses."
At the mention of that Duellist, everyone went quiet. They each were having trouble believing what they'd seen. How could Shadow look almost exactly like Flash? It didn't make any sense.
"Do you maybe think," Spike said, "that Flash and Shadow could be...brothers?"
That would explain their resemblance, but how could Flash have a brother and not know about it.
"There's no way," Scootaloo said, "Gramps would have told us if we had another brother."
"Unless he didn't know," Rarity said from her plot on her bed, "remember when he told us how he found Flash."
They all did. After the last Duel between Flash and Cold, they'd asked about how Flash and Scootaloo had come to him and he'd explained. He told them about how he'd found Flash one night outside his door after a flash of light, with Scootaloo appearing four years later.
"Maybe Flash was born with a twin brother," Rarity continued, "and somehow Sombra got his hands on him."
"It doesn't seem possible though," Twilight said, "something's telling me there's more to this then we know."
"Wait a minute," Rainbow said as she looked around the room, "where is Flash?"
Everyone did as she did and looked around, but Flash was nowhere to be seen.
"No idea," Twilight said, "he was here earlier. He must have left before you woke up."
Flash was in the arena stands, his mind playing back what had happened only a few hours ago. As he watched the sun set over his head, he thought back to what he'd seen.
However, before his brain would fry due to information overload, a cold sensation suddenly flew through his head. "WOW!" He yelled as he pulled his head away from the source and looked up, seeing a can of soda infront of him.
"Hola mi amigo," the one holding the can said, "I thought you could use some refreshment."
Flash looked around the can to see Tidal Wave. "Hey Tidal," he said as he took the can, "thanks. I haven't seen you today."
"Sorry," Tidal said, "I was watching from the other side of the arena today."
"It's fine," Flash said.
"So," Tidal said, "something on your mind?"
Flash didn't reply, but Tidal knew what it was.
"Shadow?" he asked.
"You saw?" Flash replied.
"Of course," Tidal said, "I was amazed when I saw it."
"Amazed," Flash said, "try horrified. How can he look so much like me?"
"No idea," Tidal said, "you sure you don't have a brother or something?"
"I'm sure," Flash said frowning.
"Then I'm stumped," Tidal said.
The two remained silent for a moment, drinking their sodas, until Tidal threw his in a nearby trash can and got up. "Okay," he said, "since we're not going to get further in this, let's do something else to take your mind off it."
"Like what?"
Tidal just smiled as he pulled out his Duel Disk. Flash instantly realised what he wanted to do and smiled back, nodding.
Meanwhile Cold, Shining, Cadance and Grand Hoof were in his office.
"This is to dangerous," Shining said, "we have to cancel the rest of the tournament. We can't take the risk of someone getting hurt more then Rarity and Rainbow."
"I agree," Cadance said, "those two were lucky enough not to be hurt worse then they were. For all we know, Adagio and Shadow are only getting started. We have to move quickly, take them in and make them give up his location."
"And what if they don't give it up?" Cold asked, "and even if they do what'll happen if they tell us but Sombra's already gone. We have to wait until the right time."
"So you're just happy risking the lives of innocent people?" Shining asked him, "one of which happens to be my sister!"
Cold said nothing.
"Grand," Shining said as he turned to the older man, "you agree don't you. This is to dangerous."
Grand was simply looking out the office window.
"Grand!" Shining said.
"I don't know what we should do," Grand said, "I don't want to put anyone in danger, but on the other hand I don't want to do anything that could ruin our chances of getting to Sombra."
"So you're just going to do nothing?" Shining asked.
Before anyone could respond, Sunset ran into the room.
"We're kinda busy here," Cold told her.
"You told me to come," Sunset told him. "Remember you wanted to be informed if the Ener-D Levels drop again."
Cold raised another eyebrow. "Have they?"
"Yes," Sunset replied, "their even lower then yesterday. This isn't a natural occurrence, something's doing this."
"But what?" Cold asked.
Shining, Cadance and Grand all looked at each other confused.
"There's more," Sunset said as she brought up the data from Rainbow and Shadow's Duel. "Our systems didn't detect any Ener-D coming from Shadow during his Duel with Rainbow."
This made Cold frown. "That's impossible. Even a weak Duellist can produce a minuscule amount."
"Well he didn't," Sunset said.
Cold looked down at the tablet, many questions flowing through his head. "Who are you Shadow?"
While this was going on, Thorax and Chrysalis were in their limo driving to their hotel.
"Did you enjoy watching the Duels today son?" Chrysalis asked him.
"Yes mother," Thorax said plainly, "I learned a lot."
"Good," Chrysalis replied, "when we arrive at the hotel I'll need to leave you at the front door. I have another meeting which I wish not to be late for."
"Of course," Thorax replied, having been expecting this. "If I may be so bold mother, what is it you are doing at these meetings?"
Chrysalis looked at him and raised an eyebrow. "Why so curious?"
"No reason," Thorax replied, "I'm going to be king one day, I'd thought it necessary to know what kind of business we usually do."
"Well until the day you are actually crowned," Chrysalis said, "it is none of your concern."
"Of course mother," Thorax said looking down, "forgive me for being impertinent."
Chrysalis continued to stare at her son, until she finally changed her gaze and Thorax silently sighed in relief before looking out the window.
Meanwhile Flash and Tidal had found a spot in the arena's parking lot, which was completely deserted.
"It's time mi amigo," Tidal said as she attached his Duel Disk to his arm.
"Okay," Flash said as he did the same. Tidal was right about him needing to take his mind off of Shadow, and what better way then this. "let's do it."
"DUEL!"
Flash: 4000
Tidal: 4000
"I'll go first," Tidal said as he drew his card and smiled. "I activate the Raging Storm Ritual."
Flash frown, seeing the card that could summon his opponent's best monster.
"Now I'll discard monsters whose combined Levels equal seven," Tidal said. a tornado of water appeared in front of him, which something appeared inside. "I RITUAL SUMMON!"
The tornado exploded, revealing Tidal's ace. "Commander of the Raging Storm, Soveruin." (A2400/D2200/L7)
"He's not messing around," Flash said.
"Next I summon Splash Sargent in ATK mode," Tidal said as in a splash of water, a man in navy uniform appeared riding a white jet ski. (A1700/D1300/L4) "I end my turn with a face down."
"My turn," Flash said as he went to his deck, "I draw and I'll start by activating my Mystical Space Typhoon." A powerful gust of wind spread across the field, catching Tidal's face down and blowing it away. Flash caught a glimpse of the card and smiled. "Tsunami Surge," he said, "thought so."
"Nice move Amigo," Tidal said, "so much for my stratagy."
Flash just nodded, before continuing. "Now I'll set the Pendulum Scale with scale two Magna Fighter Lucidum and scale five Lumino Jaw Dragon." The columns of light appeared, which his monster appeared in. "Next I'll activate the Spell Pendulum Shift, which will let me change Lumino Jaw Dragon's Pendulum Scale to eight." His monster's number increased by three, allowing him to summon the monsters he needed as the portal began to form. "I PENDULUM SUMMON!"
The portal opened and two lights shot out, slamming into the ground.
"Howl to the moon, Shine Crest Magna Wolf!" (A1200/D1100/L3)
"Shine your light of victory, Flash Heart Dragon!" (A2500/D2000/L7/P4)
"Bravo," Tidal said.
"Flash Heart's skill," Flash said, "Splash Sargent to the bottom of the deck."
A wormhole opened, sucking the jet ski riding monster inside.
"Now Magna Wolf's skill," Flash said as the gem on his monsters chest armour glowed, "plus three hundred power!" (A1500/D1100/L3) "Plus with Lucidum's Pendulum Effect, Flash Heart gains five hundred points. (A3000/D2000/L7/P4)
"Attack!" His monsters jets fired and propelled him forward, allowing him to sucker punch Soveruin and destroy him.
Flash: 4000
Tidal: 3400
"Now Magna Wolf will attack!" Flash ordered. His canine monster ran forwards before slashing at Tidal.
Flash: 4000
Tidal: 1900
"I end my turn."
As Tidal rubbed the spot that Magna Wolf had slashed, he looked up at Flash and smiled. "Nice move."
"Thanks," Flash replied, "now what are you gonna do?"
"Let's find out," Tidal said.
"You think someone's stealing Ener-D?" Cadance asked.
"It's the only explanation," Sunset told her, "but it's how their doing it that has us stumped."
"Our system has the best security in the world," Cold said, "nothing should be able to get passed its defences."
"But obviously something did," Shining said, "but the question is what and why."
Shadow and Adagio were walking through a corridor, before arriving at a door which opened. The two stepped into the room, where the staircase and the two cloaked women were. Once at the bottom of a staircase, they kneeled.
"Your majesty," the two said.
"Well done," the figure said not looking at them, "you two did an impressive job. Despite how close you allowed it to get you managed to win and collected a sufficient amount of Ener-D."
"Thank you father," Shadow said, "it was our honour."
The figure nodded before say, "now silence. It is time to summon them."
The two nodded, not saying anything.
The figure turned back to the computer. He began typing and soon the system came to life.
ENER-D LEVELS RISING!
"It's my turn," Tidal said, "I draw and play Pot of Greed, to draw two cards." He looked at the cards in his hand and smiled. "I activate the Spell card Monster Reborn, which will let me revive a monster in my graveyard." A tornado appeared and from it came Soveruin."
"Oh great," Flash said.
"Now I'll activate another Spell card," Tidal continued as he placed a card in his Duel Disk. "Rebirth Ritual!" Another tornado appeared and engulfed Soveruin, who disappeared from sight.
"What's happening?" Flash asked, not sure what Tidal was doing.
"Rebirth Ritual is a Spell which allows a Ritual Monster to transcend their limits and take on their true forms," Tidal explained as the tornado got bigger. Eventually the tornado exploded, unleashing a powerful light. "RITUAL EVOLUTION!"
The light faded, revealing a new monster in Soveruin's place.
Soveruin was now wearing more flamboyant navy wear, carrying a large gold cutlass. The biggest difference was that the seahorse he rode had been replaced by a giant navy blue sea serpent with four eyes and a large fins. "Master of the Storm, Admiral Soveruin!" (A2800/2500/L8)
Flash had to admit that this monster was pretty impressive, but how powerful was it.
"Rebirth Ritual has another ability," Tidal said, "for the rest of the turn that I summoned him on, my monster gains a thousand ATK points!" (A3800/D2500/L8) "Attack Flash Heart Dragon!" Soveruin's snapped the rains of his leviathan, which began to sliver through the air like it was water towards Flash Heart. Once close, Soveruin used his cutlass and slashed through Flash's monster destroying it.
Flash: 3200
Tidal: 1900
"It's time to activate Admiral Soveruin's ability," Tidal said, "whenever he destroys a monster I can destroy another one, as long as its ATK is lower then that of the card I destroyed."
The leviathan opened its mouth and fired of a powerful burst of water, which struck Magna Wolf and destroyed it.
"Plus, you take damage equal to its ATK points." Flash was truck by the torrent of water, causing him to lose his balance and fall to his knees.
Flash: 2000
Tidal: 1900
Flash panted as he stood up. "Wow," he said, "that was a unexpected. I've never seen a Ritual Evolution before."
"New mechanic," Tidal said, "Senor Steel gave me the cards to beta test."
"Cool," Flash said.
"Now how will you do against it?" Tidal said, "I end my turn. Soveruin's ATK points go back to normal." (A2800/D2500/L8)
"My turn," Flash said as he went to his deck, "I draw and I'll play my own Pot of Greed, to draw two cards." He looked at the cards and nodded with a smirk. "I summon the Tuner Monster Multi Tool Magna Droid." In a flash of light a bronze spherical robot appeared, with two arms coming out of its side. Its back had several panels which opened up and folded out several, thinner, arms that were each carrying a different tool. (A500/D1000/L2/P6)
"A Tuner Monster," Tidal said in worry only to realise something. "But you don't have any monsters to tune it with?"
"Don't I?" Flash asked with a smirk. "I activate Multi Tool Magna Droid's ability," he said, "an ability that lets him use a monster in my Pendulum Zone as a Synchro Material!" Lumino Jaw Dragon flew out of the light column, as Magna Droid transformed into two balls of light which carved two rings around Lumino Jaw Dragon. "I tune Level two Multi Tool Magna Droid with Level five Lumino Jaw Dragon," the two were then engulfed by a bright light. "I SYNCHRO SUMMON!"
"The light faded revealing Flash's monster. "Magna Champion Assault Striker!" (A2500/D2100/L7)
Tidal marvelled at the manoeuvre. "Fabuloso amigo."
"I don't know what that meant but I'll take it as a complement," Flash said, "now I'll activate the Spell Reverse Polarity. With this I can increase my Monster's ATK to match your's, will decreasing your Monster's by the same amount." (A2800/D2100/L7), (A2500/D2500/L8)
"Attack," Flash ordered as his monster charged forward and slashed at Soveruin with one of its blades. Soveruin tried to defend with his cutlass, but Assault Striker simply used his other blade and stabbed him. Soveruin flinched before being destroy, leaving his leviathan to try and fight back only to have its head cut off and destroyed.
Flash: 2000
Tidal: 1600
Once the explosion from the fight passed, Flash and Tidal caught each others eye. The two stared each other down, until they both smiled before breaking out into a fit of laughter.
"My heart...is...FULL!" Tidal screamed as he threw his arms wide. "That was a great move amigo. Excelente."
"Thanks Tidal," Flash said, "and thanks for doing this. You were right, I wasn't doing myself any favours over thinking the shadow thing. If I'm gonna make through the next rounds, I can't be distracted."
"It's okay to think about something that confuses you Flash," Tidal told him, "just worry about it when you can afford to worry about it."
"You're right," Flash replied, "but I'm not going to worry about it. It doesn't matter why he looks so much like me, all that matters is he's working with Sombra and that makes him my enemy. I have to stop whatever insane plan they're working towards and get even for Rarity and Rainbow.
"Now that's a plan," Tidal said, "but before you can even think about taking them down, you'll need to get passed me."
"You make it sound like it'll be hard," Flash joked.
"We'll see amigo," Tidal told him, "it's my turn."
Meanwhile in the dark lab, the figure was working to repeat the procedures he'd done yesterday. Like yesterday the screens split and revealed the window into the other room, where even more cards then yesterday were floating in midair.
ENER-D CONVERGENCE STEADY!
The figure sat back in his throne, as the metal orbs flew up from the floor and into his hands. The metallic bowl like helmet flew out of the opening, attaching itself to the figures head.
TRANSDIMENSIONAL LINK READY!
The figure took a deep breath and spoke. "Begin.
The orbs and helmet once again started sparking as the figure began to shake and scream as the energy flowed through him. Inside the room the metal dishes began to glow, before beams of light shot out and struck the cards.
At Freeze Industries the grown ups continued to talk until the power went out, which caused a great amount of déjà vu.
"Not again," Sunset said.
"Two blackouts in two days," Cadance said, "this can't be a coincidence."
"It isn't," Cold said. He turned and looked out the window at that darkened city.
In his hotel room, Thorax had been looking through his deck when the power went out. Looking up in surprise he looked around the room, pulling out his phone for light, and saw anything that was electric was powered down.
Flash and Tidal were continuing their Duel, until the lights cut out and their Duel Disks deactivated.
"What the?" Flash asked as his monster vanished.
"The Duel System must have shut down," Tidal said, "hey didn't this happen yesterday?"
"Yeah," Flash replied, "what's going on?"
In the medical bay, Twilight and the others were also shocked by the blackout.
"Not again," Rainbow said, "what's wrong with the power this week."
"It's can't be a coincidence," Twilight said, "but what could be causing this?"
"I just hope the lights come back on soon," Fluttershy said, "this is scary."
"If it's anything like yesterday," Applejack said, "that light will turn back on any second." As if hearing her, the lights flickered back into life. "See."
"But why do these blackouts keep happening?" Spike asked.
TRANSFER COMPLETE!
The figure breathed deeply, trying to get back the breathe he'd lost during the procedure.
"Father!" Shadow yelled as he rushed up the stairs and was by his fathers side.
"I am fine," the figure said.
"You must rest father," Shadow told him, "summoning so many at once is dangerous."
"I am fine," he repeated, more forcibly this time. "And I must continue to do my part," in that second the window opened and the cards flew out and circled the two. "Welcome," he said, "now join your comrades." He tried to press the button, but his hands were still weak and Shadow had to do it.
The opening in the wall opened and the cards flew over to it and joined the rest of the deck.
"Many more cards remain," he said as he turned to Shadow, "meaning you and Adagio must keep winning."
"We will father," he said, "we won't let you down."
"Be sure not to," the figure said as he slumped down in his chair.
Shadow turned and walked down to the bottom of the stairs, before turning to look at the cloaked women. "Take him to his quarters," he told them, "make sure he gets plenty of rest."
"Yes sir," they said as they climbed the stairs.
"How is he?" Adagio asked.
"Weak," Shadow replied, "summoning so many of them at once it proving to much. But once he completes the summoning, he will be fine."
"Meaning he needs Ener-D," Adagio said.
"Yes," Shadow agreed, "so we must not fail in our mission."
"They're getting suspicious."
The two turned to see a new, taller, figure enter the room. "You must be more careful."
"Let them be suspicious," Shadow said, "nothing they do can stop us."
Despite the power being back on, Tidal and Flash had decided against another Duel. Instead the two headed to the medical bay to see the others.
"Hola!" Tidal said once they were inside.
"Hey Tidal," Twilight said as they turned to see him and Flash. "Where'd you get to?" She asked Flash when she saw him.
"Sorry," Flash said, "had to clear my head."
"Shadow?" Scootaloo asked.
"Yeah," Flash said, "but I'm not gonna worry about it."
"But what if he really our brother?" She asked in, looking concerned.
Seeing this Flash crouched down to her eye level. "I don't know who he is, but I know he's not our brother. I don't know how he looks like me, but what matters is that for all intense and purposes he's our enemy."
Scootaloo looked down but nodded anyway.
"Besides," Flash said, "even if he is our brother, I doubt we'll be able to bring him over to our side. Our only hope is beating him, only then can we hope to get him to help us."
Scootaloo frown but nodded in agreement.
Flash then stood to full height and looked around at his friends. "We know what to expect of our enemies now, but we still need to know more. We have to keep focused and watch them carefully, learning every little detail about their Duel strategies and how to defeat it when it's our turn."
Everyone nodded at this, knowing he was right.
No matter what, they would defeat Shadow and Adagio and in doing so they'd be one step closer to defeating Sombra. Now matter what, they would win.