//------------------------------// // Turn 15, Dark Times Ahead // Story: Yugioh EQG: Shadow Gates // by Banshee531 //------------------------------// We find the gang in the stadium cafeteria, where many different food stands were serving a diversity of different foods. There was a stand selling hot dogs, burgers and slices of pizza, Flash and the younger teens had rushed towards that one, along with places that sell salads or Chinese and Mexican foods. Everyone had quickly split up and gotten their lunches, before regrouping at a large table to eat. "And then," Flash said, "I spoke to the statue and slowly it began to crack before it finally shattered and a blinding light appeared." He was explaining what had happened when Destiny Bound Dragon had awakened. "The next thing I know, I'm back on the Duel field and...well you were there." "That's awesome," Scootaloo said, "to think you can make statues come to life." "I don't think it was always a statue," Flash replied, "it felt more like it was maybe turned to stone and in a deep sleep. I was just able to awaken it." "So it was some kind of cryogenic freezing," Twilight pondered, "or maybe a form of fossilisation." "Who cares what it is," Spike said, "all that matters is that Flash was able to wake it up and he'll probably be able to do it again." "He's right," Scootaloo said, "maybe there's another statue that's waiting for you." "You think?" Flash asked. "It would make sense," Applejack said. "Maybe you can try it next time you Duel," Applebloom said. "I guess," Flash said. "Now isn't this a happy band of Duellists." Everyone turned to see Time Turner standing next to their table, burger and chips on his tray. "Hey Time," Flash said, "what brings you here." "Just a spot of lunch," Time said, "saw you and thought I'd come offer my congratulations on your latest victory." "Thanks," Flash said, "You'll be up pretty soon." "We hope you do as well as you did last round," Twilight said. "Thank you my dear," Time said, "I hope you do well also. We'll have to be cautious, especially if we Duel one of them." Everyone turned to the table he was staring at and frowned, seeing Shadow and Adagio sitting at it. Adagio was eating a salad, while Shadow was simply sitting at the table. "If one of us Duels one of them," Time continued, "we'll need to be careful." "Yeah," Flash said, "after seeing what they did to Rarity and Rainbow I can't help but agree." "Hopefully we won't face them until late in the tournament," Twilight said. "Hopefully," Time said, "but one can't be to careful." With that he stepped away, heading towards a table that Derpy was sitting at. Meanwhile the VIPs were also enjoying their lunch. Chrysalis had picked out Thorax's food, handing the plate to him which was filled with healthy and sophisticated food. When she wasn't looking, Thorax made a disgusted look at the food but began to eat when he saw his mother look back at him. Sunset was eating a cucumber sandwich when she saw Cold return to the box. "Where'd you get to?" She asked him. "Had to take care of some business," Cold said, "tell you about it later." "So any predictions on the next round?" Chrysalis asked once they were all sat down. "I'm predicting my sister kicking whoever she Duel's butt," Shining said. "And if she Duels that Adagio or Shadow?" Chrysalis asked. Hearing this Shining frowned, before sitting back and going silent. "I'm sure she'll be fine," Cadance said. "Yeah," Sunset said, "she's not gonna lose to them. I guarantee it." Shining smiled and nodded. His sister would be fine. The hour long break had passed and now everyone was back in their seats, waiting for the B Block to begin. Suddenly the stage burst with fireworks, as the Celestic Sister stepped out and waved to the audience. Celestia: Hello everyone. We hope you had a delicious lunch and are fuelled up for the B Block tournament. Luna: Eight more Duelists are about to battle it out for the four limited spots in the next round. Now let's see who'll be the first two working for it. She raised her remote and pressed the button, causing the megascreen to activate and show the eight Duelists. The images then flipped around to hide them, before spinning in a circle. The first image shot out and revealed the Duelist. Celestia: First up is Time Turner! "Alright," Flash said, "it's Time's time." Everyone rolled their eyes at the pun. The second image flipped out, revealing Time's opponent. Everyone's eyes went wide seeing who it was. Luna: Shadow. Both Duelists please make it your way to the arena. Everyone frowned. They had talked about being careful against him, but it was still worrying seeing he was going be Duelling their friend. "I'm worried," Twilight said, "after what happened to Rainbow, who knows what Shadow will do to Time." "All we can do is cheer him on," Flash said, "the rest we'll have to leave to him." Twilight and the others all nodded, before turning back to the field. A few minutes passed and the two Duelists stepped out onto the field. Time and Shadow met in the centre, where the ref was waiting for them. The two stared each other down. "You may look like Flash," Time said, "but you're nothing like him." Shadow just smirked. "You're right," he replied, "I'm a hundred times better." "No," Time said, "you're not. And I'm going to make sure what you did yesterday won't happen again." The ref flipped and it was decided that Time would take the first move, before the two stepped back to a reasonable distance. In her hospital bed, Rainbow was watching the TV nervously. After what had happened to her, she was scared for Time Turner. "You alright?" Fluttershy asked her. "Just nervous," Rainbow said, "I know Time's good, but he's facing off against Shadow. You saw what he did to me, so how's Time going to do?" "We'll just have to hope he has a trick up his sleeve," Rarity said from her bed. "She's right," Sweetie said, "sure Shadow's strong, but he can't be unbeatable." Rainbow sighed but nodded anyway, knowing they were right. Celestia: With nothing else stopping us, let's see which field our competitors will face each other on. She raised her remote and pressed the button, causing the floor to glow as it generated the Action Field. "AUGMENTED REALITY COMBAT SYSTEM ENERGISED." In the blink of an eye, the two Duellists were transported to a large city, made of bronze metal in the shape of gears, cogs and other clockwork pieces. The two were standing on a large gear shaped platform. Luna: It's Gear City! As Time placed his Duel Disk on his arm, he stared his opponent down. "There's something not quite right about him," he said to himself, "and the only way to figure it out is to Duel him." Celestia: Our Duellists are ready to throw down. Luna: Then what are we waiting for. Let's get this Duel started. Celestia: In three! Luna: TWO!" Both: ONE!" "DUEL!" Time: 4000 Shadow: 4000 "ACTION CARDS DISPERSED." "First moves mine," Time Turner said, "I draw and summon Chrono Viper in ATK mode." The metal ground split apart and from make the robotic serpent, with the gear on its head spinning. (A1700/D1100/L4) "I end my turn with two face downs." "My turn," Shadow said as he drew his card, "I'll start by summoning Shadow-Mech Diver in ATK mode." A surge of water appeared and from out of it came a light blue submarine appeared, before it transformed into a four meter high robot. (A800/D1800/L4) "Now I'll attack!" "But my monster has almost a thousand more ATK points?" Time asked, "why attack." Shadow didn't answer. Instead his robot reverted back to its vehicle form and dived into the metal ground. Seconds passed and finally it reappeared, shooting out the ground between Time and Chrono Viper, before launching a torpedo at Time which struck him and exploded. Time: 3200 Shadow: 4000 "So it can attack directly," Time said once he'd caught his balance, "I'm guessing it then switches to DEF mode?" "You'd be correct," Shadow said as his monster surfaced on his side but remained in its vehicle mode. "I end my turn with a face down." Celestia: A well executed move. How will Time Turner respond? "I'll go," Time said as he drew his card and smirked, "and I'll summon my main monster. Say hello to Chrono Fighter." In a flash of light, the robotic knight appeared and swung its sword around. (A100/100/L1) "You expect to beat me with that hung of tin?" Shadow asked, "It's nothing." "Appearances can be deceiving," Time said, "I now attack your Shadow-Mech Diver with Chrono Fighter." "Go ahead," Shadow said, "I'll easily beat it." "Not once I activate my face down," Time said as one of his cards flipped up, "Turn Jump! Now we're both forced to skip ahead three turns." Everything froze as the Spell took effect, causing them to skip their turns. "What's the point?" Shadow said, "what will skipping three turns do for you?" "A lot in fact," Time said, "because for each turn that's skipped, Chrono Fighter's ability kicks in and causes him to evolve and increase in power." The robotic knight glowed as it powered up, with the first turn skipped, (A600/D500/L2) then the second turn, (A1100/D900/L3) and finally the third turn, (A1600/D1300/L4) "So what?" Shadow asked, "it's still no match for my Shadow-Mech." "That's why I'm activating my other face down," Time said, "another Turn Jump." Luna: So he'll be skipping another three turns, meaning his monster will evolve three more times. Time once again stopped as Chrono Fighter once again powered up three more times. When time restarted Time's monster's new ATK and DEF was revealed. (A3100/D2500/L7) The now much larger Chrono Fighter swung its sword to strike Shadow-Mech Diver, destroying it. "Now Chrono Viper will attack" Time said as his monster slivered towards Shadow. "I activate my face down," Shadow said as his card flipped up, "Shadow-Mechanic! Now I can revive my Shadow-Mech to intercept your attack." The submarine robot reappeared and tackled Chrono Viper, who spun its gear to grind into it and destroy it. Time: 3200 Shadow: 3100 "A decent defence," Time said, "I'll end my turn there." "Then it's my turn," Shadow said, "I draw and play Pot of Greed to draw two cards." He looked at them and nodded, knowing what to do. "Now I'll set the Pendulum Scale with scale three Shadow-Mech Hauler and scale eight Shadow-Mech Breaker." He slapped the cards down on his Duel Disk as it lit up, while the columns of light appeared and the monsters floated up into them. One was a bulldozer like vehicle, with a yellow drill in place of a shovel which transformed into a robot. The portal formed above Shadow's head, as he prepared to summon his monsters. "I PENDULUM SUMMON!" The portal opened and a single light shot out of it, striking the groudn and taking form. It was a large black jet, which transformed into the seven foot tall robot. "Shadow-Mech Jetstorm!" (A2500/D2000/L7/P2) The machine looked over at Time's monsters, who stared it down without fear. "Now Jetstorm," Shadow said, "attack Chrono Viper!" The robot reverted back to its jet form, before shooting into the sky and aimed at the robotic snake with its targeting computer. It then fired a single missile, which flew down and struck Chrono Viper, destroying it and causing a large explosion. Time: 2400 Shadow: 3100 "I end my turn with a face down," Shadow said. "Then it's my turn," Time said, "and once again my Chrono Fighter will power up." In a flash of light, the robotic knight increased it size and design as its power rose. (A3600/D2900/L8) "Next I'll summon my Ancient Gear Knight in ATK mode." A rusty clockwork robot appeared, wielding a lance and gear shaped shield. (A1800/D500/L4) Celestia: I'm seeing a lot of pain in Shadow's future. If Time's next attack works, he'll be out of monster and open to a direct attack. Luna: What's more. If my math is correct, Shadow will only have a hundred life points left. "Chrono Fighter attack!" Time ordered as his monster raised its giant sword, but before it could slash Jetstorm a black chain covered in a black aura appeared and wrapped around his arm. "What the?" Time asked as more and more chains shot out the ground and wrapped around his monster, before pulling its down to the ground. "Surprise," Shadow said, "my Shadow Restraint Trap card has got your monster all chained up. Now he can't attack, change battle position or use his special ability." Time growled hearing this. "Not good," Flash said, "his best monster's been nullified." "Even so," Twilight said, "it's still on the field so it can still protect Time from attacks." "But if Shadow can summon a monster strong enough to take it out," Spike said. "I end my turn," Time said. "Then I'll go," Shadow said as he went to his deck and drew his card, "and Jetstorm will attack!" Once again the robot transformed and flew up, before firing its missile at Ancient Gear Knight. Time Turner looked around and saw a Action Card, which he instantly ran towards. Leaping off the platform, he landed on a metal silo and then leaped off it to a tower where the Action Card lay. Just as the missiles were about to hit, he grabbed it and placed it in his Duel Disk. "I activate the Action Spell Miracle!" The missile struck but in that second, a force field appeared around Ancient Gear Knight protecting it. Time: 2050 Shadow: 3100 Shadow frowned seeing this, but didn't care. "I end my turn." "Then it's my turn," Time said as he reached for his deck, "I draw." He looked at his hand, but he didn't have anything that could take out Jetstorm or free Chrono Fighter from Shadow Restraints. He only had on option. "I'll change Gear Knight to DEF mode and end my turn." Celestia: We appear to be in stalemate. Shadow can't get passed Chrono Fighter, but Time can't use Chrono Fighter to attack. Luna: Who will break this dead lock. "It's my turn," Shadow said, "I draw and will have Jetstorm attack Ancient Gear Knight." Once again the machine transformed and flew up, before firing its missile which struck the robot destroying it in an explosion which caused Time to lose his balance on the silo almost fall off. "And with that," Shadow said, "I'll end my turn." As Time managed to regain his balance, he looked over at his opponent and frowned. He needed to make a decisive move this turn or he'd be in trouble. "It's my turn," Time said, "I draw!" He saw the card he'd drawn and his eyes went wide as an idea flowed through his head. "I activate the Continuous Spell Card, Fusion Chamber!" A burst of steam appeared and in it was a machine like device. The smoke cleared revealing a large machine with three chambers, two on the ground with a large door and swivel handle along with a pipe sticking out the top which lead to the third chamber. "This machine allows me to preform a Fusion Summon once a turn," Time explained, "so I'll be fusing the Baby Dragon and Time Wizard in my hand." The two monsters appeared on the field, before each being sucked into one of the chambers which shut. The machine lit up as it activated, with the two chambers filling with steam. "With age comes the wisdom of time and experience, which will grant a power stronger then any weapon." The machine's third chamber door exploded open, releasing the smoke from with it. "I FUSION SUMMON! The smoke slowly began to faded, and from out of it stepped a very familiar dragon monster. "Thousand Dragon." (A2400/D2000/L7) "So what," Shadow said, "that's still not enough to beat my Jetstorm." "It will be once I equip it with Mage Power," Time said as he placed a card in the Duel Disk. "With this his ATK points increase by five hundred for each card in my Spell and Trap zone, so with two he gets a thousand points." (A3400/D2000/L7) "GO! Nauseous Nostril Blast!" The dragon unleashed a powerful gust of gas from its nose, which struck Jetstorm and melted it. Shadow used his cloak as a shield, defending against the acid like breath Time: 2050 Shadow: 2200 Celestia: Now that's how it's done. With one move he's broken the stalemate. Luna: Can Shadow keep up? "Don't count me out just yet," Shadow said as he flipped his cloak away, "are you done?" "I am," Time said. "Then it's my turn," Shadow said, "I draw." He looked at the card and smiled, before looking back over at Time. "Thanks by the way for destroying Jetstorm," he said, "with him in the Extra Deck my next monster will be even more powerful." Time frowned at this. What was he planning? Shadow leaped off the platform and began jumping from roof to roof, until he found what he was looking for. Grabbing an Action Card, he held it up and smiled. "Perfect. I activate the Action Spell Pendulum Tune Up. Now I can increase the Pendulum Scale of my Shadow-Mech Breaker by two for this turn." The number beneath the drill robot changed from eight to ten, making Time and the others grow nervous. "And now," Shadow said, "I'll once again carve the arc of victory." The portal began to form, getting bigger by the second. "I PENDULUM SUMMON!" The portal opened and a single light shot out, before striking the ground and taking form. It was a white space shuttle, which quickly transformed into a ten meter high robot. "Shadow-Mech Star Shuttle!" (A3000/D3000/L8/P4) "Why didn't he summon Jetstorm?" Scootaloo asked. "He said it would make his new monster more powerful," Flash replied, "but how." "Now witness my Star Shuttle's ability," Shadow said, "for every Shadow-Mech Pendulum Monster in my Extra Deck, he gains five hundred ATK points." Star Shuttle glowed as his power rose. (A3500/D3000/L8/P4) Time's eyes went wide. "Attack!" The robot transformed back into its vehicle form and flew up, before dive bombing Thousand Dragon like a meteor destroying it. Time: 1950 Shadow: 2200 "I end my turn," Shadow said. Celestia: Once again Shadow has the most powerful monster that can attack. Luna: If he can get another monster in his Extra Deck, he'll be able to destroy Chrono Fighter. Time also knew this. He needed to either free his monster, or summon something stronger. It all rest on one card. "It's my turn," he said, "I draw!" He drew his card and smiled, "fantastic." Shadow frowned. What did he get?" "I play Monster Reborn," Time said, "and with it I'll revive my Thousand Dragon." In a flash of light, his best monster reappeared, standing alongside the chained up Chrono Fighter. "Why summon him?" Shadow said, "It doesn't stand a chance against my Star Shuttle now. All you've done is give me a target." "Wrong," Time said, "I have everything I need to end you." Shadow frowned. "Now I activate the effects of my Fusion Chamber!" Time said as him machine once again came to life. "With it I can fuse Thousand Dragon with Chrono Fighter!" The doors of the machine opened, before sucking the two monsters inside. The machine lit up as it activated, with the two chambers filling with steam. "Witness the birth of the ultimate creature of time, whose roar can rattle the space time continuum." The machine's third chamber door exploded open, releasing the smoke from with it. "I FUSION SUMMON!" The smoke cleared, revealing Time's new monster. It was a giant robotic dragon. It was thirty foot long, head to tail, made of a black metal and powered by gears and cogs. As it moved, the many gears spun rapidly. "Chronodragon, Gear Chronicle!" (A3000/D3000/L10) The dragon opened its mouth and unleashed a powerful roar, which shuck the ground. "Impressive," Shadow said, "but your monsters still no match for mine." "That's where you're wrong," Time said, "because Chronodragon's ATK points increase, depending on the Level of Chrono Fighter. Since it was Level eight when he was Fusion Summoned, my Gear Chronicle gains that Level times by five hundred." "Wait," Spike said as he tried to do the math, "five hundred times eight is..." "Four thousand," Twilight finished, "added to Chronodragon's three thousand makes." Celestia: Seven thousand ATK points. The creature once again roared, as its power rose up. (A7000/D3000/L10) "It's over Shadow," Time said, "Chronodragon Gear Chronicle, ATTACK!" The dragon opened its mouth and roared once again, this time firing a barrage of gear shaped energy blades. Shadow leaped into action, jumping from roof to roof in search of an Action Card. Finally he spotted one and leaped for it, just as the energy blades struck his monster and caused an explosion. Everyone waited with baited breath as the smoke began to clear, but in the moment it did everyone gasped. Shadow was still standing and his monster was in one piece. Time: 1950 Shadow: 2200 "How?" Time asked in horror. "The Action Spell Evasion," Shadow said, "I activated it just in time." Luna: What a close call. Shadow barely manages to protect himself, but how can he fight back against such a powerful monster? "I end my turn," Time said, "but don't get to comfortable. My Chronodragon's power boost will be sticking around until my next turn." "Like I care," Shadow said, "It's my turn, I draw and once again my Pendulum Scale with carve the arc of victory." The portal formed once again. "I PENDULUM SUMMON!" The portal opened and a single light shot out. "Shadow-Mech, Jetstorm!" (A2500/D2000/L7/P2) "Why'd he summon that thing?" Scootaloo asked, "I thought he needed it in the Extra Deck." "Obviously his plan's changed," Twilight said, "but what's he gonna do? He summoned it in ATK mode so he's not trying to defend." Flash was also wondering the same thing. Against Time's Fusion Monster they didn't stand much of a chance. It was then that he remembered how Shadow's Duel against Rainbow ended. "Wait," he said, "if he's got an Xyz Monster that can make another Xyz Monster's ATK zero, do you think?" Everyone else caught on and their eyes went wide. "With Shadow-Mech Breaker's Pendulum Ability," Shadow said, "I will now fuse Shadow-Mech Jetstorm and Star Shuttle!" The robot pointed its drill at the spot above the two monsters, before it spun and unleashed a beam of light which created a vortex that the two were sucked into. "I FUSION SUMMON!" The vortex exploded and from it came a large jet purple ship that looked extraterrestrial. Suddenly it began to transformed, until it was in the shape of a ten meter high robot. "Shadow-Mech Fusion Bot!" (A3200/D1300/L8) "Oh no," Time said. If this card was anything like the other one, he was in trouble. The Shadow-Mech fire a laser from its eyes, which struck Chronodragon and caused in to flinch in pain. (A0/D0/L10) "ATTACK!" Shadow screamed, as his monster flew up and then took aim at Gear Chronicle. From of its chest a long lance like laser blaster folded out and began charging up, as purple energy surged around. Time looked around. His only hope to save himself was an Action Spell, but none where in sight. Shadow-Mech Fusion Bot's weapon fired, unleashing a purple bolt of energy which flew at Chronodragon. "I'm sorry Flash," Time said as he closed his eyes, "looks like its up to you." With those last words, the blast struck and... BOOOM! An explosion rocked the stadium, causing everyone to duck and cover for fear of being blown away. "TIME NO!" Flash screamed, as he and the others tried to look through the smoke and see if their fiend was okay. Finally the smoke cleared and everyone looked down, only to all gasped at what they saw. Time was laying on the floor of the Duel Field, his cloths torn and a look of pain on his face. Time: 0 Shadow: 2200 (Winner) Celestia: It's...it's over. Shadow will be moving onto the next round. Luna: Time Duelled exceptionally, but in the end Shadow was to much. Shadow turned towards the exit, not even bothering to go check up on his opponent. With barely two words he left the arena. "Time," Flash almost whispered seeing his friend be taken to the infirmary. "So he can summon a Fusion Monster with that ability," Twilight said, "meaning he'll most likely have a Synchro Bot in his deck as well." "This is awful," Pinkie said as he hair flattened, "Duelling's suppose to be fun. Not put someone in the hospital." "We can't let this keep up," Flash said, "we have to beat them. It's the only way to stop him. Shadow and Adagio." The others nodded. They had to do something. They couldn't let this continue. As Shadow walked down the hall, he looked down at his Duel Disk. It showed the Ener-D he'd manage to accumulate, which was a sizeable amount. "Father will be pleased," he said, "his perfect world will soon become a reality. And when it does, my wish will finally be fulfilled." With that he continued down the corridor and disappeared into the darkness.