Everything was a blur.
That was all he could see as he slowly opened his eyes. Nothing was clear and no matter what he looked at, everything was fuzzy.
"Shadow?" A voice above him asked, "can you hear me?"
"Father?" He replied weakly, "is that you?"
"It is," the voice replied, "how are you feeling?"
"I'm not sure," Shadow said, "I can't see. Everything's blurry."
"That's fine," the voice said, "it'll take your eyes a little while to start working properly."
The second he'd said that, his eyes began to slowly became more focused. As the minutes passed, everything became clearer until he could see perfectly. The first thing he saw, was his father.
Sombra was a middle aged man with greying skin and jet black hair. His eyes were crimson red and he wore a lab coat of black clothing.
"Is that better?" Sombra asked him.
"Yes," Shadow said as he sat up and looked down at his hand, before smiling. "It worked, I can touch."
"This is only a temporary fix," Sombra said as he placed a hand on the boys shoulder, "once we've achieved our goals, your true dream will become a reality."
"I've dreamed of that for so long," Shadow said as he looked into his fathers eyes. "I won't fail you father."
"I know you won't," Sombra said before his face became serious, "but we have much to do until our dreams can become a reality."
"Then we'd better get started," Shadow said.
Shadow opened his eyes and sat up.
He was in a metal room with nothing in it but a metal bed and metal table, where his cloak and Duel Disk sat.
Shadow got up out of bed and walked over to the table, before picking up his cloak and flinging it over his shoulders. Once it was fastened he picked up his Duel Disk and placed it in the cloaks compartment. He then headed towards the metal door, which opened without him even touching it and he stepped out into a corridor with five other doors.
The door opposite him opened and from it stepped out Chrysalis, now wearing the same cloak he wore.
"Morning," Shadow said, "sleep well? Adagio's quarters probably aren't as good as a five star suite."
"They were fine," Chrysalis said, "I will be staying here today. With my son not around to worry about me and everything that's going to happen, it just makes sense of me to be at the ready."
"I can understand that," Shadow said before turning to the door at the far end. "Be sure not to let anything go wrong," he said, "we've come to far to mess up now."
"And make sure you don't mess up either," Chrysalis said, "Flash Sentry needs to go all out and you need to defeat him if we're to obtain the Ener-D needed."
"That won't be a problem," Shadow said, "you saw what Annihilater can do. That and the pain I put his friends through will mean that everything will go as he envisioned." With that he headed out of the door, leaving Chrysalis who folded her arms and frowned.
"It better."
Freeze Stadium was jam packed with spectators who couldn't wait to see the final match of the Celestic Cup.
Inside the Stadium's medical bey, Twilight was resting in her bed. Slowly she began to stir and awake, before looking over and seeing Flash sitting next to the bed with a smile on his face.
"Hey," he said, "are you feeling any better?"
Twilight smiled before pushing herself up into a seated position. "I'm getting there," she said before growing concerned, "is your match about to start?"
"Yeah," Flash replied, "and I'm gonna win it for sure."
Twilight smiled at his determination and confidence. "Flash."
"Yeah?" Flash asked.
"I believe in you," she told him with a bright smile on his face, "and I always have. Ever since the day we met."
Flash just blushed. "Thanks," he said scratching the back of his head, "that means a lot to me." With that he got up out of his seat and headed towards the door, which opened as Fluttershy and Rarity stepped in.
"Sorry to burst in on you," Fluttershy said, "we just wanted to see how you were feeling."
"Oh, hello Flash," Rarity said as they realised he was there.
Flash just smiled as he stepped up to them. "Thanks for taking care of her," he told them. "I know she's in good hands."
"Sure," Fluttershy said as Flash stepped by them, "and good luck with your match."
Rarity stepped into the room and saw the smile on Twilight's face. "Oh my," she said, "look at that grin. What were you two talking about?"
Twilight just smiled and switched on the TV to the Duel's channel.
Flash was walking down the corridor towards his arena entrance.
As he turned the corner he saw someone leaning against the wall. Cold heard his footsteps and turned his gaze towards him. The two stared at each other for what felt like a century, until finally Flash smirked and began walking forwards again.
"What are you doing backstage?" he said as he got closer, "shouldn't you be out there watching?"
"I don't need you to tell me that," Cold said, "our preparations our now complete."
The two remained quiet as Flash stepped passed him, but then Cold said something that made him freeze in his tracks.
"We're counting on you."
Flash's eyes went wide, before turning back only to see Cold walking away. This made Flash smirk before once again beginning his journey out.
"Yeah, I'll be fine."
The two stepped away from each other, both with a smirk on their faces.
The stadium exploded into life as the Celestic Sisters stepped out on stage.
Both: HELLO CANTERLOT!
Celestia: It's been an amazing week hasn't it?
Luna: It sure has. I'm gonna need a vacation after all this excitement.
Celestia: And now for the moment you've all been waiting for. At long last we've got the battle that everyone's been waiting for.
Luna: These two Duellists have faced many harsh trials on their journey here, but now they stand on the precipice of victory.
Celestia: Lets welcome our two finalists onto the stage. First up, the A Block Champion and master of the Pendulum. FLASH SENTRY!
Flash stepped out onto the field, a look of determination on his face.
Luna: And his opponent. The B Block Champion and all around enigma of a man. SHADOW!"
The cloaked Duellist stepped out, heading towards Flash in the centre of the arena.
"Go get'em Flash," Scootaloo called out from their seats.
"Don't you dare hold back after all the intense training we put you through," Rainbow said.
The others all nodded at this, all nervous about the outcome of this Duel.
In a rock mountainous area, a figure in a brown cloak watched the match on an old style Duel Pad.
"Flash," he said, "you've come far and faced much. Now you must face your greatest challenge yet."
"He'll be fine."
In that moment a cloaked Vail Pixie appeared and landed on his shoulder, before looking down at the Duel Pad.
"Don't forget, he's got me and all our friends on his side."
"Maybe," the figure said, "put will it be enough? Soon we'll know, for soon the Shadow Gate will open."
The ref flipped the coin and it was decided that Shadow would take the first turn.
Up in the box, Shining, Cadance, Sunset and Grand Hoof were all there, waiting to see the outcome of the Duel.
"And so it begins," Grand said.
"I'm worried," Cadance said, "will he be alright?"
"Against such a powerful opponent," Sunset replied, "I don't know."
"We have to believe he can pull it off," Shining said, "right now that's all we can do."
"Then we shall."
They all looked around to see Cold enter.
"Everything is in Flash's hands now," he said, "all we can do is hope we've given him everything he needs."
The others all nodded and turned back to the field.
Celestia: It's time to see what Action Field our finalists will be Duelling on today. I don't want to spoil anything, but I've been told it was made especially for them.
Luna: Then let's take a look.
In that second the floor beneath Flash and Shadow's feet began to glow as it generated the Action Field.
"AUGMENTED REALITY COMBAT SYSTEM ENERGISED."
In the blink of an eye Flash and Shadow found themselves inside a giant roman colosseum. The walls of the arena were lined with stone tablets, which Flash saw had his and Shadow's monsters carved on them with Flash's behind him and Shadow's behind him.
Celestia: Its the Final Colosseum.
The stared back at each other, both with a look of pure unshakeable determination on their faces.
"You face a formidable foe," Grand said, "you'll have to give it everything you've got."
The others all nodded at this. Nervous but hopeful Flash could pull off a miracle.
"Flash," Twilight said as she watched, "we have faith in you."
Fluttershy and Rarity nodded in agreement.
"Do it Flash!" Spike and the others all cheered.
"We're right behind ya'h," Applejack said.
"GO GO FLASH!" Pinkie screamed.
"I've been looking forward to this," Shadow said as he attached his Duel Disk to his arm.
"I'm gonna make you pay for all the pain you've caused," Flash said as he did the same.
"We'll see."
"Tell me something," Flash said, "what's your game here? Why are you in this tournament? What could possibly warrant every terrible thing you and Adagio have done?"
Shadow just smiled. "I guess there's no pain in telling you. Not like you can stop us. We're collecting Ener-D in order to summon the cards your monster sealed away. All but two card have been summoned to this world and after this Duel, we'll have enough Ener-D to summon those last two. Then those monster will grant our wish and my father will be able to lead this world into a new glorious age!"
Most of the crowd were all confused at what he was spouting, but Flash and his friends understood and all grew worried.
"That's not going to happen," Flash said, "I'm going to stop you, here and now."
"Like that's going to happen," Shadow said, "let's get this started shall we?"
"Lets!" Flash replied.
Luna: It seems our contestants are ready to start this thing.
Celestia: Then let's not keep them waiting any longer. In three!
Luna: TWO!"
Both: ONE!
"DUEL!"
Flash: 4000
Shadow: 4000
"ACTION CARDS DISPERSED!"
"I'll start things off," Shadow said as he reached for his deck, "I draw!" He did so and looked at his deck. "I'll start by playing the Spell card Polymerisation!"
"Already?" Flash said.
"With this card I'll be fusing Shadow-Mech Racer and Fortress together," Shadow said.
The tablets of the monsters he just mentioned glowed before the light shot off, and the images disappeared, and transformed into the monsters themselves. They were then reverted back into light, which flew into another tablet and caused it to glow. "I FUSION SUMMON!"
The light flew off the tablet and took the form of Shadow's Fusion monster. "Shadow-Mech, Fusion Bot!" (A3200/D1300/L8)
Flash frowned at this but had been expecting it. He knew Shadow was trying to get all three of them out for him to destroy, so Shadow could summon the one monster Flash might not be able to stop.
"I end my turn with a face down," Shadow said.
Celestia: Shadow starts out strong. How will Flash reply.
"It's my turn," Flash said as he went to his deck, "I draw and I'm setting the Pendulum Scale, with scale one Magna Caster Lunara and scale eight Magna Caster Solaris." The columns of light appeared on either side of him. Two of the tablets glowed before the light shot off, becoming the two magicians who flew up and into the columns. "Cut through space time and carve the arc of victory," Flash called out as the portal began to form above his head. "I PENDULUM SUMMON!"
The portal opened and two beams of light shot out and then flew into two of the tablets, which glowed and then each shot out a light which then took form.
"Sky High, Brass Wing Magna Hawk!" (A1400/D800/L4)
"Pulse out, Aura Spear Dragon!" (A2000/D100/L4)
"Magna Hawk's skill," Flash called out, "since he was special summoned, you must return up to three card from your hand to your deck before drawing the same number of cards."
Shadow did so, placing the two remaining cards in his hand onto his deck, before it shuffled and he drew two new cards.
"Next I'll overlay these two monsters," Flash said as his monsters glowed before flying into the air and into the black hole, which opened at Flash's feet. "Destiny is the thing that binds us together, now new bonds will be formed and grant unbridled power." The black hole exploded, releasing a light which flew into another tablet. "I XYZ SUMMON!"
The tablet shot out a light, which then took the shape of Flash's monster. "Destiny Bound Dragon!" (A2400/D2100/R4)
"Nice move," Shadow said, "but it won't work against my Fusion Bot. His ATK points are way higher."
"Don't be so sure," Flash said as he placed a card in his Duel Disk, "I'm activating Reverse Polarity, which will cause our monsters to swap ATK points." (A3200/D2100/R4), (A2400/D1300/L8) "GO, FATE RIDER MISSILES!" The dragon roared as the compartments in its wings opened, unleashed its projectiles which flew into the air and then down towards Fusion Bot.
Shadow looked around for an Action Card, but couldn't find one.
The missiles struck his monster, destroying it and knocking Shadow back.
Flash: 4000
Shadow: 3200
Luna: Flash, using his Pendulum Summon to help with his other summoning styles. That's why he's known as the Pendulum Master. Will he be able to keep this lead, or will Shadow manage to pull it back?
"I end my turn with a face down," Flash said as Destiny Bound's ATK points returned to normal. (A2400/D2100/R4)
"Then it's my turn," Shadow said as he reached for his deck, "I draw. I activate my face down," his card flipped up to reveal a Trap, "Shadow-Mechanic! Now I can revive one of the Shadow-Mech's in my graveyard, so welcome back Fortress!" The ground cracked open and the giant battleship flew out of the ground before transforming into its robot form. (A3500/D2000/L8)
"Next I'll set the Pendulum Scale, with scale two Shadow-Mech Jetstorm and scale nine Shadow-Mech Scooter." The columns of light appeared on either side of him, as the two monsters appeared from out of their tablets and flew up and into them. "Now I'll cut through space time and carve the arc of victory," he said as the portal formed above him. "I PENDULUM SUMMON!"
The portal opened and a single light shot out and into another stone tablet, which unleashed the light onto the field. "Shadow-Mech Star Shuttle!" (A3000/D3000/L8/P4)
"Oh boy," Flash said.
"Star Shuttle attack!" Shadow ordered as his monster transformed and flew up, before dive bombing Flash's Xyz Monster and destroying it. The force of the attack sent Flash flying back and into the wall.
Flash: 3400
Shadow: 3200
"Now Fortress," Shadow said, "attack!"
As Flash picked himself up, he looked up at the giant robot. It aimed its multiple cannons at Flash and fired them all at him.
"I activate my face down," Flash called out as his card flipped up, "Defence Draw. Now I can negate the damage I would have taken and draw one card." A force field appeared around him as he drew, while the blasts bounced off and dissipated.
Celestia: Flash managed to keep himself in the game, but how will Shadow respond?
Shadow growled at this but wasn't done yet. "I overlay Fortress and Star Shuttle," he called out as his monsters glowed before flying into the air and into the black hole, which opened at his feet. "I XYZ SUMMON!"
The tablet shot out a light, which then took the shape of Shadow's monster. "Shadow-Mech Xyz Bot!" (A3000/D1500/R8)
"He just wasted two powerful monsters to summon a weaker monster," Spike said, "why?"
"This might of been his only chance to summon that monster," Applejack said, "he took it despite the disadvantage."
"He's trying to fill the requirements to summon his best monster," Sunset said.
"And Flash is helping him," Cadance said.
"Flash know's what's coming," Grand said, "he must have a plan to defeat it."
"Let's hope," Cold said
"I end my turn," Shadow said
"Then I'll go," Flash called out, "I draw and play the Spell card Stardust Reload." He took Aura Spear Dragon out of his grave and then drew four new cards. He looked at what he'd drawn and nodded, before looking up. "I PENDULUM SUMMON!"
The portal opened and a single light shot out, before flying into a stone tablet which then had its image fly out and take the form of Flash's ace monster. "Shine your light of victory, Flash Heart Dragon!" (A2500/D2000/L7/P4)
"Now for his ability," Flash called out. "Since he was special summoned, I can send the weakest monster on your field to the bottom of the deck."
Everyone smiled at this. Now Flash could get Xyz Bot off the field without destroying it. However, they grew nervous when they saw Shadow running towards a nearby column.
There he grabbed an Action Card and looked at it before smirking. "I activate Gladiators Salute! With this, my monster can't be removed from the field except by battle."
The wormhole opened up bellow Xyz Bot, but the giant robot stepped away from it.
Flash frowned at this. Fine, if he wanted to do this the hard way then they would. "I summon Vail Pixie to the field in ATK mode!" In a flash of light, Flash's Tuner Monster appeared out of its tablet and flew next to Flash Heart. "Now I'll tune my Vail Pixie with 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, which flew into another tablet. "I SYNCHRO SUMMON!"
The light shot off the tablet, before fading to reveal the evolved version of Flash's ace. "Flash Dragon Accel!" (A3000/D2500/L8)
"Now I'll power him up with the Spell card, Lightspeed!" The Synchro Monster began to glow as it powered up. (A4000/D2500/L8) "Attack!"
His dragon flew high and released its four cannons, which began to charge up. "Supreme Energy Blast!" They fired and shot four combined energy blasts at Shadow's monster.
Shadow jumped up and onto the wall, before running along it and grabbing an Action Card as he did. "Go Armour Drop! This Action Spell lets me save my monster by lowering its ATK by the damage I would have taken." The blast struck his monster, but the robot remained standing as its power dropped. (A2000/D1500/R8)
Flash frowned, but wouldn't be deterred. "Well I'm activating Accel's ability," he said as 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 Dragon was floating where its evolved form had previously been, before turning to the giant robot. "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 robot exploded, sending a shock wave around the arena which knocked Shadow off the wall.
Flash: 3400
Shadow: 2700
"I end my turn with a face down," Flash called out.
"Flash managed to get ahead," Scootaloo said, "but now Shadow's got another monster in his graveyard that'll help him summon Annihilater."
Everyone shuddered at the mention of that monsters name.
"Hey relax," Rainbow said, "just even if he gets Synchro Bot into his graveyard, he'll still need to draw the cards need to summon it."
"That's right," Spike said, "and he must have under thirty cards left in his deck, so the odds of drawing the two cards he needs are...well I'm not Twilight but they can't be high."
"So this Duel comes down to Flash beating Shadow before he manages to draw em," Applejack said.
Shadow pulled himself back up onto the wall and looked at Flash with a snarl.
"It's my turn," he said as he reached for his deck, "I draw and play Shadow-Mech Scrap. With this I can banish Shadow-Mech Fortress and then draw one card for every two Level Stars it has, so I'll be drawing four." He looked at the cards and smirked, before looking at Flash. "I PENDULUM SUMMON!"
The portal opened and four lights shot out, with one striking the ground and the other three flying into stone tablets.
"Shadow-Mech Star Shuttle!" (A3000/D3000/L8/P4)
"Shadow-Mech Rover!" (A1500/D2000/L5)
"Shadow-Mech Doom Cycle!" (A1200/D700/L3)
"And Shadow-Mech Diver!" (A800/D1800/L3)
Celestia: Flash Sentry, now facing an army of Shadow-Mechs.
"And now," Shadow said, "I'm tuning my Level three Doom Cycle with my Level five Rover!" Doom Cycle leapt into the air, before transforming into three spheres of light which carved a trio of light circles that Rover leapt into as he transformed into his vehicle mode. The two monsters disappeared in an explosion of light, which flew into another tablet. "I SYNCHRO SUMMON!"
The light shot off the tablet, before fading to reveal Shadow's monster. "Shadow-Mech Synchro Bot!" (A3100/D1400/L8)
Flash looked up at the last of the monsters Shadow needed.
"Synchro Bot, attack!" Shadow called out as his monster unleashed the lance from its chest and aimed it at Flash Heart.
Flash ran over to a nearby column and pulled an Action Card from it. "I play the Action Spell, Evasion!"
As the lance fired its silver beam of energy, Flash Heart's thrusters ignited and propelled him up and into safety.
"Fine," Shadow said as he turned to his Pendulum Monster, "then Star Shuttle will attack!" The robot reverted back to its vehicle form and flew up into the stratosphere, before space bombing down and striking Flash Heart destroying it.
Flash: 2900
Shadow: 2700
"Now Shadow-Mech Diver," Shadow called out, "attack!"
The robot transformed into its sub form and flew into the ground, only surfacing right before it launched a torpedo at Flash. It struck and Flash was sent flying back, crashing into the pillar he'd pulled the Action Card off of. Several rips were now in his clothes and he was groaning from the force.
Flash: 2100
Shadow: 2700
As Diver switched into DEF mode, Shadow ended his turn and looked down at his opponent.
"And you thought you could defeat me," he said with a triumphant smirk, "you'll be lucky if you even survive this Duel."
Flash slowly began to pick himself up and looked up at Shadow. "Like I'd let you kill me," he said, "I refuse to lose to you. Not after all the pain you've caused to the people I care about."
"They were just stepping stones," Shadow said, "a means to an end. To be honest, I couldn't care less what could have happened to them."
"Oh I'll make you care," Flash said as he placed his hand on his deck, "I...DRAW!" He looked at the card and nodded before leaping backwards and landing on the wall of the coliseum, before picking up an Action Card and smiling when he saw what it was. "I PENDULUM SUMMON!"
The portal opened and two lights shot out of it, one striking the ground and the other flying into a stone tablet before its image flew out.
"Shine your light of victory once again, Flash Heart Dragon!" (A2500/D2000/L7/P4)
"Get to work, Glow Craft Magna Fox!" (A1600/D1300/L4/P7)
"Flash Heart's skill!" Flash said as a wormhole opened up underneath Shadow-Mech Diver, "your weakest monster to the bottom of the deck!" The robot fell into the hole and disappeared.
Shadow frowned at this, but obviously didn't care.
"Next I'll activate this Action Spell," Flash called out as he did so, "Rusted Weapon! Now I can activate the effect of any Spell card in my grave, so I'll use Reverse Polarity again and have Flash Heart and Synchro Bot switch ATK points." The two monsters glowed as the ATK strengths changed. (A3100/D2000/L7/P4), (A2500/D1400/L8) "ATTACK!" Flash Heart's jets ignited and propelled it forward, towards Synchro Bot.
"I activate my face down," Shadow said as his card flipped up to reveal a Trap, "Shadow-Mech Guard! By banishing three Shadow-Mechs from my graveyard, I can negate the damage I take and add two cards from my hand to my deck." His deck shuffled out two cards, which he took and added to his hand.
Flash Heart Dragon sucker punched Synchro Bot, causing it to explode with pieces flying everywhere.
One such piece, a large metal disk, went flying straight at Shadow.
"LOOK OUT!" Flash called out.
"This is just a hologram right?" Applebloom asked in fright.
"In this Duel, A'm not sure," Applejack replied.
Most of the audience covered their eyes, not wanting to see even Shadow getting cut in half.
Shadow however, did not seem at all worried about the projectile and made no action to dodge it.
Instead he reached his right hand out and literally caught the spinning disk one handed, without seeming to be even budged. The disk ground into his hand, before finally it stopped spinning and disappeared.
Everyone was in shock at what they had just seen, none more so then Flash who noticed something else.
Shadow's hand was smoking, but even through that he saw the damage the disk had done to him. All the skin on his hand had been grinded away, revealing what was underneath and what was underneath...wasn't human.
Shadow looked down at his hand and stared at the robotic appendage, that was made out of a gunmetal appendage and had several wires hidden beneath it.
"No way," Flash said in horror.
"So now you know," Shadow said as his eyes glowed bright red
Everyone couldn't believe what they were seeing. Shadow...was a robot.