In Sombra's lab the man was in his chair, looking over the computer screens which showed an image of the invading force rushing down the staircase. He then turned to another screen, which showed numbers and other energy levels.
ENER-D CONVERGENE RATE SIXTY THREE PERCENT!
"More," he said, "I need more. They must Duel, with everything they've got."
He began typing away at his computer, before the image of Chrysalis appeared on it. "Is the second divergent ready?"
"Yes my king," Chrysalis said, "he is ready."
"And the card?"
"It's power level a holding steady," she replied, "the imprinting process was successful. He should be able to use it to the full effect."
"Good," Sombra replied, "we need more time. Are you and the others ready?"
"We are," Chrysalis said, "but the attacking force is greater then expected. We may not be able to hold them off for long."
"I already have a plan in place to dwindle them down," Sombra told her, "just be ready on your end."
Chrysalis nodded, before the screen went blank and he turned back to the one showing Cold and the others. "That's right," he said, "step into my web."
We join our band of heroes as they continue their trek into the deepest part of Sombra's hidden laboratory.
"Man," Spike said, "how long is this staircase?"
"We must be at least a mile down already," Twilight said.
"Just stay focused," Cold said, "when we reach the end, who knows what we'll come across."
"Well we'll come across it soon," Flash said as he pointed forwards, "look!"
They did and saw they were about the reach the bottom of the stairs.
"Remember," Cold said, "be ready for everything."
And so they reached the bottom and entered the room, discovering it was a large open space with nothing inside.
The group spread out and looked around, but they couldn't find anything that was of significance.
"I don't see anything," Rainbow said.
"Do you think this is just some kind of warehouse area?" Shining asked Cold, "they may have been keeping something in here before we came."
"Maybe," Cold said as he continued to look around, seeing a door on the far wall. "Let's move on," he said as he stepped towards it. In that second however, the room fell into pitch darkness.
"What's going on?" Sweetie asked in fright.
"I don't like this," Fluttershy quivered.
"Relax," Rainbow said, "they're obviously doing this to try and scare us off."
"Well it's working," Applebloom said.
"Stay close sis," Applejack told her.
Suddenly a single light shined from on high and illuminated a single area of the ground. Before the group could investigate it, that section of the floor opened up and from it, a cloaked figure was elevated up and into the room.
The group was a little suspicious of this figure, not the cloak thing as after Shadow and the Dazzlings they'd been expecting it, but at the fact that this figure was shorter then most of the group. The only ones he was taller then were Spike and the three youngest girls.
"Who are you?" Cold asked as he stepped forward.
The figure did not reply and instead reached up and pushed down his hood, revealing himself to the group.
"THORAX!"
The young prince looked around the room, one by one staring at the new occupant of the room.
"Thorax!" Spike yelled as he ran to the front of the group, "what are you doing here?"
"You don't think," Twilight said, "he's working for Sombra."
"That would explain the cloak," Flash said.
"No way," Spike said, "that's not Thorax."
"He's right," Shining said, "Look at his eyes." They did so, seeing the young boy's eyes were like Sonata's and Aria's. They were blank and cloudy, with no life behind them at all.
"He's been brainwashed," Spike said.
"He must have stumbled into this and got caught," Cold said, "Sombra made sure he couldn't squeal to the authorities."
"You think Chrysalis was caught to?" Shining asked.
"Possibly," Cold said, "meaning she's probably under their control as well."
"So what do we do?" Rainbow asked.
They got there answer when Thorax pulled out his Duel Disk and attached it to his arm.
"Looks like he wants to Duel," Flash said.
"Then who's gonna do it?" Twilight asked.
Spike stared at the boy he'd befriended that previous week, memories of watching his Duel with Flash and the Duel they'd had flowing through his mind. He'd grown to consider him a good friends and now, it was time to help that friend.
Spike stepped forward and pulled out his Duel Disk, attaching it to his arm.
"Spike no!" Twilight said.
"I'm Duelling him," Spike said forcibly, "I know his style quite well. I can beat him."
"It's to risky," Twilight said, "you saw how dangerous it was when Celestia and Luna Duelled."
"I know," Spike said, "but I have to do this. Thorax is my friend and I won't just stand on the sidelines while he needs help."
"But-" Twilight stopped when Flash placed his hand on her shoulder.
"He's right," Flash said, "it's the same danger no matter who does it. Spike is skilled enough to win this, while we need to move on."
"That's right," Cold said, "there doesn't appear to be a defence shield like last time. Let's move on." With that, Cold ran around the two preteens towards the door. Shining and Grand followed after, along with the rest of the group. The only ones who hadn't moved were Twilight and Flash, who obviously wanted to stay and watch.
"Go!" Spike told them, "I'll be fine on my own. I'll get him back above ground once the Duel's over."
"Alright," Flash said as he moved around them, Twilight the only one remaining.
"Twilight," Spike said before smiling at his sister, "I'll be fine."
Twilight stared at him for a few more seconds, before sighing and turning to follow Flash. "Just be careful."
"I will," Spike said, "promise."
With that, Flash and Twilight were gone leaving the two teens alone.
"Let's do this Thorax," Spike said as he activated his Duel Disk.
Thorax didn't reply, simply switching on his Duel Disk and preparing to face Spike.
"Don't worry," Spike said, "I'll have you back to normal soon."
"DUEL!"
Spike: 4000
Thorax: 4000
"First move's mine," Thorax said, his voice having no life in it at all. He drew and looked over his head, before looking back up at Spike. "I set the Pendulum Scale, with scale one Celtic Beithir and scale eight Celtic Ùruisg." The columns of light appeared on either side of him, as the two monsters flew up into them. The portal slowly began to open above his head. "I Pendulum Summon."
The portal opened and two lights shot out, striking the ground and taking form.
The first looked just like Celtic Guardian. "Obnoxious Celtic Guardian." (A1400/D1200/L4)
The second was a fish man like creature, carrying a tridant. "Celtic Merrow." (A1400/D1500/L4)
"I place one card face down and end my turn," Thorax said.
"Then it's my turn," Spike said as he reached for his deck, "I draw and summon Ember Dragon to the field in ATK mode." The little dragon appeared on Spike's field. (A1200/D1100/L3) "Next I'll equip him with the Dragon Gear Spell card," Spike said as Ember Dragon's wings disappeared, replaced by robotic ones connected to a metal suit that was strapped around its chest. "With this my dragon type monster gains one thousand ATK points." (A2200/D1100/L3) "Attack, Obnoxious Celtic Guardian!" Ember Dragon took off, as from the wings folded out a pair of laser barrels. They charged up and fired, flying towards Thorax's monster.
"Ùruisg's Pendulum Ability increases my monsters ATK during the Battle Phase," Thorax said as his two monsters glowed. (A1700/D1200/L4), (A1700/D1500/L4) The blast struck Obnoxious Celtic Guardian, but the elf raised its sword and cut the laser in half.
Spike: 4000
Thorax: 3500
"Obnoxious Celtic Guardian cannot be destroyed by a monster with nineteen hundred ATK points or more," Thorax explained.
"Fine," Spike said, "then I'll set one card face down and end my turn."
"My turn," Thorax said as he went to his deck, "I draw. I Play the Spell card, Mystical Space Typhoon." A powerful tornado appeared on the field, before sweeping over to where Ember Dragon was. The little dragon reach down and held onto the ground with its tiny claws, as the gale blew close to it. However, it's Dragon Gear was ripped off its body before being sucked into the tornado and destroyed. (A1200/D1100/L3)
Spike frowned seeing this, knowing what was coming next.
"Obnoxious Celtic Guardian," Thorax ordered, "destroy Ember Dragon." The elf charged forward, swinging its sword around and cutting the little dragon in two.
Spike: 3500
Thorax: 3500
"I activate Ember Dragon's ability," Spike said as the two pieces burst into flames and took the forms of two fireballs with a pair of eyes and a mouth. (A0/D0/L1)X2 "When you destroyed him, he created two Ember Tokens which I can summon in DEF mode."
"Then I'll have Merrow destroy on of them," Thorax said. The fishman used its trident to create a water bubble, which flew at one of the Ember Tokens and destroyed it. "I end my turn."
"Then it's my turn," Spike said, "I draw and I'll tribute my Ember Token to summon Iron Tail Dragon." The ball of fire exploded and from the flames, the pick axe shaped tailed dragon appeared. (A2100/D1400/L6) "Attack Celtic Merrow," Spike ordered, causing his dragon to take flight and soar towards the fishman. It spun around in midair and slashed it with its tail.
Spike: 3500
Thorax: 3100
"I end my turn," Spike said.
"It is my turn," Thorax said as he went to his deck, "I draw and play the Spell card, Monster Beacon. With this, we both select a monster type and draw until we get a monster. If the card is the same type as the one we selected, we add it to the hand, if not then t goes to the graveyard."
"Alright," Spike said, "I'll pick dragon."
"I also pick dragon," Thorax said, making Spike raise an eyebrow.
Thorax had never been seen using a dragon card. What was he up to?
The two drew their cards until they both got a monster. "Mine's a dragon," Spike said.
"Mine is not," Thorax said as he discard the card. "Now I tribute Obnoxious Celtic Guardian to summon Celtic Archer." The armoured elf disappeared and was replaced by a similar monster, wearing lighter armour and carrying a large wooden bow. (A2100/D1800/L6)
"What's he planning," Spike asked, "is he planning on destroying both monsters in an attack? But that would leave him open to attack from any monster I summon."
"Now," Thorax said as he held up a card, "it's time."
Spike's eyes went wide when he realised what was about to happen.
"I banish the three monsters in my graveyard," Thorax said, "to summon my most powerful monster." From the ground the spiritual bodies Obnoxious Celtic Guardian, Celtic Hunter and Celtic Marrow flew out, before transforming into balls of spirit energy which flew into the card. In a flash of light, Thorax's best card appeared on the field. "Celtic Warlord!" (A3000/D3000/L10)
Spike looked up at the giant monster and gulped, knowing he was in trouble.
Meanwhile, Cold and the rest of the group were looking through the laboratory.
When Twilight found the computers, she'd started typing away at it to hopefully find something.
"No," Twilight said as the computer showed no data. "They've wiped the system," she explained, "there's nothing in here."
"They obviously didn't want us taking their info," Cold said as they left the room and entered into the corridor.
"We shoulder still take them after we've taken Sombra into custody," Grand said, "there may be some information we can find on their hard drives."
"Hey guys," Rainbow called out as she opened the last door in the corridor, "come check this out."
The whole group followed her through it, into a large empty room which was just like the one they'd met Thorax in. The only difference was this one was twice the size and had no other doors.
"What do ya'h guys think?" Applejack asked as she looked around.
"This seems to be the end of the line," Rarity said when she couldn't find any kind of exit.
"You don't think Sombra escaped do you?" Twilight asked.
"How?" Flash asked, "we would have noticed if he just walked by us. There has to be more to this place then we're seeing."
"He's right," Cold said, "we'll look around and see if we can find anything that might let us move on.
However in that second, the lights cut out and bathed the group in total pitch blackness.
"Not again," Pinkie said.
"Who's it gonna be this time?" Rainbow asked as they waited to see who showed up.
Suddenly they head a loud clanking sound, causing them to turn to the far wall. Suddenly the lights switched back on and they saw the whole wall had disappeared, leading to a large section of the room which was pitch black.
Before anyone could comment, a pair of bright red lights illuminated inside the room.
Everyone was on guard as the the lights got closer and eventually whatever was causing it stepped into the light, revealing itself as-
"Shadow!" Flash called out seeing the robotic version of him that he'd defeated earlier that day.
"But how?" Twilight asked, "you destroyed Shadow?"
"It must be a replica," Grand said.
However, in that second another pair of lights illuminated the darkness behind Shadow. It was quickly followed by another pair, then another and another and so on until the entire room was glowing red. The source showed themselves as more Shadow clones, which had numbers nearing triple digits.
"It's an army," Scootaloo said.
Each of the Shadows pulled out a Duel Disk, which they attached to their arms.
"Looks like we know what we're doing," Flash said as he took out his Duel Disk.
"But it's Shadow," Twilight said, remembering the last time she'd Duelled the robot.
"I doubt these things are as good as he was," Cold said, "best guess their backup bodies for him."
"Then let's take them out," Rainbow said as she pulled out her Duel Disk, "time for some payback."
"RIGHT!" The others said as they did the same.
Meanwhile, Spike and Thorax's Duel continued.
"With Celtic Ùruisg," Thorax spoke out, "Celtic Warlord and Celtic Archer gain three hundred ATK points." (A3300/D3000/L10), (A2400/D1800/L6) "Celtic Archer, attack Iron Tail Dragon." The elf drew its bow and aimed the arrow at Spike's monster.
"I activate my face down," Spike said as his card flipped up to reveal a Trap, "Scale-Mail! This card negates your first attack and then equips onto Iron Tail, raising his ATK and DEF by three hundred." Armour, the likes of which knights used to wear, appeared around Iron Tail Dragon's body. (A2400/D1700/L6)
"Then Celtic Warlord will attack your dragon," Thorax said. His giant elf raised its colossal sword, before swinging it through the air and destroying Spike's monster.
Spike: 2600
Thorax: 3100
"And now Celtic Warlord's effect will activate," Thorax continued, "dealing you two hundred points of damage for each of your monsters Level points." The warlord swiped its weapon through the air, sending a gust of wind which knocked Spike of his feet.
Spike: 1400
Thorax: 3100
"I end my turn," Thorax said.
As Spike picked himself up, he looked up at Thorax. "Obviously the brainwashing hasn't stripped you of your skills," Spike said, "but I'm not going down without a fight." He stood fully up and went to his deck. "It's my turn," he said, "I draw!" He looked at his cards and smiled, before remembering back during the trip over.
<Flashback>
"Seriously," Spike said as he took the cards.
"Yes," Cold said, "I had them made for you, using info I'd gathered from previous Duels."
Spike wasn't the only one with new cards. Fluttershy, Scootaloo, Applebloom and Sweetie Belle all had their own.
"We'll need every advantage we can get," Cold said.
The four nodded.
<Flashforward>
"Thanks Cold," Spike said as he held the cards up, "I set the Pendulum Scale, with scale one Flame Viper Dragon and scale seven Flame Banner Dracokid." The columns of light appeared on either side of him, which two monsters flew into. The first was a red serpentine dragon with bat wings, while the other was a small red humanoid dragon carrying a banner with a dragon emblem on it. "Cut through space time and carve the arc of victory," Spike said as the portal formed, "I PENDULUM SUMMON!"
The portal opened and three lights shot out, striking the ground and taking form.
"Fireheart Dracokid!" (A1000/D800/L2)
"Armoured Wyvern!" (A1500/D1200/L4)
The last was a small red dragon, carrying a small dagger. "Underling Dragon!" (A500/D500/L2)
"And now," Spike said, "I tune Level two Fireheart Dracokid with Level four Armoured Wyvern and Level two Underling Dragon." The small dragon flew into the air and transformed into two balls of fire, which carved a pair of burning rings which the two dragons flew into. "Cast your flames across this battle field, and burn everything that is weak to ashes" Spike said as his monsters burst in an explosion of fire. "I SYNCHRO SUMMON!"
The flames erupted, as Spike's ace burst free and revealed itself. "Dragonic Blazemaster!" (A3000/D2000/L8)
"Your dragon cannot destroy my Warlord," Thorax told him.
"That would be true," Spike said, "if it wasn't for Underling Dragon's ability." Blazemaster roared as it began to glow. (A3500/D2000/L8)
"What?" Thorax asked.
"When Underling Dragon is used as Synchro Material," Spike explained, "the Synchro Monster gains five hundred ATK points for this turn. Plus Flame Banner Dracokid's Pendulum Ability grants any fire attributed monster on my field five hundred extra points." (A4000/D2000/L8) "Now Dragonic Blazemaster, attack Celtic Archer!" The dragon raised it sword as it ignited, before swinging it at the elf and destroying it.
Spike: 1400
Thorax: 1500
"Now his ability will allow him to attack Celtic Warlord," Spike said as his monster once again attack, striking Thorax's best monster and destroying it.
Spike: 1400
Thorax: 1150
"I end my turn," Spike said, "Underling Dragon's effect now wares off." (A3500/D2000/L8) Spike looked over at his opponent, a smirk on his face. With Celtic Warlord destroyed, Thorax didn't stand a chance now.
"It's my turn," Thorax said as he went to his deck, "I draw." He looked at the card he'd drawn and his eyes glowed bright red. "It's time," he said as he held up the card while the portal formed above his head, "I Pendulum Summon."
The portal opened and a single light shot out and struck the ground, before taking the form of a black pony insect hybrid. It had blue wings and bright blue eyes. "Changeling Drone!" (A1000/D1000/L6/P3)
"What the?" Spike asked seeing the card.
"I activate Changeling Drone's ability," Thorax said, "to transform him into any monster on the field or in the graveyard until my next turn." The monster was engulfed in a flaming cocoon and when it disappeared, its new form was that of Dragonic Blazemaster though it was black in place of red. (A4000/D3000/L6/P3)
"Oh boy," Spike said.
"Changling Drone," Thorax said, "attack Dragonic Blazemaster." The fake dragon raised its sword, which ignited in green flames, before slashing at Spike's monster and destroying it.
Spike: 900
Thorax: 1150
"Turn end," Thorax said.
"It's my turn," Spike said, "I draw and play Pot of Greed." He drew his two cards and his eyes went wide seeing what he'd got, before turning to Thorax. "I play Monster Reborn, to revive Dragonic Blazemaster." In a burst of flames, Spike's Synchro Monster appeared on the field, powered up by Flame Banner Dracokid. (A3500/D2000/L8) "I place on card face down and end my turn."
"My turn," Thorax said as he drew his card. In that second the Changling Drone reverted back to its original form. (A1000/D1000/L6/P3) "I summon Celtic Guardian," he said as his elf warrior appeared on the field. (A1400/D1200/L4) "Now I'll once again use Changling Drone's ability to transform back into Dragonic Blazemaster." Once again the bug creature was surrounded by green flames, before emerging as Dragonic Blazemaster. (A4000/D3000/L6/P3) "It's over," Thorax said before finally speaking with some conviction, "ATTACK!" The fake dragon charged forwards, raising its blazing sword as it did so.
As Spike watched it draw near, he was completely calm. "I don't think so," he said, "I activate my Trap!" His face down flipped up, revealing itself to the world. "ASSAULT MODE ACTIVATE!"
Dragonic Blazemaster was engulfed by a pillar of fire, which slowly grew larger and larger. "Harbinger of destruction, spread your raging flames across this battle field and rise from the ashes in your ultimate form!" The pillar of fire exploded, revealing Spike's new monster. It looked like Dragonic Blazemaster, but it was now wearing purple armour with golden trim. It had two sets of red wings with golden membrane, but the most notable thing about this creature was that it had four arms. In the two lower arms it carried a pair of flaming cutlasses, while in its two higher arms it carried a pair of large futuristic handguns which it had pointed at the sky. "Dragonic Blazemaster, ASSAULT MODE!" (A3500/D2500/L10)
Thorax stared up at the monster in horror.
"With Flame Banner Dracokid's Pendulum Ability," Spike said, "he's getting a five hundred points boost. (A4000/D2500/L10)
Thorax frowned, not wanting to risk losing his monster he ended his turn.
"It's my turn," Spike called out, "I draw and my Dragonic Blazemaster Assault Mode will attack your Celtic Guardian." The giant dragon raised its twin blades and charged towards Celtic Guardian.
"I activate my face down," Thorax said as his card flipped up, "Brittle Shield. This card lets me change a monster with more ATK then DEF to DEF mode." Celtic Guardian got into a defensive stance, just as Blazemaster struck it and destroyed it.
"You can't defeat me," Thorax said, "next turn my Changling Drone will take your Assault Mode's form and defeat you." However, when he looked over at Spike he saw the teen had a smile on his face.
"I think not," he said, "because I have Dragonic Blazemaster Assault Mode's ability. Since he destroyed a monster on your field, he gets to destroy another monster and then deal you damage equal to that monsters Level times three hundred."
Thorax's eyes went wide seeing this. "What is this?" He asked before clutching his head. Pain was flowing through it like a jackhammer.
Spike saw this and grew concerned, before figuring that maybe the real Thorax was trying to break free. "Come on Thorax!" he called out, "I know you can hear me! Don't let whatever they did to you change who you are!"
Thorax continued to feel the pain and felt himself fall to his knees.
"Come on," Spike yelled, "you're stronger then this. SNAP OUT OF IT!"
Thorax yelled out in pain, before slowly opening his eyes. "Spike," he said weakly.
"I'm here," Spike said.
Thorax tried to say something more, but the pain intensified as Sombra's brainwashing tried to retake his mind. "Please," he said, "help me."
Spike nodded, before turning to his monster. "Dragonic Blazemaster Assault Mode, destroy Changling Drone and end this!"
The giant dragon aimed its twin pistols at the fake dragon and fired them, unleashing a barrage of flaming projectiles which struck Thorax's monster and destroyed it.
Spike: 900 (Winner)
Thorax: 0
Thorax yelled out as his life points dropped to zero and he fell to the floor.
"THORAX!" Spike yelled as he rushed towards his friend and kneeling down next to him. Picking the teen up he looked him over. "Come on buddy," he said, "say something."
Thorax's eyes slowly opened and he looked up at Spike. "Spike," he said weakly, "thank you."
Spike just smirked and helped him stand up. "No problem bud," he said, "now let's get you out of here."
"What about the others?" Thorax asked.
"Don't worry," Spike said, "they'll be fine." With that the two teens made their towards the stairs and headed back to the surface.
Meanwhile Chrysalis had been watching her son's Duel on her Duel Disk and scoffed at his failure. "Why'd I waste all that money on Duel tutors?" She asked herself before switching the feeds, which showed images of four others. "It's time," she said, "select your opponent and warp them to your locations." The four nodded and cut the transmission.
Once that was done, Chrysalis attached her Duel Disk to her arm.
"I hope your ready Duel Paladin," she said.
Meanwhile inside the lower hanger, the place was like a war zone.
Monsters were flying all over the place, clashing at full force against the robot's monsters. Cold was right when he said these Shadows weren't as skilled as the original, as they didn't use any of the Extra Deck Shadow-Mechs. Even so, the pure mass of the robots was growing problematic.
"Flash Heart Dragon!" Flash called out, "attack!" His ace charged at Shadow-Mech Hoist and destroyed it, before swinging its tail and smashing the Shadow who'd summoned it. That Shadow went flying and smashed against the wall. Flash tried to get his breath back, but before he could another Shadow stepped up to him. "Whenever we take one down, two more take their place."
"They'll run out eventually," Twilight said from behind him.
"This is taking forever," Shining said as Grand Emperor destroyed Star Shuttle.
"Keep going," Cold said as Frozen Heart Dragon destroyed Fortress.
Twilight Sorcerer, Assault Wing Gold, Orchard Sheriff, Gem-Knight Lady Master Diamond, Sacred Guardian Beast Grand Grizzly and Balloonimal Chimera, Wild Rush Raptor, Schuberta the Melodious Maestra, Maiden of Great Bloom, Commander of the Raging Storm Soveruin, Advanced Mecha Worker Cyber Handyman, Muka Muka and Twin Blade Shinobi were also flying around the room, battling the multiple Shadow-Mechs and destroying them.
Each battle was followed up by another, causing the group to begin to tire.
"This feels like it'll never end," Rainbow.
"We can't give up," Applejack said.
Suddenly however, a light appeared around Applejack and Big Mac.
"Hey," Applejack said, "what the same hill's going on?" She didn't get her answer, as in that moment their was a flash of light and she and Mac were gone.
"APPLEJACK!" Applebloom screamed, "MAC!"
Another light appeared, this time around Rainbow. "Look out," Fluttershy called as she rushed to her friend, only to be caught in another flash and disappearing along with Rainbow.
"What's going on?" Shining said before he suddenly disappeared.
"NO!" Twilight called out but in that second she was surrounded by light and then vanished.
"Twilight!" Flash called only to disappear alongside Cold.
"Amigo!" Tidal screamed. However, the wave of robots was quickly drawing their attention.
Where had Flash and the others gone? Only time would tell.