"Come on!" Sunburst yelled as he, Flash and Spike rushed towards the stadium. The lot of them had overslept and were now very late, as the fourth day of the first round was about to start.
"Arh!" Spike moaned, "being late for the tournament because we were up so late training for it. What a lame excuse!"
"Tell me about it," Flash said. "And that cop stopping us didn't help matters."
Sunburst chuckled. "That's mostly your fault. If you're gonna dress like a hoodlum and hang around well dressed guys, like me, and little kids then of course you're gonna look suspicious." Flash and Spike both frowned at being called a hoodlum and a little kid, but forgot about it as they finally arrived at the stadium.
"Alright," Flash panted as they stopped, "we're here."
"Just in time," Sunburst said.
Flash smirked, "look at it this way. At least we'll be warmed up for our Duels." Sunburst rolled his eyes, while Spike laughed.
"What are you laughing at?" Sunburst asked.
"Oh," Spike said, "nothing." Flash then rushed forwards.
"Race you inside."
"Hey," Sunburst ran after him, "no fair!"
"Wait for me," Spike cried while following after them.
Twenty minutes later.
Celestia: The Double X Tournament! We're entering day four of round one.
Luna: At the end of day three, Twilight Sparkle's victory secured a spot in the second round for team Tidal Maidens.
Celestia: The remaining teams have everything to fight for, as there is only two spots left. Ready or not, the first round will be coming to a close very soon.
Up in one of the VIP boxes, Cold and his group were now joined by team Applejewel and team Tidal Maidens. "Awe man," Scootaloo said. "Only two spots left and three teams with our friends in them. That means no matter what, one of them isn't getting through."
"That's just the way it goes," Grand told his granddaughter. "It'll all come down to who wants it more."
"And who knows," Cadance said. "The last two spots might not even go to them."
"Not that we don't want them to get through," Shining said. "But that's just a possibility we have to accept." Everyone sighed, knowing he was right, and returned to watching the matches as they go on.
In the Forest Field, Soarin was facing off against Cornicle. Soarin had Attack Convoy on the field, along with Techno Support MAZ-Six-Three-Seventeen and Techno Support WC-Five-Four. Meanwhile, Cornicle had Ultimate Insect Level Seven. With Ultimate Insect's ability, Attack Convoy's ATK was reduced. (A2100/D2600/L8)
"It's my turn," Soarin reached for his deck. "I draw!" He did so, as the portal formed above his head. "I PENDULUM SUMMON!"
The portal opened before three lights shot out, hitting the ground and taking form.
"Techno Force Rush Rotor!" (A1700/D1400/L4)
"Techno Force Tank Trasher!" (A1600/D1200/L4)
"Techno Support AFV!" (A1800/D1300/L4/P1)
"Don't forget," Cornicle told him. "My monster's effect weakens your monster's ATK power. (A1000/D1400/L4) (A900/D1200/L4) (A1100/D1300/L4/P1)
"That's fine," Soarin replied. "Because I'm banishing Rush Rotor and Tank Trasher, in order to Union Summon Mega Techno Force Defence Convoy!" The two monsters flew into the air before transforming and linking together, becoming the humanoid robot. (A2100/D1800/L6) As soon as it appeared, Ultimate Insect's effect powered it down. (A1400/D1800/L6)
"That won't help you!"
"But what if I combined him with Attack Convoy?" Soarin asked as the two robots leapt into the air before disassembling and combining in a whole knew way, becoming to super powerful robot. "I UNION SUMMON! Ultra Techno Force, Grand Convoy!" (A3000/D2800/L8) Once again, the machine was weakened. (A2300/D2800/L8) "Attack!"
"But my monster's stronger?" Cornicle asked.
"Not once Grand Convoy's effect weakens your monster's ATK by its Level times three hundred." Cornicle's eyes went wide as he looked up to see the robot fire a blast from its gun turret, hitting his monster and weakening it. (A500/D1200/L7)
"NO!" He cried before Grand Convoy sliced the insect in half.
Soarin: 2200
Cornicle: 300
"And with it gone, AFV's power returns to normal." Cornicle turned to see the riderless quad-bike rushing towards him, its power returning to normal. (A1800/D1300/L4/P1) He cried as the machine ran into him, knocking him off his feet.
Soarin: 2200 (Winner)
Cornicle: 0
Celestia: He did it. With that win, Soarin Skies has racked up a large amount of points for his team.
Luna: They're likely only one win away from getting through. But they can't relax yet.
"Awe man," Cornicle moaned. "I was so close to getting through." He was pulled underground, while Soarin sighed in relief.
"Hey, loser." He turned to see Gilda walking up to him. "Probably think you're hot stuff just because you won."
Soarin frowned. "Not now Gilda," this surprised the girl. "If you wanna talk, do it later." He turned and began to run off. "Right now, we can't waste any time on chat."
"Hey," Gilda cried as she ran after him, "when did you grow a backbone."
When he decided we was going to become a Duellists she and Rainbow could respect as an equal. And with their place in the next round only one Duel away, he couldn't afford to let his own insecurities get the better of him.
Over in the Volcano Field, Rainbow was running in search of her next opponent.
She looked down at her Raduel as the screen showed the scoreboard. Every five seconds, the names on the board shifted up and down the screen. "This is nuts," she said. With the way in which points were changing hands, things were getting really intense. "There's only two more spots left," she said to herself. "We can't come this far and not make it through."
Her Raduel then beeped to signal her next opponent, right as she made it to the top of a ridge. It was here, a river of lava flowing between them, that she spotted her next opponent.
"Rainbow?" Spike asked.
"Spike." Rainbow didn't get to say anything else, as their Raduels beeped again before two words appeared onscreen. 'Fateful match'.
Celestia: What a match we have here folks. From team Wonderbolt, it's Rainbow Dash.
Luna: And from team V-Fighters, it's Spike.
In their box, Spike and Rainbow's friends watched the screen in shock.
Celestia: With their opponent's current points, the winner of this match will go through to the next round.
Luna: That's not all. Since both players have a great number of points, whoever loses will also lose a great number of points. Their chances of making it through will be virtually nil.
Celestia: And that's why this match is a fateful match.
As their teammates heard this, the lot of them had made the same choice in not looking for another Duel. If they ended up losing, then it wouldn't matter if their teammate won or not. All they could do was watch and wait.
Spike and Rainbow both prepared their Duel Disks.
Rainbow smirked. "Wouldn't have figured you'd be my final opponent. Best of luck Spike."
Spike smiled back. "Your final? Hasn't it crossed your mind that I might actually beat you."
Rainbow's smirked became a focused frowned, "not happening." She and Spike both activated their Duel Disks, drawing their cards.
"DUEL!"
Spike: 4000
Rainbow: 4000
"It's my turn first," Spike drew his card. "And I'll start by summoning Lava Fang Dragon!" A ball of lava shot out of the river between them, then dripped away to reveal Spike's dragon. (A1400/D1300/L4) He smirked, "then I'll use the skill of the Scorcher Dragon in my hand!" A dark red dragon with yellow trim appeared on the field, before exploding into a single fireball. "His ability allows me to use this Tuner monster from my hand, but his Level is dropped to one." The fireball drew and flaming ring in the air, which Lava Fang flew into. "Burning spirit, erupt into a wildfire of power!" The ring exploded and created a blazing sphere. "I SYNCHRO SUMMON!"
The flames receded to reveal a red, black and cream coloured wyvern. It wing membrane was coloured in red, brown, orange and yellow stripes, and it had a made of flaming hair coming out the back of its head. "Flame Hunter Dragon!" (A2300/D1300/L5/P8) "I place one card face down and end my turn."
Celestia: Spike is already starting off strong, managing to Synchro Summon a Pendulum Synchro monster.
Luna: How will Rainbow overcome this?
"I place one card face down and end my turn," Spike announced.
"Then it's my turn!" Rainbow drew her card, "and I summon Rainbow Wing Red Kestrel to the field in ATK mode!" A tornado exploded out of the ground, then faded to reveal the red bird of prey. (A1500/D1200/L4) "And since he was normal summoned, I can summon another Rainbow Wing to my field and increase its Level by one. So come on out, Purple Condor!" Another tornado singled the arrival of another brightly coloured attack bird. (A1800/D100/L4) "Then I'll use Condor's power to hit you with six hundred points of damage.
Spike watched as Condor flew over the lava pool and slashed him with its wing.
Spike: 3400
Rainbow: 4000
"Now," Rainbow said as the two birds transformed into lights, "I'll use these two monsters to build the Overlay Network!" They shot into the air as a black hole opened up, flying inside as Rainbow began to chant. "Wings of freedom, descend upon this land and unleash a hurricane of power." The black hole exploded in a burst of light. "I XYZ SUMMON!"
The light faded, revealing Rainbow's ace. "Rainbow Battle Wing Gold." (A2500/D1500/R4/P7) "And by removing an Overlay Unit, I can look at th top five cards of my deck and summon one Level four or below Winged-Beast to the field." The Xyz Monster crushed its Overlay Unit, as Rainbow drew her cards before picking one. "Come on out, Rainbow Wing Knight Hawk!" A third tornado appeared before fading to reveal the bird armoured knight. (A1400/D800/L3/P6)
Celestia: Rainbow beginning to fight back.
Luna: Her flock is really starting to come together. And it's those tactics that she'll need to overcome Spike's monsters.
"Not good," Spike said before rushing off to find an Action Card.
Rainbow leapt over the lava stream, her monsters flying over with her, and gave chase. "Battle Wing, attack!" The bird man drew his sword and flew towards the dragon, it's ATK power increasing due to Wing Knight Hawk's presence. (A2800/D1500/R4/P7) as Spike spotted an Action card on a nearby boulder.
He grabbed the card and activated it. "Go, Flame Surge!" Flame Hunter was surrounded by a flaming veil, that raised its power (A2700/D1300/L5/P8) It breathed a stream of fire right at Battle Wing, but he managed to slash through it and stabbing the dragon and destroying it.
Spike: 3300
Rainbow: 4000
"Then I'll have Wing Knight Hawk attack you directly!" The bird knight flew forwards, as Spike activated his face down.
"I play the Spell card, Shrink! This card cuts your monsters ATK power in half!" Wing Knight began to grow smaller and smaller, until it was half its original size. (A700/D800/L3/P6) It reached Spike and slashed him, making him stagger backwards.
Spike: 2600
Rainbow: 4000
Rainbow raised an eyebrow at this. If he had that card, then why didn't he play it when she attacked Flame Hunter. "I place two cards face down and end my turn." Battle Wing and Wing Knight Hawk's ATK powers returned to normal. (A2500/D1500/R4/P8) (A1400/D800/L3/P6) Rainbow looked down at her face downs. She had a feeling she knew what was coming next, but now her Mirror Force and Overlay Guard would put a stop to Dragonic Blazemaster.
"It's my turn. I draw!" As Spike drew his card, he looked over at Rainbow. There was no doubt she was a powerful player. Whether you looked at skill or experience, either way Rainbow had a huge advantage over the teen. But even so, he had to keep pushing as hard as he could. That was the only way to win. "I'll start by setting the Pendulum Scale, with scale one Flame Breaker Dragon and scale seven Flame Banner Dracokid!" The pillars of light appeared besides him before the two dragons flew up into them. Once high enough, the portal began to form, "I PENDULUM SUMMON!"
The portal opened up before a pair fireballs shot out and hit the ground, exploding to reveal Spike's monsters.
The first was what looked like a baby version of Spike's Flame Hunter Dragon, flapping its wings wildly. "Flame Tracker Dragon!" (A1300/D300/L3) "And Flame Hunter Dragon!" (A2300/D1300/L5/P8) As soon as it appeared, Flame Hunter opened its mouth and unleashed a burst of fire, that hit Rainbow's field and burnt her face downs to a crisp.
"What the?" Rainbow asked.
Spike smirked. "That's Flame Hunter Dragon's ability. Whenever he's Pendulum Summoned, he destroys every Spell and Trap on your field."
Rainbow smirked. So that's why he let his monster be destroyed. He was setting everything up for this. "Cleaver."
"Thanks," Spike replied as Flame Tracker exploded into a trio of fireballs. "Now watch, as I tune my Level three Flame Tracker Dragon with Level five Flame Hunter Dragon!" The fireballs carved three flaming rings, that the wyvern flew into "Cast your flames across this battle field, and burn everything that is weak to ashes" Spike chanted as his monsters were consumed by an explosion of fire. "I SYNCHRO SUMMON!"
The flames erupted, as Spike's ace burst free and revealed itself. "Dragonic Blazemaster!" (A3000/D2000/L8) "And since Flame Tracker was used to Synchro Summon, I can add one Fire Monster from my deck to my hand." His deck shuffled out before he took the card. "And since I have Flame Banner Dracokid in my Pendulum Zone, all Fire Monsters gain five hundred ATK points!" (A3500/D2000/L8)
Celestia: Spike has his ace and is pumping up the power.
Luna: I hope Rainbow wasn't banking on those face downs.
Rainbow gulped before rushing off, trying to find her own Action Card while Spike leapt onto his dragon's shoulder. "Blazemaster, attack Rainbow Battle Wing!" The dragon took off after them raising its sword as it ignited.
Rainbow spotted an Action Card in the lava and reached down to grab it, only to see it was Burning Heat. "Ahh!" She cried as the pool exploded, singing away five hundred Life Points.
Spike: 2600
Rainbow: 3500
Before she could recover, Blazemaster finally reached Battle Wing and slashed her monster in half while dosing her in flames. "Gah!" She cried while falling back and rolling besides a stream of lava.
Spike: 2600
Rainbow: 2500
"Now," Spike continued, "Blazemaster's ability activates." The dragon rose its sword once again. "Eternal Flame!"
Rainbow picked herself up, just in time to see an Action Card floating down the river. And just as Blazemaster swung its sword in Wing Knight's direction, she reached out and grabbed it. "I play the Action Spell, Evasion!" Wing Knight flapped its wings and dodged the blade.
Spike frowned, but placed one card face down and ended his turn.
Celestia: Close one. Rainbow just managed to protect herself from a lot of damage.
Luna: But with her field so bare, she'll need something big to help pull herself back into this.
Rainbow looked down at her hand. She had Rainbow Wing Knight Osprey and Supporting Filly. Even if she used them to Pendulum Summon Battle Wing, it wouldn't be enough to take down Blazemaster. She had to hope she got something good with her next draw. "I draw!" She saw what she'd gotten and gasped, then smiled. "Now I'll set the Pendulum Scale, with scale one Supporting Filly and scale seven Rainbow Wing Knight Osprey!" The pillars of light appeared besides her before the monsters flew up into them, the portal forming once they were high enough. "I PENDULUM SUMMON!"
The portal opened up before a single light shot out and hit the ground, taking the form of Rainbow's ace monster. "Rainbow Battle Wing, GOLD!" (A2500/D1500/R4/P5)
Celestia: Rainbow's managed to get her best card out onto the field, but what good will it do against a monster as strong as Dragonic Blazemaster?
Luna: Maybe Rainbow has a card that can help her.
"Yeah," Rainbow said as she played said card, "I do!" A rainbow coloured tornado exploded around Battle Wing, the light almost blinding everyone watching. "Go, Rank-Up-Magic Infinite Spectrum!" The black hole appeared above their heads, which the rainbow tornado flew up into. "With this card, I can Rank-up my Xyz monster into a Spectrum Battle Wing!"
"Spectrum Battle Wing?" Spike asked before looking up to see rainbow coloured lightning spark out of the black hole, as Rainbow Dash began to chant.
"Radiant colours of the universe, infuse your powers !" The rainbow tornado shot out of the black hole and hit the field, sending a mighty gust of wind across the battle field. "RANK-UP XYZ EVOLUTION!"
The tornado exploded, revealing Rainbow's hyper evolved Xyz monster. "Spectrum Battle Wing...PRISM BOLT!" (A3000/D2500/R5/P6)
Luna: Incredible. What a beautiful monster.
Celestia. But does it have the power needed to defeat Blazemaster?
"WOW!" The Crusaders couldn't help but say as they stared at Rainbow's new monster.
"So pretty," Sweetie said with stars in her eyes.
"Quite a card," Rarity said. "But will it be enough to help her?"
"If a'h know Rainbow, then it should be just what she needs.
Twilight also had that thought, which meant her brother was in trouble. "Spike."
Shining turned to her, "don't worry sis. Spike's a tough kid. He beat you after all."
"That doesn't mean he can beat Rainbow," Twilight replied. "Who knows what this new monster of hers can do."
"We're about to find out," Sunset said as everyone turned back to the Duel.
"Since Prism Bolt was summoned using Infinite Spectrum, his ability let's me destroy one card on your field for every Overlay Unit attached to it. Prism Bolt raise its wings before the Overlay Unit flew passed them, creating a rainbow beam that flew down and struck Spike's face down to destroy it.
"Dang it," Spike cried.
"Now for Prism Bolt's other ability," Rainbow announced as Prism Bolt crushed its Overlay Unit between its hands before Wing Knight flew in front of it. "By removing an Overlay Unit, I can lower the ATK power of a monster on your field by the ATK of Wing Knight Hawk." Prism Bolt raised its wings before the crystals on them unleashed lightning that was the same colour as the crystals. The fourteen bolts of rainbow lightning wrapped around Wing Knight before flying off it and hitting Dragonic Blazemaster, electrocuting it.
The Synchro Monster fell to its knees, as its power was zapped away from it. (A2100/D2000/L8) Spike leapt off the dragon and landed on a nearby rock pile, trying to find an Action Card.
"Prism Wing, attack Blazemaster!" Prism Bolt took to the skies. Once high enough, it spread its wings and dive-bombed towards Blazemaster while the rainbow trail flew down after it.
Spike spotted an Action Card a ways off and leapt for it, grabbing it right as Prism Bolt's attack landed. "WOW!" He cried as he flew back, hitting the ground hard.
Spike: 1700
Rainbow: 2500
"Spike!" Twilight cried, while the rest of her team all looked worried. This did not look good.
Before Rainbow could act, the boy played his card. "I play the Action Card, Sacred Ash. This card lets a monster in my graveyard return to the field, though it's ATK and DEF is halves. A nearby lava pool exploded, Blazemaster flying out of it and landing behind Spike. (A1500/D1000/L8) Flame Banner's ability raised its ATK even more. (A2000/D1000/L8)
Rainbow sighed. "I switch Wing Knight Hawk to DEF mode and end my turn."
Celestia: Spike managed to save himself from a lot of damage there.
Luna: But against Prism Bolt, and with his monster weakened, Spike's gonna have a tough time getting a comeback now.
Spike panted as he picked himself up. "Only two spots remain," he said loud enough so only he could here. "If we can't make it through the first round, that's the end of the Double X for us." The images of his teammates flashed before his eyes. "No," he said while drawing his card, "not on my watch. I wanna keep fighting alongside Flash and Sunburst. I'm not ready to quit. I wanna do so much more!" The portal began to form above his head, "I PENDULUM SUMMON!"
The portal opened before a single fireball shot out, hitting the ground and exploding to reveal his monster. "Flame Hunter Dragon!" (A2300/D1300/L5/P8) "And with him on the field, say goodbye to all your Spell and Trap cards. And that includes your Pendulum Cards."
Rainbow smiled. "No need. I'm activating Supporting Filly's Pendulum Ability." The two monsters exploded. "By destroying her and Osprey, I can draw the same number of cards as Osprey's Level." She did so, drawing three cards.
"Fine!" Spike cried, "then I'll pay five hundred life points to activate Flame Breaker's Pendulum Ability."
Spike: 1200
Rainbow: 2500
"I can now banish Flame Sabre!" Said dragon appeared on the field, as Flame Breaker Dragon tossed its hammer into its back. As soon as it made contact, the dragon exploded and the flames split into four fireballs. "Now I can summon two monsters whose combined Levels equal his. So I summon Fireheart Dracokid and Magna Drago!" the fireballs paired off and combined, creating the two young dragons. (A1000/D800/L2) (A1400/D600/L2)
"Don't tell me," Rainbow raised.
Spike's two Tuner Monsters leapt into the air. "Now, Level Two Fireheart Dracokid and Level two Magna Drago will Double Tune Level eight Dragonic Blazemaster!" The Tuner's exploded into a quartet of fireballs, which quickly blazed four rings of fire. Those four rings lined up, as Blazemaster flew up into them. "Flames of Apocalypse, incinerate everything in this world!" The flaming rings exploded, wrapping Blazemaster into a ball of fire. "I SYNCHRO SUMMON!"
The flaming sun began to extinguish, reveal Spike's new monster. "Dragonic Blazemaster...INFERNO LEGEND!" (A3500/D3000/L12)
Twilight smiled, knowing how powerful that card was. Rainbow was gonna have a hard time beating that. "Way to go Spike."
Rainbow gulped as she looked up at that card. She'd heard what it could do and she knew she needed some way to beat it. She looked down at the cards she'd drawn before and none of them could help her. But it was then she remembered an Action Card she'd used in a previous Duel on her field. If she could find that.
Spike watched as Rainbow began to run off, as he leapt up onto Flame Hunter's back. "An Action Card won't save you, especially with Inferno Legend's ability." From out of the ground, spirits of Spike's destroyed monsters phased out before exploding into fire. That fire flew into Inferno Legend's mouth. As it swallowed, the beast roared as it suddenly began to grow until it was almost twice its original height. (A5000/D3000/L12) And don't forget about Flame Banner Dracokid's Pendulum Ability, which is still boosting my monster's power by another five hundred points. (A5500/D3000/L12) (A2800/D1300/L5/P8)
Celestia: What a power boost! If that monster lands its attack, Rainbow's Life Points will be wiped out.
As Spike watched Rainbow run, his mind flashed back to the shop tournament. During his match against Applebloom, he'd been way to cautious. As a result he'd lost to Applebloom, who was willing to risk everything against him. "Not this time!" He announced as his Synchro Pendulum took flight, "I'm gonna throw my caution to the wind. Flame Hunter Dragon, attack Rainbow Wing Knight Hawk." The dragon gave chase, then unleashed a flamethrower that melt the warrior.
As that happened, Rainbow spotted an Action Card and grabbed it. It was an Action Spell, but not the one she was looking for.
"Inferno Legend, attack!" The colossal dragon roared before drawing its sword, swinging it in the direction of Prism Bolt.
"I activate the Action Spell, Re-Spell! This bad boy lets me use the effect of any Spell card in my graveyard. So I'll be using Evasion's effect once more" Prism Bolt spread its wings and dodge the attack, while Rainbow rushed off in search of another Action Card.
"Fine," Spike said, "then I'll use Inferno Legend's ability." He removed Scorcher Dragon from the graveyard, decreasing Inferno Legend's ATK power. (A5200/D3000/L12) "Now he can attack once again!" The beast drew another sword before flying up towards Prism Bolt, as Spike yelled out. "I'm gonna win this. We're going to the second round!" The dragon reached Prism Bolt and slashed at it, cutting it in half and unleashing a wave of wind that blew across the field.
"WOW!" Rainbow cried while hitting the ground, rolling to a stop.
Spike: 1200
Rainbow: 300
As she recovered, she noticed something floating down towards her after being kicked into the air by the wind. Seeing what it was, she reached out to grasp it while Spike removed another Tuner from his graveyard. (A4900/D3000/L12) Inferno Legend drew its third sword and prepared to cut Rainbow down.
Celestia: Is this it? Will the V-Fighters be the ones to go through to the next round?
"Not if I can help it," Rainbow said as she played the card she got. As the sword drew near, a tornado appeared out of nowhere and blocked the weapon.
"What?" Spike asked, only to see the cause of the vortex. "Tornado Tortoise?"
"That's right," Rainbow said as she picked herself up. "Thanks to the Action Spell I got. Change the Torches. It lets me send one monster in my hand back to my deck, then add a monster that's the same Level to my hand. I swapped my Rainbow Wing Pegasus out for Tornado Tortoise, which I was able to discard to block your attack."
Spike smirked. "Lucky."
"Maybe," Rainbow said, "but I used that Action Spell in my last Duel. I just knew what to look out for."
"Alright," Spike said while removing another Tuner Monster. (A4600/D3000/L12) The dragon drew another sword and slashed at Rainbow, only for her to be shielded by another tornado.
Rainbow smirked. "By banishing Tornado Tortoise from my graveyard, I can end your battle phase."
Spike frowned. He'd known that was coming, but had to get it out of the way if he wanted to beat Rainbow next turn. "I end my turn."
Celestia: She survived the attack!
Luna: What a spectacular Duel! Things weren't looking good for Rainbow Dash, but she hung in there and managed to hold off the attack.
Celestia: She survived by the skin of her teeth.
Rainbow sighed in relief, looking down at her hand and seeing she could once again set the Pendulum Scale and summon Prism Bolt. But even if she did and attacked Flame Hunter, she wouldn't be able to beat Spike this turn. Once again, she'd need to hope she'd get a card that could turn this around.
"I gotta admit Spike, you got game." Rainbow drew her card and smiled when she saw what she got, "but I can't afford to lose either. My team's counting on me, AND I WON'T LET THEM DOWN!" Rainbow slapped down a pair of cards, "I reset the Pendulum Scale with scale two Rainbow Wing Knight Condor and scale eight Rainbow Wing Knight Owl!" The pillars of light reappeared on the field before the two Pendulum Monsters flew up into them, the portal forming once they were high enough. "I PENDULUM SUMMON!"
The portal opened up before three lights shot out and hit the ground, taking shape and fading to reveal her monsters. "Spectrum Battle Wing, Prism Bolt!" (A3000/D2500/R5/P6)
"Rainbow Wing Knight Hawk!" (A1400/D800/L3/P6)
"And Rainbow Wing Knight Osprey!" (A1200/D1000/L3/P7)
Spike raised an eyebrow at this. None of those cards could help her.
"Then," Rainbow activated the card she'd drawn, "I play my Neo Armoured Xyz!" A portal opened up before Rainbow Battle Wing flew out, flying besides his evolved form. "Now I can equip Prism Bolt with an Xyz monster in my graveyard, to increase his power by two hundred for every Rank star it has!" Battle Wing transformed into a set of armour, which connected to Prism Bolt and raised its power. (A3800/D2500/R5/P6)
Spike frowned. "Okay, that might be tricky, but it still isn't enough to beat me." Even so, he should probably try and find an Action Card.
Rainbow watched as Spike and Flame Hunter flew off, giving chase as she did. "You're not getting away. Prism Bolt, attack!" Prism Bolt flew upwards. "And by the way, Neo Armoured Xyz has another effect. It gives Prism Bolt all the abilities of the monster he's equipped with."
Spike gasped. If Prism Bolt had Battle Wing's abilities. He looked to see Prism Bolt's ATK power increase, by three hundred for every Winged-Beast on Rainbow's field. (A4400/D2500/R5/P6) The shining bird man dive-bombed.
Now Spike really needed an Action Card, and he just so happened to find one in a pool of lava.
Flame Hunter Dragon flew down, allowing him to lean over and grab the card. But as he turned it around, he gasped seeing it was Burning Heat. The lava pool exploded, sending blobs of lava flying everywhere and hitting Flame Hunter. "Ahh!" Spike cried as he fell off the beast, hitting the ground as his life points went down.
Spike: 700
Rainbow: 300
As he picked himself up, he saw Prism Bolt flying towards Flame Hunter Dragon. "No," he said as the attack landed, "Flash...Sunburst...I'M SORRY!" An explosion filled the area and sent the boy flying back.
Spike: 0
Rainbow: 300 (Winner)
Celestia: She did it! Despite all the odds, Ms Rainbow Dash has claimed victory over Spike. Team Wonderbolts is going through to the second round!
"Alright Rainbow!" Soarin yelled, while Gilda just smirked.
"Not bad loser."
"Oh Spike," Twilight wished she was there to comfort her brother. He had done well, and had nothing to be ashamed of.
"The V-Fighters are gonna have a hard time making it through now," Sunset said.
"Oh," Fluttershy whined, "please let them or Pinkie's team get through."
As the holograms began to fade, Rainbow stepped over to where Spike had fallen.
He'd already picked himself up as she reached him, then turned towards her. "Hey," she held out a hand, "great Duel." Rainbow went to shake his hand, but stopped when she saw tears in the boy's eyes.
"I never...I mean, I never..." The tears broke out in full force, the teen quick pulling his hand back to wipe them away. "Sorry."
Rainbow smiled. "Spike, you're one tough customer." Hearing this made the tears return with double the strength, Spike breaking out in heavy sobs before he was pulled under ground.
"So that's it," he said. "I let them down. Flash...Sunburst."
"Spike," Flash whispered while staring at his Raduel's screen. He smiled, "you have nothing to be ashamed of." It was true, Spike hadn't lost a Duel since the start of the first round. It would be unfair to blame him for losing, especially since both he and Sunburst had lost themselves.
After Spike was taken to the Graveyard, Rainbow headed off the field.
Once in the hallway, she spotted Soarin and Gilda walking up to her. "Rainbow!" Soarin laughed before rushing towards her, "you did it?"
Gilda smirked as she joined them. "Seems you're not all talk after all." However, she saw Rainbow didn't look happy. "What's up?"
Rainbow sighed while thinking back on that Duel. Despite having won, it didn't feel right. She'd gotten lucky with that Action Card and the ones she'd drawn. If she'd gotten any other card, she would have been defeated. Her luck wouldn't last forever, so she had to improve her skills. If she didn't, there was no way she'd be able to make it all the way to the final round.
"Come on," she said before walking passed the two. "We need to get training. The easy parts over." Gilda and Soarin looked at her in confusion, sharing a glance at one another before following after their leader.
Celestia: Now there's only one slot remaining.
Luna: Which team will grab that last chance to make their way to the second round.
Over in the Canyon Field, Sunburst and his Magician were facing off against Bright Idea and his dragon. "If there's still one spot left, then there's still a chance!" He activated his Rebirth Ritual Spell card, "I'M NOT GIVING UP!" The pillar of fire engulfed magician before exploding, "RITUAL EVOLUTION!" Sunburst Archmage appeared before him. "ATTACK!"
Over in the Meadow Field, Flash was frantically searching for his next opponent. He couldn't let Spike's hard work go to waste.
The beeping of his Raduel caught his attention, making him look around. He eventually spotted his opponent, standing atop a large hill. The sun behind them made it difficult to see, but eventually they stepped closer and allowed him and make out who it was. And Flash was in for a surprise when he realised who it was. "Marble?"
The girl smiled a dark smile down at him, while pushing her hair back behind her ears. "Well well," she said with more confidence then Flash had ever heard her speak with. "So this is Flash Sentry."
The Double X's first round was nearing its conclusion. But who would end up taking the final spot in the next round. You'll just have to stay tuned to find out.