//------------------------------// // Turn 34: The Arriving Storm // Story: Yugioh EQG: XX // by Banshee531 //------------------------------// The Double X second round was close to the end of its first day. In the Star Field, team Dominator's Tempest and Starlight were there with the V-Fighter's Flash and Sunburst. The leader of team Dominator had just given a challenge to the V-Fighter's leader, but before it could be officialized a loud bell sound rang through the entire stadium. Celestia: That bell means time's up. Luna: We've now reached the end of day one of the Double X Tournament's second round. All over the field, the many Duellists Raduel were deactivating for the day. They wouldn't be back online until tomorrow, when the Double X resumed. Celestia: Currently in the top spot, we have team Dominator. Luna: Can any of the other teams rise up to challenge their commanding lead? Celestia: Come back tomorrow to see how the excitement plays out. Tempest sighed as she lowered her arm. "It appears that's it for today. Oh well," she and Starlight turned away from Flash and Sunburst and prepared to walk off. "Wait!" They stopped and turned back to Flash. "What did you mean before? About you and Sunburst being friends?" Seems his question was directed at Starlight. The girl smiled as she looked over at her fallen opponent. "There's not much to say. We used to live next door to one another and were friends. But then he left for Duel Academy, which he flunked out of." She chuckled. "You should have seen how ashamed his parents were. They had to move away before word got back to the neighbourhood." Flash frowned at this, glancing back and seeing Sunburst continue to hold back tears. "Not surprising," he turned to Tempest. "I was watching the whole thing and honestly, I didn't see anything that made me think he's anything special." Flash's fists were clutched tightly as he heard this. "It was painful to watch. Starlight had control of the entire match. I doubt there was a single move your friend made that she didn't predict." She looked over at Sunburst, "so sad. How amazingly pathetic he is." "That's enough!" Every eye on the field turned towards Flash, whose entire body was shaking as he glared at Tempest. "You don't get to talk about him like that. Sunburst is a great Duellists, no matter what you say." He pointed at them, "just because he lost today doesn't mean he's weak." "Stop it Flash," he looked back and saw Sunburst begin to pick himself up. "That's enough. Let's just...let's just forget it." He turned and began to walk away. "Sunburst!" He did and glanced back for a moment. "Please wait a moment." Flash then turned back to Tempest, pulling out his deck and pointing it at her. "Tempest Shadow, I challenge you." This made the others all raise an eyebrow, wondering why he'd challenge her when the day's Duel's were over. "Come on, let's settle this!" Starlight turned to Tempest, wondering how she was gonna reply to this. And too her surprise, the woman smiled before pulling out her Duel Disk. "Very well," she attached it to her arm. "Let's see just how much better you've gotten since our last face off." "Oh you'll see alright," Flash placed his own Duel Disk on and slotted his deck into it. "This time, I'm not losing to you." "We'll see." The two activated their Duel Disks and drew their cards. "DUEL!" Flash: 4000 Tempest: 4000 Outside the stadium, Spike was waiting for his teammates to come out. Everyone else who had been in the Action Field had gotten out, so what was taking them so long. Everyone else had headed home, wanting to get some rest for the next day, so now he was standing there all alone. "Come on guys, where are you?" He finally had enough of waiting and rushed inside, wanting to know what was going. Back inside the stadium, Cold and Misty were staring at his Duel Disk. She'd sent Scootaloo home with her friends, as she and Cold wanted to keep an eye on the situation they'd seen taking place. Now they watched as Flash and Tempest began their Duel. "I'm worried," she told him. "Is Flash facing off against her really such a good idea." Cold frowned. "I'm worried as well, but if anything this Duel might help reveal some new information of Tempest's goals. It might also help Flash understand her strategy better, which will be helpful should they face off in the actual tournament." Suddenly, a knock on the door made him look back to see one of the tournament workers step inside. "Excuse me, Mr Steel. We've got a couple of players from team Dominator and team V-Fighters who have started a Duel." "It's okay," Cold told him. "I'll handle it." The worker nodded before leaving, Cold and Misty turning back to the Duel Disk and continued watching the Duel take place. "Flash," Misty whispered, "be careful." Spike was making his way through the many Duel Fields in search of his team. He finally reached the stairway leading up to the Star Field and ran up it, finally arriving on the field and began searching for them. Several minutes of searching later, he turned a corner and went wide-eyed seeing what he saw. The Duel between Flash and Tempest was well underway. Tempest currently had Storm Guard Dominator Spear, War-Hammer and Chain Claw on the field. Chain Claw was in DEF mode and the rest were in ATK mode. She also had her unicorn and Spine-Hog in the Pendulum Zones along with a face down. Meanwhile, Flash had Flash Wing Pegasus on the field along with Magna Chimp and Magna Boar. "It's my turn!" Flash drew his card, as Spike rushed up to Sunburst. "Sunburst, what's going on? Why is Flash Duelling Tempest now?" Sunburst didn't answer, simply keeping his head down. With his teammate unresponsive, Spike looked back at Flash as the portal formed above his head. "I PENDULUM SUMMON!" The portal opened up before a pair of lights shot out and hit the ground, revealing Flash's monsters. The first was a woman in yellow wizards themed clothing with a staff with what looked like a DNA helix on the head. "Warp space, Magna Caster Stamine!" (A1800/D1000/L4) "Spin your gears, Spino-Gear Magna-Saur!" (A2100/D1500/L5) "Spino-Gear, attack!" The mechanised robot rushed forward, its tail drill spinning, before spinning around and impaling Spear Dominator!" Flash: 3100 Tempest: 3500 "And after Spino-Gear attacks, I can banish the top two card of my deck to allow him to attack again." He removed the two cards, as the gear on the robot's back began to spin and it charged forward yet again. This time it crushed War-Hammer underfoot. Flash: 3100 Tempest: 3200 "Now Stamine, take out Chain Claw!" The Magna Caster pointed her staff at the Storm Guard and fired a blast of light that struck the Storm Guard, destroying it. "And when Stamine destroys a monster, I can add one banished Spell Card to my hand." He took one of the cards he'd banished with Spino-Gear, as his pegasus flew towards Tempest. "Flash Wing, attack!" Lightning surged around the horses armour before it flapped its wings and shot a bolt towards Tempest. "I activate my Trap!" Tempest's face down flipped up, "Defence Draw!" A force-field appeared around her and blocked the lightning, as she drew her card. Flash frowned but placed two cards face down, "I end my turn." As Tempest went for her deck, Starlight continued to watch and was confused. 'Tournament rules mean this Duel will have no impact on our standings in the competition. So why bother Duelling him?' As Tempest looked through her cards, he looked over at Flash. 'I'm curious to see how well you've improved Flash Sentry. How far you've managed to come in such a short time. If I'm impressed by what I see, you may just end up being the one we're looking for. Maybe.' "I play Storm Guard Reloading, to banish Spear Dominator from my graveyard and draw four cards." She did so, as the portal formed above her head. "I PENDULUM SUMMON!" The portal opened before three lights shot out and struck the ground, revealing her monsters. The first two were a pair of Storm Guards, these ones carrying a staff with a bladed end and a curved sword. "Storm Guard Dominator Glaive!" (A1900/D1200/L4/P3) "Storm Guard Dominator Scimitar!" (A1600/D1500/L4/P4) "And Tempest Rogue Dominator Scarvolt!" (A2500/D2000/L7/P4) Tempest drew three cards thanks to Spine-Hog's ability. "Scarvolt's skill!" She pulled out a pair of Obsidian Orbs and tossed them at Spino-Gear and Stamine, transforming them both to stone." "No," Flash grimaced. "Then I'll summon Storm Guard Dominator Shield!" The shield carrying ape appeared in a blast of lightning. (A1000/D2000/L4) "I activate the Spell, Obsidian Orb!" Another orb appeared in Scarvolt's hands before she tossed it at Flash Wing and Dominated him too. As this happened, Tempest smiled at Flash. "So tell me, why did you decide to Duel me now of all times? Is it simply because I called your teammate weak? All I was doing was telling him the truth. And the fact he needs you to defend him only proves my point" Sunburst continued to clutch his body, wanting to hide himself away from the world. "You're wrong!" Sunburst turned ever so slightly to his teammate. "I should have said something to him...to everyone. But I didn't want them to get involved." His vision split between Tempest and Starlight. "But they have to know the truth. The truth behind who you two really are!" Spike and Sunburst both looked at Flash in confusion, wondering what the heck he was talking about. "Flash?" "You might look like Tempest and Starlight, but you're not really them." He pointed at the two, "you are...Duel Spirits that are influencing them!" Starlight looked genuinely shocked at this while Tempest only seemed intrigued. "I see," Tempest said. "So you've learned the truth." "Yeah," Flash replied, "I did. I might not know which Duel Spirit you are...but I'll find out." "What is he talking about?" Sunburst asked, turning to Spike and seeing he seemed to actually be believing him. "They're...Duel Spirits." "Scarvolt," Tempest said, "attack Flash Wing Magna Pegasus!" The Tempest Rogue rushed forwards, her power surging as her broken sword extended with lightning. "With Unicorn Dominator's ability, she gains six hundred ATK points!" (A3100/D1200/L4/P3) "I activate my face down!" Flash's card flipped up, "Lightspeed!" Flash Wing's stoned body glowed before its ATK increased. (A2400/800/L4) Scarvolt struck the pegasus statue, not destroying it and the damage only halved. Flash: 2750 Tempest: 3400 "I knew...this whole time," Flash continued to say. "Don't forget, Scarvolt can attack once for every Dominated monster on the field." Scarvolt turned to Stamine and slashed slashed her once- Flash: 2100 Tempest: 3400 Then again. Flash: 1450 Tempest: 3400 "All this talk about Soulink and body Domination. I didn't want them to get distracted from the Double X." "Now, Glaive will attack Spino-Gear." (A2500/D1200/L4/P3) The ape rushed forward as its weapon's blade surged with lightning, slicing at the fossilised dinobot and destroying it. Flash: 1050 Tempest: 3400 "Scimitar!" The other ape's sword sparked as it rushed towards Stamine, its ATK points increasing as well. (A2200/D1500/L4/P4) And like before, it shattered the statue of the Magna Caster. Flash: 650 Tempest: 3400 "So why did you come here?" Flash asked him. "Why are you competing in the Double X." Tempest said nothing, "WHAT DO YOU WANT!" Tempest smirked, an almost sinister smirk. "I wanna win, and with Shield Dominator that's exactly what I'm gonna do!" The ape rushed forwards, it's ATK power increasing. (A1600/D2000/L4) But this time, Flash was ready. "I play my Trap," his card flipped up. "Defence Draw. You're not the only one with this card." A force field appeared around him and blocked the ape's attack, as he drew his card. "Stealing Duellist's bodies. Wearing them like a suit and making them hurt others. I won't forgive you for this." Tempest smiled at this as she placed two cards face down. "I end my turn." Her monster's ATK points returned to normal. (A2500/D2000/L7/P4) (A1900/D1200/L4/P3) (A1600/D1500/L4/P4) Before Flash could start his turn, Sunburst cried out. "What are you talking about?" He turned towards his now standing teammate. "What's this nonsense about Duel Spirits and stealing bodies. You're talking like that stuff's all real." Flash sighed. "It is real." Sunburst looked surprised by this. Was he for real? "I know this might all sound strange, but I'm telling the truth." He turned back to Tempest and Starlight. "They're not who they say they are. That's not your childhood friend. It may be her body, but it isn't her spirit. The one controlling her is a fusion of both her spirit and the Duel Spirit that's inhabiting her, creating a version of her that's completely under the Duel Spirit's sway." He shot them a serious look, "and I'm gonna save them." Tempest seemed intrigued by this., "just try it." 'Now Flash Sentry, let's see just how much stronger you've gotten." "I draw and play Stardust Reload!" He removed Spino-Gear and drew five cards. "Then I'll play the Spell card, Soul Release! With this, I can banish five cards from either of our graveyards." He removed Stamine and Lightspeed, then pointed at Tempest. "Spear, Chain Claw and Obsidian Orb." Tempest frowned but removed said cards, as the portal opened up above Flash. "I PENDULUM SUMMON!" The portal opened and four lights shot out, hitting the ground and taking form. "Hop to it, Bright Bounce Magna Bunny!" (A1200/D600/L3/P2) "Blast off, Lightspeed Dragon!" (A1700/D1100/L4) "Reek havoc, Chaos Command Dragon X!" (A3000/D2500/R7/P4) "Shine your light of victory, Flash Heart Dragon!" (A2500/D2000/L7/P4) "Flash Heart's skill!" A portal opened up below Shield Dominator, which it fell into and was banished. "Then, I'll tune Magna Bunny with Lightspeed Dragon!" The robotic rabit transformed into a trio of light rings, which the mini Flash Heart leapt into. "Memories of strength long forgotten, return in an explosion of power!" The two monster disappeared in an explosion of light. "I SYNCHRO SUMMON!" The light faded to reveal his monster. "Flashback Dragon!" (A2300/2200/L7) Spike smiled. "Flash is getting as many high level monsters onto the field as he can. That way, they won't be Dominated later." "I summon Vail Pixie X!" A flash of light signalled the little fairy's arrival on the field. (A100/D100/L1) "Now watch, as I tune my Level one Vail Pixie with Level seven Flash Heart Dragon X!" 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. "I SYNCHRO SUMMON!" The light faded, revealing the evolved version of Flash's ace. "Flash Dragon Accel!" (A3000/D2500/L8) As this was happening, Spike turned to Sunburst. "Listen to me," the teens locked eyes. "You have to listen to him. I have no idea what's going on, but...Flash's deadly serious about this. So we need to trust him right now." Sunburst didn't look convinced, making Spike frown. "Please...are you with us?" Sunburst remained still, but eventually moved to look back at the Duel Field. Spike did the same, memories of his Duel against Starlight flowing back to him. That image he'd seen, he hadn't been able to explain it at the time. But if Starlight really was a Duel Spirit in human form, then it made so much sense now. 'Team Dominator. They're all Duel Spirits. "Activating Flashback Dragon's ability!" The serpentine beast bit its own tail to create a circle, which was filled with light that Flash Heart grabbed Magna Pegasus and tossed it into. When the statue flew into it, a pair of lights flew out and hit the field besides the Extra Deck monsters. They then exploded, reveal a Space-Warp Dragon and Magna Rat. (A800/D1200/L3) (A300/D200/L1) "Now I activate Magna Rat's ability!" This made Tempest stop laughing, as a giant portal opened up above their heads. Magna Rat leapt up into it, as a familiar robotic dinosaur flew out the other side. (A2100/D1500/L5) Tempest smiled, actually a little impressed by this. Flash meanwhile, simply glared at him. "If your plan was to use the Double X to achieve you goal, then the Double X...is what I'll use to defeat you!" Accel's shoulder and hip compartment opened up and released their cannons, which began to charge up. "And if that's all it takes to stop you...I intend to do so, here and now!" The evolved Flash Heart fired its cannons, hitting Scarvolt and destroying her and creating a massive explosion that consumed Tempest. Flash: 650 Tempest: 2900 "What are you guys up to? Why did you come to the Double X?" He watched as the cloud faded, revealing a slightly ruffled Tempest. "It's quite simply," she told him. "We want to put an end to this world of pain and suffering?" The V-Fighters all looked at her in confusion. "For thousands of years, our worlds have been connected and through that connection, only bad things have occurred." In that moment, a shadowy aura appeared around her. The three teens stepped back in surprise at this, only for the aura to explode off of her and surround them. The three cried out as everything around them went black, forcing them to close their eyes for a second. And when they opened them again, the three found they were somewhere else. Like Sunset before them, they were standing in a ruin with many markings on the wall. "What is this?" Sunburst asked as he looked around in shock. Flash and Spike, however, had a feeling they knew where they were. But before they could say anything, the sounds of metal on metal along with loud outcries made them turn towards a hole in the wall of the ruins. They rushed over to it and looked out, seeing where they were was atop a large hill. And at the bottom of the hill, was a war-zone. Multiple Duel Monsters were doing battle against others, the three teens recognising some of them as Storm Guards. "What is this?" Spike asked. Flash then noticed another monster he recognised, fighting against the Storm Guards. "Scarvolt." Tempest Rogue Scarvolt rushed through the army, cutting them down with her still whole sword until she reached one opponent. Said monster was a white satyr-like creature, standing at around twelve foot tall and wearing black armour along with four horns coming out of its head. The beast was throwing its fist in multiple directions, pummelling Duel Spirits and macking them fall back. It then reached under its armour and pulled out a bunch of obsidian orbs, which it tossed at its fallen opponents. The green mist consumed them and turned to lot of them to stone, as the satyr turned to see Scarvolt staring at him. The satyr glared down at Scarvolt before throwing another punch in her direction, but she quickly jumped back to dodge the attack before using her sword to slash at it. The satyr managed to side-step the sword, then slashed at the woman and caught her face. She cried out as she fell back, dropping her sword in doing so. The satyr smiled at this. He watched as she looked back at him, revealing a large bloody cut that ran down from her forehead and over her right eye. He then reached out to grab Scarvolt around the neck, the Tempest Rogue gasped out as the beast picked her up. The satyr smiled at her apparent defeat, squeezing her neck even harder. But before he could finish the job, a flash of lightning made it turn to see a pink unicorn galloping towards it with lightning surging out of her horn. It looked like it was attempting to impale the satyr with its horn, but the beast was prepared and spun around to kick it in the head. Scarvolt gasped as she watched the unicorn fall back, the horn on its head breaking as it did, only to hear someone call out her name. She looked around and saw one of the other Duel Spirits had grabbed her sword and tossed it to her, the woman reaching out and grabbing the handle as the satyr was distracted. But when it looked back at her, he saw her raise the sword and slash at its side. The satyr cried out as it dropped Scarvolt and staggered back, clutching its side and panting before turning to glare at its opponent. Scarvolt had picked herself up and raised her sword, as the beast let out a roar before pulling out an obsidian orb and tossing it towards her. The Tempest Rogue's eyes went wide before she raised her sword, the orb hitting the weapon and bouncing off of it without breaking. And as it fell to the floor, she let out a mighty cry before charging forwards as her sword sparked with lightning. The satyr also rushed forwards, its claws primed to slash at the woman. They finally reached each other and began to clash, Scarvolt's sword bouncing off his armour as she evaded the beast's claws. Eventually, the satyr tried to slash at her downwards with both claws. But Scarvolt managed to raise her weapon in defence and block the attack before pushing back and knocking the beast off balance, giving her the opening she needed to supercharge her weapon. And with one might cry, she slashed at the satyr. The lightning blade hitting with enough force to send the off-balance satyr falling backwards, right on top of the unbroken Obsidian Orb. But the impact of the large body atop it made the orb shatter, releasing the green mist that began to surround its body. This lead to its body slowly being turned to stone. All the monster could do was give Scarvolt one final death glare before his was fully transformed, as the rest of the monsters stopped fighting and turned to stare at the statue. Though they didn't have long to look, as in that moment Scarvolt stabbed her sword into it and caused the whole thing to shatter. "What...just happened?" Flash asked. "What happened was my defeat?" The three turned to see Tempest standing before the mural. "The loss of my army and the supposed loss of my life." "What's she talking about?" Spike asked. "I truly believed that was my end, until I was saved by those who showed me the light. That in this world, peace is an impossibility. That is the reality of all life. There is war and only some get to live through it. After that, they believe the peace they fought for will last forever. But eventually, another war begins and they will be forced to fight again. Only this time, they might not live through it." The V-Fighters let these words sink in. Was what she was saying really true? "This is the reality of our world. Fear creates anger and anger creates hatred and eventually, enough hatred exists that the ones who hate each other fight. No matter who you are or what you've done, that fighting will eventually overcome you." She pointed at the three, "your world is no different. Millions of years of evolution and you still continued to fight against one another, for no reason. Only now, you've brought us into your conflict. Attempting to use us as weapons, but almost destroying yourself in the process. Zorc, Nightshroud, Yliaster, Don Thousand and the Doom-Vaders. Again and again you bring about your own end but somehow you manage to survive." "So what?" Flash asked "So, it's only a matter of time before you humans eventually bring about your undeniable end and take our realm with it. And in doing so, you will cause great pain and suffering. That is why, we must act before then." A light made the three look up and see part of the mural begin to glow. They looked up and saw the omega and zenith symbols be surrounded by light, which then shot off into the air. And in a quick flash, the lights became seven different coloured orbs. One central orb that was coloured black, surrounded by six orbs that were coloured either red, blue, green, orange, yellow and purple. Within those orbs were what they could only assume were Duel Spirits, each one looking very different but all appearing to be dragonic in nature. As they stared at this, two new images appeared. A pair of planets, looking almost exactly the same but appearing just different enough to notice. It was earth and what they could only assume was the Duel Monster Spirit World. "Operation Omega Zenith!" In that moment, the six surrounding orbs transformed back into light before flying into the central orb and making it glow. As it did, the two planets drew closer and closer together until they finally connected and in doing so unleashed a powerful burst of light. When the light faded, everyone saw they were back in the Star Field. "So that the pain and suffering that has plagued this world can end, it...must end?" Spike and Sunburst's eyes went wide, while Flash glared at Tempest. "If that's the case...I definitely can't lose to you!" Chaos Command raised its staff and unleashed a bolt of lightning onto the field, hitting Glaive Dominator and destroying it. Flash: 650 Tempest: 1800 "I'm putting an end to this...HERE AND NOW!" Flashback Dragon flew into the air before firing its laser attack down towards Scimitar, destroying it. Flash: 650 Tempest: 1100 "Now Spino-Gear, finish her off!" The dinobot charged forwards, ready to stomp Tempest into defeat. But she wasn't going down so easily. "Trap summon!" Her face down flipped up before a giant ape carrying a pair of shields appeared. "Storm Guard Dominator, Lightning Sentinel!" (A1100/D2300/L6) "Skill activated!" The two shields opened up and unleashed a familiar green mist, which covered Flash's entire field. "Dominate all monsters on the field with ATK less then its DEF." Flash watched as the mist cleared and saw that both Spino-Gear and Space-Warp had been turned to stone. "No." "You think you can stop us?" Tempest asked him. "What gives you that right? If you had experienced the same pain and suffering we had to endure, you'd understand why we want this all to end." Flash growled. "Well what gives you the right to decide if this world should end!" Accel was consumed by light, which quickly faded to show Flash's ace. "So what if life is tough. That doesn't mean you should just give up on it!" Flash Heart X's boosters ignited and sent it flying across the field. "I know our worlds being connected has caused issues in the past, but it's also caused so many great things. It's helped me connect to so many different beings, in both worlds. It's help he become the person I am today." He suddenly found himself remembering his life before Cold left him his deck. The lonely emptiness that was his existence. The hollowness of his very soul. "For the longest time, I had nothing. My life felt empty and alone. There didn't seem to be any point in living." Sunburst heard this and looked towards him. Was that true? "But then I discovered Duelling, and it turned my life around. It gave me a reason to live. I won't let you destroy it." Flash Heart finally reached Lightning Sentinel, smashing its fist into the shield carrying ape and destroying it. "Through Duelling I gained friends...a future...EVERYTHING!" He threw two cards face down, "I end my turn." Tempest just stared at Flash, the smile completely vanishing from her face. "Flash Sentry, the Pendulum Singularity!" She shot her opponent a glare, "IS THAT REALLY ALL YOU'VE GOT!" Flash and his team all flinched at this outcry, Starlight stepping back as she had a feeling she knew what was coming. The portal formed above the girl's head, "I PENDULUM SUMMON!" The portal opened and three lights shot out, revealing Scarvolt along with Glaive and Scimitar Dominator. With Spine-Hog's effect, she drew three cards and as she did, Flash saw a strange aura surround her. "I now equip Scarvolt with the Staff of Sacanas!" Scarvolt raised her hand, a bolt of purple lightning flew down from the sky and struck it. Team V-Fighters all shielded their eyes, unable to see the lightning take shape until the flash faded and they opened their eyes. Now they saw Scarvolt holding the staff, her power increasing as she held it up high above her head. (A3000/D2000/L7/P4) 'Don't panic,' Flash told himself. "You've got Reverse Polarity and Dimensional Prison. Those should keep you safe.' "Still think you can win?" Flash turned to Tempest, seeing we raise another card into the air. "Let me show you why you're dead wrong." Scarvolt lifted the staff into the air, causing it to unleash twin bolts of lightning that hit the two Dominators besides her. They both silently screamed in pain as they were destroyed, their essences being sucked into the staff. Seconds later, the staff flew out of her hands and suddenly unleashed a power spiralling gust of electrified wind that surrounded Scarvolt "What's happening!?" Spike cried over the wind. Flash's eyes focused on Scarvolt, seeing her flinching in pain before crying out and exploding. He then turned to Tempest and saw her smiling. "By sacrificing Scarvolt whilst she's equipped with the Staff of Sacanas, along with two Dominator monsters, I can give life to the ultimate Dominator!" They watched as the lightning in the tornado shoot into the eye below the staff, beginning to take humanoid form. The staff then began to descend, as the figure raised one of its arms and grasped the relic. As soon as it did, the lightning was sucked into the staff and revealed the new monster's form. Said monster was the same one they'd seen before. "Behold...the ultimate Dominator monster. STORM KING DOMINATOR!" (A4000/D4000/L12) Spike and Sunburst both stared up and the monster, while Flash was focused on the shadow around Tempest. Finally, he was able to see passed the veil and get an eyeful of its true form. And just as he expected, the monster was Storm King Dominator. "So, this who you really are." Both Tempest and Storm King smiled at him. "I summon Storm Guard Dominator Puppeteer!" A bolt of lightning flew down and struck the ground, revealing a giant ape carrying the wooden Xs you'd see puppeteers use. (A1000/D1000/L4) "Now I activate Storm King's ability!" The Dominator raised the Staff of Sacanas before slamming it into the ground, unleashing several bolts of lightning that flew across the field and struck Flash Heart, Chaos Command and Flashback Dragon. "NO!" Flash cried as he realised what was happening. All he could do was watch as his monsters turned to stone, Flash Heart looking over its shoulder at his partner. The two locked eyes before he too was fossilised. Flash was horrified at this image, then turned to Tempest and glared at her. "Now that I understand your Duelling...I have no further use for you." Flash reached for his Duel Disk, ready to activate his face downs. But then. "I now activate Storm King Dominator's other ability." The satyr pointed the Staff of Sacanas at Puppeteer Dominator before a beam of light shot out and hit the monster, causing it to fall to its knees as it looked physically weakened. (A0/D1000/L4) "You see, by sending a monster's ATK to zero, the staff can steal their special abilities and give them to Storm King." "What?" Spike asked. "But what's Puppeteer Dominator's ability?" Sunburst asked. Starlight chuckled as she turned to him. "Its ability is to change any Dominated monsters back to normal." "WHAT!?" They all asked as Storm King pointed its staff at all of Flash's monsters before firing a blast of light that swept over them, causing the stone casing to dissolve. "Guys?" Flash stepped towards his monsters, only to stop when they all turned towards him and he saw their eyes were all red. "Guys?" "Flash," he looked back at Spike, "look behind them." He did so, spotting a bunch of wires coming off of them and leading back...to Storm King. "What's going on?" He turned to shoot Tempest a glare. The young woman smiled at him. "Whenever Puppeteer changes a Dominated monster back to normal, it gains control over them and forces them to deal you two hundred points of damage." Flash's eyes went wide before he turned back to his monsters, just as Spino-Gear spun around and slammed him with its tail. "GAH!" He cried as he was knocked off his feet, hitting the ground. Flash: 450 Tempest: 1100 Flash tried to pick himself up, only to suddenly find himself in a shadow. He looked up and saw Flashback holding its orbs together, unleashing a bright light that rained down on him. "YAH!" Flash: 250 Tempest: 1100 Chaos Command was next, raising its staff and unleashing a bolt of lightning that struck Flash and made him cry out. "AHH!" Flash: 50 Tempest: 1100 "FLASH!" Spike cried as he and Sunburst watched their leader stand shakily. Flash looked up at his monsters, seeing Flash Heart step infront of him. The robotic dragon slowly raised its fist, Flash noting its movements were much more shakier then usual. It was then he realised Flash Heart was trying to fight against its control, making him look up into his face and see tears leaking out of its red eyes. Eventually, the glow intensified and its movements weren't as held back. Time slowed down as Flash Heart threw a punch towards its partner, the Duellist closing his eyes and bracing himself as the fist made contact with him. "AAARRRHHH!" Flash: 0 Tempest: 1100 (Winner) "FLASH!" Spike rushed over to where Flash had fallen and knelt down besides him, helping him sit up and he flinched in pain. "You alright?" Flash didn't reply, instead cracking his eyes open and watching as both Tempest and Starlight began to walk away. "Just you wait," he told them. "UNTIL THE FINAL ROUND!" The two said nothing, thought Starlight did look back at Sunburst for a moment. And as the two locked eyes, something was sparked between them until Starlight continued to follow her leader. "Starlight," Sunburst whispered. As Tempest and Starlight made their way out of the Action Field, they were both thinking over the Duel. "If we're not able to use Flash," Tempest said. "We'll just have to select someone else." "But who?" Starlight asked. "So far, he's the only one whose been able to win against us." "There are still several Duellists we haven't faced off against. We'll have to focus our efforts on them. Then, we can finally liberate ourselves from this cursed existence." Starlight nodded in agreement. Later, team V-Fighters were sitting outside the stadium. Flash, still reeling from the Duel, was staring down at the ground. "I feel bad. I didn't want to get you involved. But you got caught up in it anyway." His face scrunched up, "that wasn't my intention. I'm sorry." Spike and Sunburst remained quite, unsure about what to think of do. They then noticed Flash stand up and look at the two of them. "Spike, Sunburst. After all this, you have every reason to tell me to go to hell. But still, I'd like...to stay as a team. To see the Double X right through to the end." He turned to Spike, seeing a smile on the teen's face. "You bet," he assured him. This made Flash smile before turning to Sunburst, who still remained quiet. "I know we can get through to the final round. And win the championship. I'm not giving up and-" Flash stopped when he saw Sunburst stand up and begin to walk away. "Sunburst," he called out to him. "Please stay and watch tomorrow!" Sunburst stopped for a moment, then kept on walking. "Stay and watch me Duel." Sunburst didn't reply, instead disappearing into the darkness of the night. He and Spike now knew the truth of team Dominator, but how will this effect their team and their hopes for winning the Double X.