The Double X's second round had finally come to an end, though there was a slight complication. Only three teams had made it through, with all the other teams being eliminated.
Celestia: Incredible. The second round has come to an end and only three teams have made it through.
Luna: And those teams are-
The megascreen changed to show the top floor, where four people were standing. They were Tempest, Soarin, Gilda and Flash, three out of four of them looking confused about what would happen now that they were missing a team.
Luna: Team Dominator!
Celestia: Team Wonderbolts!
Both: And team V-Fighters!
Celestia: These three teams may now head to the final round.
The crowd cheered loudly as they applauded the three teams, many of them finding one of them as the team they wanted to get through. However, the megascreen suddenly switched off and a spotlight appeared. It illuminated the stage where Cold was currently standing
"However," he spoke up, "the final of the Double X was...designed to take place with four teams." This caused the crowd to all murmur, wondering how they were gonna fill that last spot since all the other teams had been eliminated. "Therefor, by tournament rules, we must pick a fourth from one of the eliminated teams."
To say this announcement shocked the stadium would be an understatement. Many of the teams that had been eliminated turned to one another, wondering if they just might be able to earn that last spot.
Cold turned to the Celestic Sister, "ladies." They nodded before stepping up to the stage.
Celestia: Yes, it has been decided that two teams will be chosen to take place in a playoff match to determine who will fill that last spot.
Luna: And how do we pick these two teams you ask? Simple, the two teams with the highest point total at the time of their elimination will be the ones to compete.
Celestia: And those teams are...
The megascreen switched back on and showed the image of the first team competing, as they had the higher of the two scores. Applejack, Rarity and Big Mac appeared onscreen.
Celestia: Team Applejewel!
"YEEHAW!" Applejack screamed as she jumped up.
"Oh," Rarity clapped, "this is just wonderful."
"Eeyup!" Mac agreed before they all turned back to the screen, as the second team was shown.
Luna: And their opponents...
The screen changed to show a team that didn't expect to see themselves since they had been eliminated quite early in the round. Twilight, Sunset and Fluttershy.
Luna: Team Tidal Maidens!
"I don't believe it," Fluttershy gasped before smiling.
"Well believe it," Sunset told her. "Looks like the other teams that were eliminated after us didn't get enough points before then." She turned to Twilight, "isn't this great Twilight?"
The glasses-wearing teen turned to her teammate before smiling. "It sure is." She turned looked over at her team's opponents, the three shooting them a bunch of smirks. "You guys better watch out, cause we're giving this playoff everything we've got."
"Same ear," Applejack replied. "Ya'll better bring ya'h A game, cause we ain't goin down easy." The others nodded in agreement before they turned back to the field.
Celestia: With that, the second round is over. The playoff match will take place several days before the finals begin. Until then, we hope to see you again.
Two days later.
If you asked Flash where he expected to spend the few days between the second round and playoff, a luxury beach resort would be at the very bottom of that list. But here he was with his team, alongside team Wonderbolts, Tidal Maidens, Applejewel, Crusaders, Misty, Cold, Shining, Cadance, Flurry and Tidal.
The crescent moon shaped beach was on private land, surrounded by thick woodland and mountainside. It was the perfect place to go where no one would both you."
"Hermosa!" Tidal cheered as he spun around on the sand, dressed in nothing but light green swimming trunks. "This beach is fantástica. The perfect place to rest and recharge after a hard round of Duelling." He looked over at the large beach front mansion, which was where the lot of them were staying and saw everybody else step out onto the deck in their swimwear.
"It sure is impressive," Spike said as he and Sunburst stepped onto the beach. "I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm feeling like celebrating."
"But why are we here anyway?" Flash asked before turning to Applejack's and his girlfriend's teams, "you guys have that playoff match to focus on. You really think now is a good time to be slacking off?"
Cold stepped up to him. "This is a special treat for the finalists. A way to make sure you're all well rested for the finals. Team Dominator declined the invitation, so we offered it to the two playoff teams. Plus we had some extra space, so I offered to bring the finalists family."
"Oh," Flash said as Twilight stepped up next to him.
"Honestly, I could use a bit of a break. If anything, it'll mean we're well-rested and not so uptight when the finals come."
Flash nodded, but suddenly felt and arm wrap around his neck. "Besides," he turned to see Tidal was the one holding him, "this is the perfect place to have a little chat with you about something important."
"What?" Flash asked in confusion, only for Tidal to let him go and jump infront of him.
He pointed a finger right in Flash's face. "You're going to tell us what you know about the Dominators!" Flash's eyes went wide, along side Misty's while Cold frowned.
"Dominators?" Rainbow asked in confusion, "what about them?" The rest of the group all looked confused as well, all eyes suddenly landing on Flash.
The teen looked around and saw he was being stared at, feeling like a specimen under a microscope. He then turned to Cold and his mother, mentally asking what they should do. But before Cold could answer, he felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see Shining looking at him.
"Same with you," he told him.
Cadance nodded as she and Flurry stepped up to him, "we know you've been busy taking action behind the scenes. Especially when Misty suddenly reappeared while Grand disappeared."
"What are you hiding?" Shining asked.
Cold and he locked eyes for several seconds before eventually sighing, "alright. We'll tell you everything."
"Hey," Soarin spoke up, "what's all this about?" Tidal then turned to him.
"It's something very few would believe. But I get the feeling you're one of those few." He turned towards a nearby peer and motioned everybody over, "come on." They headed onto that peer, where a bunch of comfy sofas laid and sat down. Once they were settled, Flash, Cold and Misty told them everything.
"And that's about it," Flash finished his story. He looked around and saw looks of shock, amazement, anger and several others on everyone's faces.
"I can't believe it," Scootaloo said.
Sweetie nodded. "To think that team Dominator..."
"Are actually Duel Monster Spirits," Applebloom finished.
"More like the fusions of human and Duel Spirits," Misty explained. "The two spirits combined their energies, creating a new spirit that has both of their memories but only has the Duel Monster's beliefs."
Twilight turned to Flash, "so Heath is actually-"
"Flaming Emperor Hellfire," Flash finished. "And the Duel Spirit controlling Tempest is Storm King Dominator."
"What about Starlight?" Sunburst asked. He could hardly believe what Flash was saying, but given his friend's sudden personality shift and the images Tempest showed him, he had to accept it was the truth.
Flash frowned, "I don't know. I'm only able to really see what the Duel Spirit is when they play the card. I haven't actually been there during any of Starlight's Duels, so I haven't been able to tell if any of her cards are the ones controlling her. However, Sombra did say that many Duel Spirits have felt the connection to their Duellists be cut. He may have been talking about her Celestial Spirit monsters."
"I see," Sunburst hoped the Celestial Spirits weren't the ones controlling her. He had given her Leo, which lead to her gathering the other cards, so if it was one of them then it was his fault she ended up like this. "Starlight."
Everyone else who had Duelled Tempest or her teammates all thought back to when they were shown those images, the pieces now fitting into place. Flash then turned to Tidal, "so what did you find out."
"Not much," the water Duellist replied. "I started looking into Moondancer's background and learned she only started coming out of her shell about a year ago, just after the time of the Shadow Gate incident."
"When the rest of the Dominators came here," Cold caught on.
"Yes," Tidal nodded, "I didn't know exactly what happened to her then but I knew it had to be something to do with Duel Monsters. But to think that she was a...Soulinked Duellist-" Flash nodded, saying he got it right. "This whole time, it's not what I was expecting." The others all nodded, now knowing the truth.
"So what exactly is Tempest's goal?" Sunset asked.
"We're not sure about the specifics," Cold replied. "But from what Flash told us about what his team saw, it seems that she wants to destroy our world before we do it ourselves and destroy their world in the process. A plan they're calling Operation Omega Zenith." Everyone shivered at the sound of that.
"Hang on," they all turned to Twilight as she stood up. "Listen, before we get carried away, not all the Soulinked Duellists are apart of this."
"She's right," Flash agreed. "Heath doesn't have a clue what they're up to."
Twilight nodded, "and he was the one who replaced Moondancer."
"And she absolutely loved Duelling," Tidal finished. "I have no doubt that if she had discovered Tempest's plans, she would have refused to be apart of it. Moondancer...and Saltalunam were wonderful Duellists. And more than that, they were our amigos." Everyone nodded in agreement, as Cold stood up.
"If the final round, we need to try and discover what Operation Omega Zenith entails." His gaze then turned hard, "but let me reassure you, that no matter what they're trying to pull off...THEY WILL NOT DESTROY THE DOUBLE X! WE WILL NOT ALLOW IT!"
Shining nodded as he too stood up, "you should all continue in the tournament as if nothing is wrong. Stay focused on achieving the goals you've set for yourselves."
Cold nodded, "the Double X will be safe."
"Under our protection," Shining finished. The many teams all stood up and nodded, knowing they were right. They weren't gonna let these Dominators ruin the game they loved. They all planned on winning it, Duel Spirits be darned.
"And I'm gonna beat Tempest Shadow!" Flash announced to the whole group. "She's already managed to beat me twice. Well, not this time! This time she's gonna pay for it." Everyone nodded, getting a feeling that Flash might end up being the one to ultimately beat Tempest. But even after saying that, Twilight sauntered over to him with a curious look on her face.
"By the way," she asked in a tone that suddenly put her boyfriend on edge. "Can I check something with you?" She suddenly shot her face towards his until they were but inches apart, the scowl on her face showing him he was in trouble. "How long have you known about all this Dominator stuff and kept it from us!?"
"Err," Flash's whole body shock in fear as he thought back. "Well...I guess it's been since the end of the first round." Twilight's scowl intensified before she reached up and grabbed his ear, making him cry out in pain as she started pulling him towards the end of the peer. "Hey, ow ow ow ow ow!"
Everyone else watched as they reached the very end, the saw Twilight use an insane level of strength to toss him into the water. He cried out and he hit it with a loud splash. "Ah," Cadance sighed, "young love."
Flash's head broke out of the surface, the teen spluttering out water before he turned to Twilight. "Am I forgiven?" He asked her, watching her scowl remain on her face for several seconds. It then morphed into a smile before she leapt into the water, right on top of him and pushing him back under for a second.
A good portion of the teens rushed to the end of the peer and started leaping off of it, Rarity, Gilda and Mac being the only ones staying on dry land, then began splashing around in the water or whatever else they found fun. Cadance and Shining were trying to show Flurry the basics of swimming, though the infant refused to let go of her inflatable duck ring.
Rarity, Gilda and Misty sat on deckchairs, Rarity and Misty appearing to be sunbathing while Gilda was relaxing with an umbrella protecting her from the sun. Mac and Cold were sitting at a table, drinking ice drinks.
After about an hour of fun, the teens headed back ashore and found Tidal coming out of the mansion. "Hey, Tidal." Spike rushed over to him. "You know if there's any watermelon in the fridge. We wanna spit the pips." But the look on the man's face made them begin to worry.
"Sorry amigos, but there's been a hitch."
"What kind of a hitch?" Twilight asked. Five seconds later, every tree in the forest shook at the vibrations coming off the teens saying the exact same thing. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN THERE'S NO FOOD!"
Soon enough, everyone was surrounding Tidal as he frowned. "I just got off the phone with the people that own this beach. They were gonna send supplies here by boat, but it broke down so they can't get here for the delivery or to even pick us up."
"Can't they use another boat?" Gilda asked, to which Tidal shook his head.
"So you're saying we're stuck on this beach with nothing to eat and barely anything to drink?" Flash asked, Tidal's nodding making everyone grow worried.
"But don't worry," Tidal assured them. "It seems the people that own the place left some stuff just in case this happened." He rushed inside, everyone expecting him to bring out some kind of emergency rations, only for him to return holding several wicker baskets, a pair of large water jugs and fishing rods. "Here," he placed them down, "with these we can gather our own food."
"Seriously?" Everyone asked in shock, as Tidal pulled out a hat with several pieces of paper inside.
"Alright," he shuffled the papers around, "we'll draw to see who does what. We have fishing, hunting, collecting fruits and vegetables or...whatever. Everyone come on up and grab your assignment." They all sighed but did as they were told, one by one taking out a piece of paper and seeing what job they'd gotten. Once they saw what they had, they headed out.
In the woods, Twilight was looking at a map showing the quickest and safest route towards a waterfall where they would be able to fill the jugs. "It looks like we're going the right way."
"Great," her partner replied, "because I'm not sure how much longer I can carry these things." She rolled her eyes and looked back to see Flash with the water jugs strapped to his back.
"Don't go complaining yet," she told him. "You still have to carry them all the way back once they're full." She heard him moan, which made her smile.
"Is this punishment for not telling you."
"A little. Also because this might help you build that six-pack I've been hoping you'd get."
"Seriously?" Flash asked, "what makes you think I'll get a six-pack by carrying water jugs. Why'd you even want me to have one?"
"Cadance is always going on about how she has the hunkiest other half. I'd love to rub my own in her face."
Flash sighed, "Girls." With that, he continued to follow her into the woods. As he did, he wondered how the others were doing."
In another part of the forest, Sunburst, Spike and Fluttershy were out gathering fruits and vegetables. Each of them was carrying a wicker basket on their backs.
"Remember to watch where you're stepping," Sunburst told his team. But seconds later, he felt himself step on something. He looked down as saw he's stepped on some kind or red hose, then followed it into a bush before noticing a pair of bright yellow eyes.
He and Spike froze in fear at the sight of a giant snake coiling out of the bushes, while Fluttershy smile at it. "Oh, hello little guy." But before she could step towards it, the boys grabbed her by the arm and rushed off screaming. The snake tilted its head in confusion, wondering where its new friends were going.
Back on the beach, Rainbow, Soarin, Applejack, Gilda and Mac had moved over to the edge were a rock-pool could be found.
There, they planned on finding some crabs and shrimp. Rainbow and Applejack were carrying buckets while Soarin and Mac had nets and plastic shoves. Gilda meanwhile, was still on the beach looking bored. "This is so lame," she said.
"It'd be a lot less lame if ya'h came help ya'h know," Applejack told her.
Gilda frowned, "you can't tell me what to do."
"Come on Gilda," Rainbow told her as Soarin scooped up another crab. "What, you scared?"
"OF COURSE NOT!" Gilda grabbed a bucket she'd been given and stepped onto the rocks, but slipped a few feet in and fell into the water. "YAH!" She cried as she started splashing in panic, surprising the others as they rushed over to her.
They then stopped when they realised something, "Gilda!" The girl didn't seem to notice her, still panicking. Rainbow then jumped in and landed next to her, Gilda finally noticing her and also noticing he water didn't even go up to her knees.
"Oh," Gilda suddenly went red-faced.
Applejack jumped in next to her, "ya'h can't swim...can ya'h?"
Gilda's face went even redder, "would you believe me if I said I was just messing with you guys?"
"Nope," Mac replied. This made Gilda sigh as she dropped her head, knowing her secret was out.
Back at the mansion, Rarity, Misty, Tidal, Cadance and the Crusaders were busy preparing everything for when the others returned.
"Alright," Rarity said once the BBQ was lit, "that should do it."
"This is gonna be a breeze," Sweetie said as she and Applebloom brought some plates and glasses out.
"We definitely lucked out," the youngest Apple agreed.
Further down the beach, Cadance, Tidal, Mac and Scootaloo were listening to Misty as she explained the best way to build a bonfire. "Are you sure this is gonna work?" Cadance asked as she and Tidal placed the log the way Misty suggested.
"Of course," the older woman replied. "You don't spend two decades in the Duel Monster Spirit without picking up a few survival trips."
"Cool," Scootaloo placed the log down before turning to her mother, "what else did you learn?" This made Misty smile as she patted her daughter's head.
"Quite a bit, but let's focus on the bonfire for now." Scootaloo nodded and got back to work, while Misty turned to the forest. "I just hope the others find us something to eat."
Over on another peer, Shining, Cold and Sunset were fishing.
As the three sat down and waited for a bit, Cold turned to Shining. "Why are we doing this? We could have just used the emergency rations."
Shining laughed, "I guess we're not really in a state of emergency."
"Speak for yourself," Sunset said as she looked down to see if any fish were swimming nearby. "I thought I'd escaped the seafood life."
Cold sighed, "we're letting Tidal take this too far."
"Where's the harm," Shining then shot him a grin. "But for now, let's see who can catch the biggest fish. I bet it's me."
Cold met his grin with his own, "don't be so sure." Lightning sparked between the two, "the challenge is on."
Sunset sighed, "boys."
"We found it," Twilight smiled as she and Flash arrived at the waterfall. It was feeding a large pool, the edge of which Flash dunked the jugs before collapsing onto his knees.
"At last!" He literally dunked his head into the water and started drinking it. This made Twilight roll her eyes and she picked up the jugs and started filling it. Once it was full, she turned towards Flash but saw he was gone from where he'd been before.
"Flash?" She looked around, but couldn't see him anywhere. But before she could get worried, she heard his voice echo through the trees.
"YAHOOOOO!" She turned to see Flash swinging through the air on a vine, eventually let go as he was above the water and splashed into it. Twilight hadn't been expecting this, so hadn't been expecting a massive blast of water fly out the pool and land on top of her.
"FLASH!" She cried as she began to shiver, turning back towards the pool just in time to see Flash's head break the surface before he swam over to the edge.
"Come on in," he told her. "The water's great."
"No chance," she told him. "Besides, we're supposed to get the water back to the others."
"It'll be okay if we spend a little while here," he pulled himself out of the water and stepped over to her. "Besides, if they ask what took us so long we'll say we got lost."
"And make them think I can't read a map? No way." But then she saw him give her a smirk.
"I'm not giving you a choice." And before she could ask what he was talking about, he suddenly picked her up bridal style and ran over to the edge.
"NO!" But it was too late, Flash jumped into the water with her in his arms. They remained under for about five seconds before Twilight wiggled out of his arms and swam up to the surface. She took a massive gasp of air once she was freed and swam towards the edge, pulling herself up as she heard Flash laughing.
She looked around, now sitting on the edge with her legs still in the water, as Flash pulled himself up by his arms right infront of her. "You're a jerk," she told him. Flash smiled back before pushing his head forwards, the two locking lips and beginning to make out for several long seconds.
They eventually had to pull apart, damn need of oxygen, and smiled at one another before Twilight reached up and poked her finger into his forehead. With a little shove, she pushed him back so he lost grip of the edge and fell back into the water. Twilight laughed before dipping back into it, the two beginning to swim around one another.
They eventually swam close together, Flash placing his hands on her hips and pulling her into another kissing session whilst they floated under the waterfall. They didn't seem to notice the water splashing onto them, too focused on one another as they made up for lost time spent on the Double X.
Eventually, they pulled apart and looked into one another's eyes. "I am sorry about not telling you about all this. It's just...with everything that's happened to you, I didn't want you to have to deal with something like this."
Twilight frowned for a second, "I understand. But we're a team, always have been. If something becomes a problem for you, it's a problem for me. Besides, you should have known I'd want to know about who Moondancer really was. It wouldn't have changed how I saw her, or my decision to compete in the Double X. So from now on, promise me you'll tell me about this stuff."
Flash nodded, "I promise." They shared one more quick kiss, "so...am I forgiven."
Twilight smiled back at him, "I guess. As long as you don't do it again."
After finally getting away from the snake, though Fluttershy told them it wasn't chasing them, she, Sunburst and Spike found themselves outside a cave that looked like it went underground beneath one of the mountains.
"Look at this place," Spike gawked at it. "It's huge," he then smiled. "I bet we'd find some really great food in there."
"Like what?" Sunburst asked, "you telling me you usually eat rocks and gems?"
"Don't be silly," Spike said as he began to step inside. "But I bet this place is hiding something amazing."
"I don't know Spike," Fluttershy told him. "What if we get lost?"
"We'll just go in as far as we can see the exit, then if we don't find anything we'll come back out." He continued inwards, Sunburst sighing as he followed with a quivering Fluttershy doing the same. They carefully made their way down the slope until they reached the bottom and headed inwards, only to stop when they suddenly caught sight of hundred of red lights. "W-what's that?" Spike asked as Fluttershy tried to hide behind Sunburst.
The bespectacled teen pulled out a flashlight Tidal had given them and switched it on, pointing it up at the ceiling and showing that the lights were actually eyes. The owns, a heck tone of black bats. "AAAAAHHHHH!" Spike and Sunburst cried before they ran out the cave, Fluttershy staying behind and smiling up at them. "Hello there. Sorry for intruding." The bats let out a calm squeak, showing they weren't going to attack.
Sunburst and Spike both panted as they finally came to a stop, the two holding their sides due to split pains. "Serious, why do we keep running into killer animals?" Sunburst asked.
"Just bad luck I guess," Spike replied.
"Maybe," Sunburst finally stood up straight, "guess it's better to use up all our bad luck now before the finals."
Spike nodded as he turned to him, "are you okay with all this? I know finding out your friend is possessed can be a lot to take in, I know from experience."
Sunburst frowned, images of Starlight flashing before his eyes. "I admit finding that out was a shock, but I'm glad I know." He looked up to the skies, "I was amazed when I learned she was in the Double X. I always knew she'd make it big in the Duelling world, so I was looking forward to facing off against he like I promised. But when I saw how different she was, I was hurt. When she said I wasn't anything special, it crushed me. She'd always been my main inspiration, so hearing her say that made me lose all my drive." He turned back to Spike, "but now that I know the truth I know that wasn't really Starlight. Now that I know that, I won't let her words get to me. I'll keep fighting until I beat her and knock whatever spirit's controlling out of her body."
Spike smiled, nodding at him. "And I'll help you in any way I can."
"Thanks," Sunburst smiled, "she may have beaten me before. But next time...I'm gonna crush her."
Back at the rock pool, the others were back on the hunt while Gilda remained on the beach.
Since she couldn't swim, they'd elected that Gilda keep an eye on the creatures they'd caught to make sure they didn't go bad in the sun or get sand on them.
"Got it," Soarin pulled another crab out of the water before dunking it in Applejack's bucket.
"Nice one partner," Applejack moved over to the edge of the rocks and gave the bucket to Gilda.
As Soarin put his net back in the water, he thought back to what he'd learned earlier. "I still can't believe it. All those Duel Monsters, Dominating people."
"Yeah," Rainbow agreed, "it is kinda weird."
"A'h know a'd hate to have ma'h body stolen," Applejack said. "That's why we gotta do what we can to free those being controlled."
"Eeyup."
"But...can we?" Soarin asked.
Rainbow nodded. "Cold said they just had to be beaten a few times. We can do that. Heck, you managed to beat Starlight."
Soarin smiled, "yeah you're right."
"Who cares if they're from another world," Gilda said from the shore. "We'll take them down and win this competition."
"Not if we beat them first," Applejack told them.
"Eeyup!" Mac agreed while lifting out another crab.
"I think that's enough," Rainbow told them. "Let's get back." The others nodded and began to make their way back to the mansion.
Back on the peer, the fishers had managed to catch only a few small fish.
As they did this, Sunset turned to look at Cold. The man glanced over at her, making her look away. "What is it?" He asked her. "You wanna say something, so what is it?"
Sunset sighed, "why didn't you tell me about all this? If I had known-"
"You wouldn't have been able to enjoy the Double X," Cold finished for her. "After everything I put you and the others through, I was hoping I wouldn't need to bother you with it. I was quite surprised to find you entering on your own."
"You can thank Twilight for that." Sunset looked up at the sun, "but I still wish you'd have told me. You know I'll always be there to help you when you need it."
"The same goes for me," Shining said. "I don't know what the Dominators have planned, but I know it's gonna cause problems for Duellists. I won't let that happen. I'll make sure to keep this game alive, for the future generations to come." He smiled as he remembered an image of Flurry playing with Duel cards, no doubt one day going to become just as great a Duellists as the rest of her family. "I won't let my daughter live in a world without this amazing game."
Cold and Sunset both smiled, Sunset then turning to the men. "Hey guys, I know things have gotten quite complicated, but the Double X is still a gateway to becoming a professional isn't it?"
"It sure is," Shining assured her. "There's a lot of scouts coming to watch the finals."
"Good," Sunset told them. "Because I'm gonna become a pro, and help spread the joys of Duelling across the world." Cold and Shining both smiled at his, only for Sunset to suddenly feel a pull on her line. "WOW!" She pulled back on it, "I think I've got something." She tried to pull back, but whatever it was was strong.
Shining rushed over to help her while turning to Cold. "Quick, get the net's ready. The nets!"
"Huh?" Cold looked around, "what nets?" Sunset and Shining felt a tug that almost pulled them into the water, but Cold managed to grab them and pull them back. After a few more seconds, whatever had the line finally jumped out of the water and revealed itself to be a fish that was almost as big as them.
Back in the woods, Fluttershy, Spike and Sunburst had all found an area with a bunch of fruit growing off the trees.
"These look delicious," Fluttershy said as she picked on and placed it into the basket. "We should pick a whole bunch of them."
Spike and Sunburst meanwhile, had spotted a caterpillar on one of the trees and was staring at it. "You know," Spike said. "I heard worms were a great source of protein."
"Yes," Sunburst replied, "and?"
Spike smirked at him, "go ahead and try one." This made Sunburst frown at him.
"You eat it first." Spike laughed before they heard a rustling sound coming from the bushes, the three of them turning to see a bunch of little brown piglets rushing out of them.
"Wow," Spike awed, "baby boars."
Fluttershy's eyes began to sparkle, "aren't they the cutest thing?" She knelt down as they came up to her, beginning to pet them whilst Spike and Sunburst got an idea.
"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Sunburst asked, turning to Spike and seeing him smile.
"Boar hotpot?" This statement made Fluttershy freeze up before turning to them, a look of terror in her eyes.
"We can't!" But the sinister smiles on the boy's faces showed they wouldn't be stopped. But before they could act on their plan, the bushes rustled once again.
They turned around, only to see a fully grown boar step out. Its eyes showed great fury as it snorted while scraping its hoof along the ground. "Uh oh!" Spike cried, "that the momma!"
"She ain't happy!" Sunburst cried. The beast let out a roar before charging, the two boys turning on their heel to leg it away as fast as they could.
All Fluttershy could do was watch as they ran, baby boar still in her arms, and smile at the just desserts.
Back at the waterfall, Flash and Twilight had decided to head back with completely filled water jugs in hand.
Twilight had decided to actually carry one of them, as they made their way through the woods. And as they did, Flash smiled. "It's funny, isn't it."
"What is?" Twilight asked.
"Just how much things can change in such a short time." He looked up at the skies. "When you went to France and Rainbow went to Cloudsdale, I was starting to lose all my enthusiasm. I felt like all the friends I'd made were starting to drift away." Twilight frowned hearing this. "But when I learned about the Double X, not only did my bonds seem to return but they also strengthened. And I got to forge new bonds with people I'd never have got the chance to meet."
Twilight's frown was replaced with a smile. "Duelling really is an amazing thing. It's what connects so many people around the world."
Flash nodded, "and not just our world. It's what connects us to the Duel Monsters we use." He frowned and looked up at the sky, "Tempest only sees the game as us abusing their power. But she doesn't understand the bonds we share with our cards. We're not just using them as weapons. We're fighting side by side, as partners."
"As friends," Twilight finished. The two turned to one another and smiled before Flash looked serious.
"I don't know what Tempest has planned, but I won't let her destroy the game I love. Duelling's brought so many great things into my life and I won't let it disappear. I don't care how strong they are, I won't allow the Dominators to destroy it."
Twilight nodded. "And I'll be there, helping you. Even if we end up going against one another in the finals, let's give it our all so no matter who the winner is, they'll be ready to take the Dominators down."
Flash nodded back, taking her hand in his as they continued walking. But in that moment, a loud scream made them turn to see Spike and Sunburst leap out the bushes infront of them before running passed. Seconds later, a giant boar could be seen giving chase. To say the two were confused would be an understatement.
Later.
Once everyone was back at the mansion, they got to work preparing the food.
Soon enough, everything was ready and the army of mouths began to dig in. "Hmm," Cadance moaned before turning to her husband. "Great work honey. This fish is delicious."
"Thanks," Shining replied from the grill. "But Sunset was the one who caught it."
"It was nothing," Sunset replied. Despite the effort she'd used to catch it, she had yet to try the fish. She'd had enough of that type of food to last a lifetime.
"This fruit is so good," Tidal cried as he took another bite of the fruit Fluttershy had brought back on her own. The girl smiled as she ate her own piece of fruit, whilst Rainbow, Applejack, Soarin, Mac and Gilda enjoyed some freshly caught crab.
As Spike finished his shrimp, he turned to Flash. "So what's the plan for after we've finished?"
Flash smirked, "you have to ask?" He quickly gobbled down the stuff on his plate before putting it down and pulling out his Duel Disk. Everyone smiled before doing the same, ready to have some real fun.
"DUEL!"
All over the beach, multiple monsters began to appear. "Guess whose gonna win the final stage?" Sunburst asked as his magician charged towards Spike's monster, "ME!"
"I FUSION SUMMON!" Soarin cried as Grand Convoy appeared, then charged towards Gilda and Zephyr Blitz.
"Watch out Dominators!" Rainbow cried as Battle Wing Gold appeared before her, then charged at Orchard Cowboy. "Cause I'm taking you all down!"
"GO!" Fluttershy cried as her dragon charged towards Bountiful Maiden of Grand Bloom.
"ATTACK!" Sunset yelled as her phoenix attacked Bloom Prima the Melodious Choir.
"I won't stop," Twilight announced as her Warlock appeared. "Not until I've reached the very top!" The wizard fired a blast at Soveruin, Tidal smiling as it did.
"That struck my...HEART!"
"I PENDULUM SUMMON!" Flash cried as his ace appeared on the field. "HERE I COME!" He announced as Flash Heart attacked Wild Rush Raptor, Gem-Knight Lady and Cyber Handyman, "THE FINAL ROUND!"
That night.
As the sun began to set, the adults got to work lighting the bonfire. Once it was ablaze, everyone enjoyed staring at the flames as they flickered and danced in the air.
As the watched, they couldn't help but look back on the day they'd had and the decision they'd all made to finally stop the Dominators. No matter what, these Duel Spirits would not be allowed to go unchecked. They would defeat them and save those whose bodies had been stolen. Because whether they believed it or not, Duelling was not a weapon. It was what connected everyone to each other, no matter the dimension.
And no matter what, they would not allow it to be destroyed.