//------------------------------// // Turn 49: The Guidance of our Lord // Story: Yugioh EQG: XX // by Banshee531 //------------------------------// Right before the final match. "Here," Cold handed Flash a card. The two of them were standing in the corridor leading out to their team box. Flash took the card and turned it over, his eyes going wide when he saw what it was. "Tempest Rogue Scarvolt." Cold nodded. "This is the card Tempest originally used before Storm King stole her body. I'm no expert in these kinds of matters, but I get the feeling she'd like to be there when her partner is freed." Flash frowned, "you really think I can save Tempest?" Cold smirked. "There's probably no one more likely to do so. And you know why that is?" Flash shook his head, "because you understand what Storm King doesn't. The true power that this game has. The power to create bonds with anyone around you." He patted him on the shoulder. "Think back to before I gave you your deck. You were completely alone and had no idea how to make friends." Flash frowned, remembering those days all too clearly. "But when you started Duelling, you started forming bonds with all those around you. And not just in this world, but in the Duel Monster Spirit World." Flash smiled and pulled out his deck, looking through the cards and feeling a warmth coming off of them. "You see, you understand how precious these cards are." "You're right," Flash nodded. "These aren't just cards to me. They practically are the monsters. They're my friends." "Exactly," Cold said, "and that's why you're the best one to show this Duel monster why this game is so great. Because it's helped no one more then you grow into the best version of themselves." Flash smiled and nodded, "thanks Cold." Cold nodded back before turning away from him. "Now go on, your team's waiting for you." With that, Cold headed off while Flash turned the head down the opposite direction. And as he did, he looked down at the Tempest Rogue card and smiled. Present. Flash continued to stare at the card, then back at the Dominated Tempest. He knew Cold was right. He was the only one capable of freeing her from her prison now, but even so, it wasn't gonna be easy. Tempest meanwhile, held her head as a pounding pain beat inside it. She growled, 'I almost let myself lose control then.' She thought back to when the three had entered her mind, meeting the spirit that controlled her. 'I can't let myself lose my grasp like that again.' She looked up at Flash, glaring at her final opponent here at the Double X. 'I'm so close. I won't let myself fall now.' Celestia: With Sunburst's defeat, the outcome of the Double X will now rest on this next Duel. Luna: And taking part in the deciding battle, will be the final two members of each team. Flash and Tempest stared each other down. Both of them remembered back to the day they first met, the day this whole adventure began. And now here they stood, ready to face off against one another one final time. Up in the stands, Twilight and Misty both stared worriedly at Flash. Having seen what Tempest managed to do to Sunburst, they both feared the same fate might befall him. Starlight meanwhile, was more worried about Sunburst and his current condition. "Please be okay." Celestia: We've now reached the climax of the tournament. All over the world, spectators were watching the Double X's conclusion. This included Grand, who along with Pinkie and Maud were currently in a city across the country following up a lead they had about Marble. But right now they were currently watching a TV in a hotel lobby, which was showing the Double X. Luna: It's been a long journey, this will be the final Duel of the Double X Tournament. In another city on the far side of the country, Adagio and her sisters were also watching. They were chasing down other leads for Cold but had so far found nothing that might help. Celestia: One last battle to decide which team will be crowned our new champions! "Flash," The teen turned back and saw Sunburst crack his eyes open. "You got this," he moaned out through the pain. "Be strong." Flash knelt down beside him and smiled, "I will. Don't worry." Sunburst nodded as he held up a shaky fist before patting it into Flash's heart. "Just remember, all we've achieved. Stand strong and make sure they get the message. Show them your way of Duelling, loud a clear." Flash nodded, "sure. You know I will." With that, he helped lift Sunburst onto Spike's back. Once his teammate was steady, Spike turned to Flash. "Good luck," he told him before heading off to their box. As this had been going on, Tempest watched with a frown on her face. 'So weak.' She remembered back to when they'd entered her mind, and what they had said back then. "It's true...individually, we might be powerless. But if we work together, we can make the impossible possible." "Turn despair into hope." "And turn defeat...into victory" 'Needing to rely on others to become strong. How trivial. Working together should only be done to combined your already incredible strength into something unstoppable, not used to make your strength incredible.' She watched as Spike and Sunburst finally returned to the box, while Flash turned to glare at her. "I won't forgive you for what you've done." Tempest grunted, "like I care." They both prepared themselves for the Duel, as the crowd began to loudly cheer for the Duellist they wanted to win. "You'd better win this match Flash!" Scootaloo called out to her brother, "or else. There are no more chances left after this one." "We believe in you Flash!" Applebloom cried out. "You can do it!" Sweetie squeaked out. "Good luck darling!" Rarity cheered. "A'h don't wanna see you holdin back," Applejack hollered. "Ya'd better give this Duel everything ya'h got, ya'h here me." "Eeyup!" "Do your best out there!" Fluttershy said as loudly as she could. "Show us what you're made of!" Rainbow cried out. "Go get'em!" Soarin cheered, while Gilda just sat back with a smirk on her face. Sunset smiled. 'There's something about Flash's Duels that always gets the crowd going.' She turned to look down at Tempest, 'how's she going to respond to that?' Tempest watched as Flash's Duel Disk activated and he drew his cards. "So it comes down to this, Flash Sentry." Flash looked through his cards and began to formulate a strategy. As he did, he thought back to when they'd met in the park. She'd seemed so...different back then. But know, he knew who she truly was. "I've waited for this moment for a long time." They locked eyes one more time, as Flash reach for his deck. "This is the decider. And now, the time for payback is here." Luna: The climax of the Double X Tournament. Are you ready for the big finale!? The crowd exploded with excitement, everyone on the edge of their seats. Celestia: Then let's not waste any more time. In THREE! Luna: TWO!" All: ONE" "DUEL!" Flash: 4000 Tempest: 3600 "I draw!" Flash looked through the cards and nodded, "I'll start by setting the Pendulum Scale, with scale one Magna Caster Ratio and scale eight Lustrous Feather Magna Leghorn!" The pillars of light appeared on either side of him before the two monsters flew up into them, as Flash began to chant. "Cut through space time and carve the arc of victory!" The portal began to form, "I PENDULUM SUMMON!" The portal opened before a light shot out of it and hit the ground, exploding to reveal his monster. "Flash Wing Magna Pegasus!" (A1400/D800/L4) "And since Flash Wing was Special Summoned, I can banish one card in your hand." He pointed a gun-shaped finger at Tempest's hand before pretending to fire it, doing so causing one of the cards to shoot out of her hand. "Gyah!" She cried as the card was banished. Luckily for her, it wasn't her Staff card. "Next," Flash reached for his deck, "I activate Ratio's Pendulum Ability to look at the top three cards of my deck and banish one monster from among them." He did so and looked through the cards before picking one, "I banish Glow Claw Magna Chimp!" The ghostly image of the robotic monkey appeared above Flash Wing before exploding, the lights flying into the pegasus and making it glow. (A2200/D800/L4) "ATTACK!" Flash Wing's body was surrounded by lightning, which then shot off and struck Ryyk Dominator and destroyed it. Flash: 4000 Tempest: 3400 "I place three cards face down and end my turn." (A1400/D800/L4) "It's my turn," Tempest reached for her deck. "I draw." Celestia: Since the very first day of the tournament up to now, Tempest Shadow has managed to forge a path without a single loss to her name. "I PENDULUM SUMMON!" The portal opened before four lights shot out, revealing her monsters. "Tempest Rogue Dominator Scarvolt!" (A2500/D2000/L7/P4) "Storm Guard Dominator Glaive!" (A1900/D1200/L4/P3) "Storm Guard Dominator Ryyk!" (A2000/D1500/L4/P4) "And Storm Guard Dominator Shield!" (A1000/D2000/L4) "With four Dominators Special Summoned, Spine-Hog's ability let's draw four cards." She did so. Luna: Though burdened with the loss of one of her teammates in a tragic accident, her unbeaten steak shows she hasn't allowed it to affect her game. Celestia: Will Tempest Shadow be able to conquer the Double X, and dedicate her victory to the memory of her teammate? "Scarvolt's skill!" The Tempest Rogue reached into her coat before pulling out an Obsidian Orb, which she then tossed towards Flash Wing and caused it to be turned to stone. "Next," Tempest smiled, "I activate the Staff of Sacanas!" The staff suddenly appeared on the field, but this just made Flash smile. "I activate my Trap!" His face down flipped up before a strange metal box appeared infront of it. "Different Dimension Chest! This bad boy activates whenever a Spell or Trap is activated. Now that card is banished!" The box opened up before unleashing a sucking sensation which pulled the staff inside. Once that happened, the box shut before disappearing through a portal. Tempest growled as she watched his, realising her best card was now impossible to summon. "You were ready for it." Flash smirked, "I was a little worried when you summoned Storm King in your Duel against Sunburst. But you shot yourself in the foot sending it back to your deck. As long as Different Dimension Chest is on my field, your Staff is useless." Tempest smiled, "but if I were to destroy that chest?" Flash frowned, "then the card would return to your hand." "Perfect. It's just a matter of time. But until then, I'll have Glaive destroy your Pegasus!" The ape rushed forwards before swinging its bladed staff towards the statue, shattering it. Flash: 3500 Tempest: 3400 Flash grunted as he looked up to see Ryyk Dominator, rushing forwards. "I activate my Trap, Beacon of Hope!" He reached for his deck and quickly drew a card, smiling when he saw what it was. "I summon Reflector Scale Magna Snake!" The robotic serpent appeared in a burst of light, jumping between Flash and Ryyk before getting destroyed. Flash: 3100 Tempest: 3400 Tempest frowned, "well now I attack you directly with Scarvolt!" The Tempest Rogue rushed forwards as her broken sword was completed by a blade of electricity before slashing it towards Flash. "GO!" Flash's face down flipped up, "Defence Draw!" The force field appeared around Flash and blocked the lightning blade, while Flash drew a card. Tempest frowned, "I end my turn." "It's my turn!" Flash reached for his deck, "I draw!" Luna: Up against Tempest is the Celestic Cup Champion, Flash Sentry! "I activate Starburst Reload, which lets me banish Flash Wing to draw four cards." He did so, as the portal formed above his head. "I PENDULUM SUMMON!" The portal opened before a pair of lights shot out and hit the ground, revealing Flash's monsters. "Unleash your roar, Star Fang Magna Tiger!" (A2400/D2100/L7) "Get to work, Reflector Scale Magna Snake!" (A1600/D1300/L4/P7) "Then I summon Vail Pixie X!" A flash of light revealed the little fairy, who flew down beside the other two monsters. (A100/D100/L1) "And with Leghorn's ability, I'll increase her Level by two!" The star on Leghorn's chest glowed before unleashing to lights that hit Vail Pixie. (A100/D100/L3) Celestia: What a challenge for this young Duellist. Leading the team he put together for the tournament. "I tune Level three Vail Pixie with Level four Reflector Scale Magna Snake!" The little fairy flew into the air, transforming into the three light rings that Magna Snake slithered into. "Memories of strength long forgotten, return in an explosion of power!" The two monster disappeared in an explosion of brilliant light. "I SYNCHRO SUMMON!" The light faded to reveal Flash's monster. "Flashback Dragon!" (A2300/2200/L7) Luna: His team barely made it through the first round, only managing to secure a space in the next round thanks to a sudden death knockout. But they've worked well as a team to overcome any adversity, defeating their opponents along the way. Celestia: And now, here they are in the final. "Flashback's skill!" The dragon curled up and bit its own tail, creating a circle that was soon filled with light that Magna Tiger leapt towards. "By banishing my Magna Tiger, I can summon two monsters from my Deck whose Level equals his." As the robotic tiger-man flew into the portal, two lights shot out the other side. They then exploded, revealing the summoned monsters. "Magna Fighter Gun Runner!" (A1600/D1400/L4) "And Crystal Tusk Manga Boar!" (A1000/D1000/L3/P2) "Now, for Ratio's Pendulum Ability!" He drew three cards, "I banish Spino-Gear Magna-Saur!" The ghostly robotic dinosaur appeared above Gun Runner, then exploded before the pieces flew into the Magna Fighter. (A2600/D1400/L4) "ATTACK!" Tempest watched as the Magna Fighter aimed its weapon at Scarvolt, then started rushing through the destroyed field. But before she could find one, Gun Runner fired and destroyed her Pendulum Monster. Flash: 3100 Tempest: 3300 Celestia: The Double X Tournament is one where every challenger arrives with the dream of winning. Fighting with their whole heart to make their dreams come true. "Gun Runner's skill!" His monster fired a blast of energy that created a portal, which the Magna Fighter leapt through. And as he did, a sphere of light shot out the other side and exploded to reveal Flash's ace. "Flash Heart Dragon...X!" (A2500/D2000/L7/P4) "And now for Flash Heart's skill!" A portal appeared behind Shield Dominator before it was sucked inside. Tempest frowned as she turned back to Flash and saw him jump up onto his ace's back. "Now, Flash Heart, take out Ryyk!" The robotic dragon's boosters ignited before it was rocketed forwards, Flash Heart slamming his fist into the giant ape. Flash: 3100 Tempest: 2800 "Now, Flashback!" The serpentine dragon flew up into the air before holding up its orbs, which unleashed a pair of lasers that combined as they drew closer to Glaive. As that was happening, Tempest jumped down onto the head of a fallen Obelisk The Tormentor Statue. And lying on it was an Action Card, which she quickly grabbed and activated. "I play the Action Spell, Evasion!" Glaive leapt out of the way of Flashback's attack, making Flash frown before he placed two cards face down. "I end my turn." Luna: Now, which of our two teams will become the new champion!? Over in their box, Spike and Sunburst both watched. "Come on Flash," Spike hoped. "You can do this," Sunburst prayed. Despite the pain he was in, and how tired he was, Sunburst didn't want to miss a second of this. They weren't the only ones watching intently. Everyone was staring down at the stadium, refusing to even blink for fear of missing something good. "If anyone can awaken the true Tempest Shadow," Cold told Flash. "It's you." "Flash," Misty quivered as she watched. Even with Storm King out of play, this was still gonna be dangerous. "He can do it," Twilight assured her. "Because there's one thing that set Flash apart from the rest of us. He's truly one with his cards." She looked back down at the field. "He practically is a Duel Spirit, considering where he was born. He understands them more than anyone." Misty smiled and nodded, "he is the bridge between our worlds." As Tempest drew her card, she looked over at Flash. 'Flash Sentry. The Pendulum Singularity.' Her mind flashed back to their previous Duels. 'To be honest, I was somewhat disappointed. He doesn't seem to be all that different from any other human being. However.' "I play Magical Mallet." She returned her entire hand to her deck, which shuffled before she drew new cards. As this was happening, the portal formed above her. "I PENDULUM SUMMON!" The portal formed before unleashing a trio of lights, which flew down next to Glaive. "Tempest Rogue Dominator Scarvolt!" (A2500/D2000/L7/P4) "Storm Guard Dominator Ryyk!" (A2000/D1500/L5/P9) "And Storm Guard Dominator Puppeteer!" (A1000/D1000/L4) Flash and everyone else flinched seeing that Dominator, knowing it was dangerous. Meanwhile, Tempest drew another three cards. 'Each time I defeat him, he seems to recover and appear before me again.' "Scarvolt's and Ryyk's skill!" The Tempest Rogue tossed the two Obsidian Orbs towards Flashback and Magna Boar, turning them both to stone whilst Tempest returned a card from her graveyard. "I activate, Dominator Lightning!" Electricity flew out of the stone statues and into Scarvolt's sword. (A3500/D2000/L7/P4) "ATTACK!" Scarvolt shot towards Magna Boar, lightning blade at the ready Flash looked all around from Flash Heart's back for an Action Card, finally spotting one next to the head of a Slifer the Sky Dragon statue. And as Scarvolt got closer, Flash leapt off his dragon whilst activating one of his Traps. "Go, Interception!" Flash Heart leapt infront of Magna Boar and took the hit, the lightning zapping him before flying off towards Flash and he grabbed the Action Card. "Augh!" Flash: 2600 Tempest: 2800 Flash flinched as the lightning surge but quickly activated the Action Card. "I play Protector of the Weak. Now the only monster on my field that you can attack is the strongest. Meaning Flash Heart." Tempest frowned, "fine. But don't forget, Scarvolt can attack once for ever Dominated monster on the field." Scarvolt slashed at Flash Heart again, shocking both it and Flash and making him cry out in pain. Flash: 2100 Tempest: 2800 "Then, I'll activate Puppeteer's ability and remove the Dominate from your monsters!" The giant ape pointed its puppet Xs at Flashback and Magna Boar before firing the glowing strings out at them, causing the stone coating to break off. But as they did, the two monsters turned towards Flash with glowing red eyes. And before Flash could react, the two attacked. Magna Boar headbutting him in the chest whilst Flashback unleashed a beam of light that hit him. "Augh!" Flash: 1700 Tempest: 2800 "Now for Glaive's ability. Since a monster that was Dominated is no longer so, it's destroyed!" The giant ape's bladed staff sparked with lighting before it swung it through the air, unleashing an electric blade that cut the two monsters in half and destroyed them. Flash grunted seeing them explode, as Tempest placed a card face down and called an end to her turn. She then discarded the extra cards in her hand. Celestia: Both Duellist don't seem to want to give an inch in this Duel. How will Flash pull himself back? "My turn!" Flash reached for his deck, "I draw!" He did so and smiled at what he got, "I PENDULUM SUMMON!" The portal opened before a pair of lights shot out and hit the ground, revealing Flash's cards. "Get to work, Reflector Scale Magna Snake!" (A1600/D1300/L4/P7) "Illuminate this battlefield, Crystal Tusk Magna Boar!" (A1000/D1000/L3/P2) "Light the Future with Science, Magna Scholar Ingenium." (A1000/D1000/L3) Tempest frowned, not knowing what that last monster did. The fact he'd summoned it in DEF mode worried her, so she began to run off in search of an Action Card. However, this late in the game the likely wouldn't be many left. And if they were, most of them would be Traps. "Now," Flash went on, "I activate Ingenium's special ability!" His hands glowed, causing the book he carried to float before it opened and he began chanting. Suddenly the words on the pages began to glow before they flew off the page, going up into the sky where they became a circle. That circle suddenly transformed into a vortex, which pulled Flash Heart and Magna Snake inside. "Now watch as I fuse the unequalled might of a dragon," Flash said, "with the shining light of the Pendulum!" The vortex exploded and released a burst of bright light. "I FUSION SUMMON!" The light faded, revealing Flash's Fusion Monster. "Spiral Vector Dragon!" (A3500/D1500/L8/P7) Tempest finally spotted an Action card on the ground and grabbed it, only to find it was a Trap Card that made her discard three cards from the top of her deck. "I attack with Spiral Vector Dragon!" His monster raised his bazooka weapon, aimed it at Puppeteer Dominator. A red beam of light shot out of its sight and struck the ape. "Since Spiral Vector Dragon was Fusion Summoned using a monster with a Pendulum Scale of seven, I can look at the top seven cards of my deck and for each Pendulum Monster I reveal, your monster loses five hundred ATK points." Luna: And with only a thousand ATK Points, he only needs to draw two Pendulum Monsters zero it out. Celestia: And all he needs is one card to wipe out her life points. "Here we go!" Flash drew his seven cards, among them being Magna Bull, Magna Rat, Lightspeed, Magna Sheep, Reflection Guard, Reverse Polarity and Lunara. "That's three Pendulum Monsters, which weakens your monster by fifteen hundred. Puppeteer flinch as it lost ATK points. (A0/D1000/L4) "Now go!" The dragon's bazooka fired its laser blast. In that moment, Tempest finally reached an Action Card on the wing of a Winged Dragon of Ra. She grabbed it and smiled. "I activate the Action Spell Doppelganger Spell. Which lets me activate the effect of a Spell in my graveyard. So I'll pick Team Spirit!" Scarvolt leapt infront of Puppeteer and took the blast, getting destroyed by the blast whilst Tempest was blown backwards. Flash: 1700 Tempest: 1800 Luna: Oh! So close. But Tempest continues to stay one step ahead of Flash. Flash frowned as Magna Boar charged forwards, its tusks glowing. "Takedown Puppeteer!" The humanoid pig-bot slammed into the ape, destroying it. But Tempest quickly sat up and activated her Trap. "I play Defence Draw!" A force field appeared around her as she drew her card. Smiling when she saw what it was. Flash frowned, calling an end this his turn. At least with Spiral Vector, she couldn't Dominate his best card. So he stared down at Tempest as she began to pick herself up, deciding now was as good a time as any to move over to her. "I don't know what made you hate this world so much, but I know it doesn't give you the right to do the things you've done." Tempest frowned at him, as he began to walk towards her. "What you did to Marble, Tempest and Scarvolt can never be justified. No matter how bad things have been for you, none of this is right!" Tempest glared at him as she began to pick herself up. "Oh...how wrong you are." Their eyes locked and Flash saw the anger in her eyes, "open up your eyes and see the truth of the worlds we live in." In that moment, a flash of light shot out of her eyes and hit Flash. He cried out and shielded his eyes, only to feel the ground beneath him disappear. He then opened his eyes and found he was floating in the air, right over what looked like a small village. Looking down at his hands, he saw he was glowing. "The spirit world?" "Flash?" He turned towards the voice and saw Tempest floating up to him, only she didn't look as sinister. "Are you...the real Tempest." She nodded her head whilst looking down at the village. "I don't understand," she said, "what's going on? Why'd he bring us here?" "To show you the truth," Storm King's voice echoed through the air before the two found themselves floating down towards the village. And as they did, they saw the inhabitants were monsters similar to Storm King. Some looked just like him, while others looked more feminine and some were smaller versions of him. "This was where I was born. And it was here that I learnt the grim truth of the world." The many satyr were all living their day to day lives, a group of small ones even playing with a ball, when suddenly the ground began to shake. This caused them all to stop and look around, just as the cause came into view. Two great armies of Duel Monsters, some the two recognised and some they didn't, charging towards the village. They watched as the satyr rushed into their homes, just before the armies reached the town and began to do battle. Fireballs and spells were thrown all over the place, knocking down several buildings whilst some monsters were thrown into other houses and smashed right through them. "I don't know what they were fighting for, but whatever it was lead them to destroy themselves. In the end, there was only one survivor." Time seemed to quickly pass and soon enough, the two of them saw the village was now in ruin. Corpses littered the ground and there wasn't a single house left undamaged. The sound of shifting debris caught their attention and they turned to see a young satyr crawl out of the ruins of a nearby house, shaking like a leaf as he looked around at the devastation he saw. "My people had been weak, which was why we couldn't defend ourselves. On that day, I vowed to never be weak again. My journey began." The world around them started to shift, first transforming to show a slightly older Storm King fighting against a bunch of giants apes and beating the lot of them. The scene then shifted to show the apes bowing to Storm King before shifting once again, this time showing him leading the army into battle and after battle whilst turning many Duel Spirits to stone with Obsidian Orbs. "I believed that if I became strong enough, then no one would dare challenge me and I wouldn't have to live in fear. But alas, I was eventually overthrown. The scene now shifted to show the battle between Scarvolt and Storm King, ending in Storm King being turned to stone and shattered. "I believed that was my end, but I was wrong." The scene shifted to nighttime, as the pieces of the broken statue came together and rebuilt the Storm King before he was returned back to normal. They watched as the shadowy figure came to him and presented the Staff of Sacanas to him. "They took me in and made me realise the truth, that no matter how strong I become I would always have to live in fear of death. Because in this world, that's the only thing that's inevitable." "What does this have to do with us?" Flash asked. "Because your world is no different from ours, constantly at war with one another. And throughout your many wars, you've used us as weapons and put our world in danger." The scene around them changed to show they were in Egypt, and it was here they spotted the real-life Egyptian Gods facing off against a giant demon monster with a dragon coming out of its chest. The scene then changed to show a red serpentine dragon battling against some kind of red demon alongside five other dragons, then shifted to show the dragons fighting against five different animal monsters with different coloured lights running down them. The scene once again shifted to show the Egyptian Gods fighting a giant black serpent, then shifted again to show the world enveloped in some kind of darkness. Another shifted showed a shining dragon doing battle against a monster made of out black sludge before the scene shifted again, this time showing several similar looking robotic warriors attacking a strange purple, white and blue machine. The scene shifted one final time, showing a scene Flash knew all too well. The battle against Sombra last year, when everyone summoned their monsters to help. "Again and again your world pulls mine into conflict and again and again both realms are almost destroyed." "So what?" Flash asked, "you're gonna destroy our world so yours can be safe?" "No," Storm King replied, "we're gonna destroy both worlds." "That doesn't make any sense?" Tempest asked. "You said you were scared of dying, but if you destroyed your world then you'd die." "Not with our lord's power. He will destroy the worlds, but we will remain. He will absorb us into him and there, we will be able to dream of a perfect world. One that is without conflict and never ends. We will spend eternity dreaming a perfect world. And you can help us." "Why would we ever help you?" Flash asked, "you're threatening to destroy everything and everyone I love." "Everything and everyone you love will die anyway, but if you join me you'll never lose them. Both of you, think back on your lives so far. Flash, you spent your entire life alone because of a game you love so much." The scene changed once again, Flash finds himself in a place he knew all too well. It was where he used to live as a child. "Attack!" He turned towards the sound of a voice and spotted a ten-year-old Flash slamming into the ground as his life points hit zero. "You lost again," Flash's opponent said after beating him. "Now, give it up." "Okay," Flash said taking a card from his deck and handing it over "Man what a loser," his opponent said laughing along with the rest of his friends. "Let's get out of here." And they left. "You spent most of your life being pushed around because you were bad at that game. It even made you push your family away." The scene changed to show Flash and Scootaloo right after they'd moved into their current apartment. "Flash," Scootaloo called out as Flash brother was about to leave the apartment. "Where you going?" "Nowhere," Flash said whilst not stopping or turning around. "Can I come?" "NO!" Flash yelled making her flinch. "Let's get one thing straight. Outside this apartment you don't know me, you don't talk to me, you don't even acknowledge I exist, okay. As far as you know, you don't have a brother." And with that he walked out of the apartment, leaving a crying Scootaloo behind. Flash's heart ached as he remembered how hard it had been to do that. The world around them went dark, the only thing they saw being a young Flash that was growing older and older as he walked alone. Images of people looking at him in fear appearing and disappearing. "You were all alone because of how cruel this world is. And even when you found friends, you continued to suffer through everything you went through. And you weren't the only one." The image of Twilight and Moondancer appeared before it shifted to show Twilight crying over Moondancer's body. "The woman you loved has suffered greatly because of how cruel this world is. Flash said nothing, remembering how much pain Twilight had gone through after Moondancer's death. "And you, Tempest," the pink girl looked up and saw an image appear infront of her. This time it showed a younger her playing ball with some friends. "You've suffered just as much." They watched as the ball bounced into the road and she rushed out to grab it, right as a speeding car flew towards her. The image changed to show her right after the crash, laying on the ground with a bleeding gash running from her forehead over her eye. The image changed to show Tempest, the gash now healed as the scar she wore, trying to talk to her friends but they were all scared off by her scar. Young Tempest began to walk through the darkness alone, growing older and older. "Your tragedy condemned you to a life of solitary. No wonder you were so easy to Dominate." Tempest looked down in shame. Her life hadn't been easy, with Duelling being the only thing that gave her comfort. And now this monster had turned to into another type of hell. "The life we lead is nothing but pain and sadness. And what's worse, it tricks you into thinking there is good in it so that the pain you feel when the bad happens is even greater. But once my lord has revived, it will all end and we can finally live in true peace." In this moment Storm King appeared before them. "So now...join me and together, we will finally put an end to all this destruction. Together, we can create a perfect world." Those two words struck a chord with Flash, as he looked at Storm King. "You know, someone tried to give me a similar speech last year to make me join him. And I'm gonna give you the same answer I gave him. Hell no!" Storm King frowned at him. "I know this world can be messy at times, that living in it can be hard. But you can't just give up and on making it better. What you're doing isn't some noble mission. It's just you being a coward and trying to find the easy out." Storm King growled, "what's wrong with the easy way? How can constantly struggling in vein be better then what I'm offering." "Because if we just give up when things get hard, then nothing's ever gonna change. It's true, there are things in this world I hate. But that doesn't give me the right to just wipe the slate clean. No, I'm gonna do everything I can to fix the things I see as wrong with this world." "And what if you can't fix them?" Storm King asked him. Flash thought for a moment, frowning as nothing came to mind. "I don't know," Storm King smiled. "But whatever it is is better than whatever you plan on doing. Dreaming an infinite dream. Newsflash, you can't share dreams with people. If what you're saying happens, I'll never get to see my friends and family again." "You'll see them in your dreams-" "No, I'll see imaginary versions of them in my dreams." He flinched as the images shown of him before were shown again, but quickly shook them off. "Maybe back then, I would have agreed with you. His eyes closed, "but now I've changed. No matter how perfect your dream world sounds, without my friends in it, it would be hell. The images around him shattered, surprising Storm King as he turned back to Flash. "I don't want to be alone again. I've been alone and I won't go back," his eyes shot open. "I WON'T GO BACK!" The force of this outburst scared Storm King, as the darkness around them shattered. "Life without a connection to people is miserable, no matter how perfect it sounds." He turned to Tempest, holding out his hand. "No matter how hard life is, as long as you have hope you can push passed anything." Tempest's eyes went wide as she felt a new sense of hope filled her heart. She reached out the grab his hand, but Storm King had had enough. "ENOUGH!" As he yelled this, a powerful shockwave slammed into them and pushed them apart. Flash slammed into the ground whilst Tempest flew back until she slammed into a stone tablet, the chains wrapping around her once again. "No!" Flash tried to pick himself up and run to her, but before he could a Flash of light blinded him. "Gyah!" When he opened his eyes, he saw he was back at Freeze Stadium. Tempest growled as she glared at him. "I tried to show you the truth, but you refused to listen. As such, when my lord destroys everything, I'll make sure he doesn't absorb you. You can face the pain of death," She reached for her deck, "I DRAW!" When she saw what she'd gotten, she smiled as the portal formed. "I PENDULUM SUMMON!" The portal opened before a light shot out, revealing Scarvolt. She then tossed an Obsidian Orb at Magna Boar and Ingenium, turning them both to stone as Tempest drew a card thanks to Spine-Hog before playing the card she'd drawn earlier. "GO, HEAVY STORM!" A powerful gust of wind blew into the field, pushing Flash backwards and sending every Spell and Trap flying into the air. This included both their Pendulum Monsters and Flash Different Dimension Chest. The metal box exploded in the air, revealing a card that flew over to Tempest as the wind died down. "Dang it!" Flash growled, "well when Different Dimension Chest is destroyed, I can draw two cards." He did so, as Tempest played the card she'd just gotten. "I equip Scarvolt with the Staff of Sacanas!" The staff appeared in her hand, ready to do what she'd been waiting to do all Duel. "Now," Tempest took a card that slotted out of her deck, "to summon my ultimate monster." Scarvolt lifted the staff into the air, right before it unleashed twin bolts of lightning, that hit Glaive and Ryyk. 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. The wind was so powerful that it rocked the entire stadium, once again picking up the many fallen statues up off the ground and spinning it around. Spike remembered the last time that card was used and grabbed Sunburst, pulling him into the corridor. Seconds later, another statue hit the box and shattered it. "FLASH!" They both cried as they stared into the storm. Flash felt the wind batter him, Spiral Vector flying down to shield him from the debris. As this happened, Tempest cried out. "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!" Everyone in the stadium watched as the lightning in the tornado shot 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 monster's form. "Behold...the ultimate Dominator monster. STORM KING DOMINATOR!" (A4000/D4000/L12) As the wind died down, Flash looked out at the satyr as it and Tempest glared at him. "Face it, Sentry, your adventure in the Double X has come to an end."