//------------------------------//
// The Final Ticket With a Twist 
// Story: The World Duel Championships X 
// by The Avenger 
//------------------------------//


The Final Ticket With a Twist


In the arena, the screen shows a little news flash. “Let’s get a few things straight before we revel the two wildcard entires and continue onto the next match that will decide the next 3 members of team Equestria. In the first match, Sagittario Armor amazes all by breaking through Yu’s most powerful spell, the Inferno Blast. It was a fantastic display of skill and bravery. It was smoking hot! He will be accompanying his cousin, Andromeda, as the second member of Equestria’s official team. Now, there are only three tickets left. The two wild card entries will be revealed in a few minutes. And then the duel to decide the final regular member is happening soon after that. So, get ready for it folks! Right here, right now!” Pon-3 said, which excites the crowd.
Up in a royal balcony above the stadium, Celestia and Luna, along with Twilight and her friends and their families, along with Spitfire, Soarin, Blaze, Taurus, and now Sagittario, Yu and Discord watch as the spectators scream in anticipation. “Time to get it on,” Tempest said.
“Leone’s time.” Taurus said.
“You know, Andromeda, no matter who wins, you and Sagittario will get a great teammate,” Orion said.
“Yeah, they’re both amazing in their own right. This won’t be an easy duel.” Andromeda said.
“Which means it’s gonna be an amazing duel!” Tempest excitedly said. “Both Firestorm and Leone make Sagittario look like a total newbie!”
“What are you talking about?” Sagittario asked as he eats some potato chips. “As long as I, the world's number 1 duelist am here, that's enough. We don’t even need a third or fourth member if you ask me.”
“Ha! What’s all this stuff about number 1 anyway?” Taurus asked. “When it comes to points in the qualifying round you lost to Firestorm, and not to mention Leone.”
“Hey! Quit bringing that up!” Sagittario yelled. “During the qualifying round, I was fooling around with Bismarck so I couldn’t get as many points as I should have. If I had gone to a different arena like those guys did, I would’ve earned a thousand points. No, 10,000 points, and easily taken first place.” with that, Andromeda, Orion and Tempest laugh.
“Ten thousand points? Yeah right,” Orion said.
“Well, just you watch. Once the world championships begin, I’ll beat all the worlds strongest all by my lonesome. That’s what I’m talking about,” Sagittario added as he eats some more chips.
“If Leone makes the team, you can rest up,” Taurus said. “You won’t even get a chance to duel. But you can just have fun sightseeing, that’ll be nice for you.”
“What was that?” Sagittario shouted.
“You heard me!” Taurus shouted back.
“At least I didn’t lose in the qualifying round like you did!”
“Come again!? Don’t push it, pal!”
“Aw, come on!” Andromeda shouted. “Will you guys give it a rest already!”
“First off, the two wildcard entries have been called,” Pon-3 said. “The first wildcard, who came in fifth place in the qualifying round, is Bismarck!” Pon-3 said, making many ponies in the crowd cheer while Bismarck’s jaw drops, amazed he made it.
“Congratulations, Bismarck,” Applejack said to her son, who quickly regains his composure.
“The second wildcard, who came in sixth place in the qualifying round, is Tempest!” Pon-3 added, which amazes Tempest.
“All right! I made it!” A very excited Tempest shouted.
“Aw, rats!” Yu shouted, getting the group's attention. “I was hoping I was one of the wildcards, but since Bis-Biz and Tempy are the wildcards, my luck has officially ran out, and I was really looking forward to some big bad duels in the world championships,” Yu finished as he hangs his head low, while Bismarck and Tempest blush when they hear their new nicknames, which makes some of the girls chuckle.
“But you still have a chance to make the team, Yu.” Rarity said, getting Yu’s attention.
“Huh? What chance?” Yu asked.
“Equestria’s team for the world championships requires 5 regular players, and one sub member too. You were in the top four in the competition, so you still have a chance to make the team as a sub.” Rarity said.
“‘Sub’? That means substitute, doesn't it? I refuse to be a substitute.” Yu firmly said.
“So, at the end of the day, who’s stronger? Firestorm, or this Leone guy?” Sagittario asked, getting everyone’s attention.
“That’s a good question,” Tempest said. “Even from the short amount of time we knew each other from when I was on the Wonderbolts, I could tell that Firestorm fights with calm judgment and a well honed technique.”
“Right,” Andromeda said. “On the other hoof, Leone fights with a burning spirit and tremendous power, using the state of the environment to his advantaged. I know that from experience. It’s really hard to say which one will win. They’re both really talented ponies.”
“Yes, they each have such unique styles,” Twilight said.
“The answer is Leone!” Taurus firmly said. “He’s the strongest by a country mile!”
“But Firestorm is strong too!” Blaze said to the brown minotaur.
“But Leone is stronger!”
“It’s Firestorm! When it comes to overall power and speed, it’s definitely Firestorm!” Blaze shouted at Taurus. “Since I’m still learning how to fly, which means, if Firestorm loses, it’ll make me look even lamer.”
“You're not lame, Blaze,” Soarin said to his daughter.
“Anyway, the winner is gonna be Leone!”
“It’s Firestorm, I tell ya! It’s Firestorm!” Blaze shouted as she and Taurus lock horns with each other.
“Aw, come on. Cut it out guys,” Yu said to the two.
“Humph, can’t you kiddies play nice?” A voice right above the group said. Everyone looks at the voices origin and see…
“Chi-yun? Mei-Mei?” Andromeda asked when she sees the two members of Wang Hu Zhong sitting behind them.
“You two must be grumpy because you’re hungry,” Mei-Mei said to Taurus and Blaze as she takes out a couple of steamed buns from a bag. “Why don’t you try these, guys? Here!” Mei-Mei said as she force feeds Taurus and Blaze the steamed buns.
“That’s delicious!”
“Yummy!” Taurus and then Blaze both said after they ate the steamed buns.
“They sell these at a stall in the Grand Restaurant Plaza,” Mei-Mei said. “If you like them, you should all come by again.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Sagittario said, skeptic that’s the reason Mei-Mei and Chi-yun are here. “You came here to spy on us again, haven’t you?”
“To truly know your opponent, you must climb in his skin and crawl around for a while.” Chi-yun said, which freaks out Rarity, Fluttershy, Flora, and Cherry.
“Uh, that’s … gross,” Bismarck said.
“Learning about the strong and talented duelists in other countries is important. It is the key to victory,” Chi-yun added.
“He means that watching others duel is a part of training too,” Mei-Mei translated, throwing in a wink.
“All righty, let's get this party started, shall we?” Pon-3 suddenly said, getting everyone’s attention. “First, we have a veteran duelist, the real king of beasts himself, the one and only Leone!” She said as Leone walks out of one of the corridors and heads toward the stadium, having a determined look on his face. Andromeda gasps at the sight of this, having a small fear of Leone right now.
“Yeah! Leone! Leone! Leone! Take no prisoners!” Taurus cheered at the top of his lungs.
“When you said he was intimidation, you weren't kidding,” Andromeda’s father said to his family.
“He looks so determined and focused,” Twilight noted. “He looks like he’s in the zone.”
“Amazing!” Rarity suddenly said.
“What is it, mom?” Radiance asked.
“Leone has spent the last few days before the qualifying matches in the Everfree Forest,” Rarity reminded everyone. “And look at him. After spending all that time alone in the forest, the worst he’d gotten was a few tears on his jacket.”
“Hey, you’re right Rarity!” Applejack said.
“What do you think he was doing in the forest?” Tempest asked.
“To be honest, I don’t really want to find out,” Andromeda said as Leone takes his place at one edge of the stadium and smirks.
“Hmm, the world huh?” Leone said, remembering the training he had done in the forest.


==================================================================


On a ridge in the Everfree Forest, a pack of timber wolves are growling and snarling at something that is climbing the cliff face, having invaded their territory. The wolves then see a couple of hoofs reach the top of the ledge. They get ready to pounce on the intruder, until the see the intruders head, having burning red eyes to them. They quickly wine in pure fear as Leone, the intruder, climbs to the top, roars like a lion, and drops two weights that were on his back, both weighing 50 pounds each. Leone stares at the now petrified timber wolfs, before he turns around and looks at the forest from the ridge, and sees Ponyville in the distance, about 25 miles away. “This place looks so small and weak to me now,” Leone said, before looking up at the stars, and sees the constellation he’s named after, Leo. “Bring it on. I’m definitely going for it. If anyone is coming along for the ride, they better be careful. Because it’s gonna be a wild one!” Leone said as he creates several tornados below him, roaring as the tornados grow.


==================================================================


“I’ll show you all,” Leone said. “You can’t miss my overwhelming strength.”
“And next, the Wonderbolt Prodigy, the proud son of Spitfire and Soarin, the Eagle of the Wonderbolts: Firestorm!” Pon-3 said as Firestorm walks out of the other corridor on the other side of the arena, also having a series expression on his face.
“Go get em, Firestorm!” Blaze cheered.
“Firestorm’s got the right stuff too.” Orion noted.
For most of my life, I wasn’t able to do anything, Firestorm thought to himself. Even though I received top Wonderbolt training, I never really put it to use. But that's the past. My future is to take on the whole world. Firestorm thought, remembering training he had done.


==================================================================


Out on a ridge near the ocean, Firestorm in standing on a ridge. “Time to fly!” Firestorm said as he takes off at full speed, and cuts right through a wave. “Bring it!” He said as he cuts through a larger wave. “Win big!” He added as he cuts through three more waves. He then sees a large wave, about 5 stories high. “Win big, and this time I’ll fly freely, and soar into the skies of the world!” He said as he cuts though the large wave before heading back.


==================================================================


I don’t have time to stand still, Firestorm thought to himself as he reaches the stadium. I will win. I will win for both me and my family. Firestorm thought as he and Leone glare at each other, ready for the duel.
“It’s finally about to begin,” Celestia said.
“Man, the tension is so think, you can cut it with a knife,” Rainbow said.
“Go, Leone!” Taurus said.
“Firestorm,” Blaze said.
“Now, it’s time to find out which of these two will win and be chosen as the final member for team Equestria.” Pon-3 said.
“I couldn’t asked for a better opponent,” Firestorm said to Leone. “Let’s do this, okay Leone?”
“Humph. Cut the chatter.” Leone simply said. “I couldn’t care less about who my opponent is. Do you understand?”
“You shouldn’t so nasty, Leone. You might regret it.”
“Try and make me,” Leone said. “I’ll crush anyone or anything that dares to stand in my way!”
“I like that unicorn," Discord said.
"Time to throw down, boys! Ready? Three …” Pon-3 said as the two get ready, while everyone else holds their breath. “…two…one!”
“GO!” Both Leone and Firestorm said as they charge at each other.
“Go hard! Go Leone!”
“Beat him, Firestorm!”
“Both stallions charge immediately!” Pon-3 commented as Leone and Firestorm exchange a few blows with each other. “They’re locked in a fierce clash in the center of the stadium. What a great start for this amazing duel!”
“I’m gonna send you flying!” Leone threatened.
“Don’t think so!” Firestorm said as he takes to the air, and begins to use a hit and run technique, which pushes Leone to the edge of the stadium.
“He’s good,” Yu said. “His suit is absorbing Leone’s attacks really effectively.”
“A special suit that can absorb the worst of impacts,” Chi-yun suddenly said, getting Andromeda’s attention.
“He’s lured Leone to the edge of the stadium,” Tempest said.
“This is starting to get boring,” Leone suddenly said as he fires a blast of magic at Firestorm. But Firestorm dodges the attack and flies high up into the air, and dive down straight for Leone.
“There it is! Firestorm’s signature move!” An excited Blaze said.
“What’s that?” Leone asked. “That won’t work. Why wast my time,” Leone said as he prepares a spell.
“What is Leone up to?” Luna asked.
“Now Leone is gonna use his signature move,” Andromeda answered.
“Here we go. Lion Gale Force Wall!” Leone shouted as he creates his signature tornado, which stops and then redirects Firestorm’s attack.
“Now you can try Leone’s signature move on for size,” Taurus said.
“A tornado wall, huh?” Chi-yun asked.
“That spell is created by manipulating the wind by using the unicorns great power,” Mei-Mei added.
Hmm, those two can analyze spells and other things just by seeing it, Andromeda thought to herself.
“Humph, too bad for you, but I know all of your and the Wonderbolts tricks,” Leone said to Firestorm.
“Yeah? Same here.” Firestorm responded.
“Say what!?” Leone asked.
"I heard about that duel you had with Andromeda, so I know about this tornado of yours," Firestorm said as he charges at Leone at full speed.
“Firestorm is using one Wonderbolt technique right after another!” Tempest said.
“He’s using the Counter Stance!” Blaze said.
“What’s that?” Orion asked.
“It’s when a Wonderbolt prepares his or herself by becoming one with the wind with their movement and is able to glide past enemy attacks as a counter and produces a shock wave,” Spitfire answered.
“In order to use the Lion Gale Force Wall, Leone had to stop attacking briefly. Firestorm was waiting for that,” Tempest said as Firestorm imagines one of the ocean waves he used to train is in front of him.
“Time to cut through!” Firestorm said as he cuts through the wave, and then the tornado, disintegrating it, and smashes into Leone. But Leone only moves back several feet before he stops.
“Ha-ha-ha! You shown me a pretty good time, I gotta say,” Leone said to the Wonderbolt prodigy.
“Ah! I wasn’t going fast enough.”
“But, I’m done playing with you now!” Leone said as he fires a blast of magic at Firestorm, who barely dodges it as it creates some rubble form the ground behind Firestorm. “Anyone or anything in front of me…” Leone added as he fires another blast, the same thing happening. “Will be crushed no matter what!” Leone said as he fires another blast, with Firestorm barley dodging it as it tears out huge chunks from the stadium floor.
“Yikes!” Pon-3 said. “Leone attacks like a mad thing, but Firestorm dodges the attacks! Firestorm better fly like wind, though. Leone’s wild rampage is destroying the stadium.”
“All right! Here I go!” Leone said as he moves to the center of the stadium, and creates another tornado, this time picking up the pieces of broken rock and concrete into the air.
“What now?” Firestorm asked.
“Lion 100 Fang Fury!” Leone shouted as the tornado flings the debris toward Firestorm at high-speed.
“Lion 100 Fang Fury?” Sagittario asked.
“I told you Leone uses the state of the environment to his advantaged,” Andromeda said.
“Looking good! Go! Go! Go, Leone!” Taurus cheered as Firestorm does his best to avoid the rubble.
“As if you could hit me. I’ll just fly through it!” Firestorm said as he flies through the flying rocks with relative ease.
“Amazing,” Twilight said. “Firestorm’s slipping through the pieces of rubble just like some sort of dancer.”
“Their exchange of power and moves shows when their evenly matched.” Mei-Mei said.
“Even, huh?” Chi-yun said as they see Firestorm dodges the rubble. “I don’t know. This Firestorm’s way of fighting is just too clean.”
“I don’t have time to stand still,” Firestorm said as he flies through the rubble. “I’ll win. I will win, and soar into the world!” Firestorm added as he charges straight toward the center of the tornado, where Leone is.
“Bad move!” Leone said as the ground is suddenly torn open, which catches Firestorm off guard, and sent flying into the twister as Leone unleashes another attack.
“What’s that?” Blaze asked, only for her to get the answer from Leone.
“King Lion Tearing Blast!” Leone said as Firestorm is swept up into three F5 tornados.
“Firestorm!” Blaze, Spitfire and Soarin all cried, while Leone chuckles.
“Feel that?” Leone asked Firestorm. “That is my power. I told you, I don’t care about my opponent. I never stopped chasing down and crushing the enemy I find before me. That's the pride of the king of the beasts!”
“Wow! Awesome!” An impress Sagittario said.
“All right! He’s won it!” Taurus shouted.
"Impressive," Discord added. "I'm liking that Leone more and more."
“Thats it,” Chi-yun said.
“Huh? What’s it?” Mei-Mei asked.
“If their strength is equal, then in the end it comes down to who has the greater desire to win. As long as he tries to fight cleanly, he has no way of winning,” Chi-yun said, referring to Firestorm. Chi-yun then gets up.
“Your not watching until the end?” Mei-Mei asked.
“The duel is already decided.” Chi-yun said.
“Don’t give up, Firestorm!” Tempest called out.
“Firestorm!” Blaze called out as Firestorm is tossed around in the tornado like a rag doll.
And just like that … I lose. Lose? Lose! Firestorm thought to himself, having a sudden flashback to when he was three, when some strange creature bit him. Lose! Firestorm thought, blocking out all the noise in the stadium. No! No. I will win. Win. Win! Win and win! Firestorm thought as a strange darkness begins to overcome him.
“Firestorm appears to have no answer for Leone’s awesome tornados,” Pon-3 said. “Unbelievable. Is this duel over already?”
“Thats right! It’s over!” Leone shouted. “I’ll finish this right now!”
“Count me out?” Firestorm suddenly asked, getting Leone’s attention.
“What?” Leone asked when he sees Firestorm being engulfed by a dark aura.
“Don't count me out!” Firestorm yelled as the dark aura makes the tornado dissipate.
“What!?” Leone and most of the group asked.
“I will not lose!” Firestorm screeched as he crashes down onto Leone, who just barely puts up a shied to protect himself from this new and dangerous power. Firestorm doesn't stop, though. The Wonderbolt Prodigy just keeps going, which begins to make the ground beneath them crack.
“What is this?” Leone asked.
“I’ll win. I’ll win! Win! Win!” Firestorm said as Chi-yun and Mei-Mei watch from one of the corridors in the stands. “Win! Win! I will win!”
“Firestorm, what’s happening to you out there?” Soarin asked.
“This is the first time … I’ve seen him like that,” Tempest said.
“Firestorm!” Blaze quietly said.
“But what awesome spirit he’s got,” Sagittario commented. “Firestorm is totally unbelievable.”
“I … don’t want to … hear that right now!” A worried Taurus said.
“No more fooling around,” Leone said to the clearly different Firestorm. “I won’t be beaten by the likes of you!” Leone said as he prepares another spell, while Firestorm continues his assault.
“This … This is amazing!” Pon-3 said. “This is more then a competition of skill and power, it's about which stallion really wants it more!”
“I don’t know whats going on, but it's really cool. I don’t care which one wins, as long as they finish with a big bang.” Sagittario said, which annoys his mother.
“Sagittarius Armor,” Cadence angrily said.
“I know, I know. I should be more worried about their safety,” Sagittario said, while Andromeda checks her computer and sees something troubling.
“Oh, not good,” Andromeda said as she checks and then rechecks the data. “If they keep pushing it like this, their bodies wont take it.”
“What!?” Spitfire asked, worried for her son.
“Firestorm!” Blaze cried.
“Fight on, Leone!” Taurus cheered, worried for his friends safety.
“Give it up already, will ya?” Leone said as he prepares to fire.
“FIRESTORM!!!!!!!!!” Blaze cried out, which snaps Firestorm back to normal as Leone fires his spell, which sends Firestorm flying out of the stadium.
“Done and done! The winner of this fierce, epic duel is the king of beast, Leone!” Pon-3 said, making most of the crowd cheer.
“I … lost this?” A surprised Firestorm said as he gets up, and looks at one of his hoofs, remembering being take over by some darkness. “What happened to me?” Firestorm asked, while Chi-yun and Mei-Mei leave.
“Man, that was awesome duel, and they both got out of it unscathed,” Sagittario said.
“It was so close, either one of them could have won it,” Orion said.
“Well, at least we now know that Leone is the final member for team Equestria,” Celestia said.
“I’m not sure,” Andromeda said as she gets up and heads down to the stadium.
“Andromeda, where are you going?” Twilight asked as Andromeda follows Leone to one of the corridors.
“Leone, wait,” Andromeda said as she catches up to Leone, who stops. “Tell me, why did you enter this tournament. The last time we meet, all that you wanted was to defeat me in a duel. Now, you want to join the team I’m on? That's not the reason, is it?”
“You're right,” Leone answered, turning toward Andromeda. “The only reason I entered this tournament was to show you more of my power. Listen well. There’s only one pony in the world I want to defeat: it’s you, Andromeda! You alone.” Leone said as he points a hoof at Andromeda. “I’ll give you some advice for when you enter the world championships. Number 1: always hold back unless necessary.”
“Wait, were you holding back when you fought Firestorm just now, were you?”
“Yes, I was. Number 2: create your own spells and moves for when you face the best in the world. And number 3: Andromeda, until you face me, don’t you dare lose to anyone. We’ll meet again, on that great stage known as the world.” Leone said as he leave, leaving behind a bewildered Andromeda.