//------------------------------// // Soar into the World // Story: The World Duel Championships X // by The Avenger //------------------------------// Soar into the World Its late evening in Canterlot, and Andromeda is in her room in the hotel her family is temporally staying at until she and her team leave for the world championships. Why is he so obsess with defeating me? Andromeda thought to herself, remembering what Leone said to her earlier that day. ================================================================== “You're right,” Leone answered, turning toward Andromeda. “The only reason I entered this tournament was to show you more of my power. There’s only one pony in the world I want to defeat, and that's you!” 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?” “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. ================================================================== “Leone Lulamoon, just who are you?” Andromeda asked herself. “And why do you have such a grudge against us? I wonder if he’s her son.” ================================================================== At the castle … “Because Leone has backed out, there is still one spot open on team Equestria.” Bastion said to Celestia and Luna. “What should we do now, your Highness’?” “It’s not that big of a problem,” Celestia said as she looks at two files, the names on them begin Firestorm and Yu. ================================================================== At Doughnut Joe’s shop, Twilight, Orion, Shining Armor, Cadence, Sagittario, Applejack, Bismarck, Bucky, Rainbow, Tempest, Rarity, Radiance, Fluttershy, Flora and Peach, accompanied by Yu, are having dinner, with Yu complaining about something. “Ugh, the only duel left for me is the one with Firestorm to decide the sub-member. Even if I win, I don’t want to be the sub!” Yu complained as he eats a chocolate doughnut with chocolate frosting and sprinkles, and whip cream with a cherry on top. “Well, whining about it isn’t gonna help now, is it?” Sagittario said to Yu as he eats something called a dirt doughnut, which is a normal doughnut with vanilla frosting and Oreos. “It's not your fault to losing to me. Look, you were just unlucky to get me was all, the worlds number 1 duelist as an opponent. You were doomed from the very start.” “Aw man! It just sucks! It sucks! It sucks!” Yu said. “Hey, hey. The substitute is still an official member of the competitive team.” Twilight said. “Whatever.” “Hey, guys!” Pinkie suddenly said as she, Berry and Cherry run toward them. “We got big news!” “What news, Pinkie?” Rainbow asked. “Leone has backed out from begin the fifth member for the team, and there going to have the duel between Yu and Firestorm tomorrow to be the duel to decide the last regular member.” Cherry answered. “Wow! Wow!” Yu excitedly said as he gets up. “If I win against Firestorm, I’ll be able to go to the world championships as a regular member!” “Of course, if you lose you’ll be the sub,” Sagittario pointed out. “Thanks for the news flash, Sagittono! Just remember, this is an important duel with Firestorm, so make sure you stay out of my way this time. You got it?” “Huh? When did I ever get in your way?” Sagittario asked. “Your joking, right?” A shocked Yu asked. “Anyway, don’t worry about Sagittario,” Tempest said to Yu. “You should be worried about the match with Firestorm.” “He’s right,” Rainbow said. “Firestorm will be fighting for the second chance to be a regular too.” “I bet he’s coming to this match with even more attitude then when he dueled Leone,” Bismarck said. “Firestorm is called the Wonderbolt Prodigy for a reason,” Tempest said. “He’s like an eagle, having both the smarts and speed of one. He’s even been called the Eagle of the Wonderbolts. If he comes at you hard, he's gonna be really though to beat.” “You got a point there,” Yu nervously said. ================================================================== Out near the Wonderbolt Academy, at Spitfire and Soarin’s home … “You saw what happened to him today, right?” Spitfire asked Soarin. “We all did, Spitfire,” Soarin said, the two not noticing that their daughter is watching from the main hallway. “Some kind of dark power took control of him there.” Soarin said as Blaze enters Firestorm’s room. “Do you think it has something to do from when that … you know what, bit him?” Soarin asked, not wanting to say the word in case either Firestorm or Blaze are listening. “I hope not,” Spitfire said. In Firestorm’s room, Blaze sees her older brother looking out of his window, holding a cup of water. “Are you okay, big bro?” “I’m not sure, sis,” Firestorm admitted. “What … happened to me?” Firestorm asked, remembering every moment of what happened. “I didn’t want to lose to Leone. I wanted to win. Win no matter. When I was overcome with those intense feelings, a pitch black darkness came over me. I lost myself in it. But you brought me back, Blaze.” “I did?” “Yep. When you called out my name so hard, it snapped me back to my senses. But, what was that darkness?” suddenly, the two hear a piercing screech outside. The two see that an eagle outside made the screech. “Wow! An eagle!” Blaze said as the eagle does another cry, making ripples in Firestorms cup. “Ripples? Vibrations. Odd.” ================================================================== The next day at the Canterlot arena, the final match is about to begin. “Is everypony pumped? Good, because since Leone has decided to not join team Equestria, we still have one spot open. And there’s gonna be one smoking duel to see who gets it!” Pon-3 said to an ecstatic crowd. “All right, let’s see who’s gonna be that final regular member! Is it gonna be the little dude with the big power, Yu…” Pon-3 said as Yu runs up to the stadium, while Firestorm runs up to the other end of the stadium. “Or the guy from the sky, Firestorm? It's the last chance for both. A duel for the ages!” 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 Sagittario watch as the spectators scream in anticipation. “There’s no tomorrow, guys,” Orion said to the two in the royal balcony. “Come on! Give it all you got!” Sagittario added. I just got to watch and learn, Andromeda thought to herself, knowing that she needs to know as much about dueling she can learn for her eventual rematch with Leone. “Firestorm, just to be clear, I came here to win this thing,” Yu said. “Sorry, Yu, but that's not going to happen.” Firestorm said. “Oh, yes it is! I have to win,” Yu said as they step into the ring. “If I have to keep listening to Sagittono talk down to me, I’m gonna lose it! You're going down, Firestorm.” “Ready?” Pon-3 suddenly asked. “3 … 2 … 1 … GO!” everyone said as Firestorm and Yu charge with equal speed, with Firestorm going straight to the offense and attacks Yu, who manages to dodge it. “Oh, Firestorm is taking the fight to Yu, but the little guy keeps dodging. Man, that's fast.” Suddenly, Yu gets behind Firestorm. “Flying monkeys! Yu has somehow circled behind Firestorm.” “That’s not all I’m gonna do. Sonic Wave!” Yu said as he fires a light green colored wave at Firestorm, who barely avoids them as the Sonic Waves turn the ground to sand. “Run if you want to, that won’t happen for long. Sonic Buster!” Yu said as the ground around him begins to turn to sand. “Yu’s turning the ground into sand?” A surprised Twilight asked as Andromeda takes out her Zapple Brick. “It’s some kind of sand trap,” Andromeda said. “Looks like Firestorm is having a bad day at the beach,” Pon-3 said as Firestorm begins to sink into the sand, until he flies out of it. “Whoa! Firestorm is flying over the sand now!” “Now its my turn,” Firestorm said as he jumps into the air and lands behind Yu. “I’m gonna stick close to you like a dirty shirt.” Firestorm said as he tries to attack Yu, who tires to doge as best he can. “Give me some room to breathe here! Back off, why don't ya?” Yu said as he runs, only for Firestorm to stay close behind. “I’m gonna stay on top of you!” Firestorm said as he gains up on Yu. “Oh, that's so annoying!” Yu shouted. “Firestorm is handling this brilliantly,” Andromeda said. “What do you mean?” Sagittario asked. “Couldn’t Yu just use that Inferior Blah thing, or whatever the little guy calls it?” “It’s called the ‘Inferno Blast,’ cuz,” Orion said to his cousin. “Pay attention, there may be a quiz later,” Twilight said to her nephew, who chuckles nervously. “Moving on,” Andromeda said. “If Firestorm keeps using those close rang strikes over and over, Yu can't use the Inferno Blast.” “Thats my big bro for ya!” Blaze proudly said. “Having fun yet?” Firestorm asked. “It must be a drag not being able to use you strongest spell.” “Are you really sure I can’t use it?” Yu asked. “Well, if you still can, show me what you got!” Firestorm said as he rushes toward Yu. “Carful what you wish for, you might just get it! Sonic Shield!” Yu said as a light green bubble appears around him, which sends Firestorm back several feet. “Time to do it!” Yu said as he prepares his spell, while everyone in the arena quickly covers their ears, knowing whats going to happen. “Here it comes,” Celestia said as Yu gets ready to cast the spell. “Buckle up everyone. Inferno Blast!” Yu said as a spot on the ground in front of him glows bright green, followed by the giant geyser of bright green supersonic light erupting from that spot and shooting up into the sky, while creating a pricing noise. “Yeah, that looks like it’s working all right. Ha-ha-ha!” Yu laughed as Firestorm is quickly sucked in. “Firestorm is being sucked in!” Pon-3 commented. “That sand trap is really effective. Sinking deep and fast, will this be the end of Firestorm?” “I don’t think so,” Firestorm said with a smile. “Its working out just like I planned it.” Firestorm added, while Tempest realizes something. “I just remembered. Firestorm has broken through an Inferno Blast once before,” Tempest said. “Wait, he did?” Orion asked. “Big deal, so did I.” Sagittario said. “Yeah. A unicorn criminal who escaped from a prison used it against Firestorm when he was ordered to capture him. He beat it by setting his suit to give off the same frequency as the Inferno Blast does.” Tempest said. “Of course!” Andromeda said. “By having his suit send out vibrations that have the same wavelength as the Inferno Blast, he can cancel out the spells power altogether.” “I get it,” Blaze said. “Firestorm was yanking Yu’s chain on purpose to make him use the Inferno Blast.” “Time to cut through! Once inside, Yu is completely defenseless,” Firestorm said as he charges toward the Inferno Blast. “Is that right?” Yu asked, before he puts on a smile. “I don’t think so. I heard about that guy you beat who knows how to do an Inferno Blast. Did you think I would be dopey enough to make the exact same mistake that guy made. I knew what you were up to from the start. I wasn’t born yesterday, dude.” Yu said. Suddenly, right when Firestorm was about to bust through the sound wall, it changes color from light green to bright yellow. “What the?” a surprised Luna asked. “The color of the light change,” an equally surprised DJ Pon-3 said as Firestorm enters the Inferno Blast. He then begins to scream in pain as he covers his ears. “Firestorm!” Spitfire, Soarin and Blaze all cried. “What just happened?” Blaze asked. “No way!” A shocked Andromeda said. “The frequency of the Inferno Blast changed.” “What?!” Twilight asked. “Yu change the frequency? I thought that was impossible,” Celestia said, when Taurus suddenly gasps. “Just look at that!” Taurus said as he points toward the stadium, where the Inferno Blast changes colors again, this time changing to red, then to purple, then becoming a barrage of colors. “There’s a rainbow in the stadium. It’s so pretty!” “How can he just change the frequency randomly?” Firestorm asked, trying his bet not to black out. “Because I’m awesome!” Yu said. “So now, still think your suit gives off vibrations with the same wavelength as the Inferno Blast? I don’t think so, pal. Therefor, I win. The regular spot is all mine!” “Poor Firestorm,” Pon-3 said. “He’s stuck in a very pretty trap indeed. He has to find a way out, before he runs out of gas.” It can’t be. I lose again? “I don’t think so. No yet!” Firestorm said, when he sees the sand below vibrating to the Inferno Blast, and remembers what the eagle’s cry did with his cup. Calm down and think. A pegasus’ wings can rid any wind to soar through the sky. Firestorm thought as he closes his eyes, folds his wings like when he’s flying fast, and spreads out his wings. “What are you doing?” Yu asked. “Let’s get this show on the road. Just suck it up and conceive the match already, will ya?” Let yourself go, to the wavelengths of the Inferno Blasts vibrations. Go with them, Firestorm thought. “Well, it sure looks like Yu is going to win this thing.” Sagittario said. “Whoa! Hang on a sec!” Andromeda suddenly said when she sees something odd about the data she’s getting from Firestorm. “What’s this?” “What is it, Andi?” Tempest asked, when a white swirl appears beneath Firestorm, which gets everyone’s attention. “What is that swirling thingy?” Yu asked. “Whoa! ¿Qué ha pasado ahí? I don’t know what that swirl is, but it’s getting bigger. That is for sure.” Pon-3 said. “That’s it! Resonance!” Andromeda said. “‘Resonance’?” Radiance asked. “Right. Instead of fighting against the waves of the Inferno Blasts vibrations, Firestorm is letting himself go and resonating with that.” “That’s impossible!” Twilight said. “Changing the frequency of the Inferno Blast was thought to be impossible too, mom.” Andromeda pointed out. “Anyway, by giving up resistance, no matter how Yu changes the wavelength, Firestorm can quickly respond. As a matter of fact, with Firestorm resonating, the vibrations given off by the Inferno Blast have doubled.” “They doubled?” Berry asked. “They have. So he’s increasing that power,” Andromeda said. “He must be planning to use that power against Yu,” Tempest said. “Uh, oh! Not good!” Yu said when he realizes whats going on. “This is the way I do battle!” Firestorm said as he opens his eyes and flies toward Yu. “Time to fly over the rainbow and on to victory!” Firestorm said as the swirl hits the ground, destroying the rainbow-colored Inferno Blast and sending Yu flying out of the stadium. “What in the name of Celestia went down out there?” Pon-3 asked, only to get her answer when she sees Yu outside of the stadium, and Firestorm standing triumphantly in the center. “Whoa! It’s all over! Firestorm wins it! The winner of this unbelievable duel, the newest regular member of team Equestria, is Firestorm!” Pon-3 said, which makes the crowd cheer. I won, without forgetting who I am, Firestorm thought as Yu gets up. That’s success. “Aw, rats!” Yu said. “Firestorm is the regular, so I’m the sub after all. And that just sucks!” “Congratulations, Firestorm!” Flora cheered. “What a rocking duel.” Sagittario said. “Now team Equestria is complete.” Luna said to her sister. “What a great team this year.” “Indeed. Andromeda, Sagittario, Bismarck, Tempest, Firestorm and Yu. This will be one though group to defeat.” Celestia said. “Can you imagine the duels team Equestria will show us in the world championships?” Cherry asked her mother. “You don’t have to imagine, because were gonna see!” Pinkie said. “We should go get a party ready for them before they leave!” “Okie dokie lokie!” Berry and Cherry said as the three run off somewhere. ================================================================== The next day at the airport, Andromeda, Sagittario, Tempest, Firestorm and Yu, the six of them carrying bags, along with Twilight, Orion, Shining Armor, Cadence, Applejack, Bucky, Rainbow, Fluttershy, Flora, Peach, Pinkie, Berry & Cherry, Soarin, Spitfire, Blaze, and Taurus, are waiting for Celestia and Luna to see them off. “Thanks again for the party last night,” Andromeda said to Berry, Cherry and Pinkie Pie. “It was as great as ever.” “Yup,” Tempest said. “But next stop, the world.” “I can’t wait to see what kind of opponents will be waiting for us,” Sagittario said. “You bet,” Firestorm said. “Too bad your party didn’t cheer everyone up, Pinkie,” Twilight said as some of the group look over to Yu, who has his head down, with Orion, Bucky, Peach, Blaze and Taurus with him. “Aw, this whole thing just sucks,” Yu said. “What are you talking about, Yu? Don’t say that,” Orion said. “I’m just the sub. I won’t be in any real matches,” Yu pointed out. “That may not be true, ya know,” Taurus said, getting the four foals attention. “A regular member might get a toothache, or fall of a cliff, or get run over by a bus, or get a hangnail. You just never know.” Taurus said, while the four stare at him, stunned. Bucky then notices that someone is missing “Huh? Didn’t Bismarck and Radiance come with us?” He asked. “Now that ya mention it, I haven't seen them all day,” Applejack said. “Maybe they’re at the hospital getting an ultrasound?” Tempest said. “And didn’t invite us?” Rarity sadly said under her breath as Celestia and Luna arrive. “Looks like everyone is here,” Celestia said. “Its finally time to go, Andromeda,” Luna said. “Right,” Andromeda nervously said, knowing who’s waiting for her, somewhere out there in the wide world. “Well, let's get going already. Were all here now, right?” Sagittario said. “No not quit,” Celestia said. “There’s still two more ponies who will be accompanying you.” “Who?” Andromeda asked. "We low that Bismarck is one, but who's the other?" “You see, each team has one medical member traveling with them, providing assistance in the event that one of you is injured.” Celestia said. “A medical member? You mean like a nurse or doctor?” Sagittario asked. “Oh, she’s here,” Celestia said when they see Bismarck and Radiance, who has a light purple carrying case, walk up to them. “Hey, guys. Sorry we're late,” Radiance said as she and Bismarck stop next to Luna. “Huh?” A surprised Tempest said. “It’s Radiance?” Sagittario asked. “Radiance the medical member?” Andromeda asked. “Can’t she be the sub?” Yu asked. “How did you become the medic?” Firestorm asked. “I managed pulled a few strings.” Bismarck answered for his wife. “Now everyone is here,” Celestia said. “This is team Equestria, Star Swirl.” “‘Star Swirl’?” Andromeda, Radiance, Sagittario, Bismarck, Tempest, Firestorm and Yu all asked. “It’s your team name,” Luna answered. “Wow, that name fits perfectly.” Andromeda said “Bogus, it fits you perfectly since your cutie mark is a galaxy.” Sagittario pointed out, getting an annoyed glare from Andromeda. “Listen up,” Luna said. “You’ll be fighting in the A-Block of the world championships.” “What’s the A-Block?” Orion asked. “In this competition, the world is divided into two blocks: A and B,” Luna answered. “If you can get through the A-Block, you will face the top team from the B-Block in the final round of the championships. The team who wins there, will be the world champions,” Celestia said. “World champions, huh? I like the sound of that,” Sagittario said. “So, who is our first opponent?” Firestorm asked. “It’ll be the Chinese representative team: Wang Hu Zhong,” Celestia answered. “Wang Hu Zhong!” Andromeda said under her breath. “A strong opponent right off the bat. Now I’m itching to duel,” Sagittario said. “I’d be psyched if I was going to duel too, ya know,” Yu said. “Now then, time for you to take flight,” Celestia said as the team begins to leave. “Before you go, a piece of advice,” Twilight said to her daughter before she leaves. “Just remember that you’re not alone. You have both the support of your team and your friends here. Good luck,” Twilight finished. “I will, mom,” Andromeda said as she runs after her teammates. “Make us all proud. And be careful!” Twilight said as she watches her daughter and her friends, both new and old, enter the jet bridge. “We will,” Andromeda said before they disappear from sight altogether. ================================================================== The plane soon begins to take off, the group sitting in first class. Andromeda is looking out of her window, when she sees something. “Hey guys, look!” Andromeda said to her teammates. They all look out of the right side of the plane and see lots of ponies, some from Ponyville, some of them members of the Wonderbolts, and their friends and family are all cheering. They’re holding a sign that says ‘Fight hard and take no prisoners! Win this for everyone!’ “Wow!” Yu said. “Everyone is counting on us,” Firestorm said. “Then lets not disappoint them,” Andromeda said as they take off, their next destination: China.