The World Duel Championships X

by The Avenger

How Grand, a Cage Death Match

At the space cadet training center, Anton plugs in the USB flash drive Aleksei used to steal the data into his computer. He then chuckles as he reviews the data on Andromeda, Tempest, Bismarck, Firestorm and Yu. “Andromeda Sparkle. Tempest. Bismarck Apple. Firestorm. And Yu Tendo. Hmmm … None of them are opponents who can be taken care of by normal means. We Lovushka must make extra precautions to make sure that we are victories. Which came first, the rocket or the launching pad? Taking first place is all we care about.”

Meanwhile, in the room Team Star Swirl are staying in, Andromeda checks her inbox, and sighs. “Still no word on Sagittario’s whereabouts.” She said.
“Where in the world could he possibly be?” Firestorm asked.
“What are we gonna do if he doesn’t make it back in time?” Tempest asked.
“Duh! That answer is obvious, isn’t it?” A happy Yu suddenly said. “Why do you think that all teams have a sub-member? Leave it to me. If Sagittono doesn’t come back, then I’ll take his place and I’ll smoke whoever i’m going up against.”
“Is that right?” A slightly skeptical Tempest asked.
“I’m sure that’s true, but still…” a just as skeptical Andromeda said.
“Nothing. I’m hungry. Is it time to eat yet?” Yu asked.
Suddenly, the door opens and Aleksei walks in. “Hi, everyone,” he said.
“Oh! Hi Aleksei!” Andromeda said.
“There is a meal ready for you all. This way,” Aleksei said as he points toward his right before he leave.
“Okay!”
“It’s about time!” Yu said as the team follow Aleksei to the dinning area, and see a table covered in Russian cuisine like blintz, borscht, lymonnyk, medovukha, mushroom solyanka, and Russian vinaigrette.
“Wow!” The team all said.
“This looks great!” Tempest said.
“Well, please don’t be shy,” Aleksei said.
“Don’t worry! We won’t be!” Tempest, Yu and Bismarck all said as they dive in.
“Guys!”

Meanwhile, hundreds of miles south of the Russian border, Sagittario is walking across a gray dessert, completely exhausted. “I have no idea where I am!” Sagittario admitted to himself, not noticing a fighter jet fly above him. “My throat is so dry. And my stomach is empty,” the dazed Sagittario said, before he slips and rolls down a hill. When he stops and gets up, he notices a fence line. “Huh?” Sagittario said as he looks to where the fence line leads to. “A building? I’m saved at last!” Sagittario said, mustering up all of his strength to walk toward the building, which is about a half-mile away.

Back in Russia, the team has just finished eating, with Bismarck, Yu and Tempest having second and third helpings. “Thank you so much,” the three boys all said, before burping. “Pardon.”
“Oh, you’re done already?” Radiance asked.
“That’s right. So what should we do now?” Yu asked.
“Uh, Aleksei, since we’re here … can you show us the space shuttle?” Andromeda nervously asked.
“Yeah. Sure I can. Just follow me.”

Later in a building next to the rocket and its launch pad, Aleksei and Team Star Swirl (except for Sagittario) are beholding the shuttle. “Its huge,” said Bismarck.
“Its cool,” Yu added.
“This is … the place that will let us realize our dream,” Aleksei said. “Yes. One day we will rise in this rocket and fly beyond the Earth. We will soar into the great expanse of space. That is our dream. Our only dream.”
“Space? That is awesome,” an impressed Tempest said. “If we train hard, can we ride on that and go into space too?”
“I want to go with you too!” Yu said with stars in his eyes.
“We got the strength for the job,” Bismarck said, which makes Radiance sigh out of embarrassment.
“Stop it! Stop it,” Lera suddenly said as she and Nowaguma walk in. “It takes more than muscle to go into space. Don't you know anything at all?”
“Huh?”
“She’s right,” Andromeda said. “It takes a lot more than muscle to be an astronaut."
“Right. To become a cosmonaut, you need more than physical strength,” Lera continued. “You also need a ton of highly skilled technical knowledge. Not to mention the following — standard education, astrology, space engineering, space medicine, orbital dynamics, robotics, s-”
“Okay! You can stop now!” Tempest begged. “Just listening to that makes my head hurt.”
“Now you're thinking! It would be impossible for a guy with your grades, huh Tempy?” Yu teased.
“What!?”
“Weve-been-here-four-fivea-years,” Nowaguma mumbled.
“What was that?” Radiance asked.
“Nowaguma is saying that we’ve been here for five years, undergoing intense training! Pay closer attention!” Lera yelled out. “We had no breaks that whole time. For 365 days a year, our harsh, endless training has continued.”
“You all obviously worked really hard to make your dream a reality. Haven't you?” Andromeda asked.
“Yes,” Aleksei answered. “And we do not want all of that effort go to wast.”
“What do you mean?” Bismarck asked.
“We won’t be able to do it anymore! Budget for the space program has been cut because of the bad economy,” Lera said.
“No-more-space,” Nowaguma mumbled.
“That’s right. Chances are that the entire space development program will be scraped,” Lera added.
“How awful.”
“That bites,” Radiance and Bismarck both said.
“It bites large,” Aleksei added. “It comes down to the competition. If we can win and gain recognition in the World Duel Championships X, we may have a chance to save our dream.”
“If we win then we can get a new sponsor to support us,” said Lera. “So there is no room for error. We simply cannot lose. Not happening!”
“We have to win and move forward.” Aleksei continued. “Our team must make the rest of the world notice us.”
“I get it,” Andromeda said. “But just understand, we’re not going to go easy on you.”
“You have a nice dream to go flying off into space in a big tin can.” Yu added. “And our dream is to win the world championships and become the worlds greets in dueling.”
“Yes. Of course, please come at us with all of your might,” Aleksei said.
“If you start pulling punches, we won’t be able to show the world how awesome we are!” Lera added.
“And then we will win everything. And out victory shall turn our dream into a reality.” Aleksei finished.
“That’s the spirit,” said Tempest. “We’re pumped to fight. We can’t wait for it.”
Yes. We have to win. Aleksei thought. We must beat them, no matter what it takes to do it.

Later at the arena, a huge line is right outside, everyone eager to see the first match of the second round. As soon as the gates open, everyone in the line rushes in, wanting to get the best seats to see the duels. “Welcome to the World Duel Championships X, the second round of the A-Block begins here!” A griffin wearing a red bubble jacket and a brown trapper hat, the Russian DJ, said to the eager audience. “This duel is between our Russian representatives, Team Lovushka, against Equestria’s representatives, Team Star Swirl! It’s gonna be madness!”

In Team Star Swirl’s waiting room … “It looks like Sagittario won’t make it in time after all,” Andromeda said as she cheeks on her computer. “Celestia, Luna, or the International Police haven’t received a word from him either.”
“For now, all we have to do is decide who our Advance Guard will be,” Firestorm pointed out.
“I’ll do it,” Tempest said. “I’ll earn us a win. We’ll decide who goes second when the time comes. You guys okay with that?”
“Ah’m down with that, partner.”
“Yeah, same here,” Bismarck and Firestorm both said.
“I’m good! In fact, if Sagittono doesn’t come back until it’s all over, I’m still good.” Yu happily said.
“Okay, then it’s decided,” Andromeda said. “Tempest will be the Advanced Guard.”
“Great. Let’s go everyone,” said Tempest. However, none of them know that, in a painting depicting the Russian witch Baba Yaga, one of the witches eyes is watching them.

In another room, Anton and Team Lovushka are watching. “So Tempest has been selected as the Advanced Guard, huh?” Anton said.
“They’re sending someone out who hasn’t yet competed yet right away?” Lera asked.
“I will duel him,” Aleksei volunteered.
“No! Nowaguma goes first,” Anton firmly said.
“Huh? But I can easily take care of a pegasus like Tempest,” Aleksei pointed out.
“Lovushka’s best is you, Aleksei,” Anton pointed out. “However, stop thinking like an ammeter. If they send either Andromeda or Firestorm next, then we will lose if you go first. I said we will go with Nowaguma and that’s final! If you want to win this and continue your dream, then you all do exactly as I say. Is that clear?”
“Yes,” Aleksei reluctantly said.

Meanwhile, hundreds of miles south of the Russian border, Sagittario walks into the building he saw earlier, making a cow bell above the door ring. “Finally,” an exhausted Sagittario said. But when he sees inside, he sees that there’s a bar, and all the customers are huge, scary looking griffins wearing black jackets, all of them around his father’s size and build. Some of them glare at Sagittario, which terrifies him. Suddenly, one gets up and walks up to him. “What do you want?” Sagittario asked as the others get up also.
“You!” The one that got up first suddenly said. “Is that you up there?” He asked as he points toward a television screen, where a news broadcast is happening.
“To repeat, this unicorn, Sagittario Armor, son of Princess Cadence and Shining Armor of the Crystal Empire, wen’t mysteriously missing on his way to an arena in Russian for the second round of the World Duel Championships X and has not been found. If anyone sees this colt, please contact the International Police or Princess Celestia of Equestria immediately.” The reporter said.
“Uh…”

Back at the arena … “Are you ready to get this Russian rumble started?” The DJ asked the very excited audience. “First up is Star Swirl, making his first appearance in the World Championships, put your frozen mittens together for Tempest!” He said as Tempest walls out to the stadium, wearing a dark blue jacket.
“Boo!”
“And now, from our Team Lovushka, give it up for the little guy in the big suit, Nowaguma!” The DJ added as Nowaguma walks out toward the stadium, while the audience all cheers for him. “Okay everyone, let’s see who comes out on top. The Russian Cosmonaut, or the Equestrian Sky Marvel?” He added, while the audience all cheers loudly for Nowaguma.
“So loud!” Yu cried out as he and the others cover their ears.
“I guess it’s the same with every home crowd, Yu,” Andromeda pointed out.
“It’ll take more than cheering to rattle me,” Tempest said as he scratches himself. “Man, this jacket is irritating. Why do I get the feeling this thing is made of rubber? Let’s do this, Nowaguma.”
“For this match, a no stadium out, complete defeat rule has been in effect.” The DJ said, which surprises the team.
“Huh?”
“What?”
“A no stadium out, complete defeat rule?” Yu, Bismarck and Andromeda all asked.
“But this stadium isn’t design for that.” Firestorm pointed out. Suddenly, a light green wired fence pops up from behind Nowaguma, than one to the left pops up, and then to the right, and then behind Tempest, and a fifth one pops up and closes the cage, which bolts itself shut.
“What!?”
“What is that thing?!” Yu and Radiance both asked while the others gasp in shock.
“So, what do you think?” Anton asked the team. “Behold, the Cage Stadium.”
“The Cage Stadium?” Andromeda asked.

Meanwhile, hundreds of miles south of the Russian border, Sagittario and one of the griffins he meet at the bar are on a jet fighter about to take off, with the griffin at the controls. “Don’t worry, little colt. I’ll get you to the arena in time in this baby. We all enjoy watching the World Championships so it's the least I can do.”
“Thank you. You're being a real pal.” Sagittario said as the griffin puts on a respirator.
“Okay, hold on tight.”
“Huh? Why is that?” Sagittario nervously asked. Suddenly, the fighter jet takes off at an incredible speed, with Sagittario crying like a little filly even after the jet takes off to the North, toward Russia.
“Now we’re gonna open her up, kid.”
“Oh no!” Sagittario screamed as the jet quickly get to Mark 3. “It’s just one disaster after another!”

Back at the stadium … “Are you all pumped up to see the first match of the Team Lovushka against Team Star Swirl duel?” The DJ asked the excited crowd. “The first match is a complete defeat rule, cage stadium!”
“Yeah!” The audience all yelled while Anton chuckles.
“Having fun? Enjoying the Russian hospitality?” Anton asked Tempest.
“Big deal. I’ll fight you here or anywhere for that matter!” Tempest said.
“That figures.”
“I know, right?” Radiance and Andromeda both said.
“That’s wonderful,” Anton said as he sniffs a black rose. “This is what makes you the fastest flyer in Equestria, I think. We are so glade you all came, Star Swirl. Now, send him back home, Nowaguma.”
“My-friends-and-I-must-go-into-space,-so-I-must-win.-I-will-win.” Nowaguma said, with Tempest actually understanding him this time.
“Well, that’s nice and all, but it ain’t happening,” Tempest said. “Let’s do this.”
“Its time to get things rolling,” the DJ suddenly announced. “Three … two … one … GO!” At that, the duel begins. Tempest, acting quickly, Tempest flies up high, but he hits the roofs cage.
“Ow!” Tempest said as he hovers right below the roof of the cage.
“Ho! Ho! Tempest tried to reach for the sky itself, but someone forgot about the cage,” the DJ said.
“This means that Tempest can’t use his greatest strength, his speed,” Firestorm said, while Anton chuckles.
“A pegasus that cannot fly is just a simple earth pony. It just goes to show you what a little underhanded research can do of you.” Anton said.
“So that’s why they have a cage,” Andromeda said.
“It’s a stadium created specifically to prevent Tempest from using his sonic rainboom,” Radiance said.
“That’s so unfair!” Yu yelled.
“Unfair? No, not so at all. Tempest and Nowaguma are dueling under the exact same conditions. Stop being such babies and get on the match already.” Anton said.
“No problem,” Tempest said. “Don’t think that you can stop me with this cage. I’ll break right out of this cage, do you hear me?” Tempest shouted as he flies around the ring at high-speed, getting ready to bust through the cage.
“I don’t think so,” Anton quietly said as he presses a red button on his seat, right when Tempest flies up towards the roof. But when Tempest makes contact with the cage, an incredible electric shock happens, making him bounce back, with some of his fur scorch now.
“What just happen?” Tempest asked as he gets up.
“What was that?” Yu asked.
“An electric current,” Andromeda answered.
“Now what? That sure was a shocking development,” the DJ said. “Tempest manages to withstand whatever that was just now.”
“What do you mean ‘whatever that was’? You goofball!” Radiance shouted.
“I’ve never seen a stadium like this before,” Yu said.
“Like I already said, they’re both under the same conditions,” Anton said.
“Aleksei, why? Why did you do this? Do you really want to win so badly that you actually cheat? How do you sleep at night?” Andromeda asked, which makes Aleksei groan from frustration.
“Aleksei?”
“Lera! You see that the duel has already started. No. There’s no turning back now. We have to win, no matter what,” Aleksei said. “Go Nowaguma!”
Hearing his friend, Nowaguma clutches his fist. “Yes,” Nowaguma said, while Tempest is taken aback by this new Nowaguma. “I-fully-understand-Aleksei’s-feelings. So-I-will-fight-in-order-to-win. I-will-make-our-dream-come-TRUE!” Nowaguma roared, like a bear, before he charges at Tempest.
“Tempest! If the sky is blocked then use the ground!” Firestorm shouted.
“You can beat this guy even without your sonic rainboom, Tempey!” Yu added.
“Gotcha!” Tempest said to his team as he flies at a high-speed at Nowaguma. But somehow, Nowaguma is able to keep up a complete defense, brushing off Tempest’s attack like it was nothing.
“Bouncing borscht bowls! Nowaguma has stop Tempest’s fierce attack like it was nothing at all,” the DJ said, while the crowd all cheers in excitement.
“Then I’ll keep going until I break that defense!” Tempest shouted as he tries again, but he is unable to break through Nowaguma’s defense once again.
“Oh! He stops the attack yet again! Like a wild bare, he doesn’t even budge under the attacks of Tempest,” the DJ said as Tempest is knocked back, while the crowd cheers.
“Nowaguma is like a completely different griffin now,” Yu said.
“This is bad. Because of the special coating on his feathers, along with his space suit, no ordinary ground attack will affect Nowaguma’s rock solid defense, and Tempest is unable to cling to the skies due to the Cage.” Andromeda said, while Anton chuckles.
“So, with his wings clipped and unable to fly away, it is Tempest’s fate to go down in defeat at the bear paws. Yeeeeess. Go, Nowaguma!” Anton sinisterly said as Nowaguma begins to slam Tempest continuously into the cage. Then, when he comes back from the rebound, Nowaguma hits him again and the process continues.
“This is bad,” Andromeda said, worried for her friend, who screams in pain each time Nowaguma hits him, combined with the electric shock from the cage.
“Tempest has to do something!” Yu said.
“Nowaguma turns up the heat with a raging rush of attacks,” the DJ commentated.
“What is he?” Radiance asked.
“By using his own wight to attack, each struck has incredible power. Tempest needs to do something before his bones start breaking,” Firestorm said.
“If his defense is like a hibernating bear, then Nowaguma’s offense is like a furies bear that was just rudely woken up,” the DJ added. Suddenly, using his superior speed, Tempest dodges one of the incoming attacks and flings Nowaguma into the cage, making him scream due to the electric current before he falls down.
“Holly hot plats! This time, Nowaguma gets a taste of the electric current,” the DJ said, while Tempest coughs up a little blood.
“Great!”
“Nowaguma!” Lera both cried.
“Don’t quit Nowaguma!” Aleksei cheered. “We must win and we’re bound for outer space,” Aleksei added as Nowaguma gets up and slams Tempest into fleeing around the stadium, until Nowaguma is able to catch up and grinds Tempest into the cage without letting up.
“Whoa! Nowaguma counterattacks! He’s got Tempest in his claws! Combine that with the electric current, and it’s bad news for Tempest.”
“No! Tempest!” Andromeda cried while the crowd cheers for Nowaguma.
“The sparks are flying! Nowaguma’s massive attacks are forcing Tempest into submission,” the DJ added.
“Not good!” Firestorm said. “The longer this is dragged out, the greater Nowaguma’s chances since the suit protects him from most of the electric current.”
“So what can he do? If Tempest can’t fly, he can’t use his full power,” Bismarck added. Suddenly, Tempest manages to get away from Nowaguma.
“Hey!”
Somehow I have to break free from this stupid cage. Tempest thought to himself. But if I try to simply go as fast as I can to break out, the electric current will stop me. Wait a sec! This itchy jacket I have on is made of rubber, and rubber doesn’t conduct electricity. But even with that, I won’t be able to break out, unless I… Tempest looks over toward Nowaguma, who’s about ready to charge at him again. “I sure hope I don’t regret this.” Tempest said as he covers his head with the jackets hood. Nowaguma then charges at Tempest, but Tempest, much to everyone’s surprise, also charges at Nowaguma.
“No way! Tempest is charging at Nowaguma, just like a runaway train,” the DJ said.
“What does he think he’s doing!?” Radiance demanded.
“Ha! What a desperate move,” Anton replied as Nowaguma uppercuts Tempest up into the air.
“Beef stroganoff! Tempest is sent flying by Nowaguma’s ferocious attack! Is this the end?” The DJ asked.
“Yes!” Nowaguma said, when…
“Time to fly!” Tempest suddenly shouted, which shocks Nowaguma as he crashes into the electrically charged cage roof and furiously tries to break through, but the rubber jacket of Tempest’s is blocking the electricity.
This action makes Lovushka gasp in complete shock. “No way!” A disbelieving Anton said.
“This is the only thing I can do to win. I have to break out of this stupid cage and reclaim the skies!” Tempest managed to say, despite the strain to his body.
“Holy caviar! Has Tempest used Nowaguma’s power to actually volt into the dangerous electric current on purpose?” The DJ asked, while the cage begins to break at several seams.
“Tempest!” All of Team Star Swirl cried out. Suddenly, thanks to Nowaguma’s lend of power and Tempest’s will, Tempest breaks out of the cage in a rainbow-colored explosion and flies into the sky.
“Impossible!” A stunned Anton said as he gets up. “That cage is made of an impenetrable alloy!” He added as Tempest soars high into the sky before he finally stops, about 700 feet above the stadium.
“Time for a sonic rainboom!” Tempest said as he dives down toward the arena.
“No! I-won’t-quit!” Nowaguma said before he jumps up into the air. “Russian-Death-Claw!” Nowaguma shouted, but Tempest performs his sonic rainboom and slams into Nowaguma against the cage wall. The force is so powerful that the wall collapses.
“No way! The force of the sonic rainboom bursts open the cage. The one out of the stadium is Nowaguma. The winner is Tempest of Team Star Swirl!” The DJ shouted, while the crowd all cheers.
“Yeah, baby!” Tempest said.
“That was amazing, Tempy!” Yu cheered.
“Purposely using the opponents attack and using its power to bust out of the cage while using the rubber jacket to protect himself against the electric current was brilliant,” Firestorm said. “Tempest is as rash as always.” Firestorm added, which makes the team chuckle.
“Yep, that was a typical Tempest move,” Andromeda said. “But, considering that they created such an unfair stadium for the first match just makes you wonder what they got up their space sleeves for the next one,” Andromeda added as the unbroken pieces of the cage goes back into the floor.
“Everyone,” Nowagume tried to say as he collapses.
“Nowaguma!” Both Aleksei and Lera shouted as they run toward their friend.
“Ha! That’s too bad. I consider that might possibly happen, so we will win the next one,” Anton coldheartedly said as walks away.
“Nowaguma, are you okay?” Lera asked.
“I’m-sorry,” Nowaguma said. “Everyone’s-dream…”
“It’s alright,” Lera reassured. “We’re not done yet.”
“We’ll win next time. Our dreams are still alive,” Aleksei said as he looks over toward the other team, who are all congratulating Tempest on his victory.

Meanwhile, several miles south of the Russian border, the jet plane that Sagittario is on finally begins to slow down. “Okay, kid. Here we are,” the pilot said to a very relieved Sagittario.
“Thank you so much!” Sagittario said as he looks around, but sees nothing but forest and snow. “Sir, where’s the stadium?”
“There’s a train station nearby. So you can go the rest of the way on your own.”
“Huh? Are you telling me that you're not going to take me all the way there?”
“Sorry, but we’re not allowed to cross the national border. Well, see ya,” the pilot said as he press a red button, which opens the hatch and ejects the seat Sagittario is in, who’s screaming like a title filly all over again. A parachute then opens as the pilot turns the plane around, while the seat detaches from the parachute, while Sagittario begins to whimper.
“Ahhhhh! No way! No way! No waaaaaaaaaaaay!”