The World Duel Championships X

by The Avenger

The Festival of Warriors

It has been 2 days since they defeated the Russian team, and now Team Star Swirl are in Greece, specifically Athens. “Wow! How beautiful,” Andromeda said as she admires the city from the Parthenon. “The blue Aegean Sea and just look at that architecture. I always wanted to come here.” Andromeda said, clearly in love. “Greece is like a piece of heaven!”
“It’s just an ocean, Andromeda,” Tempest said as he, Sagittario and Yu stand behind her.
“There are no pandas or koalas,” Sagittario pointed out.
“Ugh. I’m tired of looking at ruined buildings,” Yu said. “I’m hungry.”
“Yeah, I could use something to eat.” Tempest said.
“Now you're talking! Let’s go get some food,” Sagittario added, the three not noticing how angry Andromeda is getting.
“Agh! You guys really don’t get it!” Andromeda yelled, scaring the three colts. “Tempest, you and Firestorm should be excited to be here. After all, Greece is considered the ancient home of all pegasi. Can’t you guys feel the romance here at all.”
At that statement, Tempest blushes slightly. “Well, I can’t say I do,” he nervously said, “but Bismarck and Radiance sure are.” He said as he watches the two gaze at the sea.
“The sea is just beautiful,” Radiance said as she places her head on Bismarck’s shoulder.
“It sure is,” Bismarck said. “But it ain’t as beautiful as your eyes,” he said, which makes Radiance chuckle.
“Okay,” Tempest said as Sagittario and Yu cover their mouths, trying not to hurl.
“We didn’t came here to sightsee,” Firestorm suddenly said, getting everyone’s attention as he looks at a map of Europe. “We should get to the arena soon. That’s the reason we came all the way to Greece. The Festival of Warriors, a competition where the best duelist from all over the EU come to compete.”
“Right! And I bet that pegasus, Julian Konzern, is sure to be there too,” Tempest said, remembering the Team Excalibur vs. Team Desert Blaze match they all saw.
“We can’t just worry about him,” Firestorm continued. “We definitely need to check out all of the other duelist as well. The European Union is massive, a huge assembly of nations and kingdoms with 27 members. The members of the team representing it, called Excalibur, were chosen from the winners from all of those countries. It is truly a force of the best of the best. Our job is to get to know them and learn their strengths and weaknesses.”
“That’s the deal,” Tempest said.
“Awesome!” Yu suddenly said. “So they’re Europe’s strongest duelists, huh? I can’t wait to meet them and see how good they are. Oh, yeah!”
“But, the Festival of Warriors doesn’t begin until this afternoon,” Andromeda pointed out. “Until then, I’m going to enjoy the sights. And one of you is coming with me, whether you like it or not,” she added. Acting quickly, Sagittario and Yu take a few steps back, leaving Tempests exposed. “Oh, I’m so glade you volunteered, Tempest.”
“Wait, what?” Tempest asked as Andromeda grabs his tail with her magic and drags him away. “Hold on! Wait! You two are gonna get it when I get back.”
“Have fun, Tempy!” Yu said as Andromeda and the reluctant Tempest leave the Parthenon.
“Sure am glade it was him and not us,” Sagittario said, when he notices something. “Where did Radiance and Bismarck went to?”
“They said that they were going to find a hospital so they can get an ultrasound,” Firestorm answered.
“Oh! Right, they’re having a baby. I forgot,” a slightly embarrassed Sagittario said.
“Huh!? They’re gonna have a baby!? I didn't know that,” a surprised Yu said.

Meanwhile, down by the beach, Andromeda is at the edge of the beach, letting the small waves splash her hoofs, which tickles. “Yay! This feels so nice! I should have brought my swim fins,” she said, while Tempest watches at the shore.
“What is it with mares?” He asked himself. “The more I try to understand them, the stranger they get.”
“Come on, Tempest!” Andromeda called out as she walks into the water further, the water now to her knees. “The water is so nice!”
“I guess mares like these kinds of things,” Tempest simply said as he glances over toward their bags. He sees a small, inflatable beach ball, and gets an idea. Tempest takes the ball and soon inflates it. “Oh Androomedaa!” He called out as he gets ready to throw it.
“What is it?” Andromeda asked, only to get hit in the head with the beach ball. “Ow!” She cried out as Tempest laughs, though Andromeda quickly hatches a revenge plan. Without Tempest’s notice, Andromeda slyly brings up a large amount of seawater above his head. “Oh, Teeeempeeest,” she said right as she drops the water on top of Tempest, nearly drowning him as the water washes him to Andromeda’s position.
“Hey!”
“You deserve that,” Andromeda said. Suddenly she’s tackled by Tempest and dragged out to the water.
“You were saying?” Tempest asked as the two get up. Soon, the two begun to splash each other, laughing and having some real fun. Eventually, the two walk back up to the beach to dry off.
“That was so much fun!” Andromeda said as she uses her magic to twist her hair dry.
“It was just like when we were foals, playing by the swimming hole,” Tempest added.
“Are you glade you came now?”
“Yeah, I am gl-“ Suddenly, tempest stops in mid-sentence as he gasps in shock.
“What!? What is it?” A worried Andromeda asked.
“Up there!” Tempest said as he points toward a small ridge 100 yards away, where they see a mare with a white coat, a long, pale-blue wavy mane, green eyes and a gold and pink heart for a cutie mark, wearing a white wide brim hate, standing on the edge, looking down.
“What in the world is she doing up there!?” Andromeda asked.
“Come on!” Tempest said as the two quickly run up the ridge. “Hey, get away from there!” Tempest yelled as he and Andromeda get closer to the mare, who hears them.
“If you fall off, you might not make it back!” Andromeda added as they reach the mare and drag her back several feet away from the edge.
“Do you realize how close you were to the edge of the cliff!? You could’ve slipped and fell to your death!” Tempest said.
“You're just lucky we were here!” Andromeda added. Suddenly, the mare begins to laugh.
“Oh, dear! I had no idea!” The mare said.
“What’s so funny?” Andromeda asked, only for her and Tempest to notice her wings. “You’re a pegasus!? I guess that means there was no need to save you, huh?”
“Yes,” the mare laughed. “I must’ve got carried away by my examination of the ruins.”
“Huh?”
“Yes, I just love them. That’s why I’m trying to become an archeologist,” the mare said.
“Archeologist?” Tempest asked. “So that’s what you were doing.”
“Sorry we freaked out like that,” Andromeda said as Tempest walks up to the edge and looks down.
“I’m sorry for confusing you,” the mare said. “I’m Sophie. It’s a pleaser to meet you.”
“It a pleaser to meet you, too. I’m Andromeda and that’s my friend Tempest,” Andromeda said as she points toward the pegasus stallion, who's still looking down.
“Andromeda and Tempest? You two don’t happen to be members of the Equestrian representative team, Star Swirl?” Sophie asked.
“Yeah, we are,” Tempest answered.
“Oh! I thought you two looked familiar,” Sophie said. “I’m a member of Team Excalibur.”
“You’re a member of the EU team!?” A surprised Andromeda asked.
“Yes, I am,” said Sophie. “Me and my partner, Wales, make up the tag-team duo known as ‘Konzern’s Twin Jewels.’”
“Hey, Sophie, right, where are these ruins you talked about?” Tempest asked. “The only thing I see is blue water.”
“They’re down there, all right,” Sophie said as she takes to the sky and grabs a pice of a cloud. “Not to far below the surface is a sunken Greek ship from before recorded history.”
“Hold on, wait. You were gonna dive from here to cheek it out?” Tempest asked.
“Not likely. I hate to get wet,” Sophie said as she throws the cloud pice down toward the water.
“Huh? Who would actually throw a cloud into the water?” Tempest asked. Suddenly, the water begins to move rapidly and violently. “What’s going on?!” Both Tempest and Andromeda asked as an arch shaped cloud rises from the water, and sucks out all of the water that’s around the ship, which becomes clearly visible.
“Whoa! What happened?” Andromeda asked as Sophie flies down the sunken ship.
“My best guess is that she reconfigured the cloud to be able to absorb the water and create a large enough space for her to examine that ship,” Tempest said. “But I never even heard of something like this begin done before.”
“See?” Sophie asked them as the cloud barrier disappears. “There’s no need to dive, is there?”
“Yeah,” Tempest said.
“Say, I was wondering. Are you here for the Festival of Warriors?” Andromeda asked.
“Yes, I am. I’m hosting the competition with Wales,” Sophie answered. “But I’m afraid that only duelist from the European Union can enter the arena. So, be sure to tell you teammates not to come, because it’s not gonna end well if they try to get in.” Sophie added as she flies away.
“So much for checking out the EU team,” Tempest said.

Later in town, Andromeda and Tempest are walking through the town, looking for something to eat. “Do you believe Sophie when she said that only duelist from the EU can enter the arena?” Tempest asked.
“It kinda makes sense that only duelist from the EU can enter,” Andromeda said. “I mean, after all, the World Duel Championships X are going on right now, so anyone from outside the EU is probably a member of an opposing team.”
“Well, whatever the reason, we can’t see the duelist so we might as well find the others,” Tempest said as they passed by a restaurant that has a very large open area.
“And I think we found two.” Andromeda said as she looks at one of the tables, and sees Bismarck and Radiance having lunch together. “Hey, Bismarck! Radiance!” Andromeda said, getting the couples attention.
“Tempest! Andromeda!” A pleasantly surprised Radiance said. “Come on in! We saved some seats for you,” she added. Not long after, Andromeda and Tempest are now sitting at the same table as Radiance and Bismarck, the mares next to each other and the stallions across from them. “So, you two meet a member of the EU team at the beach,” Radiance said after a few minutes of talking.
“Yeah.” Tempest answered as he drinks some lemonade.
“Her name is Sophie and she said she wants to become an archeologist,” Andromeda said as she has some Greek salad.
“You mean a scientist that studies ancient civilizations?” Bismarck asked.
“That’s the one,” Tempest said as he eats some yogurt with honey and walnuts. “You should’ve seen what she did to look at this sunken boat. She used a-”
“There you are, Wales!” A unicorn suddenly said, getting the foursome’s attention. They see that the unicorn is talking to another unicorn with a blue coat, piercing blue eyes, a short brown mane with bangs cover his right eye with a lance for a cutie mark, whose eating a salad with feta cheese. “You beat me at the Coltugal tournament, but I was just off my game! Let’s settle this once and for all right here,” the unicorn said as he prepares for a fight, but Wales just continues to eat his salad. “Hey! Are you listening?”
“Not really,” Wales said. “Can’t you see that I’m in the middle of lunch?”
“To bad! We’re doing this now!”
“Ugh! If you insist,” Wales reluctantly said. “I’ve decided to give you three-seconds of my time.”
“Three-seconds!? Is that some kind of joke?” The unicorn asked as Wales wipes his mouth with a cloth before he gets up. “Well, it’s not funny! Prepare yourself!” The unicorn said as he charges at Wales. In one-second, Wales create a shield that blocks him. In the 2nd second, the unicorn receives the backlash. In the third second, the unicorn is sent flying toward the ocean, screaming.
“That’s three-seconds,” Wales said as he returns to his table, and continues eating.
“Did you see that!?” Tempest asked. “He defeated that big mouth in just three-seconds, just like he said he would.”
“He must be the Wales of Team Excalibur that Sophie talked about,” Andromeda correctly assumed.
“He’s a member of the EU team?” Radiance asked.
“Yeah,” Andromeda said as the four sit back down. “Sophie said she and someone named Wales make up a tag-team called ‘Konzern’s Twin Jewels.’”
“Wow! I wonder how many other incredible duelist will show up at the Festival of Warriors?” Bismarck asked.
“About that,” Tempest nervously said. “Sophie also said that only duelist from the EU are allowed into the arena.”
“Really? Why?” Radiance asked.
“Not sure, but we can’t get in, so we might as well enjoy the sights of Athens while we’re here,” Andromeda said. “I just hope the others won’t do anything stupid.”

Later that day, it’s almost afternoon, and Firestorm, Sagittario and Yu arrive at where the Festival of Warriors takes place. “This is the place,” Firestorm said.
“Wow, it’s huge!” Yu said as he looks at the ancient Greek temple that’s now an arena.
“Come on! Lets get in!” Sagittario said as he hurries up to the arena.
“Should’t we wait for the others?” Yu asked.
“They’re probably already inside,” Sagittario said as he nears the entrance, when a mare suddenly stops him. “Huh?”
“Sorry, but duelist who are not members of the European Union are forbidden from entering,” she said.
“Oh, c’mon! We’ve traveled a really long way to get here!” Yu complained.
“Yeah! Why don’t you give us a break?” Sagittario asked.
“I can’t. It’s against the rules. Sorry,” the mare said.
“Those with no business here should go home,” a unicorn colt with a blue coat, piercing blue eyes, a short brown mane with bangs cover his right eye with a lance for a cutie mark said as he steps out of the shadows.
“Who are you?” Firestorm asked.
“I’m Coltugal’s representative, Wales,” the unicorn answered.
“We’re Equestria’s,” Sagittario said.
“I don’t care. I have no interest in you at all.” Wales said.
“What was that!?”
“This is not a place where a bunch of nobodies from nowhere can just walk into,” Wales added. “Hit the road!”
“Why you! We’re no nobodies!” Yu nearly shouted.
“That wasn’t a very nice thing to say, was it Wales?” A pegasus mare with a white coat, a long, pale-blue wavy mane, green eyes and a gold and pink heart for a cutie mark said as she walks up.
“Who are you?” Firestorm asked the mare.
“I am Prances representative, Sophie,” the mare answered.
“Why can’t we go inside?” Yu asked.
“Its like this,” Sophie began to say. “Since ancient times, this has been a precious place, used to appeal to the gods for victory. That is why those who are not members of the European Union cannot enter here, ever! I hope you can understand?”
“I see,” Firestorm said. “So it’s a tradition, meaning if we or someone else were to break it…”
“You would be in big trouble,” Sophie finished. “I already told your team members Andromeda and Tempest about the rule, but it looks like they didn’t get the chance to tell the rest of you. We should meet again sometime,” Sophie added as she, Wales and the guard enter the arena.
“That’s the way things go,” Firestorm said as he turns around, followed by the reluctant Sagittario and Yu.
“I can’t believe this! Not being able to at least see the Festival of Warriors sucks!” Yu shouted.
“Actually, she said that we could’t enter the festival, she didn’t say we couldn't see it,” Sagittario pointed out.
“Don’t tell me, you have a plan?” Firestorm asked.

A little while later, Sagittario, Yu and the reluctant Firestorm are walking on the edge of the 200 foot cliff overhanging the ocean, looking to sneak into the Festival of Warriors. “How in the world did I let you talk me into this!?” Yu frantically asked Sagittario.
“Quit complaining and keep climbing,” Sagittario said as he combs over the edge, before he helps Yu up while Firestorm flies up. The three eventually reach the edge of where the stadium is and look, and see that a unicorn wearing a viking outfit has just defeated someone.
“The representative from Norneigh wins,” Sophie said as she and Wales watch from a small booth.
“The next match will be Spain vs. Swisherland,” Wales said. “Both duelists up front!”
“In support for the victory of the European Union’s team, I offer this duel for the people of Prance!” Sophie said as she hold up her hoof.
“In support for the victory, this duel is for the people of Spain,” an earth pony wearing a yellow bullfighting outfit said as he imitates Sophie’s movements.
“I offer this duel and victory to the people of Swisherland!” A unicorn, wearing a cropped jacket and a französin hut, said as he does the same thing.
“Wow! That’s a lot of pressure. Promising victory to your country?” Sagittario whispered.
“With all of them here, we can’t tell who the members of Excalibur are,” Firestorm pointed out.
“Sure we can,” Yu said. “After all, they’re probably the strongest 4 so they’re be the ones still standing in the end.” Unfortunately for these three, they will be noticed, and challenged.

Later that day, it’s almost nightfall as Andromeda, Tempest, Radiance, and Bismarck walk back to their hotel rooms, all of them carrying a bag of some kind. “That was such great fun!” Andromeda said.
“I actually had a great time,” Tempest said as he opens the door for the boy's room, and sees Firestorm, Yu and Sagittario all lying on the couches, bandaging themselves up. “Guys! What happened?” Tempest asked as the other three walk in.
“We went to the arena where the Festival of Warriors takes place at, and when we wen’t allowed to go in, theses two decided to sneak in,” Firestorm answers, which makes Yu and Sagittario laugh nervously. “They eventually got a little too excited and we were caught. Two of the four members of Team Excalibur, Sophie and Wales, then challenges us to a two-on-two match. These two accepted, but the far superior teamwork Sophie and Wales had humiliated them,” Firestorm added, which makes the two groan.
“That’s what you get for breaking the rules,” Andromeda said.
“Right,” Firestorm said as he gets up. “But there’s a bigger problem: this team has terrible teamwork.”
“Then we’ll just have to fix it,” Tempest said. “It’s too late to do anything now, so tomorrow we’re gonna have to work on our team work.”