Card Games on Ponies

Rainbow Dash looked up at the night sky above Manehattan. Between the lights blocking out the stars and the tall buildings surrounding them she felt like a tiny squirrel trapped inside a barrel. It made her want to spread her wings and shoot upwards.

“Beautiful, isn’t?” asked Rarity.

“Yeah,” muttered Rainbow Dash as she quickly took a step aside to avoid bumping a hasty mare. “A bit crowded for me,” she said drily.

Rarity glanced at her pegasus friend ruffling her wings. “Did you know the Royal Tomb was the place where I took part on a tournament for first time?” she asked quickly.

“Let me guess,” said Rainbow Dash with a grin. “First place?”

Rarity shook her head with a bemused smile. “I lost on the first round.”

Rainbow Dash raised both eyebrows.

“I tried to duel in a fabulous manner,” said Rarity while dramatically waving her right hoof. “One that would charm the audience with its beauty and grace,” she dropped her hoof with a heavy sigh. “I was utterly and completely devastated.”

Rainbow Dash smiled sympathetically. “That’s rough.”

“Indeed it was,” said Rarity with a solemn nod. “But it also taught me that, at that level of playing, Duel Monsters is a battle. And if I wanted to succeed, I would have to approach dueling in the same way I would approach a real life battle.”

“With mixed martial arts?”

Rarity nodded firmly. “With mixed martial--” her words were cut short as her sapphire eyes opened wide and her white cheeks turned a shade of red that could probably win a couple of apple harvest contests. “H-How did…?”

Rainbow Dash’s grin went from ear to ear. “Didn’t I tell you? I can be observant when I want.”

“Y-Yes,” said Rarity, regaining her composture. She could still feel her cheeks burning. “I can tell.”

“So,” said Rainbow Dash casually. “Where do you practice? The old South Paw’s gym?”

“Yes.”

Rainbow Dash laughed. “Really? I never imagined you would be okay with training inside an old, dusty warehouse.”

“I wasn’t,” said Rarity with a smile. “But once you start moving it’s like the outside world disappears,” she turned her head up and closed her eyes. “And, sometimes, that’s exactly what I need.”

“Oh?”

“My choice of career comes with a considerable amount of stress, Rainbow Dash,” said Rarity as she looked at her pegasus friend. “Normally it’s nothing a visit to the spa cannot solve, but there are times when you need to let your emotions out,” she curled her lower lip. “Deadlines, lack of supplies, flickle customers…keeping with the standards puts a heavy burden on your back and, sometimes, the only way to deal with the weight is to strike it with your hooves until it starts leaking sand,” she daintly extended her left hind leg. “It also helps me keep my figure.”

Rainbow Dash chuckled. “I get what you’re saying; when I’m stressed I like to fly really, really high, until my body gets covered in frost, then spread my wings and shatter it all with a loud scream!”

Rarity blinked. “Well, I suppose that’s one—oh my, look we’re here!”

The large, two-story building wasn’t too different from the others in the city, with its brick front and a row of three windows on the first and second floor. Still, it managed to stand out thanks to the main entrance, which was fashioned to resemble that of an acient ruin, with a doorway made of cracked grey stones with the carving of an eye on top.

“So this is Manehattan largest card game store, uh?” asked Rainbow Dash as she looked at the entrance. “The Royal Tomb?”

“You will get used to the crude entrance eventually,” said Rarity airily. “In the meantime, why don’t we go inside?”

They opened the doors and were greeted by the howling of the wind. The light from street revealed a couple of table rows and a few of the posters on the wall, but beyond that it was only darkness and silence.

“I wasn’t expecting a welcome party but dang,” said Rainbow Dash as they trotted inside.

Rarity glanced around. “Hello? Anypony here? We came from Ponyville by request of Princess Celestia.”

“ANYPONY?!”

Rarity flinched and glared at Rainbow Dash.

“What?” asked Rainbow Dash. “I’m just trying to save us time.”

Rarity shook her head. Her ears suddenly perked up. “Did you hear that?”

Rainbow Dash nodded. “Somepony is coming.”

Rarity narrowed her eyes as she saw the mare coming in front of them. She had a light pink coat, her purple tail and mane fashionably stylized, with a blue scarf crossed around her neck, over which rested a small golden pendant in the shape of an eye.

“Suri,” said Rarity incredulously.

“Hello, Rarity,” said Suri sweetly. “Long time no see.”

Rainbow Dash approached Rarity and whispered. “Who’s that?”

“Suri Polomare,” said Rarity. “She stole my designs, remember?”

Rainbow blinked.

“The Fashion Week, here in Manehattan?”

Silence.

Rarity sighed. “Hinny of the Hills?”

“Oh yeah!” said Rainbow Dash with a laugh.

Rarity fought the urge to roll her eyes. “What are you doing here, Suri?”

“Why, I wanted to see you,” said Suri with a toothy smile. “We have so much to talk about.”

“On the middle of the night, inside an empty card game shop?” asked Rainbow Dash with a quirked eyebrow.

Suri looked at Rainbow with disgust. “Do you mind? This is a private conversation,” she glanced behind her. “Frosty Rain?”

A blur suddenly rushed from the darkness, crashing with Rainbow Dash and dragging her outside and upwards with such speed that the doors to the shop closed with a loud slam.

“Rainbow Dash!” cried Rarity.

“Forget about her,” hissed Suri. “This is between you and me.”

Rarity glared at Suri. “What do you want?”

“What do you think?” asked Suri mockingly. She gritted her teeth. “Payback!”

“Payback?”

“Yes,” hissed Suri. “Do you have any idea how much did that little circus of yours during the Fashion Week cost me? How much did I have to work to recover? You left me in shambles!”

Rarity gave a soft hmph. “You brought that yourself.”

“The hay do you know!” grolwed Suri. “You’re nothing but a rube! Born on some backwater town! Ignorant of the complexities of the world of fashion! Yet you somehow clawed your way to Canterlot!”

Rarity smiled. “Thank you.”

“What? Why are you thanking me?!”

“I was born in quaint little Ponyville, my upbringing certainly more rustic than sophisticated, yet I still managed to make myself a name in the highest stratum of Canterlot by means of hard work and talent,” said Rarity with a smile and a tilt of her head. “How can I not be proud of that?”

Suri snarled.

“You need to work on your insults, darling.”

Suri took a deep breath and composed herself. “There is only one way to solve this.”

“I agree,” said Rarity. She flipped her head so her mane covered her right eye and adjusted her duel disk.

Suri smirked. “Oh Coco,” she called in a singsong voice. “Could you please come here?”

Rarity gasped as she saw a mare with an off-white coat and two-tone blue mane and tail, a lavender sailor collar with a red tie around her neck and hair clip of the same color on the back of her mane, walk next to Suri. “C-Coco?!”

“Be a dear and take care of Rarity for me, yes?” asked Suri sweetly.

“Yes, Miss Polomare,” replied Coco as she prepared her own duel disk. Her kind blue eyes looked dull and lifeless.

“What have you done to her?!” cried Rarity.

“Me?” asked Suri while placing her right hoof over her chest. “I did nothing. Coco here realized how much of a silly filly she was and came back begging to be taken under my wing once more,” she patted Coco on the head. “Naturally, being the generous mare I am, I immediately welcomed her back with open arms.”

Rarity narrowed her eyes.

“Now, how was it?” asked Suri with the tip of her right hoof under her chin. “Ah yes! It’s time to duel!”

Rainbow Dash wasn’t used to flying backwards. Or without moving her wings. Or while being tightly held by a Royal Guard from her midsection for that matter.

“Knock it off!” she yelled while struggling to break free. Seeing it was in vain, she muttered “Fine,” and placed her front hooves firmly around Frosty Rain’s head pressing against her chest, leaned forward then backwards with all her strenght, her hind legs pushing from below and flipped over, throwing Frosty Rain away from her.

Rainbow Dash hovered in place, eyeing the recovered Royal Guard warily. She had a white coat, with an indigo mane and tail. “The hay is with you, sister?!”

Frosty Rain glared with eyes glowing a sickly green and wordlessly charged forward.

Rainbow Dash shoot upwards and evaded the first tackle, but Frosty Rain somersaulted and quickly gave chase. Soon, both mares had become little more tan blurs to the untrained eyes of the passersby below, up and down, left and right, zipping and zooming around the buildings of city.

“Ponyfeathers,” muttered Rainbow Dash. “Will I get in trouble if I knock a Royal Guard?” she tought. With a sharp turn, she went behind a particularly tall building and lay in wait. “Come on, sister; I don’t have all--” a loud noise caught her attention, she looked upwards and saw a black motorcycle, with a golden frame in the shape of a demonic face on the front, riding down the wall of the building towards her. “What the hay?!” cried Rainbow Dash as she took her distance.

The rider, a humanoid clad in a skin tight black suit and with a pair of horns sprouting from the sides of his head, lifted the front wheel and accelerated, a burst of flames came out from the exhaust pipes as the motorcyle jumped from the building and landed on the empty space in front of Rainbow Dash, stading on the thin air as if it was the road.

“Stygian Street Patrol!” exclaimed Rainbow Dash.

The demonic rider laughed in acknowledgment (1600/1200) as Frosty Rain appeared behind him with a duel disk around her neck.

“Now we’re talking,” said Rainbow Dash as she set her own duel disk. “Draw,” she said and immediately summoned Big Jaws from her hand. The shark with oversized fangs appeared from a torrent of water and let out a fierce roar (1800/300). “Aqua Jet!” she said as she slid the spell card on her disk. “This gives my shark an extra thousand attack points!” (2800/300) “Go, BIG MOUTH!” the shark jumped and bit the Stygian Street Patrol, complete with motorcycle, crushing it between its sword-like fangs, before dissapearing in a cloud of bubbles (4000-2800). “Yeah, my shark is banished at the end of the battle phase,” informed Rainbow Dash with slight annoyance. “But that’s why I’ve got this guy for!” she said with a grin. “When one of my fish monsters is banished I can special summon Wingtortoise!” a large bipedal tortoise appeared on the field. Between its wings, long tail and neck it looked more akin to a dragon (1500/1400). It let out a cry and adopted a defensive position. “Cool, huh? Let’s see what you got!”

Frosty Rain narrowed her eyes and drew a card. “Monster Reborn! Stygian Street Patrol!” the demon biker reappeared on the field with a howl (1600/1200). “Stygian Security!” a small, mechanical blue imp with big bat-like wings appeared next to the biker. It cackled madly as the siren on top of its head glowed red (100/600). “Synchro summon!” declared Frosty Rain as her monsters turned into clusters of glowing dots. “Let the roar of your engine strike fear in the hearts of those who dare to break the law! Hell twin cop! Stygian Sergeants!” the nearby windows shook as a tall, muscled two-headed demon appeared riding a dark blue motorcycle. It spread its wings and growled as the sirens attached to the front wheel of its ride blared incessantly (2200/1800). “HELL WHEELIE!” the twin-headed demon charged forward, front wheel of its motorcyle held high, and crushed the Wingtortoise.

Rainbow Dash watched in bewilderment as the Stygian Sergeant turned around but remained in front of her.

“When my Stygian Sergeants destroys a monster in battle it gets an additional eight hundred attack points and can make a second attack,” explained Frosty Rain (3000/1800). “EXHAUST FLAME!”

Rainbow Dash shielded herself with her wings. Still, the explosion sent her flying a couple of blocks away, through an open balcony window and crashing against a wall adorned with several old-time photos.

“Good gracious!”

Rainbow Dash opened her eyes to see an elder unicorn mare with a beige coat and a grey mane and tail looking at her in shock. “Are you okay, dear?” she asked while adjusting her glasses. “I think part of your mane is burned.”

Rainbow Dash clenched her teeth and slowly stood up. She took a few breaths. “Oh yeah,” she said with a sheepish smile. “Sorry about--uh, the whole crashing thing, Granny.”

“Oh, nonsense,” said the elderly mare while waving a hoof. “Here,” she picked up a small tray from a nearby table with her magic. “Have a carrot brownie,” she said with a smile. “I made them myself.”

Frosty Rain narrowed her eyes at the rainbow streak that approached at full speed before stopping a few meters away.

“Sorry about the wait,” said Rainbow Dash. She took the last bite from her carrot brownie, swallowed and licked her lips. “Let’s do this,” she said with a smirk (4000-1000).

Even in the darkness of the room Rarity could see the monster in front of her perfectly. The lower half of her body was that of a snake with vibrant blue scales. Her upper half was that of a rail thin human female with green skin. She wore a frilly purple dress and long sleeved gloves, her long blue hair spread wildly to the sides and upwards, partially covering the three cobra heads that sprouted from her head (1400/1400).

Rarity curled her lower lip at the snake woman baring her large fangs at her.

“Turn end.”

Rarity shook her head. “Draw,” she pulled a card from her deck, looked at the two mares in front of her then at her hand. “Alright,” she mumbled before summoning Battlin’ Boxer Headgeared, sending a monster card from her deck to her graveyard and special summoning Battlin’ Boxer Sparrer. “XYZ summon!” she declared as she overlay her two monsters to summon Battlin’ Boxer Lead Yoke. The rustling of the barbarian’s chains echoed across the entire place, along with his heavy breathing. “The effect of my Sparrer prevents me from attacking,” she informed. “So I end my turn.”

Suri smiled smugly.

“Draw,” said Coco. “I summon Reptilianne Scylla,” the newest monster had the upper body of a thin, dark-skinned woman with fiery red hair, wearing a black dress with long sleeved gloves. Her savage smile was intimidating enough, but the worst part was her lower half. Instead of legs she had a large, grey-skinned quadruped beast with no eyes and a big mouth filled with teeths, both in front and at the sides (1800/1200). “For my Reptilianne Gorgon,” said Coco as she slid a spell card on her disk. “Molting Escape,” she pointed her right hoof forward, her voice never going above the monotone. “Attack.”

Reptilianne Gorgon hissed and jumped at the Lead Yoke. Unfazed, the bound barbarian stopped the gorgon with a punch to her midsection, lowering Coco’s life points (4000-3200). But it didn’t end there; the gorgon’s whole body turned grey as she squirmed and jumped backwards, leaving only a pile of dried skin on the floor (1700/1400).

Rarity covered her mouth with her hoof in disgust.

“Molten Escape prevents the destruction of my monster once per turn and gives it an extra three hundred attack points after every battle,” explained Coco. “Reptilianne Gorgon, use your Stone Gaze,” the gorgon glared at the Lead Yoke and, in the blink of an eye, the barbarian was turned to Stone (0/2000).

Rarity gasped.

“Now your monster cannot change positions,” said Coco. “Go, Scylla,” her monster barked and charged forward. “When Scylla destroys a monster with zero attacks points, I can take control of it.”

Rarity quickly detached an xyz material from her Lead Yoke as the Scylla took a bite of his shoulder. The monster turned statue didn’t even bulge, but Rarity still felt the pain of the bite on her right shoulder (4000-2200).

Suri laughed as she saw her foe breathing heavily. “This Game of Darkness is truly fascinating.”

Rarity’s eyes widened. “Game of Darkness?!” she thought. “What in the name of Celestia are you trying to accomplish, Suri?!”

“What part of “payback” do you not understand, darling?” asked Suri mockingly. “Coco, dear, finish your turn,” she ordered and turned to Rarity with a smirk. “I would like to see her squirm a bit more.”

Rarity gritted her teeth. “Draw!” she pulled a card with a flash of her magic. “Foolish Burial!” she sent Battlin’ Boxer Glassjaw from her deck to her graveyard to recover Battlin’ Boxer Switchhitter, which she immediately summoned. The humanoid automaton wore a brownish training suit, complete with a hoodie, its arms and left leg were fortified with mechanical implants (1500/1400). “By its effect I can special summon Battlin’ Boxer Glassjaw from my graveyard,” a second boxer, this one a large musclebound humanoid with green skin, wearing white shorts, black boots and gloves, appeared next to the first. Fittingly enough, its chin was made of glass (2000/0). “I build an overlay network! XYZ summon!” declared Rarity as her monsters fused into a whirlpool of light. “Break my foes with your explosive fists! Number 79: Battlin’ Boxer Nova Kaiser!” the final boxer was clad in a rich red and golden armor with two four tipped wing-like structures on its back. Its blue eyes glowed as he punched the air, each strike releasing sparks (2300/1600). “My monster obtains an additional hundred attack points for each xyz material attached to it,” explained Rarity (2500/1600). “I’m sorry, Coco,” she whispered. “Go! Take down Reptilianne Scylla with your SUPER NOVA STRIKE!” the Nova Kaiser punched Scylla in the midsection; it let out a shriek as her body burst up in flames (3200-2500).

Rarity bit her lower lip as she saw Coco flinch.

“Look who’s finally got a backbone,” said Suri cheerfully; Rarity’s glare only made her laugh.

“I end my turn.”

Suri nodded. “Mmhmm, go ahead, Coco.”

Coco drew a card and immediately ordered her Reptilianne Gorgon to attack Nova Kaiser. Once again the snake woman evaded destruction and increased her attack points thanks to Molten Escape (2000/1400) and at the cost of some of her master’s life points (2500-1700), while petrifying her foe. “Special summon Reptilianne Vaskii,” both of Rarity’s petrified monsters crumbled to dust and from the darkness emerged a new Reptilianne monster, easily twice the size of the previous ones. Her lower half was that of a snake with pitch-black scales, while the upper one was that of a pale woman with four arms and long, flowing red hair. She wore a dark blue dress with ornate golden decorations and an elegant headdress with the same color pattern and the shape of a cobra on the front (2600/0).

Rarity couldn’t help but stare in awe at Vaskii’s delicate features and beautiful face.

“I set down a card and end my turn,” declared Coco.

“Hmm, how was it?” pondered Suri for a moment. “Ah yes, draw your last pathetic card so I can end this, Rarity!”

Rarity took a breath and calmly drew her card. “Battlin’ Boxer Spirits,” she declared. “By sending the top card of my deck to the graveyard I can bring back a Battlin’ Boxer to my side of the field,” the discarded card was a second Battlin’ Boxer Glassjaw, which allowed Rarity to recover Battlin’ Boxer Switchhitter from her graveyard. She brought back Battlin’ Boxer Headgeared, followed by normal summoning Switchhitter and special summoning Sparrer with the former’s effect.

Suri yawned while Coco remained stoic.

“I overlay my three monsters! XYZ summon!” dramatically declared Rarity. The three monsters vanished in a pillar of light to reveal a new warrior, covered with a blue armor with golden plates. His massive shoulder pads were more akin to a pair of shields (2500/1600). “Shatter the stars with your punches! Number 105: Battlin’ Boxer Star Cestus!”

Suri quirked an eyebrow.

Rarity held up a card with her magic. “Rank-Up Magic Barian’s Force!” a whirlwind of darkness enveloped the Star Cestus. His armor became sharper and turned a dark shade of purple while his shoulder pads lenghtened and divided into four claw-like appendages on its back. “Truly my greatest champion! Number C105: Battlin’ Boxer Comet Cestus!” the monster clashed his fists together and let out a battle cry (2800/2000). “It’s over, Suri,” coolly said Rarity.

Suri smirked. “Is that so?”

“Trap card open,“ said Coco. “Shadow Spell,” multiple black chains erupted from the ground and tied themselves around Star Cestus’ arms, neck and waist (2100/2000).

Rarity remained unfazed. “Cestus’ effect allows me to detach an xyz material to destroy a monster on my opponent’s side of the field and deal damage equal to that monster’s attack points.”

Suri’s eyes widened. “What?!”

“I told you it was over,” said Rarity. “Give up, Suri.”

Suri narrowed her eyes and gritted her teeth. There was a long moment of silence before she managed to cool off. “Fine,” she spat and walked towards the door. “This is what I get for employing an incompetent mare as an assistant.”

“Wait a minute!” yelled Rarity. “Where do you think you’re going? Release Coco this instant!”

Suri turned around, a wide smile across her face. “Oh, I’m sorry; I’m afraid that’s beyond my means.”

“Don’t lie to me, Suri,” growled Rarity.

“It’s true,” said Suri while placing her right hoof over her chest, a look of hurt on her face. “And even if I could, this is a Game of Darkness, remember? It doesn’t end until one side loses.”

Rarity’s mouth fell. The words of Discord echoed in the back of her mind.

“Enjoy your victory, Rarity,” said Suri. “I think I’ll make a visit to Ponyville; I feel like having a bit of fresh air.”

Rarity watched Suri leave. She tried to charge, but a wall of shadows emerged in front of her and pushed her back, no matter how hard she tried. Even her magic had no effect. She turned around and looked at Coco, who remained motionless and expressionless like a doll.

Rainbow Dash drew a card from her deck and grinned. “Water Hazard! When I control no monsters I can special summon a level four or lower water monster from my hand! Double Shark!” a giant wave manifested behind Raibow Dash and from it jumped a large blue shark. It had both, an extra dorsal fin on its underside and a second pair of eyes on its lower jaw (1200/1600). “Inferno Reckless Summon!” two more sharks appeared on the field; the three fish monsters swam in circles around Rainbow Dash. “Don’t give me that look, sister,” she said with a smirk. “You can pick one of your monsters and do the same!”

Frosty Rain narrowed her eyes.

“Oh yeah, silly me!” said Rainbow Dash with a laugh. “You can’t!” her demeanor suddenly turned serious. “Sorry, but I’m finishing this now,” she declared. “I build an overlay network! XYZ summon!” the three Double Shark swam faster and faster, creating a whirlwind. “Come, marine biting dragon!” the wind subsided and a large, crimson shark appeared on the field. Its fins had growth into wings, legs and arms respectively; even its neck elongated, giving it an apparance more akin to that of a dragon (2800/2100). “Number 32: Shark Drake!”

Frosty Rain matched the monster’s glare.

“Chaos Xyz change!” shouted Rainbow Dash. The Shark Drake glowed as its body grew in size. “By using my Number 32 as a material I can summon the strongest shark!” when the light subsided the Shark Drake’s crimson body had turned white, its fins became sleeker and sharper like armor, its claws were now swords and pure energy pulsated all around its body with a purple light (2800/2100). “Marine biting dragon! Number C32: Shark Drake Veiss!” the monster gave an earth-shaking roar and the engine of the Stygian Sergeants’ motorcycle suddenly died down (0/0). “When my life points are one thousand or less,” explained Rainbow Dash. “I can detach an xyz material from my Shark Drake to make the attack and defense points of one of your monsters zero.”

Fort he first time, Frosty Rain’s expression turned into one of shock.

“Go!” commanded Rainbow Dash. “CHAOS DEPTH DIVE!” the Shark Drake Veiss charged forward like a torpedo, shredding the Stygian Sergeants to pieces and hitting Frosty Rain (2800-0). Her helmet shattered, letting her long, straight mane sprawl, and her body was launched backwards.

“Yeah!” cheered Rainbow Dash with a pump of her hoof. “Who’s da mare?! Who’s da mare!?" she spun around and shook her tail. "Rainbow Dash eh! Rainbow Dash uh! Rainbow—uh oh,” her celebration was cut short when she saw Frosty Rain kept falling down. “Ponyfeathers!” she spread her wings and flew like an arrow, catching Frosty Rain just as she was about to collide with a nearby roof. “Come on, I didn’t hit you that hard, sister!” said Rainbow Dash as she shook the mare on her back. “Dang, she’s out cold,” she thought and quickly made her way back to the Royal Tomb, where she found Rarity standing on the entrance and carrying an unconscious white mare on her back.

“Rainbow Dash! Are you alright? Why are you carrying a Royal Guard on your back?”

“Rarity! Are you okay? Who’s that on your back?”

There was a moment of silence in which both mares looked at each other.

“Okay,” said Rainbow Dash. “Ladies first.”

“We need to find a hospital,” said Rarity with urgency. “And we need to go back to Ponyville.”